Association Headquarters, Tiandu.

Under the dazzling sunlight, the white building towers high, piercing the blue sky, and the sounds of birds come from the sea breeze.

Amidst the solemnity, a hint of leisure and tranquility is subtly revealed.

Everything is always unhurried and orderly.

Not only the craftsmen coming and going, but the long-term local residents also take pride in this, walking steadily, with a stately demeanor, showing no signs of impatience.

But today, at the Association Headquarters, everyone is in a hurry, walking quickly, no longer calm and leisurely as before, unable to hide their anxiety and tension.

It all started with the panic caused by the out-of-control and overconsumption of the Tower of Transformation, but later, as new information arrived, people's hearts became even more unsettled.

Despite it being working hours, many craftsmen and staff abandoned their tasks as if against usual practice, gathering in the hall to discuss fervently.

They occasionally looked up towards the offices above, waiting for firsthand information.

Suddenly, the hall, normally serene, seemed bustling and busy.

"Heavenly Furnace?"

The late-arriving craftsman was astonished and slightly changed his expression: "The Grandmaster is appearing? It's just an exam, why would it alarm him?"

The white-haired housekeeper sighed forlornly: "They say it's just a spontaneous interest to try something out."

"Is it really spontaneous?"

The craftsman remained silent for a moment, not continuing the conversation; meanwhile, everyone's eyes shifted and crossed, finally looking to the two late-arriving councilors at the door.

Gustav and Jiang Tongguang.

Mainly Gustav.

However, Gustav, from start to finish, with a blank face, silently handed over the exam records and turned away. He showed no pride or joy, nor did he reveal any other feelings.

Just like that, after nodding to the staff, he turned and left.

"Indeed, his skill is superior."

Someone sipped from a teacup and sighed lightly.

Only those uninvolved could speak so calmly; now in the bustling hall, the onlookers curiously looked around, deciphering the non-committal faces with their eye corners, eyebrows, and lips, interpreting meanings of Schadenfreude, joyful celebration, or somber heaviness.

At this critical juncture, the movements of the Heavenly Furnace were a lifeline for some people, while for others, it was a fatal blow!

And now, at the eye of the storm, was the actual operational leader of the association, Councilman Delong!

However, Delong could be dispensed with.

Everybody was eyeing the councilman's chair!

The councilman's seat of the Taiyi Ring, a key position among the Twelve Superiors, the representative of countless craftsmen in the association...

One of the world's most significant powers!

Delong, already advanced in years, had decided many years ago to retire as soon as possible. However, due to various messy circumstances, it had been delayed until now, and this year, he had made a final decision to hand over the reins.

Over the past seven to eight years, the association had seen countless clashes and confrontations over this issue; among the eight councilors, besides Delong, who was to step down, who wouldn't want to advance further?

Oh, Jiang Tongguang, who was just making up the numbers, didn't want to, and nobody had ever considered him.

But who would dare to underestimate Gustav, who had emerged rapidly in recent years?

Hadn't there been plenty of struggles, both openly and covertly, over these years?

And now, just for a craftsman qualification exam, would it really alarm the Heavenly Furnace? Was the Grandmaster making a statement through this? Was this implying something?

Was he showing support for Gustav?

The underlying implications, like thunder, instantly turned the association into a mess. Politics is such a boring thing; sometimes even a sneeze can be interpreted in various ways.

Especially when it involves the Master of the World, the strongest Heavenly Furnace...

Even if it could genuinely be a spontaneous occurrence, who would dare to be negligent?

Now, with Gustav's departure, countless people chased after him wanting either to congratulate or to offer their allegiance, while the remaining ones either were unwilling to accept it from the bottom of their hearts or feared the crowd outside, preferring to wait for a private moment to kneel and say a few words...

"Everyone, disperse."

When the office door was pushed open, only Delong emerged from it.

The elderly councilman did not hide his frail appearance, leaning on a cane, fully displaying his aged state. Now, he merely glanced at the people below and waved his hand lazily, not bothering to say much.

The assistant, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried to greet him, following him.

After walking a good distance away, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he quietly asked: "What did the Grandmaster say?"

"Nothing much."

Delong sighed: "Had a cup of tea and discussed some matters."

The tea leaves weren't expensive; the matters weren't big either, just like a casual conversation.

Before leaving, he took quite a few items from his private collection to compensate for the association's consumption, even drafted a promissory note as compensation, making some formalities.

Such a major event, resolved in such a casual manner.

One could only say it was absurd.

But this kind of behavior by the contemporary Heavenly Furnace seemed... normal?

As a councilman, while developing the association, one of the duties was to maintain good relations with the Grandmaster.

After all, the Grandmaster might not regard the association highly, but the association could not neglect the Grandmaster.

If things went poorly and the Grandmaster got upset and decided to establish a new Taiyi Ring, everyone would be in trouble; besides, it's not as if it hasn't happened before in history.

Unlike the Carrion Eater's stubbornness and indifference or the Zhu Li's detachment and aloofness, this generation's Heavenly Furnace was extremely easygoing – no, it's beyond easygoing – practically responsive to any requests, almost like buddies!

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