Inside the hotel study, sunlight filtered through the slits of the blinds, casting thin streaks of light on the dark desk.
After Tendo and Valentina arrived in the study, Tendo casually found a sofa and sat down.
Across from him, Valentina calmly placed the file she was holding on the table.
Without any pleasantries, Tendo went straight to the point: "You must be wanting to ask me about the current situation of Dr. Dragon, correct?"
"Yes."
Valentina was not surprised that Tendo could guess this.
After all, it was perfectly normal for someone who could see the future to have foreseen her meeting with him.
What surprised and yet didn't surprise Valentina was Tendo's nonchalant tone when he said: "If you just want to know the Doctor's current status, then I'm afraid I have to apologize."
"Because even I am not entirely clear on what he is currently doing."
"Not even you know?"
Valentina was noncommittal about Tendo's words.
However, she did not dwell on this question, choosing instead to talk about something else.
"In that case, let's put aside Dragon's matter for now. How much do you know about the Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Tournament?"
Hearing this, Tendo shrugged.
"I know. It's a means for the Association to distract the public and select special talents."
Valentina did not refute Tendo's statement.
Because the so-called 'Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Tournament' truly served that purpose.
After all, this world has never lacked geniuses, but geniuses also need nurturing.
The Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Tournament in the Martial Arts Metropolis provides them with just such a stage.
This allows them to gain more attention.
And there are many benefits to doing this: one is that it subtly demonstrates the power of the Association.
The second is that it provides ordinary people with a legitimate channel for advancement.
Therefore, among those participating in the Ranking Tournament are both Star Envoys from the Association and many Star Envoys who have not yet officially joined the Association.
Just like Tendo is now.
The tournament system is divided into two parts.
The first part is the selection, which is the so-called preliminary round.
The other is a special invitation, which allows participants to skip the preliminary round and proceed directly to the main competition.
What Valentina had brought with her was an invitation to this year's Ranking Tournament.
However, unlike the previous tournaments, this year's Ranking Tournament is somewhat special.
Valentina opened the file she was carrying and pushed the gilded invitation, which read 'Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Tournament,' toward Tendo. The Star Envoy Association's emblem was also printed on the invitation.
Tendo merely glanced at it and then asked, "What is the compensation?"
Valentina seemed prepared, pulling out an additional agreement from the folder: "The Supreme President said that anything you want, as long as it's reasonable, can be fulfilled."
"Oh, that generous?"
Tendo's eyes lit up. He reached out, took the invitation, and smiled.
"Alright. It seems your Supreme President is very clear about what I want; otherwise, he wouldn't say that."
Having spoken, Tendo shook the invitation in his hand, his azure eyes brimming with confidence.
"Tell the Supreme President that I will head to the Martial Arts Metropolis soon."
"I will relay your message faithfully."
Valentina collected her folder and turned to leave. She paused at the doorway, looking back at Tendo.
"One more thing: the Supreme President said he hopes you can participate as a 'commoner genius,' if possible."
Tendo waved his hand in response.
"Got it. It's just about creating a god. I know the drill."
Watching Tendo grasp the meaning instantly, Valentina couldn't help but sigh that talking to smart people saved time.
Because some things didn't need to be explicitly stated; they could both understand the other's intent.
"In that case, I'll take my leave. I look forward to your performance soon."
Hearing this, Tendo smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't disappoint you or the Supreme President. After all, you did offer me an irresistible price."
Soon after Valentina left, Tendo also stepped out.
As Tendo exited the study, he was met with a sweet aroma.
Liu Yao was sitting at the dining table opening a pastry box. Inside was a freshly bought strawberry cake, its pink surface coated with white frosting, looking very appealing.
Jing Liuli was curled up on the sofa, holding an empty milk cup, a spot of milk still clinging to the corner of her mouth, having clearly just finished the milk.
Danika was sitting on the carpet hugging a game console, an empty potato chip bag beside her short legs. Her eyes were glued to the screen, and her fingers were rapidly pressing the buttons.
Upon seeing Tendo, Liu Yao paused her actions and said in a rather regretful tone, "Have you decided? It seems the Supreme President's offer was very tempting."
Tendo shrugged and walked over. He reached into the pastry box, pinched a small piece of cake, and popped it into his mouth. The cool cream mixed with the tart sweetness of the strawberry instantly dispelled the seriousness of the earlier discussion.
"The compensation is right, and besides, I have no reason to refuse, do I?"
Liu Yao sighed, "That's true. Compared to us, the Supreme President can clearly offer you a better price."
"But be careful. We old-timers won't let you have an easy time."
"Of the seven floating cities, the Four Great Families occupy four. They certainly don't want 'outsiders' to take the remaining two."
Faced with this cryptic exchange, the dimensional audience on Site 13 had no idea what Tendo and she were specifically talking about.
Fortunately, at this point, Tendo, in the capacity of a professional stellar commentator, provided an explanation.
"It doesn't matter. The essence of this Ranking Tournament is the reshuffling of the Star Envoy Association."
"Many branch presidents are preparing to attempt to break through to higher realms and need people to take their place."
"And to prevent too many people from the Four Great Families from occupying the branch president positions, the Supreme President needs to install more personnel, especially for the branch presidents of the major floating cities, who cannot all fall into your hands."
Liu Yao smiled and then said, "That's hard to say. After all, you are only one person."
Of the seven floating cities, excluding the First Floating City - Star Trail Corridor, which is under the control of the Supreme President - Enit.
Of the remaining six floating cities, four are controlled by the Four Great Families.
Therefore, only two important floating cities remain for everyone else.
The Supreme President's intention is for Tendo not to accept any family's recruitment and to represent the non-family 'commoner' genius Star Envoys.
He wants everyone to understand that Star Envoys from the Four Great Families are not the only ones who can succeed in the New Federation, or even the entire Star Envoy Association.
Although this will cause considerable trouble for Tendo.
For instance, being collectively targeted by the Four Great Families.
But to Tendo, this is nothing.
Because he never planned to cooperate with anyone in the first place.
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