Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2025: Killing (2)

As Ye Zhongming breached the entrance, the first individual he encountered was Lilaiqiya, who had already advanced to the forefront.

Prepared for confrontation, the Cloud Peak King possessed knowledge of this person's name, his standing within the Huo'er Star Race, and various other details. He was aware that this was a meticulously laid trap, specifically designed for him and the people of the Changxu Water Race.

However, a trap only truly functions as such when it ensnares its intended prey; otherwise, it amounts to little more than an inconvenience.

In Ye Zhongming's estimation, Lilaiqiya represented that very inconvenience.

According to the intelligence Ye Zhongming had acquired, the 'Slave Trafficking' team captain, Lilaiqiya, boasted a Furelai exceeding seventy thousand.

Such a figure undoubtedly marked him as a top-tier expert within Darkstrip City. Furthermore, he commanded a contingent of over a hundred warriors, each possessing considerable strength, with an average Furelai surpassing thirty thousand. Among them, the deputy captain stood out with a Furelai exceeding sixty thousand, also a formidable expert.

This formidable lineup was far beyond the capabilities of the severely depleted Changxu Water Race to confront. Considering their current combat strength, it would likely require an individual with a Furelai exceeding one hundred thousand to counter Lilaiqiya effectively. Such powerhouses had, for the most part, perished during the years of resistance and escape.

Even the relatively better-off Star-Eye Clan would need to deploy all their Gold Mask warriors and their foremost experts, likely sustaining severe casualties, to neutralize this squad of a hundred individuals.

This incapacity was precisely why, despite the Star-Eye Clan's clear understanding of the Changxu Water Race's amicable relationship with Ye Zhongming, they could only observe passively as the slave trafficking team operated with impunity.

It wasn't a lack of willingness to intervene, but rather an absence of the necessary capability.

Consequently, they had entirely relinquished any hope of controlling the Changxu Water Race, ceasing to harbor ambitions in that regard.

"You've come to meet your end."

Lilaiqiya found this face vaguely familiar, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact context of their prior encounter.

Novice First—while an impressive designation, it was commonplace within the Huo'er Star Race, with numerous individuals holding such backgrounds. The fleeting recognition might stem from Ye Zhongming's creation of a historic points record; Lilaiqiya might have briefly noticed it at some point...

Ye Zhongming's current aura radiated considerable power, surprising those present. However, this level of Furelai posed little challenge to Lilaiqiya.

He was clad in ornate banquet armor, its defensive capabilities naturally inferior to his usual combat attire. Nevertheless, it was still equipment second only to Red Condensation-grade, more than sufficient to handle this opponent.

As for weaponry... his fists served as his most potent instruments.

The Huo'er Star people had no forewarning of an assault today. Yet, this moment showcased the ingrained combat discipline expected of warriors from a super-race. Almost instantaneously upon Lilaiqiya's signal, over a hundred individuals were battle-ready, advancing with their captain to confront the intruder who had breached their premises.

Cruel smiles adorned their faces as they assessed the number and strength of their adversaries. In their eyes, this confrontation was akin to an egg striking a rock.

They anticipated using the blood and cries of these individuals as a spectacular climax to the ongoing banquet.

"Ye Zhongming?"

"Star-Eye Clan?"

While the imperious Lilaiqiya might not have recalled Ye Zhongming, the residents of Darkstrip City readily recognized him. Over the years, he had become a singular prominent figure in this locale. The clan members from the Eight Powers attending the banquet exclaimed in unison.

Initial surprise quickly morphed into palpable excitement.

At last, an opportunity had presented itself to eradicate the Star-Eye Clan from Darkstrip City. Their population, wealth, and well-established underground fortress networks would all become their spoils.

Each instance of a lesser clan's demise within Darkstrip City served as a veritable feast for these mid-tier races, allowing them to indulge without restraint and replenish their depleted resources.

"They are indeed connected to the Changxu Water Race people!"

Despite the distinct differences in attire compared to the Changxu Water Race members previously observed, the five individuals accompanying Ye Zhongming bore an aura that unmistakably identified them as belonging to the same lineage.

"What are you doing here? Get lost!"

In the current circumstances, the understanding of what was transpiring was clear to all. The captured members of the Changxu Water Race shouted at their kinsmen.

They were acutely aware of their clansmen's limited combat prowess. Over the years, perhaps only Ye Zhongming had shown some aptitude in combat, and that was a relative assessment. Any others venturing here were essentially surrendering themselves for capture.

Why would they act so foolishly? Couldn't they discern that this was an obvious trap?

Numerous members of the Changxu Water Race closed their eyes, overcome with anguish.

The outcome was predictable. Among these five individuals, one would likely perish—the oldest or perhaps the weakest. This was the established modus operandi of the Huo'er Star people, a tactic to instill fear in the Changxu Water Race and other subordinate species.

The survivors would then be reduced to mere instruments and playthings for this dominant species, much like themselves.

However, before the shock could fully register, the young man who had entered first, appearing utterly disheveled, became shrouded in a swirling black mist that completely enveloped him. Simultaneously, his aura surged dramatically, reaching the zenith among all beings present!

"Hm?"

Lilaiqiya was momentarily taken aback; he could not comprehend the source of this sudden transformation.

Yet, this fleeting moment of bewilderment marked the final instant of his existence.

Above the black silhouette that Ye Zhongming had become, a phantom spear, seemingly aflame with dark fire, materialized abruptly. It then shot forth with incredible speed, impaling Lilaiqiya directly in the head, who stood not far away.

Strangely, there was no visible impact, no blood spilled; even Lilaiqiya's head remained outwardly untouched, devoid of the slightest mark or injury.

Despite this, his entire body recoiled, arms flung wide, mouth agape as if in a silent, skyward roar, yet he remained utterly still.

The assembled individuals possessed considerable strength, and they instantly perceived that Lilaiqiya had, at that very moment, lost his life, becoming naught but a corpse.

"That was… the materialization of mental energy?!" An elder among the captured Changxu Water Race members suddenly exclaimed, offering an explanation for the astonishing attack witnessed moments before.

Such a phenomenon was known to occur only when both the quantity and quality of one's mental energy reached an extraordinary level of attainment. It stood as a formidable killing technique, as the assault was precisely targeted via mental energy. If an opponent could not match this aspect, evading or even reacting became nearly impossible.

Lilaiqiya, it was evident, fell into precisely that category.

The figure of Ye Zhongming, now cloaked in black mist, extended a hand, and with a clench in the air, the mental energy spear detonated. A ferocious mental shockwave erupted, reverberating violently throughout the hall.