85: Chapter 85 Hostility

Zhou An pulled up the upgrade panel.

[Core materials requirements met, Tier 5 upgrade sequence initiated.]

[Estimated time: 24 hours.]

As the cold system voice faded, a low resonance emanated from within the entire Cloud Top Fortress.

A deep blue energy stream surged from the core power furnace, transforming into countless fine webs of flowing light that spread along the conduits to every inch of the fortress's armor.

The next morning, in the dining room.

Although the situation outside was turbulent, the dining room maintained a comfortable, constant temperature of 24 degrees.

Lao Zhang had put a lot of effort into breakfast today, even going so far as to open a bottle of rare, high-tier jam.

Zhou An looked around at the members sitting around the table with varying expressions and announced in a steady tone that they had officially joined Sky Engine.

"The paperwork is done, we are now 'Honorary Contract' members."

Zhou An pointed to the system panel, and sure enough, the [Sky Engine] prefix in pale gold had appeared before everyone's names.

"Although we're registered, this contract stipulates that we operate as an independent army and do not need to accept standard guild deployments. This entry into the central zone is to understand the logistics environment and resource exchange."

"That's great, we finally have a powerful backer in this chaotic world!"

Li Muzi looked at the glittering [Sky Engine] prefix before her name and excitedly waved her clenched little fist.

Just then, Zhou An's system notified him that someone had sent a message.

City Lord Zhao Tianyu: "The paperwork is all settled. Bring your people and come to the 'Shenguo Ship' for a formal meeting. I'll be waiting for you at the main landing pad."

Zhou An stood up and called for Luo Ning. The two boarded the a70 fighter and sped towards the giant warship.

Soon, they approached the perimeter of the Shenguo Ship.

Viewed from high above, the Shenguo Ship was not just a warship, but a flying steel capital city.

As the a70 fighter approached, the surrounding patrol escort squadron immediately issued identification signals.

The fighter's radar was instantly covered in dense red dots of fire-control locks, a murderous aura that made one's scalp tingle.

"Identity confirmed: Zhou An."

Zhou An stated his name calmly into the communicator.

Almost instantly, the hostile locking signals all dissipated.

Ahead, the visible high-dimensional energy shield of the Shenguo Ship rippled with pale blue waves, clearing a passage for the fighter.

As the a70 fighter skimmed over the deck, Zhou An truly grasped the terrifying foundation of a major guild.

Dozens of meters-long electromagnetic main guns were lined up neatly, and hundreds of high-tier fighters of various forms stood ready on the deck.

The fighter landed slowly in the arrival zone, the hatch opened, and a dry wind smelling of burnt machine oil rushed in.

City Lord Zhao Tianyu stood not far away. He was draped in a pitch-black coat that fluttered in the howling wind.

Behind him stood Shadow, dressed in slim-fitting black, her posture as straight as a blade, gold-rimmed glasses refracting a cold light in the sunlight.

Seeing Zhou An walk down the gangway, City Lord Zhao Tianyu actually took a few steps forward in full view of everyone, a calm smile on his lips, and extended his right hand.

"Zhou An, I've waited a long time for this day."

At that moment, the surrounding guards and passing guild elites were all stunned, and a brief, dead silence fell over the busy plaza below.

"Who is that? The City Lord actually came out to the hatch to welcome him personally?"

"Hiss... could it be that Zhou An who tops the combat power rating board?"

The gazes, originally full of inquiry, instantly turned to awe.

Zhou An shook City Lord Zhao Tianyu's hand generously, feeling the thick energy radiating from his palm, and joked: "Guild Leader Zhao personally acting as a greeter, I must have quite a lot of face."

"It's only right, you are worth it."

City Lord Zhao Tianyu smiled and looked at Luo Ning behind Zhou An.

"Let me introduce her, this is my teammate Luo Ning, top 500 in the district's combat power, and also the chief scientist of our fortress."

Zhou An said.

City Lord Zhao Tianyu also turned slightly, signaling to the cold and capable woman beside him: "My shadow, the sharpest blade in the entire guild, Shadow."

After some simple pleasantries, the group followed City Lord Zhao Tianyu into the interior of the main ship.

It was a world of difference compared to the desolation outside.

The interior of the Shenguo Ship was extremely luxurious, with a constant temperature system, soft biomimetic sunlight, and even rare indoor plants.

As he walked, City Lord Zhao Tianyu asked about his impressions of last night's carnival, his words sounding just like an old friend he hadn't seen in years.

"There's a simple meeting in the hall ahead, which can also be considered a welcome party for you. The guild's high-level executives are all there; meeting them will make things easier to handle in the future."

Stepping into the central hall, the interplay of champagne and crystal chandelier light was interwoven.

Over fifty core members of Sky Engine were all present; this was the power circle controlling a guild of nearly ninety thousand people.

"Everyone, quiet down."

City Lord Zhao Tianyu led Zhou An onto the high platform. He first introduced the person sitting at the head of the first row.

On the left was a burly man like an iron tower, his arms exposed, veins like coiled dragons, his eyes steady and heavy: "Minister Han Xiao, in charge of the guild's armed forces."

On the right was a woman wearing deep purple tight-fitting leather clothing.

She was extremely beautiful, but her brow was filled with an unmelting frost. She just glanced coldly at Zhou An, then let out a faint cold snort, appearing extremely arrogant.

"Leng Yue, in charge of internal affairs and coordination," City Lord Zhao Tianyu introduced.

Zhou An keenly sensed that Leng Yue's hostility was almost undisguised.

City Lord Zhao Tianyu cleared his throat, his voice buzzing in the wide hall:

"Today, Brother Zhou An joining Sky Engine is a great fortune for us. I hereby announce: effective immediately, Zhou An will assume the position of [Head of the Resource Department] for Sky Engine. Once he is familiar with the guild's operations, he will be directly promoted to the third Vice President of Sky Engine!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a dead silence below, followed by an uproar, and the sound of discussion instantly boiled over.

"What? Directly pre-appointed to the Vice President position?!"

"Head of the Resource Department? That's the most lucrative position with the power to control the guild's lifeblood! Vice President Leng Yue had always wanted to have her own people take it over..."

"He's just a freelancer who just joined, on what grounds? Even if his combat power is high, he can't just ride on the heads of veteran officials, right?"

The dissatisfaction below spread rapidly; Minister Han Xiao frowned slightly, and Leng Yue sneered, turning her face away, no longer hiding her disgust.

City Lord Zhao Tianyu seemed to have anticipated this. His expression suddenly sank, and a terrifying sense of oppression instantly descended, forcibly suppressing all the discussion.

"On what grounds?"

City Lord Zhao Tianyu swept his gaze across the audience like a sharp sword.

"On the grounds that the high-tier materials used for the foundation of the 'Sky City' you are standing on were all converted and purified by Zhou An! On the grounds that his talent is the top-tier resource exchange! Whoever among you can do this, I will give them this position as well!"

In an instant, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Those department heads who were originally unconvinced now stared with wide eyes.

They had always thought it was the Guild Leader's methods that had purified the guild's low-tier resources, but they had never imagined that this ability to sublimate low-tier materials out of thin air was actually in the hands of the young man before them.

In this era where resources are life, Zhou An's existence was equivalent to a walking minting machine.

Although the situation had been forcibly suppressed by City Lord Zhao Tianyu, Zhou An could feel that Leng Yue's cold gaze still clung to him like a festering sore.

Those vested interests below whose cheese had been moved also had undercurrents surging in their eyes.

"It seems that while the guild's door is easy to enter, this seat is not easy to sit in."

Zhou An whispered to Luo Ning.

Luo Ning squinted and chuckled: "What are you afraid of, Boss? Whoever isn't convinced, we'll just blow them up."