"Luciel, what are you doing?"

Liyue tilted her head curiously. She noticed Luciel crouched near the roots of the Angel Wings plant, his gaze focused and his hand almost brushing the delicate petals as if he were about to dig it up.

"It's nothing." Luciel waved casually, masking the thoughts running through his mind.

He decided against touching the Angel Wings for now. With only one mature plant in existence, it would be reckless to harm it. If something went wrong, they might lose a crucial source of healing forever.

"Let's try the Angel's Tears again," he said quietly. "See how it works this time."

Luciel gently raised his hand, his fingers brushing across the faint crimson lines that marked the side of the girl's cheek.

"...Mm." Liyue stiffened at his touch. Her beautiful face flushed a delicate red, and her silvery eyes flickered away shyly.

"Alright," Luciel murmured. "Start the Angel's Tears."

He extended his hand, and a faint green light began to shimmer at his fingertips. Slowly, tiny orbs of light gathered together, forming a small droplet of translucent green crystal—the concentrated life essence of Angel's Tears.

When the drop finally formed, Luciel brought it to Liyue's lips.

"Ah—"

Her fair face turned crimson. She hesitated for a moment, then parted her lips slightly, letting the droplet fall onto her tongue. It was cool and soft, like a bead of dew melting in her mouth.

Luciel withdrew his hand and quietly observed her reaction. Liyue closed her eyes, her long white lashes trembling. The crimson line on her right cheek glowed faintly, pulsing with light—only to dim again a few moments later.

"The fifth-tier Angel's Tears... still not enough."

Luciel frowned, the disappointment clear in his tone. The mysterious "Void Ghost Infection" within Liyue's body was far more stubborn than he had imagined.

"Still not working?" Liyue opened her eyes, and a flicker of sadness passed through her silver pupils.

Luciel smiled softly. "Don't worry. Once the Angel Wings evolve further, we'll be able to completely cure your infection." His voice was warm, steady, and full of quiet confidence.

"I believe you," Liyue said gently, her lips curving into a sweet, trusting smile.

Although the infection wasn't gone, she could already feel the difference within her. Her body felt lighter than ever, as if a heavy weight had been lifted. The burning sensation in her heart had vanished completely.

"It feels like the Void Ghost infection has... fallen asleep," she whispered.

Luciel nodded thoughtfully. "How long do you think one drop of Angel's Tears can hold it at bay?"

He had once heard that Angel's Tears could suppress the erosion caused by the infection, but he wasn't sure for how long.

Liyue closed her eyes for a moment, thinking carefully before answering with a faint smile. "It should last... about a year and a half."

"A year and a half?" Luciel repeated, surprised. "That's five times longer than before. The medicine's potency has doubled several times over."

He fell silent, calculating the new potential. The power of the fifth-level Angel's Tears was impressive—even if it wasn't yet the cure they sought.

"Luciel," Liyue asked curiously, "how many days does it take now for the Angel Wings to condense a drop of Angel's Tears?" Her eyes glimmered with affection as she looked at the plant that had given her new hope.

Luciel thought for a moment, feeling the faint spiritual feedback from the plant. "It takes five days to form a single drop."

"Five days?" Liyue's eyes brightened. "Then in five days we'll have five drops! That's amazing!"

Unable to contain her excitement, she suddenly threw her arms around Luciel like a child receiving a long-awaited gift.

After a few seconds, realization struck her.

"Ah—!"

Her face flushed even deeper as she quickly stepped back, her movements clumsy and flustered.

Luciel chuckled softly. "You know, you could give me another hug."

"W–Who wants to hug you!" Liyue turned away, fiddling with the mask in her hands to hide her embarrassment.

"Still... we'll need a proper container for the Angel's Tears," Luciel said, glancing down at the iron lunch box in his hand. "It works for now, but if we store it too long, it'll lose potency."

"Yes," Liyue agreed, frowning slightly. "We can't waste something so precious."

Sometimes, having too much of a good thing came with its own troubles.

Luciel sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "There are still five days before the next batch. I'll think of a way. Maybe I can forge glass or ceramic containers."

A thought stirred in his mind—about how primitive their daily life still was. If he compared it to the civilization of Earth, they were barely above the level of savages. They needed tools, containers, furniture... something to make this city feel alive.

"I'll try to think of something too," Liyue said gently.

"Alright. For now, let's take this drop of Angel's Tears to Yue Qinlan." Luciel shook the lunch box lightly.

"She'll need to mix it with water before drinking," Liyue noted, her tone thoughtful as she eyed the crude iron container. "Our household's really poor, isn't it? We can't even find a bottle with a lid."

Luciel let out a helpless sigh. "Truly, we've fallen on hard times."

"Poor?" Liyue's mouth twitched. Looking around at the lush plants and abundant life surrounding them, she had the sudden urge to smack him. This man was living in a paradise and still called himself poor.

As they chatted, the two left the plantation area. In front of the central house, they spotted Wei Geng standing on the open ground, waiting.

The moment Liyue saw him, she quickly slipped on her mask—a graceful, practiced motion that took less than a second.

Hearing footsteps, Wei Geng turned. The moment he saw Luciel, he straightened up respectfully. "Lord City Lord."

"Have the houses been assigned yet?" Luciel asked, passing the lunch box to Liyue.

Liyue understood immediately and went ahead to deliver the medicine to Yue Qinlan.

"Yes, my lord. Everyone has been settled," Wei Geng replied with a grin. "They love the new homes."

That was an understatement. Compared to the shabby dwellings of the Moon Lake Tribe, the houses here were like mansions.

Wei Geng hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "However... many of us didn't bring much food. We'd like to request permission to go out hunting."

He had gone door to door, listening to his team's concerns. Though they were grateful to be under Black Tortoise's protection, pride prevented them from depending on Luciel for everything.

Luciel nodded thoughtfully. "That's fine. I was planning to organize a hunt anyway."

A faint smile crossed his lips. "We'll bring along a few domesticated beasts, and perhaps tame a few new ones while we're at it."

Besides, nothing compared to the taste of fresh meat after weeks of dried rations.

"My lord, you'll be joining us?" Wei Geng asked, startled. He had assumed the City Lord would send them alone and simply receive the spoils, as the Moon Lake Tribe's leaders had done.

"Of course," Luciel said lightly. "We'll also gather some wood for fuel."

He paused, thoughtful. The idea of building a working economic system began to form in his mind.

They needed structure—jobs, wages, trade. If he could hire residents to gather materials and pay them for their labor, the city could sustain itself. People needed purpose, not handouts.

Otherwise, he'd just be raising parasites.

"Yes, Lord Luciel," Wei Geng nodded seriously. "We're running low on wood anyway. We'll need it for furniture, tools, even fire."

"In the Moon Lake Tribe, we used to trade wood for food and water," he added.

Luciel's expression softened. "Then gather the people. Once we find a good hunting ground, we'll set out immediately."

Wei Geng bowed deeply. "Understood!" His face lit up with excitement as he ran off to prepare the others.

Luciel turned his gaze toward the horizon and sent a telepathic command to the massive creature beneath them.

"Little Black Tortoise, find us a spot with plenty of deadwood nearby."

The tortoise let out a low rumbling cry in acknowledgment.

Half an hour later, Luciel gathered in the main hall with the others—Yue Qinlan, Liyue, Yue Feiyan, and Mino. Only Euphier remained absent, lost in her research.

"I'll be heading out for a hunt today," Luciel announced. "Didn't want to leave without letting you know."

"I'll go too," Liyue said immediately.

Luciel smiled. "No, you're leaving tomorrow. Rest today."

"Leaving... tomorrow?" Mino blinked in surprise, turning toward the white-haired girl.

"Yes," Liyue replied softly. "There are important things I need to take care of."

"When will you come back?" Mino asked, her tone suddenly anxious.

"I'll see you again in the Tenth Floor City," Liyue said gently.

"So... we won't meet for a while then," Mino murmured sadly.

Liyue smiled faintly and reached over to squeeze the rabbit-eared girl's hand.

Luciel looked at her. "Liyue, stay tonight and prepare more equipment. You nearly ran out of arrows last time."

"Alright," she agreed with a helpless smile.

"I'll stay too," Yue Qinlan added softly. "Black Tortoise still needs someone here."

Although she had drunk the Angel's Tears, her wounds hadn't completely healed. The deep injury had only become a shallow one—it would take several more days before she fully recovered.

Luciel nodded. "That's reasonable. We shouldn't leave the city unguarded."

"I want to go!" Yue Feiyan suddenly raised her hand, eyes gleaming with excitement.

Her gaze darted to her mother nervously, fearing disapproval.

But Yue Qinlan merely smiled. "You may go—but you must listen to Luciel's orders."

"Yes! I promise!" the red-haired girl said eagerly.

It would be her first real hunt. Until now, she'd only ever roasted insects near Moon Lake Tribe.

Luciel chuckled. "Alright, then you can come along."

Mino, sitting quietly to the side, said nothing. Her blue eyes shimmered with worry.

Liyue noticed and squeezed her hand again. "You have to trust in Luciel's strength."

Her voice was calm, filled with conviction. She no longer worried for him the way she once did—because she had seen firsthand how powerful he had become.

"...Okay," Mino murmured, nodding faintly.

At that moment, a low rumble echoed outside.

"Ohh—Ming!"

It was the Rock Tortoise, signaling that it had found a suitable hunting site.

Luciel stood and turned toward the door. "The hunting spot's ready. Time to go."

"Be careful!" Mino called out.

Luciel looked back and smiled. "Don't worry. I'll return with plenty of prey."

With a confident wave, he stepped out the door.

"Wait for me!" Yue Feiyan shouted, hurrying to catch up.

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