Another Mission

Since the auction had ended, most of the people who weren't able to purchase an item left immediately, having nothing left to stay here for. As the crowds dispersed, Lin Ke heard a knock behind him at the door.

"Sir Lin Ke, Young Miss Lia, I'm coming in." It's Mr. Wraht.

With a click, the door opens up and Mr. Wraht quickly pops. Lin Ke looks back at the door to see two people behind him. One of them has a bright smile on his face while the other has a slight frown. It's the brothers, Yotzal and Mast. One by one, they enter the room, Yotzal shuts the door behind him.

"Ahhh, Lin Ke! There you are! I was looking for you this whole time!" Mast smiles brightly. "Have you thought over what I told you?"

"Oh, the Annual International Arts Exchange Thingy? I errr… I don't think I can…" Lin Ke says sheepishly.

"Hmm? Could I know your reasoning behind that" Mast asks with a slight frown.

This question put Lin Ke in quite the predicament. There wasn't really a way for Lin Ke to explain that he and Lia were currently being hunted by a higher planar being, could he? Even if he did say that, would Mast even believe him? Mast would probably just develop a bad impression of Lin Ke for trying to come up with a random out-of-this-world excuse.

"I-uh… just don't… really like competing..?" Lin Ke quickly improvises.

"Really?" Mast asks. "However, the top prodigies from all across the countries will be coming to it… It would be amazing for your development as an artist!"

"Lin Ke, you have just received a new mission. Join the Annual International Arts Exchange and win the championship. The reward for completion will be a cultivation increase straight to the peak of Body Tempering, the Heart Tempering Sub-realm as well as a chance to immediately condense your Energy Core." Lily suddenly interrupts.

Lin Ke frowns. 'What? Lily, why? We're still being chased by that guy called Serxe! How are we supposed to be able to participate in this? Isn't this just a death wish?' Lin Ke asks in his head.

Lily responds. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that he isn't an issue before the Exchange begins."

Lin Ke slightly doubts that after what had happened the last time they met Serxe, but decides to follow her advice. Looking up from his thoughts, Lin Ke responds, "Alright, I'll do it. I'll join the Exchange."

This causes many different faces to turn to look at him. Mast has a bright smile on his face, happy that Lin Ke agreed. Meanwhile, Lia was looking at him with a worried and confused expression.

"Great! The Exchange begins in 3 months so make sure to show up to the location. This year is the 100th anniversary of the International Grand Tournament, meaning that the prizes for this tournament are going to be some of the best ever offered. It also means that this year, the Tournament will be held in a special place… The center of peace, Origin City!"

Lin Ke blinks in dismay. 'What?' He thought to himself. 'It's going to be in Origin City??? Aren't we just asking to get caught then??? How are we supposed to sneak in, participate in the tournament, and get out from right under these otherworldly people's eyes?'

Lin Ke sighs. 'Well, this ain't going to end well…'

"Alright, I ge-" Lin Ke feels a tug at his shirt. Looking over, Lin Ke realizes it was Lia. "Hm?"

"Lin Ke… I don't think... that this…" Lia began.

Lin Ke sees the worried expression on her face, and knows exactly what she is worried about. However, he really didn't have a choice… This was a mission that Lily gave him…

Hang on a moment… What if he just declined the mission? There was nothing that said he had to-

"No, you have to do it. If you don't accomplish the mission, you won't receive the rewards. If you do not even attempt the mission, there will be consequences… and if I judge your attitude towards the mission isn't completely genuine, there may ALSO be consequences." Lily interrupts Lin Ke's thoughts.

'Err…. By consequences, what do you mean exactly?' Lin Ke asks in his head.

"Oh, erm… It depends on what you did I guess. If you didn't try, the most lenient consequence will be decreasing your cultivation down to the first stage of the Body Tempering Realm as well as the locking of your Spatial Storage space… As well as a fine of 500 Mid-grade Chaos Stones."

Lin Ke's eyes widen. It seemed there really was no choice for him here. "Sorry, Lia… I'll explain it to you later okay?"

Lin Ke looks at her pleadingly, hoping she would understand.

Thankfully, Lia understood. Well, she probably had no clue why he chose to accept the offer, but Lia chose to trust Lin Ke on this one. After all, Lin Ke had also experienced the might of Serxe, so there was no way he would be taking this risk for nothing.

"Alright then, it seems there are still some things we need to get done." Mast said brightly. After having accomplished his main purpose for coming here, he planned to leave. "Oh, that's right, Lin Ke, take this."

Mast tosses him a small round badge with a sword and shield emblazoned on it. In small print along the bottom, it said, Royal Crest of Vristannia.

"What is this?" Lin Ke asks.

"When you arrive in Origin City, show that to someone at the Skill Court there. They will lead you to where our group will be alright?" Mast explains.

Lin Ke nods.

"Wonderful! Since everything is sorted out, I will not waste your times any longer! I have my own matters to attend to! I will see you all in a bit!" Mast bows to them all before opening the door to the VIP Room.

"Oh right, bro, remember to pick up the egg tarts from that store!" Mast calls to his brother as he walks out of the room.

"What? Why me?" Yotzal asks gloomily.

"You lost rock paper scissors, remember? You're paying too! Hurry up and get it before it gets cold!" Mast says as the door closes.

Yotzal has an annoyed expression on his face. He nods to Lin Ke and Lia before sparing Mr. Wraht a glance. Then, he walks out of the room too, without saying an additional word.

Now, the only people left in the room were Lia, Lin Ke, Mr. Wraht and Ami.