All eyes were incredulously focused on Andrew.

After a moment of dead silence—

"Andrew, when did you reach Tier Four?!" "Are you sure? Tier Four Warm Fire Mage? Like the Third Lady?" "This is indeed Tier Four level magic power fluctuations!" "You... When did you exactly break through? During those two days of leave?"

The Commerce Association higher-ups were almost losing their composure one by one.

Especially Lawrence, whose eyes looked as if they would pop out!

Just a moment ago, many of the higher-ups were dissatisfied with Andrew, feeling he had "impure intentions."

Now, like Lawrence, they were all speechless.

Those who questioned Andrew "when exactly did you break through to Tier Four" were Dean Charlie, Jin, Susan, those higher-ups who did not suspect Andrew's intent, but thought his self-recommendation was somewhat "overconfident."

"But now it seems, where is this 'overconfidence'?" The usually elegant Dean Charlie now looked shockingly dumbfounded.

It's known that whether it was Andrew exorcising the Desolate Beast swarm or cooperating with the Commerce Association to develop all kinds of magical products, the inner depths of everyone's hearts attributed these incredible feats to Andrew's claim of the place he came from: Southern Retreat Land.

Southern Retreat Land is like a gathering place of superpowered individuals in this Flame Realm.

The unique bloodline powers within many humanoid aliens, when combined with Warm Fire Magic, formed new changes, birthed various forms of "magic superpowers" similar yet different from Warm Fire Magic.

—This was the higher-ups' speculation and attribution of the various incredible things about Andrew.

It was also a significant reason for their acceptance of Andrew's claim "from Southern Retreat Land."

But, breaking through to Tier Four was different from everything Andrew had done before.

It was not a conceptual thing.

No matter how Andrew survived facing the Female Assassin in Shield of Flowing Fire or how he arrived in Warm Fire City and dealt with Sabye, who just appeared on Dean Charlie's recommendation list—

The higher-ups never truly believed Andrew had any extraordinary potential in cultivation or combat power.

You can say it's a kind of arrogant prejudice.

But it can also be said it's not.

Because in the eyes of each Commerce Association higher-up who reached at least Tier Eight themselves, among the younger generation, unless one reaches Tier Four, there's nothing particularly remarkable.

Conversely, once a young person, who is not supposed to have reached Tier Four, achieves Tier Four, even without having Shield of Flowing Fire against the Female Assassin or the results upon arriving in Warm Fire City to face Sabye, the person would still be deemed a super genius.

This is the meaning of the term "phenom."

Because to break through to Tier Four at a young age largely violates the basic laws of cultivation in this world.

It's going against the heavens!

"When on earth did you break through?" Barbara looked at Andrew dumbfoundedly, "Even I didn't know!"

Andrew still held Barbara's little hand with one hand, while touching his nose with the other: "Well, just recently broke through..."

Though he said it lightly, Barbara looked into Andrew's eyes up close, feeling stirred, vaguely understanding something: "I see, initially didn't plan to disclose, worried about me facing the Royal Court alone with the Mages Guild Saint Son and Saintess, just then..."

Thinking of this, Barbara's eyes suddenly turned wet.

No girl can resist being moved when feeling the heart of a boy she likes, who also likes her.

Initially squeezed into a tense little fist, now naturally relaxed.

Holding Andrew's hand.

And in a way not seen in the previous ten weeks—more intimately; fingers interlocked.

Among everyone, Lady Yi Lian's reaction was the calmest.

But even she couldn't help but silently sigh in her heart: "You rascal, did pick the right person..."

Lady Yi Lian closed her eyes in silence for a moment, then reopened them, determining her resolve, saying: "That's good, solving the most troublesome problem. The forthcoming Royal Court negotiations shall be attended by Andrew and Barbara as a pair, taking part in the negotiations and trials."

Lawrence called out: "Madam..."

Yet even Lawrence couldn't find any suitable words to oppose this time.

His dislike for Andrew stemmed from seeing Andrew as a "back-end tech talent" like him, possessing an impressive talent and skill he never had at a young age.

However, now Andrew showed through action: Back-end tech talent isn't enough to define me.

Sorry, we… don't actually have similar competitive ties.

Lady Yi Lian looked at Andrew, seriously saying: "Royal Court negotiations aren't trivial, even though the Royal Court is neutral ground, no guarantees can be made about possible actions by the Mages Guild, especially as they've already raided the Shield of Flowing Fire… Hence, this trip to the Royal Court is potentially dangerous. Are you really willing to risk this adventure for our Warm Fire Commerce Association, Andrew?"

"Honestly… not particularly willing…" Andrew's response made many Commerce Association higher-ups' faces stiffen, then Andrew smiled, calmly yet earnestly saying, "But I'm willing to risk my life for Barbara."

The past ten months of a honeymoon period with the Warm Fire Commerce Association made Andrew a bit too relaxed.

From the attitude shown in the recent meeting, particularly led by Lawrence, it's clear they haven't truly acknowledged him.

Andrew wasn't angry about this.

But at this moment, decided to express a hint of implication through words: Business cooperation, is founded on mutual respect.

It's not about attempting to seek anything from Barbara, or from the Warm Fire Commerce Association, by "eagerly" partnering with the association.

On the contrary, it's precisely because of the relationship with Barbara that he would go all out for the association.

This really needs to be clarified!

Stop thinking he has "impure intentions", attempting to "scheme" something from the Warm Fire Commerce Association through Barbara!

Pausing for a moment, Andrew added: "As the Lord of Wildfire Territory, these Royal Court negotiations also concern the safety of my territory and my people. Thus, I'm indeed grateful to the Commerce Association for this opportunity to go together."

This was the phrasing.

As a Lord, Andrew gradually accustomed to taking more for his territory and his people.

No hesitation in saying, if Andrew was alone, post-"stern words," probably wouldn't add this "mild" remark.

True enough, when Lawrence heard Andrew say "willing to risk life for Barbara," his face darkened to the extreme.

But upon hearing Andrew say "grateful for the Commerce Association's opportunity," his expression altered several times, finally sighing without further comment.

Only Jin still hesitated.

He was still unsure if sending Andrew to the Royal Court was indeed a wise decision.

As Lady Yi Lian mentioned, the Royal Court doesn't guarantee safety.

Currently, worldwide, other than Warm Fire City, there's really no place ensuring safety. Even Warm Fire City can't guarantee it entirely.

But Jin also understood: From the moment Andrew showed Tier Four strength, it's impossible for him to remain merely a back-end tech talent, continuing long-term in Warm Fire City.

Andrew asked: "Has the specific departure date for the Royal Court been set?"

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