After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply-Chapter 744 - 514, Four Commanders, Lin Da Appears_2

"Looks like they’ve betrayed us. Smart people left White Dove United long ago—this is clearly a losing battle."

"Hiss... Look, three more Commanders are here!"

The crowd was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Ordinarily, one Commander overseeing a faction conflict would be sufficient. Why were so many gathered today?

Following Commander McCarthy’s arrival, an Elf Mage clad in a white robe appeared.

Next came a Swordsman with golden hair parted in the middle, his expression cold and sharp.

And finally, a burly Dwarf with a thick brown beard and rippling muscles.

A full quartet of Commanders!

At the same time...

Near the entrance to the Ice Abyss, inside a blue marquee tent.

A man with emerald-green hair and rimmed silver glasses curled his lips into a smirk.

Though confined within the tent, every sight from the plaza was reflected in his eyes.

This was one of the Ice Abyss’s Chief Commanders, [Breeze] Angel, wielder of the Wind Law.

Wherever the wind blew, his ears followed.

"Starfire Law versus Magical Dragon Law—will the Great Sword slay the dragon, or will the dragon devour it?"

Angel pondered with intrigue.

Both Lia and Oren were adventurers he held in high regard.

For exceptional students, such as them, extra attention was inevitable.

Angel stepped to the tent’s entrance, swept aside the curtain, and inhaled the fresh air.

Suddenly, he froze, his expression shifting into one of peculiarity.

"Attacking a Chief Commander on your first day in the Ice Abyss, then challenging the strongest Second-year faction on the second... hehehe, Coldmoon Duke, you’ve brought in quite the formidable little guest."

Hands clasped behind his back, Angel stared skyward at the sea of clouds.

A gust of wind swept through, causing the clouds to churn violently, as if an invisible blade cleaved the dragon-shaped sky apart with unyielding force!

...

The plaza fell into eerie silence.

A group approached from the south, led by a man with black hair, with three leaders of White Dove United trailing behind.

About fifty members moved toward the central high platform in imposing unison.

The crowd quickly made way, not daring to stand in their path.

White Dove United might have been a medium faction, but even those of Light Rank would tread carefully around them.

"Why are all three White Dove United leaders wrapped in bandages? Were they wounded?"

"Who’s that guy? Isn’t the faction leader supposed to be at the front?"

"Never seen him before."

As White Dove United passed, the crowd erupted into speculation.

Despite the discussions, nobody could identify the man with black hair, black eyes, and bronzed skin.

"I know him."

Wenqi pointed at Lin Da, his gaze startled.

"Who is he? What’s his connection to Lia from White Dove United? Spill it already!"

The crowd’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and gossip.

Lia’s pride was notorious across the Ice Abyss. It was hard to imagine she’d surrender the leading position to another person.

Wenqi: "That guy? He’s a Star Rank adventurer from White Dove City. A couple of years ago, I even fought alongside him to take down heretics."

Since arriving at the Ice Abyss, Wenqi had distanced himself from external affairs, remaining unaware of the world’s changes.

The Cold Moon Law within the Ice Abyss dulled adventurers’ senses unless they were in extreme proximity or possessed a vastly superior rank; detecting another’s magic power was challenging.

To Wenqi, Lin Da likely owed his entry into the Ice Abyss to his connection with Dean Bailuo.

"I see."

The crowd nodded in understanding.

A Star Rank two years ago—how much stronger could he be now?

An Elf with braids raised a question: "That still doesn’t explain why he’s at the front of White Dove United. Why would Lia give up the ’center position’? Which leader walks behind their own members?"

Wenqi shook his head: "I don’t know. Maybe they have some sort of relationship?"

"Hmph, White Dove United’s loss is inevitable. Sending a rookie as a sacrificial pawn makes perfect sense." A cold laugh erupted from the crowd.

The braided Elf and others considered the idea, secretly nodding, finding logic in the notion.

A leader’s loss was trivial, but receiving severe injuries complicated matters, leaving room for rivals to seize their cultivation bracelets.

Wenqi hesitated inwardly, debating whether to warn Lin Da.

Those three leaders of Dark Rose were ruthless characters; once on stage, there might not even be time to admit defeat.

But after hesitating for a long time, he ultimately held back.

Getting involved might offend both factions.

His relationship with Lin Da wasn’t even close to friendship—it wasn’t worth the risk.

"Sigh, every man for himself." Wenqi exhaled softly. He had his own problems and no strength to save others.

...

At the plaza’s forefront, several Commanders were chatting leisurely.

"McCarthy, do you know that newcomer?" A finely-dressed male Elf with a noble air asked curiously.

McCarthy had been watching the black-haired man intently the entire time.

"Hmm... sort of, I’ve met him a few times." McCarthy replied with a complex expression.

She had initially thought Lin Da’s repeated rejections of Coldmoon Duke’s contract invitations were sheer arrogance.

But now, it seemed he truly had the strength to refuse.

Even without relying on Ice Abyss resources, he hadn’t fallen behind figures like Volgan over the past year.

In fact... quite the opposite!

McCarthy even entertained the thought of tying Lin Da up and interrogating him thoroughly.

All kinds of calculative gazes landed on Lin Da.

Lin Da remained composed, leading White Dove United’s procession straight to the plaza’s center.

Standing a meter away from the icy snow arena, he looked across at the opposing group.

"It’s you?" A surprised voice rang out.

"Yes, it’s me."

Lin Da responded calmly.

He’d encountered the three people across the arena yesterday.

"No matter, it’s all the same. But I’ll say this..."

From his chair, a scarred man with silver hair crossed his hands and spoke indifferently:

"If you’re willing to join Dark Rose, my previous offer still stands. Very soon, due to personal reasons, I’ll be leaving the Ice Abyss. When that happens, the position of Head Leader of Dark Rose will be yours."

This statement instantly changed the expressions of Mi San and Alexander.

Giving the Head Leader position to an outsider?

Oren valued this man far too highly!

The plaza buzzed with shock.

The braided Elf was astonished: "Oren ranked first in all four quarters of last year’s evaluations, even defeating the Demon [Blue Silver Vine], who was 30th on the Light Ranking. He is undoubtedly the strongest Second-year student. And yet, he favors this newcomer so much?" freewebnσvel.cøm

Even when Volgan and Romanli lost to Oren, he’d only offered them membership—not leadership.

In other words, Lin Da held more weight in Oren’s view than either of them!

The crowd couldn’t help but envy Lin Da.

Oren’s offer was tantalizing.

If accepted, Lin Da would instantaneously become Dark Rose’s second-in-command.

It was practically a gift from the heavens.

Though the plaza was silent, everyone’s hearts burned with curiosity over Lin Da’s decision.

Oren remained composed, idly fiddling with the Magical Dragon Totem on his shoulder, patiently awaiting Lin Da’s reply.

Lin Da closed his eyes, reflecting deeply.

Just as Oren admired him, Lin Da also admired Oren. A man like him—calm, magnanimous—would undoubtedly be a great asset on an adventure.

It was precisely for this reason that the Dragon’s Rest Tomb had chosen Oren and entrusted him with a purpose in the Ice Abyss.

On the flip side, joining Dark Rose would benefit his investigation.

But Lin Da gently shook his head and said: "Apologies, my friends are injured. Your people are responsible."

Mi San and Alexander’s faces darkened further.

"You have no proof." Mi San gritted his teeth.

"I don’t need proof—believing it was you is proof enough." Lin Da’s expression was cold.

Oren nodded: "Indeed, no proof is necessary. But these two have followed me for over ten years; we hail from the same homeland. I cannot easily abandon them. So, I must decline."

The negotiation instantly collapsed.

"Enough talk—let fists decide."

Lin Da hadn’t expected Oren to hand them over anyway. His knees bent slightly, and with a light push, he soared onto the icy snow arena.

Scanning the area, his eyes locked onto a certain figure.

A mouse hiding behind Alexander.

No wonder they hadn’t answered the roll call this morning—it all made sense now.

Lin Da pointed at Shu Li: "If I win, can you hand him over to me?"

Oren replied indifferently: "Take him, win or lose—it doesn’t matter."

"Thanks."

Lin Da expressed his gratitude sincerely.

Shu Li, however, was bewildered.

Wasn’t he the Flower Branch Rat Tribe’s greatest prodigy? How come he’d turned into an unwanted item tossed around like leftover vegetables?

Lin Da took his place on the icy snow arena, calmly pulling out a Purple Longsword, chanting a spell, enveloping himself in a green shield, and then announced:

"The rules state three rounds to decide the winner, right? But in my view, that won’t be necessary."

"You want to change the format?" Oren rested his chin on his palm, opened a comic book, and shared it with the Magical Dragon on his shoulder.

"No, I mean—it’s too much trouble."

Lin Da shook his head: "You can send two people at once. If I win, that counts as ’two victories.’"

Pausing briefly, he looked directly at Oren, his tone steady and resolute: "Let’s settle this in one round."