When I'm alone with her, I should have a good chat about the feelings during the summoning of Bahamut.

Li Ang still remembers the panel description of that Giant Dragon, which mentioned that possessing the "Lock and Key" could call it forth.

If nothing specific is mentioned, it is almost obvious that it refers to Zoe and Ivynis, though it's unclear whether Zoe is the "Lock" or the "Key," and what these metaphors specifically stand for.

At present, there is nothing further to say explicitly, and Li Ang can finally relax and enjoy tea properly.

After the meal, he declined others' companionship, wanting to have some time to himself.

Standing on the deck's edge with the breeze, he opened the system interface, intending to look at an unresolved issue from before.

When defeating the Demon, the system mentioned combining the Creation Formula with some Exotic Energy. The result of this was revealed after he awakened, but he hadn't had the chance to check it due to the nearby hustle and bustle.

As soon as he began scrolling through the panel, someone approached him.

It was "Blood Eagle" Achilles Samlo.

His Great Cloak was now worn properly, with all buttons fastened, though the wide neckline still revealed the bandages wrapped around his body.

According to the girls, his body had been cleaved from behind by a Demon, and without his Blood Control Talent, he wouldn't have survived at all.

"It's you."

Achilles stepped forward and extended his hand to Li Ang.

"Your name is Li Ang, right? Thank you, you saved my life."

Li Ang lightly shook hands with him, "That's not really true."

"It is," Achilles insisted, "If it wasn't for your people reaching the Platinum King's treasure vault, I wouldn't have survived."

"But that's only because I also wanted to steal his treasures."

"You decided to come early on."

The Blood Eagle was referring to how, after the Flowing Silver Combat Skill award ceremony, they had seen through each other's intentions.

It's just that Li Ang had other matters to attend to at the time, so he didn't go over, but he would inevitably reach there eventually and discover the severely wounded Blood Eagle.

"I believe in destiny," Achilles said.

He lifted his hand to rest on his chest, a skull burning with Evil Fire appeared, his Energy Source used in combat.

"This is my brother's skull," the Blood Eagle said.

"When we were young, a sect occupied our village trying to sacrifice its people. He sacrificed himself to save me.

"Afterward, I swore to become strong. Once I entered the Transcendent Realm, I returned with men to eradicate the cultists.

"To become stronger, I gathered followers, using any means, yet I still couldn't see through the Platinum King's plan during another cult incident.

"I've been immersed in this so-called pursuit of strength for all these years, and in truth, it's no different than being a sky pirate. Against true power, there's no strength to resist."

Not that you could, I practically had no strength to resist either, Li Ang thought.

"My underlings were all killed by that red phantom, no matter what it is, next time we meet, I will emerge victorious."

Achilles said, "After burying them, I will embark on a path of dedicated cultivation, and once I reach the Excellence Realm, I will continue journeying into the Demon Disaster Realm."

He hesitated over his words a bit, "Your Sky Cavalry—"

"Doesn't recruit men."

Li Ang shrugged slightly as if embarrassed, "There's no way around it, you've seen my crew, bringing men aboard isn't convenient."

The Blood Eagle nodded in understanding, though his eyes remained calm, Li Ang couldn't help but feel somewhat misjudged by his gaze.

"However," Li Ang said, "Your strength is actually quite good, enough to meet the entrance threshold for some Celestial Groups. How about I write a recommendation letter for you to try out?"

"No need," Achilles shook his head, "Once I go to the Demon Disaster Realm, I'll make contact with those Celestial Groups and decide then."

"Nonetheless, I owe you a life, and if we meet again in the future, you may command me as you wish."

Li Ang chuckled, "By the time we meet again, I hope you'll have become an Excellence Realm powerhouse."

After the Blood Eagle bid farewell, Li Ang turned and was startled by Aifei, floating behind him.

"Aifei, when did you come?"

"How is it that you can converse with any small fry so easily?"

The blond young girl said, eyes on the Blood Eagle's departing figure.

Li Ang sensed her expression, originally frozen, relax considerably upon hearing what he called her; she'd been like that for a while now.

"People all grow stronger, don't they? I too went from knowing nothing to reaching Level 9, uh, though with the witch situation, I still have a lot to learn."

"You're always like this... perhaps that's what she saw in you..."

The second half of the blond Douding's sentence was mumbled, but Li Ang still caught it.

"Could you just stop mentioning her?"

Aira's face flushed red, looking like an adorable apple as she struggled to uitter out a sentence.

"I'm here to apologize."

She didn't say much more; for someone proud as her, to say sorry was already a monumental effort.

"It's fine."

Li Ang replied, then said with a hint of resignation, "You're so focused on her, are you worried she'll reach legendary status before you?"

He meant her unwillingness to admit defeat seemed to be at work.

Elaphia, the Haven Race young girl born with the Blood of the Weapon Race talent, should have begun at the Transcendent Realm, so she never experienced what being weak feels like.

The Female Sword Hero, who once had a close relationship with Li Ang, was far more single-mindedly focused on pursuing power trquets than workload-burdened Aira.

If Aifei was innately strong, then the Female Sword Hero was born to strive for strength, always seeking to advance her tier.

Even during those moments when their bodies were connected, with both minds reaching an epiphany, she'd suddenly declare, "I understand now."

Li Ang felt that Aira was simply unable to conceive of anyone stronger than herself, thus her perpetual preoccupation with why that person always seems to stay one step ahead – she seeks to find an answer.

Golden-haired Douding's prowess in advancement had always been effortlessly smooth; her involvement with guild affairs stemmed from her innate high stature, inevitably tasked with representing her people in guild negotiations, a role she embraced naturally.

However, after encountering the Female Sword Hero, she began to doubt she'd focused too much on her official duties.

Li Ang could only surmise it as her unwillingness to accept someone achieving legendary status before her.

"I—"

Aira uncharacteristically hesitated.

Her petite mouth opened and closed several times before forcing herself to take a deep breath.

The first words from her mouth were: "I came to apologize."

After a long pause, with her face burning red like a cute apple, she finally squeezed out a sentence.

"I'm not good with words, I just wanted to say you can focus on someone who thinks you're indispensable for their journey to legend."

With that said, the blonde Douding blushed as red as a beetroot; she was among the most beautiful of her adorable family.

Her blue eyes gazed with a delicately inviting softness, akin to an elf fairy from a fairy tale.

That final sentence, shedding its barbed tone for tenderness, sent a tingling sensation through Li Ang.

Li Ang had been utterly unprepared for such words from her.

The Silver Heart Sword was not currently on him, yet his hand instinctively reached to touch the floating Elaphia behind him, causing him to jump in surprise.

"Aifei, when did you get here?"

"Why can you chat with even the most insignificant people?"

The blond Douding glanced at the retreating back of the Blood Eagle as she spoke.

Li Ang felt that after hearing what he called her, her previously rigid expression softened a lot; she had been like that just now.

"Everyone can grow stronger, right? I went from knowing nothing to Level 9 too, uh, although with this witch business, I still have much to learn."

"You're always this way... Maybe that's exactly what she likes about you…"

The latter half of the blond Douding's sentence was spoken softly, but Li Ang still heard it.

"So can we not mention her?"

Elaphia's face flushed so red that it looked like a cute apple, and she took quite a while to find her words.

"I came to apologize."

She didn't say much else; for someone like her to apologize, it was already like a rare flower blooming.

"You don't need to mention it."

Li Ang said, with a slight shrug of the shoulders, "Are you worried she'll reach the Legendary tier before you?"

He meant that Aifei was in a privileged position and had to represent the Guild in its affairs, so she couldn't bear someone surpassing her.

Whereas the Female Sword Hero, having started strong, pursued the path of strength with unwavering resolve, as if preordained.

Li Ang felt that Aira simply hadn't experienced someone potentially surpassing her, and thus she was preoccupied with the chance that the Female Sword Hero might achieve legend before her.

To Aira, being inherently strong was normal, while the Female Sword Hero was inherently driven to be stronger.

How am I going to deal with all these? Li Ang wondered, trying to see what the Creation Formula granted him.

[One of Them: Material Magic Scripture has been acquired]

That's one of that Demon's monstrous skills.

Just that the system suggests what Li Ang has gotten from combining the Creation Formula isn't a complete version of the Material Magic Scripture yet—it's only acquired the first part.

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