If you want to move onto group riding and meet likeminded riders then upgradings the only route forward.
Or you could just join a more relaxed group...
Don't get me wrong, I have
a road bike and it is nice to ride, but more enjoyable? Not necessarily. I got it mainly because my roadster (currently in the avatar) is a bit big (tall with a high bottom bracket) and a bit long (just over 2m front to back) for transporting, whereas both wheels come off the road bike really quickly and it's a little lighter. It's slightly faster but that's because it's a bit lower, easier to hold an aerodynamic position in and geared a bit higher, but it's minimal. My go-to day-to-day bike is still the roadster. I think there's nothing to beat the feeling of riding high, getting an armchair-like ride.
I don't often ride an MTB but I have done and I can appreciate the attraction of them for kicking the back end out or gliding over rough stuff. Ride what you enjoy for as long as you enjoy it, IMO. Don't be pressured into buying a road bike before trying one and seeing if you think you might like it. If no-one will let you test ride a suitable one, you can hire one from various places.