Farewell, Zeus

Pandora conjured a magnetic pulse ring, intent on crippling the control systems of the enemy aircraft. Should she succeed, those planes would surely plummet from the sky in uncontrollable spirals.

Yet, just as Pandora's magnetic pulse neared the squadrons, each fighter was suddenly enveloped by a shimmering shield. The pulse struck the barriers, yet failed to inflict the slightest damage.

Xiao Feng stared in stunned disbelief. He recognized those shields—Apollo's radiant energy barriers.

If these defenses truly were Apollo's handiwork, then he must still be alive. Xiao Feng pondered this—Apollo had never truly perished; his powers had merely been purified by the Envoys. If Apollo's abilities had now returned, it meant the Envoys' secret might have been exposed.

Worry for the Envoys gripped Xiao Feng anew.

Pandora's brow furrowed as she observed the undamaged fighters.

At that moment, Tugou approached with a grin. "Lady, step aside—this is my show."

With that, his armor unfurled, unleashing a volley of miniature missiles that streaked through the sky like fireworks, targeting the enemy aircraft.

Xiao Feng pinned all hope on Tugou's missiles. If they could breach Apollo's luminous shields, victory would be assured—Tugou alone could annihilate the entire fleet.

But the unforeseen unfolded: Tugou's missiles detonated against the shields with thunderous blasts. Despite their immense power, the explosions proved futile against the radiant barriers. The enemy planes remained suspended, unscathed.

"Damn it, what the hell are those shields made of?" Tugou cursed.

Xiao Feng fell silent, gazing at the swarming fighters above, their formation buzzing like a cloud of relentless flies.

He raised Black Angel, aiming swiftly at the nearest plane.

If anyone could pierce Apollo's defenses, it was Xiao Feng.

A thunderous shot erupted as Black Angel discharged three entangled projectiles spinning toward the target.

The rounds struck the shield with metallic pings, yet the defense held firm, unbroken.

But then Xiao Feng discerned a crucial truth: no matter how he, Tugou, or Pandora attacked, the enemy fighters did not retaliate. The shields not only repelled external assaults but also inhibited the fighters' own weaponry.

A wry smile crossed Xiao Feng's lips. "Load up the ammo, Tugou."

Tugou nodded knowingly and rushed back into the aircraft to reload swiftly.

Soon, one of the enemy planes descended—still cloaked within its shield—but two figures emerged.

Seeing them, Xiao Feng fully trusted the words of the Ghost Wraith: the Seven Gods of the Alliance had not perished.

The two figures unmistakably were Zeus and Apollo.

Zeus stepped calmly out from his craft's shield, while Apollo manipulated a protective barrier surrounding them both. They approached Xiao Feng, stopping just short.

Zeus beamed warmly, "Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng—who would have thought we'd meet again so soon?"

Xiao Feng sneered, pointing Black Angel at him. "What's so joyous about seeing me? Should I say the same to you?"

Zeus shook his head. "You're hardly cordial. Enough talk—hand over Black Dragon. After all, he's one of our temple's own now. If you abscond with him, our temple loses face."

"Heh, your temple's concern for face is rich—Athena is still in my hands. Black Dragon? One more or less won't matter. I need him, and I won't give him to you."

Hearing Athena's name, Zeus frowned. "Where have you hidden Athena?"

"Heh, couldn't find her, could you? Pathetic. And what use is Black Dragon to you? He fled when it mattered most. Planning to bring him back for punishment?"

"Black Dragon possesses unique powers—powers worthy of the temple. That's why we want him."

"You want him? I won't give him up."

"What do you intend to do with Black Dragon?"

"Heh, it's not just Black Dragon. You temple scoundrels—I will hunt you down one by one. Drag you to Ivy's grave and kill you with my own hands. Your blood will sanctify Ivy and her brother."

Zeus's brow darkened. "Xiao Feng, you're young, but you have a vicious streak. Using our blood to honor Ivy—doubt you have the nerve. I'll give you one last chance: hand over Black Dragon, or I'll reduce you to dust. But even then, Black Dragon has such monstrous defenses, you can't kill him with bombs."

"Hmm, you're not wrong…" At that moment, Tugou returned, signaling an 'OK' to Xiao Feng. Whispering, Xiao Feng said, "Lock onto all planes. The moment their shields drop, open fire—take every last one down."

Tugou nodded, "Understood…"

Xiao Feng turned back to Zeus. "Old man Zeus, how did you regain your resurrection ability? You even revived yourself. I'm genuinely curious—how did you manage it?"

"That's a story for another time. But now, you must surrender Black Dragon."

"Cut the crap. If you want to fight, then do it."

With that, Xiao Feng's uniquely perceptive eyes scanned the sky. His right index finger rested lightly on Black Angel's trigger—like a seasoned hunter stalking prey.

Zeus seemed to understand Xiao Feng's intent but knew the shield could not be lowered. Doing so would expose them not only to Xiao Feng but to Pandora as well—both capable of slaying them.

So Zeus commanded Apollo, "Drop some shields. Let the fighters commence their assault."

"Boss, how many shields do you want dropped?"

"Ten to start, in different directions—have them fire simultaneously."

Apollo nodded in acknowledgment.

Xiao Feng's eyes widened in astonishment as shields on a dozen fighters suddenly collapsed across the sky, followed by the launch of slender air-to-ground missiles.

At that very moment, Tugou unleashed a salvo of missiles from behind Xiao Feng—dozens of warheads streaking forth in a thunderous barrage.