Within a dimly lit empty office room, a few streaks of lights suddenly occurred.
Emerging from the lights were none other than Xu Feng, Carmen, and Yaren.
Xu Feng was directly plopped to the floor, with Carmen landing on top of his back.
Meanwhile, Yaren held a somewhat irritated expression as she took a seat by the desk, her eyes glaring at Xu Feng and Carmen. It was quite evident that she was irritated by these two people in front of her.
"Alright, speak the truth now that we're the only ones here." Yaren harrumphed and demanded, "You can blame your companion now if you were afraid of your reputation being harmed."
Despite her exclamation, Carmen ignored her and gradually stood up, assisting Xu Feng in the meantime.
"Did I squash you too hard, Guild Leader?" She asked in concern, having realized her crash on him had taken 30% of his health. This meant that Xu Feng was still experiencing some status ailment for a simple crash to deal such massive damage.
"I'm alright," Xu Feng chuckled and reassured her. He then turned his gaze to Yaren, who was currently on the verge of pouting like a little girl.
"Conductor Yaren, if you want me to blame my companion, then you can forget it." He said solemnly. "I will never blame her for trying to rescue me, even if you want to give me all of your possessions."
He was indeed a money-grubber and a greedy person. But there was a limit to how far he was willing to go in search of wealth.
And one of them was blaming his companion just for the sake of gaining a huge return value.
Money was important, but having a trusted and valuable companion was even more important than superficial wealth.
Yaren narrowed her eyes, but contrary to Carmen's fear that she would once again pummel Xu Feng to a terrible state, Yaren suddenly slammed her palm on the desk.
"You are really something else," Yaren exclaimed and started laughing. "It's no wonder why you were able to get baptized, given its strict requirement."
"Baptized?" Confused, Carmen glanced at Xu Feng, seemingly asking him what Yaren meant.
"I'll explain it to you later," Xu Feng whispered softly to her, knowing that she probably had many doubts regarding it.
"Alright, since you're so honorable, then I shall agree with the condition," Yaren exclaimed but continued, "That is if you can accomplish the task of the final round. Remember, if you fail, just don't even come back because I might really kill you over and over again in a lovely basement chamber."
Without even giving Xu Feng a chance to respond, she once again snapped her fingers.
Soon, Xu Feng and Carmen returned to the competition stage and the Emcee proceeded to somewhat relay Yaren's announcement, albeit in a clever manner.
"According to the competition time, it will be over in about a week, given there are too many competent contestants in other sections. So please bear with us while the blacksmith section won't be broadcasted." The Emcee announced, wanting the audience to switch their attention to other sections' competition.
Although the audience was somewhat disappointed by the result, they could only reluctantly accept it.
"Sigh, it was good while it lasted. I guess I should watch the other sections too."
"They might not be as exciting, but who knows. Maybe we will find some talented individuals there as well."
"Agreed, but don't say I didn't warn you. Those talented individuals are mine!"
While the audience sulkingly accepted this fact and dispersed to their original seats, Crimson Heart walked toward Xu Feng.
"So I suppose we are now back to being competitors." She solemnly said.
Xu Feng nodded his head.
"Although we're competitors now, I still wish to warn you not to venture to the Abyssal Rift." He gave his sincere warning.
The Abyssal Rift was not some walk in the park, and without ample preparation, one could easily get stuck there for at least a week in real time.
Contrary to the warning though, Crimson Heart flashed a sly smile. "Heh, earlier the Emcee already relayed Conductor Yaren's words, but never once did the Emcee say we can't team up."
"You're really one shameless woman." Before Xu Feng could even respond, Carmen rolled her eyes at her.
"Previously, you were affected by the Frozen Field and required my Guild Leader's help. Now that the competition is just between the two of you, but you still want his help?"
Crimson Heart kept a deadpan expression for a brief moment, absorbing her statement.
"Ah, so you are a guild member of Lin Feng eh." She suddenly exclaimed in understanding, but continued, "But what does this have to do with you?"
"Feng is your competitor, and as a member of her guild. Why would I let him cooperate with you?" Carmen responded swiftly.
"Oh, and here I thought you were his girlfriend or something." Crimson Heart chuckled softly.
Unfazed, Carmen didn't even react to her attempt to taunt or tease her.
Did Crimson Heart think she would suddenly blush or lose her composure?
"Either way, you can forget about trying to team up." Carmen waved her hand in annoyance, almost as if she was shooing a bug away.
"Is that really what you have in mind as well, Lin Feng?" Ignoring Carmen, Crimson Heart gazed at Xu Feng.
With the spotlight returning to him, Xu Feng smiled and nodded his head.
"Since my Guild Commander doesn't want me to team up with you, then that's final. After all, she doesn't wish for me to extend a helping hand anymore to someone unrelated or allied with us." He responded.
'This sly bastard.' Annoyed, Crimson Heart would be a fool to not comprehend his meaning.
"Aren't we considered allies already from the previous agreement we made?" Crimson Heart reminded him.
"Yes, but we haven't established a contract yet aside from the verbal agreement." Xu Feng exclaimed and smoothly retrieved a contract paper, almost as if he had been waiting.
Seeing the contract paper practically shoving at her, Crimson Heart realized one thing. He was one cunning four-eyes who would refuse to give up any golden opportunity.