Apocalypse Gachapon

He cut down a level-three mutated big tree, cut the trunk into several uniform segments, and then used thick branches to set up a bonfire. After lighting it, he placed a hunted level-seven mutated lifeform on it to roast.

Wang Hanran’s choice of these two things was deliberate.

The mutated lifeform was called the ‘Spotted Elk-Beast’. Its meat was quite good, especially suitable for roasting. Even without any seasoning, the taste was fresh, tender, and delicious. The mutated plant used as firewood was known as “Spice Wood.” When dried and lit, it emitted a faint fragrance and had a calming effect. Many people in various forces enjoyed lighting a piece during their free time.

However, the biggest use of this Spice Wood was as barbecue charcoal, because when used to roast meat, a fragrance would seep into the meat, making it flavorful and very delicious.

Cloud Peak had specifically researched this; the fragrance seeping into the meat actually contained certain elements with a slight healing effect on injuries, especially those internal injuries.

In previous years, Cloud Peak obtained seeds of the Spice Wood from other locations and planted some of them around.

While roasting the meat, Wang Hanran took out a bottle of strong liquor from his spatial equipment, tilted his head back, and drank the entire bottle. He smacked his lips, said “Refreshing!”, then began peeling off the outermost layer of the roasting meat with a small knife. Each time he peeled off a piece, he would skewer it with the knife tip, hold it over the flame for a few seconds, then dip it into the chili powder in a bowl nearby, eating with great relish.

“President Wang has such leisurely refinement.”

Xia Lei’s laughter came before her words, her voice carrying from afar. More than ten seconds later, she arrived nearby and sat opposite Wang Hanran.

Wang Hanran was not at all surprised by Xia Lei’s appearance, as if it were very normal for the current leader of Cloud Peak to appear ten kilometers away from the manor.

Not only that, Wang Hanran specifically roasted a piece of meat and handed it to Xia Lei.

Xia Lei took it. Without any visible action, the extremely hot meat rapidly cooled, becoming edible in the blink of an eye.

Wang Hanran watched and shook his head: “At your level, even if the temperature were a hundred degrees higher, it wouldn’t cause the slightest harm. Why go to such trouble?”

“One must keep some habits, otherwise it’s easy to forget what one was like before.”

Xia Lei replied nonchalantly.

“What one was like before isn’t important, because we can’t return to the past. What we are like now is what we should be.”

Wang Hanran perhaps felt unsatisfied. He gestured to Xia Lei, asking if she wanted more. After receiving a negative response, he simply lifted the leg meat and started chewing.

“Remembering one’s original intention and focusing on the future is the right path.”

“Acting according to one’s nature, ignoring gains or losses, is the most fun thing.”

“Life is full of restraints everywhere; how can one act according to one’s nature? If you don’t advance, you die; how can you ignore gains or losses?”

The two engaged in rapid dialogue, the meanings understood by themselves.

Wang Hanran threw the meat in his hand into the fire, pointing at it and said, “Look, no matter what it was like in life, after death it will eventually turn to ashes. If life is so tiring, the meat might even be sour.”

“Manage affairs well in life, and you will be free after death.”

Wang Hanran laughed heartily upon hearing this, his voice shaking the surrounding trees. Lifeforms within several kilometers fled in all directions, staying far away from that place.

“I didn’t expect the famous Black-Hearted Queen to still be unable to see through things.”

Hearing Wang Hanran say this, Xia Lei wasn’t angry either. She just threw away the uneaten meat, looked at the boss of the Cannibal Chain in front of her, and said, “Whether one sees through things or not, feeling comfortable oneself is what matters.”

This time, Wang Hanran nodded, “Indeed.”

After a moment, Wang Hanran said, “You are very brave. You clearly know I am already a nine-star evolved, yet you still dare to come alone. Aren’t you afraid I might capture you to blackmail Cloud Peak? Or simply kill you, leaving Cloud Peak leaderless while Ye Zhongming is away?”

Xia Lei smiled and shook her head: “First, I might not be able to defeat you, but you cannot kill me either. At least, you cannot kill me before Cloud Peak reinforcements arrive.”

“There is a big difference between eight-star evolved.”

Hearing this, Wang Hanran shrugged, noncommittally.

“Also, since you didn’t conceal your movements at all, clearly showing us you came, your purpose couldn’t be to lure me here to kill me, right? If that were the case, your gambling nature would be too great, because there’s a ninety percent chance it wouldn’t be me who appears, but Cloud Peak’s combat teams.”

Wang Hanran nodded again, “You are right. I came here indeed not to capture or kill you. Even now, it’s impossible for me to achieve these two things.”

His gaze turned towards a direction and said, “I had long heard Cloud Peak has a level-nine mutated plant that can transform into human form, with extremely strong power. I didn’t expect it had reached such a level, able to transform into any form of plant and hide within it.”

“One hundred meters. I only noticed when it got within one hundred meters.”

In that direction, a previously quiet tree instantly changed. The Death King Tree restored her human form and flashed to Xia Lei’s side in an instant.

“Let me correct you: I am human, not a tree. If you say it wrong next time we meet, I’ll beat you up.”

The Death King Tree looked very dissatisfied. Now she considered herself human. Yes, human.

“There won’t be a next time.” Wang Hanran clapped his hands and stood up, turning to look in the direction of the mountain peak.

“That over there is the main gate of Cloud Peak, right? I heard there is a huge square paved with treated hard stone in front? It can hold forty thousand people when lined up normally?”

Without waiting for Xia Lei’s answer, he continued, “I’m really envious. I heard it also uses the Su Clan’s defensive array technology, so even if level-nine lifeforms fight at full strength on it, it won’t break, is that true?”

Xia Lei nodded. The square in front of the manor, after years of continuous repairs, was indeed a very good place now.

“I also yearn to see the inside of Cloud Peak. Too many people describe it as the perfect combination of defense and aesthetics. I want to go see it.”

“Also, the two laboratories—magic crystal weapons and gene lifeforms. I’ve always felt that those are the true pillars of your Cloud Peak.”

Xia Lei listened quietly without speaking.

“Tomorrow, at sunrise, I will ascend the mountain to see how far I can go.” Wang Hanran said calmly, as if talking about something trivial.

Xia Lei did not ask questions like “Are you sure?” or say any words of persuasion.

She knew that in this world, there are always some people who, no matter what, will never lower their heads.

…………………………

Early in the eighth year of the apocalypse, Wang Hanran challenged Cloud Peak alone. Mo Ye took up the fight, with fifty thousand Cloud Peak defenders watching. The two fought fiercely for forty-two minutes. Wang Hanran was defeated and died fifty meters in front of Cloud Peak’s main gate.