16. Isa's Gratitude

The Armored Turtle Snake, without its heavy carapace, was already a tiger that had its teeth pulled out.

The Ice Flower Adventure Team pursued their victory, and in just a few minutes, they had dealt with this massive magical creature.

On the side of the Adventurer's Guild, the spectating crowd also let out a cheer.

Gazes of admiration or surprise fell upon Lin Da.

Although they did not know how Lin Da had learned of the Armored Turtle Snake's weakness, his willingness to share this secret publicly was a great boon to all adventurers.

Without Lin Da's Golden Advice, the members of the Ice Flower Adventure Team would have used their Town Portal Scrolls by now, retreating from the twelfth floor in disgrace.

Jeban, a logistics member of Ice Flower, had his face turn red, almost kneeling down in excitement.

Had Lin Da not helped today, not only would everyone have lost a Town Portal Scroll, but it would have been a severe blow to the morale of the Ice Flower Adventure Team.

"Mr. Lin Da, please do visit the Ice Flower Adventure Team, oh no, another day our captain will surely visit you!"

"No need to be polite, let's help each other out in the future," Lin Da said with a light smile.

Next to him, Kafni was constantly pulling at his sleeve, hinting with 'we strongly need money' eyes.

Lin Da pretended not to see.

In the crystal screen, Isa bowed deeply, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and smiled, "Lin Da, you're still there, right? I've changed my mind now, I will definitely make you a member of Ice Flower."

Upon hearing this, a wave of jeers spread through the crowd, and the way people looked at Lin Da started to change.

Many did not know that Lin Da had left the Snow Goose Adventure Team, and now with Ice Flower's captain extending a cordial invitation, in their eyes, it was nothing short of poaching from the Snow Goose Adventure Team.

Given the poor relationship between Snow Goose and the Ice Flower Captain, it wouldn't be surprising if that red-haired girl showed up on their doorstep any moment.

The crowd also grew curious on how Lin Da managed to catch the attention of two adventure team captains who couldn't stand each other.

The Golden Advice earlier, if it had been anyone else, Isa probably wouldn't have trusted them.

Because it was Lin Da, Isa trusted enough to consume the Gluttony Potion, using the massively draining 'Ice Blade Waltz'.

Realizing this, many adventurers felt as if they had a lemon in their mouths, incredibly sour.

Only Lin Da felt it very troublesome.

He wouldn't join any team, even if Isa's invitation was very sincere.

"Right... those two level 20 Demon Cores," he said to Jeban.

"No need to return them, of course not!" Jeban said with a laugh, "I'd gladly give you two more level 20 Demon Cores."

But, compared to Lin Da's favor, level 20 Demon Cores were hardly enough!

How to properly thank Lin Da, would have to be decided after Isa returned.

"Oh.

Lin Da waited for a while, but didn't see Jeban reach into his bag.

Not quite the sharpest tool in the shed, this guy.

After leaving under Jeban's respectful escort, Kafni could not hold back anymore: "Ask for money, are you stupid, why didn't you ask that guy for gold coins?"

Lin Da shook his head, "If they don't proffer it and you have to ask, you use up at least half the goodwill. Besides, Isa has a good reputation; she won't forget today's events. We all are in White Dove City, seeing each other often; who knows when we might need Isa's help again. Keeping this goodwill is far better than asking for some gold coins."

Besides, they still had nine silver coins. They weren't at the end of their resources yet.

After hearing this, Kafni pondered, "You really know a lot."

It was, after all, Lin Da's thorn-in-the-neck technique.

Lin Da thought.

...

An hour later, in the Inner City District at "Tequila's Home" tavern.

In the luxurious private room on the third floor, the Ice Flower Adventure Team was having a celebration banquet.

Isa, dressed casually with her silver hair tied back with an orange headband into a ponytail, sat at the head of the round table and spoke to Jeban, who had just rushed over:

"Did you find out why Lin Da left the Snow Goose Adventure Team?"

At the mention of Lin Da, the members of the Ice Flower team all got a bit excited, talking over one another:

"Captain, we must recruit him, I've been wanting to test my Healing Art against that 'Eye of Wisdom' for a while now."

"Yes, even though he dropped to level 0, which is quite tragic, catching up later, he can quickly become a major asset to the team, worth cultivating."

"Just because he was once part of the Snow Goose Adventure Team and is willing to help us, he deserves exceptional inclusion."

The members of the Ice Flower, both men and women, unanimously praised Lin Da.

Logistics officer Jeban, panting, said, "Captain, I got it from Chloe with just some snacks, I bought her off!"

"Chloe said that Lin Da was kicked out by Lia for being too weak, and Lia also declared that if Lin Da ever comes back, no one is allowed to sympathize with him."

"Looks like, Lin Da definitely won't be returning to the Snow Goose Adventure Team."

Jeban couldn't help but smile, "This is a great opportunity."

Isa nodded.

She was thinking, no matter what, she had to find a way to get Lin Da to join Ice Flower, a talented Healer is worth training from scratch.

But, how would she repay today's favor? Someone like Lin Da probably doesn't lack Gold Coins; he must have saved quite a lot in the Snow Goose Adventure Team.

Besides, offering Gold Coins would seem vulgar and might lower her impression in Lin Da's eyes.

Concerned about how to return the favor, Isa who always disliked owing anyone anything, fell into a dilemma.

The team's close confidante, and fellow Healer, Fannis suddenly leaned in, a sly twinkle in her eye, "Lord Captain, at your age, shouldn't you consider finding a boyfriend? Dating that Lin Da would surely make him happy! After all, Lord Captain is so beautiful!"

"A date?"

Isa's face flushed as she slammed her large wooden mug full of Wheat Beer onto the table, annoyed, "I'm still young, not yet at the age to need a boyfriend!"

"Hahahahaha."

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the room.

...

"At the next meeting, we should congratulate Isa on breaking through the 12th floor and entering the list of top teams in White Dove City."

Under the night sky, Lin Da, with Kafni in tow, hurried towards the rental housing area.

In his mind, he replayed the scene on the crystal screen of the Ice Flower Adventure Team working in perfect harmony, jointly attacking the Armored Turtle Snake, and he felt a pang of envy.

Every member of Ice Flower genuinely trusted Isa, and Isa reciprocated that trust with her team members.

When Isa charged at the Armored Turtle Snake, all the members followed her forward, entering the attack range of the Armored Turtle Snake.

Even though the team members internally questioned the correctness of Isa's actions.

Lin Da thought back to his time with the Snow Goose Adventure Team and immediately got a headache.

In terms of individual skills, the members of Snow Goose were much more powerful than those of Ice Flower, but they acted like a disconnected group when combined.

He too wished to form a team like Ice Flower.

But creating a team required registration at the Adventurer's Guild.

Only the jobless 'freelancers' have the qualifications to form a team.

Lin Da frowned as he scratched his head.

Currently, he was, in a strict sense, still part of the Snow Goose Adventure Team.

To become a 'freelancer', he would need the captain's signature on a resignation form and a stamp from the Adventurer's Guild.

Then he needed to pray in front of the World Tree Goddess' statue to fully revoke his Snow Goose member status.