Chapter 795: Chapter 385: Elf Armor
"This isn’t called divine foresight, it’s called planning ahead."
Li Ang said while retreating, "I’ve long considered various scenarios, so your equipment was crafted in rotation according to elemental resistance. The reason for keeping the Salamander and Whiteflower Wasp eggs was for possible situations."
He explained that the Sky Knight’s need for Summoned Beasts is more about aiding in adventures rather than supplementing combat power.
After all, powerful demons are hard to find, but using non-human creatures to accomplish tasks difficult for oneself also brings benefits.
Climbing dangerous places, diving for treasure, tracking in mazes, exploring deep caves... there are so many things they can do.
"The Salamander can be used for transportation in volcanic terrains, but that bee..."
ALulu suddenly had an uncomfortable expression.
"What’s wrong? Isn’t it cool?"
"Cool?" The young girls exclaimed in unison, even Andasu, who was steering, poked her head out.
"Yeah, black and white, chitin armor..."
"Stop, stop." Dorothy immediately stopped him.
"Let me tell you, insect demons, especially with wings of this structure, they can navigate complex terrains like caves, you can’t even imagine..."
The more Li Ang spoke, the worse the girls’ expressions became.
They weren’t only concerned about the Whiteflower Wasp itself but also its spider-eating trait, which inevitably meant dealing with all sorts of insects.
Li Ang hadn’t expected that although only Dorothy behaved like a pampered girl usually, there was such unanimous opposition to insects.
"Alright, let’s talk about it later."
"No, not later, I’ll train well and rely on my Flower Vine to climb the mountain, please."
"Eat and rest!"
Li Ang felt a bit like a toy not allowed to be played with and returned to the cabin disinterestedly.
After dinner, the Eternal Summer flew over half of Lupus Island at a slow pace, giving everyone a general understanding of the island.
"There used to be three large cities here, countless villages, all destroyed in intense volcanic activities, no wonder they sometimes call it the Lupus Island Country."
Li Ang compared the two maps Mort gave them. One showed the current situation, but it was clearly not issued by the Guild. It was drawn after the place was destroyed by later arrivals, with incomplete data, and the cartographer’s expertise was not very adequate.
The other showed the situation sixty years ago before the volcanic eruption on Lupus Island; it seemed this was once a bustling trade place.
"There used to be an inner sea and hot springs here, truly a great vacation spot," Farina commented.
She stretched, her lush figure trembling, keeping even the young girls’ gazes locked.
Yes, this witch sister really enjoys bathing, Li Ang recalled past adventures, and even a casual glance made him hesitant to look away, admittedly those were quite naive times.
Yes, you aren’t pretending anymore, this is your true self. Might as well...
Shut up.
Li Ang clutched his left elbow, trying to quell the unclear noise either arising from his mind’s dark thoughts or Demon Power.
But Farina’s figure more reminded Li Ang of that Earth Dragon God. He was startled, actively observing the environment, searching for a landing point.
Quickly circle this island, find out about the Star Soul and Mort’s relatives and then head to the Sanctuary of All Spirits.
"The people here also once lived happily, but everything was destroyed by natural disasters. May the goddess bless the souls here to rest in peace and bless those who left the island with smooth lives."
ALulu clasped her hands in prayer. While flying, Li Ang noticed many statues of gods buried in the lava. This was once a popular destination also a place where multiple beliefs merged, including the statues of the Goddess of Kindness.
As numerous as the statues of the Goddess of Kindness were, there was also a statue of what seemed to be a female divine spirit from the Horned Race, holding a Giant Hammer, seemingly symbolizing blacksmithing.
"Do you feel the power of the Star Soul?" Li Ang asked Zoe.
"Is there...?"
Zoe seemed both affirming and unsure.
When Li Ang was puzzled, Anna immediately answered his doubt, "There is the Light of the Star Soul, but it’s too dispersed, dispersed like—"
"Like when the Annihilation Star Soul was killed." Zoe continued.
Li Ang knocked on her head, "What do you mean killed, that was our act of justice; are we villains?"
"Ouch, okay, okay, I misspoke."
Though she’s fond of nonsensical talk, she was right in expressing that Zoe and Anna both sensed the Light of the Star Soul was sparse and thin, as if the Star Soul here was already dead.
Eden didn’t specify what these Star Souls looked like, their forms and attributes; she only said, "When the Divine Child approaches, they will reveal themselves," but actually, only Diana had such feelings. Without ALulu around, they wouldn’t have seen the Thunderstorm Star Soul.
The minds of these Star Souls truly are...
As Li Ang was thinking, he felt a hint of sadness; it was Anna perceiving his thoughts.
Not talking about you, you’re the companion since the beginning of our adventure.
Li Ang’s comfort made the enchanting young girl feel a bit better. Her starry eyes focused energy, scanning the surface of Lupus Island.
During the flight of the Eternal Summer, they encountered some Flying Demons, but their strength couldn’t shake the Star Flower Travel Corps. Together with the Blazehound Wyvern, they ended up as Fire Attribute materials stored in the Magic Showcase.
But aside from that, nothing else was found.
The closer they got to the surface, the higher the temperature became. Even though they had experienced the battle of the Mechanical Creation Furnace, everyone found the heat here quite uncomfortable.
Aside from the heat, there were also fierce winds carrying dust that constantly lashed at their skin.
Dorothy was forced to raise the Mermaid Bone Staff, creating an Ocean Bubble to form a cooling and defensive Water Curtain with Livi.
"Things might be going in a difficult direction," said Farina, who, like Li Ang, was a seasoned adventurer on the deck. "The surface of a volcanic area is usually not as rich as its underground."
Although Li Ang didn’t want it to be true, he nodded in agreement with her statement.
But aside from the two of them, the other young girls didn’t understand, even Meimei didn’t get it.
"Intense volcanic activity often involves magic, and with the gathering of Fire Elements, it frequently generates a lot of Fire Attribute Demons."
Li Ang explained, "But on our way here, aside from a few Salamanders, we haven’t seen any powerful demons. The Blazehound Wyvern that attacked our ship is one, but we haven’t seen any nests of flying demons.
"In such an environment, there should be many powerful Fire Attribute Demons. If they’re not active on the island’s surface, they might be underground."
"Digging tunnels? That sounds like Earth Attribute Demons," Andasu said.
"Because this is a volcanic environment, with flowing magma and everything melted by flames, Fire Attribute Demons are more suited to this place than Earth Attribute Demons. Or those with dual attributes might be present, digging tunnels closer to the burning volcanic center, allowing them to absorb more power."
Li Ang sighed, "No choice, luckily you are wearing the equipment I prepared in advance, and we have Salamander. It’s a bit troublesome, but we can delve into the fiery depths, now it’s just about finding the entrance."
"I request to guard the ship," Livi said.
"Agreed."
Li Ang didn’t want to trouble the Little Sea Dragon.
Then, he saw the complicated expression on Meimei’s face.
"Oh right, I haven’t had time to make your equipment yet."
"Hmph, I thought you were going to brush it off after fooling me."
"Then we’ll be busy with that tonight, in this hot environment, a powerful Water Attribute Swordsman is indispensable."
Anchoring the Eternal Summer at a less scorching height, moored to protruding rocks, Li Ang hung the Blazehound Wyvern’s corpse at the bow as a deterrent to potential flying demons, allowing the young girls to rest early.
He then took Meimei into the forge.
"What, what are you doing?!"
Faced with Li Ang’s outstretched hand, the girl jumped back twice.
"Measuring data." He looked serious.
"Okay, okay."
Li Ang was also a bit helpless, as every interaction with this young girl was somewhat awkward, but now that the misunderstanding was cleared up, it was no longer clear who was right or wrong before.
In the ensuing silence, he carefully recorded her measurements, cautious not to touch her more than necessary.
Once the data was measured, he immediately started the forge.
"This set, I estimate to be the first set of Exquisite Equipment I’ve crafted." As he lit the furnace and heated tools, Li Ang said.
"Eh? Really?"
"Of course it’s true. Initially, I planned to make one for myself first, but it failed."
Initially, he intended to craft the Divine Staff of Arunak, but lacking the determination to obtain vital organs led to failure.
Using Tier Six Skills to craft Tier Seven Equipment requires immense effort, but Li Ang wanted Meimei to unleash her potential. If he didn’t create this, it even felt unsatisfactory to himself.
"How embarrassing," the white-haired girl smiled sweetly, her delicate features exquisitely beautiful.
Wearing an Elf-style Water Attribute Light Armor would probably enhance her charm.
Li Ang also planned to carefully craft a set, allowing this former savior, tormented by fate, to be happy like an ordinary young girl for once.
Elf styles are relatively complex, often involving multiple crafting techniques for engravings and inlays. But with system skills and a Magic Furnace, Li Ang used the rhythm of Water Elements and magic itself to leave natural ripples on the surface of metal armor plates, both fitting the style and achieving meticulousness unachievable by hand.
Crafting Tier Seven Equipment is much more labor-intensive than before. As time slowly passed, Li Ang focused on his work, while Meimei leaned her cheek on her hand, observing him with thoughts flying, her expression alternating between sadness and happiness.
As the outline of the armor took shape, Li Ang hung several main components on a rack to continue processing, and Meimei suddenly blushed and opened her mouth. She initially wanted to shout, but reconsidered, lowering her voice.
"Isn’t it too revealing?"
"Didn’t I explain the situation to you?"
"You only mentioned skirt armor!"
Li Ang also felt a bit helpless, "I just spaced it out a bit. In reality, it’s just the waist area that’s not connected, not much skin is exposed, and I also considered protection, alright?"
He examined the girl and said, "You’re too petite, if connected areas are present, they would bunch up and hinder movement. If the area of armor plates is reduced, craftsmanship difficulty increases exponentially, and defense capability drops significantly."
"Wouldn’t it be fine like that cow?"
"That’s not what I meant."
Meimei blushed, bit her lip in silence, her sea-blue eyes gently trembling.