Chapter 1 The Cold Spring Great Forest, Shilin City Freedom Hotel

Inside the resplendent conference room, dozens of extraordinary Tier 3 experts with imposing auras surrounded a round table, yet the entire room was eerily silent.

A closer look at their auras revealed that many of them emanated a dense bloodlust and their bodies were filled with an extremely thick aura of darkness, far surpassing that of ordinary dark players. These were none other than the high-level members of Dark Rhapsody, one of the three great dark guilds in the Dark World, and the leaders of the top dark adventurer teams.

Besides these renowned experts from the Dark World, the other Tier 3 experts present were also extraordinary individuals, either high-level members of the super-first-rate guild War Soul Unyielding, or guild leaders of first-rate guilds, or at the very least leaders or deputy leaders of top adventurer teams.

All eyes were on a beautiful woman at the conference table wearing a Master Forging insignia, who possessed no imposing aura, yet everyone seemed to defer to her.

However, the woman's face was etched with an indescribable weariness.

"Faced with the Star Ring and the various super forces' covert harassment, I hope everyone can increase their manpower. As for compensation, Zero Wing will not be stingy. Do you have anything else to report?" Melancholic Smile glanced at the crowd and asked softly.

Since Shi Feng and the main force members left the Eastern Continent, Star Ring and the various super forces had never stopped probing Shilin City. Economic attrition, material plundering, and wild ambushes occurred almost constantly. With the increasing number of Tier 3 expert players, the Knight Order's defensive range was also shrinking.

Moreover, with the Vice Guild Leader absent and unreachable, she could only brace herself and take charge.

But as the number of unstable factors around Shilin City increased, fewer and fewer players dared to be active in Shilin City, causing the city's economy to decline day by day. Currently, Shilin City's income was less than half of its peak, while Zero Wing's daily expenses to protect the safety of Shilin City, Zero Wing City, and Silverwing Town were increasing day by day…

"We have some matters on the Dark World's side. Recently, due to the increasing number of Tier 3 experts, many Dark World forces have jointly launched several assaults on the teleportation gate. Dark Rhapsody can barely withstand the current assaults, but if this continues, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out for long," Qinghong said helplessly to Melancholic Smile. "In addition, things aren't peaceful on Tyrannical Ambition's side either. According to the information we've received, they're likely planning a major operation. Our guild hopes that Zero Wing can allocate more Freedom Hotel resources to win over the powerful forces in the Dark World, so as to stabilize the teleportation channel."

As Qinghong spoke, Liang Jing, who was beside Melancholic Smile, frowned slightly.

A large part of Shilin City's current economic income was due to the Freedom Hotel. To stabilize Shilin City's safety, they had already given up many guest rooms in the Freedom Hotel to various forces and adventurer teams, so that these forces' experts could resist the ambushes of the various super forces.

If they were to give up even more rooms now, not only would Zero Wing's own usage be reduced, but the Freedom Hotel's income would also decrease significantly. It was questionable whether they could sustain the current Zero Wing.

The teleportation gate to the Dark World was also a significant source of income, especially the Magic Crystal aspect, which was already Zero Wing's main source. They couldn't afford to lose it either…

"I understand. I'll try to find a solution as soon as possible," Melancholic Smile said, rubbing her temples, and nodded. "If there's nothing else, let's call it a day."

As Melancholic Smile finished speaking, everyone present dispersed one after another, except for Mu Lingsha of War Soul Unyielding, who slowly walked towards Melancholic Smile, who had already walked out the door.

"Miss Melancholic, if you have any financial difficulties, please don't hesitate to say so. War Soul Unyielding and Zero Wing are old allies. We can't help Zero Wing with manpower, but we can allocate some funds without any problems," Mu Lingsha said quietly, looking at Melancholic Smile, who looked very worried.

"Thank you," Melancholic Smile said gratefully. "Actually, we don't have any financial problems at the moment. The key is the various super forces eyeing Shilin City, as well as the problems with the Star-Moon Kingdom and the Black Dragon Empire. If the members of the main force were still here, those super forces would be somewhat restrained, and wouldn't tacitly cooperate with Star Ring, ambushing our Zero Wing members one by one, making it increasingly difficult for Zero Wing to develop in the Star-Moon Kingdom and the Black Dragon Empire…"

Financial problems were minor matters for Zero Wing. The severe shortage of Tier 3 experts was the key. During this period, it was thanks to War Soul Unyielding dispatching many Tier 3 experts to constantly protect the safety of the surrounding areas of Shilin City. Otherwise, who knew what Shilin City would be like now.

"By the way, Vice Guild Leader Lingsha, is there still no news from Pavilion Master Feng of Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion?" Melancholic Smile suddenly remembered and asked.

Zero Wing and Feng Qianyu of Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion had also cooperated a lot. The two sides were absolute allies. She and Feng Qianyu also had a lot of dealings because of business matters and could be considered good friends. After the various super forces began targeting Shilin City, she thought of contacting Feng Qianyu to solve some matters in the Black Dragon Empire, but she couldn't get in touch no matter what, as if she had completely vanished from the world. Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion was also indifferent to this, as if this person didn't exist at all.

"We've already sent many people to investigate. It's strange to say, but not to mention Feng Qianyu, even Feng Qianyu's close aides and subordinates, and even the Great Pavilion Master and Nine Dragons Emperor of Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion have no news at all. Currently, the entire guild is being supported by those elders, and according to the information we've obtained, even those elders don't know what happened…" Mu Lingsha said slowly.

"Disappeared?" Melancholic Smile was stunned upon hearing this.

The core high-level members of a super-first-rate guild actually disappeared overnight without even a shred of news. Who would dare to believe this if it were said out loud?

"But I heard that Mythic Illusion will be inviting Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion to the Saint Reclaimer Alliance summit held in the Fire Dragon Empire. After this alliance summit, we might be able to receive some news about Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion's Pavilion Master Feng," Mu Lingsha said.

"Alliance summit?" The expression on Melancholic Smile's face became even more haggard after hearing this word. "It seems like we're really in trouble this time…"

The summit held by Mythic Illusion this time was ostensibly to solve the problem of Saint Reclaimers, but in reality, it was simply a preparation to unite the various super forces to occupy Shilin City.

If the various super forces reached an agreement on how to divide Shilin City at this alliance summit, then the next step would be to attack Shilin City.

With Shilin City's current defenses, it might be able to withstand it, but the entire economy of Shilin City would be destroyed in an instant…

In fact, it wasn't just Melancholic Smile who felt a headache. Mu Lingsha's side wasn't doing well either. This alliance was not only targeting Zero Wing, but also War Soul Unyielding. It could be said that the current situation was becoming increasingly critical, but they had no way to deal with it.

Because in this alliance summit, more than fifteen super forces were gathering together, and even three super guilds were present. It was definitely the grandest meeting held in the Eastern Continent. It was unbelievable what would happen if these super forces joined forces.

Just as Melancholic Smile and Mu Lingsha were deeply helpless about this, Liang Jing, who was checking information on the side, suddenly showed a rare smile.

"No! It's not us who will have a hard time later, but them!"

"What happened?"

Liang Jing's sudden change made Melancholic Smile and Mu Lingsha feel strange. They didn't understand why Liang Jing was smiling at all.

"He's back!"

"He?"

"Guild… Leader! Guild Leader… is back!"