CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 83: THE NEW TEAM SETS SAIL

He sipped his tea and reminisced: "Before The Soul Apex received that large merit reward on Moonlit Island, the top four Celestial Groups were Banquet of the Gods, Cloud Wanderer, Supreme Glory, and the Fellowship of Fortunate Stars.

"Each member of Banquet of the Gods pursues ultimate power as elites. Even without deliberately seeking coordination, they can achieve great results in joint battles through their immense personal abilities. They often couldn’t be bothered to socialize with each other, and live their own lives when there are no team missions. Perhaps not having to manage relationships is more comfortable for them.

"Cloud Wanderer consists of free-spirited adventurers. Some members might be stronger than those in Banquet of the Gods. The whole group relies on exploring and conquering tricky areas where others have no clue. It is said that their leader is only seen during the Knight Resolution Council meetings.

"Supreme Glory is a team that pursues the ultimate combination and cooperation, emphasizing execution. Everyone must follow orders like a robot. It’s rumored they went in search of something that amplifies the whole group, causing them to drop out of the top four.

"The Fellowship of Fortunate Stars. Their members are even crazier than the Edge of the Cloud, full of pranksters and troublemakers who can’t restrain their natures, which is why they’re almost perpetually in fourth place and often get pushed out of the top ranks."

Viel chuckled: "Only after becoming a Celestial Group can I see such vistas; I wouldn’t have known these things while staying on Frost Heaven Island."

"I’m not telling you this to brag; I just want to say that each group has its own characteristics. Even with deliberate planning, sometimes where you end up still contains an element of chance.

"Among the dozen or so teams behind the top four, there are also those who rack their brains trying to improve their ranking, but they consistently fail.

"I initially stayed at The Soul Apex mainly for happiness. I think that’s what the old members who are doing quite well now also thought.

"Being both happy and able to progress toward your goals is truly the most ideal life.

"When happiness diminishes, everyone finds better places to go, so I didn’t force them to stay. Besides, I didn’t consider bringing them along to start over, because that feeling was gone forever."

Viel’s face was flushed with intoxication. He stared at Li Ang finishing his words, grinned, and said: "You’ve changed a lot, seeing things so clearly now. No wonder you’re confident about starting anew; an old guy like me has been left far behind."

Li Ang lowered his head: "I’ve also thought about these years, what if I had actively contended for the leader’s position back then?"

"What would have happened?" Viel showed some interest in this topic.

"I still wouldn’t have beaten Rams. No one opposed him at the time, which already indicated the situation."

"Tch, I thought you were going to say something important."

"What I’m saying is, I’ve come to understand myself better."

Li Ang placed his teacup on the table, intertwining his hands as power gradually gathered in his knuckles.

"The reason I didn’t compete is because although I have the desire to stand at the forefront, my hesitation often prevails. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take on the responsibility. This is different from Rams, who from the start was determined to control power at all costs.

"Later, I considered leaving, but then I hesitated about how I would fare after leaving. In the last two years, my thoughts became firmer, but suddenly the team rankings improved rapidly. At that point, I wondered, if I could support even them, then how far could I go with a team entirely of my choosing?

Perhaps from a certain moment onwards, Li Ang was intentionally waiting for that moment, the moment when he could abandon doubts and embark on an unstoppable journey.

"That moment has indeed arrived."

Li Ang’s fingers cracked with a pop.

"Those two girls?"

Viel leaned back against the sofa cushions: "Honestly, at first, I thought you’d been provoked and started to act rashly, but on closer look, they are a bit different.

"Just consider me saying whatever comes to mind. After all, who has extraordinary qualities, I, this old thing, can’t discern it anymore.

"The Soul Apex, since the people have changed, it’s just a shell now. I won’t care about it anymore in the future."

Viel hiccupped from the alcohol, then asked: "Has the new team been registered?"

"I’ll handle it tomorrow."

"Then I want to be a witness."

"Welcome."

The atmosphere finally relaxed, and the two began to chat about stories from these years.

"...You wouldn’t believe it, the scene when the Transcendent Demon Beast constructs its body in the Material World, no high-tier natural disaster can compare...

"...Racing a ship against dragons in the sky, intense collisions..."

"...After dispelling the disaster points, the shadows recede, the Material World reshapes, flowers and trees sprouting anew, spreading into the distance..."

The various vistas of the Demon Disaster Realm and the world’s pinnacle made Viel long for them, often sighing, and led him to say many times, "You must return to the summit."

"...After advancing to Level 9 as a witch, I even received a job offer from Magic Academy."

Viel froze: "Which one?"

"One of the Three Major Schools in Thousand Tower City, Oktos Academy."

"Damn it, why didn’t you go!"

Viel suddenly shouted, startling Li Ang.

"Do you know how much money and effort I spent on Sif’s enrollment there! If you were a professor there, couldn’t you give my daughter a backdoor?"

Viel’s wife scolded from the kitchen: "What are you yelling for! People have their own affairs, and your secret stash hasn’t even been touched yet, you’re just putting on an act."

"You, me... wait, how do you know..." Viel stammered.