After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

"Uh... Miss Lin, right?" Lin Da gave the pink-haired girl before him a strange look.

She seemed a bit too familiar.

There's a saying, 'Do not speak deeply when the friendship is shallow.' Talking about one's adventure goals is generally reserved only for teammates or extremely close friends.

Who would confide such things to a stranger?

Xilin didn't mind Lin Da's wariness and, like an imperceptive and unreasonable adventurer, continued to press on: "Have you ever considered that you might fail at a certain level and thus lose an important companion?"

"Such things happen every day."

"Captain Lin Da, you're quite accomplished now. If you retire directly, no one would have to take risks, right?"

Indeed, stop adventuring.

Just join the Demons.

Xilin thought to herself.

Of course, she was also worried that Phoenix Tail Flower might capsize in the World Tree's canals.

To others, Xilin seemed lively, an optimist, but deep down, pessimistic blood flowed in her veins.

Other people adventure for Gold Coins.

When Xilin adventures, she worries about capsizing.

Lin Da joked, "Miss, are you here to lecture me?"

"You could say that," Xilin said with a smile: "I did give you a Demon Core from a Rare Orange Level Magical Creature. Getting a lecture for such a profit should be worth it, right?"

Lin Da was startled.

This miss had a knack for finding reasons.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Lin, your question in itself is flawed."

Xilin tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

"We are all connected by adventure. It's the adventures first that make us important companions. Without the adventures, we'd likely still be strangers," Lin Da said slowly.

Xilin thought about her encounters with Lin Da and others like Lia.

Indeed, it was the adventure that brought everyone together.

Without adventuring together, she'd be just a civilian, gradually drifting away from Lin Da, and even if they once had blood ties, this distance would eventually dilute them.

It was because she had experienced adventures with Lin Da, seen first-hand his contributions for the team, for her, that she came to value him more.

And it was not just for Lia, Aiko, Klrona... all because of adventuring, they came together.

Xilin's expression subtly changed.

Lin Da's voice was soft, as if he were thinking of his teammates.

He said, "Our bond also strengthens through the adventures. There are definitely risks, but I'll do my best to minimize them."

"Looking further ahead, if no one reaches the peak, draws the Sword of the Brave, who will go to challenge the Demon King? When His Majesty the Demon King descends, all adventurers, will die."

"Only by adventuring, only by continuing to adventure, can I protect my teammates and companions."

Xilin's face was indifferent: "You speak well, but, the Demon King is invincible."

"You have not seen the Demon King with your own eyes. If you had, you would fear, despair, lose the courage to wield a sword."

After saying this, Xilin lowered her head, and a dense black fog surged in her eyes.

It was as if a force were controlling her soul, continuously warning her: the Demon King is invincible, and to realize His Majesty the Demon King's grand aspiration of conquering the Mystic Continent, she ought to become the sword of the Demon King and eliminate all enemies!

But Lin Da's answer was: "Nothing is absolute, you'll only know if you try."

"Moreover, I have another reason I must continue to adventure."

Xilin: "What is it?"

Lin Da turned to look out the window.

From this position, one could see the towering verdant tree to the east.

Lin Da's expression was somewhat melancholic, but his black eyes twinkled with unwavering determination.

His plain words seemed to carry the power to chisel through rock, "Because there's an important family member waiting for me on the 20th floor."

In Si Lin's eyes, the black fog churned violently, and she said with reluctance, "But, you have new family members now, and you've set new adventurous goals with them."

You must have forgotten about yourself.

Just paying lip service!

Lin Da smiled, "My family members are irreplaceable. How could I forget her just because I have new teammates? Moreover, I still need to go to the 20th floor to bring her back. Adventure... is definitely something I can't give up."

This time, Si Lin's defenses were shattered.

Feeling a sting in her nose, she almost turned into a whining creature.

So, Lin Da had never forgotten her after all.

Even with the Little Werewolf and the Big Lolita... to Lin Da, she was still the irreplaceable one!

The Holy Pattern on Si Lin's lower abdomen cooled rapidly, in respect of this pure and flawless emotion.

From now on, unless Si Lin actively preys on Lin Da, the Holy Pattern would not flare up.

"You're still the same stubborn mule as before," Si Lin said, wiping her eyes with her sleeve in a reproachful tone.

Though she was scolding Lin Da, the girl's lips curled up in a faint smile, and the dark fog in her eyes quickly retreated.

Lin Da hadn't done anything special, just voiced what was in his heart.

But unbeknownst to him, this unintentional act built an impregnable wall around the girl's heart, one that not even the corrupting power of the Demon King could destroy.

"Miss, if I may be so bold to ask one question."

"Do we... know each other?"

Lin Da asked, puzzled.

Si Lin's expression returned to normal, raising the glass of orange juice, "Here's to your adventure progressing smoothly."

The worried Si Lin giggled and quickly made her escape, fearing that Lin Da would recognize her identity.

Leaving Lin Da with nothing but a cloud of confusion.

"What a strange person."

Lin Da chuckled.

Even though it was a senseless conversation, he found he didn't dislike this pink-haired girl.

If they met in the Great Mystery Continent, perhaps they could become comrades fighting side by side.

After Si Lin left, other adventurers came over to toast.

Some were adventure team leaders eager to form a friendly bond with Phoenix Tail Flower, others were female adventurers curious about Lin Da.

After Lin Da used the "Poison Dragon's Roar" Ultimate Skill, the number of his fans doubled.

The members of Snow Goose approached, too, holding their glasses; Aiko was at the forefront, while Lia drank sullenly by herself in a corner.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Aiko wore a white spaghetti strap dress, elegant and modest, epitomizing the demure beauty of a lady.

"Lin Da, congratulations on reaching level 23."

Aiko smiled, raising her glass of orange juice.

"Your levels have increased quite a bit too." Lin Da looked at everyone with mixed emotions.

After the collaboration during the Monster Tide, the gap created by his leaving the team had quietly closed; although things couldn't return to how they once were, they were now normal old teammates.

Klyne said, "We're about to challenge the 13th floor soon, feeling a bit anxious."

Lin Da smiled, "I believe Phyllis can do it."

The future strategies for Snow Goose would still have to rely on them.

"Yes, yes," Phyllis laughed awkwardly, "I probably can do it?"

While Lin Da and the members of Snow Goose were making small talk, reminiscing about the past, Lia sat in a corner with a sullen face, downing glasses of wheat beer one after another.