In the blink of an eye, it was already the tenth week since Andrew arrived in Warm Fire City.

Spring had come to Warm Fire City.

The world outside the city, due to the sustained momentum of the first phase of partnerships and the deeper and more profound influence emerging from the second phase, was undergoing dramatic changes.

The frontline struggle over the ownership of the "Dragon's Nest" had reached a fever pitch.

That day, Andrew was in a meeting with the Commerce Association's high-level officials, submitting thirty "Gates of Enlightenment" he'd rushed to make for the newly established "Preparatory Academies" across various regions. Then he told the high-level officials, "I'm afraid I won't be able to attend tomorrow's and the day after's regular meetings."

That day, the lady had Susan deliver a message that she was going to delegate her responsibilities, and true enough, she hadn't shown up since.

The president was still in secluded healing at the underwater residence beneath the lake.

For the past ten weeks, besides being busy in his own studio every day, Andrew took on the role of "Senior Cooperation Advisor for the Fire Creation Plan," participating daily in the regular meetings that only the high-level officials of the Commerce Association had the right to attend.

Even now, every time Ivan accompanied Andrew to the conference room, he couldn't help but marvel internally: A young lord of such tender age, working, meeting, discussing, and making decisions every day with the top figures of this Flame Realm?

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Ivan wouldn't have believed it was true!

Previously, Andrew had never missed a regular meeting.

During his days in Warm Fire City, Andrew demonstrated through his actions what it meant to be "dedicated."

Though there was no longer that shining moment of stepping up in the grand hall at the top of the Magic Tower, blocking Lady Yi Lian, and boldly declaring, "Barbara is my girl now,"

his consistently reliable work, various creative ideas that others saw as genius, and the solid execution and professionalism that turned each idea into reality, only improved the high-level officials' impression of Andrew.

Many of the high-level officials even pondered more than once: Is this really a young man about the same age as the Third Miss? His maturity is astonishing!

At this moment, upon hearing Andrew say he was taking a leave, many showed expressions of surprise.

Dean Charlie asked concernedly, "Why, is there a problem?"

Andrew shook his head with a smile, "No. It's just some personal matters to attend to."

In the eyes of others, including Ivan's, Andrew's performance over the past ten weeks was exemplary for someone wise beyond his years.

But Andrew knew himself: It was all because he was being pushed!

Try having a territory's people following you; you'd also feel that heavy sense of responsibility, compelling you to strive to be a better self!

Taking leave and not attending the meetings for the next two days was for the same reason.

Because of Wildfire Territory.

"At the first and second phases of cooperation, regarding the Warm Fire Commerce Association's 'Seed Fire Project,' I'm temporarily not too sure about the progress. This, along with Heart Net, is one of the few things Dean Charlie and Jin have reservations about with me."

Andrew thought to himself, "What I know for sure is that my gains, the gains in Wildfire Territory, have been explosive!"

This, of course, was a good thing.

"But any benefit doesn't just end once it's obtained and consumed," Andrew was a bit helpless, "It also requires time and effort to properly digest, organize, and truly absorb it, turning it into one's own strength. Otherwise, just eating without digesting will lead to being overwhelmed..."

This was exactly the problem Wildfire Territory was facing now: overwhelmed.

So next, there was indeed a need to properly digest the many benefits obtained by the territory.

"Furthermore, there's myself..."

This was what Andrew didn't say out loud, "After breaking through to Tier Three, the Fire Extinguishing Value needed for further tier advancement has increased exponentially. However, over the past ten weeks, through various cooperative projects, the Fire Extinguishing Value gained from all over this Flame Realm has also been exponentially rising.

Now it's about time for a qualitative change from quantitative accumulation. I... feel like I'm about to break through from Tier Three to Tier Four!"

——This was the reason that necessitated at least one day off from attending the meetings.

Not only to process territory gains.

Andrew also needed to ensure his own breakthrough from Tier Three to Tier Four proceeded smoothly, solidly, and securely.

Otherwise, after all the business cooperation, if a problem arose in his cultivation, wouldn't that be a joke?

"Hmm... Indeed, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly important to discuss in the next two days," Dean Charlie mused.

Medicine Elder laughed, "Oh, why be so rigid? Isn't setting up the Preparatory Academies the most important thing lately? Andrew has already made the thirty Magic School Gates."

Turning to Andrew, "If you have personal matters to handle, just go! Charlie here is so used to seeing you, he finds it strange if you don't attend the meetings. Just ignore him!"

At Medicine Elder's words, the high-level officials of the Commerce Association couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, working with Andrew during this period, they had grown a bit fond of this young man. Rather, it didn't have much to do with the president's instructions or arrangements.

The only thing that slightly concerned everyone was that sometimes after meetings, Barbara would come to find Andrew. Each time, seeing the two holding hands and walking away sweetly, a hidden worry appeared in the eyes of the high-level officials...

"You better be here for the meeting the day after tomorrow," Dean Charlie jokingly smiled and said.

"Thank you." Andrew bowed and also smiled, "Actually, if things go smoothly, I should be back for the meeting the day after tomorrow."

Then he gathered the meeting materials, called Ivan along, and left the conference hall.

After returning to the workshop specially arranged for him by the Commerce Association, Andrew didn't rest but hurried into the communication room and activated the magic artifact "Seagull."

Since the Commerce Association still wasn't allowing him to touch matters related to "Heart Net," and the Magic Firewall project was temporarily shelved, the only second-phase project entirely on hold.

Therefore, Andrew continued using the communication-type magic artifact "Seagull," unlocked from the Water God Mark, rather than the "Heart Net" provided by Warm Fire Commerce Association.

An Ya's holographic projection quickly appeared in front of him.

"Sister An Ya!" Andrew couldn't help but smile.

An Ya also smiled warmly, "Why are you seeking me so early today, my lord? Didn't you go on a date with Miss Barbara?"

"This..." Andrew coughed awkwardly, embarrassed to admit Barbara was accompanying Lady Yi Lian out today, so he contacted An Ya early, quickly shifting the topic to business, "How are matters in Wildfire Territory these past two days? Any improvements?"

When it came to business, An Ya's expression quickly turned serious, instantly reverting to the Territory Administrator with outstanding professionalism, shaking her head, "Honestly, still not too good."

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