After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

"Don't blab, Lin Da...She's still watching!" Isa glared at Fannis, her eyes full of reproach, and flicked Fannis' forehead, turning the girl's skin bright red.

...

In the afternoon, Lin Da, along with the members of the Phoenix Tail Flower Team and Ice Flower, held a celebration feast in the most expensive dining room in the Inner City District.

"Cheers!"

At the huge round table, more than a dozen people raised their glasses of wheat beer.

The banquet lasted until the evening.

Lin Da made a somewhat disheveled retreat; a drunken Isa was not a good sign. He felt that if he stayed any longer, they might not be able to interact as normal friends the next day.

Behind him, Monica watched him like a little jealous jar, muttering, "Captain, you big flirt..."

Kafni teasingly said, "You seemed to enjoy playing the game quite a bit, huh?"

Baiqi is a type of long chocolate cookie from Another World; a man and a woman each take an end and eat towards the middle—if someone stops, they lose. A tipsy Isa seemed intent on devouring Lin Da alongside the cookie, and though he wanted to refuse, the nefarious Ice Flower team members were like a bunch of bad 'drinking persuaders,' egging him on to accept.

It was very much a matter of 'saving face by eating as much,' Lin Da definitely did not agree to play because Isa's lips looked tempting!

"Misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding," Lin Da said gravely, "I just really enjoyed the cookie."

"There's still some left..." Monica took out a box from her pocket, placed a chocolate cookie in her mouth, looking at Lin Da with shy, sparkling eyes.

Perhaps it was the alcohol talking, but Lin Da did not refuse; he wanted to taste what the cookie at a team member's lips was like.

"Lin Da, Mr. Lin Da, you forgot something—"

Fannis hurried out, holding a piece of jewelry and a fist-sized metal Demon Core: "The captain said, you must accept it!"

By this time, Lin Da had already finished the cookie.

Monica's face turned beet red, hiding behind him like a shy cat, and he licked his lips, which seemed to retain the girl's sweet fragrance—like jelly!

'Monica's lips are different from Lulu's.'

Lin Da thought Lulu's were more like cool mint, suitable for a hot evening.

Hearing Fannis' voice from earlier, he came back to his senses.

"Orange jewelry, how could I accept this?"

"The captain said you mustn't refuse!"

Even knowing it was a polite gesture, Fannis still greatly appreciated it; not everyone could face Orange Jewelry and still offer to refuse it.

"I'm starting to see why the captain took a liking to you," Fannis chuckled, stuffing the jewelry and the Demon Core into Lin Da's hands, waving her hand, "I'll head back first, everyone said they plan to drink till dawn."

"Tell your captain to drink less, her tolerance is... really small."

Lin Da watched Fannis leave, then looked at the jewelry in his hand.

It was a silver bracelet, the inner circle engraved with Slimes happily living out on the prairie.

[Name: Joyful Earth Bracelet]

[Type: Equipment - Jewelry]

[Quality: Orange Rare]

[Level: 20]

[Attribute Points: Magic Power +450, Earth Magic damage increased by 10%]

[Equipment Score: 685. Wearing it, you can feel the call of the earth]

A very standard piece of jewelry suitable for an Earth Mage.

Lin Da judged internally.

The equipment required level 20, and his team member Monica, currently at level 19, was just a little short of being able to wear this Orange Gear.

He carefully put the bracelet in his pocket, and Lin Da and his team boarded a carriage to return to the villa.

In front of each villa was a red mailbox, and when Lin Da returned, he saw an invitation inside.

In White Dove City, large and small events always prioritize inviting Rock-level Adventure Teams.

Though the Phoenix Tail Flower Team had not reached Rock-level, Lin Da, holding the Honorary Adventurer Badge, and his team's demonstrated potential had been recognized by the White Dove Adventure Group, affording them similar privileges despite not being Rock-level.

He took the invitation out of the mailbox. It was a magic paper gilded with gold, elegantly written in artistic script:

'To the esteemed Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team:

The 36th annual auction hosted by Chilang Commerce, along with two other commerce groups, will commence tomorrow night at 9 PM. Hereby extends you a sincere invitation, looking forward to your esteemed visit.

Location: XXX Road, Number XXX, underground grand theater.'

It had arrived.

Lin Da's lips curled up. He had made so much money these past few days that his savings card totaled 541,540 gold coins, and he had been waiting for this auction.

He still needed to secure a main weapon, Monica and Kafni also needed to switch to new purple gear... Moreover, he had to buy a space ring.

...

Back at the villa, Lin Da was in the study crafting strategy guides for Phyllis.

At 1 a.m., he finished everything.

He drank a cup of hot milk and leisurely opened the back-house system on a lounge chair:

[Sign-in successful, received 2440 diamonds!]

The challenge page refreshed a small fry team, and the Q-version Phoenix Tail Flower Team easily handled the opponents, earning 10 Defense Guidance Coupons.

There was no change in the Hell Rift; it was still stuck at the 28th level with the Heart Devourer Worms. It seemed he wouldn't get past it without leveling up.

Lin Da had essentially completed a set of "daily quests" and went to bed after washing up.

...

At the same time, at Snow Goose's villa.

Oru, Klyne, and Phyllis, along with others, were called by Lia to the second-floor conference hall.

"What, you want to sell the Flame Devourer?"

Aiko's mouth dropped open in surprise.

The other members of the team incredulously looked at the short-haired Lia, who was sitting at the head of the long table.

The same thought occurred to everyone:

What severe illness had Lia come down with? She had cut off her long hair and was now selling her favorite weapon?

"What are you all thinking? I haven't given up on myself," Lia huffed, her arms crossed over her modest chest, her short hair tied in a ponytail giving her a brisk and cool beauty, she said with a proud look:

"On the contrary, my fighting spirit has significantly increased, and I've even advanced to level 25, making me the most powerful person in Snow Goose."

Aiko was also level 25, on par with her, but subconsciously, she felt that Aiko was no match for her.

Lia said, "I need a new main weapon, and there's an auction happening soon. I will sell this Flame Devourer and buy a new one."

"So that's it..."

Aiko patted his mighty chest and exhaled in relief.

If Lia had ever lost her temper and given up, everyone in the team would find themselves in a very awkward position. To leave the team meant facing contractual restrictions, but staying would be unbearable...

Moreover, the stronger Snow Goose become, the higher the price of its members, making it easier for Aiko to gain Lin Da's favor.

If Snow Goose were to fall apart, letting Lin Da think, "Aiko, you're not up to it, are you?"

Then Aiko would have an even harder time winning Lin Da over!

Therefore, Lia, you need to pull yourself together; sweet life is still ahead!

At that moment, Aiko was undoubtedly Lia's biggest fan.

"So, everyone needs to lend me money to buy equipment,"

Lia extended her pale, delicate hand, saying it as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

"?"

Five question marks popped above the heads of the Snow Goose team members.

Borrowing money?

Again?

You already borrowed 50,000 gold from each of us yesterday, and you haven't paid that back!

Lia frowned and said, "This is for everyone, isn't it?"

"If I become stronger, everyone gets stronger. I only have a little over a thousand gold coins left, and even if I sell the Flame Devourer, it won't be enough to buy a useful level 25 main weapon. You all need to lend me the money!"

"Don't worry, after clearing the 12th floor of the dungeon, I'll pay you all back immediately."

Seeing Lia's earnest expression, Aiko and the others, though infuriated, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Lia was still the same Lia, arrogant, self-centered, which paradoxically reassured everyone.

If Lia really became calm, humble, mature, and stable, they wouldn't know how to handle it.

That Lia wouldn't be Lia anymore.