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The Cloud Soar Guild continued to keep its dominance over the Eternal Guild.
Moreover, if Tianheng really killed HIM's underling, it would only confirm the suspicions about the previous feeding incident.
Rumors had already been circulating outside, and many major guilds were aware of the situation. Behind closed doors, they had been laughing at the Eternal Guild.
If Tianheng truly ended up killing 007, it would solidify the impression that the guild was only brave when HIM wasn't around but went all-out when he was gone.
To be fair, most guilds might have reacted similarly if put in the same position.
But feeding a monster? That was truly embarrassing.
No matter how one framed it, it was a joke worth telling and retelling.
Additionally, the timing of the monster-feeding incident coincided with the Cloud Soar Guild taking down HIM.
Cloud Soar, which once had weaker strength than the Eternal Guild, had boldly faced off with HIM and even killed him. On the other hand, the Eternal Guild was petrified of even facing HIM's underling, resorting to feeding him to avoid conflict.
If this situation were allowed to escalate, no matter how well the Eternal Guild developed, it would still be regarded as a laughingstock among all other guilds.
Yonghui, aware of the broader implications, instructed Tianheng not to kill 007.
The best move for now was to capture 007 instead.
With this, they could counter any future rumors by claiming that their previous feeding was merely a tactic to lower his guard, leading to his capture.
This explanation would help reframe their humiliating actions as a clever ploy.
At the very least, they wouldn't give other guilds more material to mock them.
What to do with 007 after capturing him could be sorted out later.
Yonghui's foresight as the guild's leader showed his long-term thinking, far surpassing Tianheng's impulsive approach.
Given the current situation, killing 007 would ruin the guild's image.
When Tianheng received Yonghui's instructions, he was a bit puzzled.
But disobeying Yonghui wasn't an option.
Glancing at 007, who lay motionless, drained after consuming the small bug, Tianheng still couldn't fathom why it weakened him so much.
In his current state, 007 was completely vulnerable.
Pondering for a moment, Tianheng addressed the gathered players.
"Someone bring a metal bucket and fetch some lava. We'll construct an obsidian cage at the guild base."
"We'll take him back and lock him up for now..."
Although 007 seemed helpless at the moment, there was no guarantee it would stay that way.
Tianheng decided to proceed with caution.
Creating an obsidian cage would be the most secure solution. They could deal with 007 based on Yonghui's next instructions.
Upon receiving the order, the players quickly got to work.
Even with 007 too weak to move, transporting him proved challenging.
Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, and 007 was safely delivered to the Eternal Guild's base.
The obsidian cage was already prepared by the time they arrived.
After imprisoning 007, Tianheng reported back to Yonghui.
"Boss… He's locked up now."
"What's next?"
Seeing Tianheng's message, Yonghui finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I heard this diamond-armored zombie is special?"
Yonghui had watched the footage of HIM leading monsters to attack cities.
His first impression of this diamond-armored zombie was how powerful it was, wiping out swathes of players with brute force.
It could even one-hit kill fully armored players.
From high-ranking Eternal Guild members, Yonghui later learned that the diamond-armored zombie, like HIM, had intelligence.
However, Yonghui didn't know the finer details, so he questioned Tianheng.
Tianheng relayed everything that had transpired.
"There's no denying his strength is terrifying."
"If not for that wolf, while we might not have been completely wiped out, we'd never have been able to stop him from escaping..."
Tianheng had thankfully anticipated this, bringing along the small bug as a precaution.
Without it, 007 could have easily broken through their ranks and escaped, demonstrating his formidable power.
Reflecting on the encounter, Tianheng felt a shiver of fear. Had he not brought the small bug, the guild might have suffered significant losses.
Upon reading Tianheng's detailed report, Yonghui paused in contemplation.
He initially assumed HIM's underling was just a slightly stronger monster, its power merely bolstered by equipment.
But now, it was evident the creature's strength was genuine.
Moreover, it was clear that this monster had potential for growth.
Previously, its power level had been far from what it currently displayed.
Most importantly, it shared HIM's ability to command other monsters.
If they could turn him to their side and nurture him into another HIM...
The guild's future would be secure.
"Since he has intelligence, we must try to recruit him. Make him work for us!"
If 007 had been a mindless creature, acting solely under HIM's control, Yonghui would have dismissed the idea.
But, based on everything Tianheng shared, Yonghui saw an opportunity.
If 007 truly had a mind of his own, there might be a way to bring him to their side.
Of course, it was just a gamble.
But if it paid off, 007 could become their second demon king.
A demon king loyal to the Eternal Radiance Guild would make them unstoppable.
Logically, it all made sense. The hard part would be executing it.
Tianheng, inspired by Yonghui's words, realized the potential.
"This might actually work!"
Previously, Tianheng had begrudgingly overseen the feeding efforts to placate 007.
He never imagined the possibility of recruiting him.
While the idea of taming a monster seemed ridiculous, wasn't HIM an intelligent monster, too?
The possibility wasn't entirely out of reach.
Now that HIM was gone, perhaps a little brainwashing, some enticing benefits...
Maybe 007 could work for the guild, even on a harsh 996 schedule.
With this new plan, Tianheng formulated two strategies.
One was a peaceful approach. The other? Not so peaceful.
If they couldn't reason with 007, then they'd resort to harsher measures.
Closing the chat, Tianheng swiftly issued orders.
Start with persuasion and reformation. If that failed, psychological pressure would be next.
After finalizing plans with Tianheng, Yonghui opened another chat window—this time with Canglong, the Radiance Guild's leader.
"How's it going? Did you take care of the Ender Dragon?"
Earlier, the Eternal Guild had discovered the End Portal and had been collecting Eyes of Ender to activate it.
Finally, after gathering all twelve Eyes, they placed them on the mysterious altar.
To their surprise, it was not a shrine, but a gateway!
Beyond the portal lay a vast, starry expanse.
No one knew what lay ahead.
Radiance Guild members took a deep breath, shed their gear, and leapt in.
Opening their eyes, they found themselves in the End.
A distant roar soon reached their ears.
Looking up, they saw an enormous dragon soaring through the endless void.
The dragon didn't attack; it merely circled towering obsidian pillars.
Cages holding purple crystals were perched atop these pillars.
Drawn to these crystals, the dragon remained nearby, seemingly tethered.
The Radiance Guild, seasoned in gaming, knew what this meant.
In most games, dragons were bosses.
On entering the End, a name appeared above their heads—Ender Dragon.
Below that, a massive purple health bar.
It was clear: this was no ordinary foe, but a powerful boss.
It was the first major boss Eternal Guild had encountered since starting the game.
Tianheng reported the situation to Yonghui.
Naturally, Yonghui wouldn't let this chance slip by.
He immediately commanded Tianheng to slay the Ender Dragon.
When Cloud Soar Guild killed HIM, they reaped countless rewards.
Yonghui was envious.
If Tianheng's team could defeat the Ender Dragon, they would likely reap a similar bounty.
Receiving Yonghui's orders, Tianheng sighed.
He stood in the End, surrounded by the scattered equipment of fallen players.
Yonghui's directives were simple, but he had no idea how difficult it was to take down the dragon.
After much trial and error, they discovered that the purple crystals atop the obsidian pillars needed to be destroyed.
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