"Have they all left?"
Xia Lei stood in a massive stone hall, looking at the figures before herâone person and one dragon.
"Yes."
Liang Chuyin walked to Xia Lei's side, also gazing at the slumbering Undead Dragon-fish and Red Hair.
These two beings, intrinsically linked, had suddenly fallen into a deep sleep, forcing Xia Lei to have them moved here.
Beneath the two laboratories of Cloud Peak lay this stone hall. Though seemingly ordinary, it had been constructed at great cost, and core members referred to it as the "Safe House."
Not only was its defense formidableâits resilience tested by the Death King Tree, making it impervious even to level-nine lifeforms for a short timeâbut it also had a built-in propulsion system, allowing for a swift escape through a hidden tunnel if necessary.
The entire project had taken over two years to complete, requiring countless superhuman evolvers to labor on it. It was officially finished just one week after Ye Zhongming's departure.
This place was meant to be a last resort in case Cloud Peak fellâan escape route for its members.
No one expected it to be used so soon after completion.
Here, not only were the slumbering Undead Dragon-fish and Red Hair kept, but also the equipment Ye Zhongming had left behindâand Yellow Ball, who had been guarding it all this time.
Perhaps it was instinct. Like his ancestors, the loyal beast stubbornly waited for his master's return.
Xia Lei wasnât too worried about the Undead Dragon-fish and Red Hair. Their slumber likely signaled their evolution toward level nine.
After inheriting the legacy of the Nine-Winged Crow, the Undead Dragon-fish should have long since become a top-tier lifeform. The delay might have been due to Red Hairâs influence.
Now, finally, things were set right. When they awoke again, they would stand at the pinnacle of this planet.
Yellow Ball noticed Xia Lei and Liang Chuyin and slowly walked over, lying down beside them. He rested his head on his paws, still facing his masterâs equipment, looking listless.
Ye Zhongmingâs departureâespecially the complete severance of their mental linkâhad left the golden beast despondent.
Stroking Yellow Ballâs soft, smooth fur (so different from his battle-ready state), Liang Chuyin voiced her concern:
"Sister Lei, theyâll never accept this willingly. But the promises you made them, the positions you grantedâwonât they become future liabilities?"
Under Cloud Peakâs overwhelming pressure, Deacon Water, Li Daqian, and Commander Mu had agreed to submit.
This meant four of the top twenty factions in the Chinese region had officially merged.
Of course, their surrender was born of coercionâthey had bent to Cloud Peakâs overwhelming strength, and resentment simmered beneath. Yet Xia Lei had promised them key roles:
Deacon Water would co-lead a new Commerce Division alongside Cloud Peakâs merchant teams, overseeing trade operations and most of Puxing Town.
Li Daqian would merge Thousand Beast Villa with Cloud Peakâs War Beast Camp, forming a new War Beast Legion under his command, responsible for breeding, training, and enhancement.
Commander Mu was granted even greater authorityâhis forces would become an independent core combat team led by Mu Xinfei. At the same time, he himself would serve as Cloud Peakâs Chief Instructor and head of the Strategy Division, overseeing training and planning alongside Guang Yao.
These were pivotal roles, touching the very core of Cloud Peakâs power structure. Handing them over to resentful outsiders seemed recklessâespecially since Xia Lei hadnât even bound them with contracts.
"They need immediate rewards to suppress their defiance. Given time, their discontent will fade."
Xia Lei was utterly confident.
In truth, the situation wasnât as dire as Liang Chuyin feared. Each leader had reasons to accept:
Deacon Waterâs commerce network already relied on Cloud Peak. Merging gave her greater resources and a path to dominating the post-apocalyptic economy. Xia Lei had even dangled control over Five Ring Money and Cannibal Chain as future incentives.
Li Daqianâs ties to Cloud Peak ran deepest. His son had been healed here, his family spent half the year within its walls, and his granddaughterânow mentally attached to Cloud Peakâs researchersâeven called one of them "godmother." His resistance was temporary.
Commander Mu faced the greatest external threats. Without Cloud Peak, his faction would collapse under the Resistance Zoneâs pressure. Xia Lei had even hinted that Mu Xinfei could join Ye Zhongmingâs householdâif she could win his favor.
Xia Lei stepped in front of Yellow Ball. Even lying down, the beast was taller than her.
Gently stroking his neck fur, she whispered:
"Big Yellow, this wonât do. We need you. Your master will need you when he returns."
Yellow Ball opened his eyes, understanding every word.
"Hurry and reach level nine. Otherwise, when your master comes back, heâll only ride that stinky dragon!"
(Elsewhere, in some mountain range, Yangosâcurrently bullying localsâsneezed violently.)
"Eat this, then take a nap. Be good."
She opened her palm, revealing a small fruitâLanyouâs Seed, ripened using all the Fertile Soil Ye Zhongming had left behind, solely to push Yellow Ball to level nine.
The beast eyed it, then licked it up with his tongue.
As Xia Lei ruffled his head, her gaze shifted to Liang Chuyin.
"Ready?"
The influencer nodded and sat on a nearby bed.
Xia Lei handed her a vial of liquidâa dazzling, radiant potion.
"Prepare to begin your life as a level-nine evolved."
Watching the influencer drink the potion and lie down, Xia Lei turned to leave.
She hadnât been entirely honest with Commander Mu and the others.
Cloud Peak wouldnât have seven level-nine beings soonâit would have nine.
Yellow Ball and Chuyin were her hidden cards.
As the revolving metal door spun open, Xia Lei knew:
The golden age of Cloud Peak was about to begin.