For evolved, equipment was just one aspect. Their greatest need was still evolution potions. A single potion could drive an evolved to risk their life for a year or even several years. Where would they find extra demon crystals to buy better equipment? This didn’t even account for job and skill scrolls.
So, even after more than four years in the apocalypse, the bulk of Cloud Peak’s sales were still white-level equipment. Even grey equipment had a decent market share, as Cloud Peak’s gear was of higher quality and came with clearer descriptions than others.
Cloud Peak previously provided limited quantities of green equipment to the leaders of affiliated factions.
Now, with Cloud Peak purchasing unlimited amounts of materials, it meant that quantity could make up for quality. By accumulating enough materials, one could exchange for better equipment.
For these leaders, there was no better news.
And as for mutated lifeform cubs and seeds, Cloud Peak had never wanted them before. They either ate or discarded what they caught. Now, these could be exchanged for goods!
These changes were aimed at ordinary evolved, but what interested the leaders were green-level equipment and above, as well as crystal weapons and gene lifeforms.
Although everyone knew that level-three gene lifeforms and the never-before-heard Cloud Peak Type I crystal weapons were likely leftovers, Cloud Peak didn’t need. Even the weakest crystal weapon was slightly stronger than white-grade equipment.
Ye Zhongming also mentioned some other rules, such as green equipment requiring specific items for exchange, which everyone found reasonable.
“Second.” Ye Zhongming lowered his second finger.
“I’ve decided to expand Cloud Peak’s sphere of influence.”
Huh?
Many people didn’t fully understand what Ye Zhongming meant by this or how it related to them.
After Ye Zhongming spoke, Xia Lei stood up and removed a black cloth from a table in the center of the room. The cloth revealed a detailed map centered on Cloud Peak.
Several areas on the map were marked in red, totaling six.
Observant people noticed that these six areas, when connected, formed a ring around Cloud Peak, each centered on a city.
“Are you saying… we should go out and occupy these cities?”
Though still based in Ying City, Zhao Xingmei and her Star Beauty Company had expanded their activities beyond Cloud Peak and Ying City. This woman had always had ambition.
It was precisely because of Star Beauty Company’s expansion strategy—or, to put it bluntly, their strategy of distancing themselves from Cloud Peak—that she immediately understood Ye Zhongming’s intentions.
“Yes. For example, Fengzhou. Star Beauty Company already has significant influence there. If you agree to my plan, the area centered on Fengzhou will become your jurisdiction in the future.”
Zhao Xingmei’s face flushed slightly, realizing that Ye Zhongming had long noticed her actions. However, it was clear that he didn’t mind much. He knew that even if Star Beauty Company’s efforts to minimize Cloud Peak’s influence succeeded, Zhao Xingmei herself couldn’t break away from Cloud Peak. After all, everything here had been a tremendous help to her, and truly going independent would be extremely difficult.
“Since you might not fully understand, let me explain. I plan to establish six jurisdictions around Cloud Peak and Ying City, selecting six regional leaders from among you to oversee all affairs in these areas. You will receive strong support from Cloud Peak, not only enjoying lower prices when purchasing equipment, gene lifeforms, and crystal weapons but also receiving a batch of supplies free of charge.”
“As for the purpose, I want to expand Cloud Peak’s influence and turn these areas into material bases and hunting grounds for the Cloud Peak system.”
This idea had been brewing in Ye Zhongming’s mind for a long time. As time passed, the “Cloud Peak system,” composed of Cloud Peak Mountain and the various organizations in Ying City, had grown larger. With the controlled area remaining the same, resource distribution had become increasingly strained, and conflicts over hunting grounds and the like had begun to arise.
Although everyone recognized Ye Zhongming as their leader and followed his orders, if this situation continued, it would inevitably lead to significant divisions, potentially resulting in chaos or even internal strife.
Especially since these factions had been following Cloud Peak and reaping greater benefits than other organizations, their development had been faster, and their “size” had begun to swell.
For example, Star Beauty Company and Bai Feng’s and Sha Sha’s organizations were like this. Keeping them confined to a small city like Ying City was no longer suitable.
The current Ying City was not the same as in Ye Zhongming’s previous life, with millions of zombies. Now, the city was much cleaner. Aside from the rats underground, few mutated lifeforms were left on the surface.
In short, resources were no longer sufficient.
At this point, expansion became inevitable. Cloud Peak itself also needed expansion. A single small mountain could no longer accommodate Cloud Peak’s growing number of members.
“I agree!”
Bai Feng was the first to voice his support. Since rejoining Cloud Peak, this man’s stance had always been firm, even more so than Zhao Xingmei’s. He even expressed his desire to join the Cloud Peak to Ye Zhongming.
“I agree as well.” Zhao Xingmei naturally had no reason to oppose. She already controlled most of Fengzhou. With Ye Zhongming’s support, taking full control of the city would be a breeze.
“Sha Sha, Guan City will be yours. It’s the southern entrance to Ying City.”
“Brother Tai, Zhengxiang City is yours. Will you take it?”
………………
Ye Zhongming assigned the areas one by one, and everyone realized that this wasn’t a matter of volunteering. Cloud Peak already had its own candidates in mind.
After the assignments, Bai Feng frowned at the map. His area was Thunder City, where the local forces were quite powerful.
“Boss Ye, what’s our stance toward these local factions?”
This operation would undoubtedly represent Cloud Peak, and Bai Feng was worried about causing trouble for Ye Zhongming.
“It’s simple. Either absorb them or eliminate them.”