Pillar of Yita

Eteliria originally had a tradition of hosting competitions and festivals before the start of the winter hunt, derived from ancient knight challenges.

The true rise of various competitions occurred after the Invoker arrived in Eteliria. This novel form of competition from Earth intrigued the nobles, and it spread from the top down.

Today, various competitions have formed dozens of large and small competitive leagues.

The most authoritative of these is undoubtedly the three major events of the Super Competitive League, including the top-tier Second World Competition – which is the only event most real-world fans pay attention to and understand.

However, this current competition was likely a minor event in the Elpaxin region, initiated by the Elpaxin Artisan Association, which Fang Hong had never even heard of before.

He was not particularly interested in the competition itself, only curious about the rewards. He couldn’t help but ask, ”What exactly is the Ring of Golden Flame?”

”It is a ring imbued with magic power,” Luo Yu answered.

”It’s the craft of the Numelin Elves, Brother Ade,” Gita continued after Luo Yu, softly explaining, ”The Numelin Elves are particularly skilled in fine magic control. They infuse a faint magic power into the rings through their forging skills, granting them very special strengths. This technique was inherited by today’s Forging Masters.

They are not as powerful as Magic Guided Conductors, but their main feature is that they can be utilized by ordinary people without relying on the power of a Core Crystal.”

”What kind of power does the Ring of Golden Flame have?” Fang Hong, hearing about it for the first time, couldn’t help but ask curiously.

Gita shook her head.

At that moment, Tianlan’s voice came from one side, ”No one knows what power the Ring of Golden Flame possesses. It’s only known that the ring is one of the proudest creations of its maker here, rumored to be crafted from the golden eye of a deceased giant dragon, possessing immense strength.”

Fang Hong turned around and saw that Tianlan and Atira had arrived at some point, making their way through the crowd to their side.

Tianlan ’thump’ tossed a brooch onto the table. The others glanced subconsciously and noticed it was a black brooch, engraved with half a fire-breathing Evil Dragon’s head, and its convex surface was plated with a layer of silver, glinting in the firelight.

”What is this?” Luo Yu couldn’t help but inquire.

The reason the brooch depicted only half of an Evil Dragon’s head was that it was missing part of the jaw and a dragon horn. Fang Hong felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of this emblem. Subconsciously, he looked up and saw the giant dragon horn still perfectly hanging above the great hall’s dome, showing no sign of anomaly amid the flickering firelight.

Atira then responded, ”This object was found at the scene by the people of the Black Goat.”

”They gave this to you?” Fang Hong inquired.

”Is this all they gave you, Sister Atira?” Gita also asked.

The Elf Girl nodded, her expression somewhat weary.

Tianlan looked at her worriedly, then turned back and asked, ”So, do you recognize this thing?”

The group shook their heads.

Only Gita lifted the brooch to the light, looked at it, and then said apologetically, ”There are too many organizations that use dragons as their symbol. I am too low level, and my analysis ability is not enough to filter out the clues, Sister Atira.”

”It’s okay.” The Elf Girl forced a smile and shook her head, indicating she didn’t mind.

Gita put the brooch back down, but spoke seriously, ”But, there’s still a way. Fortunately, we are near Elpaxin. The Great Library of the Silver Tower in Elpaxin might be able to help us.”

”Then let’s go to Elpaxin,” Tianlan decisively said. ”Brother Ade is going there too, isn’t that right?” she turned back to look at him.

Fang Hong understood her intention and quickly nodded—moreover, he was actually going to Elpaxin anyway.

Atira was touched and slightly embarrassed, looking at the few youngsters: ”But what about your Trainee assessments?”

”It’s just a matter of submitting a report; that’s not until the middle of the Month of Cage of Light (October). Besides, the final stage task still awaits the appearance of the Obelisk, which is still a long way off,” the girl from France said nonchalantly, and Gita and Luo Yu nodded along.

Atira took a deep breath, then nodded and said nothing more, pulling out a chair to sit down.

Tianlan also sat down, at the same time curiously asking: ”What were you discussing earlier?” The solid wooden table was round, seating six people without feeling crowded.

The hall was brilliantly lit, bustling with people coming and going.

Far away, a Dwarf held a lute and danced barefoot on a table, the lute clinking melodiously, while adventurers occasionally burst into boisterous laughter, drowning out all other sounds.

Fang Hong’s attention was irresistibly drawn away, curiously looking over there.

Gita honestly replied from the side, ”We were discussing the challenges, Miss Fuli.”

”Ah, that one!” Tianlan’s face lit up with realization, suddenly becoming excited, ”Speaking of which, Brother Ade, you are a Combat Artisan, aren’t you? Why not give it a try?”

As she spoke, Luo Yu also looked meaningfully at him. Fang Hong hesitated for a moment before turning to ask, ”Didn’t you say it’s already the finals? How can I still participate?”

Another cheer came from a distance, overwhelming the girl from France’s response.

She frowned, speaking loudly, ”These privately held competitions aren’t so strict. In fact, besides the finals, there are also some exhibition matches.”