Sasa found her so-called channel to purchase a cracked blood analyzer, but it will take some time for the analyzer to arrive at Crimson No.2, about a month.
To Sasa, this time isn’t considered long because the research team from Lingquan University will probably be stationed at Crimson No.2 for at least half a year, without having to consider returning to the university.
Moreover, Yan Luo also handed over the footage of the fierce wolf being killed by the stone armor bear and turned into materials to Sasa. After Sasa took it back, Lingquan University’s research team might study this footage for quite some time.
— Of course, Yan Luo deleted the part where he rushed out with bare hands to grab the berserk blood; even if he hadn’t, Sasa would have checked the footage and deleted those segments after receiving it.
Yan Luo is her research subject, and she must prevent others from taking this project from her, even her mentor; Sasa won’t allow him to know about Yan Luo.
But to Yan Luo, a month’s time felt somewhat long.
He wanted to become stronger and relied heavily on Abyssal demons, as consuming small amounts of meat from mutated creatures daily provided insufficient magic power to elevate his strength to new heights.
During this period, he might venture into the Abyss, though it’s uncertain when he will return.
The twenty-two hours of non-stop slaughter had left Yan Luo somewhat exhausted, and he hadn’t recovered yet.
Following Sasa’s suggestion, Yan Luo added some new exercise equipment to the gym, and also renovated two rooms for use as new gym facilities.
He had no choice because some gym equipment was too big to fit in one gym room.
Right as Yan Luo was exerting himself to prepare for the next Abyss hunt, he received an unexpected invitation.
Full of confusion, Yan Luo left home and headed to the Hunter’s Guild.
He took the elevator to reach the top floor of the skyscraper.
The Hunter’s Guild had many offices in this building, but the one on the top floor belonged solely to the high-level officials of Crimson No.2 Guild.
The invitation Yan Luo received came from there, precisely, from the guild chairman’s secretary.
As soon as he arrived on the top floor, a young man waiting by the elevator quickly escorted him to the chairman’s office.
As the heavy wooden door opened, Yan Luo’s boots echoed on the mirror-like shiny stone tiles in the spacious room; the slender man behind the desk lifted his head, adjusted his glasses, and smiled.
"Hello, Yan Luo, it’s a pleasure to meet you after hearing so much about you."
Yan Luo raised an eyebrow, "Chairman Li has heard about me?"
The chairman of Crimson No.2 Hunter’s Guild, Daoist Li, was once a Hunter himself and a Sequence Three powerhouse.
Daoist Li smiled and said, "I am the chairman of Crimson No.2 Hunter’s Guild. Most of my daily work is related to hunters. Besides the novices entering the profession, you are the only Hunter in the world without Engraving, and you have the nicknames like ’Mobile Library’ and ’Walking Archive’; your reputation is so prominent, how could I not know you?"
With that, Daoist Li returned to the main topic, "Let’s get to business. Yan Luo, do you know why I invited you to the chairman’s office this time?"
Yan Luo thought for a moment, "Is it because of my extraordinary haul in the last Abyss hunt?"
Upon hearing this, Daoist Li was surprised, "Why would you think that? For the guild, no matter how many hauls a hunter has, it is irrelevant to us, let alone such baseless matters. Indeed, your haul from the last Abyss hunt was exceptional, but to us, it’s not a concern."
"Then I can’t guess." Yan Luo shook his head.
Daoist Li laughed again, "Indeed, just as the rumors say you’re straightforward."
Immediately after, Daoist Li cleared his throat, straightened his expression, and seriously said, "Hunter Yan Luo, as the chairman of Crimson No.2 Hunter’s Guild, I represent the entire Blue Star Hunter Guild in commissioning you with a task—participate in the Hunter Skills Competition!"
"Hunter Skills Competition?" Yan Luo frowned, "You want me to join that group of clowns on a variety show?"
Hearing this, Daoist Li almost couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Such sharp commentary!
"Yes, it’s to join that ’variety’ show with those clowns."
Daoist Li took a deep breath to ease his laughter a bit and said emphatically, "The problem is, this variety show is very popular among civilians. Many who grew up watching the show think those clowns putting on a show are the legitimate hunters because they also have Engraving and can be called ’Hunters.’ If we wanted to, of course we could shut down the show; the Hunter Guild has such power. But if we shut down this show, another similar one will be born; we don’t want to get caught up in this quagmire.
"Therefore, the guild internally discussed and decided to send a representative Hunter to this show to defeat those clowns with all might, letting the world see what a genuine Hunter is. If you participate, feel free to use your power; the guild will pressure the show’s producers not to script everything. So, what do you think?"
Yan Luo didn’t rush to decline.
Although performing before millions, even billions of viewers might expose his secrets, he first wanted to hear what kind of reward the Hunter Guild could offer and then decide.
"What about the reward?" Yan Luo asked.
Daoist Li smiled and said, "A set of A-grade exoskeleton armor; we know you need it, and starting from when you receive it, the maintenance costs for the following year will be covered by the guild."
Yan Luo was understandably tempted, but he still restrained his impulse and asked, "Including weapons?"
Daoist Li replied, "The weapon comes equipped with a thermal ax, although the replacement of heating components will be calculated as part of the maintenance costs."
The exoskeleton Yan Luo was currently using was barely rated C-grade; an A-grade exoskeleton was enough to bring earth-shattering change to his strength, not to mention it also came with a thermal ax.
Yan Luo agreed decisively; he disliked dragging things out.
However, even though he agreed to participate in the Hunter Skills Competition, Yan Luo was still somewhat puzzled, "Why me?"
There are many Hunter Guilds on Blue Star; every exploratory town has one, and globally, countless legitimate Hunters are stronger than him. Why would Daoist Li say he represents the entire Blue Star Hunter Guild?
Daoist Li explained with a smile, "I recommended you because, although you are an ordinary person unable to be engraved, you have still become a genuine Hunter through your knowledge and efforts, with actual achievements proving your strength isn’t weak. These are your characteristics, which captivate viewers of the show, becoming memorable emotional points. You are an ordinary person inherently standing on the same ground as them; thus, they will pay more attention to you."
Yan Luo suddenly understood and nodded, "I’ve no more questions. When does the competition start?"
"In five days," Daoist Li patiently answered Yan Luo’s queries, "The competition will last twelve days, during which you’ll fight alone against all the ’performers’; it’s probably not difficult for you to claim first place while dodging their pursuit and blockades, right?"
The performers participating in the Hunter Skills Competition are mostly Sequence Five Engravers, with a few Sequence Four, but no Sequence Three powerhouse.
For Yan Luo, it’s not an issue.
Yan Luo confirmed his answer positively, then turned to leave.
Daoist Li reminded, "Someone will pick you up tomorrow; make sure to rest well and gather enough energy for the competition. Remember, you must take first place; failing to secure first means no reward!"
Yan Luo stopped briefly, nodded to Daoist Li, and then exited.
Daoist Li watched the closed door in silence for a moment, then chuckled.
"This kid is quite polite."