"
Gu Deng Duzhang's expression darkened at the sight of Shi Feng's sudden appearance.
The other five, mid-charge, pulled up short, their eyes locked on Shi Feng, faces full of wariness.
After the battles at Stone Forest Town and the Ancient Divine Ruins, the name Black Flame had long since rung out across the nations — including the Night Empire.
Though they had never faced him in person, the combat footage made it abundantly clear: Black Flame stood at the absolute pinnacle of the Divine Realm, whether in base attributes or fighting skill.
Under normal circumstances, all six of them would need to exercise extreme caution when facing someone of his caliber.
Let alone now.
Against Huo Wu alone, they had still been fairly confident in completing the mission. But with Black Flame entering the fray, the odds had become completely unpredictable — even they had no idea whether they could still succeed.
"So Black Flame has finally made his move?"
The observers from various superpower factions in the distance grew excited.
They had been looking forward to seeing Huo Wu clash with the Dark Hunters.
Though they were still a little worried Huo Wu might get killed.
Their concern stemmed entirely from wanting to observe the full power of these six Dark Hunters. Players transforming into monsters — this was something none of them had ever encountered, and they had absolutely zero intelligence on it beforehand.
Naturally, they wanted to gather as much information about the six as possible. Perhaps they could spot some clue, some telltale sign that might eventually allow them to obtain similar power.
Transformation into a monster was no ordinary burst skill. It fundamentally altered a player's combat style. If they could have their faction's top experts master this power, it would undoubtedly be a massive boost to their overall strength.
That was precisely why they were now hoping
"Captain, what do we do? There are two of them now. Even if we could beat them with our current strength, it would take way too long." Lan Hua spoke quietly in the team chat, watching the silently standing Shi Feng.
"We're outmatched! Prepare to withdraw!" Gu Deng Duzhang swept a glance over Huo Wu and Shi Feng, then let out a deep sigh.
Regardless of how the fight with Shi Feng and Huo Wu turned out, they would die in the end — they simply didn't have enough time. And if they died, the death penalty they'd suffer would be even worse than what ordinary dark players faced. This was not an outcome he could accept.
"Understood!" The other five nodded despite their reluctance and began making their preparations.
"What? Leaving so soon?" Shi Feng glanced at the movements of Gu Deng Duzhang and his group, mildly surprised.
He hadn't expected the Dark Hunters' six to be so decisive — the moment they realized the situation wasn't in their favor, they chose to retreat immediately.
"Guild Master Black Flame is too kind. We're not so foolish as to think six of us could contend with you and Commander Huo Wu," Gu Deng Duzhang said evenly. "Our mission is essentially complete. We'll be taking our leave!"
The instant the words left his lips, Gu Deng Duzhang launched twelve black arrows.
Four black arrows shot toward Huo Wu. Eight flew at Shi Feng.
Every one of those black arrows carried power at the peak of Tier 3 — far beyond what any current player could withstand. Even against a monster like Shi Feng, he was confident he could force him back, giving the group enough time to escape safely.
The twelve arrows became twelve streaks of dark light, slashing through the air toward Shi Feng and Huo Wu.
Shi Feng, unhurried, drew the Holy Sword Thunder Slayer from his waist and gave a casual wave through the air.
A bolt of lightning bloomed, tearing through space.
Thunderflash Slash!
The twelve black arrows headed for Shi Feng and Huo Wu were instantly devoured by the flash of lightning. The powerful shockwave sent tremors through the surrounding space, forming twelve pitch-black fissures — as though the twelve arrows had been completely annihilated by the thunder.
As the spatial cracks sealed shut, faint arcs of electricity still shimmered in the air.
At that moment, Gu Deng Duzhang and his companions, who had been on the verge of retreating, froze in place — entirely forgetting about their withdrawal, their eyes locked on the spot where the twelve arrows had vanished.
"That's… impossible!" Gu Deng Duzhang could barely believe his own eyes.