“Brother Ye…” Xiao Xuan had already become a seven-star evolved, the most outstanding performer in recent times. Usually gentle and amiable, meticulous in his work, and fearless yet calm in battle, he had earned Ye Zhongming’s admiration.
The Youth Army now numbered only around 230, less than half of what it had been when they first set out.
But this was no longer the same Youth Army as before.
Now, the lowest evolution level among them was five stars, with over a hundred having reached six stars. The three most outstanding performers had even become seven-star evolved!
Before, when they had followed Ye Zhongming out of Black Dragon City, their highest evolution level had only been four stars.
The Youth Army had undergone brutal trials, tempered by powerful mutated creatures and evolved, and had truly grown.
They had become part of Cloud Peak. From now on, the Youth Army would be one of the main forces of the villa, just like the subordinates of many core members. In the future, they would continue to recruit youths who met the age requirements. In a few years, these boys and girls, grown into young men and women of seventeen or eighteen, would undoubtedly shine brightly.
Now, they were traveling through foreign lands alongside the female guards and Ye Zhongming, heading toward an unknown city.
“They’re worried about the situation in Black Dragon City and asked me to ask you… If we can go back to help?”
He knew the rule in the apocalypse: always obey the leader and never question their decisions.
But the youths from Black Dragon City were too worried about the battle against the foreign evolved, so he had mustered the courage to ask.
It was worth it to these youths even if it might displease Brother Ye.
No matter their bittersweet memories in Black Dragon City, that was where they came from.
Ye Zhongming remained silent, but Xiao Min said, “Don’t worry. We’ve already wiped out nearly a third of the enemy forces, half of their eight-star evolved included. If Black Dragon City still can’t secure victory after that, they might as well hand the city over to Cloud Peak. Keeping it would be a waste.”
Since the Youth Army had joined Cloud Peak, the female guard’s attitude toward them had noticeably changed—they spoke more freely and no longer kept them in the dark about certain matters.
Ye Zhongming’s stance was clear: he would help Black Dragon City, but only to a certain extent.
He planned to establish a foothold in the northern region. It didn’t necessarily have to be Cloud Peak itself—they could rely on other forces. A place like Black Dragon City, with its large population, sturdy defenses, yet lack of unified leadership, was perfect.
Opening shops, even buying an entire street, and doing business with the locals were just the beginning. In the future, Cloud Peak would gradually infiltrate and turn Black Dragon City into its sphere of influence.
This was different from outright annexation. Black Dragon City was too far from Cloud Peak’s headquarters—a distant outpost. The local factions were deeply rooted; even if they installed a puppet leader, a newcomer would face overt and covert resistance. If they chose a local, trust would be an issue.
Thus, turning it into a “territory” was the best solution.
The outpost was too far. Even with teleportation arrays, they couldn’t be used freely—the energy cost was too high.
Cooperation was key. Black Dragon City would retain some independence, and Cloud Peak wouldn’t waste too many troops on garrisoning it.
This meant Black Dragon City had to ensure its own safety most of the time—a necessity for Cloud Peak’s interests. Otherwise, everything they built would be destroyed.
Cloud Peak could provide Black Dragon City with weapons and equipment, but not the courage to keep fighting.
If they became overly dependent on the top faction in the national region because of Cloud Peak’s intervention, Black Dragon City’s future would be doomed.
This decisive battle against foreign factions was a case in point. Ye Zhongming would help, but he wouldn’t fight their battles for them. Keeping Black Dragon City on edge, reminding them of what evolved should be like—that was what Ye Zhongming wanted to see.
Xiao Xuan stuck out his tongue, scratched his head, and returned to his team.
After joining Cloud Peak, some mannerisms fitting his age had resurfaced—perhaps because his heart had grown lighter.
Night fell. The Cloud Peak team dug several snow caves in a relatively sheltered spot and settled in to rest.
They weren’t worried about ambushes from mutated creatures—the two ice birds, Yangos, and the undead dragon-fish patrolled the skies, able to detect threats early.
As for the ice storms, they were nothing to the flying creatures. The ice birds were immune, while Yangos and the undead fish-dragon could evade them with their speed.
Ye Zhongming sat with his eyes closed, turning an object in his hands and studying it carefully.
He had possessed it for some time, but still didn’t know how to use it.
He had finally decided to examine it himself, using his skills as a top-tier smith to uncover its secrets. Even if he failed and destroyed it in the process, he was willing to accept that.
But before he could begin, Ye Zhongming’s expression suddenly changed. He shot out of the snow cave, followed by Xia Bai, Yellow Ball, and then the female guards.
The Youth Army didn’t know what was happening, but hearing the commotion, they wanted to see for themselves. However, they were strictly ordered to stay inside and were left to wait anxiously.
Ye Zhongming stood on the snowfield, gazing into the distance. Above, Yangos, the ice birds, and the undead dragon-fish circled the skies.
Xia Bai, the female guards, and Red Hair stood beside Ye Zhongming. Even Nine Treasures emerged from underground.
They all stared in one direction.
Across the icy plains, the wind howled, and small but sharp snowflakes stung their faces.
A snow-white figure slowly approached from afar—a form all too familiar to Cloud Peak’s members.
It was the Snow Wolf King they had seen in Black Dragon City!
The creature had quietly followed them here!
“You don’t seem to follow the rules very well,” Ye Zhongming said calmly, his voice carrying clearly across the kilometer of snowy plains despite the wind and snow.