After the three factions made the same decision, they settled in at Cloud Peak and soon began to reap the benefits.
First, in terms of food, drink, and training, they experienced a significant difference.
In the future, they would fight alongside Cloud Peak in a battle that, if not historic, would certainly be remembered by evolved. Ye Zhongming treated them equally, providing the same logistical support that Cloud Peak’s own teams received.
The water they drank was from a spiritual spring in the secret realm, which had the effect of cleansing the body and mind, making their energy more pure and thereby increasing the power of their skills. The water also contained a mental energy potion made by Candy, which sharpened the mind and sped up recovery. As for food, they were served high-level mutated lifeform ingredients cooked in Water and Fire Pot, which were delicious and highly beneficial.
These benefits weren’t immediately obvious, but that didn’t stop the three factions from recognizing their value.
In terms of training, the machine wasn’t in high demand since Cloud Peak’s soldiers had already trained extensively with the mutated lifeforms in the Extreme Light Training Platform’s database. After deciding to open it to the three factions, even though they charged based on level, the factions were thrilled. They formed long lines outside the training platform, operating it 24/7 without pause. Even Deacon Water, Commander Mu, and Li Daqian personally tried it, choosing the highest level available in the Extreme Light Training Platform’s database—level seven!
Yellow Ball was the strongest among the more than ten level-seven entries, and the three leaders all chose to battle the level-seven version of Yellow Ball.
No one knew the outcome, but their expressions were strange when the three leaders emerged and saw Yellow Ball lazily lying on his back in the sun within the mountain villa.
After that, the Extreme LightTraining Platform was even busier, with conflicts even breaking out among the three factions’ soldiers over training slots. This showed just how much they loved the machine.
Whether inside Cloud Peak Mountain Villa or at the Puxing Town trading market, the three factions were able to acquire many good items.
Cloud Peak’s soldiers were famously wealthy. With a top smith like Ye Zhongming as their leader, they didn’t need to spend their own money on equipment—it was provided as part of Cloud Peak’s benefits. Evolution potions were also provided free of charge. During hunts, they earned points based on their contributions, which could be exchanged for job scrolls, skill scrolls, bloodlines, and more at the logistics department at ridiculously low prices. Although most of their earnings were handed over, the remaining amount, with their needs already met, accumulated enough to fill their pockets.
At Puxing Town, Cloud Peak’s soldiers were the most popular traders. Everyone wanted to do business with them—they had money and were generous.
Now, the three factions had brought specialties and personal treasures from their regions. After expressing their desire to trade, Cloud Peak designated a section of their base for them to set up stalls. Cloud Peak’s soldiers flocked to the area, showing the factions what big spenders looked like.
Basically, everything could be sold for 10% more than the market price.
After making money at Cloud Peak, they went to Puxing Town to exchange for what they needed, turning their earnings into tangible combat power.
In just one week, the overall strength of the three factions had improved, delighting the three leaders.
Finally, there was Cloud Peak and Ye Zhongming’s ‘generosity’ toward their allies.
Some things were provided for free, such as equipment maintenance and upkeep, material appraisal and preservation methods, vitamin supplements, and Bug Emperor Honey cultivation spots.
Other items were sold at cost or discounted, such as some Cloud Peak-made equipment, Cloud Peak delicacies, crystal weapons, battle beast eggs, and young battle beasts.
Of course, these weren’t the premium items, and the crystal weapons were outdated stock. But don’t underestimate these—the three factions scrambled to buy them, almost clearing out the stock. The three leaders even specifically approached Ye Zhongming to negotiate, hoping to gain access to higher-level items.
In the end, Cloud Peak maintained a significant trade surplus with the three factions.
Eventually, the three leaders realized their coffers were empty.
But looking at what they had gained, they felt it was worth it. They were now filled with confidence about the upcoming operation.
During this time, Commander Mu requested that Cloud Peak help them modify their War Fortress, but Ye Zhongming declined, citing Le Dayuan’s busy schedule.
Later, Commander Mu compromised, asking Le Dayuan to provide relevant guidance to their technicians. After paying a high price, Ye Zhongming agreed. Le Dayuan gave the Resistance Zone technicians a two-hour lecture, avoiding core secrets but still leaving them in awe, plunging them into a frenzied research state.
Twenty days after arriving at Cloud Peak, the three factions began taking turns entering the secret realm to familiarize themselves with the environment. Combat plans were distributed, and battlefield rules and discipline were detailed to the point of having over a hundred entries.
Only then did the three factions realize that Cloud Peak’s success wasn’t due to luck. They weren’t professionally trained, but they were more professional than those who were.
For the three factions experiencing the secret realm for the first time, every moment was novel, and they spared no effort in collecting information through various means.
Later, Cloud Peak’s teams occasionally conducted joint drills with them. The methods felt strange and awkward to the three factions, but Cloud Peak didn’t explain, and asking was futile. This was the only unpleasant aspect of their time here.
As the five core members of Cloud Peak gradually awakened, the atmosphere in the mountain villa grew increasingly intense, waiting only for Little Tiger, the last one to awaken.
After studying the situation, Liu Zhenghong concluded that the reason for Little Tiger’s prolonged evolution was likely due to the top-tier equipment Lucy’s Tear he had used.
However, they didn’t have to wait long. Little Tiger successfully completed his evolution and awakened.
From that day on, the three factions noticed a noticeable change in Cloud Peak. It was as if the villa had transformed into a war machine, rumbling into action. Many things they didn’t understand were happening, but the tense atmosphere had already put them on edge.
Finally, one day, the three leaders and their factions received notification that the battle was officially beginning. They passed through the space gate and arrived on a small plain between two mountain ranges in the secret realm. Their position was halfway up the mountain, facing a long and wide 3,000-square-kilometer area.
Seeing that only Guang Yao, the seven-star captain who had defected from the Resistance Zone, and his team were accompanying them, with no other Cloud Peak higher-ups in sight, the three leaders frowned. They approached Guang Yao to ask for an explanation.
Facing the questions of the three eight-star evolved, Guang Yao smiled calmly. “Please rest assured, our people will appear when the battle begins.”
The three were about to press further when suddenly, at the end of the small plain, a terrifying energy fluctuation made their souls tremble.
A level-nine lifeform… had arrived.