Ci Xin shook his head and let out a soft sigh. "It's not the three major dungeons. It's a twenty-man team dungeon — the Orc Arsenal. It's a level 10 to 13 team dungeon, and the equipment that drops in there would be a huge help for tackling the three major raids. We already cleared it on Normal, but Hard is just too tough. We've been stuck in front of the first boss, which is why I wanted to ask you for help."
The mention of the Orc Arsenal piqued Shi Feng's interest. That dungeon did drop some great loot — especially the recipe for初级 fire-resistance potions, and the level 10 swordsman class set, Wind Demise.
Going there once to grab all of that wouldn't be bad at all.
"Sure, but I have one condition," Shi Feng said.
"Go ahead, Brother Nightwind." Hearing Shi Feng agree, Ci Xin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, terrified that Shi Feng might refuse.
"I want all the recipes and blueprints that drop in the dungeon. On top of that, any swordsman gear takes priority for me. If you can agree to that, I'm in." Shi Feng laid out his terms.
Ci Xin fell into thought. If he were leading the team, he would have agreed without hesitation. But this time, the one in charge was Guild Leader Silent Brokenblade, so the decision obviously wasn't his to make.
"Brother Nightwind, I need to check with the Guild Leader. Could you wait a bit for my answer?" Ci Xin said, his voice a touch less confident.
"Sure." Shi Feng wasn't in any rush. He still had plenty of time before he'd be going after the Scorching Serpent Queen.
Ci Xin ended the call and hurried over to Guild Leader Silent Brokenblade, who was clearing dungeon trash mobs not far away.
Silent Brokenblade looked quite young, with a tall and powerful build. In reality, he was already thirty-nine years old. He always wore a stern expression, and his gaze was sharp and intimidating — like a warrior ready for battle, brimming with killing intent.
In truth, Silent Brokenblade had been a mercenary. He had long since been discharged, and after leaving the military, he joined what was then a fledgling Assassin Alliance. Through more than a decade of grueling effort, he had finally turned the Assassin Alliance into a top-tier second-rate guild in the industry, earning sponsorship and support from numerous major corporations.
"How did your talk with him go?" Silent Brokenblade turned to glance at Ci Xin as he approached, asking in a grave tone.
Their Assassin Alliance had been stuck on the first boss of the Hard-difficulty Orc Arsenal for some time now. That was why Ci Xin had suggested bringing in a God-tier expert to help. Silent Brokenblade had been dismissive — what God-tier expert? Just empty hype from other people.
If it hadn't been for Ci Xin's recent strong performance and his recent promotion to guild elder, Silent Brokenblade would never have let Ci Xin make the call in the first place.
"He agreed to come, but he has one condition — all swordsman equipment in the dungeon goes to him, and the same goes for any blueprints and recipes that drop." Ci Xin said carefully. "But personally, I think Nightwind is worth the price. Even the Goddess of Ice and Snow showed him a great deal of respect."
Upon hearing this, Silent Brokenblade's thick, rugged brows furrowed tightly. He was clearly displeased with Shi Feng's asking price.
"Boss Brokenblade, Nightwind is incredibly strong. If not for Nightwind, the Goddess of Ice and Snow, Bai Qingxue, probably wouldn't have secured the Hell-difficulty First Clear of the Dark Moon Cemetery," Ci Xin hurried to add.
"Bai Qingxue?" The name seemed to cast a shadow of melancholy over Silent Brokenblade's face.
That name had shaken him to his core.
Just half an hour ago, Bai Qingxue had stunned every player in the entire
She had claimed First Clears on four level 10 small dungeons and two level 10 small team dungeons — and not on Hard difficulty, but on Hell difficulty. The weight of that achievement was on an entirely different level.
It also meant the equipment gap had grown even wider.
And he had heard that Bai Qingxue was already attempting a twenty-man Hell-difficulty team dungeon. If she actually pulled it off, it would leave every other guild trailing so far behind they might as well be in a different universe. They wouldn't even be on the same playing field.
"It seems this Nightwind really does have some ability. Fine, then — agree to his terms." Silent Brokenblade was now genuinely curious. Was Shi Feng really as formidable as Ci Xin claimed?