After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

He quickened his pace and took the "Magic Dragon Soft Armor."

The soft armor was brown with firm dragon scales, and at the center was a fist-sized, diamond-shaped earth system gem.

A hexagram magic array was engraved around the gem.

Lin Da could feel the powerful magic power fluctuations from the gem; it must be a Level 30 Secret Realm Guardian's Demon Core.

And the materials he provided to Gale were only the Earth Dragon's skin and the Thousand-Change Demon's core.

This Level 30 Secret Realm Guardian Core was obviously out of Gale's own pocket.

"Thanks," Lin Da said earnestly.

"Hey, it was the team leader's idea; he's not short of cores. Rather than wasting them, better to use them on this armor," Gale chuckled.

Lin Da nodded, knowing that the other party said this just to make it easier for him to accept. A Level 30 Secret Realm Guardian Core, more valuable than gold coins—how could anyone think it too many?

Lin Da's gaze moved to the equipment in his hands, and the attribute panel popped up:

[Name: Magic Dragon Soft Armor]

[Type: Equipment-Chest]

[Quality: Epic Three Stars]

[Level: 25]

[Attribute Points: health+3000, earth damage reduction 20%, defense+100]

[Equipment score: 2780. Reliable soft armor crafted from the skin of an Earth Dragon. Perhaps you can wear it and tell the young Earth Dragon how warm it is inside its mother.]

After reading the equipment description, Lin Da inwardly exclaimed at how impressive it was.

3000 points of health, plus 100 points of defense, and 20% reduction in earth damage.

The score of the Sword of Royalty was only 1923, whereas the soft armor crafted from Earth Dragon's skin scored an impressive 2780.

Indeed, equipment crafted from Dragon Series materials was exceptional.

In this world, anything related to dragons, even a sub-dragon species like a large lizard or Earth Dragon, was powerful.

Without a word, Lin Da took off his purple equipment and donned the Magic Dragon Soft Armor.

The health points skyrocketed.

They soared to the terrifying number of 12800!

If Lin Da were to spread the word, it would probably shock the entire empire.

A fragile support class at Level 26 with 12800 health points?

Even a Heavy Armored Warrior didn't have such high numbers!

And the real fragile class, Monica at Level 26, only had about 3200.

Lin Da had four times more than Monica.

And that was without calculating defense.

With defense included, Lin Da's durability would be more than ten times that of Monica.

Wearing the Magic Dragon Soft Armor, Lin Da felt more confident about the plans ahead.

"About Kam from the Specter..."

He talked about the situation in the Secret Realm Square.

Gale widened his eyes in disbelief. "He almost attacked you in public? Does Kam... have a tumor in his brain? Maybe the priest should find a hammer and give it a tap."

Then, Gale stroked his chin and pondered, "Seeing it this way, Kam is impulsive and might pose a danger to the Phoenix Tail Flower. These days, you might want to move to the White Dove Adventure Group's villa for safety."

"No, my idea is to solve it once and for all."

Lin Da smiled amiably and explained his plan in detail.

After listening, Gale's expression turned grave, and he pondered for a while.

Lin Da was not in a hurry; his plan indeed carried certain risks. Gale might seem frivolous, but he was actually a very cautious adventurer, which was why he was fit to command the White Dove Adventure Group.

A few minutes later, Gale's eyes hardened as he made up his mind.

"Lin Da, I support your approach; there's at least a 70% chance of success, and even if it fails, the White Dove Adventure Group will back you up."

"But... are you really confident about dealing with Kam? He is Star Rank, even at just Level 30, the weakest Star Rank, but a Star Rank nonetheless," Gale said gravely.

"Once the bow is drawn, there's no turning back. Think it over," he added sternly.

"Master will certainly not miss," Tasya, standing behind Lin Da, said proudly. "Anyone targeted by Master only has one fate, to fall into an abyss of unfathomable depth and die in agony!"

"I believe in our captain," Monica added.

Lin Da shrugged, "You see, I can't let down the trust of my team members."

Gale nodded, "Then it's decided. I'll go prepare a bit, so things will go smoothly when the time comes."

"That would be helpful," Lin Da said as he rose and escorted Gale to the carriage.

...

Night.

In the suburbs of White Dove City, Building 4 of the prison.

In a spacious study, two adults wearing imperial official uniforms were conversing.

"Hulus has been thoroughly investigated, and there is no connection with the three assassins. According to the imperial law, he is presumed innocent and we cannot convict him."

The warden, named Rucci, was a tall Caucasian with messy dreadlocks.

Rucci sipped his coffee and handed a stack of paper documents to the imperial knight sitting opposite him, who was draped in a cloak with four flames.

Lemy, a level 30 Star-ranked adventurer.

The other also held another position, the head of the Imperial Enforcement Department of White Dove City.

His status was only below that of the mayor and the head of the Adventurers' Guild but much higher than that of the warden, Rucci.

In the presence of Lemy, Rucci always maintained a respectful demeanor.

"When will he be released?" Lemy didn't look at the stack of documents representing Hulus's 'innocence', his attitude ambiguous.

Rucci, who had been immersed in bureaucratic circles for many years, immediately understood.

He said, "'Theoretically' today."

"But the investigation into Hulus is insufficient. I have decided to keep Hulus locked up for another month."

Hearing this, Lemy frowned.

Isn't that enough?

Rucci muttered in his heart, quickly adding, "Three years ago, Specter Adventure Group was found smuggling unnamed magic potions, resulting in the deaths of several adventurers."

"At that time, due to White Dove City having only two Iron Level groups, the significance of Specter Adventure Group was extremely high, and the matter was dropped. Now, I believe that was a mistake and we should hold responsible for the deceased adventurers by sentencing Hulus to six months in prison and fining Specter Adventure Group three million Gold Coins."

"Hmm."

Lemy's brow relaxed.

The head of the Enforcement Department added, "Three million Gold Coins is too little, I reckon five million would be more appropriate."

Rucci: "...You're right."

"Then draft a document." Lemy patted Rucci's shoulder, "Do a good job, and with the personnel changes next year, you might just get promoted to a big city."

Rucci had been waiting for these words and replied with a smile, "The matter will be handled properly."

Faking evidence to get Hulus on the chopping block was too risky, Rucci didn't dare to do it, but keeping Hulus locked up for an extra six months in exchange for a chance to climb up the ranks was a risk Rucci was willing to take.

If there was anyone to blame, it was only Hulus for provoking the wrong person.

Three years ago, White Dove City could tolerate Hulus with only two Iron Level teams, but now, with the emerging potential of Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team, having just one Iron Level group like Young Specter was acceptable to White Dove City.

Rucci didn't mind taking a bit of a risk to make connections with Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team.

In the study, the two men looked at each other and smiled, shaking hands.

The next day at noon.

Hulus's good brother, Rhode, the leader of the Solid Rock Adventure Group, went to visit the prison.

This tower-like robust man, touching his bare head, looked awkward and hesitant, unable to speak.

Behind the iron bars, Hulus looked anxious, "What, weren't you supposed to be picking me up? The investigation by the Enforcement Department should have ended."

"Erm... You might have to stay locked up for another six months," sighed Rhode.

"What?!"

Hulus's eyes widened.

"There's a second matter," hesitated Rhode, revealing the almost conflict between Kam and Lin Da in the Secret Realm Square the day before.

Upon hearing this, Hulus was stunned, then immediately burst into curses. Read exclusive chapters at empire

"That idiot! With so many eyes watching Specter Adventure Group, he still dares to provoke Lin Da?"

Weylon was waiting for a mistake from Specter Adventure Group, and Kam offending Lin Da at this critical juncture was tantamount to suicide.

Had it been anyone else, Hulus would have ruthlessly eliminated such a liability.

But Kam was different.

He was Hulus's only blood younger brother.

Remembering the dying wish of their parents, Hulus sighed helplessly.

"Tell Kam to keep calm and wait till I'm out of prison," he said.

"Luanwei must die, but Kam doesn't have the strength to do it. Tell him to hold off for now!"

"Okay," nodded Rhode.

The two men cut off their Secret Technique transmission.

Rhode climbed into his carriage, heading towards the villa of Specter Adventure Group.