When recruiting, priority should be given to warriors who are exceptionally talented and of good level.

But Linda thought about it and realized that under the current conditions, it would be difficult to recruit even an ordinary soldier, let alone a genius one.

A level 0 captain and a level 0 rogue—anyone with a modicum of ambition wouldn't join such a novice adventure party.

I guess I still need to go out into the wild and grind monsters to level up.

Linda thought to herself.

As for the World Tree Secret Realm, it's not open to the public yet. Not only is it dangerous there, but the Empire strictly prohibits adventurers from entering the secret realm without forming a team.

Firstly, for safety, and secondly, for team building expenses.

Gu~

As soon as they stepped out of the hall, Linda and Kaphni's stomachs growled at the same time.

It's already noon, and they haven't eaten yet.

Linda was about to find a restaurant when she was stopped by an acquaintance.

"Mr. Linda!"

A warm voice came from behind.

The person who appeared was none other than Jeban, the logistics officer of the Ice Flower Adventure Team.

What are you doing here?

"You've left the team, haven't you?" Jeban asked instead of answering, and said with a smile, "Captain Isa guessed that you were here today to process your resignation statement. Last time you left in a hurry and didn't even find out where you were staying, so she arranged for me to wait for you here."

Linda nodded knowingly.

Jeban quickly said, "It's like this, our captain has invited you to lunch. Please do us the honor of joining us."

"I can't accept your expense," Linda said politely.

"No way, the captain has already made reservations. I'll definitely get scolded if I go back empty-handed," Jeban said helplessly.

Unable to resist the other party's enthusiastic invitation, Linda and her companion boarded the Ice Flower Adventure Team's carriage and headed to a high-end restaurant on Elf Street.

Riding the same two-winged black-blooded horse as the Snow Goose Adventure Team, they galloped all the way and arrived at their destination in just a few minutes.

These horses with demonic bloodlines are indeed fast, and Linda thought that he should get one for his team in the future.

The group filed out of the carriage and looked up to see that the restaurant's exterior resembled a moon boat, with a unique design. The surrounding magic circles shimmered with a white light, as if surrounded by stars, making it a beautiful sight.

Kaphni was a little excited and licked her lips. "I'm going to have a good meal."

"Why do you look so naive? Aren't you a 'god'?" Linda said in a low voice.

“It was tough over there. All I did was study and cultivate. There was no time to enjoy myself.” Kaphni shuddered as she recalled some unpleasant memories.

Led by Jeban, the two entered the restaurant and took a magic-powered elevator to the thirteenth floor.

Jeban led them to the private room and then left.

Linda pushed open the door and entered.

Upon seeing the silver-haired girl who was already waiting inside, his eyes lit up slightly, showing a sense of amazement.

Behind a square table, in an elegant black bar chair, sat a young woman in a dark blue dress.

Isabella's long, silvery-white hair was styled into an updo with a hair clip decorated with a world leaf. Her neck was long and slender, and her shoulder-length evening gown perfectly showcased a large expanse of fair and delicate skin.

The girl's slightly protruding chest had a shallow slit, which, though small, was enough to attract attention.

The evening gown featured a high slit, revealing a stunningly long leg encased in black stockings, clad in gold high heels.

Isa's face was lightly made up, and she appeared less cold and more feminine than usual.

A hint of a smile flickered in her icy blue eyes. Isabella held a wine glass between two fingers and raised it to Linda: "Welcome."

This elegant, aristocratic demeanor made Linda involuntarily straighten her back and politely reply, "Miss Isa, thank you for your lunch invitation."

“There’s no need for that,” Isa chuckled. “We’re friends, so call me Isa.”

“Then…Isa.” Linda nodded and sat down opposite her.

Noticing Isha looking curiously at Kaphni beside her, Linda introduced, "This is my prospective teammate, Kaphni."

Potential teammates?

The smile on Isa's face vanished.

She'd already harbored some competitive thoughts upon seeing Kaphni's beauty. Hearing that she was Linda's prospective teammate only worsened her mood—the real purpose of this lunch was to invite Linda to join the Ice Flower Adventure Team!

"Linda, my team, are you really not going to reconsider?"

Isa put down her wine glass and said earnestly, "I can give you the compensation of a key player, even if you are only level 0 now. Depending on your future performance, the compensation can continue to increase."

“It’s not about the compensation,” Linda smiled. “I have a reason why I must build my own team.”

"But didn't you leave the team because of Lia? Creating your own team was just an excuse..."

Isa became a little anxious, and her tone carried an unintentional aggressiveness.

She genuinely wanted to recruit Linda into the team.

"Lia was just the trigger. Without her coercion, I would have left Xueyan sooner or later."

Linda took a sip of the red wine in her glass, paused slightly, and said:

"I am pleased with your invitation, but I'm sorry, I will not join anyone's team. This is not specifically about the Ice Flower Adventure Team, but I will also refuse the invitation from the White Dove Adventure Team, which has crossed the fifteenth floor."

The White Dove Adventure Team is the strongest team in White Dove City, with a main force of twelve members. At the beginning of the year, they cleared the fifteenth floor of the World Tree and became a Steel-level adventure team.

Perhaps sensing his unwavering determination, Isa slumped her head in dejection.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!