Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2048: Weapons of war

~6 minute read · 1,408 words
Previously on Apocalypse Gachapon...
Ye Zhongming confronts the Su Clan, challenging their claim of neutrality and highlighting their stagnant development. He warns that declining conflicts between major camps leave the Su Clan vulnerable to being absorbed or eliminated. Despite initial resistance, the Su Clan elders are shaken by his arguments. Ye Zhongming then reveals a mysterious box, claiming to have more, which elicits stunned reactions from the Su Clan members.

"There's more? How much more do you possess?"

This question was posed with extreme urgency, not from Yaohan Su, but from the head of one of the Su Clan's three direct branches. Excluding the clan leader's special standing, his position was equivalent to that of Yaohan Su and that troublesome Elder from Kelan Su's faction.

Ye Zhongming simply shook his head. "Yes, but it's difficult to quantify how much."

The entire room, which had been buzzing with excitement, suddenly found themselves at a loss for words.

Forcing him to divulge the formula? That was an idea bordering on absurdity. Not only did he arrive under the guise of a Novice First-rank to study, but the very act of bringing such items here indicated he had countermeasures and was far from foolish enough to carry the formula unprotected. Furthermore, both Yaohan Su and Jie Su's faction would certainly object.

Negotiating a purchase? The Su Clan certainly possessed the financial means, but the crux of the matter was: did he require money? It was known that he had expended nearly ten million Moonspan Gold at the commercial hub not long ago; he was hardly someone in financial distress.

Then, what course of action remained? Agreeing to collaborate with him?

Kelan Su and the leader of his branch wore grim expressions. The public revelation of this item introduced numerous unpredictable variables. One only needed to observe the countenance of the leader from the opposing faction; he was the individual most desperate for such a thing at this precise moment.

"Weapon of War!"

This was the appellation given to the spherical object housed within the delicate box.

It was… a rare artifact that uniquely merged the properties of both medicine and equipment!

Typically, a Weapon of War functioned as a piece of equipment. When donned, it could augment the inherent affinity between the human form and various materials, thus elevating the efficiency of crafting professions in nearly all aspects involving smelting and material utilization, impacting factors such as success rates and the quality of the finished product.

Concurrently, it possessed the ability to soothe the spirit, thereby doubling the efficacy of cultivation efforts and bolstering the wearer's resilience against all forms of disruptive abilities.

Were these its sole attributes, it might not be exceptionally remarkable; at best, a fine item, but falling short of true top-tier status.

However, when faced with necessity, the Weapon of War could alternatively be consumed.

The so-called "times of need" could encompass moments such as the crafting of a pivotal piece of equipment, engagement in combat, or confronting a bottleneck in one's cultivation journey.

Ingesting a Weapon of War during the creation of critical or high-grade equipment could substantially magnify the benefits conferred while wearing it, leading to a marked improvement in crafting success and overall effectiveness. Consuming it during a battle could facilitate the healing of injuries and provide a temporary surge of Furelai. Its use during a cultivation impasse could sharpen comprehension and insight into the fundamental principles of Qi, the physical body, and the universal laws, aiding in the internal organization of spiritual energy and significantly enhancing the efficiency and probability of a breakthrough.

While the Su Clan might not be a race renowned for crafting, they excelled in the deployment of formations. A Weapon of War could offer them considerable advantages, particularly in enhancing affinity, enabling more rapid formation deployment, and consequently amplifying their combat prowess.

Despite the emergence of the traveling formation seemingly resolving the challenge of engaging in impromptu battles, it was universally understood that, akin to the Ten Great Formations, any subsequent formations would invariably be restricted, not disseminated to every member of the Su Clan. Such knowledge would undoubtedly remain the exclusive preserve of the direct lineage; perhaps only a select few within that inner circle would gain access. After all, this constituted a paramount secret of the Su Clan and served as a cornerstone for their future dominion.

Consequently, the Weapon of War retained its significance for the Su Clan.

Even considering a broader perspective, would those who mastered the forthcoming formation have no need for Xiu Ge? Would it exert no influence upon them?

Although empirical testing was yet to be conducted, it was highly probable that it would prove similarly beneficial.

While the subsequent formation was indeed advantageous, it also demanded substantial time and dedication for its mastery. The potency of the traveling formation, when utilized for low-level arrangements versus intermediate ones, naturally presented a disparity. The capacity to engage in encounter battles and emerge victorious were ultimately distinct propositions. If the Weapon of War could be employed to bolster personal strength, that would undoubtedly represent the most desirable outcome.

Another crucial factor was the exceptional utility in aiding breakthroughs. The leader of the opposing faction exhibited greater elation than the others precisely because he had been stagnating at a particular juncture for an extended period and genuinely required such an item.

If the Weapon of War possessed only the aforementioned capabilities, it would still be deemed a top-tier treasure, but not the sort of rare, invaluable artifact it now appeared to be.

It harbored one additional characteristic that rendered it utterly irresistible.

The longer the duration it was worn, the more pronounced its effect became upon ingestion, up to a predetermined threshold.

Even if this augmentation were not infinite, its capacity for growth was truly awe-inspiring.

Such a Weapon of War, a fusion of medicinal and equipage properties, had long seen its manufacturing techniques lost to the annals of cosmic history amongst the various races.

Everyone agreed it was a fortunate thing. In theory, it should not have been lost. However, it was precisely this kind of overly fortunate thing that was susceptible to various accidents.

The leader of a certain race always possessed the formula for the Weapon of War. The single inheritance method ensured secrecy, but it simultaneously amplified the likelihood of accidents. Moreover, this item was ultimately a supplementary tool; at times, it was incapable of bridging the strength disparity between races.

It was akin to how, even if the Su Clan had sufficient Weapons of War to equip every clan member, they would still be outmatched by the people of Reina Star or Huo'er Star.

Furthermore, the Weapon of War promised immense wealth...

Consequently, for reasons unknown and under circumstances unrevealed, that particular race was nearly annihilated overnight, and the formula for the Weapon of War vanished thereafter.

As epochs passed, the remaining quantities of this prized item dwindled until they ceased to exist, never to be rediscovered.

No one had anticipated this item would materialize before them in such a manner.

Who had bestowed it upon Ye Zhongming? Was it the Star-Eye Clan? Or had he acquired it through alternative channels? Could the Musk Star be backing him? After all, Yi Sevi's romantic entanglement with the ascending star of the Star-Eye Clan was common knowledge across the realms. Did he possess the formula for the Weapon of War, or merely a handful of stored artifacts? If it were the latter, that would still be manageable. However, if it were the former... then...

A multitude of questions flooded the minds of these individuals, leaving them uncertain for a moment about which perspective to adopt regarding this matter. Should they misinterpret the situation, they would undoubtedly find themselves in a deeply disadvantageous position.

"This item holds significant importance for us. Articulate your intentions," Yaohan Su declared, stepping forward. Having been granted a breakthrough by Ye Zhongming to command the overall situation, he felt compelled to leverage this opportunity.

"That remains contingent upon what the Su Clan is prepared to offer me," Ye Zhongming responded without haste.

"What is it you desire? If you presume that the Weapon of War alone can secure the Su Clan's complete allegiance, that is simply unfeasible. This item... is insufficient."

The leader of the Kelan Su faction interjected forcefully once more.

Ye Zhongming offered a nod. He understood that while the Weapon of War was valuable, it was unlikely to procure everything he aimed for. His objective was not only to sway Yaohan Su, who harbored a favorable inclination towards him in his heart, but also to win over these elders.

"Naturally, I possess more."

With those words, Ye Zhongming produced another object from his spatial equipment.