After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

The more fragments mastered, the greater the attribute increase upon reaching the Sacred Rank.

Lin Da mastered 19 Rule Fragments—an extremely rare phenomenon.

Among those currently in the Light Rank, fewer than 20 individuals have reached such a level.

The system notification displayed:

[Experience Points +500,000, 30,000,000/30,000,000. Experience points maxed out. Level up!

59→60!

You have advanced to the Sacred Rank!

Hit Points +30,000, Strength +20,000, Magic Power +20,000, Defensive Power +9,000, Magic Defense +13,000, Agility +5,500, Golden Skill Point +1!]

Both Hit Points and Dual Attack increased by tens of thousands!

Lin Da's total Hit Points reached an astonishing 90,000.

His natural defensive power is already high, equivalent to being as resilient as 10 Lias or 30 Monicas.

Using the Double Shields combination, supplemented with [Complete Healing], and with mastery over the Magic Law, Lin Da gains an additional use of his Ultimate Skill—allowing him to repeat this sequence once more. This means he can endure up to a total of 540,000 points of damage.

His single-instance maximum damage capacity: 225,000!

A smirk curved at the corner of Lin Da's mouth. Despite his experience with countless trials, his heart swelled with joy.

Against Heaven Rank adventurers, as long as he avoids being hit by a "Super Kill," he could survive any confrontation.

By continuing to level up, he could ensure that with an Experience Card, he would safely reach the Heaven Rank!

Lin Da stepped out of the room with a smile.

Members of the team, including Lia, immediately gathered around him.

"Congratulations, Captain, on advancing to the Sacred Rank!"

"Hmph, so you've outpaced me again!"

"Partner, you're incredible—a Sacred Rank adventurer! In the stories my grandmother told me when I was young, Sacred Rank was merely a legend!"

The group heartily celebrated and sincerely rejoiced for Lin Da.

A few years ago, no one could have imagined that a Sacred Rank would emerge from White Dove City.

If Lin Da desired, he could serve in any faction or family within Cangqing Province, holding a high-ranking position.

Stepping into this rank meant that all forces across the Mystic Continent would extend an olive branch toward Lin Da.

"I believe all of you can break through to the Sacred Rank, and I'll assist you in achieving that!"

Lin Da said with a smile.

...

In the afternoon, Lin Da was summoned by Angel.

Inside the Commander's tent, Angel ushered Lin Da to a seat and warmly remarked:

"Lin Da, have you considered your future?

An adventure team on its own won't thrive in the Mystic Continent.

Under the Coldmoon Duke's command, the [Cold Moon Adventure Group]—are you willing to join as a reserve member?"

"Reserve member? Can Phoenix Tail Flower's name remain intact?"

Lin Da's eyebrows raised as he spoke.

His recent advancement to the Sacred Rank had quickly reached Angel's ears.

The Commander's attitude toward him compared to when he was in the Light Rank was starkly different—now noticeably more amiable.

Indeed, the strength of one's fists defines the true hierarchy.

Sensing Lin Da's openness to the idea in his tone, Angel's smile grew wider as he responded:

"Of course.

Your team can still operate freely; it will only nominally fall under the Coldmoon Duke's banner.

For one month each year, you'll need to head to the Royal Capital and follow the Coldmoon Duke's commands.

Outside of that, there are no restrictions."

Angel continued to entice him: "The benefits are plentiful. Completing tasks issued by the Coldmoon Duke earns war merit, which can be exchanged for rare items.

Even complete High-level Law Cores are available!

Furthermore, you'll receive a monthly allowance of 10,000 war merit.

War merit can be converted to Ice Abyss points at a 1:1 ratio.

Now you understand the worth of joining the Cold Moon Adventure Group, don't you?"

A monthly allowance of 10,000 war merit and the option to exchange for treasures rarer than those in the Ice Abyss's Treasure Vault...

Lin Da's breathing subtly quickened.

You prosper under the great shade—how aptly that saying applies.

Phoenix Tail Flower's name could also remain intact.

The team would be nominally subordinate to the Coldmoon Duke in form only.

According to game rules, joining one faction reduces favorability with the other three; their missions become unavailable.

Simply put, aligning with Evelyn could incite hostility from the other three Grand Dukes.

After careful consideration...

Lin Da's eyes grew resolute.

To investigate Evelyn, he must first become her trusted confidant.

If she proves to be an enemy, he'll gather evidence and switch allegiance to the Royal Capital.

If she's not—then all the better.

Among the major factions, Lin Da favored Evelyn's alignment the most.

For one reason alone: Evelyn was exceedingly generous to her own people.

Once she identified subordinates with the potential to ascend to Legend, she provided resources unreservedly.

"Commander, I've made my decision. Phoenix Tail Flower Team is willing to serve under the Coldmoon Duke!"

"A wise choice—from now on, you and I are colleagues!"

Angel grinned and patted Lin Da's shoulder.

"Commander, when will the Coldmoon Duke visit Ice Abyss?"

"This winter, for the third-year students' graduation assessment, she'll be here. Next year, she'll personally evaluate you all—Lin Da, make sure to perform well and aim to advance from reserve member to core team member."

Angel, clearly in good spirits, added: "You can drop the 'Commander' title—just call me Mr. Angel in the future."

"Understood."

Lin Da agreed without hesitation.

He then subtly probed Angel with a few questions about Evelyn.

According to Angel, Evelyn was a fierce opponent to Demons and spent most of her time shifting between the southern battlefields and the 45th layer of the Great Mystery Continent.

Whenever she returned, the severed heads of Demons she brought back would require several dragon-drawn carts to transport.

In recent years, her successes have grown—a total of four Rule-class Demons and one Legend slain!

Hearing this, Lin Da grew increasingly perplexed.

Evelyn's supposed betrayal—was it meant to deceive the Demons?

Or was it to confuse the Royal Capital with the trophies of Demon heads?

It became harder to unravel.

Shaking his head, Lin Da bid Angel farewell and headed toward the Ice Tower.

Now at the Sacred Rank, he prepared to challenge the tower's peak and rescue Bailuo's companion.

Additionally, the Cold Moon Adventure Group's emblem would take about a week to arrive, along with this month's 10,000 war merit and the Coldmoon Duke's welcome gift.

Walking along the snow-covered path, Lin Da silently marveled at the stark privilege gap between the Sacred Rank and the Light Rank.

A Light Rank adventurer with a Ten-Star Rating only received a monthly allowance of 300 points.

Upon reaching Sacred Rank, privileges increased dozens of times—now a monthly allowance of 10,000!

With resources from Ice Abyss, Lin Da realized he could aim for the Heaven Rank within a year.

"Given that Witch Xilin set the meetup at the 30th floor, advancing to Heaven Rank would make me miss the chance. I should cap my level at 69."

Lin Da lightly touched the snow with his foot and flashed forward dozens of meters, arriving at the road's end.

This newfound power elevated his spirit, imbuing him with an extraordinary sense of freedom.

A short while later, he reached the base of the Ice Tower.

Gazing at the tower, exquisitely carved with countless intricate patterns, Lin Da let out an enthusiastic "Ha!" as his Light Wings broke through the Cold Moon Law's restraint, spreading behind him as he soared toward the 15th-floor entrance.

On his previous attempt, he had been stuck at the Frozen Skeleton challenge. With his current Sacred Rank strength, clearing it should no longer pose a significant issue.

This scene was witnessed by the students below.

"Light Wings activated? Sacred Rank?"

"Isn't that the new second-year student, Lin Da?"

"What the hell? Has Ice Abyss ever had a second-year Sacred Rank adventurer?"

"Yes! But only once!"

"Forget it—that was legend-level stuff. Lin Da's unusual, but no match for legends themselves!"

...

Ignoring the chatter below, Lin Da kicked open the heavy stone door of the 15th floor and stepped into a circular chamber.

The light inside the Ice Tower was faint, with only pale blue radiance streaming gently across the walls, cloaking the chilly sanctuary in an air of quiet mystery.

The ice-coated floor resembled an enormous mirror, reflecting the ancient brass clock mounted on the ceiling.

"Tick...tick..."

Time felt unusually vivid at this moment—the clock's hands moved leisurely amid the silence, with a peculiar blue mist gathering to form the distorted digits "4:59."

A five-minute countdown began!

Instantly, the scattered skeleton frames on the ground began to assemble themselves like stacks of blocks, forming one Frozen Skeleton after another.

At the rear stood tall skeletons wielding bows and arrows—their bolts glowing with eerie blue light, aimed directly at the intruder's heart.

The front line featured hulking skeletons clad in sturdy armor, holding round shields in their left hands and curved blades in their right. Within the dark sockets of their skulls glimmered blue soul fire, resembling Death's gaze, reflecting Lin Da's solitary figure.