"You guys." Farina watched the two laugh as they chatted, her face smiling.

These topics among old friends are always endlessly fascinating, but to those who haven't experienced those times, it's like reading a heavenly script.

After a few laughs and chat, the lighthearted atmosphere gradually faded away. It's no longer the past now; everything is different.

Xiaomo leaned on the railing, watching the workers in the Shadow Factory resume their work under the lights, and said, "The people here work very hard, or maybe that's not how it should be described, because they aren't working for anyone, but for themselves."

"I was just about to ask, why did they break with the Great Shipyard?"

Xiaomo leaned against the railing, tilting her head back, her beast ears drooping down.

"I think it's somewhat similar to us."

Li Ang was taken aback, as was Farina.

At that moment, when Duncan Morales mentioned "us," it naturally didn't refer to his current team, the Fellowship of Fortunate Stars, but The Soul Apex.

The Soul Apex had experienced the true core leader retiring, and the successor's ideas clashing with the vast majority of the elders, ultimately leading to the original members disbanding.

Li Ang stroked his chin: "You mean the people in these shipyards also have ideological conflicts?"

"As far as I know, Uncle Loken was once life-and-death friends with the Sky Flame Factory Director, but later, the Sky Flame Director wanted to expand production, which Uncle Loken disagreed with. Because expanding production inevitably leads to a decline in quality."

Farina said, "That doesn't sound like enough of a grudge to blow the Sky Flame Shipyard to high heaven."

"That's just the polite surface explanation."

Xiaomo sighed: "I guess I've heard more insider information, so I know a bit more. The production expansion of the Sky Flame Shipyard and some other major yards isn't simply about reducing quality, but deliberately creating defects to ensure the products' lifespan is shortened as per their expectations."

"That's right, earlier on the ground, the conflict was because of this," Li Ang said.

"For customers who don't need to push the ship's limits, it's just spending a bit more money, but it's trouble for the Sky Cavalry, who must take risks."

Xiaomo tapped her fingers on the railing: "Have you heard? Contan Helm's own shipyard, which used to be barely alive, is now ramping up construction again, and the Guild is also shifting procurement orders to other places with shipbuilding industries."

"No wonder, even in the early days, the Celestial Group liked to find their own paths."

Li Ang had heard of these phenomena before, now only learning the truth behind them. He originally had a system in place; it was just easier to find docks that brought him here, only to encounter these events.

But just like Meimei said, this is actually inevitable. The Empire's dark tides are bound to come, merely stirring up all the other lurking shadows in the process.

"Uncle Loken also has a view that the traditional shipbuilding industry of the City of the Ship's Rudder will also be impacted by emerging forces like the Makena Island Country, and if they don't adhere to the reliable quality accumulated over a long time, they're actually rapidly destroying their own foundations."

"Very insightful," Li Ang commented.

"So, what he wants to do is reclaim everything the City of the Ship's Rudder should stand firm on."

"That's good; working with such a person actually feels reassuring."

Li Ang and Xiaomo exchanged glances, seeing the trust in each other's eyes, and nodded.

After everyone returned indoors and fell asleep, Li Ang went outside again alone.

He looked at the miniature map provided by the system, preparing to check out the "Hidden Location: Mechanical Creation Furnace" entrance.