Ais struggled to sit up, her golden eyes looking directly at Ying Ping: "Mr. Ying Ping… what is your current level?"
Ying Ping was silent for a moment: "Sorry, if I told you, you definitely wouldn't believe it, so for now, I won't tell you."
"So stingy."
Ais puffed out her cheeks, revealing a rare childish side.
Through their recent sparring, she realized that Ying Ping's strength might far exceed LV7.
Perhaps even reaching LV8 or higher!
Otherwise, he couldn't possibly be this strong!
Ais had already concluded that the current Ying Ping was likely Orario's strongest adventurer, not Ota of the Freya Familia!
Ying Ping couldn't help but chuckle, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her: "Here, my adorable Ais has turned into a little grey cat. Quickly wipe away your sweat and the dust."
Watching Ais clumsily wipe the sweat and dust from her face, Ying Ping took out a can of iced cola from his system space.
"What is this?"
Ais curiously examined the unfamiliar metal can.
"Happy water."
Ying Ping smiled mysteriously and demonstrated how to open the can.
Ais cautiously took a sip, her eyes widening instantly: "Mmm ~ it's so delicious! Where did you buy this happy water?"
"You can't buy it anywhere; only I have it."
Ying Ping seized the opportunity, saying: "Miss Ais, if you're willing to transfer to the Hestia Familia, I can guarantee you'll have this every day, and even more delicious drinks than this."
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice: "And, I can guarantee that your strength will quickly become as strong as mine, even growing stronger and stronger."
"Because I possess an absolute secret to getting stronger, one that can quickly level you up many times."
"How about it? Do you want to join my Hestia Familia?"
Upon hearing this, Ais's eyes lit up, and she actually began to seriously consider it.
She bit her lip, her slightly furrowed brows making her look incredibly cute.
Finally, she said with a dejected expression: "Although I'm very tempted, I can't do this... Lady Loki would be very angry, and she would never let me leave the Familia..."
"And..."
She added softly: "I also don't want to be separated from Mama Riveria and everyone else in the Familia."
Ying Ping showed a hint of disappointment, but soon had a new idea.
"Then what if my Hestia Familia challenges your Loki Familia to a War Game?"
"The losing side would be absorbed by the winning Familia."
"That way, win or lose, everyone from both our Familias can be together, and then everyone from your Loki Familia can join the Hestia Familia."
Ying Ping said to Ais, trying to incite her.
Of course, he couldn't possibly transfer everyone from the entire Loki Familia under Hestia's name.
At most, he'd take a few talented, beautiful girls and use Loki as a tool.
After all, if Loki were gone, most of the Loki Familia's core strength would likely disperse.
"Huh?"
Ais was stunned, then tilted her head in thought, "This idea... it actually might work?"
Over the next period, Ying Ping elaborated on his plan.
The pure-hearted Sword Princess was bewildered by Ying Ping's words, then became completely disoriented, finally grasping only one key point.
"If Lady Loki doesn't agree to hold a War Game... I'll just say I want to transfer to your Hestia Familia... that should work, right?"
Ais asked, observing Ying Ping's expression.
"Exactly, exactly!"
Ying Ping was overjoyed, unable to resist ruffling her golden hair, praising: "Miss Ais is so smart, she understands immediately!"
"Listen, this isn't a betrayal, and you don't actually need to transfer now."
"You just need to say that to Loki at the right time."
"Then the enraged and furious Loki will definitely agree to the War Game."
"The process doesn't matter; what's important is that our two Familias can be together."
Ais nodded obediently: "I understand. I can agree to this, but..."
Her expression suddenly became serious, "Don't forget what you promised me either. You must tell me the secret to getting stronger quickly and then teach me."
"Of course, I won't forget."
Ying Ping smiled and extended his hand: "It's a deal."
"It's a deal."
Ais's soft hand met Ying Ping's, her small face filled with seriousness and determination.
Ying Ping couldn't help but chuckle inwardly—
This girl was indeed a natural airhead; she was simply too easy to trick.
"It's too early to go back now, so let's continue practicing."
Ying Ping released her hand, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"Mhm!"
Ais nodded emphatically, her golden hair sparkling under the crystal light.
In the sparring session that followed, Ying Ping began to deliberately mimic Ais's sword techniques.
He found that the Sword Princess's combat skills were indeed exquisite and flawless; every move had been refined through countless trials.
"Your swordsmanship is very unique."
Ying Ping parried as he commented: "This footwork and method of generating power are truly as elegant as dancing. You truly are the Sword Princess."
"This was taught to me by everyone in the Loki Familia."
Ais executed a beautiful spinning slash: "You need to assume this stance, then rotate your wrist..."
Unbeknownst to them, their sparring session had turned into a lesson.
Ais earnestly corrected Ying Ping's posture, even teaching him hand-in-hand how to properly hold a sword.
"You're swinging your sword too hard; that wastes a lot of energy for no reason, and your hand should be a little higher."
Ais stood behind Ying Ping, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, adjusting his posture.
Her faint, clean scent made Ying Ping a little distracted.
"Like this?"
Ying Ping deliberately feigned clumsiness.
"No—"
Ais pouted, directly pressing against him and taking his hand, "It should be like this..."
In the distance, Chisato and Takina, who were secretly observing, covered their mouths, stifling giggles.
"It had to be Master. He's already getting hands-on? His flirting skills are amazing ~"
Chisato winked.
"That Sword Princess is completely being led by the nose."
Takina also rarely showed a mischievous smile.
The sparring continued until dusk.
When the light from the crystal dome gradually dimmed, Ais reluctantly sheathed her sword.
"Thank you."
She said sincerely: "I really learned a lot today."
Ying Ping smiled and handed her a new bottle of cola: "No, thank you. Shall we practice together again next time?"
"Mhm!"
Ais happily accepted the drink, a faint blush spreading across her small face.
Ying Ping then took out more than a dozen bottles of life potions and magic potions from his system warehouse, neatly arranging them in front of Ais.
"These potions are more effective than the high-grade elixirs sold on the market."
Ying Ping explained: "The red ones are life potions, and the blue ones are magic potions. They can be taken internally or applied externally."
"Your Loki Familia is on an expedition, so you'll definitely find a use for them. Please accept them."
Ais cautiously picked up a bottle, her golden eyes carefully examining the liquid flowing inside, then said, "Thank you."
She solemnly placed the potions into the pouch at her waist... When the two returned to their original spot, they found that Elaina and the others were already getting along well with the members of the Loki Familia.
Finn enthusiastically greeted them: "Mr. Ying Ping, you and Ais are back? We're preparing dinner, would you like to join us?"
"Then we'll intrude."
Ying Ping readily agreed.
At the Loki Familia's camp, the bonfire was surrounded by an abundance of food.
Gareth, the Dwarf, one of the Loki Familia's Big Three, was roasting a giant wild boar, its aroma wafting everywhere.
"Come, come, young man, try my cooking!"
Gareth heartily called out.
Chisato and Takina were already chatting animatedly with the Amazonian sisters, Tiona and Tione.
Elaina, meanwhile, was surrounded by several mages asking her about magic.
Ying Ping noticed that Kokkoro was sitting with Riveria, and the two seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.
Riveria, who hailed from the Elf Royal Family, looked at Kokkoro with eyes full of maternal affection.
"Miss Riveria, you seem to be very fond of Kokkoro?"
"You're not thinking of taking her as your apprentice, are you?"
Ying Ping walked over, joking.
"Indeed, I admit I have that thought. It would be wonderful if this child were part of our Loki Familia."
"She is very talented."
Riveria gently stroked Kokkoro's hair, "And her personality is very endearing."
At this moment, Riveria probably didn't know that Kokkoro's level had already reached LV20, and she was about to ascend to LV21, making her strength far superior to Riveria's. Otherwise, who knows what she would think.
Ying Ping's heart stirred, and he took out more than a dozen bottles of potions from his system warehouse: "These are for you, as thanks for taking care of Kokkoro."
"This..."
Riveria immediately declined: "I cannot accept them."
"Lady Riveria, please accept them."
Kokkoro pulled her hand, whispering: "Master's potions are really effective, and your Familia is on an expedition, so you will definitely need these things..."
Under Kokkoro's persuasion, Riveria finally reluctantly accepted the potions.
In the distance, Bete saw this scene, snorted coldly, turned, and walked away irritably—
Ever since being subdued by Ying Ping in one move, the "Werewolf" had been in a state of suppressed anger.
After the banquet, Ying Ping secretly left Flying Thunder God marks in various places on this 18th floor.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique is truly a convenient skill..."
Ying Ping nodded with satisfaction: "Next time we come to the 18th floor, I can bring everyone directly, which will save a lot of travel time."
Upon returning to the surface, Ying Ping immediately reported the trip and his secret plan with Ais to Hestia and Artemis.
"What?! That Sword Princess would actually agree to such a thing?"
"While it's not a complete betrayal, it's already selling us out!"
Hestia's eyes widened, her expression one of disbelief.
"Because she has always had an ambition to grow stronger, and after witnessing my power, she naturally wants to join the Hestia Familia."
"If she can't join, her identity in the Loki Familia actually becomes a shackles hindering her path to strength."
Ying Ping shrugged and explained.
Artemis covered her mouth and chuckled, "As expected of my Orion, Loki will surely go mad when he finds out about this..."
"Hehehe, you're right, I'm suddenly looking forward to it too."
Hestia imagined Loki's mournful face and finally couldn't help but cover her mouth and snicker mischievously.