Apocalypse Gachapon

Wu Xiu and Ruan Xiao stood on a hillside, watching the Cloud Peak team gradually disappear from view, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

If not for this Mountain King Wheel journey, they might never have truly understood Cloud Peak’s strength.

Because only enemies could deeply experience it, and they were not Cloud Peak’s enemies.

“We thought we already held them in high regard, but seeing it firsthand… these people are terrifying.”

Wu Xiu’s status in the Cannibal Chain was practically second only to the top leader, and the Cannibal Chain was one of the most powerful organizations in the post-apocalyptic world. This spoke volumes about her insight and standing.

Yet even someone like her had lost count of how many times she’d made such remarks. One could imagine the shock this journey with Cloud Peak had inflicted on her.

Ruan Xiao nodded, sighing helplessly. “Now that Ye Zhongming has obtained the Mountain King Crown, along with excellent rewards and the addition of two level nine lifeforms, the top spot on the national rankings will never change hands again.”

Wu Xiu couldn’t agree more.

Even now, she found it hard to believe that the Mountain King Wheel trial space—where factions like Gyanendra and Great America had fallen—had failed to push Ye Zhongming to his limits. She truly didn’t know how to describe her feelings.

The two teams returned to China together, rested briefly in Black Dragon City, then departed simultaneously, parting ways after leaving the cold region.

Though the Cannibal Chain hadn’t obtained the Mountain King Crown, they had still gained much. Aside from their final rewards (third place after Cloud Peak and the Mechanical Genius), they received three valuable items: a purple-grade piece of equipment, a job scroll, and a mid-grade bloodline crystal.

Even for the Cannibal Chain—second only to Cloud Peak in wealth—Wu Xiu and Ruan Xiao, with their vast experience, were highly satisfied.

Moreover, by playing it safe on the Star Path, they not only secured the compensation promised by Cloud Peak but also acquired many other valuable items.

There had been sacrifices, but the gains far outweighed them.

This trip had been worth it.

“Any news?”

Ruan Xiao was Wu Xiu’s subordinate, here primarily to assist.

The Cannibal Chain’s commercial network spanned the entire Chinese zone and even extended abroad, so their intelligence network was formidable, on par with the Five Rings Money and superior even to Cloud Peak.

“Over this period, we’ve received thousands of messages. After filtering, five require our immediate attention and decision-making.”

Ruan Xiao had memorized all the summarized reports at a glance.

“First, an internal matter: one regional manager and three district managers have died. Upon returning to headquarters, we’ll need to elect replacements. The boss wants us to consider suitable candidates during our journey for later discussion.”

Wu Xiu’s eyes narrowed. “Who died? How?”

A regional manager held the same rank as Ruan Xiao—an absolute heavyweight within the Cannibal Chain. Such a death was no small matter.

“The newly appointed Central Zone manager. Cause of death: unauthorized challenge against a level nine lifeform, resulting in defeat. Two of the three district managers also perished in that battle.”

“Idiot!”

Anger flashed across Wu Xiu’s face.

This Central Zone manager had been close to her—part of her faction. Dying in violation of company rules meant she couldn’t escape blame.

Moreover, with such a major incident, her faction would likely lose control over the Central Zone position, drastically weakening her influence within the Cannibal Chain.

Though Ruan Xiao had obeyed her throughout this trip, Wu Xiu knew he wasn’t her ally—he was the boss’s trusted confidant.

“Second, during this period, we’ve confirmed five level nine lifeforms were killed: two by Cloud Peak, one by the Resistance Zone, one by Five Ring Money, and one by us.”

Ruan Xiao frowned. “But reports also indicate that several monitored level nine territories have entered a ‘silent state.’ We can’t confirm specifics yet.”

A “silent state” meant no activity from the level nine lifeform within its territory, suggesting either migration or death.

If killed, the perpetrator remained unknown.

“How many regions show this silent state?”

“…Seven.”

Wu Xiu and Ruan Xiao exchanged glances, seeing mutual shock and confusion.

Seven regions. If all these level-nine lifeforms had migrated simultaneously, that was impossible—some must have been killed.

But how? By other level nines? Or human evolved? If the latter, this was extraordinary—it implied an organization with top-tier national strength had remained completely hidden.

Both sensed something unusual brewing.

Another anomaly: Cloud Peak had killed two level nines without Ye Zhongming present?

“Continue,” Wu Xiu sighed.

Ruan Xiao nodded. “Third, our old rivals Five Ring Money, have launched three large-scale operations—a rare move. They succeeded in the southwest and northwest but failed in the north.”

Wu Xiu chuckled. “They’ve finally succumbed to ambition. Restricted by us in the China and suppressed by Cloud Peak, they’re now eager to expand beyond borders—transitioning from merchants to a full-fledged army.”

The two largest commercial organizations had diverged sharply in direction after six post-apocalyptic years.

While the Cannibal Chain remained “armed merchants,” Five Rings Money was shedding its mercantile identity.

“Fourth, regarding Cloud Peak: the boss has confirmed that both Liu Zhenghong and Le Dayuan’s labs have recently achieved breakthroughs, producing powerful new creations. The level nine kills are related. He wants us to investigate specifics before personally visiting Cloud Peak to discuss comprehensive collaboration.”

Ruan Xiao handed Wu Xiu a note—about a hundred words in the boss’s handwriting.

“Now the fifth.”

As she read, Wu Xiu wondered what Cloud Peak’s new creations could be.

“The Resistance Zone has spun a level-nine wheel.”

Wu Xiu’s head snapped up. “What?!”

Ruan Xiao confirmed, “Yes. They obtained a weapon from it—one that defies science.”