This Trainer Has No Sportsmanship

At that moment, Alisa spoke up and interrupted You Zhi's thoughts. Though her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, she was right beside him, so he could still hear her clearly.

"You're still weak. Riding a spirit would inevitably jostle you around, and repeated strain would only slow your recovery. No matter how you look at it, having me carry you is the most efficient option."

Especially since Alisa's spirits had yet to reconstruct their spirit forms. Otherwise, having Jade Pegasus carry her through the air would have been a good option.

"I-I know. It just feels like I'm troubling you too much... Am I heavy?"

"Don't worry. To me, carrying a monkey is no different from carrying a pig."

What kind of comparison was that? Alisa gritted her teeth in anger. If she hadn't been receiving his help, she definitely would have bitten the ear right in front of her.

Still, even so, she had to admit that he was very skilled at carrying people. She did not feel the slightest bump along the way. His back was not particularly broad, yet it gave her an overwhelming sense of security, just like when she had ridden on her father's back as a child.

Feeling somewhat shy yet exceptionally comfortable, Alisa's breathing gradually steadied. Before long, she fell asleep on You Zhi's back.

When Ningirsu and Auram saw this, smiles that all men understood appeared on their faces, and their anxiety eased considerably.

"What exactly do you want?"

Eve, who had been taken captive, had prepared herself for brutal torture, but her captors apparently had no such intention.

Star-Scar Mekk-Knight first separated the Mekk-Knight Core from its body, then used spare components to reconstruct itself, reverting into seven Mekk-Knights. They then took Eve's staff and placed it into an energy carrier.

Once the staff had absorbed enough energy, a chainsaw-like metal structure extended from its tip, giving off an aura similar to Star Power.

"So it could change like this? Even I didn't know..."

Eve murmured to herself. She suddenly realized that she might have misunderstood something. The Mekk-Knights might not necessarily be humanity's enemies.

Diversionary Rescue

Under Lee the World Chalice Fairy's guidance, the group traveled for five days. Along the way, they used Krawlers for practice and brought themselves back to peak condition before finally arriving at the Mekk-Knights' base.

It was a cluster of ruined structures from an ancient civilization. Perhaps due to tectonic shifts, most of the battered buildings had sunk beneath the water, giving the place a distinctly post-apocalyptic wasteland atmosphere.

"After seeing their village, I thought this world was a typical Western fantasy feudal era. But now it seems there must have once been a highly advanced technological civilization. Some kind of disaster probably caused a break in the inheritance of that civilization."

Alisa was amazed, because the "ancient civilization ruins" Auram and the others had described were clearly towering skyscrapers dozens of stories high. They stood silently, scattered across the lake, their surfaces covered in moss and other green vegetation.

Furthermore, among these ruined buildings stood two intact, futuristic artificial structures. They were the destination of this journey: the Mekk-Knights' base, as well as the World Legacies known as Star Shield and Star Lance.

Star Shield was clearly activated, shining brilliantly just like the World Chalice Eve had accidentally activated before.

Liss said, "The Mekk-Knights cannot absorb Star Power, but that does not stop them from using it as energy."

Ningirsu closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings for a while before saying with certainty, "Eve is inside."

You Zhi gave him a sidelong glance. How had he confirmed that? By scent, telepathy, or perhaps the legendary power of a sister complex?

Auram asked, "What do we do next? Charge in and rescue her?"

Alisa showed no mercy. "That would be no different from throwing our lives away. I don't think we can defeat that combined Mekk-Knight even if we face it again. It is powerful and versatile, while we know almost nothing about it. We cannot prepare a strategy against its weaknesses."

You Zhi recalled the description of the cheat ability he had seen before. Based on that, the enemy likely possessed a piercing trait that ignored defense under certain conditions, along with the dual resistance of being immune to effect destruction and unable to be targeted by effects. Any one of those traits alone would be troublesome, let alone all of them combined.

Rubbing his chin, he said, "If they split into seven Mekk-Knights again, they will be much easier to deal with. We only let them combine successfully before because we did not know what was happening. Now that we know, we can target the parts that formed yesterday's combination during battle and destroy them completely, leaving them with no components to combine."

Ningirsu cautiously said, "This is their base. There may be spare parts, so that might not accomplish much."

"Then we'll settle for the next best thing and interrupt them while they're combining."

For example, he could toss a Goblin over and have it Self-Destruct at close range. You Zhi refused to believe they could still complete the combination while enduring an explosion.

Liss spun lightly and said, "I have a suggestion. Star Lance is not under the Mekk-Knights' control. We can go there first and absorb Star Power to further strengthen ourselves. The Mekk-Knights will definitely come out to stop us once they notice the disturbance. At that point, you can work together to hold them off, while I use my small size to sneak into Star Shield and rescue Eve."

The group exchanged looks and all felt that the tactic was excellent. It accounted for strengthening themselves, luring the enemy out, and rescuing Eve. Ideally, they could destroy the Mekk-Knights after absorbing Star Power. Even if they could not win, they could escape after rescuing Eve and return to settle the score once they grew stronger.

"I agree with this plan," Auram said.

"Seconded." Ningirsu tightened his grip on his spear, his gaze toward Star Shield becoming even more resolute.

"Roar!" Imduk nodded vigorously.

"I have no objections," Alisa said.

"Sounds good. Let's do it."

You Zhi showed an honest, friendly smile, causing Alisa to glance at him several more times. She vaguely remembered that he had worn the same expression when he chopped her with a hand strike during their first duel.

Eager to rescue Eve, the group did not waste any time. They immediately took action, each concealing their presence as they carefully avoided the Krawlers and stealthily approached Star Lance.

Liss chanted an incantation, activating Star Lance and drawing out Star Power into Auram and Ningirsu.

The disturbance immediately drew the attention of nearby Krawlers. Like ants that had caught the scent of sweetness, they swarmed over. You Zhi and Alisa promptly summoned spirits to form the first line of defense around the perimeter, while Imduk guarded the two of them to prevent any stragglers from breaking through.

After fighting them many times, the pair were already familiar with the Krawlers' weaknesses. They summoned Divergent Lizard Yihao, Magician's Valkyria, Amber Mammoth, and Jade Pegasus, using Fighting-type, Fire-type, and Ground-type moves to seal off the area. Their defense did not budge in the slightest, like a dike weathering the tides as they harvested experience points to their hearts' content.

A moment later, seven beams of light flew out from Star Shield. They were the Mekk-Knights that had been alerted.

"Just in time!"

Auram and Ningirsu had finished absorbing the energy, their strength rising to a new level. Their appearances had not changed, but both had gained ten levels. Filled with confidence, they watched the approaching Mekk-Knights.

You Zhi reminded them, "Follow the plan. Don't let them complete the combi—Holy shit, they don't play by the rules at all!"

The seven Mekk-Knights did not charge over for close combat. Instead, they combined midway, seven cores flying out and converging as Star-Scar Mekk-Knight descended once more.

"They haven't even lost a single drop of health, yet they've already entered their second form. If you can't afford to play, then don't play!"

Their caution ruined the tactic You Zhi had envisioned.

Auram was somewhat regretful as well, but he immediately rallied his spirits. "Follow the original plan. We will hold the enemy down while Liss sneaks into the base to rescue Eve. We are not the same as last time. Don't think you can defeat us so easily again!"

Ningirsu snorted, carrying the same confidence and determination. The two immediately charged toward Star-Scar Mekk-Knight.

You Zhi waved to Liss and solemnly said, "Our lives are in your hands."

"Don't worry. I'll definitely rescue her."

Liss clenched her fist, concealed her presence, and used the buildings to hide herself as she quickly flew toward Star Shield. The occasional Krawler that spotted her was casually felled with a point of her finger, displaying strength no less than Ningirsu's.

Before long, Liss reached the entrance to Star Shield. She turned back for a look and saw blasts of force flying across the battlefield, moves of various attributes streaking through the air. The group and the Mekk-Knights were fighting fiercely, and the group even seemed to have gained the upper hand.

"Keep the enemy occupied for me."

Liss smiled smugly, turned, and slipped into Star Shield. Sensing Eve's spiritual power, she rushed forward at high speed as the shadows around her grew darker and darker.

I Want to See Your Expression Right Now

Eve, imprisoned by the Mekk-Knights, had not suffered inhuman treatment. She was not even bound by handcuffs or shackles. Her movements were merely restricted, forcing her to remain inside a room that suppressed spiritual power.

Auram and the others were fighting the Mekk-Knights intensely, and Star Shield itself had no soundproofing. Thus, she clearly heard the battle outside and immediately realized that her brother and the others had come to rescue her. She could not sit still, worrying anxiously.

On one hand, Eve worried about her companions' safety, since she had personally witnessed Star-Scar Mekk-Knight's strength. On the other hand, she worried about the Mekk-Knights. After spending five days with them, even though she could not communicate with them normally, she had realized that these Mekk-Knights were not evil beings. At the very least, they were far removed from the evil rulers everyone described.

Before long, she heard a familiar voice.

"Eve, are you in there?"

"Liss, is that you? That's wonderful! I'm in here. Get me out quickly. I need to stop this meaningless battle."

Following her voice, Liss arrived outside the room and discovered the barrier. She did not rush inside, instead carefully observing it from outside.

Eve hurriedly said, "There is a barrier here that seals spiritual power, so I can't get out. Fortunately, I've been paying attention these past few days. The barrier only covers the horizontal sides. You can break through from above or below. As long as you break the floor, I can leave."

"So that's how it is. But why stop the battle?"

Liss's tone was somewhat strange, but Eve was too eager to leave to notice. She hurriedly explained, "Our earlier assumptions were wrong. The Mekk-Knights are very likely not our enemies. They are merely acting according to the orders left behind by their creator to maintain the world's stability. There may be truths we do not understand, so fighting them is meaningless."

Liss asked doubtfully, "Where is your staff?"

"The Mekk-Knights took it. That's exactly what I was about to mention. My staff underwent a new change in their hands. It looks like a key, but I don't know what it unlocks."

Liss lowered her head and let out a leisurely sigh. "You even figured that much out... Fine, we can retrieve the staff later."

"Liss, what's wrong?"

No matter how slow Eve was, she sensed something was wrong by now, especially since Liss had still not acted.

"Nothing. It's just that I've gradually recovered my old memories."

Liss raised her head. The endearing smile she had worn when they first met was gone, replaced by a dark and eerie expression, like that of a demon.

Eve jumped in fright. Overcome with fear, she instinctively wanted to scream, only to discover that she could not move her body.

"I was still worrying about how to control you by surprise, but I never expected the Mekk-Knights to do me such a huge favor. They made it easy for me to succeed. I really ought to thank them later."

Liss revealed a seductive smile and spread her arms. "Let us become one."

As she spoke, she flew toward Eve's chest.

Just as the two were about to touch, a palm suddenly swung over and struck Liss hard. It twisted and deformed her, caving in half her body as though she had been hit by a home-run baseball swing, sending her flying away.

"What do you mean, become one? You slutty fairy!"

You Zhi withdrew his hand and spoke with a look of disdain.

Eve instantly regained her freedom and said with lingering fear, "Thank you, Brother You Zhi."

After crashing into the wall, Liss stabilized herself. As a spirit-form being, that slap had not caused her much damage. What surprised her more was why he had appeared here.

"You can sneak in quietly, and I can blast through every Krawler in my way and sneak in too. We're the same."

As if he had guessed her thoughts, You Zhi answered in advance.

Suppressing the urge to ask what kind of sneaking that was, Liss asked with a grave expression, "If you wanted to come along, you could have just said so. You chose to follow behind me in secret, which means you suspected me from the start?"

You Zhi smiled. "Your disguise can fool the kind-hearted, but not the wicked."

"It seems you had no evidence to convince the others, so you could only follow me alone. How foolish."

Liss raised her hand, and an enormous surge of Star Power erupted.

Every time she had activated a World Legacy before, she had secretly siphoned off a portion of its power. After accumulating it until now, her total spiritual power far surpassed Auram's and Ningirsu's. Even if the Mekk-Knights stood before her, she was confident she could crush them into scrap metal with one strike.

Yet the scene she expected did not appear. Instead, a black shadow flashed, and You Zhi charged through the spiritual blast and reached her. Another heavy slap sent her flying.

"Surprised? Unexpected?" You Zhi laughed mockingly. "You're not the only one who knows how to keep a low profile and disguise yourself. Besides, your spiritual power may be strong, but you don't know how to use it at all."

"How is this possible?!"

Liss could not believe that a mere summoner possessed such ability. She activated Star Power again, and the shadows on the ground rapidly stretched outward. Upon reaching You Zhi, they sprang up from the ground and ambushed his vital points.

You Zhi kicked the shadows apart, then lunged forward and unleashed a flurry of slaps with both hands, leaving Liss dizzy and disoriented. In the end, she could only break free by forcefully erupting with spiritual power.

"You have such great power, so why have you been hiding it all this time? What exactly do you want?" Liss's tone was nearly hysterical.

Even Eve, seeing this, could not help hiding behind a pillar and moving farther away from the two of them. Once bitten by a snake, she truly did not dare trust anyone so easily again.

"What do I want?" You Zhi considered it seriously. "Probably to see the expression on your face right now."

"What?!"

"That's right. That dumbfounded look when your scheme is about to succeed, only for one unforeseen variable to make the entire plan collapse. Hahaha, it really is delightful in body and soul!"

You Zhi burst into heartfelt laughter, his thoughts feeling utterly unrestrained as if his soul had ascended. Even his mastery of Strength-Weakness Mimicry improved considerably.

"Are you insane?"

Liss could not believe someone like this existed in the world.

"That look on your face, like your worldview has been shattered, is pretty nice too. It's enough to make me scarf down five buckets of rice."

You Zhi wore an expression that, to Eve, was not the least bit less eerie than Liss's earlier smile. She was not frightened enough to panic, but she still felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet and could not stop trembling.

Liss was now certain that he was neither the Spirit Purifier he claimed to be, one who slew evil and maintained order across the realms, nor an evil fiend plotting to destroy the world or seize divine power. He was a lawless agent of chaos.

Someone like him did not care about justice or evil. He simply wanted to watch entertaining things happen.

The plan she had plotted for years had actually failed because of someone with no convictions whatsoever—

"I won't accept this! I absolutely won't accept this outcome! Don't think you can stop me so easily!"

Liss's expression twisted as she thrust a palm upward. Powerful spiritual power blasted a huge hole through the ceiling, and she seized the chance to fly inside.

"That direction is... Oh no, she's going to take my staff!" Eve cried in panic.