But does time ultimately return to its origin?

This journey, with companions watching over each other day and night, will in the end fade into a faint memory.

Fang Hong stood before the three of them, silent. The three looked back at him, wordless, their hearts perhaps faintly holding on to some hope, but more so bound by the shackles of harsh reality.

Fang Hong did not know how to express himself—

Just like his aimless wandering within the Elf Ruins, as if he had returned to that cold, bone-chilling night in the Forest, a memory still vivid. But in the frigid recollections, there was always a thread of warm light, allowing him to slowly calm down and clench his fists again.

He then looked up at the three, as if coming to a decision, "Tianlan, Gita, Luo Yu, if you wish—"

Gita suddenly raised her small head, staring intently at him.

"If we wish?" Tianlan asked.

"I don't want to lie, Tianlan, Gita, and Luo Yu—my little Adventure Group, it's really just my own selfish desire. Although one day, I want it to become like those legendary existences in Eteliria's history, but for me, that's just a goal to strive for."

"It may come true, but it's more likely to fail, hence staying here not only lacks a future but may also involve a lot of trouble."

He couldn't help but glance at Hilveld.

The noble girl tilted her head slightly, offering him a gentle smile.

"However," Fang Hong turned back to the three, pausing, "if you really make this decision, I will do everything possible not to let you down."

"I, as a captain, am poor," he said, "there's not much I can offer you, nor do I wish to paint a rosy future, because reality might be even more bleak, and all I can truly offer is my promise."

"But can Brother Ade really do it? What about Gita and that wooden knight, the matter of being a Trainee?"

Tianlan blinked, asking curiously.

Fang Hong didn't answer.

Since he heard about the affair between Lonely White Field, the Rain Listener, and Xiangzi, he had quietly inquired with Grant about this and only then understood that the Grand Guilds actually had some surplus Invoker quotas circulating in private.

Of course, these quotas weren't really 'surplus'; they were often used to repay favors among the guilds or as part of exchanges of interest.

Just like Lonely White Field himself being the captain of the Rain Listener Adventure Group, and with the promise that Xiangzi would consider joining the Rain Listeners first, he had obtained an internal quota from the guild.

Yet even so, the other party had paid a considerable price, something Fang Hong only found out later. When Xiangzi said he was a penniless captain, it wasn't a joke. The phrase came because the other party had invested almost all his savings into it.

Fang Hong did not know how to judge such actions; perhaps the other party was motivated by a desire to make up for past regrets.

But from any perspective, he could feel the unspoken sense of responsibility contained within.

It was the responsibility of a Pioneer towards the successors; naturally, it was also the responsibility of a captain towards his team members.

It made him think about what he had learned from R and for what purpose had it been taught? And did that person know that he had finally arrived in this world of dreams?

It was precisely such thoughts that made him stand there and say those words.

Because he was destined not to ignore the trust Tianlan and the others placed in him.

He just nodded.

Tianlan then found herself at a loss for words.

She sensed that her familiar 'Brother Ade' seemed to have changed, not to a stranger, but rather a mysterious connection that made her want to crack a joke—yet she found herself unable to speak.

She turned to look at Gita and Luo Yu, wondering how they would respond.

But she knew the answer all too well; the three of them had discussed it countless times in private, night after night. Yet every time the topic of their respective clubs came up,

The topic invariably ended in silence.

Yet silence, in itself, was already an answer.

Gita couldn't help but raise her head to look at her companions, her small fists clenched tightly. Luo Yu appeared much more hesitant than she, pondering again and again, unable to utter a word.

Tianlan sighed and turned back with rare seriousness, "How do you plan to handle the relationship between Gita and Luo Yu and the clubs, Brother Ade?"

"You are just Trainees," Fang Hong answered, having clearly considered this matter, "Your contracts are not mandatory, of course, there are training fees and breach of contract compensation to be paid, but these are not big problems."

He paused. "If worst comes to worst, we can sign an agreement with them as a cooperative Adventure Group from Tabopolis. In this way, whether Gita and Luo Yu are Trainees of Tabopolis doesn't really matter."

The three of them looked at him somewhat surprised.

Even Atira, not far away, had a hint of astonishment flash in her eyes; they understood more than anyone that Fang Hong was the least willing to get involved with the Grand Guilds. Gita and Luo Yu couldn't help but take a sharp breath.

"What about Sister Fuli?" Gita asked softly, "The Twelve-Colored Iris is different from us; they definitely don't need the cooperation of the China Competition Region's Adventure Group. Plus, there is a competitive relationship between the Europe Competition Region and the China Competition Region."

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.