Though the "union" with Big Sister had boosted Setsuna's confidence by a millionfold and significantly increased her strength, the gulf in power between her and Lin Luo remained vast. Aside from managing to draw a little blood with her first strike, she couldn't even touch him during the subsequent fight; it was complete domination.

In just over ten minutes, she was so exhausted she had nothing left, every inch of her body aching as if every bone had shattered. Of course, thanks to Lin Luo's Divine Healing, dying wasn't an easy feat for her; a brief bip sound, and she was instantly energetic again.

While Setsuna found this miraculous and unbelievable, she had already witnessed so much mystery surrounding Lin Luo that it no longer fazed her. Following his instructions, she charged forward once more... or rather, she was dominated again.

This pattern repeated for almost three or four hours. Lin Luo finally called a halt when he realized he had depleted about half of his own life force. In that time, Setsuna had been thoroughly beaten more than twenty times. They say growth comes through adversity, and Setsuna was no exception. Although this training session brought her significant "pain," overall, there were benefits. At least she could sense a slight increase in strength; perhaps next time she fought Lin Luo, she could last... one extra second.

"That will be all, then. Thank you for the instruction, Teacher. I must return now." After the training, Setsuna bowed deeply to Lin Luo with a cheerful expression. At Lin Luo's nod, she left the Time Room; she had to get back to class. Thanks to Lin Luo's Divine Healing, she was as healthy and vibrant as when she arrived.

The four hours in the Time Room equated to only ten minutes outside, and this brief window perfectly coincided with the class break. If she moved quickly, she could still make it back to Class Three before the bell rang.

After Setsuna departed, Lin Luo turned toward Al, a smile playing on his lips. "Are you perhaps interested in sparring with me?"

Al let out a soft laugh. "Have you gotten addicted to fighting? These old bones of mine can't handle much more roughhousing. Your power now surpasses what it was during the Martial Arts Tournament by a long shot. Though I don't know how you managed it, a clash with you now would certainly drain the reserves I’ve painstakingly accumulated."

"Indeed, you're saving up power to heal your main body," Lin Luo conceded, nodding, then continued with a mysterious smile, "But what if I could completely cure your main body?"

"Hm?!" Even Al's expression shifted upon hearing Lin Luo's words. He said gravely, "My injury is no trivial matter. I have been recuperating for ten years, and I’ve only managed to recover fifty percent."

"You saw what just happened. Do you think Setsuna’s body, after my ten minutes of relentless assault, could be instantly healed by ordinary healing magic?"

Al fell silent. What he witnessed earlier was indeed strange. Given Lin Luo's attack potency, no matter how much restraint he used, Setsuna should have suffered extreme damage under such an onslaught. Yet, in the blink of an eye, she was back on her feet, perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened. This was definitely beyond any healing art he knew. If such an art could be applied to his main body, perhaps...

"Unsolicited favors usually hide ulterior motives," Al smiled thinly. "You're being so kind to treat my main body; you’re not perhaps looking for a laborer, are you?"

"Hehe, as expected of an old monster who has lived for over a thousand years, you are quite clear on that front," Lin Luo chuckled, seeing no need to beat around the bush. He casually found a seat near Evangeline and nodded. "That’s right, I do need your assistance with something."

"Get away from me, don't sit next to me!" Evangeline complained, wrinkling her nose in displeasure.

"Father, I shall sit here too," Sakuya stood up from her own spot and instantly settled down on Lin Luo's other side, causing Evangeline's nose to wrinkle even tighter.

"A lovely life, holding one on each side," Al deliberately remarked to Evangeline, provoking her to the point where she nearly jumped up to fight him. Then he turned to Lin Luo and asked, "So, what is it you need me to do? Let me be clear first: I have no interest in overly dangerous tasks; I still wish to live a few more years."

"Haven't you lived long enough at over a thousand years? You’ve lived the equivalent of several people's entire lifespans. It might be time for a peaceful rest in the earth," Lin Luo couldn't help but retort.

"What a sharp tongue," Al laughed, then grew serious. "I trust your abilities, but if it’s something excessively perilous, I truly won't help. I still have plans for that body of mine."

Hearing this, Lin Luo stopped joking. "I understand. Although I'm uncertain how dangerous what I'm about to do is—it might very well be nine deaths to one life—I believe if anyone would be interested, it would be you."

"What is it?"

Lin Luo grinned wide. "I want you to accompany us on a journey to the Magic World: me, you, Evangeline, and Sakuya Izayoi."

At these words, Al's face visibly changed. Before he could utter a word, Evangeline jumped up. "Stop joking! I have no desire to go to that cursed place! If you want to go, go alone, don't drag me into it."

"The Magic World... who are you looking to cause trouble for?" Al asked gravely. He could tell Lin Luo wasn't planning a sightseeing trip. Given Lin Luo's strength, ordinary foes wouldn't pose a challenge. But now, Lin Luo required the four most powerful individuals from four different worlds to go together; the enemy's might must be immense. He was beginning to form a distinct suspicion.

"You guessed correctly," Lin Luo nodded. Knowing Al's cunning nature, he assumed the old man had already figured it out. Lin Luo decided against concealment. "The person I intend to seek out is... the Creator!"

Lin Luo wasn't sure if his current self could defeat the Creator... no, perhaps, if he could even contend with the Creator? Even though his strength had improved significantly, the power displayed back in Kyoto—using only the magic circle emanating from the Magic World to block his Light of Fantasy—was undeniably abnormal!

Lin Luo knew that until he could complete that potential ultimate move, his current power was no match for the Creator. Therefore, he needed to heavily factor in overall combat strength. If he couldn't take down the Creator alone, victory would have to come through sheer numbers. Naturally, ordinary people wouldn't suffice; they needed to be world-class entities.

In Mahora Academy, there were only four world-class individuals. Evangeline might be outmatched against the Creator directly, as her abilities stemmed from creations of the Creator, but against the Creator's puppets, she could certainly hold off many on her own.

As for himself, Al, and Sakuya—even if they ultimately couldn't defeat the Creator—Lin Luo was confident that his own abilities would ensure a safe retreat for the group.

Facing an enemy of the Creator's caliber, Lin Luo dared not be careless, which was why he needed Al's aid. After all, for Al, the Creator was also a foe the Scarlet Wings had long held a grudge against; their objectives aligned perfectly.

"The Creator, what a nostalgic name," Al mused quietly. He might not care about other matters, but the Creator was an exception. If Lin Luo genuinely intended to confront the Creator, Al would help, even if he had to drag his half-ruined body along. The feud between the Scarlet Wings and the Creator had been entwined for over a decade, and it needed a final resolution.

"Wait! Why are you targeting the Creator?" Evangeline was also greatly startled. She was naturally aware of the Creator, even possessing specific magic crafted to counter the Creator's puppets. What she couldn't understand was why Lin Luo would involve himself with such an enemy; he had no known deep connection to the Creator.

"Oh, isn't it because of you?" Al looked at Evangeline with a strange expression.

"Because of me?" Evangeline was stunned. That statement made no sense at all. While she disliked the Creator, she held no deep-seated hatred significant enough to warrant this conflict. "What kind of joke is that!"

"Isn't that the case?" Al shifted his gaze to Lin Luo.

"Well, how should I put this... it's not entirely like that," Lin Luo scratched his head, unsure how to explain.

"Are you two hiding something from me?" Evangeline was, after all, a True Ancestor who had lived for over six hundred years. Though initially confused, once she realized the implication, she sensed something was profoundly wrong. She frowned. "What connection do I have with that Creator? Tell me now!"

"Tch," Lin Luo sighed. He had planned to explain everything to Evangeline once they reached the Magic World, but Al's probing had made it impossible to keep secret, though it wasn't truly a major issue.

"Since you brought it up, why don't you tell her," Lin Luo said to Al. "After all, I'm not entirely familiar with the details of that matter."

"Then I shall tell you," Al nodded and began. "Speaking of which, Katie, you used to be an ordinary girl, didn't you?"

"Hm?" Evangeline's brow twitched, her expression darkening. She said in a low voice, "What do you mean by that? You should know that bringing up my past is stepping on a landmine." A subtle threat laced her tone.

But Al paid it no mind, turning back to look at her. "Tell me... what do you know about the person who turned you into what you are now?"

"To hell with him," Evangeline scoffed disdainfully. "That half-wit magician who even possessed an immortal treasure, right? I lost all interest in killing him six centuries ago."

"What if that person hasn't died?"

"Ah?" Evangeline paused slightly, seemingly not understanding. She was certain she had killed that person long ago!

Al clearly knew her thoughts and continued, "What if that person is still alive? What if he’s right there, in the Magic World?"

"Wh... what?!" Evangeline’s body shuddered, her pupils instantly widening. A chilling sensation made her feel as though her entire body was covered in cold sweat. "Could that person be..."

"The Creator," Lin Luo finalized the conclusion.