In fact, this young man in black was one of the main proponents within the Divine Wood Clan who opposed joining the Azure Blue Council and paying the 'Ascension Tax.'

This faction believed that the Divine Wood Clan, like other clans such as the Star Clan, Mountain Clan, and Skyfire Clan, had always been completely independent within the Azure Blue civilization, with all matters managed by the clan itself. Joining the Azure Blue Council would mean subjugation and the obligation to pay the Ascension Tax, which was unacceptable to the freedom-loving Divine Wood Clan.

Unfortunately, the clan's matriarch, who was the most powerful in the current era of the Abandoned Gods Game, held the greatest influence and had countless supporters. Despite respecting the opinions of the young man in black and his faction, the final vote was overwhelmingly in favor of joining the Azure Blue Council, with a result of 93% to 7%.

Thus, the young man in black was not particularly optimistic about the strength of 'Shadow 007.' After all, he had never witnessed it firsthand. Many people tend to be skeptical of things they hear, especially claims that 'Shadow 007' could instantly kill various BOSSes, which seemed like exaggerated propaganda to many.