After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

"I can't disclose the specifics due to the contract, but I can tell you about the power behind me,"

Lulu narrowed her eyes, "who sent me to this city, and their purpose."

"Can we listen too?" Kafni asked, pulling Monica close and pointing to her own nose.

Lulu looked at Lin Da.

Lin Da nodded, "There are no strangers here, go ahead."

Only then did Lulu speak, "You should still remember the Duke of Cold Moon."

It was a name well-known to players from the game's storyline.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Cold Moon Fire, one of the four guardian flames of the Southern Fire Empire."

"The head of the Cold Moon Clan in each generation is called the Duke of Cold Moon, and he is one of the top adventurers on the continent today."

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Lin Da, recalling the game's storyline, said, "The Cold Moon Clan is also the biggest sponsor of the Primitive Adventure Team."

Every top adventure team stationed at the Royal Capital is favored by one of the four great clans.

As a player, after making a name for themselves in the Royal Capital, they would encounter the choice: pledge allegiance to one of the clans.

Lin Da's choice was the Cold Moon Clan.

What's special about Cold Moon is that it encourages PK (Player Killing).

Defeat the adventure team specified in Cold Moon's power tasks, and a player can get a lot of money.

Lin Da chose the Cold Moon Clan precisely for this reason.

Kafni and Monica both sensed that Lulu was about to reveal some important information and pricked up their ears.

"After you disappeared, there was a drastic change within the Cold Moon Clan."

"These things I only learned after I became a witch, was saved by the Cold Moon Clan, and signed a loyalty contract. On the surface, the Cold Moon Clan is still one of the Empire's four guardian flames."

Lulu's words were startling, "The Duke of Cold Moon has defected and has ties to the Demons."

"What!"

Lin Da's face changed.

The four great clans were the Empire's strongest pillars; the defection of one was unthinkable!

Such an event never happened in the game's storyline.

"I guess, the reason for the Duke of Cold Moon's betrayal is because of you," Lulu said, staring at Lin Da with a serious expression.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Lulu nodded. Her hands resumed the action of unwrapping the gift box as she thoughtfully spoke.

"Although the members of the Primitive Adventure Team weren't very high level when they were in the Royal Capital, their potential was recognized by the Duke of Cold Moon, who believed they had the most potential to reach the top."

"With the Primitive Adventure Team around, even if the Demon King resurrected, he would be sealed again—the Duke of Cold Moon was convinced of this."

"But because he trusted the Primitive Adventure Team too much, after the leader, Dark Shadow, disappeared, the Duke of Cold Moon was completely disappointed. Vice-captain Tina and the rest disbanded; some joined other adventure groups, some started new teams... the Duke of Cold Moon thought none of them had potential."

"Rather than waiting for the Demon King's resurgence and face destruction, it's better to defect to the enemy and ensure the family's safety."

Lulu sighed softly, "The mission that brought me to White Dove City was to find someone for the Duke of Cold Moon. I can't tell you who it is specifically, as it involves the contents of the contract. Once I find that person, my contract with the Cold Moon Clan will be finished."

Lin Da rubbed his chin, "If you tell me who you're looking for, then I could help you."

"I already have some leads, I'll definitely find them,"

Lulu shook her head, "Lin Da, you need to focus on yourself. If Tina, the Duke of Cold Moon, or others discover your existence, you will be in danger."

Tina was a mature and strong team member, usually seemingly nice to people. However, sometimes she would act crazily, and no one knew what she might do upon catching Lin Da.

And now that the Duke of Cold Moon had defected, if he caught Lin Da, he would certainly offer Lin Da to the Demons.

Fortunately, Dark Shadow had always worn a mask, so no one knew what Lin Da's face looked like underneath.

Lin Da pondered for a moment.

With the current situation, there wasn't a good way to deal with either the Duke of Cold Moon or Tina.

If anything had to be said, the only option was to increase his own level.

"First, aim to become an Iron-level Adventure Team,"

Lin Da thought to himself.

The immediate concern was to obtain an Epic Weapon to increase the team's overall damage and meet the criteria for the ninth floor's 'Ten Second Quick Kill' hidden demon.

Looking over the Phoenix Tail Flower Team, the one with the weakest main weapon was Lin Da.

Monica and Kafni had level 20 purple Crab General series weapons, and Lulu had bought herself an orange weapon at level 25.

Only Lin Da, at level 23, was still using the level 15 Azure Sword.

'Increase damage done to aquatic demons' was a good trait, but was limited only to aquatic demons.

Against other creatures, it was just an orange weapon with higher attributes.

If they can't find an Epic Weapon he can use in the Great Mystery Continent's Goblin Nest on the fifth floor, they'll have to consider buying an orange weapon at the shop.

Let's hope that the 'Blessing of the World Tree Goddess' skill can make him an 'Euro lord' for once.

Thinking too much about luck is useless; Lin Da rolled up his sleeves, speeding up the pace of unwrapping gift boxes.

An hour passed, and they tallied the total value of the gifts.

Today, a total of 31 Rock-level Squads came, and the gifts together were worth... around 900,000 Gold Coins!

This number made Lin Da suck in a breath of cold air.

When he was Snow Goose, the gifts for his promotion party amounted to only 30,000 Gold Coins total.

The reason for receiving so many valuable gifts... Lin Da thought, was probably due to the strategies for the 6th, 7th, and 8th floors.

The Ultimate Skills of the three members of the Phoenix Tail Flower Team impressed many other adventurers.

They upgraded the quality of the gifts they originally intended to give.

Secondly, there were four gifts especially precious, which increased the total value significantly.

Top of the list was a level 30 orange Demon Core from his sister.

Valued at 300,000 Gold Coins.

The White Dove Adventure Group gave him an 'Inspiring Forest Wreath' with really nice attributes; among the helmets of the same level, it stood out and was valued at 300,000.

Then there were wristwatches from the 'Great Sea Clear Sky' brand given by Lia and Isa.

One was azure blue, the other deep blue.

Together they add up to around 150,000.

That makes 750,000.

The gifts from others amounted to about 150,000.