"Alright, I'm heading over now." Shi Feng said, jumping down from a tall tree where he'd been surveying the surroundings, and walking toward the rendezvous point.
Fire Dance and the others had already completed the difficult first step, so what remained was up to luck.
If this plan really worked, Fire Dance and the rest could escape.
As for a frontal confrontation with the Dark Star Guild—facing their elite force of over three thousand—that would be suicide.
"Hm, someone's coming."
While moving through the forest, Shi Feng's sharp senses detected movement nearby. He immediately leaped up into a tree.
To the west, not far into the dense woods, a hundred-man elite squad was searching the area. Most of them were red-named players—extremely conspicuous—and they weren't trying to hide at all. There was no way Shi Feng could miss them.
"Uncle Nan Lang, this three-way battle between Xiongba Tianxia, Snake of the Body, and Zero Wing—Zero Wing actually played a huge role. Their combat strength is no joke, far more than what you'd see in those videos. If Zero Wing hadn't suddenly flanked Xiongba Tianxia from behind, Xiongba Tianxia wouldn't have collapsed like that."
"Now all that's left of Xiongba Tianxia are a handful of survivors. Guild Master Xue Ji keeps cursing Guild Master Weiwo for being a shameless traitor, but Weiwo can't afford to turn on him. He's choking on his own bitterness. Black Flame's move there was absolutely brilliant."
"Not only did he knock Xiongba Tianxia out of White River City, cutting off Dark Star's biggest ally in one stroke—he also posted about it on the official forums, drawing massive attention. That's what made the battle between Zero Wing and Xiongba Tianxia so widely watched. Three thousand defeating over ten thousand from a veteran first-rate guild like Xiongba Tianxia—such a glorious victory. It made Zero Wing famous in a single battle. And it made Xue Ji hate Dark Star's guts. There are signs he's leaning toward opposing them."
"A triple play with one arrow. I'm actually starting to admire Black Flame."
A stunning female Summoner walking alongside Nan Lang was discussing Zero Wing's role in this battle with each small step she took. Every word dripped with insight, as if she knew every detail of Shi Feng's plan.
The woman was around twenty years old, with a pair of bright, crystal-clear eyes—pure and radiant as starlight, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking. Her cherry-like lips curved slightly upward as her eyes cresced into moon shapes, letting a faint air of mystery and elegance spill out. Between every gesture and smile, a natural nobility and grace emanated from her, making anyone nearby want to steal another glance.
"You Lan, you're supposed to be the strategical mastermind of our Netherworld Guild. How can you be boosting the enemy's morale and deflating our own? Black Flame just got lucky—that's all. He's nowhere near as clever as you make him sound." Nan Lang felt You Lan was exaggerating Black Flame's abilities. The man was nothing but an arrogant loudmouth, and Zero Wing's sudden rise to fame, along with the trouble it caused Dark Star, was nothing more than coincidence. Not worth worrying about.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it." You Lan smiled faintly without refuting Nan Lang.
"Sure, Zero Wing made a name for themselves and caused us some trouble, but their main squad is still trapped here, completely surrounded. Even if Zero Wing and Snake of the Body rush over now, they'll be too late. Once their main squad is wiped out, it'll be a fatal blow to Zero Wing. We'll see how arrogant that Black Flame can be then." Nan Lang said with a smug laugh.
Zero Wing had built their current reputation mainly by dominating the Level Glory Leaderboard's top ten. Their eight great experts were known to everyone, and they still held the top eight spots without anyone able to challenge them. But once those eight died, dropping them out of the top ten, all of Zero Wing's accumulated prestige and fame would crumble.
"I suppose this is one of Guild Master Black Flame's blunders," You Lan nodded. "Players worship the strong. Holding first place is certainly beneficial, but if you can't keep it, that crown becomes a blade pointed straight at your heart."
Just as Nan Lang and You Lan were talking, a Rogue suddenly spoke up in the team chat: "Brother Nan Lang, I've found their trail."
The Rogue class was not only proficient in assassination but also in tracking. When it came to hunting down players, Rogues were absolutely the first choice.
"Perfect—heaven is on our side! Zero Wing's fate will be ended by my hands. Daozi, notify Guild Master Weiwo right away and tell him to hurry over. We'll go stall them first, and once everyone arrives, that'll be the end of them!" Nan Lang laughed heartily. "Too bad that Night's Edge isn't here. I'd love to make him regret ever mocking our Netherworld Guild so brazenly. But I'll consider this batch of Zero Wing's main squad members as a welcome gift for him."
"Night's Edge? Uncle Nan Lang, do you mean that god-tier expert from White River City?" You Lan's interest was suddenly piqued, and she asked in a soft voice.
"Who else could it be? Who else would have the guts to look down on our Netherworld Guild like that? If he hadn't hidden himself, so-called god-tier expert my ass—I'd make him kneel and beg for mercy in minutes." Nan Lang said dismissively.
Hearing this, You Lan fell into brief contemplation, then broke into a radiant smile. A glimmer of delight flickered through her eyes, as though she'd just found a new toy. She chuckled softly, "One Black Flame pulling the strings from the shadows, one Night's Edge as a god-tier fighter—this Zero Wing Guild really is interesting."
Just as Nan Lang's group was closing in on Fire Dance and the others, Shi Feng had already silently positioned himself among the dense foliage, waiting for them to approach.
"Guild Master, we're ready," Fire Dance said through the team chat.
"Good. Fire Dance, you and five other Rogues sneak ahead and set up ambush positions on either side of their healers. Keep your distance and be careful not to get spotted. Their levels are low right now, so it's unlikely they've learned any detection skills—but you can never be completely sure. The moment they enter Hei Zi's attack range, strike immediately. Don't let them trace our location," Shi Feng whispered.
The moment Shi Feng had spotted Nan Lang's group, he'd immediately notified Fire Dance and prepared to eliminate them.
This was a critical matter. Shi Feng couldn't afford to let Dark Star discover where they were headed.
Nan Lang's elite squad numbered over a hundred, all with solid equipment—mostly a mix of Bronze and Black Iron gear, with the majority being Black Iron rank. These were clearly Dark Star's main fighting force. But Shi Feng's side had over thirty people, every one of them a top-tier player. Taking out this group quickly wasn't impossible, especially since he still had plenty of mass-combat tools—mid-tier Frost Grenades, first-tier magic scrolls, and more—that he'd already distributed to Fire Dance and the others.
Besides, eliminating over a hundred of Dark Star's elites would be a significant blow to them.
Why wouldn't they do it?
"Leave it to me," Fire Dance said, then led five Rogues forward in stealth.
Though Nan Lang's people were elite players, they were only around level seventeen, with the highest being level eighteen. Fire Dance, on the other hand, was already level twenty-one. Combined with her superior skills and equipment, she slipped up beside their healers with ease.
The other five Rogues were no slouches either—all main squad members of Zero Wing, outfitted in Black Iron rank gear or better, at level twenty. They crept into position without being detected.
Nan Lang's group walked straight into the kill zone, completely oblivious.
"Now!" Shi Feng commanded through the team chat, and everyone moved at once. (To be continued…)