Under his guidance, he believed they’d eventually reach level nine. They didn’t need to take this gamble.
But… what if it was real? What if this thing could drastically shorten their evolution time or, like Death King Tree, propel them directly into an evolution phase?
This was, after all, the legacy of a veteran level-nine.
After hesitating, Ye Zhongming shared his concerns with his beasts. Yellow Ball, ever loyal, suppressed its desire and lay beside its master, abandoning the pearl.
Red Hair also quieted, obedient as always, deciding against the risk.
Only greedy Yangos insisted.
Ye Zhongming nodded, allowing it to go.
The dragon’s unique bloodline might assimilate the energy, even if it was a trap.
“Human, keep your subordinates back!”
Ye Zhongming shrugged, feigning helplessness.
Both monsters and battle beasts had kept their distance from the Nine-Winged Crow. Though coveting the pearl, the level-nine’s aura still intimidated them. Many nearby monsters hesitated.
Flying monsters were the exception. Ground-bound ones could only reach the pearl by climbing the Crow’s body, but the fliers could soar up.
Yet even a dying level-nine inspired instinctive fear.
Yangos, however, overtook them all. Its massive wings and dragonfire cleared a path no monster could block. At this rate, it would be the first to reach the pearl.
The Nine-Winged Crow watched coldly. Then, with a sudden cry, it unleashed an invisible shockwave.
High-level monsters and beasts sensed danger and retreated. Yangos was quicker. It shot upward, putting distance between itself and the Crow.
Monsters caught in the blast had their heads explode like watermelons struck by hammers. Corpses piled around the Crow, forming a ring of death. Only psychic lifeforms like the commander survived, naturally resistant to the mental assault.
Yangos faltered mid-air, nearly falling. It took two seconds to stabilize, then ascended another hundred meters, circling warily.
It was too close, and even it would’ve been stunned or worse.
Everyone now understood that a level-nine commanded respect even on death’s door.
This was the dignity of a level-nine. Until its last breath, it would not be disrespected!
Ye Zhongming watched solemnly, deeply grateful his plan had involved luring another level-nine rather than a direct assault. Otherwise, even victory would’ve come at a catastrophic cost, possibly crippling Cloud Peak permanently.
He was also thankful the bait had been Armor King, Earth’s top-ranked level-nine, which had slain peers before. An ordinary level-nine might’ve stood no chance.
Unlike Ye Zhongming, Li Daqi was on the verge of tears.
Most of the casualties had been monsters, but his side lost battle beasts—many high-level, including several level-sevens.
Not all beasts were as obedient as Yellow Ball or the Giant Spotted Bear.
In one strike, half his battle beasts were gone.
Before even fighting, his strength had plummeted to despairing levels. Even if they killed the Nine-Winged Crow and claimed parts of its body, the gains might not offset the losses.
After its final act, the Nine-Winged Crow exhausted its last vitality. Its massive body collapsed, eyes dimming. Following Armor King, another level-nine vanished from the world.
The battlefield fell silent.
The Crow’s lingering aura, the still-warm corpses, and the ring of death kept monsters at bay.
The humans, meanwhile, felt genuine respect.
A level-nine must not be disgraced. The Nine-Winged Crow had declared this with its final breath.
But then—movement.
Amid the corpses, a shadow darted forth. Nimbly scaling the Crow’s body, it leaped skyward, reaching for the pearl.
Ye Zhongming’s pupils contracted. Immediately, he ordered Yellow Ball, Red Hair, and Earth Yellow:
Seize that pearl!
He now knew it might be the most valuable treasure here today.
Because that shadow was Six-Wings, the Nine-Winged Crow’s Earth-dwelling clone.
He didn’t know why it hadn’t died with its main body. Perhaps its time on Earth had altered it, severing some ties.
Regardless, Six-Wings knew its main body best. The Crow and commander hadn’t lied, if even it coveted the pearl. This was the legacy of an immensely powerful level-nine, containing unimaginable energy.
And so, it must be claimed.
Six-Wings wasn’t Cloud Peak’s ally—at best, a transient guest. Faced with such a prize, it and Cloud Peak were now enemies.
In fact, at this moment, every non-Cloud Peak lifeform was Ye Zhongming’s foe!
Six-Wings had slipped through the space gate earlier, hiding until the pearl appeared.
But the Crow’s final attack was devastating. Though once part of the being, Six-Wings was still severely injured, losing flight capability. Now, it relied on agility to reach the pearl.
It had the advantage of being mere meters away.
If it obtained the pearl, Six-Wings believed it wouldn’t be long before it achieved its dream— becoming the main body.