The closest to him, Andasu, immediately stood up. With a flip of the wrist, her chain blade was ready to strike.

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, friend, friend."

Li Ang found this voice somewhat familiar. Andasu furrowed her brows, but her attack hand paused.

"No wonder you all achieved victory in the Flowing Silver Arena. As expected of the Platinum Ace, your aura has indeed elevated significantly."

The newcomer scrutinized Andasu with admiration in his eyes, without any hint of malice.

Although she was already eye-catching back then, after refining her hair and lifting the Spiritual Curse, she now stood out completely just by appearance alone.

After the events on Mengze Island, she radiated an inexplicable charm. If before she resembled a handsome young man before revealing a maiden’s shyness, now it was hard to mistake her for a boy, even without looking at her front. Her gracefulness in her movements alone was unmistakable.

It seemed like he knew Andasu.

"That voice," Zoe stood up pointing at the newcomer, "you are Big Mouth Ade!"

"Indeed... oh, what indeed, little miss. What kind of image do you have of me in your memory?"

The newcomer pulled down his mask, revealing a cracked injury at the corner of his mouth that did need covering. Without the wild hairstyle he had back then, he wasn’t immediately recognizable; he was the combat host of the Flashing Field, "Reed."

"So it’s you." Li Ang said to him.

"Hero leader against the demons, too bad, the Guild doesn’t allow me to disclose the situation, so I can’t publicize your story."

Reed bowed, then smiled, "Aren’t you going to invite me to sit down?"

"Go ahead."

Er Mei curiously sized up this man, who was accustomed to the big stage, calmly smiling at the two: "Hello, Star Flower Leader has recruited a pair of sister flowers, quite a quick development."

"This... oh, let’s just say so."

Li Ang didn’t intend to explain further, gesturing for them not to say much in front of outsiders, then asked, "What brings you here?"

Reed spread his hands indicating the surrounding crowd, "Do you even have to ask?"

"Haven’t had enough of racing before? Came here to watch this spectator sport?" Andasu said.

"Ha," Reed slapped his thigh, "of course, the Platinum Ace looks down on those weaklings, and so do I! But hey, a man’s gotta eat."

The man started talking about his situation after leaving the Star Flower Travel Corps.

Li Ang didn’t expect he was from the Makena Island Country, and was also a journalist. He once thought the Flashing Field had the raw beauty of the Sable Aerial Realm and might have big news, but little did he know the Kings there didn’t like to be investigated. He couldn’t run fast enough and ended up in a sand nest.

After a series of experiences not fit for discussion, thanks to his glib tongue, he caught the eye of the Platinum King and was thrown into the Dueling Arena as a host on an island where everyone is basically illiterate.

He kept at this job until recently when the Platinum King fell, and the Guild reorganized the Flashing Field, leaving him unemployed. Naturally, he couldn’t return to his old newspaper, as it had already shut down due to angered reporters’ families who disliked the paper’s penchant for sending journalists into dangerous zones.

Fortunately, the Platinum King had left him some benefits over the years, and with the bribes from people wanting him to speak favorably about them, he wasn’t worried about food and drink, just couldn’t settle down, so he wandered around.

"And so, hearing about the airship racing being held here, I came to take a look."

Reed finished with a laugh and suddenly slammed the table in anger when he saw Andasu frown; he quickly apologized with a smile, "Platinum Ace, don’t mind, truly I’m too upset, okay? The racing here, though amateur, involves enthusiasts who know a bit about Platinum Racing. That host has some nerve, even stealing my name!"

Only then did Li Ang recall the host wearing the Soul Peak Cloak, who indeed called himself "Ryder." So that’s where they got it from?

"What do you say?" Reed tilted his head at Andasu, "Does the Platinum Ace want to show them some real action?"

Andasu’s lips moved slightly, then she looked at Li Ang, "The master decides."

Li Ang clearly saw that the White Wolf wanted to give it a try.

During the Platinum Racing, he had personally accompanied her in the ride, witnessing a side of An that was different from her usual demeanor – fierce and wild, living up to the name White Wolf.

Perhaps that’s her true self beneath her usual calm and serene exterior.

"As for this matter—"

Li Ang had just started to speak when the entire restaurant suddenly lost power, shrouding the hall in darkness.

The surrounding crowd gasped, followed by the sound of dishes shattering. Patrons, initially realizing it was just the power going out, quickly became agitated, stirring in the dark.

"Someone’s doing this on purpose."

Li Ang judged from experience that the commotion wasn’t simple and warned those around him to be cautious.

A shadow rose before him, from which a somewhat unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar voice emerged.

"Li Ang, Farina, come with me."