Chapter 2127: They’re not quite there yet |
The squad members stared at Shi Yong, who looked completely transformed, their eyes wide.
Shi Yong’s new equipment consisted of four Red Condensation-grade pieces, with the rest being Ke Steel-grade!
Red Condensation-grade gear, within these small clans, was something only clan leaders could use. Ke Steel-grade was for mid-level members.
For ordinary warriors, having a few Standard-grade pieces was already considered good. Seeing a Star-Eye Clan warrior whose equipment might even surpass their own clan leader’s left them somewhat dazed.
“Shi Yong’s Furelai rating is just over eight thousand, but among you, those with ratings around fifteen thousand would probably last less than two minutes against him. Only those above fifteen thousand could reliably defeat him—and that’s in a face-to-face fight. If Shi Yong had the chance to ambush, even warriors at that level might not escape unscathed.”
The squad did have some very strong individuals—Oliga, the prince of the Aofu Clan, with a Furelai exceeding fifty thousand; Emi, the spell warrior, with over forty thousand. But the rest varied widely, with some around twenty thousand and others only a few thousand.
Hearing Ye Zhongming’s words, everyone was full of surprise. They were initially skeptical but, after thinking it over, became convinced.
They might not own Red Condensation-grade gear, but they understood its power. After making reasonable estimates of the combat boost provided by four such pieces, they agreed with Ye Zhongming’s assessment, even feeling it might be a bit conservative.
“This is Ai Wu Pill. Taking it temporarily increases reaction speed and movement rate, and for three hours after its effects wear off, it continues to heal physical injuries. It’s a three turn medicine.”
“And this is Moke Juice. Drink it before battle to enhance all physical attributes; drink it after battle to accelerate physical and mental recovery.”
Ye Zhongming set down three medicines and looked at those around him.
“If Shi Yong took these and then fought, his combat power would increase by another large margin, wouldn’t it?”
The other squad members exchanged glances. Finally, Emi quietly asked, “Captain, what are you implying?”
“What I mean is, setting aside other aspects, at least your way of fighting—in my view—is far too crude.”
His words made everyone’s faces flush.
Indeed, compared to what Ye Zhongming had just described—high-quality gear, potent medicines—their own approach was not just crude; it was primitive. To put it more simply, they were dealing with a generational gap.
“So we can’t fight like this. Fighting like this will lead to too many casualties.”
Seeing the moment was right, Ye Zhongming sent a file to the squad members.
“I can provide you with this equipment, these medicines—but not for free. You will need to do some things for me. What I need from you is listed in this file.”
They opened their terminals and examined the contents.
“It includes various medicines, materials, mutated lifeforms, and so on. I need them. In exchange for finding these for me, I will give you corresponding rewards. Any incidental gains from each operation belong to you personally—no need to turn them in. Note: entirely personal.”
At this, everyone’s eyes lit up.
The materials and items this Bronze Order Leader of the Star-Eye Clan wanted were certainly not easy to obtain. Some they could tell at a glance were in extremely dangerous areas. But the conditions Ye Zhongming offered were too tempting.
By finding what he needed, they could obtain rewards beyond their imagination.
Equipment, medicines, materials, and more.
For people from small clans like them, these were irresistible.
“Everyone agrees?” Ye Zhongming asked quietly.
All nodded in unison.
Who would refuse? That would be insane.
Ye Zhongming smiled.
His initial plan had succeeded. Through gradual, subtle influence, he would make these small clans realize one thing: following him would lead to far greater development than going it alone.
The Cloudtop King had no desire to bring these clans entirely under his control. Setting aside other issues, racial differences alone made true integration impossible.
But he did not need to integrate them into a single race. He only needed them to follow his orders.
When he was not yet powerful, he would use gentle means, making shared interests the bond. When he became strong enough, he would combine carrots and sticks, incorporating them into a single system.
As for the stick… Earth’s population, by now, was large enough.
…………
“Zhongming ordered the First Battalion not to attack the Anke Beasts but to first clear out other mutated lifeforms within a ten-kilometer radius?”
Cheng Liujin, now commander of the First Regiment, was surprised when he received the news. He thought for a moment but could not figure out what Ye Zhongming was planning.
However, he knew Ye Zhongming would not act without reason. After carefully examining the map, he ordered the First Regiment to also refrain from major actions for now, focusing instead on hunting mutated lifeforms that could be easily taken.
The Second Regiment, in contrast, took a completely different approach. On the very first day of entering the Long River Alluvial Plain, they concentrated all their forces to attack a mutant lifeform group that had begun to form, emerging victorious after a five-hour battle.
This engagement was highly productive: they annihilated over twenty thousand mutated lifeforms, eliminating any clusters of more than ten thousand within fifty kilometers on the left side of the Long River Alluvial Plain.
The Second Regiment’s accomplishments instantly highlighted the First Regiment’s perceived “ineptitude.” On their first day, they engaged in only minor skirmishes, killing a few of the prey. Their gains could not compare to the Second Regiment’s. In fact, they had not even launched a single major operation—none of the target mutated lifeform groups had been eliminated.
This left the Third and Fourth Regiments, still at camp, thoroughly confused. They wondered what the First Regiment was doing. Why were they so… avoiding battle?
This hunting operation was intended to clear the area of nearby prey to ensure the camp’s safety. If they avoided battle, what was the point?
The First Regiment’s commander was Cheng Liujin, a Star-Eye Clan member. The First Battalion’s commander was Ye Zhongming, also of the Star-Eye Clan. These two were behind the “avoid battle” policy, putting considerable pressure on the two Lords back at camp.
But when they contacted Ye Zhongming, the Bronze Order Leader simply replied:
“They’re not quite there yet.”
