The Molten Ruins, inner corridor.
A team of fewer than fifty was frantically retreating deeper into the ruins while simultaneously holding off two Level 106 high-tier Great Lord-class Guardian Giants.
Though the team numbered fewer than fifty, it boasted a full eight Tier 3 Class experts. Among them, a female Guardian Knight standing a full meter ninety tall, clad in silver-and-black armor and wielding a dark-rune magic shield and a two-handed greatsword, single-handedly held back both Guardian Giants without giving an inch.
Thanks to this female Guardian Knight's performance, the other Tier 3 experts were free to deal with the dozen-odd Great Lord-class Guardian Mechanical Puppets surging forward, ensuring the entire team could retreat safely.
And this valiant Tier 3 female Guardian Knight was none other than Zi Wei, the captain of the Blade of the Firmament Adventure Team — known to everyone on Dragon Heart Island — and the very soul of the entire Blade of the Firmament.
"Guild Leader, I just received a message from Fan Mu Ran offline. Mu Ran says she found the Guild Master of the Zero Wing guild, Black Flame, and after negotiations, their condition for rescuing us is a branch from the main trunk of the Tree of Life." At that moment, a Level 101 Tier 3 Assassin suddenly appeared beside Zi Wei and reported.
The moment this Tier 3 Assassin spoke, the entire team fell silent.
"This Zero Wing has quite the appetite!" a Level 102 Tier 3 Berserker roared in fury. "We've been risking our lives in this inner corridor, pushing deeper into the ruins, all to protect the main trunk branch. And now they have the nerve to ask for the main trunk? Wouldn't that mean everything we've done has been for nothing?"
"Exactly. If we're really going to give up a main trunk branch, we'd be better off making a deal with Battle Blood, or any other superpower — at least that would come with some assurance." A nearby Tier 3 Elementalist nodded in agreement.
The others present were in complete agreement.
They had fought tooth and nail to guard the main trunk of the Tree of Life up to this point, and the idea of letting Zero Wing simply walk in and take it was almost laughable.
If it came to that, they would be far better off striking a deal with one of the true superpowers. Given the value of the Tree of Life's main trunk, those factions would jump at the opportunity — and at least there would be far more assurance than with Zero Wing.
"Shen Ying, what's your take?" Ziwei, clad in a silver helmet, called out to the Tier 3 Assassin even as she continued fighting.
Her voice cut through the clamor like a song from the heavens, carrying an indescribable sense of righteousness and sanctity. The murmuring team fell silent at once, turning their full attention to their vice captain's thoughts.
"Captain, if you want my honest opinion — we won't be able to hold onto the main trunk of the Tree of Life. And for the other superpowers, a branch isn't all that attractive either. None of the major factions would be willing to wage a direct war with Battle Blood over this." The male Assassin, Shen Ying, whose face remained completely obscured, spoke in a measured tone. "However, if we're willing to put the main trunk on the table as a bargaining chip, then our options become considerably wider."
"What are you suggesting?" Ziwei asked flatly.
"Giving it to Battle Blood is out of the question. Zero Wing can be dismissed. Even the other superpowers aren't all that reliable. I received word offline from the Thirteen Royal Courts — not sure how they got wind of it, but they know we have the main trunk. They've offered to help us. As long as we're willing to trade the main trunk, they'll not only send a rescue force, but they'll also provide protection and convenience for our Skywings Blade on Dragonheart Island in the future," Shen Ying said.
Hearing this, every person present felt a pang of reluctant indignation — yet what Shen Ying said made perfect sense.
The Molten Ruins were extraordinarily dangerous. Although the major superpowers on Dragonheart Island had all come searching for Hippogriff eggs, most of them could only operate in the outer perimeter of the ruins. Those who had managed to set foot in the inner zone were vanishingly few, and their own team had only barely entered it through extraordinary means.
Although Zero Wing was not lacking in top-tier combat strength compared to those superpowers, whether some superpowers could even set foot in the inner zone was debatable, let alone come to their rescue. The only force with both the strength and the assurance to do so was the Thirteen Royal Courts.
Ziwei immediately fell silent, and everyone quietly watched their leader Ziwei, waiting for her final decision.
Because no matter what decision Leader Ziwei made, they would carry it out without hesitation.
"Fine. We'll do as you suggest," Ziwei said.
"Then I'll go notify the Thirteen Royal Courts right away." Shen Ying rose to her feet, preparing to log out.