My starting summon is a small skeleton

8th District, somewhere within a base roughly at the location of Ao State in Lu Wu's previous life.

Feng Xiu woke up once again from his prolonged closed-door cultivation, his face pale as death.

"Damn Lu Haikong, damn Moon Shadow!"

Hmm.

Since the last time he was seriously injured and almost killed, these words had almost become Feng Xiu's catchphrase.

After all, thanks to Moon Shadow.

One of his core Summoned Beasts, which he had nurtured for about twenty years, had died.

He himself had been severely injured in that battle and hadn't fully recovered for over half a year.

At this moment, his body hair was entirely blue.

His face was pale, making him look eerie and weak.

This was because his body and Energy Space had been severely eroded by the ice.

"Someone!"

After going through the usual routine and cursing Lu Wu once, Feng Xiu began to call for attendants.

With a gentle call, someone appeared outside his secret chamber, waiting respectfully.

The person outside remained silent, but Feng Xiu knew he was there.

"How are all the preparations? Can the ritual be carried out on schedule?"

The person outside went straight to the point, "There's a problem in the 11th District, the Angel Wings haven't been delivered."

Feng Xiu burst into a rage upon hearing this, "What went wrong again? What mischief is the Eighth up to now? Can he do it or not? If he can't do it, he might as well die!"

The person outside briefly explained, "23 days ago, the Ninth Apostle led an attack on the 11th District. The Eighth Apostle was killed, and now the Ninth Apostle has taken over the 11th District. The Angel Wings are also in her hands."

"What?"

Feng Xiu's eyebrows rose, surprised that the Eighth actually died, then he exploded in anger, "Has the Ninth gone mad? Why is she messing with my people for no reason?

Does she really think I wouldn't dare touch her?

I'm so angry I could flay her alive right now!"

Feng Xiu raged inside the room.

The person outside did not bow respectfully; there was no response or agreement.

After Feng Xiu vented his fury, he calmed down.

He fell into silence for several minutes before speaking, "Contact the Third Apostle for me, have him retrieve the Angel Wings.

It's crucial for the ritual, there can be no failures.

As long as we get that item, he can name his conditions.

If he wants that item, I can give it to him!"

"Yes!"

After responding, the person outside disappeared.

Inside, Feng Xiu squinted his eyes, "I knew something would happen when the tiger falls flat, but I didn't expect them to be the first to act.

Is the Third Apostle being so reckless an indication of something?"

Thinking about the possibility of someone emboldening the leader of his faction, Feng Xiu's brows furrowed deeply. However, he decided to put that aside for now.

"Anyway, let's focus on recovering myself first.

As for settling scores with the leader's faction... we'll see later. If that person returns, I'll endure it; if not..."

Feng Xiu did not continue, but his expression said it all.

…

Meanwhile, in a small city within the 11th District.

A middle-aged man dressed in short-sleeved beach shorts, wearing flip-flops and holding a fishing rod, was strolling on the beach when his lips suddenly curled into a smile.

He reached out, and a black Skull mobile phone appeared in his hand.

"Hey, 13, what's up?"

"Oh, this matter? I don't know about it? No, no, no. I didn't mean it. I have immense respect for Lord Feng Xiu, how could I make a move against Lord Feng Xiu's people? This was entirely the Ninth's personal action, she doesn't represent our faction."

"Such modesty, Master Feng Xiu, but since that's the case, I'll gladly take on the duty."

"Rest assured, I will handle this matter and give Master Feng Xiu a proper explanation."

...

After a short while, the uncle hung up the phone, a smug smile spreading across his lips.

"I knew it, this matter is an opportunity for me."

The man in front of him is the Third Apostle of the Zero Organization.

He is also currently the leading figure among the leaders.

In fact, he knew what happened on the first day when the Ninth Apostle and Lu Wu wiped out the Eighth.

The leaders under his command continuously advised him to take down the Ninth Apostle as an explanation to Feng Xiu.

After all, their leader had not shown his face for over twenty years.

Although the power of the leader still existed, their faction within the Zero Organization was inevitably declining.

Without the leader's support, facing those backed by envoys, they always ended up as the enemy's target.

For the leaders, the Ninth Apostle's actions were akin to slapping a tiger's butt—punishing the Ninth Apostle and giving Feng Xiu an explanation was absolutely necessary.

After all, the remaining authority of the leader was dwindling, and no one dared to stir up more trouble.

At this critical moment, the Third Apostle made a completely different decision.

He withstood the internal pressure from the leaders and chose not to move against the Ninth Apostle.

Of course, he wasn't doing this to protect the Ninth Apostle.

He was betting on an opportunity.

He bet that Feng Xiu wouldn't dare to act against them at this time.

He bet that Feng Xiu would compromise, bow down to him, and give him what he wanted.

If his bet was correct, he could seize this opportunity to soar.

Of course, such a gamble was not guaranteed to win.

Thus, the Third Apostle also prepared for the possibility of losing the bet, which merely meant selling out the Ninth Apostle.

This outcome was the best.

He won the bet—Feng Xiu backed down, and he got what he wanted, making this the best possible outcome.

"Since that's settled, it's time for me to start taking action."

The Third Apostle spoke, casually tossing aside his fishing rod, stretching lazily, and then, with a wave of his hand, summoned a black bat wrapped in evil energy from his chest.

The Third Apostle leaped onto the bat.

The bat took flight and headed for the Zero Organization's Secret Realm in District 11.

They promised benefits on their end, so naturally, he began to take action on his side.

While he did receive benefits, he was surely going to give Feng Xiu a proper explanation.

The Ninth Apostle and Zhengdaguangming taking action would serve as the best explanation.

Using their lives to slightly quench Feng Xiu's fury.

He himself would acquire what he desired, making this transaction advantageous no matter how one looked at it.

And this was clearly a plan the Third Apostle had devised early on.

This was no coincidence; his location was not far from the Secret Realm in District 11.

Taking to the sky, in less than fifteen minutes, the Third Apostle arrived inside the Secret Realm of District 11.

Controlling the Evil Spirit Bat, the Third Apostle forcefully barged into the Secret Realm.

The guards responsible for the Secret Realm immediately surrounded them, but as they moved, a terrifying power descended, instantly stunning the group of underlings, making them unable to react.

Under this overwhelming power, the only one still able to move was Apostle 72, recently responsible for guarding the gate.

As soon as he made a move, the Third Apostle's gaze landed on him.

"Have the Ninth Apostle and Zhengdaguangming come to see me."

"Yes!"

The frightened Apostle 72 immediately fled, turning around to call people.

And just as Apostle 72 turned around, the Ninth and Lu Wu had already arrived at the scene.

After all, the arrival of the Third Apostle was unmistakably overt.

Such big movements, such formidable power, Lu Wu and his companions were not blind; it was impossible for them not to notice.

As soon as Lu Wu arrived, his eyes fell on the Third Apostle and the bats beside him, discerning their attributes.

...

Name: Third Apostle

Power: 0 Star (Epic)

Summoned Beasts: Devil Bat King (Evolved) (Epic 0 Star), Fallen Holy Warrior (Evolved) (Epic 0 Star)

Core Skills: Kiss of Death (Secret Skill) (Master), Fallen Holy Light (Secret Skill) (Master), Fallen Tactics (Ultimate Skill) (Grandmaster)...

Summoner Talent: Fusion (Can temporarily fuse with summoned beasts to fight)

Epic Power: Unawakened (Domain Evolving)

Description: Considered an Epic-level powerhouse, somewhat terrifying, please be cautious.

...

Name: Devil Bat King

Power: 0 Star (Epic)

Quality: Legend (Upgraded)

Attribute: Abyss, Evil

Weakness: Light (Strong)

Basic Skills: Bite (Grandmaster), Flying (Grandmaster), Charge (Grandmaster)...

Advanced Skills: Blood Sucking (Grandmaster), Battle Flight (Grandmaster)...

Killing Skills: Source of Virus (Grandmaster), Virus Fog (Grandmaster), Moving Through Fog (Grandmaster)

Ultimate Skill: Death Plague (Grandmaster)

Secret Skill: Kiss of Death (Master)

Epic Power: Unawakened (Domain Evolving)

Description: This is a summoning beast that is a half-step into the Epic level, filled with extremely terrifying poisons. Ordinary beings, let alone being bitten, even getting close poses a deadly threat.

...

Observing the attributes before him, Lu Wu's eyes narrowed.

Worthy of being the Third Apostle, his power seems almost as strong as Old Thief Cimu.

However, what Lu Wu was most concerned about was not his power but his attitude at the moment.

His aggressive approach clearly was not for a friendly visit.

Right then, as soon as Lu Wu and the Ninth Apostle appeared, he fixed his gaze on Lu Wu and the Ninth Apostle.

"You two are quite bold, daring to act under our leader's banner like this.

Now I command you, hand over the Angel Wings immediately and come with me to apologize to Lord Feng Xiu!"

There were no roundabout talks, he went straight to the point.

This assertive attitude caused the Ninth Apostle's face to change.

"Third..."

"Shut up, I don't care what your reasons are, wrong is wrong, and mistakes must be paid for."

The Third Apostle interrupted the Ninth Apostle, his stance firm.

"Today, no matter what, you are coming with me, the only difference is whether you come willingly or I have to drag you after taking you down!"

For the Third Apostle, taking Lu Wu and the others in exchange for what he wanted was already a predetermined goal.

At that point, no matter what Lu Wu and his team said, it was futile.

Faced with the sudden and tough stance of the Third Apostle, the Ninth Apostle and Lu Wu's faces darkened.

They looked at him without speaking.

"So, you are planning to choose the latter, huh?

Fine, I'll grant you that wish!"

The Third Apostle, eager for his reward, moved swiftly and differently from others.

Others might start with cautious probing, but he did not; he launched a powerful move right away.

"Fallen Holy Light!"

A black cross appeared out of nowhere and, without warning, smashed towards Lu Wu and the Ninth Apostle.

"Shit!"

Lu Wu's face drastically changed.

The opponent was utterly despicable.

Despite having absolute power, he still resorted to such dirty tricks.

From the sudden appearance, sudden drop, and sudden explosion, it was clear that the Third Apostle had been powering this skill for a long time.

The Third Apostle clearly intended to surprise Lu Wu and his team, catching them off guard and quickly subduing them.

Fortunately, Lu Wu and his team were on guard from the start, and their reaction was not slow.

"Earth Domain!" "Beast Soul Burst!"

"All Things!"

Both domains of the Ninth Apostle and Lu Wu were activated.

The Ninth Apostle stepped forward in front of Lu Wu, simultaneously activating the "Power of Earth" and aimed to block the massive attack with his fists.

But how could the Ninth Apostle possibly block such a powerful attack?

"Fallen Holy Light" was a Secret Skill-level skill.

"Power of Earth" was only at Ultimate Move level.

The opponent was 0 Star Epic, and the Ninth Apostle was merely a King-level Three Stars, and with the opponent charging up, the outcome was decided in the moment he struck.

"Like trying to stop a car with one's arm!"

Amid the Third Apostle's disdainful sneer,

the yellow energy fists of the Ninth Apostle and the burst domain shattered in an instant.

The Ninth Apostle spat out blood and was struck downward.

"One down!"

Easily taking down the Ninth Apostle, the Third Apostle was particularly satisfied.

Seeing the Ninth Apostle smashed on the ground, his life and death unknown, he raised his eyebrows in a sorrowful expression.

"Don't blame me, blame yourself for being so foolish as to raise a hand against Lord Feng Xiu.

Mistakes must be paid for.

If I don't get rid of you, your actions could affect our entire faction, so for the sake of our leader's faction, please die!"

"You really are shameless."

Lu Wu, standing nearby, couldn't help but retort sarcastically: "You should have known what we did in District 11.

As the helmsman of our leader's faction, if you wanted to handle it, you would have stepped forward long ago.

After nearly half a month of silence, acting as if nothing had happened, now you suddenly come forward to resolve this issue.

Tell me, are you here to solve the problem?

It's obvious that you've coordinated with Feng Xiu to sell us for a good price.

To sell your own faction for gain and still speak so self-righteously, your skin is really extraordinarily thick."

Lu Wu's piercing tirade hit the Third Apostle hard.

It was a stinging truth that darkened the Third Apostle's face.

"Nonsense, the Ninth is down, now it's your turn!"

With that, the black cross descended again toward Lu Wu.

Facing the strike, Lu Wu showed no fear: "If you can do it, then come at it!"

With that, Lu Wu raised his sword and slashed upwards.

"Divine Wrath!"