Apocalypse Gachapon

The Holy City’s palace was rebuilt upon the foundations of an ancient structure, though its appearance had been completely transformed.

In the intelligence gathered by Cloud Peak, this building warranted only a brief description—perhaps less than a hundred words. After all, architectural value held little significance in the apocalypse.

Who could have imagined it would now rise from the earth like a colossal giant?

Post-apocalyptic evolved had witnessed countless bizarre phenomena, but never before had they seen a structure come alive, radiating overwhelming pressure.

“Rock·Strike!”

The grating voice had altered slightly but remained recognizable. As it spoke, the “palace giant” swung a side hall—previously connected to the main structure by just a single section—toward Ye Zhongming with thunderous momentum.

Though merely an annex, its massive scale meant the attack reached Ye Zhongming almost instantly.

Yangos instinctively wanted to meet the blow head-on, but Ye Zhongming stomped the dragon down midair.

Despite its enormous eight-level physique, Yangos stood no chance against its nine-star master. Beating its wings frantically, it was still forced down to just meters above ground.

BOOM!

Before the dragon could stabilize itself, it looked up to see Ye Zhongming hurtling backward. With a furious roar, it unleashed a torrent of dragon breath at the palace giant.

“Stinking lizard, scram. You’re outmatched.”

A vine from the Death King Tree suddenly wrapped around Yangos and flung it backward.

Just like Ye Zhongming, after reaching level-nine and undergoing Liu Zhenghong’s modifications, Death King Tree far surpassed the eight-level dragon.

Yangos caught its master midair—already knowing he was unharmed from his controlled trajectory—but figured sucking up might expedite its own evolution.

“All of you, fall back. I’ll handle this.”

Perhaps still smarting from her earlier failure to breach the gates, Death King Tree seized this chance to prove herself.

Her roots had already silently carpeted the ground around the palace, while her branches extended toward the enemy.

As the palace giant attacked Ye Zhongming, she struck simultaneously.

Roots arched upward like scorpion tails before stabbing forward en masse.

The Holy City’s palace wasn’t just a building—it was essentially a small mountain. That Death King Tree could encircle it with roots in moments demonstrated her terrifying power.

Simultaneously, her branches hardened into jade-like spears, lashing down violently.

“Jade Transformation!”

Mimicking the stone giant’s earlier attack, Death King Tree’s human face spat these words as she unleashed her assault.

Her entire body now resembled carved imperial jade, gleaming lethally in dawn’s light. In peacetime, such a tree would be a priceless national treasure.

Now? Just another combat form.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Her jade branches hammered the palace giant mercilessly.

Her face twisted with fury—Think you’re hot stuff deflecting my leaves and turning into a giant? Today I’ll smash you to gravel or swear off mating with Little Leaf forever!

Everyone kept their distance, Ye Zhongming included.

When two level-nines brawled, bystanders risked annihilation.

The palace giant fought back fiercely, using annexes and rooftops as makeshift limbs to trade blows.

Scaled down to human size, their brawl would resemble a catfight.

At their actual scale? A clash of titans.

Each collision made the entire city tremble.

Evolved below five-star fled en masse—though Cloud Peak enforced its “no loot, no exit” policy. Ironically, the apocalyptic duel streamlined the robbery—soon even six-stars retreated beyond the walls.

Ye Zhongming, Mo Ye, and Talking Lady regrouped. With most Holy City forces evacuating, containment became unnecessary.

Some saw opportunity in the chaos, sparking scattered rebellions—all swiftly crushed by Cloud Peak.

The palace giant strained forward, seeking closer combat—but Death King Tree’s roots anchored it firmly.

Enraged, it uttered another guttural command:

“Stone·Strike.”

Three swinging annexes suddenly retracted—then exploded into stone shrapnel barraging Death King Tree point-blank.

Trapped by her own roots, she couldn’t dodge.

Countless fractures spiderwebbed across her jade body as the salvo connected.