After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Chapter 708: 496, Ancestor’s Soul, Receive Experience Card_2

Tasya’s rare technique can inflict true damage, while Kafni and Anna each have their own unique skills.

“I know… one day in the future, I will definitely hold everyone back.”

“No, actually…”

“No need to comfort me.”

Lulu crossed her legs and gently placed a finger on Lin Da’s lips.

Lin Da was surprised, and then his gaze dimmed.

Yes, Lulu was right.

If anyone was most likely to lag behind in the team’s adventure progress, it would probably be Lulu. Lulu’s innate skill—greater damage when health is lower—becomes hard to exploit against high-health monsters like the Blood Bull Monster.

By the time they reach the 30th level, the Magical Creatures’ health points will be in the tens of millions, even billions, requiring adventurers to have exceedingly high sustained output.

Even if Lulu achieves enlightenment under the Buti Tree and masters the skill [Near Death Frenzy Beast], allowing her health to lock temporarily, the output during that brief period likely won’t change the overall situation.

At that point, Lin Da would either have to drag Lulu forward constantly or abandon her.

“I will inherit the ‘Ancestor’s Soul,’ quell the internal strife within the Frostwolf Tribe, and then return to Phoenix Tail Flower,” Lulu said firmly. “But if you don’t agree… I’ll stay with the team. Even if the Frostwolf Tribe tries to take me by force, they can only take the corpse of a Frost Wolf. I mean what I say.”

A cold glint flashed in Lulu’s eyes. Although Knut was at Light Rank, he shuddered with fear and knelt on the ground, saying, “This old servant does not dare to oppose your will! Everything as you desire!”

Naturally, everyone’s gaze converged on Lin Da.

“You… really want to go?”

Lin Da asked reluctantly.

At noon, Lia had just left, and now Lulu was also about to depart.

Lin Da felt as though he had swallowed a cactus, his stomach churning with discomfort.

Lulu nodded and said, “I want to ascend to the top with you, not be carried there by you. I… want to become your strength.”

Lin Da scratched his head, his expression troubled.

He didn’t want to forcefully hold teammates back or use commands to compel anyone to join Phoenix Tail Flower. Even if the main forces of the Primitive Adventure Team were unwilling to join, he wouldn’t coerce them, always respecting the team members’ individual wishes.

Of course, for those like Mingli and Taige who accidentally uncover his secrets, he could only apologize.

“I understand.” Lin Da sighed and looked at Knut. “Can you delay your departure until tomorrow?”

“Of course!”

Knut replied joyfully.

“But I have one condition,” Lin Da said. “Five years at most—I want Lulu to return to Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team safe and complete.”

“This…” Knut’s expression turned awkward. If Lulu inherited the Ancestor’s Soul, she would be the next Frost Wolf King. No wolf king serves as a subordinate to outsiders—it would essentially make the entire Frostwolf Tribe Lin Da’s followers.

“If you disagree, then forget it. You can leave,” Lin Da retorted.

“Ah, wait!”

Knut clenched his teeth decisively and said, “I will persuade the tribe’s elders to agree!”

“You’d better. Otherwise, the Frost Wolf Clan will become my enemy.”

This statement fell upon the ears of Knut and the three Frost Wolf Warriors, who dismissed it with disdain, even mocking Lin Da in their hearts. The current king of the Frostwolf Tribe was at level 80, mastered the Beast Law, and had his strength acknowledged by Coldmoon Duke Evelyn. Phoenix Tail Flower was hardly worthy of being their rival.

In Knut’s eyes, Lin Da’s future achievements would at most reach Sacred Rank. Beyond this rank, leveling up wasn’t simply a matter of strategizing the World Tree—it required rigorous personal enlightenment.

After bidding farewell to Lin Da, Knut and his group departed, finding lodging at a nearby inn.

That night, Lin Da personally cooked and prepared a sumptuous feast.

After the meal, Lin Da entered Lulu’s room, and the two spent a wild and intense night together.

Both of them were at Moon Rank, with physical strength far beyond ordinary people.

Even the leg of the bed broke under their movements.

Lulu lay drenched in sweat in Lin Da’s arms, whispering, “I will definitely pass the Frostwolf Tribe’s trial and become stronger.”

“Mm, I believe in you.” Lin Da kissed the young werewolf maiden.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Da retrieved something from his Space Ring.

It was an item meant to be distributed during the oath ceremony—a treasure to be gifted individually to the girls.

——[Oath Ring * Strength].

“What’s this?” Lulu’s eyelids twitched.

Inside the exquisite blue box lay a crystal ring.

Its magical glow was unique, neither the purple of Epic items nor the brilliant gold of Legendary ones.

It radiated a dazzling milky white.

Lin Da smiled. “Take it—it’s my farewell gift.”

The ring was of [Oath] quality, with an effect that was simple yet overwhelming: a 30% increase in strength.

At the current stage, it was weaker than extra-enhanced Legendary equipment. But as Lulu’s level continued to rise, even if [Oath] items couldn’t be strengthened, the high percentage-based boost would still make it an outstanding piece of equipment.

Lin Da held Lulu’s finger with one hand and used the other to slide the ring onto her finger.

Moonlight bathed the ring, its light shimmering coldly.

A big furry tail wagged on the bed.

Seeing the ring, Lulu’s ears folded with embarrassment.

After expending their energy, Lin Da suddenly felt a strange surge of motivation.

A dimple appeared on Lulu’s face as she curled up in Lin Da’s embrace, her wolf tail even encircling his waist.

The warm, soft fur brushed against Lin Da’s back, sending waves of electric currents through him that reached the top of his head like a tingling thrill. Lin Da felt as though he was walking on air.

A system prompt popped up: [Witch Lulu Favorability +1, Current Favorability: 90, System Reward Unlocked: Shadow of Darkness Experience Card *1!]

What?

After being stuck at 89 favorability for so long, Lulu’s rating finally reached 90!

“Why are you smiling so happily?” Lulu asked curiously.

“Haha, excellent, excellent!”

Lin Da didn’t explain. He flipped over, took charge, and initiated another battle.

“Mmm…!”

Lulu’s lips were sealed.

…

A sleepless night.

…

The next day at noon, Lin Da supported Lulu as they emerged from the room.

Knut and his group had been waiting in the living room and twitched their expressions when they saw the couple’s state.

So this was the reason they had asked for a day to rest.

But it also showcased the depth of Lulu’s feelings for Lin Da. Thinking about this, Knut felt a bit more respectful towards Lin Da.

“Mr. Lin Da, we will now take Lulu away.”

“Do not breach the agreement—I want her back within five years.”

“Rest assured, the Frostwolf Clan values promises above all.”

Knut turned to Lulu and said, “Your Highness, let us depart.”

“Mm.” Lulu nodded. She kissed Lin Da on the cheek and whispered, “When I return, there better not be more than 20 girls around you.”

“I promise,” Lin Da responded earnestly.

He couldn’t manage 10, but 20? That was easy.

The members of Phoenix Tail Flower accompanied Lulu to the outskirts of the city.

“One less companion again.”

Lin Da shook his head, sighing inwardly.

To avoid plunging into sorrow, he immediately devoted himself to training upon returning.

Lin Da sparred with Taige, sharpening his swordsmanship in his “normal state.”

Taige’s questions were all explained away as amnesia.

In the past, Lin Da felt uneasy facing this dumb tiger, worried that he might be exposed and unable to transform into Dark Shadow.

Now, he had finally turned fiction into fact.

Inside his Space Ring was a warm black card.

Gaining the new Experience Card had bolstered Lin Da’s confidence significantly.

Based on his last transformation, using the card allowed him to reach level 59.

If he waited until level 50, he could likely reach Sacred Rank.

By extension…

But the card’s maximum limit seemed to be only level 99.

When Lin Da arrived in this timeline, Dark Shadow’s level was 69, but his future self maxed it out to 99.

There wouldn’t be absurd situations like Lin Da reaching level 79, using the card, and dropping back to 69. That would be ridiculous.

The Experience Card anchors itself to the peak version of Dark Shadow’s level.

The exact strength he could wield post-transformation depended on Lin Da’s normal-state level.

The higher his own level, the stronger Dark Shadow would be post-transformation.

While mulling this over, Taige launched a punch, sending Lin Da’s wooden sword flying.

The sword clattered onto the smooth floor of the training grounds, and Taige stood with hands on his hips, laughing heartily: “Normal-state Boss is really just a Small Fry. Right now, I’m stronger than Dark Shadow!”

Their sparring rule required them to use only normal attacks, without skills or weapons, yet Lin Da’s swordsmanship was beaten by Taige’s fists.

“Again!”

Lin Da retrieved his wooden sword and leaped toward Taige to attack.

…

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

One morning, Lin Da passed by the Adventurers’ Guild and spotted a golden notice pinned to the top of the massive bulletin board outside.

[Tomorrow at noon, Level 20 Mystic Realm will open.

Blessing: Thunderstorm.

Thunder Series and Water Series adventurers’ skill potency will be enhanced, while Fire Series will be weakened.]

Lin Da squinted, his lips curling slightly into a smile.

Finally, it has arrived.