Pillar of Yita

Fang Hong looked in that direction; the sorcerers entering the hall in single file wore purple robes with hoods adorned with abstract ’Eye of Revelation’ patterns, rushing as they did last time - these people always seem to be in such a state, and the leader was very tall; Fang Hong felt he should have seen him before.

He watched for a while before turning back to ask, ”What are they doing here?”

Camilla slightly shook her head, ”Not sure, Mr. Ade.”

”When was the last time these people came?”

Camilla turned off the buzzing machine, glanced over there again, and answered, ”About three days ago, they came once three days ago.”

Fang Hong pondered for a moment before asking, ”Is the Chairman here?”

”Chairwoman Aierna went out earlier, and she also asked me to tell you, ’Don’t even think about taking a single thing from the guild anymore!’” The young girl pursed her lips slightly with a hint of amusement, looking at him, ”Hehe, that’s Chairwoman Aierna’s original words, Mr. Ade.”

Fang Hong was speechless for a while; he had been acquiring quite a few parts from Lady Aierna for the design of the ’Hornet-I’ these past few days, but what else could he do? Poverty wasn’t his choice - but thinking about it, it’s really Aquitez and Merrifin’s fault; if he had more than ten thousand points, would he be like this?

However, it’s expected that Chairwoman would avoid him these two days.

Fang Hong scratched his cheek, but he had already gotten the answer he wanted from Camilla.

The sorcerers were heading towards the second-floor stairs; Fang Hong then said to Camilla, ”Trouble you, Camilla, I’m going over there to take a look.”

”Mr. Ade, don’t you have other things?”

Fang Hong nodded, ”Camilla, would you like to come over and take a look together?”

”I’d rather not,” Camilla hurriedly shook her head, ”I need to read,” she patted the thick book beside her seat. ”Besides, Mr. Ade, be careful; I heard those ’Revelers’ are quite arrogant, and they don’t treat outsiders well.”

Fang Hong looked at her with a bit of surprise, hearing her implied meaning, ”Camilla, have you had a conflict with them?”

Camilla shook her head, ”Not really.”

Fang Hong roughly understood what happened, smiled, and said, ”No worries, I’ll help you get back at them.”

”Eh?” Camilla was stunned and quickly stopped him, ”Wait, Mr. Ade, no need.”

But before she finished her sentence, Fang Hong was already hurrying towards that direction.

Camilla whispered hurriedly, but Fang Hong didn’t turn back. She was speechless—couldn’t help but look in that direction, shook her head, and sighed, thinking Mr. Ade really is just like Chairwoman Aierna said—troublesome.

However, Fang Hong wasn’t entirely joking,

after asking those questions, he already had a plan in mind, intending to gather some intel. In the past, gathering intel such as this wasn’t something he would typically do, but under the influence of Big Cat People and Miss Atira, he’s now quite a seasoned veteran.

He hurriedly walked up the stairs to the second floor, and at the Tansnier Crafting Association’s stair corner, a huge oil painting hung on the wall, depicting a serious middle-aged man in a gray-brown coat with a monocle and a touch of a goatee on his lips.

The collar of the person’s coat was pinned with five platinum Cross Stars, indicating his identity as an Artisan Master; this man was the founder of the Istania Artisans’ Guild.

Fang Hong happened to catch up at the ’tail end’ of the sorcerer team there; he glanced at his own Alchemist’s Coat before straightening its collar, then called out to the people ahead: ”Wait, everyone.”

The sorcerers stopped one after another, looking back.

At this time, the tall leader he recognized earlier pushed through the crowd, walked down the stairs, came before him, and scrutinized Fang Hong from top to bottom—Fang Hong also noticed that beneath the hood, the person’s face was covered with interwoven scars on his brown skin, appearing somewhat frightening—he couldn’t help but pause slightly.

There was a faint trace of light purple in the person’s eyes, which wasn’t a local’s typical iris color; it’s said this is a distinct feature of ’Revelers,’ related to their deep dive into the Ether Network.

But Fang Hong also saw depth and vigilance within those eyes.

The leader looked at him for a while before speaking in a hoarse, tense voice, ”Have we met?”

Fang Hong replied calmly, ”I remember you all came about three days ago as well.”

The leader pondered for a moment, looking at him with some suspicion; Fang Hong’s heart throbbed, afraid the person might have a great memory and recall the incident half a month ago.

But fortunately, he didn’t; the person asked, ”So, is Chairwoman Aierna here?”

He had obviously mistaken him, thinking Fang Hong was an Alchemist at the Tansnier Crafting Association—it’s understandable given the Alchemist’s Coat and his initiative to engage with them; anyone could make the mistake.

As if it were Fang Hong’s thick skin at fault.

Upon hearing this question, Fang Hong was relieved.

But he knew he mustn’t show it, instead pretending to hesitate before responding, ”It’s unfortunate, Chairwoman Aierna has gone out.”