Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 429 - 419: Do You Know What You Have Given Up?

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell into dead silence once more, with only the sound of breathing rising and falling.

Dan Dinghe accurately pointed out a problem that they all faced, whether to choose their own path or the worldly attachments.

Each of them, in their own world, held high positions, were pillars of support, the higher they stood, the greater the responsibility and the more attachments they had.

The flood two years ago rang a warning bell for all of them, making them realize that in the face of absolute power, they were like ants on the ground, facing the dam breach, facing the oncoming flood beasts, all they could do was to wait in place for death to come, the ultimate fate being obliteration in the flood, without even the qualification to resist.

Many of them, in their own world, their clansmen, family members, partners, and others have already been obliterated in the "flood".

Like "Old Liu", some had the opportunity to save them but chose to stay, abandoning their clans and loved ones.

"Old Bai, I won’t say much or persuade you more."

"But you must understand a principle, even if you return now and single-handedly repel the attack from three powerful Demon Realms."

"What about the future?"

"If the next Time Flood comes, what will you do then?"

"Your clansmen, your loved ones will all be obliterated in the flood, including yourself, the same as before, you can’t change anything."

"If you go back now, it’s just to let them live a few more days, the end result is still the same, inescapable death."

Dan Dinghe’s voice echoed in the narrow room, his words were like a heavy hammer, hammering on Old Bai’s heart, and hammering on the hearts of others.

"The place we live now is very small compared to the vast world we had."

"We ruled vast worlds in our own world, held Supreme statuses revered by countless people, but so what?"

"Now this room is very small, but it’s infinitely broader than our original world!"

"In the Ten Thousand Realms, countless mighty powerhouses dream of squeezing into our small room."

"Old Bai, think carefully."

After saying that, Dan Dinghe also turned around and leaned against the wall to sleep.

Bai Yuan lay on the narrow bed, gazing at the ceiling, Old Liu’s words echoed repeatedly in his mind.

After a night of contemplation, he finally made a choice.

.....

The next day, nine hundred small animals stood neatly on the vacant land beside the medicine garden.

They were arranged neatly, some excitedly looking forward, some with lonely expressions and extremely nervous.

Today was the day to settle rewards, it’s easy to see who did well and who didn’t.

....

Soon, the five little ones came to the vacant land, each leading their team to different places for summary and reward.

Since the five little ones each managed their subordinates, it was convenient for management, and this competition between teams leads to better performance, better efficiency.

Bai Yuan was under the supervision of "Owl."

He stood among the crowd, his expression calm, seemingly showing no emotional fluctuations.

"5862, step forward!"

Owl looked at the open scroll in his hand and called out.

In the next moment, a sand fox stepped out, its body trembling.

"5162, you ranked last this month, work volume is zero."

"This is the first warning, if accumulated to three times, you’ll have to leave."

Owl’s tone was very cold and stern; only such a cruel elimination system would maximally stimulate the potential of subordinates.

....

"5142, step forward."

"Not bad, you’ve made significant progress compared to last month, performance doubled, you can be awarded the progress prize."

"After the meeting, go to Uncle Qing Niu to receive your reward."

...

"5089, you slackened this month, performance fell a lot compared to last month."

...

"5052, what’s going on? You were second in our group last month, but dropped so much this month?"

"Find the reason within yourself, if you worked hard enough."

.....

"5023, good, good, last month you were last, this month you rushed directly to the top ten, worthy of encouragement."

"After finished, go claim your progress prize, don’t be arrogant, keep it up."

...

"5066, well done!"

"This month, you are first in our group, and also entered the top thirty of the entire group."

"Keep it up, after finished, go claim your reward."

Facing the boss’s praise, Bai Yuan’s face seemed to show no sign of joy or excitement.

.....

After the meeting, those who received rewards went to Cyan Ox to line up and claim their prizes.

Among them, three people were sent back home after accumulating three times of coming last.

Their faces were filled with endless fear, despair spread in their hearts, upon returning home, back to their world, constantly facing doom.

There’s no other way, to stay here, one must contribute, must show their value.

Just as the boss said, if you can’t bring value to the owner, why would the owner want to protect you?

Bai Yuan stood at the original place, watching the three expelled, his body trembled slightly.

He hesitated for a while, then mustered the courage to find his boss alone.

....

"5066, your name is Bai Yuan, right? I remember you now."

"Good this month, keep it up next month."

With a smile, Owl encouraged Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan took a deep breath and slowly said: "Boss, I want to go back."

Upon hearing, Owl was stunned, surprised: "Want to go back?"

"Why?" He didn’t understand, others would give anything to stay, yet this good-performing "Bai Yuan" actually wanted to leave voluntarily?

Bai Yuan briefly explained the Kunpeng Demon Realm situation.

"Oh, I see."

Owl pondered for a moment and said: "Have you thought it through?"

"If you leave voluntarily, you can’t come back later."

"Do you know what you’re giving up?"

He couldn’t understand giving up such a huge opportunity to work by the owner’s side, yet choose not to.

Hearing this, Bai Yuan froze for a moment, a bit shaken, then took a deep breath: "Boss, I’ve thought it through."

"I’ve considered that upon returning to the Demon Realm, I’ll become fish on the chopping board, not knowing when I might be served."

Saying this, Owl chuckled: "Little guy, it’s not to discourage you."

"You and your Demon Realm aren’t even qualified to be fish on the chopping board."