The bustling commercial avenue was alive with the cries of vendors hawking their wares—every item on display was top-quality. There was no shortage of Gold-grade weapons and equipment above level 60, along with second-tier Skill Books, and even a generous supply of Master-level potions capable of saving one's life in a pinch. The sight left newly arrived players in Dark Night City wide-eyed with astonishment, their feet rooted to the spot.
"Brother Yuan Teng, this Dark Night City is incredible! They have so many treasures for sale—even second-tier Skill Books are this well-stocked. Back in Ghost Rock City, just having a second-tier Skill Book available was already impressive enough. The moment one appeared, it was snatched up before you even had a chance to choose." A beautiful elementalist, only level 55, gazed at the various second-tier magic Skill Books displayed in the shop windows, her heart brimming with surprise and delight.
In the Divine Realm, magic-based classes were somewhat easier to control compared to melee classes, and their combat power was largely determined by their skills—unlike melee classes, which were less dependent on them.
"Of course. This is the capital of the Dark Night Empire. A massive number of powerful players have gathered here, so naturally, a huge amount of resources flow in as well. Honestly, as long as you have enough Gold
"You can actually buy level 65 Dark Gold weapons?" The female elementalist could hardly believe it.
Although quite a few players had already surpassed level 60, the Divine Realm's mechanics meant that monster drop rates plummeted above level 50, and level 60 bosses dropped even less. This made equipment above level 60 extremely scarce. Mythril-rank gear, in particular, was practically a status symbol reserved for elite and wealthy players.
Ordinary players generally made do with Bronze and Iron-rank equipment. She herself had only been able to afford a level 55 Mythril-rank piece because her level was still relatively low.
Level 65 Mythril-rank weapons and equipment were beyond anything they dared to dream of, let alone level 65 Dark Gold weapons—those were practically god-tier gear.
"Of course, but you need to have the right connections with the major guilds." Yuan Teng, the Guardian Knight, nodded with an air of pride. "From now on, Ye Hua, you're a member of our Eagle Eye adventuring party. Eagle Eye is fairly well-known in Dark Night City—we have connections with the higher-ups of several first-tier and second-tier guilds. As long as the Gold Coins and Magic Crystals are sufficient, getting your hands on anything isn't that difficult. Plus, if you're ever attacked by guild members out in the wild, just drop our name. Members of those first-tier and second-tier guilds will give us at least a little face."
Just as Yuan Teng was speaking, a sudden commotion erupted on the avenue. The packed commercial street parted to form a wide lane as wave after wave of players thundered past on their mounts. Not a single person dared walk in the middle of the road—it was as though a king were parading through.
"How dare they ride their mounts at full gallop here?" The beautiful elementalist Ye Hua stared at the riders speeding past, her expression one of utter disbelief.
Throughout their journey, Yuan Teng had repeatedly reminded her that riding mounts was forbidden in Dark Night City—one had to go on foot. And indeed, that had been the case the entire way. Yet now, player after player was galloping down the commercial avenue on mountback…
"They're the exception." Yuan Teng watched the departing riders with a look of wariness.
"Why?" Ye Hua was even more puzzled.
"Because they're members of the Star Ring Guild. In this city, they're the ones in charge. Even super-first-tier guilds like Crimson Emperor and War
"The Star Ring Guild? They're really that powerful?" Ye Hua couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
In such a flourishing, powerhouse-packed city as Dark Night City, riding through like royalty—there was probably no one who wouldn't envy that.
It wasn't just Ye Hua who felt that way. Many other newly arrived players in the crowd shared the sentiment. Some were already thinking about joining the Star Ring Guild. To have that kind of glory even once in a lifetime would be worth it.
"Star Ring really is that powerful. In Dark Night City, you could say they're the kings!" Yuan Teng said with a hint of longing in his voice.
But just as the fire of excitement flickered in Yuan Teng's eyes, a passing level 65 masked Ranger shot them a look of faint disdain.
"Kings? That's probably already in the past." The level 65 Ranger smiled coolly. "The only reason these Star Ring people are in such a rush right now is that the
"Star Ring being replaced? That's… impossible…" Yuan Teng instinctively wanted to retort, to mock this Ranger's ignorance—but then he caught sight of the black tiger emblem on the pristine white cloak draped over the Ranger's shoulders, and his expression shifted sharply. "Tiger Fiend adventuring party?"
The Dark Night Empire was home to countless adventuring parties—new ones formed and old ones dissolved practically every moment. But the Tiger Fiend adventuring party had endured throughout the empire's history, and was universally recognized as one of the top three adventuring parties in all of Dark Night even the guild masters of first-tier guilds treated Tiger Fiend with a measure of respect.
They were on an entirely different level from Eagle Eye, which could barely scrape together connections with first-tier guilds.
"Whether it's possible or not, you'll find out soon enough. My advice—start making plans early. The Dark Night Empire is going to see major upheaval." The masked Ranger glanced at Yuan Teng and Ye Hua, then turned and walked away without bothering to argue further.
"Brother Yuan Teng… could what he said actually be true?" Seeing the deference in Yuan Teng's expression toward the masked Ranger, Ye Hua couldn't help but ask.
"It's said that Tiger Fiend adventuring party has received offers from numerous super-first-tier guilds. Their members are well-connected with people in those top-tier organizations, so their information is far more reliable than ours. It's probably not false." Yuan Teng watched the Ranger disappear into the crowd and spoke slowly.
"Zero Wing? Brother Yuan Teng, what kind of guild is that? To make Star Ring panic like this—could it be a super-first-tier guild?" Ye Hua asked, curiosity burning in her eyes.
She knew nothing about the virtual gaming world. It was only because the Divine Realm had become such a phenomenon in reality that she'd been tempted to give it a try, and once she started, she'd been hooked beyond salvation.
"Well…" Yuan Teng hesitated. "I recall that Zero Wing is a new guild, but one that's considered comparable to a first-tier guild."
"A new guild? Then maybe we have a chance to join?" Ye Hua asked excitedly.
"I suppose so…" Yuan Teng was rendered speechless. He had worked so hard just to recruit Ye Hua into Eagle Eye adventuring party in the first place!
While the people on Dark Night City's streets quietly discussed the matter, the headquarters of every major guild and power base across the entire Dark Night Empire had already erupted into turmoil.
Because just a short while ago, Zero Wing had defeated the allied forces of the great superpowers, slain over ten thousand elite players, and decisively secured Stone Forest City in the