"Withdraw from the Glory Festival?"

Hearing the other party's words, Lin Yu's expression turned more solemn.

Although the other party's tone was very polite and their demeanor courteous, this...

"This isn't a very reasonable request, is it?"

Lin Yu looked at the other party and said calmly.

Jiang Rong did not deny it.

"Yes, I admit this request is even a bit excessive, but... this is our consideration after weighing the options."

"With the level of power you have currently displayed, if you continue to move freely within this 'Glory Festival,' the entire festival will become meaningless."

Jiang Rong said straightforwardly.

People from the Black Marsh world rarely beat around the bush when they speak.

Especially those from the Blood Kingdom.

Lin Yu looked at Jiang Rong and spoke again in a low voice.

"Meaning?"

"I'd like to ask, what do you believe is the meaning of the Glory Festival?"

"When I participated in this festival last time, there weren't so many restrictions—the most important meaning of this festival is to let those who think they are strong enough test just how strong they really are."

"Isn't that the case?"

Facing Lin Yu's counter-inquiry with a questioning tone, Jiang Rong responded again, unhurried.

"Perhaps that was the original intention when the festival was established, but... nothing remains unchanged forever."

"The 'Glory Festival' of today is essentially a contest where each tribe selects its most valiant and skilled young warriors to fight for glory on behalf of their own tribes."

Lin Yu snorted coldly: "So, you reject strong contestants? Is there a clear standard for that? How strong exactly does one need to be before they are barred from participating?"

Faced with Lin Yu's pressing questions, Jiang Rong finally showed some change in expression.

"That's not it. Rather than saying strong individuals are not allowed to participate, it's more accurate to say it's an unwritten rule that established, long-famous veteran powerhouses are not allowed to compete!"

"Otherwise, I certainly wouldn't be standing here as a referee right now, but rather as a contestant fighting below against the top powerhouses of other tribes."

Jiang Rong sized Lin Yu up and down: "Although I don't know what kind of reputation you had on this land back then, and too many records about the Rakshasa race have been lost... but, I imagine you were definitely not an unknown figure."

"If the meaning of the 'Glory Festival' back then was truly that simple, that pure, just to find out who was the 'strongest'... then you should be even less suitable to continue competing in this edition of the 'Glory Festival.'"

"This is not the Glory Festival you imagine... is it?"

Lin Yu nodded.

"Indeed... so far in my participation, only that kid I just fought was somewhat interesting."

Jiang Rong smiled: "He is another failure on our part... Although visitors from other worlds mixing into the Glory Festival is not necessarily forbidden, that guy was purely here to cause destruction."

"Counting it that way, I should thank you for dealing with him on behalf of me, the referee, and the arbitrators."

Hearing Jiang Rong's words, Lin Yu understood that the NPC before him was also aware of the Players' existence.

He shook his head lightly: "It's nothing. I just couldn't tolerate someone secretly sabotaging this festival... On the other hand, killing these visitors from other worlds is beneficial to me anyway."

Hearing Lin Yu's tone soften, Jiang Rong breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, you agree to withdraw from the competition?"

"How is that possible? I don't care what you understand the 'Glory Festival' to be, but the battles and festivals I participate in cannot be abandoned halfway," Lin Yu declared proudly. "Once it begins, for me there is only victory or... death!"

As Lin Yu spoke, he glanced faintly at Jiang Rong, his gaze landing behind him.

"This is said for all of you to hear. There's no need to test me like this—be it the Blood Rakshasas or the Barbarians, I admit this world and this land belong to you now."

"I have no intention of reviving the Rakshasa race, nor will I use that as a reason to demand you return anything—we were imprisoned by that bastard god, and I only managed to escape by chance and return here. If I still used the Rakshasa name to try and revive or rebuild something... that would be utterly laughable!"

"Escaping from a powerful being, returning home, and starting a war with you all... it would be like the act of a cowardly weakling who, after being injured by a beast outside, goes home to take out his anger by hitting his children."

As Lin Yu spoke, Jiang Rong's expression turned grave.

On one hand, he was shocked that Lin Yu could see that he was representing the Ten Great Tribes in contacting this Rakshasa.

On the other hand...

"Our records and those of humans are correct; the accounts of the Monsters and Beastkin are wrong... It seems the Rakshasas of that era were indeed erased from the continent because of blasphemous acts against the gods!"

"After all, this Rakshasa just compared the gods to 'beasts'!"

While deeply shaken, Jiang Rong also nodded directly in acknowledgment.

"Indeed, we do have some concerns about that point. Although I personally also yearn to cross hands with a legendary Rakshasa, for the sake of the tribe, for the race... I must ensure your 'safety.'"

Lin Yu grinned and laughed.

"After ten thousand years, it's no surprise that concepts would have differences and changes—no wonder you are so worried."

"As Rakshasas, our concepts of race and tribe were actually quite thin," Lin Yu's laughter carried a hint of pride, but also some self-mockery. "As Rakshasas, each of us was free. In pursuit of strength and battle, we didn't need to consider the group—being able to care for one's own blood relatives was already the greatest extent of our consideration."

"But perhaps it was precisely because of this that we were imprisoned by the gods... In the place of imprisonment, after I and other clansmen came into contact with other imprisoned beings, we did reflect on a lot—your way of thinking, according to the terms of other races, is indeed 'more progressive and more civilized.'"

After finishing with a laugh, Lin Yu's expression changed again.

"But reflection is just reflection. Now that I've returned here alone, I don't intend to change just like that."

"So... don't try to command me either!"

"It is impossible for me to withdraw from the 'Glory Festival.' No matter what, I will finish it and do my utmost to strive for the festival's 'championship'!"

Lin Yu stated firmly.

Jiang Rong looked at Lin Yu's unwavering resolve and pondered for a long time.

"In that case, I have a solution."

"I witnessed your battle just now. That level of combat... As the victor, declaring you the strongest in this edition of the 'Glory Festival' wouldn't be a problem at all."

"The current Glory Festival already operates on a scoring system. What if you conclude this festival early now, and we score your combat performance?"

Lin Yu shook his head: "But I haven't collected enough trophies." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Why cling to formalities? You said it yourself, the essence of the Glory Festival is for the 'stronger,'" Jiang Rong said seriously. "The battle just now was witnessed by all... Adding one more rule to this Glory Festival stating 'outstanding battles will receive extra points' is not a difficult matter!"

"I can make that decision myself!"