Fang Hong and the young man sat at adjacent tables, separated by the candlelight on the wooden table and watched by two Dwarf Guards with Sentinel Helmets, only able to stare each other down with big eyes and small eyes.

"Just you wait, I'll beat you so bad even your mom won't recognize you," the young man wiped soup from his forehead with his hand, utterly disgusted, while he ground his teeth and spoke.

"Likewise," Fang Hong retorted without any better mood. He had hit his head on the ground when the Dwarves pushed him down, bruising a large area. Clearly, he felt this account should also be settled with the other party.

The Dwarf Referee shook his head at the two problem children.

He came over and, looking up at Fang Hong, said, "If the person from the Artisan Association doesn't come back, then you still have plenty of time to adjust your condition—"

What he implied was that Fang Hong should go get himself some at least reasonable Equipment. Although the competition stipulated that participants could only use their own or their team's equipment, there was still time before the official match for them to use the prize money from the preliminary rounds to do something about it.

Fifty thousand Lycel was not too much, but also not too little.

Fang Hong understood the goodwill and quickly nodded his head.

The young man wiped his face with a towel and subconsciously wanted to mock the situation when he saw this, but Wu Di, standing beside him, patted his shoulder and shook his head. The young man, obviously very convinced by his own partner, closed his mouth.

The Dwarf Referee then asked, "Are you interested in working for the Colin Commercial League after the competition ends? You know, we are the largest commerce organization in the Cloud Sea Region, and we are always generous in nurturing truly talented newcomers. Plus, Combat Artisans are the most welcome presence in any commerce guild and fleet."

'Dang—'

Hudi suddenly dropped his cup to the ground. Startled, he quickly picked it up with a flustered and apologetic demeanor.

But the others didn't notice his action. Tianlan, Gita, and Luo Yu all stopped and looked at the Dwarf Referee in surprise, then at Fang Hong—except for Atira and the Papalarian Crossbowman, because they were not locals.

Even the young man from the Silver Forest Spear was almost the same, digging in his ears, almost thinking he had heard wrong.

No one was unaware of the immense entity that the Colin Commercial League was in the Cloud Sea Region; its influence in this area was probably only second to the Artisan Association and the Colin Ishurian Alliance itself.

Even the Rainbow Alliance couldn't be compared with it—the former was not only wealthy enough to rival nations, but it also had the support of the Colin Royal Family behind it, a force not to be taken lightly in the political landscape of the Alliance.

Most of these Dwarves came from the Elpaxin Commerce Alliance Council, so the Dwarf Referee was essentially representing the council of the Colin Commercial League, what an honor it was. The council of the Colin Commercial League was a purely administrative body and thus seldom recruited external administrative staff, let alone facing Chosen ones.

Several gazes converged on Fang Hong simultaneously.

But Fang Hong paused for a moment, then asked in return, "But aren't I a Chosen one?"

This response almost made Tianlan faint, thinking, "What exactly is Brother Ade thinking? I really want to pry open his head and see how he can be so remarkably and outstandingly obtuse."

The Dwarf Referee, however, was very patient and replied, "What does that matter, young man? There are many Chosen ones working for the Commerce Alliance. This is a free organization, where people come together with the common goal of yearning for wealth and collectively building the bustling economic order of the Cloud Sea—Colin Kingdom, regardless of background or origins."

"As if," everyone thought. It was possible for many Chosen ones to be working under the commerce guilds of the Colin Commercial League in short-term jobs like mercenaries and guards. However, the council of the Commercial League was an exception. It wasn't just Chosen ones; even people of status needed a referral to work in the council.

From what the Dwarf Referee meant, he was offering to be Fang Hong's referee.

Gita was somewhat curious. To be a referee in the council of the Commercial League, one had to be at least a high-level person. Could this Dwarf Referee be some prominent figure or official of the Colin Commercial League?

Fang Hong was actually somewhat tempted. He wasn't completely ignorant of the Colin Commercial League and understood its scale. Moreover, being an Alchemist was a profession that inherently consumed a lot of money and time, a life profession that was essentially prepared for large guilds and organizations.

But rights and obligations often went hand in hand—

Staying in the Commercial League might solve immediate problems, but in the long run, it would only be a constraint. He wouldn't always stay in the Cloud Sea; Fang Hong knew what he was pursuing in his heart, and it was something he could never give up—his dream.

Moreover, that was his promise to Miss Sicape and to the people of Morning Dawn Star.

He was silent for a moment, but ultimately shook his head, "Sorry, I still prefer the adventurous life, Mr. Referee."

The Dwarf Referee looked at him, silent for a moment.

In his rich life experience, this was the first time he had met someone who declined his recommendation—so decisively, without even taking much time to think. He subconsciously stroked his pointed beard, unable to distinguish whether this young man's decision stemmed from recklessness, naivety, or confidence.

Hudi watched Fang Hong with a complex expression on the side.

Tianlan forcefully twisted Luo Yu's arm, causing her to gasp in pain, "What are you doing?"

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