Apocalypse Gachapon

The Snow Wolf King and the Human Bear King simultaneously stepped back.

They sensed an inexplicable threat.

It was as if something could drag them into an unknown and dangerous place.

The card Ye Zhongming had used was a functional card.

Demon Horn Technique.

Though it was called "Demon Horn," it had nothing to do with growing horns or anything of the sort. It was a one-time-use dark-element bloodline temporary upgrade card.

In other words, any dark-element bloodline could be temporarily elevated to its highest rank after using it.

That is—Super grade.

Ye Zhongming's bloodline was currently at the Advanced grade. He would normally need a Super Bloodline Upgrade Crystal to upgrade it to Super grade—something extremely rare and difficult to obtain.

Especially recently, after facing a level-nine lifeform in Black Dragon City, the King of Cloud Peak had begun preparing to solo-kill a level-nine.

At present, Ye Zhongming's chances of solo-killing a level-nine were minuscule. At best, he might stand a chance against a newly evolved, weaker level-nine whose abilities he countered. Against others, escaping alive would already be an achievement.

Even so, Ye Zhongming prepared with solo-killing as the standard. That way, when he truly faced a level-nine, he could fight more effectively with his team's support.

This Demon Horn Technique functional card was one such preparation.

Ye Zhongming's body swelled slightly as dark energy enveloped him. His eyes turned pitch-black, as if merging with the shadows.

Behind him, a massive black hole appeared, crackling with red lightning. A monstrous silhouette emerged from within, growing clearer as it approached.

When it fully materialized, the Cloud Peak team realized—it was the Lightning Sand Monster, but its appearance had drastically changed.

Now over five meters tall, its body was nearly indistinguishable from sand—only the swirling vortexes beneath its feet as it moved betrayed its true nature. It was clad in a suit of red-and-purple mixed metal armor, its intricate engravings putting even the finest craftsmen to shame. Over the armor, currents of electricity continuously surged from head to toe before vanishing into the sand vortexes.

Its head was covered by a helmet of the same design, with two horns extending outward, arcs of dazzling lightning crackling between their tips.

Its hands were massive, rock-solid when clenched, razor-sharp when spread.

This was no longer the Lightning Sand Monster.

It was the Lightning Sand King.

With Hell Envoy temporarily elevated to its highest rank via the functional card, the Lightning Sand Monster had also been enhanced.

But that wasn't all.

Almost immediately after Ye Zhongming activated his bloodline, fine grains of sand began drifting down from the sky, mingling with the snowflakes in a spectacular display.

Fighting on sand granted Ye Zhongming and the Lightning Sand King a battlefield advantage.

"You all handle the white bear. Just stall it. This stupid wolf—leave it to me and Red Hair."

Ye Zhongming's voice was icy and low. As he spoke, he strode toward the Snow Wolf King.

The snowflakes in the sky abruptly stopped.

Starry Sky had been activated.

The rest of the Cloud Peak team didn't waste a second worrying about their leader's battle. They immediately focused on the mountain-like Human Bear King.

"Damn it, today's the day I slaughter a level-nine!"

Yangos had stayed quiet earlier, assessing the situation. But now, things were clear—Ye Zhongming and Red Hair would take on the Snow Wolf King, while the rest (himself, Yellow Ball, the two ice birds, the undead dragon-fish, Xia Bai, and the female guard) would handle the Human Bear King.

The wicked dragon was confident that even if they couldn't kill it, they certainly wouldn't lose.

After all, it wasn't just Ye Zhongming who had grown stronger—his battle beasts had too.

Yangos, Yellow Ball, and the ice birds had all consumed Lan You's petals, absorbing immense energy that placed them at the pinnacle of their respective grades.

The undead dragon-fish, uninterested in Lan You's gifts, had inherited the legacy of the Nine-Winged Crow. Though no one knew what benefits it had gained, it was undoubtedly terrifying—so much so that even the usually brash Yangos dared not provoke it.

The two ice birds were slightly weaker than the other three, but this was the northern wasteland—their home turf. The environment naturally amplified their abilities, making them a formidable duo.

As for Xia Bai and Nine Treasures, Yangos had always suspected they were hiding trump cards. He refused to believe that a giant earthworm capable of absorbing energy from the soil would only spit poison.

And the female guard?

…Best not to talk about them. Yangos considered those women absolute madwomen. He wasn't sure he could escape unscathed if they were truly enraged.

With such a lineup against the Human Bear King (ranked 10th in the country rankings), Yangos felt more than prepared.

And even if things went south, he could always fly away.

Thus, his arrogance returned in full force.

He launched the first attack, swooping down from the sky—only to halt mid-descent and unleash a torrent of dragon's breath.

The wicked dragon's strike marked the official start of the battle.

Meanwhile, Ye Zhongming had closed in on the Snow Wolf King.

With a light downward press of his palm, the space around them trembled.

The Snow Wolf King watched warily, unsure of what was happening.

The answer came swiftly.

A dark-energy gate materialized not far from Ye Zhongming.

Then another.

And another.

Over thirty dark gates had appeared in moments, encircling the battlefield, even hovering midair—all wide open, their purpose unknown.

The paranoid and cautious Snow Wolf King suddenly wondered:

Had attacking this human been a mistake?

Ye Zhongming had no such doubts.

Since battle was inevitable, victory was the only option.

He launched his assault, charging straight at the level-nine lifeform. His specially crafted Black Earth Armor materialized over his body.

Then he did something that baffled the Snow Wolf King.

Using the Earth Spirit's Gravity Leap ability, he tripled the gravity in a massive area around them.

The range was vast, the multiplier high, draining the Earth Spirit's energy reserves in one go.

This meant that he could no longer refresh his Black Earth Armor for the rest of the battle.

Was he giving up defense?

But in this state, he himself would also be affected!

And the Snow Wolf King was a hybrid of agility and raw strength!