Ande Ulriel sneered after hearing this: "The esteemed Chairman of the Alchemist Alliance, the foremost Master of Magic Potion Studies in the Southern Region, truly a big name. If you can't produce it, then just admit it. What's with all the hedging?"

"What!?" The Old Dwarf was incensed: "Who are you saying can't produce it? I'll show you! A mere Star Solution is nothing, if your student wins, I'll even give him my last creation."

"Is that a deal?"

"A deal's a deal!"

"Ha," Ande Ulriel gave a light laugh and remarked: "This old fellow is really putting his foot down this time."

Hilveld smiled slightly upon hearing this, looking back with a gentle smile at Fang Hong.

Ande Ulriel also turned around to heavily pat the latter on the shoulder: "Little guy, this time you have to win, not just to teach that old fellow a lesson, but for yourself. Although Old Copper Nose is a bit of a disgrace, each of his works is a masterpiece."

Though he said this, his tone clearly lacked confidence. Rather than cheering for Fang Hong, it seemed more like he was trying to convince himself.

Fang Hong paused for a moment; he had originally intended to ask about the rules, but that pat distracted him, making him forget his initial purpose. He couldn't help but glance at Hilveld; he had only privately mentioned to his Miss Ship's Officer once about his interest in the exclusive Magic Solution of the Dulun School.

The fact that she remembered it until now—

"Good luck." The beautiful girl gave him a thumbs-up from the side.

Fang Hong felt a wave of emotion in his heart that lasted until the craftsmen had set up the arena and Ande Ulriel handed him another crystal.

Fang Hong took the crystal in confusion, observing the chessboard intertwined with light in front of him. Ande Ulriel gave him a push from behind, urging him to step forward—he was momentarily lost, then snapped back to reality:

Wait a minute?

Just hold on???

Three huge question marks successively appeared in his mind.

What about the competition rules?

What about the big competition rules, isn't anyone going to explain them to him?

A layer of ethereal light appeared on the light web, and Vikki's voice came from the side: "You choose the map."

Fang Hong was sweating profusely.

He scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, and asked: "Uh, choose the map...?"

With a clatter, it wasn't Parker bumping into something again, but Ande Ulriel accidentally knocking an astrolabe off the table. People turned to see the old man trembling as he picked the astrolabe up from the ground.

Ande Ulriel had a bad feeling but comforted himself by thinking—at least Old Copper Nose forgot to ask what their bet was; if he had rushed to agree and used the last crystal ball as the wager, he'd be in deep trouble.

When Fang Hong said those words, the other side was also taken aback. Vikki asked: "You're not familiar with the rules...?"

"Uh, not exactly..."

Fang Hong actually wanted to say that he had no idea what the rules of this competition were, let alone what map they were talking about.

But he glanced at Ande Ulriel, who seemed ready to murder him, and thought better of it, swallowing his words. Joking aside, after Ande Ulriel had confidently made a bet with the Old Dwarf, how could he admit he didn't know the rules?

Wasn't it like suggesting even a legendary Alchemist couldn't handle him?

The answer "not exactly" was such a baffling reply? If he weren't Ande Ulriel's student, Vikki couldn't help but want to get angry. Either you do, or you don't—she detested ambiguous answers.

However, Vikki thought for a moment and, being patient, replied: "...In the competition rules, we are the ones proposing the competition format, so you have the priority in choosing the map."

But Fang Hong also felt wronged in his heart; he listened for a while, and the other side didn't mention the point. The key part, the types of maps included, wasn't explained. He was completely bewildered and could only answer with a guilty conscience: "Then? Random...?"

Random?

Vikki couldn't help grinding her teeth and clenching her fist.

The hall around them filled with whispers; the Liox Beast Chess competition format requires both participants to conceptualize a Flexible Construct on a virtual board to compete.

However, because Flexible Constructs vary, the board is also divided into advantageous and disadvantageous maps. They chose the competition format, so, by competition rules, the other side naturally got to choose the initial map.

But the opponent actually said random?

To Vikki, this was simply not just disregarding her; it was completely ignoring her existence.

Since participating in the Continental League, Vikki, named a genius, had defeated numerous opponents, hailed as a novastar among the young generation of the Ancient Tower, excelling not only in the craftsman domain but also in the combat artisan field.

Except for that one time in Elpa, Vikki had never felt so disrespected before; she accepted that defeat willingly, but this time—

Vikki coldly picked up the crystal.

Below the stands, the Silver Forest Spear group, upon hearing of the match, gathered around. They were representing the Elpaxin Artisan Association in an exhibition match. Although it was just an exhibition, the Elpaxin Artisan Association hoped to reclaim some face through this match.

Silver Forest Spear mainly considered the event from the aspect of guild points and new member promotion, so the two sides quickly agreed. However, for any reason mentioned above to be fulfilled, defeating the opponent was necessary, and it was well-known that their biggest rivals in this match were the young talents from the Ancient Tower.

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