After Zero Wing's main team left the Wushen Ruins, the news spread quickly.
In White River City, if there was one guild most likely to achieve the first clear of the Wushen Ruins, it was undoubtedly Zero Wing. This was because Zero Wing not only possessed excellent team equipment but also boasted numerous experts. Following them were Smile of the City and other guilds, particularly the recently ascended Burial guild, whose progress was only slightly slower than Zero Wing and Smile of the City.
"Leader, it seems all of Zero Wing's people have left," a Level 28 gray-clad Ranger reported to a young man in white robes.
"We're at a critical stage for clearing the dungeon, and Zero Wing has decided to stop now?" The white-robed young man pondered briefly, puzzled by Zero Wing's actions.
"Leader, perhaps Zero Wing realized they couldn't clear it and gave up," a stunning woman in a low-cut, blue-and-red mage robe remarked with a light laugh from the side. "Everyone outside says Zero Wing is full of experts, but it seems they're nothing special. Even though our Burial guild started attacking the Wushen Ruins much later, we've already caught up to Zero Wing's boss and reached the third phase of the final boss. Once we familiarize ourselves with the third phase, we might surpass Zero Wing today and become the first guild in White River City to enter the fourth phase of the final boss."
Hearing the stunning woman's words, the team members looked proud.
"Leader, forget about Zero Wing. We were all recruited as experts by the company. Zero Wing just arrived in White River City a few days earlier. If we had come sooner, who knows who would be the dominant force here!" a tall, imposing Level 28 Shield Warrior chuckled.
Although they were a newly established guild, the backing they had far surpassed that of Smile of the City.
Moreover, their company had spent a large sum to recruit numerous well-known experts from the virtual gaming world. Among them, the main team leader, Yan Xue, was one of the top ten newcomers from the previous virtual gaming season and had once dominated a large-scale virtual game. Now, leading so many experts to White River City, if they still couldn't surpass Zero Wing, then all their years in virtual gaming would have been for naught.
"Indeed, regardless of what Zero Wing does, we will definitely secure the first clear of the Wushen Ruins this time," the white-robed young man, Yan Xue, laughed heartily. "In a little while, Ghost Shadow and the others will arrive. Then, our Burial guild can take the Wushen Ruins in one fell swoop."
At the mention of Ghost Shadow, everyone's eyes filled with reverence.
Ghost Shadow Workshop was considered a top-tier game studio in the industry, having competed against super-guilds in numerous virtual games. The strength of its core members was exceptional. Ghost Shadow himself was even more renowned than the Ice Goddess, Bai Qingxue, and the president of the Star River Alliance, Star River Past.
Just two days ago, the company finally acquired Ghost Shadow Workshop, bringing all its members into the Burial guild. This greatly boosted Burial's strength and gave them the confidence to surpass Zero Wing.
Aside from Burial, Smile of the City was also fully prepared. No one knew when, but Canglang Zhantian, who should have been in Maple Leaf City, had come to White River City. He was accompanied by a group of experts whose presence was intimidating. If Shi Feng were here, he would be shocked to see that all of Snake of the Body's top combat power had arrived.
Among them, the exceptionally talented Teng She was also far from his former self. Not only had he reached Level 29, but he also carried two green longswords of indeterminate quality on his back. The swords matched in design and color, clearly forming a set.
"Brother Canglang, since Zero Wing has given up and left, we'll have to rely on you now," Feng Xuanyang said to Canglang Zhantian respectfully.
After several failures, Feng Xuanyang's standing within the Underworld had declined considerably, but he hadn't given up. As long as Smile of the City could be the first to secure the Wushen Ruins' first clear in White River City, he still had a chance. That's why he had specially invited Canglang Zhantian and his team to help.
"Don't worry, Young Master Feng. Divine Realm is ultimately not a game for one person. No matter how strong Black Flame is, his contribution in large-scale dungeon raids is limited. With Boss Canglang taking the lead and us experts, the first clear of the Wushen Ruins is guaranteed," a nearby Elementalist said confidently.
Canglang Zhantian merely nodded silently.
With the third evolution of Divine Realm, the powers behind the major guilds valued Divine Realm's experts even more. Canglang Zhantian's strength was extraordinary, and his status within the Underworld had skyrocketed. They had provided him with various resources and used the various guilds under the Underworld's control to arm him and his team. Their equipment was no worse than Zero Wing's main team.
Just as Smile of the City and Burial went all out to attack the Wushen Ruins, Zero Wing's guild headquarters in White River City had erupted into a heated frenzy.
"Guild Leader, you've finally agreed to take us into the dungeon! I can't wait to see the look on those Smile of the City guys' faces!" Ke Le laughed loudly.
"Last time you said you'd take us dungeon raiding, and now it's finally happening!" the Shield Warrior, Ye Wumian, also chuckled.
Everyone had already witnessed Zero Wing's strength, but a guild's true power also lay in its ability to conquer large-scale dungeons. Securing the first clear of the Wushen Ruins would solidify their position as White River City's undisputed rulers. Otherwise, other guilds might seize the opportunity to rise and challenge Zero Wing.
However, more than the city's top spot, what everyone truly looked forward to was Shi Feng himself leading them on a large-scale dungeon raid. It would allow them to learn a great deal, providing immense help for their improvement.
Soon, the conference room door burst open with a loud bang, and Shi Feng strode in slowly. He had already used the Demon Mask to alter his appearance to that of Black Flame. While his features hadn't changed, the aura he emanated was even more imposing than before.
Everyone was secretly astonished.
The original Shi Feng had restrained his presence, like an ordinary passerby. But after multiple limit challenges and improvements, his strength was far beyond what it used to be. To completely suppress his aura would still take some time.
"The reason I called you all back today is to inform you of something—a core secret of Zero Wing," Shi Feng said, taking a seat in the high-backed guild leader's chair at the head of the table and scanning the assembled members.
Hearing it was a core secret, everyone immediately fell silent.
"Words aren't enough; let me show you first," Shi Feng said with a faint smile, his gaze shifting to the Berserker, Jian Ying. "Jian Ying, come here."
Jian Ying held Shi Feng in deep admiration. Ever since the teleportation hall battle, he had become obsessed with Shi Feng's combat techniques and spent his time studying videos, hoping to grasp even a fraction of his skill.
When Shi Feng called him, even the usually calm Jian Ying felt a surge of excitement and quickly walked up to Shi Feng.
Shi Feng extended his hand, and a palm-sized black sphere condensed in his palm. The center of the sphere resembled a miniature universe, deep and unfathomable, utterly captivating.
With a flick of his finger, Shi Feng sent the black sphere into Jian Ying's body.
As the black sphere fully merged with Jian Ying's form, his entire aura transformed instantly, emanating a monstrous, overwhelming pressure.
"This is..."
Jian Ying looked at himself in shock, having never experienced such immense power.
If Jian Ying was this affected, the others, with their sharp senses, felt it even more keenly.
"So powerful!" Huo Wu watched Jian Ying, sensing a faint thread of danger. (To be continued.)