“Sir Lailong!”
Emily finally snapped out of her shock and numbness.
Hearing the exaggerated temporary title from Lailong’s mouth, she couldn’t help but lower her voice, shooting him a look that was half-remonstrative, half-exasperated.
“Do you think that kind of address… is appropriate right now?”
She paused, her voice dropping even lower but becoming more serious.
“Moreover, in the history of the Guild, there has never been a precedent of granting an official title to someone at the Silver Rank.”
“Every adventurer who has been granted a title is a powerhouse whose strength has reached the Diamond Rank and who possesses recognized exceptional contributions or a unique identifier.”
Her implication was clear: this was not only against the rules, but for a newcomer like Yize, it was too abrupt and could even bring unnecessary attention or pressure.
Yize himself reacted rather blandly to this.
Looking at the overly enthusiastic man before him, he shook his head, his tone so honest it was almost blunt.
“Mr. Lailong, I appreciate your high regard. But, to be honest, I’m not very interested in becoming an adventurer myself.”
He raised his hand, flashing the brand new Silver-grade token.
“My main purpose for registering and completing these tasks was to obtain the qualification to use the Guild’s Teleportation Arrays.”
Meeting Lailong’s slightly stunned gaze, he continued to explain.
“I come from the Olay Empire. I have reasons why I must return.”
“The situation there… is urgent. So, I probably can’t stay in Stana, or in your team, for the long term.”
This was the truth.
He needed to go back and save those children now.
Most importantly, even if the Blood Clan Crisis was resolved, he wouldn’t have time to leave the Olay Empire to complete adventurer missions.
Besides, he wasn’t short on money. He could make his own Magic Tools and Potions. Apart from paying for the expensive teleportation fees, Guild points held limited appeal for him.
“The Olay Empire?”
Upon hearing this, Lailong’s brow immediately furrowed, his face openly showing a mix of disdain and confusion.
“That place? A rigid monarchy, scheming nobles, practicing isolationism, rejecting other races… What’s there to miss? Kid, you need to broaden your horizons!”
He spread his arms as if to embrace the entire city-state of Stana.
“Look here! Sure, some demi-humans have a bit of a temper, but a hundred races coexist, opportunities are everywhere!”
“You can access the newest goods from across the continent, the highest quality forging and alchemy techniques, the richest information!”
“Experience different customs, broaden your horizons—that’s the path a true aspiring powerhouse should take!”
As he spoke, his gaze swept around and happened to see the cat-eared girl, Elfie, who hadn’t completely left yet and was eavesdropping with perked-up ears nearby. He chuckled and added, half-jokingly.
“And here, you might even have the chance to find a cute beast-eared girl as a partner, and experience the ‘charm’ of a different race. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“Sir Lailong! Please mind your words! You are currently representing the image of Guild internal personnel!”
Emily’s cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly spoke up to stop him, simultaneously casting an apologetic glance at Elfie, who instantly turned bright red, stamped her foot, and ran off.
Yize also rubbed his forehead, speechless.
This uncle’s personality was really… hard to describe.
“I really have no interest in becoming an adventurer,”
Yize reiterated, raising a practical concern.
“And even if I were to join temporarily, once I return to the Olay Empire, it would be very difficult for me to travel all the way back to Stana to participate in team activities.”
“Your team must have fixed mission quotas or activity requirements, right? I can’t guarantee participation. That wouldn’t be fair to the team and would be a hassle for me.”
Lailong waved a large hand dismissively, as if these were non-issues.
“Rules are rigid, people are flexible! As long as you agree to join my ‘Thunder-Light Squad,’ you’ll immediately gain special privileges as Guild internal personnel—all teleportation routes within the Guild are free for you to use! That’s core member treatment!”
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice, his tone full of tempting flexibility.
“As for team activities?”
“Don’t worry! We only take on high-difficulty, high-reward ‘big jobs,’ which usually have very long preparation cycles.”
“If we really need you, I’ll notify you at least a week, or even longer, in advance.”
“If you really can’t make it, just give a heads-up beforehand. No forcing! How about it?”
The other adventurers nearby who were eavesdropping had their eyes practically popping out, their faces filled with disbelief and thick envy.
These conditions… were practically free benefits!
Internal teleportation privileges, almost no mandatory attendance, recruitment by a Diamond Rank powerhouse…
This newcomer named Yize had just cleared out a bunch of Goblins!
Goblins! At most C-rank!
Any experienced Platinum Rank squad could achieve similar clearing results with preparation and time.
What made him so special?
They had no idea of Lailong’s considerations.
This “Sleeping Thunder Lion” seemed rough and straightforward, but his vision was sharp.
Yize could vanish instantly under his full pursuit. The Goblin Bosses died from pure physical crushing.
Plus, the morning eyewitness descriptions of “exaggerated low-level magic” causing many Goblin deaths…
All of this pointed to one conclusion: this black-haired youth’s true strength was unfathomable.
At the very least, his physical power likely reached a terrifying level where he could directly contend with B-rank or even A-rank Magical Beasts!
And he was so young!
In Stana, this adventurer’s holy land where a hundred races competed and human forces weren’t dominant, discovering such a treasure among humans—how could Lailong possibly let him go?
Even if he had to “support” him temporarily without making him work, he had to tie Yize to the human faction’s chariot.
He absolutely couldn’t let other powerful teams from different races poach him!
This concerned the future voice of the human adventurer group within the Guild.
“Free use of Teleportation Arrays?”
Hearing this key condition, Yize’s heart gave a sudden jump. This truly hit his most urgent current need!
If that were really the case, traveling to faraway places in the future would be much more convenient!
But reason kept him wary.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. He had heard of and seen the predatory schemes of certain industry “guilds” in his past life.
“Really such a good deal?”
Yize stared at Lailong, trying to find any flaws on his face.
“No other attached conditions? Like an entry fee, high commission splits, mandatory task quotas, minimum activity requirements… or signing some binding agreement?”
He rattled off all the “pitfalls” he could think of.
Lailong was taken aback by the barrage of questions, then looked both amused and exasperated.
“What’s going on in that head of yours? The Guild strictly prohibits such exploitation of adventurers. Discovery leads to heavy penalties, even permanent expulsion!”
He thumped his chest, then seemed to remember something and added.
“But… conditions… there really is one.”
Yize wore an “I knew it” expression.
Lailong laughed heartily, a fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.
“Spar with me! Right now, in the Guild’s Duel Arena. Just a simple exchange of moves!”
He needed to confirm his judgment one last time, to personally gauge Yize’s strength.
Yize thought for a moment, finding this request fairly reasonable.
If the other party could truly provide free teleportation privileges, a controlled spar as an “entry ticket” was completely acceptable.
Besides, he was a bit curious about this seemingly strong uncle.
“A spar is fine. To first touch?” he confirmed.
“Of course! Let’s go, let’s go!”
Lailong couldn’t wait. He threw an arm around Yize’s shoulders and strode purposefully towards the Guild’s dedicated Duel Arena.
The news spread like wildfire.
Diamond Rank powerhouse, “Sleeping Thunder Lion” Lailong, was going to have a public spar with a newly promoted Silver Rank, mysteriously-originated rookie adventurer!
The entire Guild hall instantly erupted. A large number of adventurers, whether human, demi-human, or other races, dropped what they were doing and surged towards the Duel Arena, eager to witness the event.
Emily couldn’t stop them in time and could only follow quickly, praying inwardly that no trouble would arise.
The Duel Arena was a circular stone platform about fifty meters in diameter with a basic protective barrier. Surrounding it were tiered spectator seats. At this moment, the seats were rapidly filling up, buzzing with discussion.
Lailong stretched his wrists and ankles, walking to the center of the arena. He gave Yize, standing opposite him, a hearty smile, adopting the posture of a senior.
“Kid, don’t say I’m bullying a rookie. I’ll let you make the first move. Let me see just what your ‘true level’ has reached!”
He estimated internally that Yize’s limit was probably around being able to handle B-rank Magical Beasts. That was already an incredibly remarkable talent, worthy of heavy cultivation.
Yize felt somewhat troubled.
Let the other party make the first move?
What if he didn’t control the force of his counterattack properly and ended up hurting this well-meaning uncle?
After all, he had a good idea of his own power level.
“How about… you make the first move?”
Yize tried to negotiate.
“I’m more… respectful of elders and kind to the young.”
Lailong’s mouth twitched. “I’m just over forty! In my prime! No more nonsense, make your move, or the onlookers will laugh at me for bullying the weak!”
He urged, while secretly adjusting his breathing. Thunder elements began to flow quietly within his body, preparing to respond at any moment.
He didn’t think Yize could threaten him, but even a lion uses full force when catching a rabbit. That was his combat creed.
Seeing this, Yize knew further refusal was pointless and nodded.
“Alright then, here I come. Please be careful.”
He decided to hold back a bit.
Using a large number of low-level spells would be too flashy.
Then he’d just use a tiny bit of his physical strength.
With that thought, Yize moved.
In the vision of Lailong and the vast majority of the spectators, Yize simply took a very ordinary step forward and threw an utterly common punch, straight at Lailong’s face.
The movement was clear, the trajectory obvious, even seeming a bit… slow?
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