Apocalypse Gachapon

Talking Lady froze—not just because the black cat had been crushed beneath a mysterious mountain, but because the barrel of Ye Zhongming’s sniper rifle was now pressed against her forehead.

A terrifying aura radiated from it, making her blood run cold.

As a unique evolved lifeform, Talking Lady had always prided herself on her composure.

Yet now, her eyes were filled with panic.

This wasn’t her battlefield.

As a top-tier mental-type variant, her greatest strengths were interference and control. She was meant to drown enemies in waves of zombies and mutated beasts, not fight alone.

Without an army to ensure her safety, she was, at best, half of her true self.

She had always believed that with the black cat by her side, even as a “half-complete” entity, she could face any foe—even Ye Zhongming, who had suppressed her before.

But the result was clear: she had been crushed again, this time without even a chance to fight back.

Why?

Talking Lady didn’t understand. But as a variant lifeform, her instincts were simple: fear the strong, brutalize the weak. And right now, she was terrified—terrified of the bullet in that gun, the one that could end her life.

She had once believed her living value outweighed her dead one. But now? Two level-nine magic crystals—hers and the black cat’s—might be far more tempting to Ye Zhongming, who was desperate to reach nine-star evolution.

The thought sent a shiver down her for the first time.

Her knees weakened.

Let’s be clear: Talking Lady wasn’t noble.

Yes, she was intelligent—far smarter than most evolved beings, even surpassing many human survivors.

But at her core? She was still a variant lifeform—a level-nine zombie.

Her high intelligence allowed her to understand fear and submission.

And right now, Ye Zhongming’s overwhelming strength forced that understanding upon her.

She wouldn’t grovel like a tamed beast, but she could lower her head. She believed Ye Zhongming would understand.

And he did.

The moment she bowed, his rifle lowered.

“Hunt with me. Bring me ten level nine magic crystals, and you can go wherever you want. But our previous agreement still stands.”

Talking Lady nodded immediately.

Ye Zhongming then turned to Death King Tree.

“I’m different from her. I’ll stay here. Hong is my… let’s say ‘good friend.’ You? You’re my mating partner.”

Ye Zhongming resisted the urge to roll his eyes. With a wave of his hand, the mountain vanished. The black cat wasn’t dead—but it was badly mangled, its body dented in multiple places, bones shattered. When it looked at Ye Zhongming now, even its pride was less than Talking Lady’s—only fear and submission remained. It didn’t dare move.

“Sister Red, had enough fun watching?”

Cloud Peak’s King called out irritably, earning Liu Zhenghong’s signature laughter in return.

“Not bad, Little Ye~”

With that, Liu Zhenghong quickly approached, followed by a team of about a hundred.

Ye Zhongming scanned them. Aside from the guards he had assigned to protect her, there were core members from the teams that had left the city with her, a seven-member Chameleon squad, and twenty gene warriors.

The masked Chameleon squad saluted Ye Zhongming silently before retreating.

“Sister Red—” Ye Zhongming frowned, about to lecture her, but Liu Zhenghong cut him off with a grin.

She knew what he wanted to say.

Death King Tree was powerful, but Ye Zhongming had arranged defenses around Liu Zhenghong and Le Dayuan strong enough to hold off a level-nine long enough for reinforcements.

Killing or kidnapping them inside Cloud Peak Villa? Nearly impossible.

Clearly, Liu Zhenghong had chosen to follow Death King Tree out for “fun.” Ye Zhongming’s frustration was justified.

“Look what I got you, Little Ye~” Liu Zhenghong said playfully, opening her palm to reveal two level-nine magic crystals.

Before Ye Zhongming could speak, she continued.

“And I brought some old friends.”

She called out toward where she had come from. Soon, everyone—including Ye Zhongming—felt multiple surges of immense energy.

It was a deliberate signal: no hostility.

Moments later, a group of evolved riders atop warbeasts slowly came into view.

“Deacon Tong, Deacon Water, Deacon Bai, Director Ouyang, Brother Daqian, Commander Mu, General Manager Wu Xiu, Manager Ruan Xiao, and… Boss Wang Hanran?!”

Ye Zhongming’s shock was uncontainable.

The leadership of two of China’s most powerful commercial organizations had all gathered here!

Behind them were representatives from Thousand Beast Villa and the Resistance Zone—Li Daqian and his son Li Zhizhong, as well as Commander Mu and his daughter Mu Xinfei.

This lineup meant almost every allied faction leader outside Cloud Peak was present.

Something big was happening.

Their gazes when they looked at Ye Zhongming? Complicated.

Earlier, they had encountered Death King Tree and Liu Zhenghong, witnessing a level-nine hunting exhibition, with Death King Tree as the main attacker and Cloud Peak teams assisting.

The scene left the leaders dumbstruck.

Why? Because it was too overpowered.

Having a level-nine like Death King Tree as an ally was terrifying enough. But they had clearly seen that Cloud Peak’s teams hadn’t even exerted full effort—just played supporting roles. And according to intel, these weren’t even Cloud Peak’s main forces.

Liu Zhenghong’s group also included unmoved gene warriors and a squad carrying strange, box-like magic crystal weapons…

If Death King Tree plus a few ordinary teams could hunt level-nines, how strong was Cloud Peak at full power?

But the real shock came when they arrived at Cloud Peak’s base, witnessing Ye Zhongming solo two, no, three level-nines—and winning effortlessly.

The result left them stunned, forced to sigh in resignation: “We all live in the same country. How is the gap this huge?”

Under such overwhelming displays of power, every leader present greeted Ye Zhongming with respect.

What else could they do? Strength spoke for itself.

The arrival of these VIPs was a major event for Cloud Peak—they represented half of China’s power structure. Ye Zhongming immediately arranged accommodations and personally escorted them into the villa.

That night, a lavish banquet was held in their honor. After food and drinks, Ye Zhongming, Xia Lei, and other high-ranking members led the faction leaders into a private meeting room.

Outside the villa, a 500-meter perimeter was cleared. Countless Cloud Peak guards sealed the area in layers.