Chapter 700: Meeting at the Dinner
Night fell.
The lights of the city came on.
Sard Hotel.
As previously agreed, the team members undertaking the SS-tier Spirit Vault task were gathering here for a dinner to get acquainted.
After spending the afternoon at the training ground, Ling Zhan showered and headed out.
Despite wearing casual clothes and not dressing up, Ling Zhan still drew everyone's gaze as he walked.
Yes, everyone—regardless of gender.
With chiseled, handsome features, a tall and lean physique, and a cold, distant demeanor, he was impossible to ignore.
Especially those deep, serene eyes; just meeting his gaze was enough to captivate anyone.
Even the men couldn't help but think to themselves: Damn, that guy is ridiculously good-looking!
Many beautiful women mustered their courage to approach him, trying to start a conversation or get his contact information.
But unfortunately for them, Ling Zhan coldly turned them all down.
Entering the hotel, Ling Zhan followed the private room information sent by Avril, took the spatial elevator, and in an instant was on the fourth floor.
When Ling Zhan pushed open the door, he saw three unfamiliar figures in addition to Avril.
Lucia, the graceful and mature beauty, was not present.
The three figures included two men and one woman.
One of the men was incredibly tall and brawny. Even sitting down, he couldn't hide his towering, oppressive build. He had thick eyebrows, a rugged face, and long, dark brown hair. Most striking were his dragon horns and the scales on his muscular arms, along with a faint but unmistakable dragon aura. It was clear this man was a dragonkin.
Ling Zhan's first impression of him was positive. The man had a straightforward smile.
The other man…
Well, he turned out to be from Fusang.
With delicate features and narrow eyes, he wore a false, elegant smile. Clad in a kimono, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his eyes flashed briefly with a sharp, nearly imperceptible hostility when Ling Zhan entered.
Avril and the others naturally didn't notice this subtle enmity.
But Ling Zhan, with his heightened senses—bolstered by his growing level and the activation of his Ten Thousand Demons Lord bloodline—could detect even the slightest hint of malice directed at him.
The Fusang man's hidden hostility was as clear as day to Ling Zhan.
However, Ling Zhan remained unfazed.
He had no fondness for Fusang people and didn't expect them to like him either.
The final person was a woman…
She wore the signature robes of a Saint Spirit cleric, her tall, curvy figure barely contained by the flowing fabric. Despite the robes' ample coverage, they couldn't fully obscure her ample bust. Above that was a strikingly cold, flawless face framed by long, naturally wavy hair. Though she carried a hint of allure, the icy chill in her expression tempered any overt sensuality.
While this woman was quite attractive, her beauty couldn't quite match the mixed-blood allure of Lucia. However, in terms of sheer physical presence, she was a close contender.
"Finally! Took you long enough…"
Avril raised her chin haughtily and huffed at Ling Zhan as he walked in.
Despite being 24, her behavior was as adorably bratty as a teenager's.
Her appearance—youthful, charming, and doll-like—belied her earlier cold demeanor in the arena.
"Let me introduce you. This is Ling Zhan, our last team member. Though he's only level 105 and still a non-specialist, don't underestimate him. His methods are strange and unpredictable. I lost to him earlier today because I let my guard down."
Avril pointed at Ling Zhan and introduced him to the other three.
Hearing that Ling Zhan had defeated Avril, all three displayed subtle changes in expression.
"Haha! So you're the weirdo who's over level 100 and still hasn't chosen a class? I didn't expect you to be so strong that you even beat our captain. Impressive!"
The dragonkin laughed heartily and extended a hand with a straightforward grin. "I'm Adolphus, a dragonkin and a Holy Shield Warrior. I'm the front-line tank for our team. I look forward to working with you!"
Ling Zhan nodded and shook his hand in return, appreciating his directness.
Although the introduction wasn't really necessary…
Ling Zhan's SS-tier "Eye of Appraisal" had already revealed everyone's details.
Adolphus aside…
The Fusang man was named Yamashita Masahiko, a level-140 fourth-tier Sword God with a Strength attribute of 2 million.
Comparatively, Avril's Intelligence at the same level was only 1.7 million. Yamashita Masahiko's raw power clearly surpassed hers.
The cold yet voluptuous woman was named Ansely. She was a level-138 Saint Spirit Sage—the group's healer—with an Intelligence attribute of 2.2 million.
Despite being lower level than both Avril and Yamashita Masahiko, her primary attribute was the highest, which was normal for her class.
Clerics often allocate all their attribute points into Intelligence.
DPS classes can't afford to do that.
They typically allocate secondary points into Agility.
Unlike healers who stay safely in the back, DPS classes have to fight monsters. Without some Agility, battles become much harder.
Hence, it's common for clerics to have higher Intelligence than even some magic-based DPS classes.
Worth noting…
Yamashita Masahiko's gaze at Ansely carried a hint of greed and lust.
No wonder he was willing to join this team.
Beyond the Spirit Vault task, he clearly had an interest in pursuing the beautiful cleric.
The dinner began shortly after.
Much to Ling Zhan's annoyance…
The cold and distant cleric, Ansely, couldn't help but steal a few more glances at him during the meal, evidently attracted by his good looks.
Her icy demeanor, it seemed, was just an act.
Yamashita Masahiko noticed this as well, and his gaze towards Ling Zhan grew colder.
Ling Zhan, however, remained calm as he ate.
"Better keep that hostility to yourself, little punk," he thought. "If you show it, don't expect to make it out alive. And if you do, I'll consider myself a failure."
After dinner, Avril confirmed the departure time and meeting location for the next day.
During the meal, Ling Zhan also gained a detailed understanding of the Spirit Vault task.