Compared to how composed they were the last time Lex met Shireen and the rest, they were already quite shaken. The severe uncertainty of their situation, of whether they would be abandoned, used as political prisoners once more, or possibly even returned back to the Resort all weighed on their minds.

So then further pushing them to feel vulnerable might sound like Lex was taking advantage of them. Unfortunately, Lex himself did not have room for excessive empathy. He himself was in a very vulnerable situation, so he had to gain every advantage he could. Besides, it wasn't as if he was going to harm the angels in any way. He just knew that with their stubborn nature, they would not help him if he was straightforward, so he was creating the right environment to facilitate their future partnership.

"Indeed, you being caught in the crossfire of our actions is a regrettable outcome," Shireen said, trying to regain some ground. Normally, she would be a lot more aggressive in maintaining a position of superiority in any conversation, but due to their situation, this time, she was forced to hold back.

"You don't need to worry about it too much," Lex said dismissively. "In truth, this is a multitiered move by the Resort. They're not really trying to harm me. The last time I was there, they wanted me to join some Anti-HOA coalition, but I couldn't be bothered. This might just be a way for them to pressure me into joining once more."

Lex was not lying. Other than having a reputation as a universe-class kidnapper, Lex had also developed somewhat of a reputation as an amazing strategist. When he was in the Seraphim Resort, Licanderoth had informed Lex about how his strategy to take down Sanguis Pluvia, the terrorist organization plaguing the Origin realm, was being studied by armies across the universe.

For someone with a recognized talent, pressure and blame from any specific party were usually just political tools to reposition those talents elsewhere. As long as Lex indicated any willingness to join, and work with that coalition, he was willing to bet that the condemnation would be dropped.

Unfortunately, doing that would also be losing control of his own time. He would be forced to do someone else's bidding, unable to focus on his own tasks. Basically, it was an impossible ask.

"The real reason I'm here is to ask you about your future plans," Lex continued. "Don't worry about me. Whether it's the resort, or anyone else, I'll find a way to thrive. But what about you guys? What's the plan now that you've escaped the resort? I doubt that you want to go back to the angels, though I could be wrong. After all, from what I hear, they are making an effort to get the Inn to hand you over."

That attracted the angel's attention.

"Have the angels attempted to negotiate with the Inn?" Shireen asked, her entire demeanor suddenly defensive.

"What is there to negotiate?" Lex asked as he scoffed. "You are guests. As long as you follow the rules of the Inn, no one will do anything to you. What right does anyone have to demand our guests from our Inn? Things don't work like that. Yet I doubt you have exchanged one prison for another. Although the Inn is hardly a prison, it isn't like you have all the freedoms you desire."

"My sisters and I have been working towards attaining our freedom for a long time," Shireen answered without really answering. "We already have plans in place for our next steps, as well as how to avoid the angels and the Seraphim. As long as the Inn honors its commitment and keeps us safe for a time, we will manage everything else."

"That's a relief," answered Lex, wearing a smile. "So you've already figured out a way to recover from the drain that Edgar Temple has imposed upon you. I thought it might be tough for you to hide from the search attempts of two separate Dao level entities, but I'm sure you have everything planned."

Silence. Shireen did not say anything, nor did her sisters say anything either, as they looked at Lex in confusion. Yet they sensed from him that he had not spoken casually.

"Speak directly, Lex," Shireen finally said, her character unable to keep her on the backfoot for so long. "What exactly do you want, and what exactly do you mean by the drain?"

Lex sighed, his expression becoming a lot more subdued as he did. He looked at the angels with a hint of pity.

"If I tell you, you might not believe me," Lex said. "Why don't you allow me to show you first instead? Let's spar. It will be a lot easier that way."

Shireen looked at Lex oddly.

"A spar? What does that have to do with our discussion?"

Lex stood up from his seat and motioned for the angels to follow.

"You will see as long as you agree. Don't worry, a spar is merely a spar - you won't be in any danger. If you wish, all you twelve sisters can spar with me together."

That statement seemed to provoke some anger from the angels, who felt like Lex was looking down on them.

"Fine, I shall humor you with a spar," Shireen spoke directly. "Afterwards, refrain from speaking in unnecessary riddles and keep your speech free of sarcasm and metaphors. Though our position is not ideal, our dignity is not something that can be so easily offended."

The more Shireen spoke with pride, the more a sense of pity filled Lex's eyes, and he didn't even need to act. The more he studied their karma, the more he understood exactly what had been done to them, and the more pitiful he found them.

Right in the center of the village, Lex summoned a traditional sparring ring. For two immortals, such a ring was too small a stadium for them to demonstrate their abilities, but Shireen did not complain as she took her place on one end.

"Don't hold anything back," said Lex as he walked to his position. "Fight with everything you've got."

The more he gave such advice, the more pissed Shireeen got.

Instead of explaining, Lex simply took his spot opposite to her in the ring, and simply tied his hands behind his back. With a simple count of three, the spar began.

Shireen immediately unleashed her full force - the force of a peak Celestial who had also earned the title of Valkyrie through her efforts in real war. In response, Lex calmly spoke a single word.

"Kneel."

Space itself rippled under Lex's newfound authority, as if it too was trying to kneel. After all, Shireen, the peak Celestial, the former Valkyrie, was kneeling right in front of Lex who was a whole realm below her in cultivation, a bewildered expression on her face.

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