(My apologies everyone, I know I haven't been active in the comments section and discord and I failed to keep my promise. This was just a really packed month for me, I had to deal with friends and family's birthdays, exams, traveling and moving, thanksgiving, all that good stuff. But not to worry it's all over now and Lucky Old Cat has officially returned. For those who aren't aware there are already over 10 chapters on webnovel, boxnovel, or what ever website you read from. There are also over 30 untranslated chapters written. If you want to read it google, uukanshu Reincarnation of the strongest sword god, it should be the first link and look for the chapters, it's all in mandarin so you will have to use google translate or something if you don't read Chinese. Also I know people are excited for the Ruined Mountain Range arc, me to. I plan to finish that arc then go on hiatus to and see what Lucky Old Cat plans for his story so I can create a better fan fic for you all. Hope you Enjoy the chapters.)
Currently garnished in a silver one piece dressed and a light red feather scarf wrapping her body, She exuded a calm personality, an oval face, a graceful body as she walked up to the two men.
Seeing the familiar figure walking towards them, Shi Feng couldn't help but reminisce. Back when his entire class was against him for being a social recluse, Zhao Ruoxi was the only person to repeatedly stand up for him.
When she arrived in front of Shi Feng and Blackie a smile graced her cherry red lips. "Well if it isn't Guild Leader Black Flame. After becoming big and famous can't you say hello to an old friend," she said teasing Shi Feng.
"No matter how famous I become it will never get to the point that I can ever forget you, Ms. Zhao," Shi Feng replied back with.
After graduating he had cut off all ties with his classmates. He wasn't close with any of them anyway.
"Shi Feng, we've already graduated, just call me Ruoxi. It's nice to see you as well Blackie, it's refreshing to see the two of you still together," Zhao Ruoxi said, greeting Blackie as well.
"It's always a pleasure seeing you class monitor," Blackie offhandedly commented. Not wanting to disturb the nice atmosphere between Shi Feng and Zhao Ruoxi, Blackie quickly excused himself. "Brother Feng, I have to do that thing, I'll be back later."
After watching Blackie leave, Shi Feng turned to Ruoxi and said, "I would never have expected to meet you here. I didn't take you for the party type."
Even though she is an heiress, Zhao Ruoxi usually keeps a low profile and acts like a normal person.
"Sorry to disappoint but I'm here on official business," she said.
"Official business?" Zhao Ruoxi's statement piqued his curiosity. From what he knows, the Zhao Group doesn't do anything related to the energy field and it mainly operates in Jin Hai City, which is a third tier city. Even though the Zhao Group is the overlord of the city, it should be difficult for it to have major cooperation with the companies here.
Then again, it seems that the Zhao family has some connections with the Secret Pavilion, so maybe he is just underestimating the Zhao Group.
"Yup, business. My family has invested in the guild Shadow that Lan Hailong created. But in order to gain more authority in the guild we are in talks with other companies that have stronger foundations in God's Domain. Hopefully things go well." She explained.
When Shi Feng heard this, realization hit him. He automatically put the pieces together.
In his past life there were many workshops that were created in Jin Hai City. As God's Domain became increasingly more popular and influential the many corporations of the city had heavily invested in these workshops.
In this life thanks to his interference not many workshops exist in Jin Hai City. He had either recruited the original creators of these workshops into Zero Wing or drove them away. Only the Shadow Workshop, which had the support of one of Jin Hai City's most influential corporations could survive.
This means that the companies of Jin Hai City could only invest in Shadow.
God's Domain is a place of wealth, as long as you have a decent foundation even a Third Rate Guild can make a fortune. Anybody in their right mind wouldn't pass up the opportunity
Shi Feng could easily guess the insane political struggle going on in Shadow currently.
At this point Shadow should barely rival Third Rate Guilds. Shi Feng remembers that the guild didn't even have the proper training facilities to nurture more elite and expert players until years after God's Domain release.
If Lan Hailong wanted the guild he created to survive in such chaotic times he would need to relinquish some of his control to multiple corporations.
"Things must be rough for you," Shi Feng said to her.
Zhao Ruoxi raised her ample chest high, her figure proud as she blurted out, "I may have lost some sleep over it but it's nothing I can't handle." After that, she looked at him with almost a pleading gaze. "Shi Feng, is it possible..... actually forget it."
Even though she didn't say much Shi Feng knew what she wanted to say.
Zero Wing rivals Super Guilds in pure combat power, if he or even a random representative went with Ruoxi in support, every single corporation in Shadow will automatically unify under the Zhao Group.
In fact even if a First Rate Guild's representative showed their presence, that will be more than enough. But why would such guilds care about Shadow.
Even if Shadow had the support of a hundred corporations, if it didn't have any potential to become a major power then even top tier SecondRate Guilds would ignore it.
"Ruoxi, how about you join Zero Wing. Although I can't give you any shares of the guild right now, I can offer you a core member position and as long as you prove yourself you can become an upper echelon or more," Shi Feng told her.
Hearing this, Zhao Ruoxi immediately went wide eyed with surprise. She knew how difficult it is to get into strong First Rate Guilds, let alone a superpower like Zero Wing.
Even though she has an account she is new to the virtual gaming world, her game character wasn't even level 80 and she isn't even a combat player.
The only reason she has a high position in Shadow is because the leaders of the guild are all in the same generation as her. Her family felt it better that she should be the Zhao Groups representative in Shadow instead of some old man. It will make it easier for Lan Hailong to lean towards their side.
Instinctively waving her hands, she told him, "Shi Feng, you must be joking. Not everyone is a martial arts genius like you, I wouldn't be cut out to join your guild."
She proceeded to playfully punch Shi Feng on the arm and continued on. "Look at you. Now that you're a big shot you still like to play with people! You never change huh."
Shi Feng smiled bitterly, he doesn't recall ever messing with her. "I meant what I said and I believe you do have the ability. Who knows you might become one of Zero Wing's top experts in the future."
He really wasn't joking. He had seen Zhao Ruoxi train at Big Dipper before. At that time she was training her reaction speed and her score was very high.
In the near future the test that the various guilds would conduct when recruiting internal members mainly relied on their reaction speeds. Those with higher reaction speeds tend to become experts quicker. Just like You Zhiping and the other ex White Tiger Dojo members in Zero Wing.
Based on what he remembered from Zhao Ruoxi at the time, she should have no problem reaching the refinement realm. If he gave her unlimited training time in the guild's realms of refinement training system and extraordinary tower, she should have no problem making it to the void realm.
"Also I'm guessing the situation in Shadow is very chaotic at this moment, Zhang Luowei is more of a figure head and at this point you definitely can't rely on Lan Hailong, I bet his family has taken over the management matters of Shadow and he is there only as a formality since he is the guild founder. If you join Zero Wing, you can free yourself from a useless power struggle of a small guild and benefit your family. What do you say?" Shi Feng didn't give up trying to poach her.
From his experience Shadow is doomed to be annexed sooner or later. The people leading it were only in it for themselves and not the guild.
Just like how Zhang Luowei had nearly crippled Shadow in the past by taking a large amount of talents away after his falling out with Lan Hailong. Or the various Elders and shareholders deciding to join World Domination despite his insistent refusal of the matter. Shadow was doomed to fail.
Zhao Ruoxi contemplated for a second, afterwards she looked up at Shi Feng and said, "I'm going to have to refuse your offer Shi Feng. I know you won't mistreat me but I've already joined Shadow. To you it might be a small guild but it is the guild I am a part of. I can't leave it in it's time of unrest for a better guild."
A smile graced Shi Feng's lips after hearing her words. If she had accepted his offer without hesitation, he would've been disappointed. What a guild needed most wasn't strength but loyalty and determination.
Zero Wing is powerful but there will be times the guild faces unprecedented danger. Who's to say that others won't leave the guild because of it.
Strength can easily grow but loyalty is the true bedrock of an organization.
He's happy Ruoxi isn't such a fickle person. With enough time and nurturing she can be Zero Wing's fifth Vice Guild Leader.
"Seeing as how I can't convince you, how about I offer you another deal," he asked.
Zhao Ruoxi was a little intrigued. Raising one brow she asked, "and what might that be, Mr. Shi?"
"I can offer a little support to Lan Hailong. But he needs to be able to offer me something I want in return, preferably some kind of resource item in the game," Shi Feng said.
"Shi Feng are you sure?" She knew that he wasn't too fond of Shadow. Many of the upper echelon used to bully him back in the day. How can he so easily forgive that. That's the reason she decided not to ask for his help. "If you are doing this because of me, don't force yourself."
Shi Feng could only laugh, he knew what she was thinking. Mentally he is over 30 years old, how can he hold a grudge against some kids that were barely in their 20s. And he isn't such a petty man, that he would be angry over things that happened in his past life.
"Ruoxi, were friends. You have already done so much for me, how can I not do such a simple thing for you. I don't want to see you suffer when I can help," he said.
He was very sincere. In a way, he owes a lot of his success to her. If it wasn't for Zhao Ruoxi, he would have never recruited the Five Demon Generals and Ye Wumain so easily. He might have not have entered the Refinement realm as easily as he did if not get the S Rank Nutrient Fluids she helped him win. And his partnership with the Big Dipper Dojo was mainly thanks to her.
Looking at Shi Feng's calm and masculine figure, Zhao Ruoxi couldn't help but have her heart beat.
For most of her life, people had tried to get close to her because of her background. At a young age she knew that she would eventually become just another pawn for her family to use if she weren't capable. That's why she always tried so hard, always wary of who she got close to, and tried to improve herself as best as she could.
That day when she saw Shi Feng being pressured by the entire class she stepped up, one reason was because she was the class monitor and had to do her duty. The other is because she understands not being able to control your own fate.
But despite being much less privileged then herself, Shi Feng always came out on top.
As she saw Shi Feng show more and more of his ability, she began to admire him more, became more interested, and liked him more.
"I'll leave it to you then Shi Feng." Even though she wanted to reject his offer she instinctively agreed to it.
"When the game finishes updating, just have Lan Hailong and his people come to Zero Wings, White River City branch."
Before Zhao Ruoxi could say anything more, she felt her quantum watch vibrate. Checking the device she urgently had to go. Before leaving she abruptly jumped up at Shi Feng and hugged him.
Even though he could predict people's actions this still surprised him slightly. They were in a public setting after all.
Just as she let him go Zhao Ruoxi said, "you should shave off that beard. It hides too much of your handsome face." She then quickly ran off.
Watching her leave Shi Feng heard a sweet voice from behind. "She must be really special. I've never seen you give away a favor like that. You must really want her, Shi Feng," the pleasant voice said.
Turning around he saw that it was Aqua Rose. "You know me too well. She has a lot of potential, it will be a waste if we didn't get her," he said.
"Is that the only reason," Aqua said slyly. What can a small guild possibly offer Shi Feng, the guild leader of Zero Wing. He is probably using this as a way to recruit That girl.
"Anywho, my father is looking for you. He wants to give another speech and wants you to be up there with him but I'm guessing you can't make it," Aqua asked. This party is mainly for Shi Feng. The formula he gave will revolutionize the medical and energy industry and thanks to him, Sun and Moon will lead that revolution.
Shi Feng released an apologetic sigh, "tell him I can't, I have to get going. I'm really sorry."
He felt bad, he knew this party was for him and how much effort she put into this. These companies weren't here just to celebrate, naturally Aqua is aware of the guild's current problems and must have worked around the clock to get these people here so they can somehow help. Yet he's throwing all that away.
"I know you are a busy man so don't say sorry, instead save a dance for me. I can't go losing to Snow, now can I? I'll give my old man an excuse so go," Aqua said.
Hearing this Shi Feng smiled at her and sneakily left the venue.
He called up a hover cab and made his way to the downtown district of the city. Once there he paid his fare and walked out the cab.
Looming over him stood a tall imposing building with over a hundred floors. The front entrance was currently teaming with security and there were practically no windows in this building whatsoever.
Calling it a strong hold seems to be more appropriate.
Shi Feng felt that this is only natural, after all this building is one of the headquarters for the game developers of God's Domain and houses some of the game servers.