Pillar of Yita

Behind the military personnel stood over twenty members of the Silver Forest Spear, clad in silver cloaks. Tianlan’s gaze immediately found the two annoying individuals in the crowd, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft snort.

However, the two of them didn’t notice Fang Hong and his companions. Walking in the middle of the group, they occasionally exchanged words with each other and quickly moved out of everyone’s vision.

The next to enter the hall was a man towering like an immense tower.

He wore only a thin linen shirt, revealing his tanned and muscular build. His lips were thick, and he seemed stern and humorless. Beneath his high brow were deep-set eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, and two ashen stripes were painted on his cheekbones—one vertical to his forehead and one to his chin.

His black hair was tied into thick braids down his back, reaching all the way to his buttocks with many little copper rings at the ends that jingled as he walked.

With his arrival, the entire hall fell silent.

”Mazak Cadmos,” Tianlan said in a low voice to the others, ”He is the master here, the finest blacksmith above the wilderness, the creator of the ’Traveler’s Rest’ laws.”

The towering man took his place in the center of the hall.

Four Dwarves followed him, their eight arms collectively lifting a stone pedestal into the hall. Below the pedestal, twelve naked Giants had been carved out to stand at its base, supporting the tray above with upraised arms.

They set the pedestal heavily in the middle of the hall, producing a dull thunderous noise.

It was only then that Gita quietly informed the others that the twelve Giants were the defeated chieftains of twelve Giant Clans, bound by Rotas to endure endless labor under the Sanctified Throne.

At this moment, the hall also appropriately filled with a humming buzz of conversation.

But Mazak clapped his hands for silence, and the crowd quieted down again. He spoke, ”Welcome to my camp. Tonight, a special contest will take place here, and the ultimate victor will receive a precious gift from me—it is a proud creation of my early years.”

The Dwarf creatures extinguished some of the lights, darkening the hall considerably.

As everyone wondered, Mazak suddenly raised his hand, clutching a translucent, fiery gold platinum Ring as if it were iron heated and not quenched, shining brightly in the darkness.

Everyone involuntarily gasped.

No words were needed to describe it; they all understood it was the Ring of Golden Flame.

And under the covetous gazes, Mazak placed the Ring onto the tray.

He lifted his head, his dark eyes reflecting the golden blaze, his sharp gaze sweeping the hall. ”Today we will witness the birth of a champion under the watch of The Just Ouli. I hope that every contestant will swear in their heart to The Just that they shall use fair means to win the contest— otherwise, bear the consequences.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, and he finished with a soft declaration, ”Now, let the contest begin.”

The hall brightened once again.

A Dwarf representative of the Colin Commercial League stepped forward, holding a copper megaphone, and called out in a high-pitched tone, ”Please, anyone remaining in the center of the hall, clear the competition area immediately. Official contestants, please enter from this direction.

In addition, registration for preliminary rounds is being held on the east side of the hall, where other contestants should go!”

The hall instantly grew noisy as the crowd dispersed, with some trying to cross to register and others looking for their places.

Fang Hong saw the military personnel swallowed by the tidal wave of people.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiping off the cold sweat, but just to be careful, he pulled up his cloak’s hood to let the hood drape down and cover most of his face. Gita looked at him puzzled at his actions, ”Brother Ade, you don’t look well.”

”It’s just a bit too cold.”

This answer couldn’t be more stiff, and Atira glanced up at the brightly burning fireplace nearby.

Gita didn’t suspect anything and nodded earnestly. ”The nights in Egon Forest can grow quite cold, but it’s actually rather warm inside the inn.”

Tianlan wasn’t listening to the conversation at all. The girl from France seemed very excited, looking around at the bustling crowd, then turned her head back and said with a flutter, ”Let’s go, to sign up over there. Did you see? The others have already gone.”

This suggestion paralyzed Fang Hong.

Because he now didn’t want to participate in the contest anymore.

Standing out in front of the military was the last thing he wanted—he’s no fool. After all, the Stargate’s Special Action Team, the permanent unit stationed at the Stargate, was specifically set up by various countries to catch Stowaways.

But Tianlan clearly didn’t understand Fang Hong’s complex feelings, blinking her eyes at him, ”Brother Ade, what are you daydreaming about?”

”It’s not...”

Fang Hong was trying to find a reasonable excuse.

But then Atira suddenly stood up and said, ”I’ll take Ade to sign up, the rest of you stay here.”

”Huh?” Tianlan was taken aback, ”Why?”

”Especially you, Fuli,” Atira looked at her, ”You’re the one I’m most worried about. Stay put until I return, and don’t you dare go anywhere.”

Tianlan pouted highly, displaying her displeasure on her face, but she didn’t retort. She sat down with a slump, her hands stretched out flat on the table as though she were a dead fish.

Atira laughed and shook her head at the sight of her.