Although Shi Feng had never attempted to create a Mana Body before, having fully mastered the foundational application of magic elements — and with his own Mana Body's completion rate already at 120% — he already had a rough framework in mind.
In less than an hour inside the secret chamber, Shi Feng had completed the reconstruction of a new Mana Body. At the same time, the system's notification sounded in his ear.
System: Mana Body Strength reached 154% of your current Mana Body. Fifth-tier lifeform standard not met.
Shi Feng glanced at the system notification and gave a slight, bitter smile. "As expected, rebuilding a fifth-tier Mana Body is no easy task."
The new Mana Body he had constructed could be called nearly perfect. He had incorporated the foundational application of magic elements into every facet of it, even building dedicated condensation arrays for each individual magic element. This allowed the Mana Body to channel surrounding mana far more effortlessly than his existing one.
Yet the final result had only reached 144% of the original strength…
According to experience passed down from his previous life, the strength requirements for constructing a fifth-tier Mana Body varied depending on its grade. The higher the grade of the Mana Body, the lower the strength threshold — and vice versa.
For example, as was commonly known, the Gold Rank Mana Body required the constructed body's strength to reach over 300% before it could meet the fifth-tier Class standard and advance to the fifth tier.
The Bronze Rank Mana Body, on the other hand, required over 500%.
This was exactly why, at the third-tier Class stage, expert players always tried to choose the best Mana Body they could. It wasn't just about the raw mana strength — it also became a massive hurdle for the fifth-tier breakthrough down the line.
"Even 144% didn't meet the standard. It seems that for an Epic Rank Mana Body to advance to the fifth tier, I'd need at least 200% before I even have a chance at breaking through."
Shi Feng contemplated for a moment, then reached into his inventory and pulled out the Sword Saint's Guidance he had obtained from the ancient Divine Realm. He settled down and began quietly receiving the transmission from the crystal.
The Mana Body he had created earlier was already at the absolute limit of his ability.
However, as far as Shi Feng could see, there were only three reasons he hadn't met the standard.
First, his control over mana was insufficient.
Second, his understanding of magic elements was insufficient.
Third, his understanding of the Mana Body itself was insufficient.
During the Sacred Dragon Trial, Shi Feng was confident that his mastery of mana control and his understanding of magic elements had already reached the absolute peak of the fourth tier — there was simply no further he could go. Even the phantom dragon had praised his level, noting that even some fifth-tier dragons might not have been able to match him in those areas.
That alone proved he had no problems with the first two points.
That left insufficient understanding of the Mana Body — and the solution was simple.
The reason Shi Feng had deliberately avoided receiving the ancient fifth-tier Sword Saint's transmission earlier was that he'd feared wasting the inheritance. He'd believed his foundations weren't solid enough and that he still needed more accumulation. The deeper the accumulation, the more effective the transmission would be when he finally received it — and the more transmission charges would be left for other members of the guild to use.
Now, however, his foundations were incredibly robust. He had even surpassed what most fifth-tier dragons could boast of.
Receiving the fifth-tier Sword Saint's transmission guidance at this level of understanding — this was the perfect moment.
Inside the secret chamber, time slipped by second by second. An ever-increasing flood of information and knowledge poured into Shi Feng's mind. The more he studied these materials and insights, the brighter his eyes grew, as though every question and doubt he had ever encountered was now being answered before him. He grew more and more absorbed, completely unable to pull himself away.
Even after the transmission concluded, Shi Feng sat motionless before the exotic beast stone sculpture, his mind still utterly immersed in what he had just received.
While Shi Feng was silently absorbing the Sword Saint's transmission, Zero Wing's various guild cities erupted in upheaval.
For not long ago, Zero Wing had announced the full opening of Zero Wing City. All players could now teleport there from Spring Water City, or enter through the Great Ice Canyon side.
This news left not only Zero Wing's own members stunned with disbelief, but also the free players and major factions who caught wind of it. Their eyes gleamed with avarice.
"Amazing! That's just incredible!"
"I heard Zero Wing City is extraordinarily powerful. Training there for a single day is worth several days out in the field — and that's an understatement. I can't believe it's finally open to the public."
"Several times the effect? You clearly haven't looked at how high those Zero Wing people's levels have gotten. I know a third-tier Zero Wing member who was at my level just a little while ago, and now they're three full levels above me. That speed of advancement is insane."
When it came to Zero Wing City, practically every player on the Eastern Continent knew about it. But because Zero Wing had never opened it to the public, and even the great superpowers couldn't do anything about it, everyone could only watch from the sidelines, envying Zero Wing's members and those who cooperated with the guild.
Now that Zero Wing City was actually opening up, how could anyone not be thrilled and electrified?
In less than half an hour after Zero Wing's announcement, every player and major faction across the Eastern Continent had heard the news. The speed of its spread was no slower than when the World Passage had first opened.
The Firewing Empire. Headquarters of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.
As the most well-informed transcendent organization in the entire Divine Realm, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion was among the first to receive first-hand intelligence. They even knew exactly what Zero Wing City's fee structure would be after opening and its current population count.
"Uncle Yuan, it looks like Zero Wing has finally decided to make its move." Zi Qiong studied the detailed dossier on Zero Wing City in her hands, then glanced over at Yuan Tiexin with a smile. "Now all the great superpowers on the Eastern Continent are going to start getting anxious."
Compared to before, Zi Qiong's bearing had undergone a dramatic transformation. She was like an extraordinary divine weapon freshly drawn from its sheath — not only did she exude an otherworldly aura, but there was also a sharp, indescribable edge to her presence.
However, if Shi Feng had been there to see her, it would have been the change in her temperament that truly shocked him.
Zi Qiong was now a level 153 fourth-tier Sword Emperor, and the mana radiating from her body carried a faint mist — a clear sign that she had already begun achieving the mist state of mana.
"Zero Wing has already hit a development bottleneck," Yuan Tiexin said, organizing the various intelligence reports spread across his desk. Even he felt a flicker of surprise as he reviewed the dossier. "If not for the World War and the invasion of players from other worlds, Zero Wing would probably have stayed closed for a while longer. Keeping a low profile is the wisest path, after all. But now, with the arrival of players from other worlds, if Zero Wing wants to keep growing, it has to open Zero Wing City. Only then can they secure more resources. Still, making this move now is a risky gamble."