Just as the commentators expected, the news about Snake Scorpion Curse purchasing the Poisoned Milk rune formula indeed dominated the headlines of major holographic media that night. The discussions outside were fervent, to the extent that the freshly released list of the top eight teams for this Century Cup faced unprecedented neglect.
The advancement coupled with the sale of the formula made Seven Silver Coins and Jiang Shi even more popular. The title of “God Milk” spread like wildfire, and those who had mocked the return of these veteran players were completely silenced.
For a while, they were basking in glory.
Even the other teams in the top eight lacked presence, and there was no need to mention the four eliminated teams.
Inside the Crusaders’ guild that night, the atmosphere was extremely heavy.
Everyone in the collective meeting room was as silent as a cicada in winter, with only occasional notification sounds breaking the silence, tapping one after another on their chests.
All those notification sounds were messages of guild members leaving.
A wave of continuous and unremitting withdrawals like this had not occurred even when Yu Weize terminated the contract.
At least back then, the management could appease the guild members, saying that the termination was the result of comprehensive discussions, and they promised to quickly reorganize the team and provide satisfactory answers in the upcoming Century Cup.
But now, the first round of matches had officially ended, and the Crusaders, who ranked 12th after four matches, would become the relegation team of this edition, participating in the Nianhua Cup in the second half of the year to compete for that crucial spot to return to the Century Cup.
Countless curses were on the tip of their tongues, but they swallowed them back.
Pojun Baba raised his eyes and looked at the nervous management team, gritting his teeth while pinching his eyebrows.
The first time.
This was the first time he regretted the decision to terminate the contract with Yu Weize back then.
But at this moment, regret was evidently futile.
“Guild Leader…” Someone couldn’t help but speak softly, breaking the news of withdrawals and the barrage of curses in the guild channel, “So, what’s the next step?”
“Let it be like this.” Pojun Baba sighed deeply, his tone filled with exhaustion. “Let’s continue to work hard in the next Hua Cup.”
Yes, the next Nianhua Cup was already destined to be their next stop.
However, the professional players in the guild’s team could continue to fight, while he, as the high-level manager serving as the guild leader of the Crusaders, probably wouldn’t live to see that day.
Hopefully, the person taking over the guild leader position won’t handle things based on personal preferences and can lead the Crusaders to go further!
Feeling unbearable pressure in his heart, Pojun Baba suddenly received a friend request.
He opened it.
[Yu Weize: Guild Leader Pojun Baba, our guild is running out of space, we need to expand a bit but lack funds, can you spare some for us? ~#Smile.jpg]
Pojun Baba felt his chest surge twice and couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of old blood.
I’ll spare your m**—!
On the other side, in the territory of the Seven Silver Coins guild.
The group of people who successfully advanced had just shouted for guild members to join the celebration party in the territory.
In the midst of the lively atmosphere, Jiang Shi could only lean close to Han Yuze’s ear, raising his voice as much as possible to ask, “Did you get a response from the Crusaders?”
Han Yuze resisted the urge to use his hand to rub where he felt the itchiness due to the breath so close to his ear. He also leaned in a bit, “Got a response.”
Jiang Shi asked, “What did they say?”
Han Yuze suppressed a laugh, “He told me to get lost.”
Jiang Shi blinked, made a clucking sound, and said, “Still so irritable, not civilized at all.”
Han Yuze agreed, “Indeed, if you don’t want to give, just say so. At least talk politely.”
What Pen Carries Fragrance, as today’s atmosphere organizer, had just gone around to other places to enjoy a bit. Upon returning, he saw the two talking confidentially as if no one else was present, and he pounced on them, putting his hand on one shoulder, and exclaimed, “What are you guys talking about? Any good news?”
Jiang Shi replied, “No good news, but there’s one bad thing.”
Han Yuze, observing What Pen Carries Fragrance’s hand resting on Jiang Shi’s shoulder, remarked, “Put your hand down, where do you think you’re putting it?”
What Pen Carries Fragrance, innocently, withdrew his hand, saying, “My bad!”
He apologized to Han Yuze and continued to inquire from Jiang Shi. When he heard that the Crusaders had rejected the funding invitation, his face immediately turned sour.
He apologized to Han Yuze and continued to ask Jiang Shi. When he heard that the Crusaders had rejected the funding invitation, his face immediately turned bitter.
Looking around, he directly called Island Forest over to him, who was enjoying the celebration, “Guild Leader, the external applications to join the guild have already lined up for hundreds of orders. The Crusaders refused to allocate resources to us. If we don’t expand the guild, we’ll really get squeezed!”
Island Forest, holding a unique custom drink from the Genesis Continent, took a slow sip before comforting What Pen Carries Fragrance in a calm tone, “Don’t worry, dear, we should be able to find a solution to this matter here. Currently, although there is a vacancy in our position, I believe we can address it in the future. I have a relatively simple solution in mind. Would you like to consider it?”
What Pen Carries Fragrance patiently listened to the entire speech and then saw Island Forest revealing a standard customer service smile. “Of course, I’d like to consider it. Please tell me!”
Island Forest spoke calmly, “Dear, here’s the thing. In two weeks, it will be the final of the Century Cup, right? If our guild team can successfully secure the championship trophy, the rewards, including those supplies, should be sufficient to expand our guild to its maximum capacity. So, dear, what do you think of the solution I propose?”
After saying this, Island Forest blinked slowly, indicating her anticipation for What Pen Carries Fragrance’s feedback.
However, What Pen Carries Fragrance was momentarily at a loss for words. He was well aware that the Century Cup champion’s prizes included a considerable amount of guild supplies. Considering the support from their guild leader and the sensible decision-making of the vice leader, Jiang Shi, he glanced at the time, opened the internal private group, and sent a message.
[Poisoned Milk: What’s everyone up to? Assemble! Let me tell you about the training focus for the next phase!]
Tonight, the guild held an internal party, and everyone was joyfully celebrating.
In this lively atmosphere, What Pen Carries Fragrance, naturally, was the first to speak up, eagerly urging everyone to gather.
Although some were reluctant to leave the festivities, they gradually arrived in the meeting hall, murmuring to each other. The main training sessions had been conducted over the past period, and additional training at this point would be a temporary measure.
Considering the unique schedule of the upcoming Best of Eight and Semi-Finals of the Century Cup’s second round, Jiang Shi quickly outlined the targeted training content, “Stamina. In the upcoming period, each and every one of us must focus on strengthening our physical endurance!”
Unlike the leisurely pace of one match per week in the first round, the second round’s Best of Eight and Semi-Finals consisted of two matches scheduled on the same day – morning and afternoon. This meant the physical exertion for everyone would be doubled.
The need for precise training items made the operation of this combat meeting proceed quickly.
Towards the end, Jiang Shi invited Island Forest to introduce the current difficulties faced by the guild and the urgent need for guild supplies. This made everyone deeply understand the necessity of winning the championship.
After the meeting ended and everyone left, Jiang Shi pulled Han Yuze to the side.
Raising an eyebrow, Jiang Shi asked, “You’ve been looking at me with ill intentions all this time. What were you thinking?”
“Just looking at my boyfriend, why assume it’s ill-intentioned?” Han Yuze innocently replied, “Besides, I’ve been attentively listening to the leader’s speech and, in light of our current situation, came up with a very effective training plan.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shi felt more convinced that this person had ulterior motives. “What plan? Tell me about it.”
Han Yuze glanced behind and, confirming that only the two of them remained in the meeting room, slightly closed the distance along with a curve at the corner of his mouth.
Jiang Shi felt a slight tickle passing by his ear and blinked slowly, instantly comprehending Han Yuze’s implication.
Looking down, meeting those deep eyes, although there was a slight warmth in his ears, he couldn’t resist the urge to ask, “Were you waiting for this?”
Han Yuze kissed his lips gently, “It’s been a long time since Sister came back, right?”
Jiang Shi bit Han Yuze’s lip in return, making it sound somewhat heartless, “Just two days.”
Han Yuze gazed directly at him, “That’s already a long time.”
Jiang Shi said, “Even if my sister is back, you won’t have a chance to do as you please, will you?”
“Opportunities are created by people.” Han Yuze smiled slightly, “This time, you can come to my place to prepare for the Semi-Finals.”
Under this expression, Jiang Shi blinked slowly and couldn’t help but say, “Do you know what you look like right now?”
“What?” Han Yuze asked.
Jiang Shi said, “Number 1 with cunning schemes.”