Chapter 1046 - 500: Eden’s Resurrection

The Red Dragon Team halted its expansion once its membership reached around five hundred.

Rapid, aggressive expansion in a short period was detrimental to a team’s stability. The sudden influx of a large number of strangers would inevitably cause a degree of chaos. There weren’t enough veteran members to guide the newcomers, creating a risk of factional conflict between the old and new waves. It was only because Gauss possessed the Proof of Leadership that they managed to accelerate the process slightly. However, more than doubling their size in just a few days still left the team looking somewhat bloated. Thus, Gauss had given the nod to halt the expansion.

They would wait for these newcomers to fully integrate and get on the right track before considering further expansion. In any case, with Gauss acting as the golden standard for the current Red Dragon Team, they could recruit qualified members at any time within the Cold Jade Province.

The only thing Gauss found regrettable was that while many elite and even Master Level Professionals applied to join, Extraordinary Professionals were few and far between. At most, some would send someone to casually inquire.

This was understandable. Extraordinaries were the cream of the crop. Moreover, these Professionals who had already achieved Extraordinary status were generally older and had stable social circles. They either held senior positions—like captain or vice-captain—in large adventure groups, worked in other institutions, or had long resolved to operate as lone wolves. In short, these individuals did not have the urgent desire to seek "protection" like regular elites or Master Level Professionals did.

They might acknowledge that Gauss, having slain the Goblin General, was stronger than them. However, convincing them to abandon the environments they had been familiar with for decades to start anew in an unfamiliar place would still take much more time. The same was true for other large adventure groups that boasted multiple Extraordinaries. Their Extraordinary members were not recruited overnight; many had grown alongside their respective teams.

Gauss didn’t dwell too much on this regret. Taking things step by step was perfectly fine. At the very least, he currently maintained strong control over the team.

Two days later.

Aaliyah and the others, who had gone out into Cultivation to break through, returned one after another. Aaliyah advanced from level 6 to level 7, Ying from level 7 to level 8, and Albena from level 8 to level 9. Even without seeing them in combat, Gauss could feel a far more powerful aura radiating from them than before.

These teammates of Gauss also possessed the ability to fight above their levels. While not as exaggerated as his own capabilities, Gauss estimated that as long as they didn’t cross major realm boundaries, fighting opponents one or two levels higher shouldn’t be a problem for them.

This was especially true for Aaliyah, who returned with a faint crescent moon mark condensed on her forehead. According to her, the moon mark could store Natural Power during regular times, which could be unleashed and utilized at any moment during combat. It worked similarly to Gauss’s Feast Talent.

Furthermore, after her level breakthrough, her Moon God blessed her with an exclusive Tier Four Spell. It was called Moonlight Form. The moonlight energy would materialize into a veil of gauze enveloping her body. This energy not only boosted the various Spells she cast but also acted as a Protective barrier.

Albena’s physique had grown slightly taller following her level breakthrough. She was originally about two and a half meters tall, but now she was approaching two point six meters. With her towering and broad stature, she felt like a solid brick wall looming over people, exuding immense oppressive pressure. Aaliyah and Ying looked like little dolls standing next to her, and even Gauss appeared quite scrawny in comparison.

"I can’t believe we were only gone for a few days, yet the team has gained so many new members," Aaliyah remarked, feeling a bit unfamiliar as she walked through the camp. When she first returned, she had stood there in a daze for quite a while. Had it not been for the Red Dragon Banner fluttering overhead, she would have thought she had walked into the wrong camp.

"Yes, we’re at five hundred people now," Gauss said. "A lot of Master Level Professionals have joined the team recently, and their strength is quite impressive. If you have some free time, you can spar with them."

In truth, similar private sparring sessions had never really stopped. However, the Red Dragon Team previously lacked enough Master Level Professionals. After a round of sparring, everyone became familiar with each other’s strength, making further matches less meaningful for mutual improvement.

Gauss had deliberately directed his words at Albena. She was the most passionate about testing her mettle against others, especially members who shared a close-combat Profession.

"Alright, I’ll pay them a visit later," Albena said, a violent gleam of excitement flashing in her eyes. Having just completed her breakthrough, she was eager to test the pent-up power coursing through her body. It would be perfect if she could find a suitable opponent.

"Where is Serdur?"

"You picked a bad time to return. He just went into Cultivation yesterday," Gauss replied. Serdur had been working around the clock these past few days. His Healing Divine Skills had probably been cast to the point of smoking. After finally returning to rest for half a day, he declared he needed to find a place to meditate and break through.

After sharing a meal with Aaliyah and the others, Gauss introduced the newly joined Master Level Professionals to them. Soon enough, Albena hit it off with Sabrina, the Earth Lizard Knight, and the two headed off to find a place to spar.

"Team Leader, another invitation letter has arrived, it’s from..."

"Please politely decline on my behalf," Gauss told the team member dedicated to external relations.

Ever since he killed the Goblin General, his fame had skyrocketed, and an endless stream of people sought to meet him and build good relations. However, since Gauss had always preferred to live a secluded life and rarely attended gatherings or banquets, they had no opportunity to meet him in person. They could only send people to deliver their invitation letters to the Red Dragon Team’s external office.