Phales shifted his gaze away from the bustling square and took the cloth handed over by the Dwarf Goblin, wiping the butter off his beard, and said with some concern, "Relying on the 'Alliance' of the Holy Chosen is unrealistic. They like to amuse themselves, you know, we actually look down on each other."

Ande watched the Gnome's pointed beard tremble and had to admit, everyone from the Tongwan Family had quite the impressive sharp beard. This nominal mentor of Fang Hong only smiled and did not respond, saying only, "But this year the Royal Household's taxes are too high, and the Artisan Association's funds haven't arrived. It's already difficult for the alliance just to maintain operations—"

"We're not talking about taxes," Phales got a little angry. "Old pal, do you really want to see the Ancient Tower People riding over our heads? This is not just a human problem, neither Gnomes nor Dwarves will accept such humiliation."

"This is precisely a tax problem."

Phales stared at him.

Ande remained unmoved and said calmly, "The Forest Dwarves have a saying: 'To make a dog loyal, you have to give it benefits.' It's not just about lack of benefits for the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance now. If the Royal Household loses face, what does that have to do with us?"

"But you know, the Prime Minister will not compromise at this time."

"The coincidence is, neither will the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance." Ande gave a mischievous smile. "At least on this point, we have reached a consensus."

Phales jumped off the chair in anger.

Seeing his reaction, Ande commented, "To say the least, old pal, I'm not the President of the alliance now. Old Copper Nose is, and he's Steelbrow, you know how Dwarves are. Do you think he will show our young King a friendly face? Unless—"

"Unless?"

Phales lifted his head. His eyes had been injured during an experiment, with one larger and one smaller eye watching the other.

"Sonan (Copper Nose)'s elder brother and the Archbishop of Cloud Harbor are here. They were eyewitnesses to the Fenris incident. They've been searching for the Alchemist that Toragotos concealed. You know Steelbrows are sentimental," Ande replied. "Help them, and they'll help you."

Phales sighed heavily, "It's not that easy."

"You can at least probe their intentions."

Phales shook his head and sat back in his chair. Ande looked at him and said, "Then you can only hope to find some good seedlings here. Are you going to watch the competition results first, or, as before, check out the non-scoring contestants first?"

Phales did not answer.

Ande suddenly asked again, "By the way, have you heard about the opening of the Hall of Thousand Doors?"

"Is that true?" Phales finally turned back. "Why wasn't the Artisan Association informed?"

Ande shook his head, "Not sure, just a rumor. But I heard that the master of Nevade left the Fairy Residence. It rarely moves anymore, right? Do you remember that prophecy?"

Phales felt a stir in his heart. However, that Holy Bow Peak's Cloud Dragon leaving its place might not necessarily be related to the Hall of Thousand Doors. He planned to find someone to inquire about it properly, just in case, as the prophecy said, the other side has chosen a student.

Could it be a local Colin Ishurian?

As the two were talking, the grand hall doors swung open. Ande looked up just in time to see a Dwarf and a group of humans, along with a plump Lizardman entering the sixth level of Elfendo. The Dwarf had one frosty eyebrow, and it was indeed Copper Nose's elder brother, Kalin Steelbrow.

And leading at the forefront was an elderly bishop wearing a light yellow robe symbolizing the Sun, followed by the plump Lizardman, who was a Ritualist from the Tada Lizard Clan of Ka Cuilan.

"Speak of the devil," Ande lowered his voice, "it's those Fenris people."

Phales glanced at them, knowing why they came to this place. They had been searching for the traces of Toragotos to the west of Long Lake and heard that the Evil Dragon went towards Istania. But it seemed, like him, someone gave them information.

Ande showed a look of curiosity, asked again, "Do you know why they've been running around? Wasn't the Fenris incident quelled?"

"Toragotos shook the foundations of Fenris Isle. Tirioan (Archbishop of Cloud Harbor) hopes to find the Guardian of the Stars in the prophecy," Phales answered, "The Lizardmen believe only in this way can the calamity of Aithelin be avoided."

Ande still felt puzzled, "But he's also an Ouli believer. How can he believe in the Lizardmen's version?"

"Apparently, Ka Cuilan is also descended from the Sun Gods, indistinguishable from each other." Phales spoke with sarcasm. He was a believer of Paviwala (the god of crafts, art, and freedom, protector of the Half-Persons) and was not keen on Ouli believers' ways.

Ande showed no objection to his old friend's blasphemy towards the deities, only casting a surprised glance at the plump Lizardman.

The other party, sensing his gaze, turned back as well, with rectangular black eye sockets and tiny glittering eyes. The Lizardman Ritualist turned his head, stacking fat beneath his chin, layered and almost neckless, eliciting a bit of amusement.

...

Qin Yu put down the carving knife in his hand, rubbed his sore wrist, and checked his work carefully before handing it to the staff beside him—in fact, this was also why many Grand Guilds were reluctant to send top craftsmen to participate in this competition:

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