Pillar of Yita

Then the other party switched the topic and mentioned, ”There was some misunderstanding between the Descendants of Flor and Mr. Ade before, but it was just a minor issue. Mr. Ade is an Invoker in our country, and Ragnarok is also a well-known guild here, so essentially, we are all on the same side.”

”Currently, domestic major guilds are suffering defeats in the Murky Domain and performing poorly in several external battles. Many previous star players have retired, creating a need for rising talents. At this time, having a newcomer like Mr. Ade in the domestic league is indeed a blessing.”

”Mr. Ade might not know, but the outside world is comparing you to Miss Loofah. Mr. Ade is also an Alchemist and a Combat Artisan. You must also want to reach the heights of Nether, Loofah, and Miss Virus, right?”

Fang Hong was slightly taken aback.

He thought this meeting would be tense, but he didn’t expect Sophie to be right—as the other party began by flattering him. Unfortunately, if it were Miss Sicape or Elf Miss saying these things, he might have been so pleased that he could fly.

But in front of these people, he remained clear-minded. He understood their intent, though not necessarily malicious—yet, he knew well that if the two parties couldn’t agree, these people probably wouldn’t maintain this attitude.

Of course, if the other party truly had the magnanimity of Silver Weslan or Elite, he might even think more highly of the Descendants of Flor. However, Fang Hong knew that the Descendants of Flor would never be like Silver Weslan or Elite. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been so many issues with Morning Dawn Star before.

Thinking of Elite, he couldn’t help but think of that ice-cold lady. Ever since the battle at Idus, the other party hadn’t contacted him for a long time.

When the other party reached out to him, he was somewhat annoyed. Yet when they suddenly disappeared, he felt oddly disappointed. It’s not that he’s waiting for the right time to join Elite; he just felt belittled, which was quite frustrating.

Of course, such thoughts were only natural, and Fang Hong wasn’t worried because of them.

He quietly awaited the other party’s next move.

As expected, just as he anticipated. Remaining silent and seemingly unmoved, the other party was slightly surprised but had no choice but to get straight to the point. After a light cough, the young man said, ”Mr. Ade, I’ll get straight to it.”

”Your talent is outstanding, and we truly value your potential—with your talent, reaching the heights of Miss Loofah, Nether, and Miss Virus is entirely possible.”

”But you also understand that talent is just one aspect. For any Grand Guild to cultivate a player at Nether’s level requires allocating a significant portion of their resources. This isn’t a small sum for a Grand Guild or club.”

”For smaller guilds or organizations, it’s astronomical.”

”I know, given your talent, countless domestic guilds have approached you with tempting offers,” the young man adjusted his glasses. ”But you need to discern whether some guilds can genuinely provide the resources they’re promising.”

”You should be aware of the strength of the Descendants of Flor, right? As an established club, we are quite reliable when it comes to contracts with players. We have never encountered labor disputes, earning a good reputation in this regard.”

As he spoke, he presented a contract, ”To put it simply, Mr. Ade, the Descendants of Flor wish to resolve past grievances and formally invite you to join us. We promise to offer you the best terms, cultivating you into a top-tier Invoker—”

The man gently placed a hand on the contract, ”This contract, wherever placed—even among our major guilds—is exceptionally favorable.”

Fang Hong silently examined the contract for a moment.

Though it appeared to be a sheet of paper, it was actually a system-generated projection, an illuminated window, and an electronic agreement.

The other party wasn’t lying.

This contract was indeed quite favorable—

But of course, it still paled in comparison to what Silver Weslan, led by Sophie, had offered him.

Silver Weslan explicitly stated—and the guild chairman personally responded—that they could offer him terms akin to those enjoyed by Sophie for his development. Knowing Sophie’s connections within Silver Weslan and her ties to the military, of course, she’d be far more closely related than he would be.

Yet even so, Silver Weslan offered him such favorable terms. If Sophie weren’t a close friend, hearing such conditions might’ve left her depressed.

Yet he resolutely declined Silver Weslan’s proposal.

Since then, neither Silver Weslan nor Sophie has raised the issue of him joining Silver Weslan again. The reason is simple: they couldn’t offer better terms, and secondly, they sensed his determination.

He wasn’t moved at the time.

He certainly wouldn’t be now.

He asked Sophie what she’d do if he remained on opposing sides with the Descendants of Flor. At that time, Sophie didn’t answer, but this question seemed about to become a real one.

He looked away from the contract, raised his head, looked at the other party, and then gently shook his head, ”No need.”

The young man with silver-rimmed glasses showed a hint of surprise, yet Fang Hong’s answer didn’t seem entirely unexpected to him. After thinking for a moment, he asked, ”Mr. Ade, there might be some things I’ve not thoroughly explained to you.”

”Eteliria is undergoing a dramatic change, during which many opportunities will arise. In fact, you’ve heard about the Alliance’s restructuring of Free Guilds this year, right?”

Fang Hong looked at the other party with slight surprise. Of course, he’d heard about it, even experienced it firsthand. This led to widespread criticism against the Alliance outside, yet here they are, using this as a talking point?

The other party adjusted his glasses again, ”I know, this ’adjustment’ has a not-so-great reputation outside, but it’s not as rumored—the Alliance isn’t oppressing Free Guilds and Free Summoners. Mr. Ade may have some misunderstandings, but to the Alliance, Free Summoners are part of the Invoker strength, essentially no different from guild organizations.”

”Then why did you do this?” Fang Hong finally asked proactively.

”The reason is simple; it involves a ’distribution’ issue.”

”Distribution?”

”Mr. Ade should’ve heard that the Alliance and Stargate Port have this year selected a batch of outstanding Invokers from various major guilds, including second- and third-tier ones, granting a large number of positions for access to the Second World, right?”

A glint of light flashed in Fang Hong’s eyes. He indeed heard about this, but from Red Leaf, in a version slightly different. Red Leaf described how she and Wu Di went to Charter City for this selection task.

It’s said that both she and Wu Di obtained this qualification, but after the guild integration and Tabopolis’s declaration of ’disbandment’, whether the qualification still holds is uncertain.

In Red Leaf’s account, it seemed to be a military-led initiative. But now, hearing it, the Alliance also appears involved.

Of course, whether the other party is speaking the truth remains to be seen.

...