I Can Only Cultivate In A Game

The streets of New Avalon City were quieter at this hour. Glowing signs flickered and distant sirens echoed faintly, but for the most part, the city was at rest. Victor walked home after his friends had separated for the night with his hands tucked into his pockets, deep in thought. The underground fight club had been brutal, but rewarding. He checked his digital credit balance again. > [Current Balance: 202,000 Credits] A slight smile appeared on his face. He had done it. --- As soon as he stepped into his apartment, Victor was greeted by the soft glow of the kitchen light. His mother was still awake, sitting at the table with a cup of warm tea. Her gaze softened when she saw him. "You're back late." "Had some things to take care of." She didn't press him for details. She never did. She trusted him—even if she worried. Victor moved over to the kitchen counter, pulled out his holowatch, and with a few taps, he transferred the credits to his mother's account. > [Transfer Complete: 200,000 Credits → Recipient: Revenant, Claire] A soft chime confirmed the successful deposit. His mother's eyes widened as she received the notification on her own device. > "Victor… this is—this is a lot." "It should last at least five months," Victor said. "I'm leaving in two weeks, and I don't want you struggling while I'm gone." His mother's lips parted, but no words came at first. A bunch of emotions crossed her face—pride, worry, gratitude. She stood up and pulled him into a firm embrace. "You're a good son." Victor hesitated for a moment before returning the hug. "Just promise me you won't push yourself too hard," she added. "I'll be fine," Victor stated. His mother stepped back with a knowing look in her eyes. "You haven't been sleeping well, have you?" Victor exhaled sharply before letting out a slight chuckle. She always knew. "I've been busy." "Busy trying to make sure we survive," she said with a sigh. "I know, Victor. But don't forget to live too." After dinner, Victor retreated to his room. The digital screen on his desk flickered on as he checked the progress of his channel. > [Channel Subscribers: 1,082] [Latest Video Views: 70,426] [Total Comments: 612] Victor leaned back in his chair before letting out a small huff of amusement. "Not bad." The first video had flopped, but the second? That was progress. People were engaging more, commenting on his stunts, and some even speculated whether he was a warrior or an Assassin class. Victor grinned while shaking his head. Another debate again. "Let's hope the third video does even better." He edited for a few hours, cutting clips, adjusting transitions, adding effects to make the stunts pop more. By the time he was done, it was already 2 AM. With a final tap, he uploaded the new video, hoping it would gain traction faster than the last one. > [Uploading Video…] [Upload Complete.] Victor cracked his knuckles and stretched his tense muscles. Now, it was time. He turned toward the VR helmet resting on his desk. The last time he was in Ascendant Realms, he had just reached the outskirts of a city under the rule of the Azure Ember Empire. He was about to step into higher civilization for the first time in the game. "Let's see what the city has to offer." Victor slid the VR helmet on, took a deep breath, and powered the game. > [Logging into Ascendant Realms…] [Synchronization Complete.] [Welcome Back, Fang Chen.] The real world faded. Victor opened his eyes to the sight of rolling plains and a winding dirt road leading straight to the towering city gates in the distance. His heart pounded with excitement. "So this is it..." The city walls stretched high into the sky, made of stone reinforced with intricate spiritual inscriptions. Guards patrolled the area, while traders and travelers moved in and out of the massive entrance gates. Above the city, floating lanterns drifted through the sky, illuminating the architecture of massive pagodas and busy market districts. The city was alive. > [System Notification: You have arrived at Blueflame City – One of the Strongholds of the Azure Ember Empire.] [Congratulations on crossing all three major routes to civilization. Hidden Achievement Unlocked!] Victor took his first steps toward Blueflame City with a look of enthusiasm. The sheer magnitude of the place made him feel like an ant before a giant. The massive gates leading inside were flanked by towering stone statues of armored cultivators. Their eyes sparkled as though they watching every soul that passed beneath them. Guards in azure and gold robes stood in perfect formation with their weapons glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The sheer density of qi in the air here was leagues ahead of anything he had encountered in the wilderness. "So this is what true civilization looks like in Ascendant Realms…" As Victor approached, his system chimed once more. --- [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] [Welcome to Blueflame City, a Stronghold of the Azure Ember Empire.] [You have crossed the three major trials to civilization.] The Misguided Misty Paths ✅ The Dark Canyon ✅ The Devil Forest ✅ [Hidden Achievement Unlocked: Path of Perseverance] [Rewards: 11, 500 Wisps of Qi, Mastery Increase for Wind Shifting Arts, Shadow Crescent Strike.] Victor qi surged, reinforcing his body as he moved toward the grand entrance of the city. A long line of travelers, merchants, and cultivators were waiting to enter. Victor fell in line, observing the different clothing styles, weapons, and spiritual beasts people brought along. Some rode creatures resembling scaled wolves, while others led massive oxen with burning hooves. Near the front, a commotion was brewing. A tall bearded man in dark robes was arguing with a city official. > "I demand entry! My clan holds a merchant license!" "You're missing the required insignia. You may not pass without proper verification." >"Are you sure you can bear the consequences of preventing me?!" "Step aside!" >"You will pay for this!" Victor sighed. "Bureaucracy exists even in a cultivation world." When he reached the front, a stern-faced guard eyed him. > "Name and purpose of visit?"