After understanding the nature of immortals in this world, Roy suddenly wanted to study genuine immortal cultivation knowledge—there was much he could learn from it.
Although he followed the path of the Bible and his power system was Aleister's Silver Star System, power was fundamentally the same. Even if worldviews differed greatly, knowledge still had common ground. Seeking common ground while reserving differences, discarding the dross and retaining the essence—finding what was useful and absorbing it—that was the correct path.
While lost in thought, Roy didn't notice he was still staring at Yu Ji. Even if he had noticed, he probably wouldn't have cared. During his time in the Campione world, Roy had grown accustomed to being domineering, often disregarding others' opinions and feelings.
He knew this behavior was problematic. If he were in an extremely dangerous world, this habit could bring disaster. But habits were habits—that domineering nature was already ingrained in his bones. Changing it, compromising for the sake of harmony, was no longer possible.
From Yu Ji's perspective, Roy staring at her like this made her feel an inexplicable sense of unease. She couldn't help but say, "...Why are you still looking at me?"
Roy snapped out of his thoughts and realized his intense gaze had been fixed on her, carrying a pressure that made Yu Ji uncomfortable.
"You... have been suppressing your bloodlust, so you can only use a fraction of your power, right?"
Roy changed the subject.
Yu Ji fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "...If not for suppressing the bloodlust, I could have killed all those priests in an instant. I wouldn't have had to chase them all night before..."
She trailed off, her crimson eyes flickering toward Roy as if to say that if she had been at full strength, she wouldn't have been humiliated by being knocked out with a single punch from him.
Roy found it somewhat amusing. Yu Ji had a somewhat prideful personality—he understood her a little better now. But then again, if she didn't have that stubborn pride, she wouldn't have grown so agitated. If she had been indifferent, she might not have pursued those alchemists all night, and he might never have encountered her in the first place.
However, Yu Ji's thoughts weren't entirely wrong. If she truly regained her full power, it would be impossible for Roy to knock her out with a single punch. A fully-powered 'Immortal' with infinite magical energy would be far more terrifying than any Heretic God. While Heretic Gods possess troublesome Authorities, they are limited by their magical energy and can only use their Authorities a few times. After all, Heretic Gods are merely derivatives of true deities.
Estimating Yu Ji's maximum output at her peak is difficult, but considering the mythical immortals who could move mountains and fill seas, it's clear she would be no pushover.
Of course, even if Yu Ji did regain her full strength, Roy wouldn't be afraid. He was already far stronger than an ordinary Heretic God.
"If some immortals used alchemy to eliminate the bloodlust, why are you still troubled by it? Did they hoard their knowledge and refuse to teach you?" Roy asked curiously.
It made sense that the True Ancestors created by Gaia and Crimson Moon couldn't rid themselves of bloodlust—Gaia likely wouldn't allow it, as the bloodlust served as a restraint on them. But Yu Ji was different. She wasn't Gaia's tool but a naturally born spirit, practically Gaia's 'beloved daughter.' As a planetary Counter Force, Gaia wouldn't interfere with her, granting her great freedom.
"Among those immortal leaders, there was one who taught without discrimination—he was willing to instruct others... Besides, I'm different from those humans who cultivated into 'immortals.' I was born an 'immortal,' so my status among your so-called immortals was quite high."
Yu Ji suddenly flushed red, her words becoming hesitant and stammering.
Roy paused, suddenly understanding why Yu Ji had been so tormented by her bloodlust. He cautiously asked, "...Then why didn't you learn it?"
"I... I thought that with so many like me around, I could just live carefree in the mountains without anyone bothering me. Who knew they'd all disappear within a few decades?"
Fortunately, Yu Ji wasn't the tsundere type. Otherwise, being questioned about such an embarrassing and shameful matter might have driven her to lash out and throw Roy out.
'Social anxiety ruins lives—this is sheer ignorance!' Roy muttered inwardly.
Yu Ji probably didn't want to interact with humans, even those who had become like her. So, during the transition from the Shang to Zhou dynasty, she never bothered to learn how to suppress her bloodlust. Back then, she likely thought she could always seek help later if her bloodlust ever became uncontrollable.
But who could have predicted that after King Wu overthrew King Zhou, mystery began fading from the land of China, and human civilization rapidly advanced? The world was no longer suitable for ancient mysteries, so the named immortals one by one retreated to the Inner Sea of the Planet or the Reverse Side of the World, severing their ties to the mortal realm.
From the Zhou dynasty's founding to the late Qin period, eight hundred years had passed. Yu Ji probably couldn't endure any longer and ventured out, only to find the world utterly changed—everything she once knew was gone.
To have secluded herself for eight centuries—Yu Ji was truly something else.
Roy gave her a sympathetic glance. Yu Ji's experience was a perfect illustration of the importance of social connections.
"How much longer can you hold back your bloodlust?"
This was Roy's primary concern at the moment. He feared Yu Ji wouldn't last much longer before problems arose, which might force him to change his approach.
"If I just maintain this level of power without pushing my limits, I can hold on indefinitely. Why do you ask? Do you think I'm easy to bully like this?"
...
She bit her moist cherry lips and glared at Roy.
"Don't think so poorly of me. I'm just concerned about you."
Hearing Roy's words, Yu Ji opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
What concern could there be between two strangers? Besides, I have no desire to interact with humans. This person is truly baffling, meddling in others' affairs.
She muttered to herself.
From Yu Ji's words, Roy realized that as a naturally born spirit, she was much stronger than the True Ancestors. The True Ancestors were the type who had to rely on deep slumber to suppress their bloodlust, unlike Yu Ji, who could remain active as long as she didn't exert too much power.
If things had followed the original course of history, she probably wouldn't have been saved. This world no longer had a way to eliminate the urge to drink blood. Even with the remnants of her power, Yu Ji remained one of the strongest beings in the postmodern Type-Moon world—ordinary Servants were no match for her, and magi were utterly helpless against her. However, she had lost the godlike abilities she once wielded in the Age of Gods.
'But it's alright now. Why? Because I'm here!'
Roy thought to himself as he suddenly stood up and reached out to ruffle the hair of this pitiable yet lovable fairy maiden before him.
"What are you doing?"
Yu Ji glared at Roy in embarrassment and annoyance, raising her hand to swat his away.
But Roy withdrew his hand before she could act, shrugging with a playful grin. "...Nothing much. Just didn't feel like working today, so I decided to pet Yu instead!"