“Is this… an instruction manual?”
Ye Zhongming held a beast-skin parchment in his hand, uncertain as he turned to Guang Yao beside him. His vision was still blurry, so he couldn’t make out the details clearly, but he noticed that every equipment box in these sky-dropped chests contained something similar. He guessed it was some kind of user guide.
“Yes.” Guang Yao’s expression was grave. He and Ye Zhongming had opened quite a few chests together, and the contents had left him astonished.
“What does it say? Read it to me.”
Guang Yao took the parchment from Ye Zhongming, scanned it briefly, and then read aloud:
“Karis Energy Net Launcher.”
“Input mental energy to charge the launcher. Once fully charged, aim at the target and fire to release an energy net. Upon impact, the central section generates a binding force of 5,000P and induces a ten-second paralysis effect. The longer the duration, the more severe the paralysis. This function can be manually activated—once triggered, the launcher will deactivate after ten seconds.”
When Ye Zhongming heard “5,000P,” his heart skipped a beat. This was the same energy measurement system used by the Explosive Mechanic. But this value… it was terrifying! If something got hit by this energy net, what level of mutated lifeform could possibly break free? Level six? Seven? Eight?
“Maximum usage limit: five times.”
Inside this sky chest, there were five items in total. The Karis Energy Net Launcher was just one of them.
The other four included:
A Dual-Blade Warrior job scroll,
A functional card called “Eagle Eye,”
A white-colored landmine,
And a vial of “Golden Bull” essence blood.
Two of the five were wheel items, while the other three were unmistakably products of the alien races.
“Are there any restrictions on the user?” Ye Zhongming asked. Guang Yao shook his head—none.
After a moment’s thought, Ye Zhongming said, “Find a level-five comrade with average mental energy and have him test whether he can fully charge this launcher.”
Soon, a soldier arrived, visibly excited to be in front of his idol. He began channeling his mental energy into the launcher. The test proved that he could fully charge the device once he exhausted his reserves.
Ye Zhongming’s expression darkened slightly.
Even though Cloud Peak’s warriors were stronger than the average evolved, under these conditions, just two five-star evolved working in tandem could easily keep this weapon fully charged. And its power?
Ye Zhongming conducted another test. He used the launcher on a level-six mutated lifeform, which could not break free. Then, he found a level-seven, strength-type creature—while it showed signs of struggling, once the paralysis effect was activated, escape became impossible.
Though the effect lasted only ten seconds, the level-seven beast was completely immobilized and eventually passed out from the paralysis.
Ye Zhongming didn’t bother testing it on a level-eight beast. The weapon likely wouldn’t be effective at that level.
But even so, this restriction-free weapon was absurdly powerful.
Sure, a one-star evolved wielding it wouldn’t stand a chance against a high-level foe. But a five-star evolved could easily subdue a level-six beast, and with teamwork, even hunt level-seven creatures.
From this single piece of equipment, it was clear just how much these chests were reshaping the country’s power dynamics.
“Are there many items like this?” Ye Zhongming asked, though he already suspected the answer.
“The Karis Energy Net Launcher is considered high-tier, but even the other items aren’t far behind. The frenzy over these chests in the country isn’t without reason. New factions are rising, unknown names are emerging—the entire zone’s strength is skyrocketing thanks to these boxes.”
Guang Yao had reports from Chameleon. While the data wasn’t exhaustive, it was telling—many factions and individuals had suddenly entered Cloud Peak’s radar for the first time.
“The country is simmering. While this equipment doesn’t drastically affect top-tier evolved, it’s allowing lower-level ones to advance at an unprecedented pace. The gap is shrinking fast, and as interests overlap, conflict is inevitable. It’s only a matter of time before large-scale battles erupt.”
Guang Yao’s tone carried concern.
“And with rumors of even better chests on the way, everyone’s preparing—even the super factions. People believe the next wave will include items that even top-tier evolved can’t ignore.”
Ye Zhongming lowered his head in thought before asking, “Is there any pattern to where these chests land?”
Guang Yao shook his head. “None detected. It seems random, but they only appear in areas with human evolved activity. Some have searched uninhabited zones but found nothing.”
“Alright.” Ye Zhongming rubbed his eyes—a habit he’d developed lately. “Prepare everyone. If more chests appear, we’re claiming as many as possible. Expand the patrol range of our territory teams. Also, send word to the Posthumous People and Saint Light Hall—offer them fair prices to collect chests for us.”
Guang Yao nodded. If the next batch truly contained items useful to top-tier evolved, Cloud Peak couldn’t afford to sit back.
“Open all the chests we have. Catalog the contents, then distribute based on need.”
Just as Ye Zhongming was about to say more, his expression suddenly changed. Without another word to Guang Yao, he bolted outside.
The abrupt movement startled everyone. The female guards, Yellow Ball, Yangos, and even defensive units mobilized, unsure what had triggered their leader’s urgency.
Ye Zhongming raced out of the manor, mounted Yellow Ball, and tore across the land before leaping onto Yangos’s descending back. The dragon took off, carrying him toward a distant valley.
When they descended, they found dozens of stone pillars erected at the valley’s base—each engraved with strange patterns and a hollow indentation.
Ye Zhongming dismounted and, using Yangos’ vision, quickly installed objects into the pillars’ slots. The moment he finished, he vaulted back onto the dragon’s back.
As Yangos ascended, Ye Zhongming pulled out one last item and hurled it toward the bizarre formation below.
Then, man and dragon fled at full speed.