"Investigation? Investigating what's inside those shipyards?" Li Ang looked at Xiaomo.

Although his tone was questioning, it was actually a statement, showing his concern about his old friend's whereabouts.

"Yeah, some of my people are still trapped inside."

The people Morales referred to were also members of the Fellowship of Fortunate Stars, but they weren't the main force; they were stationed in the City of the Ship's Rudder to assist with some tasks.

"Uncle Loken also wanted to find out what those shipyards led by the Sky Flame Shipyard were doing, so he would periodically try to sneak in for investigations. After hiding out, I took the lead with them." Xiaomo added.

"Those were the people causing the commotion in the restaurant, right?"

"Yes, they are good folks."

Li Ang turned to look at the wood pieces being cut according to the blueprint, not yet assembled into the basic hull. Neil, standing beside him, immediately said, "If you're going with Morales, I'll take care of things here."

The young engineer preemptively pointed out what Li Ang might have been struggling with.

His original plan upon reaching the City of the Ship's Rudder was to hand over work to the shipyard, and only inspect at key points, while taking the young girls around and cultivating.

But the situation was beyond expectations; although the Island Founder's equipment was very useful, Li Ang was just pondering whether he would have to operate the machinery throughout the process.

Neil was evidently a bit clever, sensing a hint of what's going on.

Of course, the Shadow Factory already had this stance; the reason they helped the Star Flower Travel Corps was that they were bound to side with the Shadow Factory. Now Neil just took over the repetitive work, allowing Li Ang's combat power to be put to more important uses.

Through Morales, they also knew he was a Level 9 Sky Knight.

"I'll be enough here," Andasu said.

"Building a ship requires more than just wood." Li Ang said.

Many equipment and material purchases that didn't need personal oversight were anticipated to be handled by the shipyard; now, it would depend on Neil.

"No problem, I'll take care of these. This beast-eared girl can control the equipment. You'll enjoy building your own ship more." Neil said with a smile.

Li Ang thanked the young man and said to Xiaomo, "Then I'll go with you."

Whatever the Empire and The Soul Apex were up to, matters there couldn't be delayed.

"Alright."

After benefiting from Li Ang's Enhancement Magic last night, Xiaomo had no objections.

"Not building the ship?" Zoe, who had been standing at the edge of the ship platform watching the wood placed in predetermined spots, saw Li Ang's posture and quickly returned.

Li Ang explained the situation to her, and Zoe immediately raised her hand, saying, "Then I'll help operate this machinery too."

"Can you do it?"

"Yes, I can."

"Then let me ask you..."

Li Ang spoke to Zoe with a mix of explanations and questions, trying to teach her simple mechanical control ideas, but within half a minute, her beautiful ruby-colored eyes were already beginning to wander and unfocus.

"What was that question just now?"

"It was, it was that—"

"You're forbidden from touching any equipment here."

Zoe pouted.

She simply lacked a sense of things, eager to be part of the long-awaited shipbuilding endeavor, but Li Ang absolutely wouldn't allow any mistakes in these matters.

From what Li Ang knew about her, she was all enthusiasm, but after the tedious construction process dragged on, she would definitely move on to other things.

"Just watch for a while longer, then go back and train." Li Ang told everyone present.

Of course, there were people like Meimei with an awkward status, and Akuya who came for the fun, but his words were mainly directed at his own team members.

"Don't worry, Brother. We'll improve quickly enough to join." ALulu obediently said.

Although she had previously used the Shield Wall of Water to block the attack of the Mutant exterminators, she was most aware of the gap in power, and as long as the wild instincts and racial affection within didn't overpower reason, she was the least of Li Ang's worries.

And Dorothy was more looking forward to life after the ship was built, having no interest in a boat that was just a wooden frame.

Andasu's ears perked up high, deliberately flicking her tail as she walked proudly past Zoe.

This was her domain, completely overwhelming this wild cat.

"Mm-mm-mm!"

Zoe pressed her lips, making a frustrated sound from her throat.

Meluna walked up next to Li Ang: "I'm going too."

"You, can you not—"

"With my breath-holding, neither the weak nor the people from the Empire can detect me."

Li Ang knew when she referred to "the weak," she meant the people of The Soul Apex. When Li Ang couldn't bear those people and complained to her, this is how she used to describe them.

In the past, when he wanted to call this woman out, she would either flop over like a dead pig after he fed her or be deeply immersed in sword practice, rarely obediently going out.

Now she had become quite the clingy tagalong.

"This—"

Xiaomo awkwardly glanced at Meluna, naturally able to sense the presence she exuded, and instinctively felt it was unwise to counter her.

"She won't be spotted by those people."

Zoe gritted her teeth looking at Meluna, her hand tightly gripping the sword hilt.

Her pride as a Swordsman was once humbled by that former Savior, and from a Warrior's standpoint, the young girl would never show her claws to an opponent she couldn't match, so she resisted the urge.

The face she wore in protest swiftly shifted to one of deep seriousness, and she turned, running towards the ancient ship.

"Li Ang, I'm going back to practice my sword!"

"I'm heading back too, some types of cakes I haven't tried yet." Dorothy stretched lazily, telling ALulu, "Save some for me this time."