After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

The Fire Fighting Qi turned into a faint orange-red, a touch of starlight, inadvertently flashing by.

In the original game storyline, to protect her teammates, Lia awakened the Starfire Fighting Qi, embarking on a monstrous journey of growth.

She led Snow Goose and became one of the top-ranking adventure teams in Cangqing Province.

But that was years later.

The current Lia could only rely on instinct to use the Starfire Fighting Qi and was unable to control it.

"Lin Da, where are you running off to!"

Nacho's main target was Lin Da.

"Take a hit from this lady's sword!"

With a move "Flame Waltz", Lia swept around, forcing Nacho back.

Nacho was so angry his eyebrows trembled, "Attack, take down this Snow Goose brat first!"

The four of them tangled in battle, with the sound of Battle Qi explosions never ceasing.

One by one, large trees were destroyed as if they were made of paper, the Fire Series Battle Qi set the trees ablaze, turning them into a raging mountain fire that burned fiercely in the night.

...

...

Lin Da sprinted forth with all his strength, wind howling in his ears, lungs in agonizing spasms.

It felt like a flashback to his youthful days in track meets, gasping for breath.

The thought of Lia being the one to protect him made him feel as if he had eaten a chunk of excrement-flavored chocolate, foul yet oddly sweet.

The painstakingly nurtured "character" was finally taking shape, capable of contributing on the battlefield.

Lin Da knew this was not a game, yet felt a sense of achievement similar to playing one.

The sounds of battle faded behind him, and turning back, he could only faintly see a glimmer of light.

"The best way to repay Lia is to successfully secure the forest treasure and share some with her," he thought.

Lin Da took a deep breath, looking ahead.

His current location was the middle layer of the Dragon Forest, and running back might lead him to encounter other sect members—better to move forward and stick to the original plan.

Through the tunnel into the deeper layer, to the Forest Dragon's Lair, to steal the treasure inside!

This carried certain risks, without the keen-nosed Lulu, Lin Da might not be able to detect when the Forest Dragon would return to its lair.

If he happened to face the Forest Dragon while escaping with the treasure, it wouldn't be as simple as saying "let me clean that treasure for you before placing it back".

Logically, the best choice was to sneak back with his tail between his legs.

The mountain fire was the best signal, and the Adventurers' Guild would soon receive news of the anomaly in Dragon Forest and dispatch an official adventure team for rescue.

He should've just stayed honestly in the warm villa, waiting for good news from Lia and the others.

That was the most sensible, safest approach.

But Lin Da's legs just couldn't stop moving.

Thinking of everyone suffering in the perilous Dragon Forest, how could he alone run back to enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and tea?

Only by obtaining the Forest Dragon's treasure could Lin Da quickly advance to Star Rank and arm the entire squad.

If the entire Luanwei team were Star Ranks, those fleeing today would be Hulus and his crew.

"Only forward."

Lin Da solidified his will, resolved to clean out the Forest Dragon's lair and share it with the girls.

The distance to the tunnel entrance grew closer.

"Ahead, chase!"
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Suddenly, a fierce shout resounded from behind.

He turned to look.

Under the moonlight, two small black dots rapidly closed in.

That voice... was it Nacho?

Had Lia been taken down?

Lin Da's heart constricted.

A surge of intense anger almost drowned his rationality.

Yet Nacho, either out of stupidity or a desire to boast, laughed loudly:

"That redhead dwarf has already been injured and fled, Lin Da, now no one can protect you! Just stand there and die obediently!"

"Typical small fry villain speech; who would just stand there waiting for you?"

Heartened by the knowledge that Lia was safe, Lin Da relaxed enough to joke.

Come to think of it, it made sense.

Lia, active until the late stages of the game, couldn't possibly be defeated so easily.

Those who survive the most perilous scenes are often those bumbling characters.

"Go!"

Lin Da unleashed the Dark Whip, pulling down a row of trees behind him.

Kicking up a cloud of dust, he obstructed Nacho's view.

"Aargh!"

Nacho crashed into a tree, gasping and scanning the surroundings.

Unable to find Lin Da.

"He must be hiding nearby, search!"

...

...

Footsteps echoed above Lin Da's head.

He hid beneath the tunnel, holding his breath, imagining he was a harmless little grass, photosynthesizing under the sun.

—[Self-Created * Turtle Breath Spell].

Not sure if it would work, but it was worth a try.

After pulling down the trees, time was tight, and Lin Da managed to cover the tunnel entrance with a nearby rock.

Nacho and another Star Rank wandered nearby.

Like a cat chasing a mouse.

Lin Da remained motionless until the footsteps faded away, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

He lay on the ground, crawling into the barrel-sized tunnel.

Taking out a glow stick, he switched it on, and the pitch-dark tunnel instantly lit up.

The air inside was thin; his lungs, strained from the forceful running, prickled with pain.

The Great Mystery Continent was scorching during the day and extremely cold at night; the cold air churned in his lungs like a cactus, causing Lin Da to grimace and put on the Mask of Pain.

'Thinking this way makes me admire Lulu more, how can she trigger the Bloodthirst state without changing her expression?' Lin Da wondered.

Lin Da's willpower was firm, but it didn't mean his head was immune to pain.

On the contrary, due to his brain being quite useful, he felt pain more acutely.

He took out a bottle of hot water from his ring, took a sip to warm himself, melted away the 'Mask of Pain,' and continued to crawl forward.