"Three!" Wei Li's brows furrowed at the sight before him.
This was the third night they went out to recover essence.
And just as they had expected, the number of beasts appearing had truly begun to dwindle.
On the first night, they obtained thirteen essences. After taking the following night off, they recovered only six the night after that. Then, after another night of rest, they had obtained just three tonight.
"I got one," i Li sensed herself and realized she had gained a single essence.
This was the third ti in a row.
On the other side, i Lan also showed an expression that indicated she had landed the finishing blow and obtained an essence as well.
For her, this could be considered a safety valve—or rather, a danger sensor.
As long as she kept obtaining essence, she would feel at ease.
The curse had no effect.
And this ti, the one who landed the other finishing blow was Captain Ray Kang.
i Li, i Lan, and Ray Kang.
And on the other side, there were those wearing expressions even more bitter than the rest of the team—
The three slaves.
They had failed to achieve their goal once again.
But although they hadn't died on this mission, as long as they kept coming and working, they were bound to succeed eventually.
"Looks like this is all we're getting tonight," Ray Kang spoke with a hint of regret.
Things like this always happen, and sotis, they could turn out even worse.
But this ti was different.
This ti, there was a reason.
Wei Li and so of the team mbers exchanged glances—each one filled with anger.
The reason?
Who else could it be but i Lan.
It happened after him, so it must be because of him.
Envy has no logic.
i Lan felt their stares cutting into her like blades.
She glanced at Kogan, who seed unaware of what was happening around him.
'Looks like we've brought so trouble upon ourselves,' i Lan sighed.
Who wants to attract others' envy?
No one.
Envy and jealousy make a person impossible to understand—they blind one's judgnt.
'If only I were at the first rank,' she shook her head helplessly.
If i Lan had reached the first rank, they might still be jealous, but it wouldn't cross the line. Being at the first rank ant you were soone special—how you got there wouldn't matter.
And more importantly, if she were at that level, then even if those around her felt envy or hatred, there would be nothing they could do.
Simply because she'd be stronger than them.
So what's the solution?
'This can't go on,' Wei Li clenched his teeth.
And he wasn't the only one who thought that way.
"We're heading back," Ray Kang raised his hand and gave the order.
There was no reason to wait any longer.
They had waited long enough and only gotten three—waiting more for nothing would only wear them down ntally.
They gathered their breath and began their return to the city.
The darkness around them felt deeper than usual.
Throughout the journey, no one said a word.
Only the sound of the goats' hooves striking the ground could be heard.
They reached the city center and completed the necessary procedures to hand over the recovered essence.
The captain bid them farewell, and each person returned to their place of rest.
This point of separation felt like knives slicing through Wei Li's heart—and the hearts of the others who shared his feelings.
It served as a reminder.
A reminder that sotis, to achieve your dreams, you have to gamble on your luck.
The morning hadn't ignited yet, so they headed to their beds to rest—they had been awake all night.
Nothing can replace sleep.
Hatred can wait.
****
A team of twenty people, Captain Ray Kang and his partner lived in their own private house.
His partner hadn't reached the first rank, but it was enough that Ray Kang was at the first rank.
Whether man or woman, as long as one of them reaches the highest rank, both will enjoy an elevated standard of living.
Kogan and Mi Lan lived in their own private house as well—though not as large as Ray Kang's, it was still sothing wonderful.
They didn't have to wait long to use the bathroom, and they could cook whatever they wanted in the kitchen.
He was given this house because he was at the first rank. True, he didn't know that yet, but what if, sohow, he discovered it?
Even if he got angry because they kept it from him, they could only say: "Yes, we hid it from you, but we didn't deny you your privileges."
"True, you're still working in a first-rank team, but that was for your own good, considering you're dealing with a sensitive injury."
The ruler chose to bear and handle the jealousy and envy of everyone who rejected the idea of promoting a newcor and a girl who didn't deserve to live the life of the first-rank, only to deal with Kogan's dissatisfaction later.
The other sixteen mbers split into groups, with each pair heading to their respective inns.
i Li, Wei Li, and three other couples went to their inns.
It so happened that all of these pairs had ford a deep resentnt toward i Lan in particular, and it extended to Kogan as well.
The inn was filled with bombs of hatred and animosity.
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