After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Facing a Sacred Rank opponent, Lin Da was confident he could withstand a single strike.

The only person who could pose a real threat to his life was Commander Angel, a Heaven Rank powerhouse.

Before going to sleep, Lia suddenly asked him, "By the way, do you think I should try mastering dual laws?"

"Dual laws?"

"Yes."

Lia told Lin Da about the "Incomplete Destruction Law Fragment."

Among the three Grade A cultivation rooms, it just so happened that one was previously used by Dark Shadow Dai Lian.

While there, she noticed a black, incomplete fragment.

By reading the runes on the fragment with her spiritual power, Lia vaguely guessed that this fragment, when translated in the Empire's language, was called the "Destruction Law."

"This..."

After hearing Lia's explanation, Lin Da was deeply shocked.

Even when he idled in-game for a while, he had been able to leave behind a law fragment.

But thinking it through, this aligned with the rules of the Mystic Continent. Cultivating in a volcano made it easier to comprehend the Fire Law, while training in a Poison Swamp facilitated mastery of the Poison Series.

The remnants of the Destruction Law lingering where Dark Shadow passed by seemed reasonable.

What was unusual...

Was that the incomplete fragment of the Destruction Law had been left in the cultivation room for all these years and only discovered by Lia.

This indicated that Lia had a good compatibility with the Destruction Law.

If he could transform into Dark Shadow at will, maybe he could help Lia comprehend it.

For example, infusing the "Destruction Law" into the "Demon Sword" and letting her experience it in the closest possible proximity. It would be akin to enlightenment, like shoving it into Lia's head.

Unfortunately, the Experience Card was too precious; Lin Da couldn't use it casually.

"You could spend a month trying it out first. If you can't condense at least one Destruction Law fragment, then give up.

If it works, then go all out.

Mastering dual laws is difficult, but the gains during the condensation of the Law Core are absolutely worth it."

Lin Da reflected thoughtfully.

Lia wielding dual laws like [Bursting Flames] wasn't part of the game's storyline.

It called for caution.

"Then I'll try it first! Hehe, I, Miss Lia, might really become the strongest Swordsman."

Lia hugged her pillow and rolled around on her bed.

Dark Shadow was her idol. Being able to cultivate the same law as her idol was like a dream reflecting reality.

"Seeing you so happy, don't tell me you have feelings for that Dai Lian!" Lin Da grabbed Lia angrily and began a new round of exercise.

"Ugh…!" Lia, at Level 54, had arm strength inferior to Lin Da's. She gasped and exclaimed, "You idiot, Dark Shadow is Dark Shadow, and you're you—they're not the same!"

"Then tell me, who do you like?"

Lin Da snorted coldly and buried himself in the exercise.

Lia only felt her head spinning. For Lin Da's forgiveness, she was willing to do anything.

The strong-willed persona she maintained daily collapsed under Lin Da's terrifying combat power.

"You…" Lia covered her face, both ashamed and furious.

Only then did Lin Da show a satisfied smile.

He carried Lia into the bathroom, standing by the full-body mirror at the sink.

Panting heavily.

Unbeknownst to him, a crow perched on the window sill, its cold gaze fixed on them.

The crow's pink eyes revealed a trace of disappointment. It shook its head and flapped its wings, flying off into the distance.

...

Meanwhile, on the streets of Cyan City.

The entire street was brightly lit, lined with exquisite shops, bustling with people of various races.

"Argh! Damn Lin Da, it's your fault I got kicked out of Ice Abyss!"

A gray-furred rat stumbled out of a tavern, thoroughly drunk.

He carried a green bottle of wheat beer, leaned against a wall, and staggered back to his rented hotel room.

"Who… who are you!?"

He opened the door to find a girl sitting at the table—pink-haired, clad in black, intricately patterned armor. Shu Li's heart skipped a beat and his drunken haze instantly cleared.

Such an evil aura!

This woman… was a Demon!

A seasoned adventurer who had trained in Ice Abyss, Shu Li had reflexes far beyond ordinary folks. His fingernails extended, body crouched, ready to either attack or retreat, immediately entering combat stance.

Shhhk—

The pink-haired girl vanished.

Before Shu Li could react, he saw a black spear tip piercing through his chest.

A bone-chilling voice spoke from behind:

"Yes, my brother deserves to 'die,' but it's not your place to intervene."

Shu Li stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Why…

Why, as the Flower Branch Rat Tribe's greatest talent, Level 52 Light Rank, could he not even see his opponent's movement before perishing?

What did this despicable Demon woman mean by those words?

Was "my brother" referring to Lin Da?

No, no!

Lin Da was with Miss Lia!

If she targeted Lin Da, Miss Lia might get caught up in it.

Terrified, Shu Li reached out desperately.

Miss Lia… Run!

Don't leave Ice Abyss!

With Commander Angel's protection, the Demons wouldn't dare act there.

You mustn't… leave Ice Abyss, Miss Lia...

Thud.

Shu Li collapsed to the ground.

The crimson liquid dyed the white carpet a deep red.

...

...

No one noticed Shu Li's death. His body was perfectly disposed of.

Just like that, seven days passed.

The Spring Exam had arrived as scheduled.

Lin Da and his companions arrived at a large forest situated in the southern part of Cangqing Province.

This place was teeming with magical creatures and rich with rare magical materials, named the [Ancient Forest].

It was said to have been the dwelling of the magical dragon "Mogesis." It had left behind a scale, which turned into miasma, corrupting all the forest's beasts into ferocious magical creatures.

The Ancient Forest was filled with towering trees that blotted out the sky. The faint red miasma corroded the ground, making it uneven, resembling a face chewed apart by insects.

The trees were black and mottled, their twisting branches swaying in the wind like eerie soldiers in formation.

The 700-plus second-year students from Ice Abyss gathered in a clearing.

They looked to the sky, awaiting the Commander's orders.

A middle-aged man with emerald green hair and glasses stood calmly in mid-air. His aura was vast like an ocean of clouds, suppressing the atmosphere into complete silence with his mere presence.

Fear and respect filled the students' eyes.

Ranked 57th on the Heaven Leaderboard, Heaven Rank adventurer Angel, who had claimed countless Demon souls!

Rumors suggested Angel was only one step away from reaching the Law Tier.

Ninety-nine percent of the students set their ultimate goal as becoming a man like Angel.

Only a select few chose to chase the shadow of [Cold Moon Fire] Evelyn.

She ranked fourth on the Sacred Tree Ranking.

A true woman atop the pyramid of power!

Angel being chosen by Evelyn to lead Ice Abyss demonstrated her high regard for him.

"All students are present. The rules for this Spring Exam will now be announced."

In the skies, Angel proclaimed loudly: "Exterminate the magical creatures in the Ancient Forest!

Level 40 magical creatures, 10 worth 1 merit point.

Level 50, 1 point each.

Level 60, 100 points each.

The exam lasts for seven days; the top 100 in merit points will receive rewards from the Coldmoon Duke.

The bottom 100 in merit points will be expelled from Ice Abyss!"

Then, Angel waved his hand, and the sky was filled with green text.

It was the reward list.

10th place in merit: Ancient One-star armor!

9th place: Ancient one-of-a-kind weapon!

...

3rd place: 10,000 points and Ancient Five-star weapon!

2nd place: 20,000 points and Ancient Six-star weapon!

1st place: 50,000 points and a full set of Ancient Five-star equipment!

Instantly, gasps rippled through the crowd.

"What? A full set of Ancient-level equipment?"

"Ice Abyss, as expected—I'm floored."

"The first-place reward is insanely luxurious. It's never been this high! Clearly, this exam's going to be deadly!"

Like a pot reaching boiling point, over 700 students' inner desires surged wildly.

Even Lin Da's previously calm eyes flickered slightly.

50,000 points along with a full set of Ancient Five-star equipment…the total value was about 200,000 points.

And Angel hadn't specified the rank of the Ancient equipment. In other words, if Lin Da ascended to Sacred Rank, the prize would be Sacred Rank Ancient Five-star equipment.

Lin Da's heart beat faster and louder.

He had to secure the first-place rewards!