Apocalypse Gachapon

The Snow Wolf King stopped there, looking at Ye Zhongming, its large mouth slightly open.

"I agreed to stop attacking Black Dragon City, and I stopped. I agreed not to attack Black Dragon City for six months and will keep that promise. I agreed not to interfere when you went to kill those mutated creatures in Black Dragon City, and I didn't interfere. Tell me, which of my promises have I broken?"

Ye Zhongming fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "It does seem that way."

The Snow Wolf King's mouth split open even wider.

"I suppose you didn't come here just to check on how I'm doing. So then… you're here to kill me?"

Ye Zhongming looked at the level-nine lifeform.

Though only verbally, he had previously made agreements with the Snow Wolf King. Even though level-nine lifeforms had their own dignity and wouldn't casually break their word, the reality was that this level-nine creature was vindictive and had been keeping an eye on the people from Cloud Peak.

It had kept its promises, but beyond that, it had no such obligations.

"Of course," the Snow Wolf King licked its lips. "If I weren't afraid that you evolved would stop your infighting and unite against me upon seeing me, you wouldn't have made it here."

Ye Zhongming nodded, still somewhat admiring the Snow Wolf King.

Under the wide-ranging surveillance of Yangos, the ice bird, the undead dragon-fish, and the others in the air, and given Ye Zhongming and his companions' acute senses, the fact that the Snow Wolf King had been able to silently follow them without being detected proved that its ability to conceal itself matched its level-nine strength.

But… Ye Zhongming couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Back in Black Dragon City, due to its suspicious nature, the Snow Wolf King had only briefly engaged with the Cloud Peak before retreating after its subordinates were defeated, even making several agreements with Ye Zhongming regarding Black Dragon City.

One could say Ye Zhongming had gained the upper hand.

Though the decisive factor in that battle had been the defeat of the Snow Wolf King's subordinates, given its level and insight, it couldn't have missed the fact that while Cloud Peak currently had no level-nine fighters, their numerous level-eight members and the formidable collective combat power of the female guard meant they were not weak against a level-nine opponent.

This time, the Snow Wolf King had come alone, without its subordinates, clearly to avoid repeating past mistakes. But… knowing that it was unlikely to keep the Cloud Peak team here, why had it still appeared?

The only explanation was…

"I thought a being ranked among the top in the country would be full of pride, but it seems I was wrong. Call out your helper—let me see who it is."

Ye Zhongming's aura steadily intensified. He knew an intense battle was unavoidable today.

Even if he wished it weren't so.

What he wanted most right now was to find Talking Lady. For the sake of caution, he had already delayed for some time.

But now, he would have to get through this first.

The Snow Wolf King fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Human, you are impressive."

Ye Zhongming and the others said nothing, turning their bodies slightly toward a certain direction. A powerful aura surged into the sky from their flank, no longer concealed.

Another level-nine!

The hearts of the Cloud Peak team sank.

They wouldn't be afraid if it were just the Snow Wolf King alone. With Ye Zhongming, Xia Bai, Yangos, Yellow Ball, Red Hair, the undead dragon-fish, and the ice bird, they could handle it. Add in Nine Treasures and the female guard providing support; they might even secure a victory.

But facing two level-nine opponents? Their current strength wasn't enough.

The situation had suddenly turned extremely dire.

Compared to their time in Black Dragon City, Cloud Peak now had the Youth Army, but their evolution levels were too low to be of help. Meanwhile, their opponents had gained an additional level nine. The balance of power was no longer even close.

The ground trembled slightly as something descended from a nearby mountain. Though the tremors weren't rapid, the vibrations made it clear this creature was moving very quickly.

Soon, the figure of this lifeform appeared in their line of sight.

Xiao Xuan and the others peered over the edge from the snow pit. Many of them gasped in shock.

"It's… the Human Bear King!"

Many voices trembled.

If it had been any other level-nine lifeform, the Youth Army might not have recognized it. But they knew this Human Bear King all too well. It often wandered near Black Dragon City, eating the sweets humans prepared before leaving. Many had gone to the city walls early on to watch, and the Youth Army was no exception. Some of them, who had held low status in their former factions, had even been sent out to deliver food to this powerful being, coming within mere meters of it.

The two strongest level-nine lifeforms in the country's northern region had joined forces beyond the border to attack Cloud Peak together!

"Boss Xuan, let's go! Even if we can only help from the sidelines!"

The selection and training during this phase had forged an unyielding will in these youths. Even facing level-nine lifeforms, they showed no intention of backing down.

Xiao Xuan gritted his teeth, thinking momentarily before saying, "If things go badly later, we'll cover Brother Ye's retreat!"

The young faces turned solemn as they nodded. They knew what this meant—they would likely have to lay down their lives to accomplish this task.

The Human Bear King was far larger than the Snow Wolf King. When it moved, it was like a mobile villa—nearly ten meters tall and twelve meters long, giving it an absolute physical advantage over the evolved whether it walked on all fours or stood upright.

It was called the Human Bear King because it preferred walking on its hind legs. It would look like a white-furred giant if not for its ferocious bear head.

"Old Wolf, you've picked some good ones. Today, we'll eat our fill."

The Human Bear King had also learned human speech, though even the Youth Army, who had seen it many times, were hearing it speak for the first time.

"Let's fight first. They won't be easy to deal with," the Snow Wolf King said cautiously. It was inherently suspicious and vengeful, but it never underestimated its enemies.

The Human Bear King was less concerned. Its gaze lingered more on Yangos and Nine Treasures, as if their flesh would be especially delicious.

This blunt stare made Yangos extremely unhappy.

But the wicked dragon knew better than to speak up.

Ye Zhongming raised his hand, and the entire Cloud Peak team's aura shifted instantly.

Running wasn't an option against two level-nine lifeforms. They had to fight.

"This time, your chances still aren't great," Ye Zhongming said to the Snow Wolf King before pulling out an object.

It was a glowing card, its back adorned with intricate blue and purple patterns, its front depicting a pair of crossed, strange horns.

Ye Zhongming tore the card apart.