After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply-Chapter 728 - 506, Who is the mastermind behind the disappearance of Dark Shadow?_2

In any case, Evelyn is full of suspicion.

As one of the top ten adventurers on the Sacred Tree Ranking, Lin Da wouldn’t want to be at odds with Evelyn unless there was irrefutable evidence.

Going against that woman would be incredibly difficult—the 90-level Dark Shadow couldn’t guarantee success; it’d have to be at least 95.”

Lin Da: “What about the other two suspected ‘masterminds’?”

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

Bailuo glanced at Anna with meaningful intent and said: “You probably know very well, don’t you?”

“I don’t think that’s likely.”

Anna tilted her head and said, “The person who likes the Leader the most is her, right?”

“Is that so?” Bailuo responded ambiguously.

“Are you two speaking in code?”

Lin Da said helplessly: “Don’t keep me in suspense; just say it directly.”

Bailuo: “Since you’re confident enough to accept Anna’s commission, you must know something about the Teacher’s Primitive Adventure Team.

The Primitive team’s vice-captain, [Hell’s Judgment] Tina.

She’s who I believe to be the second most suspicious.”

“Why?”

Lin Da asked, puzzled. Tina was one of the first characters he maxed out his affinity with. Between her strength and charm, she was top-tier—it made him spend all his savings to buy her several skins.

Swimsuits, New Year qipaos, full-body black stockings… It emptied his wallet.

“Because Tina is acting way too composed, as if she already expected this.

The Tina I used to know would’ve dug up the entire area where the Leader disappeared to see if there was anyone underground.

And yet, Tina left the next day, taking half the team with her.

To this day, their whereabouts remain unknown.”

Bailuo said coldly: “The remaining teammates mostly followed someone claiming to be the Teacher reborn, titled [Dark Shadow].

He’s what I consider the third suspicious figure.”

“Dark Shadow?”

Lin Da was momentarily stunned.

The moment Dark Shadow went missing, all kinds of random nobodies started popping up and claiming his name—this was definitely a scam!

Bailuo: “He invited me to join him as well, but I refused.

This guy doesn’t even have a third of the Teacher’s strength—he’s just an imitator trying to con people.

And yet people believe him—it’s baffling.”

After listening to Bailuo’s words, silence fell momentarily over the living room.

Bailuo had just revealed a wealth of information.

First, the three mysterious adventurers Coldmoon Duke accepted are connected to Dragon’s Rest Tomb.

Second, Tina disappeared with half of their main team, her whereabouts currently unknown.

Third, a Dark Shadow impostor calling himself ‘Dark Shadow Reborn’…

Odds are, the mastermind is one of these three.

Lin Da thought to himself: “If this ‘Dark Shadow’ can rally half of the Primitive team, they must be somewhat capable.

If Tina is still alive, with her talent, she’d at least be Law-tier.

Evelyn is the most troublesome—she was level 95 back in version 1.0; who knows how strong she is now…”

Lin Da sighed. Even after a year of diligent cultivation, his strength was still insufficient; the enemies were outrageously powerful.

He had to get the key named [Sea Secret Key] within the Ice Abyss.

This item was Lin Da’s true purpose in venturing to Ice Abyss.

The key could open a Mystic Realm situated far off in the ocean.

The reward inside—a rare Law Core—was exceedingly valuable!

If he obtained it, Lin Da’s path to level 80 would be effortlessly smooth.

“Thanks for sharing this information. These clues are very helpful. If we uncover anything further, let’s exchange intel to find the mastermind together.”

“That’s possible…” Bailuo said with some hesitation: “But how much did Anna pay you? You’re aware of the danger in this, aren’t you?”

“I’m a man of my word.”

Lin Da responded vaguely. After all, this pertained directly to himself—there was no room to slack off.

“It’s about time we moved to the main topic. We’ve been asking you questions all this time—it’s a bit awkward. Let me meet your friend; with my current strength, I should be able to purify her corruption.”

“About that…”

Bailuo shook his head: “She’s not here.”

Lin Da wasn’t surprised—it was too dangerous to keep a Witch nearby.

Bailuo said bluntly: “I hid her in the dark room at the top of the Ice Tower.”

“The Ice Tower…”

Lin Da frowned.

The Ice Tower was an Ice Abyss training facility.

Its many mechanisms and Magical Creatures gave cultivation points to anyone ascending its floors. As for the top floor? Only three people had ever reached it in the decades since the Ice Abyss’s creation.

“The Ice Tower’s cold conditions can suppress Witch’s Corruption, but staying there long-term…”

“Yes, the situation is dire.”

Bailuo said: “If you hadn’t come this year, I was planning to drag you here myself.”

“How much time remains?”

“One year.”

“That’s truly not good.”

Lin Da thought briefly and said: “Leave it to me, though.”

Hearing this, Bailuo’s tightly furrowed brows eased slightly: “Lin Da, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it; we had an agreement. I’ll help heal your friend, and you’ll keep my secrets.”

Lin Da looked around the living room: “By the way, where’s the restroom?”

Once Bailuo pointed him in the right direction, Lin Da went off.

Bailuo then said: “By the way, has anyone eaten yet? If not, you’re welcome to try my cooking.”

Everyone present hadn’t eaten lunch yet—they’d been entirely absorbed in their discussions. Adventurers couldn’t “live off air”; the higher your level, the more energy you required.

“Yes, yes, I want to eat!” Taige exclaimed enthusiastically.

Mingli avoided eye contact with the exuberant little cat girl: “Th-thank you.”

Tasya stood up: “Need a hand?”

“No need, I can handle it myself.”

Bailuo put on an apron with a cat paw pattern and stepped onto a small stool as he entered the kitchen.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Bailuo seemed so mature—calm and orderly in speech and action, and even skilled at cooking. If he ever joined Phoenix Tail Flower, he might just end up becoming vice-captain.

After Bailuo entered the kitchen, Taige’s mischievous eyes darted toward the restroom.

Someone seemed to be taking their sweet time in there.

Quietly, Taige snuck into the kitchen, creeping up behind Bailuo, and hugged his slender waist.

“Hehe, Bailuo smells so nice.”

“Idiot, you already have a team leader! Stop saying reckless things.”

Standing on the stool, Bailuo looked helpless as he lightly tapped Taige’s head with the handle of a spoon.

“Speaking of… ” Taige whispered, lowering his voice while sneaking glances to ensure the kitchen doors and windows were tightly shut.

“What’s up? Why so sneaky?”

“Actually, I know where the boss is!”

Clang.

The spoon in Bailuo’s hand fell to the floor.

She stared blankly at the smug, grinning Taige for several seconds before snapping back to reality. She grabbed Taige’s ear in frustration and said angrily: “If you’re lying again, I won’t let you off the hook.”

Already fatigued from dealing with Dark Corruption, Bailuo was worn out mentally, and Taige’s teasing was pushing her mood further down.

“No, I’m serious, really, ow ow ow!” Taige cried out, tears welling up as he explained.

“Hmph! Then tell me—who is the ‘boss’?”

“It’s…”

Just as Taige was about to speak, there was a loud bang as the kitchen door swung open.

Lin Da stood in the doorway with a blackened expression.

…

(ps: Feel free to keep reading; there’s no tragic twist. Dark Shadow is a girl, no betrayal, no heartbreak—all will be reunited.)