Fat Sheep Tavern
This was the most notorious pleasure den in Tang Cityâa place where anything you could imagine was available, as long as you had the magic crystals to pay for it.
On normal days, thanks to Tang Cityâs unique geographical location and the peace agreements between its major factions, the prosperity of this bustling metropolis was concentrated within this small three-story building. Stepping inside, if not for the weapons and equipment on the evolved and the blood that might still stain their hands, one might almost feel transported back to the peaceful era.
Today, the tavern was just as lively, with alcohol consumption far exceeding the usual. Yet, surprisingly, everyone remained sober, and not a single dispute had broken out.
Because today, there was only one topic of discussion.
Nine-star evolved!
Yes, humanityâs first nine-star evolved had been born.
At least, thatâs what the people of the Chinese region believedâthat their homelandâs nine-star evolved was the worldâs first.
The mindset of a great nation persisted even in the apocalypse. And with scattered news trickling in, this mentality had subtly been elevated to unprecedented heights, far surpassing even the peaceful era.
The figures in these stories were naturally led by Ye Zhongming of Cloud Peak Villa and its allies. Their exploits beyond borders had already become the stuff of legend.
West Asia, Russia, North Americaâthey had turned them all upside down. More importantly, they hadnât suffered losses but had instead made others eat humble pie.
As long as one had no conflict of interest with Cloud Peak, they were nothing short of heroes.
And was Tang City an enemy of Cloud Peak? No. It was practically a free city, as unrestrained as the name "Fat Sheep Tavern" suggested.
"Hey, what do you think Cloud Peakâs Boss Ye will do first now that heâs become the first nine-star?"
"What will he do? Knowing Boss Yeâs temperament, heâs definitely going to clean houseâwipe out everyone whoâs ever crossed him. Sure, heâs famously good to his own people, but to his enemies? Heâs the type to bide his time for revenge and then exterminate them without mercy. Mark my wordsâthe Resistance Zone, God Hall, and those factions are in for a world of hurt."
"Second Fatty, if thatâs the case, the first to suffer wonât be the ones you mentioned, but that place on Cloud Peakâs bounty list. Rumor has it itâs still around, untouched by Cloud Peak."
"True. But that place is too far. I doubt Boss Ye would waste time and effort on itâthe cost-benefit ratioâs too low. If he leads his people to hunt level-nines across the Chinese region, Cloud Peak might even get its second nine-star evolved."
The crowd nodded in agreement with Second Fattyâs reasoning.
In the apocalypse, grudges were a minor concern. Powerâthat was the ultimate goal of every individual and every team.
"Personally, I hope Boss Ye doesnât focus on domestic affairs. Why not go wreak havoc on those foreign scum instead? Otherwise, the Resistance Zone is doomed, and our Tang City⊠heh."
This remark cast a brief silence over the drinking evolved in the tavernâs first-floor hall, with only the pounding music still vibrating in their eardrums.
Indeed, why was Tang City so prosperous, dubbed the second safest post-apocalyptic city after Ying City? Because it was a nexus where several Resistance Zones and rising factions of the Chinese Top Ten intersected. Though not allies, these factions had jointly cleared the city of mutant life, reinforced its foundations, and ensured it remained free from all threats except those from the skyâall for the sake of trade and resupply.
Thus, Tang City flourishedâa transit hub, a trading post, a resting place, a den of indulgence, a haven of comfortâŠ
But if the Resistance Zones fell, would Tang City retain its current status? That was far from certain.
"Perhaps⊠the emergence of another nine-star evolved would be a better outcome."
A voice broke the silence, drawing all eyes toward a dimly lit corner of the hall where the speakerâs face was barely visible.
"Balanceâat any timeâis a system that benefits the majority more than absolute dominance."
"Because when an individual or faction grows so powerful that no one can oppose them, the rest either die⊠or are enslaved."
The words were heavy. Many disagreed inwardly but found no rebuttal.
They werenât Cloud Peakâs enemies, but neither were they its friends. If the Chinese region remained with only one nine-star evolved for too long⊠the situation might indeed tilt toward absolute dominance.
Some were already imagining itâYe Zhongming, the strongest in the Chinese region, visiting every major faction, demanding level-nine magic crystals. Comply and live; refuse and be annihilatedâŠ
"Donât worry too much. From what I know, Ye Zhongming only evolved to nine-star less than ten days ago. In such a short time, what can he accomplish? And as of earlier today⊠a second nine-star evolved has already appeared."
The hall fell dead silent. Even the music stopped.
"Who?!"
"Whoâs that badass?"
"Whatâs going on?"
"Spit it out, kid!"
If not for Fat Sheep Tavernâs strict rules, these evolved would have already rushed over to grab the speaker by the collar.
After all, among those drinking here were quite a few faction leadersâincluding one super expert, an eight-star evolved ranked in the Chinese regionâs top fifty!
The man in the corner drained the red liquid from his glass before leisurely answering:
"Commander Ji Ruiguang."
The crowd eruptedâsome cheering, others skeptical. But gradually, one sentiment prevailed:
This was good news for Tang City.
Someone proposed a toast to Ji Ruiguang becoming the Chinese regionâsâno, the worldâsâsecond nine-star evolved, which was met with enthusiastic cheers.
But just as glasses were raised to lips, the tavernâs doors burst open as a man stumbled inside.
"Well, if it isnât Rat Master? Whatâs got you in such a panic? Did Ye Zhongming come knocking?"
Some recognized the newcomerâa low-level evolved who made a living selling information, with connections far beyond his strength.
"Ji⊠Mu⊠Muâ" Rat Master gasped for breath, amplifying the laughter that had started at the joke about Ye Zhongmingâs arrival.
"Ji Ruiguang and Mu Hanyiâboth nine-star now!"
The hall instantly fell silent again.
Thanks to the widely circulated rankings, everyone knew who Mu Hanyi wasâthe leader of the Glory Army, one of the Chinese regionâs most mysterious experts.
"Wasnât Mu Hanyi supposedly killed in a clash with Cloud Peak? Or died hunting level-nines? Everyone said he was dead!"
Someone voiced skepticism.
"Dead my ass! Heâs alive! And a nine-star nowâconfirmed! He evolved around the same time as Commander Ji Ruiguang, just slightly later than Ye Zhongming."
The crowd believed it. Such news couldnât be fakeâthere was no point. Moreover, Ji Ruiguangâs ascension had now been corroborated by two sources.
The man who had first broken the news about Ji Ruiguang stood from his corner and strode toward the exit. But before he could leave, the tavern doors burst open again.
"Rat Master! Another update!"
This was one of Rat Masterâs subordinates, handing his boss a slip of paper.
The commotion made even the departing man pause, as did everyone else, their gazes locked onto Rat Master.
A full ten seconds later, Rat Master finally croaked out a sentence, his voice hoarse and stammering:
"Cloud⊠Cloud Peak⊠has⊠another⊠nine-star."