After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Taige chuckled and took a bite of the roasted pork leg, continuing to read.

The reporter for the Adventurer's Weekly had written about Lin Da's achievements.

[First: Skilled in creating detailed strategies, effectively reducing casualties among lower-level adventurers.]

[Second: Performed exceptionally during Monster Tide in White Dove City, killing a Level 20 Orange Magical Creature, the Red Armored Crab King, with a squad with an average level in the teens.]

[Third: Recently, he defeated a Two-Star Epic Monster, the Goblin Prince! At that time, Lin Da's team's average level was only 24.]

[Fourth: Became the first in the history of Cangqing Province to kill a Star-ranked adventurer in a face-to-face duel with a strength level below 30!

(Note: According to reports from the White Dove City reporter, the duel employed many tricks, but Lin Da's formidable personal strength cannot be denied!)]

Based on these four points, Adventurer's Weekly decided to feature Lin Da on the cover of this week's Hall of Heroes section.

The cover image was provided by Kami, the editor-in-chief of White Dove Press.

It was a picture of Lin Da holding a blood-soaked longsword, silhouetted against the backdrop of him killing the Red Armored Crab King during the Monster Tide.

Taige nodded thoughtfully, thinking that these achievements were indeed fierce. White Dove City was considered one of the poorer cities in Cangqing Province, yet it managed to produce such a talent, truly a stroke of luck.

"Shield skills, quite rare, would be great to have them join my Dark Flame adventure team."

"But with Azure Sky University stepping forward, there probably won't be a chance."

"Lin Da... that old lady must have issued an invitation to White Dove City because of this name, right? I heard that White Dove City is blacklisted by Azure Sky University."

Taige recalled a recent encounter with a petite girl with silver hair and a lazy, noble demeanor, feeling a pang of curiosity.

She didn't think that this person would be interested in men other than from Dark Shadow.

After all, one of Dark Shadow's most favored members was that person.

Although Taige was also called a Five-star Character by Dark Shadow, there were strengths and weaknesses among the Five-stars, and despite being from the Tiger Tribe and possessing courage, Taige doubted he could defeat that person.

"It would be fun if this Lin Da were from Dark Shadow."

"Unfortunately, terms like 'gentle and highly praised' could never apply to Dark Shadow."

"Cold, ruthless, cruel, and vicious, that is what Dark Shadow is."

Taige finished reading the Adventurer's Weekly and casually tossed it into the trash can at his feet.

He wasn't in a hurry to return to Black Mamba City.

The adventurous atmosphere in Cyan City was so strong that Taige even considered working there, saving enough money to buy a villa and move the entire Dark Flame adventure team over.

"Where to get the money..."

Taige's mind wasn't the brightest, the only thing he could think of was fighting.

"Miss, would you like to collaborate with me?"

A young lady with pink hair approached Taige.

The girl wore thick black-rimmed glasses and held a book, looking quite literary.

"Who are you?" Taige sensed a hint of threat from this person.

"Just an ordinary traveling adventurer passing by."

Selin tilted her head slightly, smiling charmingly.

...

In the evening, under the starlit sky.

The reception room of the White Dove Adventure Group villa hosted a celebration banquet.

The main characters of this celebration banquet were the Phoenix Tail Flower adventure team.

Under the warm lighting, the aroma of fine wines and delicious food was heartwarming, with constant laughter and chatter.

At the large crystal round table, President Velen sat at the head, his cheeks glowing redder from the drinks.

To his left and right respectively were Lin Da and Abner.

Opposite them sat Mayor Adel, with the members of the Phoenix Tail Flower and White Dove on either side.

This seating arrangement left Lin Da feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

Being seated to the immediate left and right of President Velen, a place for the most honored guests, was something a rock level captain like him rarely experienced.

Lin Da, not an adventurer who normally sought the spotlight, found sitting there uncomfortably hot.

Seeing his discomfort, President Velen raised his copy of Adventurer's Weekly and laughed:

"Lin Da, you are truly White Dove City's pride, and you should rightfully be sitting here!"

"Besides Abner's time, it has been many years since White Dove City made it onto the Adventurer's Weekly! Look, even Azure Sky University, renowned within the province, has sent you an invitation, and it was the president himself who invited you!"

Abner raised his glass and said succinctly, "Lin Da, congratulations."

Lin Da didn't delay; he deeply respected the White Dove Leader who had helped him on numerous occasions.

He raised his wheat beer glass with both hands and drained it in one gulp.

Tasya stood behind Lin Da pouring wine, while Lulu furrowed her brow and whispered, "Drink less; didn't we agree to go pick out yukatas?"

Lin Da shuddered.

He had almost forgotten about that.

The Winter Festival was just around the corner.

According to the customs of the Southern Fire Empire, adventurers would don yukatas and watch the fireworks.

The essence of changing into yukatas was to wash away the bloodshed accumulated over the year, watch the fireworks with companions in a state of purity, and receive the blessings of the World Tree Goddess.

Lin Da and his companions didn't have yukatas, so they had agreed to go and buy some tonight.

He nodded subtly at Lulu to show that he understood.

But President Velen was offering such warm hospitality that Lin Da really couldn't bring himself to ask Lulu to help him ward off the drinks.

Mayor Adel sighed, "The news of Phoenix Tail Flower making the headline of Adventurer's Weekly has already reached the Cyan City Adventure Committee. We received a notice an hour ago that from this month onwards, the monthly subsidies for each Rock-level squad will be increased from three Bronze-Level World Tree Fruits to five, and for Iron Level, from three Silver-Level to five."

A Silver Tree Fruit was valued at ten thousand Gold Coins, adding two more made this subsidy quite significant.

Gale joked, "Lin Da, even the Specter Adventure Group ought to thank you."

"It'd be good enough if they don't curse me, let alone thank me," Lin Da smiled.

Right now, Hulus was probably in prison, mourning over Kam.

During the Winter Festival, he could only watch the fireworks through an iron-barred window.

"Lin Da, regarding that invitation from Azure Sky University, have you thought about it?" Velen asked, his eyes filled with expectation.

Lin Da didn't answer immediately, looking first towards Abner, curious, "Captain Abner, why did you refuse the invitation from Azure Sky University at that time?"

Objectively speaking, accepting the invitation from Azure Sky University would be a very advantageous move.

The best adventuring resources within the province, personal training by famous masters, professional knowledge... Azure Sky University is akin to a renowned 985 university; one acceptance brightens the entire family's face.

Everyone looked at Abner, their minds itching with curiosity.

Yes, why did Abner refuse Azure Sky University at that time?

Under these questioning gazes, Abner slightly opened his eyes.

This quiet adventurer with pale blue hair tied in a ponytail, silently looked towards the floor-to-ceiling window ahead. Through the window, the World Tree twinkled beneath the night sky with emerald light.

"Because of the existence of the 19th floor 'Gate' in White Dove City. As long as the gate remains, White Dove City might never produce a Sunrise Level adventure group,"

"I want to personally break through that gate," said Abner.

Abner's voice was calm, but his tone carried a firm resolve and determination that commanded respect.

With Abner's capabilities, if he were by another city's World Tree, he would have already reached level 40 and become a Moon Rank adventurer.

Abner's decision to stay was to challenge the Nightmare Guardian located on the 19th floor of the White Dove City World Tree, known as the 'Gate.'

The strength of the Nightmare Guardian surpassed that of hidden Magical Creatures.

It is a trial randomly bestowed by the World Tree Goddess at unpredictable times.

Before this trial is surpassed, all adventure teams that enter the 19th floor of the White Dove City World Tree will encounter the Nightmare Guardian.

If the gate remains, it will significantly affect the prospects of the adventurers in White Dove City.

In the future, many adventure teams that reach the 19th floor might choose to change their adventure origins and settle in Red Heart City or South Rock City, leading to a continuous loss of strong adventurers from White Dove City.

Of course, there's another approach: the officials could spend a large amount of money to hire excellent adventure teams from other cities to subdue the Nightmare Guardian for their own city.

But in doing so, both the adventurers and officials of White Dove City would be despised by the entire empire — a city that can't even cultivate an adventure team to subdue the Nightmare Guardian surely doesn't need the empire to prioritize its resources, does it?

Your local officials can forget about promotions in this lifetime!

The general atmosphere of the Mystic Continent is survival of the fittest.

The strong get stronger, and the weak weaker.

The reasons Abner refused Azure Sky University were two-fold: one was to challenge the Nightmare Guardian, and second, to repay President Velen for his asylum.

Abner, once a wandering adventurer due to the Monster Tide, was accepted by President Velen, who allowed him to lead the White Dove Adventure Group.

Thus, Abner would rather forgo the tempting offer from Azure Sky University and stay in White Dove City.

"So, what about you, Lin Da? I think you should accept the invitation from Azure Sky University."