"It's the Thornfish People, it seems they're up to something."

"Don't let them get close." Reed turned to Bakins and said, "I'll go down to protect Mr. Greyrock, there's a high ground to the east, take Mr. Greyrock in that direction."

"Elisa, go inform Tianlan and the others."

Elisa hurriedly nodded.

Just at that moment, the three simultaneously heard a dull rumble coming from the direction of the lake's center. They couldn't help but look in that direction, where the previous sound was like a heavy object falling into the water with a thud.

However, as the sound traveled from several miles away, it didn't seem so simple to them.

The three saw simultaneously that, there on the sparkling lake surface, a water ridge was slowly rising. The lake water of Long Lake appeared heavy in the sunlight, and within the water ridge, a massive shadow seemed to be floating by.

The earlier thud had now turned into a continuous and dull roar.

It seemed as though some enormous creature was rising from beneath the lake.

The elder of the twins gasped:

"What, what is that?"

"...Koras."

Bakins stared unblinkingly in that direction: "The god of the Fishmen."

...

The match between the Shadow Throne and the military was at its midpoint.

The two sides' performance remained neck and neck, as Fang Hong's group couldn't figure out the military Alchemist's strength. However, it was clear that the Shadow Throne team had held back during their skirmish in the preliminary sea battle.

Hawk-Beak Bean was enthusiastically sharing the news he had just heard: "I heard there's a big change in the finals' format this time, it seems Elfendo made this last-minute decision, and more than two teams are participating in the finals."

Mulan and the others obviously didn't believe it: "Come on, Hawk-Beak Bean, more than two teams? Then what was the point of the elimination matches, the tournament organizers aren't idiots."

"No, no," Hawk-Beak Bean quickly waved his hand: "I said more than two teams are participating in the finals, I didn't say the eliminated teams, but the main tournament teams."

"Main tournament teams?" Mulan frowned as he looked at this guy: "What are the main tournament teams doing in this competition, they don't lack spots."

"That's Elfendo's decision," Hawk-Beak Bean replied: "Honestly, the championship of the exhibition match doesn't mean much, the prize pool isn't significant for us. With only a few slots, it's actually likely the main judge has already picked someone——"

"So the organizing direction probably wants to give the finals more significance, by having the two finalist teams, the main tournament teams, and Elfendo's own team face off."

"What's the point of this showdown?" Mulan asked.

"Of course, it has meaning," Hawk-Beak Bean lowered his voice and answered mysteriously: "I heard Elfendo has set a special reward for this match, and I've heard the prize is very generous."

Fang Hong listened to their murmured conversation from the side without intending to join in. He had known about this additional match early on; it was just a spontaneous decision at the banquet yesterday, nothing premeditated.

He was somewhat surprised that the news had come out so early.

Hearing Hawk-Beak Bean mention the reward also confused him a bit, since the real reward of this match was to select the next heir of the Rose Workshop. Of course, as seen by the Ephendal Council and the Earl himself, this heir was already predetermined——

However, that the tournament organizers had set another reward even he was unaware of. But after thinking about it, he let it go, since it was an extra match after all, and without a prize, it would indeed seem odd.

He wasn't sure if this was an idea proposed by his teacher, but Hawk-Beak Bean's next words dispelled his doubts.

"It's absolutely true, I heard it from a friend," the other said: "He's studied Alchemy at the Dulun School for many years, a bona fide insider, and the suggestion came from the founder of the Dulun School."

"Pudra?" Fang Hong couldn't help but ask.

Hawk-Beak Bean paused: "You know Ade?"

Fang Hong nodded, feeling a bit intrigued. He remembered that person was one of those opposed to Count Westwood Sibika yesterday, and when he inquired with Hilveld, he found out that the person wasn't on their side.

In contrast, the seemingly dazed Old Speaker was actually her 'inside man' bought with money.

"He's not one of us," Hilveld had whispered to him at the time: "This person has always been ambivalent with the northern one, and his School has always been a heretic in Elfendo."

He had been somewhat disappointed, originally hoping he could get the formula for the Magic Solution from this person.

Fang Hong had been slightly absent-minded, while on the other side, Mulan was already grabbing Hawk-Beak Bean, fiercely asking: "Who cares about that, what's the generous reward?"

Hawk-Beak Bean could only helplessly spread his hands: "I don't know, either, Sister Mulan. Elfendo's keeping it secret, and my friend doesn't know what the reward is either."

"Tch, useless."

While they were discussing, Fang Hong suddenly heard a low gasp coming from the square.

He thought something had happened on the field, but upon turning around, he saw a few beams of light emerging from the Elfendo Spire and flying over the square.

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