"He really isn't one for pleasantries."

Unable to pry anything more from Clochi, Yang Yu stored the Qi Li Ore into the System.

"Forget it, let's leave it at that.

We've also gotten some interesting intelligence.

It really wouldn't do to keep imposing our presence here.

Mu Jin, Yellow Flower, Lotcar, let's get going.

Outside, a heap of things await us."

Yang Yu called out to Bai Jin and the others using their aliases in advance, reminding them that they were about to leave the Underground Maze and needed to be careful to conceal their identities after emerging.

Bai Jin and Iyas nodded in understanding.

Without hesitation, Yang Yu walked directly toward the golden Teleportation Magic Array.

Lotcar followed closely behind, with Iyas and Bai Jin trailing along.

Watching Yang Yu and his companions depart from afar, Clochi felt an inexplicable emptiness in his heart.

Heroes and their partners, huh? They must have that sort of aura...

Clochi attempted to superimpose the figures of Yang Yu and Lox, but as expected, they didn't quite line up.

However...

Within Yang Yu's team, Clochi did find a silhouette somewhat similar to Lox.

"Miss, may I have a word with you?"

Clochi's voice unexpectedly rang beside her ear. Bai Jin turned around to see Clochi standing still, arms crossed.

Bai Jin clenched her Magic Wand nervously and tried to respond with Telepathy Magic,

"Is there something you want to say... to me alone?"

Clochi's voice once again sounded beside Bai Jin's ear,

"Nothing much, just that you remind me of someone I know."

"A hero?"

"Sort of.

A hero from the past.

Listen closely, Miss.

People often feel powerless in life and thus begin to yearn for strength. There's nothing odd about that.

But don't lose yourself entirely in the pursuit of strength.

My advice..."

Clochi hadn't finished speaking when Bai Jin interrupted him,

"I won't.

I will never lose myself in the pursuit of strength.

Not as long as he's with me."

After speaking, Bai Jin felt her cheeks grow warm and, shrinking in stature, she ran towards Yang Yu.

Scratching his bald head, which lacked any hair, Clochi showed an extremely helpless smile:

"Tch, was I being nosy?"

Watching Bai Jin and the others enter the Magic Array, Clochi turned around and disappeared into the Underground Maze.

...

...

After reminding Bai Jin to store the Magic Wand "Sigh Seed" using Storage Magic for quick access during times of crisis, Yang Yu stepped into the Teleportation Array.

Iyas followed closely behind, reluctantly handing over her Angel's Bow to Yang Yu.

Without hesitation, Yang Yu took the bow, then drew out a very simply decorated bow and handed it to Iyas.

"That bow is too conspicuous.

Even though it offers you tremendous enhancement, now is not the time to use such a bow."

"This bow has the same quality as the one we just had."

"From now on, use this one."

Iyas replied, "Alright, alright, I got it. I'll never let you down again. One day, I will demonstrate the strength worthy of that bow."

While waiting for the Teleportation Magic Array to activate, Iyas drew the string, testing the new bow, and she was quite satisfied.

This Epic bow had dropped from those massive Mud Giants.

Iyas was lucky, defeating monsters with an exceptionally high drop rate for items.

But having Iyas deal only the finishing blow was a bit problematic.

Among the dropped items, there were many pieces of equipment for Priests and Archers.

Yang Yu actually had three bows of such quality he was almost at a loss for words.

Originally, Yang Yu had planned to farm a full set of equipment for himself, but now Iyas had nearly completed her pink outfits, while he hadn't even managed a set of Rare Equipment.

He felt as though he had worked so hard for so long, only to serve Iyas on a silver platter.

There was an excess of similar equipment, but Yang Yu didn't immediately take out all the Epic Equipment suited for Iyas.

Giving her too much good equipment at once might attract the wrong kind of attention.

Next time when short on Experience Value, he would let Iyas show off a full set of great equipment, drawing experience to come knocking at their door.

Fortunately, he had already made arrangements with Wansheng Country whereby Epic Equipment, which wasn't needed, could be exchanged for equipment of equal quality.

But they couldn't always rely on Wansheng Country.

Later on, establishing his own network to trade unneeded equipment or tools for equipment or tools that were necessary was imperative.

His own team had already independently conquered several Super Large Mazes and was qualified to be promoted to an S-rank adventure group.

As an S-rank adventure group, they could publish their updates in the publications of the Dragon God Evaluation Country and engage in bartering.

Yang Yu carefully reviewed "Adventurer's Peak" again and again.

There were many items he wanted, including the Legendary shield held by the S-rank adventure group at the pinnacle of adventurers, "Dragon God's Might."

To trade for that shield, it was necessary to offer a Legendary Item that would satisfy the other party.

The problem was that they hadn't specified what kind of Legendary Items they desired.

Whether to trade would only be determined after a face-to-face discussion.

Yang Yu couldn't help wondering if that shield would be snatched up by someone else by the time he arrived at the Dragon God Evaluation Country.

With that in mind, Bai Jin, who had just stowed her Magic Wand, was the last to step into the Teleportation Array.

Yang Yu asked, "Did the Maze Guardian say anything to you?"

Bai Jin shook her head, "Nothing much. He only felt that I resembled a past Hero."

"Was the Hero Lox a girl?"

"Not in appearance—it may be more about personality..." Bai Jin said hesitantly.

Speaking of which, from the expression on Clochi's face, he was pleasantly surprised by Lox's growth.

From weak and helpless to incredibly powerful, Hero Lox was following a true King's Path.

What came next?

Was it the King's Path Hero helping future heroes step onto the King's Path?

Or did the slayer of the Evil Dragon eventually become the Evil Dragon?

Looking at the four keys in his item slot, Yang Yu had a premonition that he might encounter Lox in one of these mazes in the future.

"Bai Jin..."

Yang Yu pondered for a while and decided to reassure Bai Jin first, but the golden Teleportation Magic Array was activated.

His vision blurred for a moment, then everything turned pure white before the whiteness slowly dissipated.

Coming to his senses, Yang Yu and his party were already standing on moist soil.

They had left the "Hall of Power."

The dense forest had just come into view when Lotcar immediately bristled and stared towards the nearby bushes.

Suddenly, a burly Female Beastman charged out of the bushes and dashed towards Yang Yu and his party.

Yang Yu pulled out his Shield, executing a "Shield Block" in front of Lotcar.

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