Stone Forest City, Zero Wing's headquarters.
In Zero Wing's lavish and spacious reception room, Pang Wushang and the Recluse sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, their expressions decidedly grim.
"Guild Leader Hell Howl, are you saying President Black Flame doesn't intend to meet with us?" Pang Wushang asked, his face darkening as Hell Howl walked in to deliver the news.
"That's right. He already knows what you wanted to discuss, so he asked me to pass along a message: during the family tournament, he will personally escort Wuyin to the Violet Sword. There's no need for you to trouble yourselves." Hell Howl nodded, his tone completely flat.
As Hell Howl finished speaking, both Pang Wushang and the Recluse froze—Pang Wushang most of all.
Before coming to Zero Wing's headquarters, he had considered every possible scenario and even prepared plans to deal with Shi Feng's refusal to let go. But he never imagined that Shi Feng would refuse to even see them, essentially telling them to leave on the spot…
But that wasn't the most shocking part.
What truly stunned them was that Hell Howl had actually followed Shi Feng's instructions and come personally to deliver the message.
That the Underworld Empire and Zero Wing had a cooperative relationship was no secret among the major superpowers. The battle at the Dark World's teleportation gate had laid that partnership bare for all to see.
But who was Hell Howl?
He was the God of Death known to every major power on the Western Continent, the commander of the ace legion of the Underworld Empire—one of the five great super guilds. Even the guild master of the Violet Sword would treat him with the utmost caution. Yet here he was, running errands on Shi Feng's orders…
"Fine! Since President Black Flame already understands the situation, we won't intrude any longer!" Pang Wushang composed himself, then led the Recluse out through the reception room door.
As Pang Wushang and his group departed from Zero Wing's headquarters, the atmosphere around them turned icy cold, sending a chill through every nearby player. They all instinctively wanted to distance themselves from Pang Wushang—especially the experts from Azure Commerce.
"I never expected Zero Wing's relationship with the Underworld Empire to be even better than we imagined," the Recluse said slowly, watching Pang Wushang's dark expression. "Even Hell Howl listens to Black Flame. If the Violet Sword finds out about this, they might actually make some concessions."
"Concessions?" Pang Wushang let out a scoff. "I'll admit Zero Wing has deep ties with the Underworld Empire. But the Underworld Empire is the Underworld Empire, and Zero Wing is Zero Wing. Even if they're allies, Zero Wing has virtually no presence on the Western Continent, while the Violet Sword is a colossus there—deeply rooted and entrenched. The balance of power is obvious. How much would the Underworld Empire really be willing to invest?"
"And this matter concerns the Violet Sword's future plans and guild prestige. There's no way the Violet Sword will back down just because the Underworld Empire is involved. After all, the Violet Sword has always aspired to join those five great super guilds. What good is it that Zero Wing is on good terms with the Underworld Empire?"
"As for wanting to personally visit the Violet Sword to negotiate—what a joke!"
"But I suppose we've more or less accomplished our purpose for this trip. Are you heading back now?" the Recluse asked.
"Of course I'm heading back." Pang Wushang cast a cold glance at Zero Wing's headquarters, a sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth. "The Violet Sword has already issued a warning to our Pang family. Since this Black Flame insists on going his own way, don't blame me for relaying everything back to the Violet Sword word for word. I'd love to see whether Black Flame can still be this tough then!"
With that, Pang Wushang left Stone Forest City and headed straight back to the Western Continent, ready to report everything to both his family and the Violet Sword.
Yet not long after Pang Wushang and his group departed, Miao Wuyin—who had received the news at the Candlefire Trading Company—was stunned.
"Guild Leader, you're not actually planning to visit the Violet Sword, are you?" Miao Wuyin couldn't help but ask, looking at Shi Feng on the video call.
Not meeting with Fifth Uncle and the others was one thing. Now he was telling Azure Commerce to stay out of it and declaring he would personally resolve the matter. That was far too reckless.
Zero Wing may have become a major power on the Eastern Continent, but it had virtually no foothold on the Western Continent. Expecting to convince the Violet Sword to abandon its plans—or worse, to make the Zeus Financial Group give up its long-laid strategy—was simply impossible.
If things went wrong, not only would the problem remain unsolved, but the Zeus Financial Group would become an enemy of Zero Wing. That would be anything but good.
"Since I said it, I'll naturally go when the time comes." Shi Feng nodded with absolute certainty. "And not only will we go—we'll go in spectacular fashion!"
"Spectacular fashion?" Miao Wuyin felt like Shi Feng had truly lost his mind.
This was the Violet Sword they were talking about, and on the Western Continent at that. If the Violet Sword learned about today's events, forget about making a grand entrance—whether they could come out alive was anyone's guess.
"I hear the younger generation of other families in your Azure Commerce has been invited to the Violet Sword for advancement training. If that's the case, put aside your potion-making for now and come to Lost Town to train with everything you've got." Shi Feng was entirely unfazed by Miao Wuyin's speechless expression. "It's time to show both your family and the Violet Sword what Zero Wing is truly capable of!"
"The family tournament is only a few days away. Training now might be too late…" Miao Wuyin couldn't help but worry about Shi Feng's proposal.
It wasn't that she doubted his ability—especially when it came to leveling up. That had been thoroughly proven by the main raid teams of the two dark guilds.
But the Azure Commerce family tournament wasn't like a PK battle in some dark arena. It was a pure contest of combat skill and technique. Weapons and equipment were ultimately external advantages—anyone with real strength could acquire them eventually, especially with the Commerce's support. So what truly mattered was potential.
Yet improving technique and combat prowess wasn't something that happened overnight. It required long-term training and accumulated experience.
With only six days left before the family tournament, achieving any meaningful leap in such a short time was unrealistic, let alone making an impression.
She knew that among Azure Commerce's younger generation, her combat talent was fairly impressive—but compared to those prodigies who devoted themselves entirely to fighting, she was far behind.
Just among those she knew, two were on the verge of reaching the Domain, and one had already stepped into it. With her current level—still half a step from the Void Realm—victory was simply impossible.
"I understand. But sharpening the blade before battle is better than nothing, and there are many different approaches to combat." Shi Feng understood Miao Wuyin's concerns and smiled faintly. "Anyway, come over first. I've already granted you access to Lost Town. Just head to the headquarters and buy a teleportation scroll."
"Alright, I'll head over now."
Watching Shi Feng's unwavering confidence, Miao Wuyin decided there was nothing to lose by trying. Her time at Zero Wing had already brought her enormous gains, and she couldn't let Zero Wing's reputation suffer. With that, she left the Candlefire Trading Company and headed for Zero Wing's headquarters.