Two days remain before the competition starts.

The Soul Fingerprint team had already begun intense preparations for the competition — including strategizing, investigating opponents, and coordinating training. Fang Hong also received a report about his opponents — the heavy pages were filled with information about participants from the six Grand Guilds, as well as some lesser-known potential 'dark horses' with notable talent.

The form meticulously noted these individuals' technical characteristics, strengths, and even their team's style. However, Fang Hong looked over it and found almost no one he recognized. This implied that the first-line rookies of the Grand Guilds were hardly on this list and might not even be in the main competition lineup, but he wasn't surprised by this conclusion as he put away the form.

He recalled that not long ago, Sophie mentioned that Silver Weslan paid attention to this exhibition match due to the Southern Region's situation rather than the competition itself. Presumably, this was true for most other Guilds as well, seeing the Continental League more as a stage for selecting talent than a ground for competition.

He suspected Odin might have had similar considerations for sending him to participate in this match.

However, whether the military had come to participate in this match was unknown, as the actions from Stargate Port were generally not made public.

But compared to the competition, Fang Hong had personal matters to attend to —

In the morning after completing training with the others, he found Soul Fingerprint and expressed his need to leave the team for half a day. Hearing this, Soul Fingerprint couldn't help but raise her attractive eyebrows slightly. Although the afternoon was a free activity time, with the competition nearing, she did not wish for team members to leave at this critical moment.

She was about to ask Fang Hong for a reason when Mulan and Hawk-Beak Bean hurriedly came in from outside.

"Senior, someone is looking for Ade."

"Who?"

Hawk-Beak Bean had a very peculiar expression on his face, glancing at Fang Hong twice: "It's, it's Miss Sophie."

"Sophie?" Soul Fingerprint was taken aback, recalling who it was: "That Little Princess of Silver Weslan."

Beside her, Mulan nodded profoundly.

Soul Fingerprint turned back and asked him, "Is your reason for leaving the team because of this?"

Actually, it wasn't entirely, but Fang Hong still nodded. The underlying reasons were difficult to explain at that moment — nor did he plan to disclose them to outsiders.

Soul Fingerprint seemed a bit curious: "Is she your girlfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong almost choked on his water and started coughing loudly.

"If yes, it's yes; if no, it's no. What's the fuss?" Soul Fingerprint frowned but was still forgiving, having gone through similar situations herself. She said, "Go, but you must return to the team before nightfall, Ade. Although you're not one of us from Ragnarok, I hope you can adhere to our team's discipline."

Fang Hong nodded, knowing each team had rules and that he wouldn't be an exception as long as he was part of it. Taking leave was something he did out of necessity, as there were more important things to attend to — things that predated his acceptance of Odin's offer.

Soul Fingerprint, seeing his agreement, didn't stop him further and nodded, signaling he could leave.

After Fang Hong left, Mulan approached with a mysterious look: "Senior."

"What?"

"Ado knows the Little Princess of Silver Weslan! Aren't you curious?"

"What is there to be curious about?" Soul Fingerprint asked, looking at him.

"But it's Sophie, isn't it?"

"So what?"

Mulan and Hawk-Beak Bean exchanged glances, thinking that the lead was far too serious. Although Ragnarok was one of the top ten Guilds, they were members of a branch, while that Little Princess of Silver Weslan was a promising rookie from Silver Weslan's main Guild.

She was indeed a star of tomorrow, someone who might eventually enter the Second World and become a top-tier Invoker.

And within that realm, Odin's name was listed —

That was the Second World, a realm they could only occasionally dream of. Even the seasoned member in front of them, their senior, had never been to the Second World. For many, the Second World was an unreachable term.

"But how could Ade know the Little Princess of Silver Weslan?"

"He even mentioned meeting the Chairman. Was he really personally introduced by the Chairman?" Hawk-Beak Bean couldn't help but ask.

"What else?" Soul Fingerprint frowned, looking at them.

"Do you really believe his nonsense, Senior?" Mulan couldn't help but slap his forehead and sigh: "There are numerous rookies recommended by the Chairman from the Youth Training Camps each year. Not everybody gets to meet him, right? In fact, even those who truly did see the Chairman would only be the core members."

Hawk-Beak Bean suddenly remarked: "Speaking of which, I always found Ade somewhat familiar, as if I'd seen him somewhere before, but I cannot recall at the moment."

Mulan rolled his eyes: "Hawk-Beak Bean, everyone looks familiar to you."

Hawk-Beak Bean laughed it off, not minding at all.

...

Fang Hong made his way to the lobby, first spotting Xi holding a Long Halberd, sticking there, her spirit seeming much better as she stared at the ceiling of the inn, deep in thought. Looking around, he finally saw Sophie sitting on one side, gesturing towards him.

"Ade, over here!"

"Miss Sophie, you got here so fast."

Sophie smiled without answering, glancing around: "Ragnarok must be quite wealthy to stay in a place like this."

Fang Hong thought to himself that Silver Weslan's team was staying here too, only that Sophie and Xi were acting on their own. Otherwise, they would probably be staying here as well. He then asked: "Have you met anyone from Silver Weslan?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.