Chapter 2123: Cloud Peak King's prestige |
The various wonders surrounding Ye Zhongming were certainly noticed by others, especially within the Star-Eye Clan.
No matter how exceptional a person who had just arrived from their home planet was, they could not possibly accomplish all these things.
Especially after Ye Zhongming returned from the Library Palace, he carried an aura of soaring to great heights. It was easy to guess that he had gained many benefits there.
Of course, those who could sense this so clearly were the high-ranking members of the Star-Eye Clan, who would never betray Ye Zhongming. Thus, the Cloud Peak King did not deliberately conceal his actions.
Others kept their questions to themselves. Everyone had their own fortunes; that Ye Zhongming had learned so much in the Library Palace was a testament to his own ability.
Only someone as close as White Robe could ask.
"When you return, you should visit the Library Palace too. Maybe you’ll gain even more than I did," Ye Zhongming said with a smile.
White Robe snorted. "That’s for sure. I’ve been itching to go there for a while now."
As they chatted, a voice came through their communication earpieces, summoning them to the command post. They exchanged a glance, both surprised—because this command post was not the Star-Eye Clan’s but that of the small clan alliance.
Ye Zhongming had been busy the past two days—first with the Su Clan, then setting up formations at home—so he could only ask White Robe as they walked.
"I don’t know," White Robe answered honestly.
Before long, they arrived at the small clan alliance’s command post. The two Lords and Cheng Liujin were already there.
"Zhongming, White Robe!"
Whether they knew them or not, everyone in the small clan alliance greeted the two.
Everyone now knew that Ye Zhongming had a close relationship with the Su Clan. Many were also aware that the Star-Eye Clan’s rise from a small clan to prominence had much to do with him, so no one dared to be negligent.
As for White Robe… they feared those they could not defeat, and found those they could defeat annoying!
White Robe had first made a name for himself in Dark Strip City. The clans he had initially challenged were small. So they had complicated feelings about him. Still, there was no animosity—in fact, later on, many had come to admire him. Quite a few of their clansmen had even tried to follow in White Robe’s footsteps…
The Star-Eye Clan currently led the Dark Strip City small clan alliance. Though their camps were not together this time, the two Lords were still held in the highest regard, seated in the primary positions. When they saw Ye Zhongming enter, they motioned for him to come over.
In the cosmic races, where strength commanded respect, there was no such thing as deferential humility.
Ye Zhongming walked over and sat down.
"The reason we’ve called everyone here is that many are uncertain about this hunting operation and want to hear our thoughts directly."
Lord Eye had sustained some injuries in the earlier battle but had mostly recovered over the past two days. When Ye Zhongming sat down, he addressed him.
Our thoughts? Ye Zhongming was not sure what the small clans meant.
"Ah, Lord Eye is being polite to spare our feelings. Let me speak plainly."
A small clan leader spoke up. "The truth is, among us here, not many have participated in the Planet Hunting Ground—and those who have did so many years ago. Even fewer have taken part recently and returned alive. So, regarding the current situation and the pros and cons of choosing this place, we don’t have a clear sense of it."
Ye Zhongming recognized the speaker. He was the leader of the Aofu Clan, one of the few in Dark Strip City known for their warriors’ ferocity. Their weapons were all massive—great clubs, great sabers, great axes, great hammers—whatever was biggest, they liked best.
Their racial talent was also excellent: they could enter a state of frenzy, temporarily boosting their combat abilities with few side effects other than significant physical exhaustion.
It was precisely these traits—their ferocity in battle, their strong assault capabilities, and their immense strength—that had once made them prominent among the myriad races.
But for the same reasons, these traits had also led to the Aofu Clan’s decline. Their best role was as the vanguard, the spearhead, the blade that first pierced the enemy. There was no doubt they were strong. But charging at the forefront meant they also suffered the heaviest casualties. Moreover, while they had great strength and charged swiftly, their broad, sweeping fighting style became a critical weakness when forced into close-quarters combat. Especially when facing agile races or mutated lifeforms—if their attacks were evaded, it often resulted in a fatal blow.
Under such circumstances, the Aofu Clan suffered heavy losses in every battle, gradually declining from a major clan to a small one. Before Ye Zhongming’s arrival, their situation was not much better than the Star-Eye Clan’s.
They were also among the first to support the Star-Eye Clan, because under the control of the Eight Heads in Dark Strip City, their combat style had been exploited—they were the ideal cannon fodder…
"But the Star-Eye Clan and the Su Clan are different. You’ve already prepared to fight here based on your own strengths," explained the giant-like leader named Duoduo.
"So we need your help and coordination. We are not afraid of fighting, but we don’t want to be sacrificed meaninglessly as before. That would be pointless. We all want to continue surviving in the universe. Even if we cannot thrive, we want to maintain the status quo. We don’t want to… fade away after this Planet Hunting Ground."
Some things did not need to be spelled out. By this point, Ye Zhongming understood.
Simply put, these small clans were uncertain. The Eight Heads had originally coerced them into participating in the Planet Hunting Ground. But before departure, the Star-Eye Clan had persuaded them not only to stand together against the Eight Heads but also to come here together.
Perhaps earlier, they had felt confident. After all, so many clans had gathered, with nearly one hundred thousand warriors. But the landing battle had sobered them up. Though their numbers were considerable, their strength was the real issue.
It was not that their combat ability was poor—overall, they were decent. But they lacked standout individuals and fought separately, unable to coordinate effectively.
Otherwise, with so many people, why had they still needed the Su Clan and Star-Eye Clan to pour nearly twenty thousand reinforcements into their fight, ultimately winning only with the help of the Kepaisi Sky Cover?
The problem was simply excessive internal friction.
It was not intentional on the small clans’ part; they simply lacked a unified and smooth command structure.
They had come here with the Star-Eye Clan as their leader. Clearly, now they wanted the Star-Eye Clan to take charge.
Ye Zhongming even suspected their true intention—a re-division of the defense zones.
