The real shock was Alamos.
Heâs still here?
This time, Alamos wasnât aligned with Jyanendra. Competing for a seven-colored grade, ruler-grade, planet-representative equipment made them natural rivals.
But Alamosâs forces left Ye Zhongming perplexed.
A hybrid of man and beast.
Not mutated lifeformsâgenuine beasts and monsters.
Given Alamosâs control over a lab, creating such gene-spliced abominations wasnât surprising.
Ye Zhongming acknowledged his technological prowess but winced at his aesthetic sense.
Compared to Cloud Peakâs gene-lifeform lab, Alamosâs creations were visually massacred.
Yet no one understood gene-lifeformsâ lethality better than Ye Zhongming. His wariness of Alamos surpassed even Jyanendraâs ostentatious display.
The third familiar faction was Cannibal Chain. Ye Zhongming spotted Ruan Xiao among them.
The fourth group was entirely foreignâa pure European force, the largest at over 50,000 strong. Were they all-in?
What intrigued Ye Zhongming most was their 3,000-strong mutated polar bear cavalry, an undeniably imposing sight.
"Leader Ye, we meet again."
Ruan Xiao approached with twenty-odd subordinates. The regional manager of Cannibal Chain wore a hint of sheepishness.
Heâd learned of the Mountain King Crown at Thousand Beast Villaâthanks to Ye Zhongmingâs dominance over the invaders. Strictly speaking, this was Ye Zhongmingâs exclusive intel.
Ruan Xiao had merely hitched a ride.
Deacon Water and Li Daqian had also been present, yet neither Five Ring Money nor Thousand Beast Villa had come. Only Cannibal Chain remainedâa fact that felt⌠awkward.
Even in the apocalypse, where fists trumped morals, poaching intel from a stable partner like Cloud Peak was bad form.
Ye Zhongming greeted them amiably.
Did he want to see Ruan Xiao? No.
Cannibal Chain had always been an enigma. Despite long-standing cooperation, Ye Zhongming had never met its upper echelonsâunlike Five Ring Money, where he knew the deacons well.
Their true strength? Unfathomable.
But undeniably formidable.
The only name he knew was their leaderâWang Hanran.
"This is our Executive President Wu Xiuâone of three."
Ruan Xiao hastily introduced the middle-aged woman beside him.
Wu Xiu was plain-faced but exuded aristocratic elegance, her well-maintained appearance belying her age. She extended a hand gracefully.
Ye Zhongming shook itâicy cold, inhumanly so.
An ice-element evolved, likely through job or bloodline. On these frozen plains, her power would soar.
"No sign of President Wang?"
Ye Zhongming was more interested in Wang Hanran. Not that he underestimated Wu Xiuâher position proved her capability.
But at his stature, only Wang Hanran warranted equal footing.
Such was the privilege of Chinaâs undisputed number one.
Neither Ruan Xiao nor Wu Xiu took offense. Instead, she smiled.
"Risky ventures fall to us subordinates. Hanran oversees broader strategies. Heâs eager to share a drink with you somedayâhe holds you in high esteem."
"Hanran?"
Ye Zhongmingâs eyes narrowed slightly at the familiarity.
"President Wu is our bossâs cousin."
"Ah."
Ye Zhongmingâs expression softened. Family ties demanded respect.
After some small talk, Wu Xiu gave Ruan Xiao a subtle glance. The manager cleared his throat.
"Leader Ye, witnessing ruler-grade equipment is only possible thanks to you."
Ye Zhongming acknowledged noncommittally.
"Cloud Peak and Cannibal Chain have always enjoyed fruitful cooperation. Given our mutual trust, we propose an alliance this time."
"An alliance?" Ye Zhongming arched a brow. "Thereâs only one Mountain King Crown."
"Naturally." Ruan Xiao nodded. "Our proposal: if we jointly secure it, we split ownership 50-50. You already possess the Sea King Crownâweâre happy to concede, provided you compensate us modestly in crystals."
Ye Zhongming nearly laughed.
Cannibal Chainâs audacity was impressive.
Team up, win, pay us a pocket change, and keep the prize?
Superficially fair, but blatantly tilted in their favor.
Everyone knew Ye Zhongming and Cloud Peak were Chinaâs undisputed apex. Even if allies were needed, how could they justify half-ownership?
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"Trust our strength, Leader Ye. Cannibal Chain isnât as feeble as we appear." Wu Xiu interjected confidently. "Weâll also shoulder all losses if we fail."
A pause. Then Ruan Xiao continued:
"Option two: You wait while we handle everything. We deliver the crown to youâanother transaction. The price will be steep, but you assume zero risk."
"Option three: we eliminate specified competitors for a negotiated fee."
"Option four: We table cooperation for now. But prices will rise as the situation clarifies."