Word of the incident spread further.
Corporations with a stake in the matter paid close attention, with various news media and community portals eagerly reporting on the developments. Nestor Corporation’s fame had once again surged globally.
"The background of the poster is the entire Eastern Hemisphere," a minister from the Kyushu High Pavilion remarked during a regular executive meeting, "Doesn’t this imply that Nestor Corporation intends to compete with Xia in the future? What is the stance of Heavenly Cardinal Manufacturing on this?"
"As long as I am here, such a thing will never happen," Lu Sizhou replied, her expression giving nothing away, "We have an agent within Nestor Corporation."
With her assurance, the present executives harbored their own thoughts.
They had heard hints recently that, according to the most discreet revelations, Lu Sizhou might be intending to elevate her position in the group even higher.
This level of power transition was an obscure and unpredictable realm; even though they had plans of their own, they were absolutely unwilling to commit to taking sides.
Meanwhile, in Baraya of the Taiya Archipelago, the headquarters of Black Fire Innovation, stood a black tower-like building in the midst of a vast city center, virtually devoid of outward-facing windows or vents. The whole structure rose like a black pillar from the earth, issuing numerous orders to command the company’s troops in advancing one military operation after another.
Gazing at the eternally burning black flames, Huang Feng pressed his face against the glass, unable to suppress the urge to imagine what it felt like to be within them.
"Hiss...huff...Nestor Corporation, once insignificant," Rolo stood by his side, his black mask pressed against the glass, also fixated on the burning flames, "...now harboring five islands, wielding three warships..."
"I can kill the Witch Goddess," Huang Feng said, eyes on the flame, "Kill the Witch Goddess, that’s also six words, right? I can say six words now."
"Black flames... the fierce fire that innovates the world..." Rolo murmured, his focus entirely captivated by the Blackfire before him, "...and this flame never dies."
Seeing that speaking to him was futile, Huang Feng turned, his back against the glass, leaving the roaring flames to crackle behind him.
Kill the Witch Goddess, kill the Witch Goddess. Huang Feng silently recited.
The most powerful witch in the world was Huang Feng, the one who commanded reality. What counted for the Witch Goddess?
"We have been summoned back because of the Synthetic Human," Huang Feng said in a flat tone, "Is that synthetic human A40?"
"Do you have the ability to make A40 turn against its own side?" Rolo asked, watching Huang Feng, "...If we let Nestor Corporation take down A40..."
"If I make A40 do something it doesn’t want to! I’d rather die!" Huang Feng suddenly shouted fiercely, screaming at Rolo with madness.
Rolo stood by his side, patiently listening to her outburst.
On the other hand, on the outskirts of Anjiu City, members of the Disciple Squad were ready, all dressed in diving suits, standing by the seaside waiting for their transportation to arrive.
"You’re coming too?" Rinne asked Lu Jing, "Won’t it be troublesome if you’re discovered?"
"I’ll move discreetly," Lu Jing said as he rolled up his Green Clothes into a bundle.
"What is this transportation device you mentioned?" Masasuke Hazuki couldn’t help asking, having waited for a long while without seeing any Shuttle Machines or boats approaching.
Gradually, with the roar of surging waves drawing near, they all shifted their gaze toward the sea.
"Clares the Second," Seeking Shadow nodded, watching a vast shadow rapidly approaching from the sea, "We’ll hide beneath its belly, smuggle ourselves into Sato City, and strike a lethal blow to Black Fire Innovation."
"Black Fire Innovation is arrogant and kills indiscriminately," Lu Jing said, his tone serious and filled with righteousness, "Now it’s our turn to punish them."
"Good, kill." A999 nodded vigorously, barely able to contain his thirst for slaughter, "Wipe out all the enemies!"