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The white-haired woman pressed her lips together. After her earlier struggle with Tang San, she looked somewhat disheveled, evoking a sense of pity in those who saw her.
Glancing around at her longtime companions, memories of their shared past flooded her mind, filling her eyes with reluctance.
On one side was the promise of a better future; on the other, her teammates, who had become like family to her.
Though the rest of the Berserker Team were all burly men, they clearly noticed the white-haired woman's concerns and stepped forward to comfort her. They could already see their own futures clearly, but Xiao Bai was differentâshe still had greater potential ahead of her.
"Xiao Bai, agree to it. Always hanging around with us has made you complacent lately."
"That's right, Xiao Bai. In another half year, you'll likely break through to level 40. We won't be able to provide you with good soul rings by then, but this young master can offer you better opportunities."
The members of the Berserker Team spoke one after another, but Old Liang remained silent. After the others quieted down, he finally spoke slowly:
"Xiao Bai, no matter what you choose, you'll always be our sworn little sister, so don't feel burdened. Besides, we're just leaving this line of work, not dying. You can still visit us whenever you have time."
The rest of the Berserker Team nodded in agreement, their gazes filled with affection as they looked at the white-haired woman.
Seeing how supportive her teammates were, Xiao Bai felt warmth in her heart. Finally, she lowered her head slightly, her gaze gradually becoming resolute.
"I agree to join your team, but I have one condition," Xiao Bai said.
Ye Wen wasn't surprised by the request and nodded lightly. "Go ahead."
After glancing once more at her teammates, Xiao Bai said, "I hope that before we officially join you, we can achieve our goal of advancing to the Silver Combat Soul rank and then retire from the Spirit Arena. This has been our long-term goal, and I don't want us to give up halfway. If you have no objections, I'll accept your previous offer."
Hearing such an idealistic request, Ye Wen paused briefly before agreeing, though his expression turned somewhat strange.
If Ye Wen remembered correctly, the Berserker Team would indeed advance to the Silver Combat Soul rank later on. However, once they reached that rank, they would face a brutal beating from the Imperial Team.
If the Imperial Team hadn't self-restricted their strength under their teacher's orders, their raw power alone would completely crush Shrek's team, let alone the Berserker Team.
But since no lives would be lost, Ye Wen didn't feel the need to interfere.
Faced with such an accommodating patron, the members of the Berserker Team couldn't help but show their delightânot only for the prospect of a comfortable future but also for the reassurance that someone they cared about would find a brighter path.
Among them, however, the rhinoceros powerhouse felt a tinge of melancholy.
After all, outsiders often assumed he was the white-haired woman's boyfriend. But deep down, he knew he was just a front. There was a five-year age gap between them, and in terms of talent and soul rings, he simply didn't measure up to her.
The reason they claimed this publicly was to ward off unwanted advances from other soul masters. Some persistent men wouldn't take rejection well unless they believed the woman already had a boyfriend, regardless of whether she actually liked them or not.
Now, as Xiao Bai's cultivation would only grow stronger, the gap between them would widen even further. He was even less worthy of her now.
The rhinoceros powerhouse discreetly sized up Ye Wen.
"He's quite handsome, and not yet twenty. Like me, he's not a match for Bai Zhi. But who knows which man will end up being fortunate enough to win her heart?"
With that, both sides reached a preliminary agreement. Later, they celebrated with a hearty meal, and the relationship between patron and clients grew closer.
Bai Zhi, the white-haired woman with the Ground Demon Spider martial soulâone of the top-tier martial souls, akin to the Human-Faced Demon Spiderâwas 25 years old and at level 38. Though her martial soul wasn't suited for direct combat, her control abilities were exceptionally strong, making her a rare civilian control-type genius.
Based on Ye Wen's assessment of her potential, as long as no major accidents occurred during her cultivation, she was guaranteed to reach the Soul Sage level. Her delayed progress, caused by wasting time struggling for survival in her youth, had slightly hindered her potential.
Ye Wen was confident that with his assistance, Bai Zhi could eventually reach the Soul Douluo level, adding depth to his faction.
Through brief interactions, the members of the Berserker Team realized that Ye Wen was an extremely knowledgeable soul master with unique insights into the Spirit Arena battles. Over drinks, they mustered the courage to ask him questions.
Unlike Tang San, who preferred to keep things hidden, Ye Wen was open with his future subordinates. Aside from his core Xuan Yuan technique, he generously shared his knowledge of soul master theory.
In this feudal era, advanced soul master cultivation knowledge was extremely precious, often monopolized by powerful noble families or sects. For civilian soul masters like the Berserker Team, such knowledge was unheard of. Now, captivated by Ye Wen's teachings, they grew increasingly fond of him.
After all, who among the working class could resist a generous and wise boss?
Bai Zhi's gaze toward Ye Wen grew increasingly appreciative, tinged with admiration. At this moment, she truly began to accept him as her future teammate.
After exchanging contact information, Ye Wen returned to his aimless waiting, occasionally participating in Spirit Arena battles to maintain his presence.
Due to his overwhelming strength, Ye Wen quickly earned a Golden Combat Soul badge. In this remote area, a Soul Elder-level soul master with a Golden Combat Soul badge was an extreme rarity, making it impossible for him to continue fighting.
This Golden Combat Soul badge also symbolized Ye Wen's potential. Some shallow-minded nobles openly expressed their desire for him to join their ranks, even suggesting that he marry into their families. After all, excellent bloodlines were always in high demand among the nobility.
Unfortunately for them, Ye Wen merely smiled faintly and revealed the insignia of the Huo family. The nobles immediately fell silent.
Who could understand his frustration? In such a remote place, he had encountered the eldest son of a Soul Douluo family traveling abroad.
To this, Ye Wen could only think: 'This world is far more absurd than anyone can imagine. Soon, a group of young masters from families even more prestigious than the Huo will arrive.'
For the next while, Ye Wen lived a leisurely life, occasionally exploring Suotuo City to see if he could find any worthwhile delicacies.
As he wandered, Ye Wen suddenly stopped in his tracks after passing two beautiful young women.
Watching their graceful figures walk away without sparing him a glance, Ye Wen's eyes flickered with intrigue.
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