Apocalypse Gachapon

These toxins held significant research value.

The ice birds nuzzled Ye Zhongming’s shoulders with their hard beaks before taking flight again.

The Blowdart Dolls’ venom did not affect them.

“Hello. Thank God—and thank you—for saving us.”

The blond man limped over, bowing deeply. His eyes held profound shock.

The sheer combat prowess displayed by this Asian team, coupled with the two eight-level flying beasts, made him acutely aware of the power and status of the man before him.

Unlike Old Man—a mid-tier evolved holed up in the Stink Nest, who only knew Ye Zhongming was “strong, very strong” but had no grasp of his true significance—this eight-star blond man recognized that this man and his team could rank among the top five in any nation.

Thus, his reverence stemmed not just from gratitude for being saved, but from acknowledging Ye Zhongming’s standing.

He was an eight-star evolved, among the highest-tier fighters on Earth in the absence of nine-star beings. But the blond man knew well that power varied even among peers. Just this young man with his two eight-level flying beasts could likely kill him at his peak, let alone in his current wounded state.

After glancing at the dying men writhing from the venom, Ye Zhongming nodded at the blond man.

“See to them first.”

A flicker of hope lit the blond man’s eyes. If this man intervened, there might still be a chance.

But soon, disappointment set in. The Easterner didn’t perform miracles, though he did use some unfamiliar healing items and even administered antidotes. The results were lackluster—the healing crystals only eased the pain without neutralizing the venom. The antidotes had a minor effect, but they were low-grade, and while the six- and seven-star evolved’ natural resistance helped stabilize them briefly, the six-star fighters soon deteriorated again. Only the seven-star member held on, neither improving nor worsening.

“Thank you.”

Though aware that Ye Zhongming hadn’t used his best resources, the blond man was still deeply grateful.

Ye Zhongming waved it off indifferently.

Now, he had a clearer understanding of the Blowdart Dolls’ threat. Their venom was potent enough to overwhelm even seven-star evolved—only eight-stars stood a chance, and even then, survival depended on individual constitution.

Fortunately, the toxin responded to antidotes. A seven-star evolved might survive with an intermediate antidote, relying on their evolution level to recover. A six-star? They’d likely need a high-grade antidote—something as costly as a six-star evolution potion.

Soon, all but the stabilized seven-star evolved succumbed to the venom, offering a grim demonstration of its lethality.

While the dead were buried, Ye Zhongming spoke with the blond man, who introduced himself as Zienke.

Though grieving his losses, Zienke quickly composed himself for his savior.

“Where did you come from?” Ye Zhongming asked.

“Yakutsk,” Zienke replied. “We’re from Western Europe, here on an expedition. But—oh God—it was the worst decision I’ve ever made. We set out with over two thousand members. Now, as you see, only these remain. It’s my fault.”

Ye Zhongming didn’t quite understand this foreign thirst for adventure. Even in the apocalypse, he’d heard of Europeans trekking to the East for exploration.

Some behaved less like survivors and more like tourists or thrill-seekers, though he knew they had a darker side when necessary.

“Yakutsk…” Ye Zhongming repeated. “Why leave? From what I know, it’s the largest city here, rich in hunting grounds and resources. Surviving there should be easier than crossing this swamp.”

He spoke in English, avoiding the need for translation like with Russian.

“Ah, if possible, I would’ve stayed in Yakutsk awhile—recruited replacements for our losses before heading east to see your lands.”

He glanced at Ye Zhongming, noting his impassive expression before continuing. “But Yakutsk is too chaotic now. Forget recruiting—staying alive isn’t even easy.”

“Oh?” Ye Zhongming’s interest was piqued. As an eyewitness, Zienke surely knew what was happening there.

“What’s going on?”

Zienke sighed. “It’s… a mess. Over a million evolved have gathered to purge the city’s mutant lifeforms. But Yakutsk is a sizable city, teeming with high-level mutants matching human strength. Skirmishes erupt constantly. Every minute, lives are lost. It’s a battlefield—a massive… graveyard.”

Ye Zhongming frowned slightly.

Under normal circumstances, evolved avoided large-scale battles unless driven by special motives. Conflicts were usually hit-and-run, as prolonged warfare drained resources, weakening survivors even in victory.

Before Ye Zhongming could ask further questions, Zienke volunteered to explain the reason for the war.

“Though I only passed through the outskirts, I heard rumors. They say a mutant lifeform in the city is evolving to level nine!”

The words struck Ye Zhongming like lightning.

So that was why the Talking Lady had time to send word to Cloud Peak—why she could afford to wait for him. She was advancing to nine stars!

But her secret had leaked. The humans there were biding their time, waiting for her to complete her evolution, when she’d be vulnerable. Killing her then would yield not just a level nine demon crystal, but an invaluable corpse.

“There’s another rumor, though I find it… absurd.” Zienke lowered his voice. “They say if someone claims the humanoid mutant during her post-evolution awakening, they can earn her allegiance, becoming the master of a level nine lifeform!”