Chapter 1792: All crazy

Xia Lei sat in her swivel chair, eyes narrowed as she gazed at the scenic beauty of the mountain villa outside the window.

Over the years, what was once a vacation resort had completely transformed into a fortress of war, with traces of weaponry visible everywhere.

However, thanks to the recruitment of various talents, an exceptional architectural designer had used his genius to adorn the villa with trees, greenery, flowers, medicinal herbs, and artificial streams, making the place—if not quite a paradise—at least breathtakingly beautiful.

In the blood-soaked apocalypse, living amidst such scenery was a rare blessing.

Yet, there was still regret.

Xia Lei pressed a hand to her stomach and sighed inwardly. This just won’t cooperate. For years now, it had failed to conceive a child for that man. It was her regret, and it was Chuyin and Miya’s regret as well.

Cloud Peak had grown to become a superpower of unprecedented scale. If peripheral members and their families were included, its population had surpassed three million. Such a massive entity, such vast numbers—sometimes, it needed an heir to stabilize morale.

Just like the nations of old, an heir was necessary to secure many things.

Yet, there was none.

Xia Lei could only resign herself to this reality—one shared by the entire post-apocalyptic world. Fertility rates had plummeted to their limits, a problem faced by all evolvers. Sister Hong had been researching it for some time, but so far, she’d found no solution.

After Ye Zhongming ascended to the heavens, the pile of equipment he left behind haunted Xia Lei’s dreams like a nightmare. She couldn’t even imagine what life would be like without that man, nor what she herself would become.

In just ten days, Xia Lei felt like she was losing her mind. Worry and fear gnawed at her heart every second.

Because of the matter of level-nine evolved ascending, much information had circulated among factions with clearance. Xia Lei had naturally learned much, and from these fragments, she had formed her own conjecture.

The Universe Races—each was an independent entity, yet they collectively intervened in Earth’s affairs.

They possessed mighty warriors, astonishing technology, and the power to dictate life and death.

So, what position would Earth occupy in the future?

There were only two possibilities.

The optimistic outcome: After meeting certain conditions, Earth would be incorporated into the Universe Races.

The pessimistic outcome: It would become a colony—or worse, a resource planet, a slave planet.

If Earth was accepted, would it remain independent? Or would it be allowed to join as the chaotic patchwork of ethnicities it had been since the dawn of humanity?

Xia Lei doubted the latter. More likely, it would have to enter their system as a unified whole.

If the outcome were bad, then Earth’s spine would first have to be broken—its inhabitants stripped of all hope for resistance.

But either way, Xia Lei believed one thing was necessary:

Unification.

One faction. One leader. One decision. One voice… One person.

That faction had to be Cloud Peak. That voice, that leader, that person—had to be her man.

He had gone to the heavens to contend with the Universe Races, so this task fell to her.

Xia Lei had never been an ambitious woman. Even before Ye Zhongming left, she’d been content to manage her own domain. The life she’d yearned for was simple: raising children in peace, occasionally slaughtering whatever displeased her man.

But now, every time she looked up at the sky, she felt a bone-deep sense of crisis.

How is he? What dangers is he facing right now? He feared no battle, but against an entire race—what then? Was his plight tied to Earth’s fate?

She had shared these thoughts with Liang Chuyin and Miya, and their unease had only deepened.

So, in the end, this decision was no surprise.

Xia Lei would conquer this planet and make it her man’s shield.

So that when he faced any race in the cosmos, he would always have cards to play, always have backing.

What remained was simple.

Those who submitted would join. Those who resisted would perish.

A pipe dream? Maybe. Difficult? Undoubtedly.

But worth it.

As for whether her man would be angry at her defiance of his conservative strategy, Xia Lei didn’t dwell on it. At worst, she, Chuyin, and the others could just share a bed and let him vent his frustrations. It wasn’t like he’d divorce her over it.

The clamor behind her gradually quieted until the room was so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

Xia Lei’s chair slowly turned, revealing her to the furious allies gathered before her.

"Sister Xia, is this really the right move for Cloud Peak?"

The speaker was Mu Xinfei. By framing it as a personal question first, she left room for de-escalation.

"There’s nothing inappropriate about it."

Xia Lei’s reply did not explain anything.

In such a setting, facing people of this stature, her attitude could only be described as hostile.

Li Daqian’s face was dark with anger. Of those present, he had been the most agitated.

Given that Cloud Peak and Thousand Beast Villa had closer ties than even the Five Ring Money or the Resistance Zone, discovering he’d been kept in the dark like everyone else had infuriated him.

"Does Zhongming know about this?"

Xia Lei’s gaze settled on Li Daqian’s face.

"This was Cloud Peak’s collective decision."

Commander Mu’s expression was icy as she spoke slowly. "By doing this, Cloud Peak is making an enemy of the entire world."

Xia Lei nodded. "Yes. That’s exactly right."

Deacon Water shook her head repeatedly. "Have you all lost your minds?"

"The world always needs a few madmen to do mad things," Xia Lei said. "Otherwise, it’d be too boring."

She stood, surveying the room. "I’ve laid out the terms. I hope you’ll agree to merge with Cloud Peak and fight for this goal together. After so long working side by side, I’d hate for us to become enemies."

"'Equivalent to Cloud Peak’s core members'—that’s your entire condition?" Li Daqian, past the peak of his rage, was eerily calm.

No matter how absurd or laughable this plan was, Cloud Peak’s attitude was unbearably condescending.

"It’s the most generous offer there is." Xia Lei radiated absolute confidence as she began circling the table. "Before, if you wanted Cloud Peak’s exclusive products, you had to trade for them—member discounts, yes, but still at a cost. Merge with us, and that’s no longer necessary."

The others listened, inwardly sneering.

Who do you take us for? Free goods? Then what about our assets? Wouldn’t they just be handed over for nothing?

Halfway around the table, Xia Lei suddenly sighed.

"Honestly, I wanted to patiently explain the pros and cons to make this easier to accept. But right now—whether it’s me or Cloud Peak—we’re all too restless, too anxious. So I won’t bother."

She raised a slender, jade-white finger.

"I’ll say just one thing."

"In the apocalypse, the one with the biggest fists makes the rules."

"Right now, Cloud Peak’s fists are the biggest."

"So we demand your..."

"Submission."

As she spoke, a massive shadow fell over the room. A draconic head lowered outside the window, its silver magic crystal glinting under the sunlight.

Yangos—now level nine.