Pillar of Yita

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frown and glanced at the stage, just hoping that what he said to Hilveld yesterday would make Teacher Ande a bit more alert.

Of course, he also knew this was difficult because even he couldn't produce any evidence. They couldn't act on his word alone, especially given the competitive relationship between him and Rolin. Hilveld and Tianlan could trust him unconditionally, but others might not.

However, this sudden attack caused quite a bit of trouble for their team. Mainly because MTT was seriously injured in the explosion. Although the healer's treatment removed the immediate danger to his life, it made it almost impossible for him to participate in the upcoming matches.

The tournament organizers couldn't do much about this and could only let them temporarily find a substitute. But substitutes weren't easy to find. For this competition, all slightly famous Alchemist teams from the Southern Region gathered here, and the outstanding ones were either their opponents or already committed to other teams.

They could pick from the teams eliminated yesterday, but those soul fingerprints might not be interested. In fact, since learning the news, the team leader had been standing there in silence, with furrowed brows and biting her lip for a long time while holding the list.

Mulan and others were contacting their friends, but it wasn't easy to find someone conveniently near Fanric.

Fang Hong was also a bit anxious. After all, if they couldn't get enough people, they would be directly declared losers.

But randomly picking someone, how would that achieve his goal?

As he was searching aimlessly among the crowd, suddenly an unexpected figure caught his eye. Fang Hong saw the person, paused in surprise, and then couldn't help but feel overjoyed, thinking this was the perfect manpower.

So he immediately parted the crowd and walked over, shouting at the person:

"Liuli!"

At the edge of the arena, everyone was curiously looking at the young boy in front who didn't look well.

"Who is he?" Mulan couldn't help asking.

"This is the backup I found," Fang Hong dragged the scowling Liuli Yue forward, "He's no small name, a genius artisan from the Silver Forest Spear. I've dealt with him before, he's reliable."

Hearing he was a member of the Silver Forest Spear, Soul Fingerprint's face slightly brightened—as the Silver Forest Crown is also a member of the top ten guilds, they are much more famous than us in terms of artisan training.

Even Fang Hong said the other party is a genius artisan, so his level must be somewhat competent.

Only then did she politely ask him, "Our team member was injured before, and the tournament organizers agreed we could find a substitute. Would you like to join us?"

Liuli Yue glanced at Fang Hong.

"First, my name is Liuli Yue, not Liuli," he said angrily, "Secondly, why should I join this guy's competition?"

Fang Hong was very embarrassed, hastily rounded off: "It's just because we're short one person, just helping out."

"But you stood me up last time, I haven't forgotten," Liuli Yue replied, "I saved you once at the Traveler's Rest, you promised you'd come to the Silver Forest Spear to spar with me."

Fang Hong thought I never promised you, and moreover, that time it wasn't like you saved my life, I also had a way. Besides, I didn't go to the Silver Forest Spear for your good, to avoid hitting your confidence.

"What's that look on your face?" Liuli Yue glared at him.

"Alright, alright," Fang Hong quickly said, "Let me ask you, are you an Alchemist?"

"Of course I am," Liuli Yue answered fiercely, "So what?"

"That's why I said, you're an Alchemist, and so am I," Fang Hong quickly continued, "Isn't it just a comparison of Alchemy? Later in the competition, if you get a higher score than me, then you win."

"Who wants to compare those childish things with you," Liuli Yue wasn't stupid, "What I want to compare is——"

Fang Hong loudly interrupted him, "Talk is cheap, just say whether you dare or not?"

The latter replied without thinking: "Why wouldn't I dare?"

"Alright, come with me."

"Wait, I haven't agreed yet."

"No more waiting, the staff is already here, letting us enter the field." Fang Hong couldn't be bothered to explain, grabbed his arm, and pulled him along.

"What does your entry have to do with me?"

Fang Hong didn't bother to respond to him, just instructed, "Remember, you just say you're our substitute later."

"Wait, what substitute, I'm not a main match member?"

Leaving everyone behind in bewilderment.

Mulan watched their bickering backs and couldn't help but look at Soul Fingerprint beside her: "Senior, do you really think they are reliable?"

Soul Fingerprint shook her head and only whispered, "There's no other choice, let's just trust Ade once."

Hearing this, the others could only nod.

As Fang Hong pulled the noisy Liuli Yue onto the field, he realized the earlier attack seemed to have done him a favor. After being disrupted earlier, the staff forgot to check his identity, letting them directly enter the arena.

This made Fang Hong breathe a big sigh of relief.

Their opponents—a team from Eis—had been waiting there for a long time, as they were luckier. When the explosion occurred earlier, they were standing farther away, so they didn't suffer any losses.

Right then, Cui Yu handed their topic to him—since MTT was injured, Fang Hong temporarily assumed the role of the main commander of the team. Fortunately, after the previous combat, Cui Yu and Dill seemed somewhat convinced of him as the 'commander'.

Fang Hong looked at the list and saw that the opponents chose to ban the Crystal category.

This was entirely within Soul Fingerprint's expectations, Fang Hong couldn't help but admire the leader lady in his heart—the opponent was proficient in materials science, so they would definitely avoid the Crystal category they were worst at. After some thought, he crossed off Magic Potion studies on the list.

This was also a tactic arranged by Soul Fingerprint in advance.

Then he selected the Omnipotent Plugin and Clockwork Fairy Type II from the remaining categories and handed them to the staff. The opponent, in turn, chose the Sword Type Magic Conductor and Walker.

Both sides selected a total of three major categories, and there was an overlap in the Flexible Construct category.

Following this, they would have to make around these four topics, and decide the winner by averaging the final scores. It was not until this moment that Liuli Yue had realized they seemed to be playing for real.

Only then did he panic a bit: "Wait, our Silver Forest Spear also has a competition."

"Your team isn't a main match team?" Fang Hong asked.

Liuli Yue nodded: "It is."

"Then you're a contestant?"

Liuli Yue shook his head: "I'm not."

"Then what are you panicking for?"

"But."

"But what," Fang Hong couldn't help but be amused, "This is just a showcase match. You don't think you'll go up against your own folks, do you? Don't worry, after these few matches, I'll let you go."

...