CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 59: DEMON-BORN FLOWER

"The first Celestial Group, called The Soul Apex, you’ve been adventuring for so long, you must have heard of it, right?"

Dorothy spoke earnestly.

"Of course, I know about it."

"The leaders of the top four Celestial Groups can become members of the Knight Resolution Council that decides the order of the sky. This essentially allows their members to wield influence as they please. My family has long been eyeing their background and the status of their Celestial Group members, and now we are more determined than ever."

She painted The Soul Apex as something formidable. However, currently, the leader of The Soul Apex, Rams, is not a member of the Council, because the Council changes its members only once a year.

This position is obviously what Rams dreams of, but if The Soul Apex falls out of the top four before the change, his dreams will be dashed.

"Wield influence as they please? That’s a bit of an exaggeration," Li Ang said.

After becoming one of the top four, the entire Sky Cavalry becomes the focus of the sky. Instead, they dare not act too arrogantly, as many leading teams hope to catch them slip up, imprison some members, and consequently reduce their power to replace them.

"You make it sound like you’re also a member of the Celestial Group. Didn’t Wendes dare to blockade a route alone? Isn’t that exaggerated enough?"

"Isn’t this related to your Empire?"

"Empire, sigh, my family is the same, not knowing what spell they’re under, they’re determined to... or more accurately, to return under the Empire’s banner."

"Wendes has been captured by us for violating Guild laws for regional forces, and it is estimated that The Soul Apex will soon shirk responsibility and kick him out."

"Earlier, I saw a fire near the Count’s Mansion, I thought he had already escaped? Don’t underestimate Count Feinat, he’s quite resourceful."

"I’m just about to go check it out."

Li Ang had noticed earlier that the Count’s Mansion had secret passage exits, and more than one.

So the direction they’ve been taking has generally been moving towards the Count’s Mansion.

He didn’t head there directly because it was still early, and by investigating while making their way there, they would arrive just as it was getting late into the night, which would be convenient for action.

The appearance of the Annihilation Knight is inextricably linked to Count Feinat; the Black Knight probably attacked Lanslow first, realizing Li Ang wasn’t with him, and then came out to find him.

He had to be sure of Lanslow’s safety. That guy is of average strength among the elite of the Order Flame Corps, definitely no match for the Black Knight face-on, but he should have a chance to escape.

"Really?"

An interested expression appeared on Dorothy’s charming face.

"There’s a legend in Spark Port that some treasures from wars many years ago are hidden in certain places, known only to Count Feinat."

"Then we really have to look for them."

Li Ang added, "He’s a member of the Celestial Group, but broadly speaking, all the Sky Cavalries ranked above the top dozens can be called Celestial Groups. If you’ve been adventuring and honing your Professional Skills, you have a chance to join them now."

"But if it weren’t for you..." Dorothy snorted softly, "It’s all your fault, I have to follow you."

Blame me? Wasn’t finding me just an excuse to escape marriage before?

Li Ang hadn’t figured out the connection here when Dorothy suddenly quickened her pace and pushed past him into the narrow secret passage.

"Watch your step."

Li Ang reminded her.

After his warning, Dorothy took a few more steps and then twisted her ankle on an unstable stone brick. She leaned against the wall, slowly sliding to the ground, her skirt stretching into a noticeable ample curve.

"Come, I have Healing Spells." Li Ang approached her.

Dorothy shook her head, "I’m fine, I’m fine."

From her posture, it was clear that she twisted it badly, but she touched her ankle briefly, successfully stood up, and continued walking.

Her previous wounds had also healed quickly, was it a special Casting leaving no trace, or did she have high Recovery Power?

Li Ang opened her panel.

[Name: Dorothy Campbell]

[Race: Half Elf]

[Profession: Priest, Tier 2]

[Summoned Beast: Demon-Born Flower]

[Energy Source: Demon-Born Flower, Tier 4]

[Equipment: None]

[Secret Technique: None]

[Skills: Demon-Born Flower Parasite [Life Solidification, Summon Demon-Born Flower], Priest [Healing Art, Holy Fire Technique, Healing Technique]]

[Combat Power Amplification: 0]

What is a Demon-Born Flower?

Li Ang recalled hearing a similar name but wasn’t sure if it was the same as this one.

[Skill: Life Solidification]

[Activation Method: Passive]

[Before maturity, Demon-Born Flower ensures the host’s life continuity]

[Skill: Summon Demon-Born Flower]

[Activation Method: Mental Invocation]

[Invoke immature Demon-Born Flower to reveal fangs and launch a frenzied attack on the enemy]

This girl...

I see.

Though he didn’t understand the essence of Demon-Born Flower, this power was evidently different from Leona’s innate situation before, it was acquired later. While it brought strong self-healing power, it also came with a price, perhaps even at the cost of her life.

Li Ang took a deep breath and walked closer to Dorothy.

"If you want to adventure, it’s not too late to start now—"

Dorothy didn’t hear what he said and just stated, "I’m hungry."

"Didn’t you have dinner?"

"I didn’t eat because I was in a bad mood."

Dorothy continued, "I can’t walk anymore, my foot hurts a lot, I can’t go on."

"Has it been that long? Then let’s take a break."

"The ground is so dirty and cold."

Li Ang had the wind elemental summoning that’s been gasified and following them form into a solid gas mass to serve as a temporary chair.

"Wow, it’s so soft, the support is just right, can I commission you, would you use this thing to make a bed for me every night when I sleep?"

"...Commissioning me is very expensive."

Who would use a Tier Seven Elemental Summoning as furniture?

"I do have a bit of savings."

Li Ang also sat on the wind element, pulling out a bag of dumplings from his bag. They were somewhat like glutinous rice cakes from Earth, but their ingredients were unique to Nebis.

He had bought them earlier during his street exploration to expand his knowledge, considering this kind of portable and filling food to have decent value during adventures, and also to try something new.

"Ah, it’s cloud dumplings from that shop on Sixth Street, actually, for cloud dumplings, I’d recommend the one on the commercial street."

"Do you want one?"

"I want the pink strawberry-flavored one, one is enough."

Noticing that Li Ang was on the verge of an outburst, she obediently took off her gloves, pinched the pink dumpling, and ate it with small bites.

Li Ang noticed she was using her hand that wasn’t the previously cut left hand; the left hand had been healed by his spells, and along the right sleeve’s edge, numerous scars were vaguely visible.

After finishing eating, there was a moment of silence before Dorothy suddenly asked, "Am I useless?"

"Yes."

"You really don’t hold back."

Without getting angry, the lady said blankly, "I’ve just been out for a little while, can’t light a lamp, walk unstably, can’t endure hardships, indeed, I’m such a person, utterly useless without care."

In some places in Nebis, nobility also indulges in various decadences. Dorothy wasn’t to that extent, but such people weren’t uncommon.

"I can’t even imagine how I dared to set out on an adventure alone, eight years ago, out of spite? If not for someone caring for me in many ways, I might not have persisted, and would’ve returned home crying in three days at most."

The lady hugged her knees, resting her head on them, cautiously looking at Li Ang.

"Can you guess who that person was?"