Chapter 1693: Star Swap Card

Gyanendra's eyebrows twitched as a smile crept across his lips.

In this space where factions could only hear but not see each other, the West Asian Saint had no need to conceal his emotions.

That star had once cost him dearly, so much that he'd even surrendered his personal gold-grade equipment.

Now destitute, he had no choice but to challenge whenever landing on others' stars.

For someone with so few subordinates left, this was dire.

Why had he used his hard-won Occupation Card on that star? To recoup his losses!

Yet the Women Guard and Cannibal Chain had bypassed it entirely, leaving him frustrated.

Fortunately, luck wasn't universal—the Mechanical Genius had landed right on it.

"Don't worry, I'll repay you in full afterward."

As allies, Gyanendra quickly made his stance clear.

"No need."

The Mechanical Genius chuckled darkly.

"With everyone so... enthusiastic, it'd be rude not to join in. Governor Spade, as your ally, I'm giving this my all."

His tone left allies uneasy—was this madness genuine or feigned?

Facing the space's prompt, the Mechanical Genius didn't choose. Instead, he produced a card.

His Minor King Card!

"Mechanical Genius uses Minor King Card—Attribute: Star Swap."

"Mechanical Genius selects Bright Star No. 12 as the exchange target. Stars No. 7 and No. 12 will switch positions."

"Due to the swap, factions on both stars must reconfirm their choice—challenge or payment!"

The announcements left everyone stunned, followed by wildly divergent reactions.

Great America erupted in cheers—this outcome favored them most, guaranteeing Cloud Peak would pay dearly.

Some felt both joy and dread, like the Women Guard. As allies of Great America, enemy losses benefited them. Yet having just avoided the terrifying Star No. 7, its sudden return ahead forced them to confront the danger anew. The world had gone mad.

As for Cloud Peak and the Cannibal Chain? Pure fury.

Gyanendra cared little whether Ye Zhongming or the Mechanical Genius paid Star No. 7's exorbitant toll—both were enemies.

If forced to choose, he preferred Cloud Peak.

Double the income, plus the sweet taste of vengeance against a faction that had only brought him defeat and misery.

Yet he worried—what if Cloud Peak chose to challenge? Given their strength, they'd likely win, leaving him with neither payment nor the star.

While Cloud Peak would be weakened, the real beneficiary would be the Mechanical Genius.

Frowning, Gyanendra decided it was time to shift targets.

Alliance promises? Child's play in his eyes.

"Boss..."

The Youth Army couldn't contain themselves, faces alight with anger and anticipation.

Fighting their own max-upgraded guardian beast felt wrong, but paying the toll was unthinkable.

Though new to Cloud Peak, they'd already embraced its ethos: better to die standing than live kneeling.

So what if it's a guardian beast? Bring it on.

Ye Zhongming disagreed.

Even with doubled difficulty, Cloud Peak could win—not every level nine matched the Holy Father's might.

But casualties would be severe, and that was unacceptable.

He did have a solution, but...

Using it here felt wasteful. This trump card was meant for their ultimate rival—a potential game-ender.

As he hesitated, a voice from behind made him whirl around.

"Let me handle this one."

The voice was familiar—the Talking Lady.

Her awakening had been utterly silent. Even the Youth Army only noticed when she spoke; the Female Guard had detected her mere moments earlier.

Xiao Min, Redhead, Xia Bai—all standing near Ye Zhongming—hadn't sensed her either.

"You're awake?"

Ignoring the space's prompts, Ye Zhongming hurried to Talking Lady, his eyes locking onto her forehead.

He needed confirmation—had she evolved? Reached level nine?

Disappointment flashed as he saw no crystal.

Then he noticed the black cat in her arms—its forehead bore a silver crystal.

Level nine silver.

If the cat was level nine, so was Yupo. They were symbiotic.

The legendary mutant zombie of apocalypse lore now stood before him in the flesh.

For the first time, Ye Zhongming felt true control over destiny.

"You saved me."

Talking Lady’'s gaze was gentle.

"In human terms, I owe you." Her pale fingers stroked the cat as she spoke solemnly: "This battle is interest. Later, you may call upon me once... when truly needed."

"Choose wisely." Her eyes then emptied, as if Ye Zhongming had become just another face in the crowd.

"Anything."

Her earlier tone had rankled Cloud Peak members.

What, did reaching level nine grant her the right to address their leader so? Cloud Peak had slain level nines before—even stood against the Holy Father!

But this promise soothed most grievances.

A single favor, but unlimited in scope—such sincerity.

It might demand her very life.

Without waiting for Ye Zhongming's response, Talking Lady turned toward another figure.

Red Hair stood there.

"Hey, I won... so you lost."