Apocalypse Gachapon

There are level nine lifeforms capable of blocking the Female Guard’s attack, but none could do so this effortlessly.

Boom!

A flash of light streaked across, and one mechanical rhino’s head exploded on impact.

The entire amber-like substance covering the mechanical puppets also sank noticeably.

Ye Zhongming adjusted his gun barrel, aiming at the next target.

The moment the Female Guard’s collective skill failed, he clearly sensed a sharp drop in morale across Cloud Peak.

This was something Ye Zhongming absolutely did not want to see.

So he decisively took action, using a gun skill and a green-grade bullet to strike one of the mechanical rhinos.

This was the quickest method he could think of to bypass the amber defense and deal damage to these metal lumps.

At this distance, as long as he could penetrate the amber barrier, Ye Zhongming could hit wherever he aimed.

The red crystal eyes of these mechanical rhinos were indeed their weak points.

A sharp cry came from within the mechanical puppet formation.

Clearly, the destruction of this mechanical puppet had caught the young man off guard and pained him.

Ye Zhongming fired a second shot.

The amber layer suddenly flipped, transforming into a wall erected across the narrow mountain path, blocking the bullet.

On the smooth, beautiful tri-colored amber wall, massive cracks radiated from the point of impact, spreading across the entire surface.

These two shots from Ye Zhongming not only left the mysterious figure inside the mechanical puppet silent for a long time but also made the warriors of Cloud Peak realize for the first time just how powerful their leader’s weapon could be.

The feeling was akin to the difference between watching an explosion on TV and experiencing it firsthand.

The Female Guard’s other attacks arrived, their multicolored skills crashing into the amber wall and shattering it completely.

The previously low morale instantly soared back up.

A barrage of ranged weapon attacks also landed on the mechanical rhinos.

If energy attacks didn’t work, what about purely physical ones? Arrows, bolts, iron balls, hatchets, javelins…

Under the concentrated assault, the mechanical rhinos were forced to retreat repeatedly.

Their bodies sustained increasing damage—dents, cracks, and breaches multiplying rapidly.

The Cloud Peak formation advanced three steps in unison.

On such a narrow path, this forward push exerted immense pressure.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A series of dull thuds echoed from the rear of the mechanical puppet formation. Following the sounds, numerous black shadows were launched into the sky. Ye Zhongming looked up and saw that these were metal discs, each about the size of a washbasin, with a certain thickness and thinner edges.

These discs soared into the air, seemingly interfering with Yangos’ battle. The vicious dragon took a moment to spew a breath of dragonfire, incinerating many of them, but hundreds still remained suspended above.

Once hovering, the discs began spinning rapidly, emitting short, palm-length black energy beams that blanketed a wide area.

Dai Zhi, in charge of defense, led her team in raising the Female Guard’s protective barriers.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Amid Cloud Peak’s assault, another sound came from the bizarre machines at the rear. Ten three-meter-long, meter-thick cylinders, tethered by chains, were launched over Cloud Peak’s formation, landing on the path behind. Before hitting the ground, the cylinders unfurled into umbrella-like structures.

The chains were attached to the “handles” of these iron umbrellas, which faced Cloud Peak’s direction. The backs of the umbrellas were lined with sharp metal spikes.

The chains suddenly tautened, followed by the screech of mechanical winches. These obviously heavy iron umbrellas were yanked backward at terrifying speed. If they plowed into Cloud Peak’s ranks, the sheer kinetic impact alone—let alone the spikes—would be devastating.

But that wasn’t all. The true horror of these umbrellas lay in their edges, where blade-like extensions protruded. Connected by rods, these blades formed two-meter-long combat knives that splayed outward diagonally. With every umbrella deploying them, the entire passageway was completely sealed off.

Cloud Peak, mid-advance, was now caught in a dilemma.

Even with their limited numbers, turning around on such a narrow path was impossible, not just due to the terrain, but because the remaining mechanical rhinos and soldiers ahead were still attacking. A retreat now would be suicide.

But if they didn’t turn, these ten iron umbrellas would strike their rear in seconds, trapping them in a pincer attack.

With assaults from the front, above, and behind, Cloud Peak was plunged into crisis.

Yet these warriors were, after all, the elite Female Guard of Cloud Peak. They remained unshaken. Dai Zhi’s team held firm against the aerial bombardment, Xia Bai’s group clashed head-on with the mechanical puppets, while Xiao Min and those not on the frontlines raised their weapons and slashed at the chains overhead.

If they could sever the chains, the umbrellas would lose their driving force, rendering them harmless.

Every Female Guard warrior wielded blue-grade weapons.

Sparks flew as their blades struck the chains. In just one second, hundreds—if not thousands—of blows landed, yet not a single chain was cut!

Xiao Min’s face paled, but there was no other option. She poured all her strength and abilities into hacking at the same spot on the chains, hoping to break through whatever mysterious material they were made of.

The chains weren’t entirely unscathed—under the relentless assault, notches began to form and deepen.

But!

Compared to their overall thickness, the damage was negligible. At this rate, it would take another minute or two to sever them.

The ten deadly umbrellas, however, would arrive in mere seconds!

“By my command—turn around!”

Xiao Xuan’s voice, still carrying a hint of youthfulness, rang across the battlefield. He ordered the juvenile corps to turn and block the advancing umbrellas!

He knew these iron umbrellas were no ordinary weapons—they likely harbored hidden abilities. Given the chains’ durability, the juvenile corps might not be able to handle them.

But at this moment, he had no choice. Even if they had to throw their bodies into the fray, the juvenile corps had to hold back those umbrellas and buy time for the Female Guard!

Despite the dire situation, no orders came from the Cloud Peak King. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to resolve the crisis, but after firing those two shots, Ye Zhongming had been tied down.