Pillar of Yita

He wanted to ask more questions, but Hilveld, smiling, said she wanted to hear about the Hall of Thousand Doors. Yet, Fang Hong knew she wasn’t really interested in alchemy, just in hearing about his experiences, which warmed his heart.

Indeed, his experiences in the Hall of Thousand Doors had many stories worth telling, with some as exciting as other travels in the Kudi Mountain Range. After all, it spanned nearly half a year and was nothing he couldn’t share with Hilveld.

So, he recounted the most exciting parts, while Hilveld listened quietly with a smile, not interrupting him.

She seemed interested in the experiences involving several Red Doors—yet it was as if her mind was elsewhere, feigning an engrossed look, yet amusingly resting her chin while quietly observing her Lord Captain’s every move.

Every now and then, she would lightly blink, her long eyelashes fluttering in response.

It wasn’t until Fang Hong was concluding that Miss Ship’s Officer showed any change in her expression.

”What is it?” Fang Hong noticed her altered expression and couldn’t help but ask.

”I’ve actually heard of that Heart of the Relic,” Hilveld replied, ”It’s actually the reason for the formation of the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance. Years ago, a few famous alchemists formed a small circle to study the relic at the Summer’s End Tower, which eventually became the precursor to the Alchemists Alliance.”

”The Heart of the Fairy from the Rose Workshop was also inspired by that Heart of the Relic,” she said, ”If only Lord Captain had seen the Heart of the Relic at that time, it could have been immensely helpful to the subsequent refinement of the Heart of the Fairy.”

Fang Hong paused for a moment, regretfully shaking his head, ”It’s a pity. If I had known earlier, I would have asked Mr. Anluose about it. I’m sure he wouldn’t have refused. Unfortunately, we’ve already left that place, and who knows when we’ll return.”

”Isn’t there still the Hall of Thousand Doors in Osh?” Hilveld suggested. ”Since Lord Captain mentioned that all Halls of Thousand Doors are connected, maybe through Osh’s Hall of Thousand Doors, you could see the Heart of the Relic there too.”

Fang Hong nodded, though venturing to Osh’s Hall of Thousand Doors was something whose timing was uncertain.

Besides, although Anluose had promised to recommend him, the final decision lay with the Tower Guard of the Winter Solstice Tower in Osh. Who could tell what kind of personality and preferences the Tower Guard had? They might be an Imperial, unwilling to admit Colin Ishurian’s alchemists.

Moreover, the guilds within the Osh Empire also have a say in the qualifications to enter the Hall of Thousand Doors, similar to how Odin and other leaders influence Nevade, which is within the North America Guild’s sphere of influence. Whether they would welcome an Invoker from the China Competition Region remains uncertain.

While they were conversing, the door suddenly swung open. ”Captain’s here, where is he?” Even before seeing him, Fang Hong heard Xiangzi’s voice.

Then he saw Elisa and the adolescent boy with the door open, followed by Lady Kuisu, while Xiangzi had changed into a light summer robe. Although it still had the high collar and pointed wizard hat combination, it was no longer the eye-catching black or silver.

Upon seeing the new outfit, Fang Hong couldn’t help but comment, ”Xiangzi, you turned green.”

Xiangzi was quite proud, ”Mr. Big Cat designed it for me, and the camouflage effect is excellent.”

Elisa then smiled and said, ”Hope we didn’t disturb you two?” She glanced at Fang Hong with a smile.

Fang Hong was a bit embarrassed, while Hilveld generously laughed but shook her head. Xiangzi, as usual, failed to read the room and asked, ”Captain, I’m already Level 15, isn’t that impressive?”

It was indeed impressive, but Fang Hong already knew why from Hilveld, so he wasn’t surprised. It was also during this exchange with Elisa and Xiangzi he learned they had just passed through the Kudi Mountain Range and even defeated two bosses.

No wonder they gained so much experience.

By now, everyone’s plan to head south to level up was already halfway complete.

Initially, this minor incident would have ended there, but Xiangzi insisted on checking his level to see if he had been slacking off lately—according to this adolescent boy, Fang Hong owed him a duel, and he considered himself capable.

Fang Hong kindly reminded him, ”I think it’s better not to check.”

”Why?” Xiangzi shook his head, ”Is Captain scared?”

Fang Hong, resigned, had to display his level, revealing an experience bar nearing Level 18, almost startling Elisa.

The sister of the twins couldn’t believe her eyes—it was known that the higher the Invoker’s level, the more experience needed, so how could one jump from Level 15 to nearly Level 18 in two months?

Xiangzi’s face darkened, and without another word, he walked out.

Watching him, Fang Hong couldn’t help but find it amusing.

After Xiangzi left, Lady Kuisu reported her recent work. Mr. Greyrock hadn’t arrived at Fanric yet, naturally because everyone followed the original plan to log in the Brown-Red Forest. Now, the platform on Greyrock’s back had been revamped with brown-red wood. Although it gained a sturdier keel structure, the overall weight decreased due to the lighter material.