After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply-Chapter 738 - 511, The Strongest Rookie?_2

Chapter 738: 511, The Strongest Rookie?_2

Lia cast a cold glance at Shu Li.

But Shu Li was undeterred. A momentary failure was normal. As long as he persisted, he believed he could move her someday.

After all, he was the Flower Branch Rat Tribe’s top genius. At 25 years old, he had already reached Level 51 and was hailed as the strongest Mouse in the tribe’s history!

If even he couldn’t win over Miss Lia, there probably wasn’t anyone in the world who could.

“Back to the point,” Lia knocked on the table, drawing everyone’s attention back to the real issue. “We need to continue discussing the use of these 20,000 points. Who do we hire? How do we secure victory? This is our most urgent task right now.”

The long table was lined on both sides by Aiko, Klrona, Oru, Ice Flower, and several key members of the White Dove Adventure Group. Everyone was deep in thought.

Twenty thousand points was no small amount. If they hired someone and still lost, not only would the points go to waste, but they’d also have to pay the wager from the challenge notice—another 30,000 points.

Ordinary adventurers in the Ice Abyss earned 30 points per month. Even with Lia and the others having a Nine-star Rating, they made just 120 points each.

If this match was lost, they’d all be saddled with massive debts.

The thought of that unfortunate Light Rank who was driven to suicide by mining torment left no room for anyone to smile.

“What about Winaro of Glory Poison Scorpion? He has an Eight-star Rating, is an experienced senior in the Ice Abyss, and seems to be around Level 57.”

“Romanli of the Academic Faction is a decent choice.”

“I recommend Lidler from the third-year students’ [Eagle Falcon], also a Ten-star Rating, and one of the top contenders likely to graduate this year.”

Everyone voiced their opinions, but no one could convince the others.

Knock, knock!

The sound of knocking came again.

It was still that scrawny guy. Seeing Lia frowning, he wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and said:

“Miss Lia, I told that newcomer to come back tomorrow, but he refuses and insists on joining tonight. He also asked if we have Warm Fruit Potion…”

“Annoying! Can’t he see we’re discussing the life-and-death matters of the White Dove United? Tell him to get lost!”

Lia’s brows furrowed, and she slammed the table as she shouted.

What kind of person was this? She was being considerate enough to ask him to leave, yet he was insistent on joining.

She couldn’t stand stubborn types like this.

A minute later.

The scrawny guy hesitantly pushed open the door, not daring to meet Lia’s gaze. “Th-That guy said your yelling could be heard from downstairs. He also said… a tigress like you would be unwanted even if sold to Goblins… Uh, that’s what he said, not me.” Feeling a murderous aura, the scrawny man quickly added a clarification.

“How dare he!” Shu Li leapt onto a chair, his whiskers twitching as he glared indignantly. “To slander Miss Lia like this? Watch how I teach him a lesson!”

“I, Tolu, would also gladly serve Miss Lia!” The dreadlocked boy, worried he’d fall behind, hastily raised his hand.

“I appreciate your loyalty, but there’s no need. I’ll deal with him myself.” Lia sneered. “I want to ask him personally if Goblins would dare to buy me.”

Whoosh!

Pushing back her chair, Lia grabbed her Great Sword and headed downstairs.

Shu Li and Tolu, her two followers, scrambled to keep up.

“Should we stop her?” Isa asked.

“Let her be. That hothead won’t calm down unless she vents.” Aiko sighed heavily, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

Ever since they left White Dove City, no one had been able to restrain Lia at all.

She was like a cactus covered in thorns—anyone who touched her was bound to get pricked.

Over time, the once-close relationships between Lia and her old teammates from Snow Goose had grown distant. Their time spent together had dwindled as they focused on running the massive White Dove United.

The heavy atmosphere in the meeting room was suffocating. Aiko walked to the window, his fingers gently tracing the glass.

He wiped away the frost and looked out into the snowy, stormy night.

Perhaps only his words could reach Lia.

Aiko let out a sigh.

No one knew where Lin Da was now or how he was doing.

Ever since last winter, the Ice Abyss had been under closed management, and communication by letter was impossible.

Aiko only knew that Lin Da seemed to be cultivating on the 25th floor and, like them, had also advanced to the Light Rank.

…

…

Thud, thud, thud!

Lia’s heavy footsteps left marks on the wooden staircase.

Following her, Shu Li couldn’t help but gloat at the sight.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Having been part of White Dove United for almost a year, Shu Li had never seen Lia this angry.

Shu Li and the dreadlocked Tolu followed her downstairs.

In the lounge, a man was leaning against the fireplace, warming a brown-haired girl in his arms.

Five other girls, each with different hair colors but all strikingly beautiful, stood nearby.

Shu Li was stunned on the spot. He discreetly glanced at Lia, then at the unfamiliar girls, and hissed… Lia was one of the top five beauties of the Ice Abyss, but these strangers? Each of them rivaled her!

This only fueled Shu Li’s hatred for the black-haired man even more. He climbed onto a stool and declared loudly: “Standing before you is one of the three major leaders of White Dove United, ranked 90th on the Light Rank, a terrifying Level 54, the Ice Abyss’ strongest Fire Swordmaster possessing seven Starfire Rule Fragments—the one and only, Miss Lia!

What? You ask who I am?

I am Miss Lia’s most loyal subordinate, Shu Li!

If you know what’s good for you, hurry up and…”

Shu Li puffed out his chest and rattled off a long spiel.

Brimming with pride, he turned his head—only to see Lia impatiently striding toward the black-haired man, her tiny fists clenched tight.

She started walking, then broke into a jog midway, and by the time she was a meter from that black-haired bastard, she was in a full sprint.

Ha! That guy is doomed!

But Lia rushed at him, and instead of slamming him down, she wrapped her arms around him.

What? Why didn’t she throw him to the ground?

Shu Li blinked in confusion. Lia’s embrace seemed… oddly gentle, even feminine.

To everyone, Lia was a heroic swordswoman known for her tireless training—a clear-cut sign of someone single.

But now Shu Li felt a wave of unease. If Lia had a boyfriend, then what was the point of him running errands for her, fetching water for her baths, baking strawberry cakes, and chopping wood during the winter?

Even if Lia did have a boyfriend, surely it would be someone noble and dashing—how could it be this ordinary guy in a black winter coat?

No matter how Shu Li looked at the black-haired man, he was plain. Apart from his unusual hair color, he could easily get lost in a crowd.

Completely unremarkable!

Just then, Lia raised her fist.

Shu Li’s breath caught.

Yes! Punch him! Hit him hard!

Bang!

Lia’s fist landed on the man’s chest with a feathery softness, barely enough to pop a balloon.

“Idiot! You came so late!”

Her pouty voice was like the clichéd scene in comic books where the nice-guy protagonist finds his dream girl being hugged by the cocky athlete in the equipment shed. The impact hit Shu Li the same way.

Smack, smack.

Two more soft punches thudded against the man’s chest.

The man grinned apologetically: “My fault. The 25th floor was too captivating.”

Lia glared at him, her mouth opening to reveal sharp little tiger-like teeth. She bit into his arm without hesitation.

“So, the Magical Creatures are more tempting than me, huh?”

“Ahem, but I brought gifts for everyone… like strawberry cake from White Dove City.”

“Hmm, that’s acceptable.” Lia seemed somewhat appeased.

As he looked at the red-haired girl, whose head barely reached his shoulder, Lin Da couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The current Lia, with her sharp gaze and determined brows, had lost much of her youthful innocence and now carried the aura akin to the game’s “Bursting Flames.”

He wrapped his arm around Lia’s waist, intending to enjoy the tender moment.

But then, his hand felt wet. Puzzled, he glanced at it, only to see fresh blood.

Because her injury was frozen, Lia hadn’t noticed much pain. But seeing Lin Da’s darkened expression made her heart sink, snapping her back to reality.

“You need to leave, now!”

Gritting her teeth, Lia pushed Lin Da away.