Negotiation is not war.

But the continuation of war.

For Andrew personally, negotiation is more of an opportunity.

An opportunity to confront the Magic Guild directly!

The Magic Guild is the enemy, there's no doubt about that.

But actually, since coming to this Flame Realm until now, the contact with the Magic Guild has been more "indirect"—

Humboldt, though once a Grand Mage level figure, comparable to someone like Falk, was already past his prime with barely a tenth of his power left when fighting Andrew.

Rose is indeed a master among the younger generation of the Magic Guild, but to be honest, throughout the entire dual fire war, the front line in the Inner Sea Desert led by Rose and Fleur against the Wildfire Territory was just a marginal and unremarkable front.

It can't be said that because Andrew ultimately used a small front as a starting point to exorcise Desolate Beasts and shift the entire battlefield, it means that the battle in the Inner Sea Desert was some globally significant major battle.

Soon after Rose, Andrew received an invitation from the Warm Fire Commerce Association and embarked on a journey to Warm Fire City.

"In other words, after Rose, the only other Magic Guild person I've faced was that female assassin!"

Andrew thought to himself, "Of course, that female assassin was truly fierce! But... it's not enough, it's really not enough. I can't just keep being cautious and developing in the background, in this Warm Fire City!"

In the ten weeks in Warm Fire City, it was busy and fulfilling, yet safe and comfortable.

So comfortable that Andrew almost forgot what the common appearance of the Flame Realm outside Warm Fire City was.

In terms of personality, Andrew does not have the temperament of always being cautious and developing slowly.

More importantly, Andrew doesn't think accomplishing just this is enough to win.

He must go out again!

The dual fire negotiations about to take place in the Royal Court are a great opportunity.

As the saying goes: negotiation is the continuation of war.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of negotiation to have more close contact, observation, and understanding of the Magic Guild is also beneficial for the next phase of his personal cultivation.

Before Tier Three, it's mainly about "awakening" and "laying foundations". From Tier Four to Tier Six, "combat power enhancement" is the core.

Precisely because of this, knowing more about the enemy enables one to enhance oneself more specifically, right?

The next time the dual fire war opens, Andrew doesn't want to hide in the safe rear anymore.

He also wants to go to the front line, to fight, to extinguish the Magic Guild, the greatest evil fire of this Flame Realm!

"Hmm, then that's decided!" Andrew no longer hesitated, having made a decision in his heart, "I must find a way to participate in this negotiation at the Royal Court. After all, the original purpose of coming to the Warm Fire Commerce Association, the business cooperation aspects, have now all been achieved.

Indeed, it's time to expand new firefighting businesses outside the Wildfire Territory's headquarters and the vast lands governed by the Warm Fire Commerce Association."

However, just like how when in the Wildfire Territory, although he received an invitation from the Warm Fire Commerce Association, he didn't have a clear idea of what the visit to the Commerce Association would be like —

Currently, Andrew is unsure of how exactly the negotiation at the Royal Court will proceed, or how he wants to participate if he does.

All he knows at the moment is:

First, the Commerce Association doesn't seem to have plans to take him. Most likely, it's not out of contempt or prejudice, but in the eyes of everyone at the Warm Fire Commerce Association, including Barbara, he is now a "technically skilled person suited to stay in the rear", someone to be protected, not someone to venture to the front line.

The Royal Court is located in the north of the Flame Realm, also on the east-west dividing line.

Geographically, it can indeed be considered half a front line.

Second, what Andrew can see now is: the Commerce Association seems to intend to take Barbara with them?

They called Barbara, who hadn't participated in high-level meetings in the past ten weeks, seemingly implying her attendance in the Royal Court for the dual fire negotiations.

But why is this? Andrew felt a bit confused.

It should be noted, due to the "tribute year", Barbara, like himself... no, Barbara needs more protection than he does, and before truly growing up, is not suited to leave Warm Fire City easily or expose herself publicly.

At present, Andrew is not in a hurry, he keeps his composure, listening carefully.

He hears Lady Yi Lian say, "The Royal Court... your second sister has been repeatedly inviting both sides to the Royal Court for peace talks ever since the day after the war was nominally over. Right now, both we and the Magic Guild have already grabbed more bargaining chips for negotiation, so formally starting the peace talks is actually a natural thing."

Barbara nods, "I understand. I will definitely participate in this negotiation, right? Also, I haven't seen my second sister for a long time."

Hearing this, Andrew nonchalantly asks, "Why are you 'definitely going to participate', Barbara?"

Both Lady Yi Lian and Barbara, as well as many other Commerce Association executives in the meeting hall, seem to have a tacit consensus that since the focus is no longer the battlefield at the Dragon's Nest but indeed the negotiations about to formally unfold at the Royal Court, then Barbara must participate.

But why is this?

Andrew doesn't quite understand the logical connection here.

"Oh, that's the situation." Jin, unbeknownst to Andrew's idea of going to the Royal Court together, thinking Andrew is just curious, explains, "Even if it's negotiation, once at the Royal Court, both sides still have to 'compete'."

"What do you mean?" Andrew frowns, "The dual fire war is already over, isn't it? Why is there still a contest in the negotiation?"

Susan interjects, somewhat strangely asking, "Regarding the tradition of negotiation, isn't there not much difference between your Retirement Land and our Warm Fire Commerce Association? Don't you even know about 'negotiation competitions'?" Her chubby face, with small eyes, looks at Andrew, with scrutiny and a hint of doubt.

Andrew coughs awkwardly, vaguely saying, "Well, I'm not really familiar with that..."

Jin doesn't mind, carefully explaining to Andrew.

Andrew finally starts to understand: "So... that's how it is?"

According to Jin, the Flame Realm has its own ancient traditions, among which the so-called "negotiation contest" is one.

Simply put, the Flame Realm has its unique way of negotiation.

That is, both negotiating parties present their conditions, but instead of continuing a back-and-forth verbal battle at the negotiation table, they directly decide through three "negotiation contests" whether to adopt your conditions or mine!

If one side wins all three contests, naturally, the victor's conditions are fully adopted.

If one side wins one contest, the other side also wins one, and one is a draw, then a compromise solution of both parties' proposed conditions is adopted.

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