Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2070: I am not a top lifeform but (3)

"One is a master-servant contract scroll, and the other is a soul contract scroll."

Xia Lei displayed the two scrolls in her hands with a grin. "You didn't sever your abilities, nor did you allow Black Cat to cease its assault. Therefore, how about we use the soul contract? You and I will sign it."

"You're aware, I'm merely at the eight-star level. The soul contract is essentially a pact of companionship, imposing minimal restrictions upon you. Shall we proceed with this one?"

The Talking Lady regarded Xia Lei with a serious expression. "While I truly dislike your methods, logic dictates that I should agree. Otherwise, both Black Cat and I will perish today, won't we?"

"Even... when you find yourself in such dire need?"

No top-tier lifeform is without its pride, especially the Talking Lady, who undoubtedly ranked among the most formidable, even within that elite group.

The intelligent, fish-skinned being understood Xia Lei's words perfectly. But so what? Could that serve as a reason for her to submit?

Perhaps with a different tactic, the Talking Lady might have accepted more readily. However, this was undeniably coercion.

The Talking Lady harbored a deep aversion to being coerced. Since attaining her miraculous existence, the only entity capable of coercing her was the Cloud Peak King, who had since ascended to the heavens.

Her continued presence, adhering to Cloud Peak's directives, was largely due to ingrained habit. After all, her previous impulsive departure from home had nearly cost her life. Though misfortune transformed into fortune, facilitating her evolution to level nine, the lingering dread remained vivid. When not strictly necessary, she sometimes contemplated that remaining at Cloud Peak was acceptable. Xia Lei, too, was judicious, never summoning her except during critical engagements.

The other significant factor was the apprehension harbored by the Talking Lady.

Ye Zhongming might not be on Earth presently, but who could predict his return, or the extent of his power upon his reappearance?

Regardless of her pride, even with Black Cat's assistance, she wouldn't dare provoke an eight-star Ye Zhongming when she herself had just reached level nine. This was even more true considering Ye Zhongming's subsequent advancement to nine-star, his journey to the cosmos, and his impending return!

She dreaded committing an act that would invite instant annihilation upon his reappearance.

Beyond Ye Zhongming, the formidable might displayed by Cloud Peak during this period also deterred the Talking Lady from rash actions.

Top-tier lifeforms emerged in rapid succession. The humble villa appeared akin to a production line for such beings. Her own esteemed level began to feel increasingly insignificant within this environment.

If she chose to depart now, the Talking Lady remained uncertain if Cloud Peak would permit it. Had Ye Zhongming still been present, there might have been a possibility; he might have possessed the magnanimity to overlook her departure. However, the Black-hearted Queen... would undoubtedly ensure her demise, thereby guaranteeing that she and Black Cat would not become adversaries, while also securing two level nine magic crystals.

Under the status quo, the Talking Lady would have continued her stay at Cloud Peak. Perhaps, one day, when Cloud Peak boasted such an abundance of top-tier lifeforms that her presence became superfluous, she could then deliberate her own path, whether to remain or depart.

But the present moment presented exactly such an opportunity.

Previously, leaving Cloud Peak was fraught with concerns. What if Cloud Peak were to decline or even cease to exist? Then, perhaps... true liberation could be attained?

Such contemplations occasionally surfaced in the Talking Lady's mind, sometimes with considerable intensity.

Despite her humanlike visage, she was, fundamentally, a variant lifeform—a top-tier variant at that. Her innate instincts compelled a revulsion towards restraint.

Just moments ago, an exceptional chance presented itself. Had the Talking Lady hesitated, or feigned indecision, failing to act decisively, allowing Xia Lei to fall, then whether she later turned against Cloud Peak or maintained a sentimental distance, she would have achieved her desired outcome.

Yet, in that critical instant, the Talking Lady acted. In tandem with Black Cat, they confronted three top-tier, green-skinned demon monsters.

This represented the zenith of their capabilities. Entities primarily wielding mental prowess are ill-suited for engaging lifeforms minimally susceptible to mental influence yet possessing formidable physical resilience.

The Talking Lady entrusted the future to... what humans term fate.

Should Xia Lei prove incapable of handling the remaining top-tier, green-skinned demon monster, her demise would be inevitable. Her death would effectively signify Cloud Peak's defeat in this conflict. The number of survivors who might manage to escape remained uncertain; those who returned to the villa would likely face collapse in short order.

After all, aside from Xia Lei, no other individual possessed the ability to subdue Cloud Peak's proud and ferocious forces through personal prestige or might.

In such a scenario, the Talking Lady would naturally attain her freedom.

If Xia Lei could endure it, it would prove Cloud Peak's immense power, so potent that even sacrificing millions of lives as a lure couldn't defeat them. In that case, there would be no reason for hesitation; peace could be found within Cloud Peak.

In truth, Xia Lei possessed a fallback, a rather formidable one. The moment it manifested, it directly annihilated 'fate.' At that precise instant, the Speechless Woman understood that her predetermined future was now sealed.

However, what she hadn't anticipated was that even after Xia Lei resolved to submit wholeheartedly, she still felt insecure, even going so far as to present a soul contract scroll. This scroll appeared to be of the highest caliber, capable of bypassing any level disparity, provided mutual consent was given.

She felt indignant, which was the reason for her icy question.

As a top-tier mutated lifeform, the Speechless Woman did not hesitate to engage in a desperate battle when enraged.

"Is the current situation dire?" Xia Lei had been scrutinizing the Speechless Woman's eyes and facial expressions with unwavering focus. Undeniably, regardless of how human-like or intelligent the Speechless Woman appeared, there remained subtle differences from genuine humans. At least in circumstances like these, she lacked the ability to mask her emotions.

Of course, in reality, the majority of individuals also struggled to conceal their true feelings.

A perceptive individual like Xia Lei could effortlessly discern the Speechless Woman's underlying thoughts from these tells.

Thus, she offered another smile and remarked, "Little girl, it seems your grasp of Cloud Peak isn't as profound as you believe. Observe first, then make your decision."

Given that the Speechless Woman genuinely felt a connection to Cloud Peak, Xia Lei saw no issue with waiting. Relentless coercion was hardly a sustainable long-term strategy.

"They are approaching."

Xia Lei tilted her smooth, elegant chin upwards. The Speechless Woman followed her gaze and observed the three green-skinned demonic beasts that Yellow Ball had previously smitten from the sky. Upon impact with the ground, they were now being assailed by scattered golden patches, impossible to dislodge. It was evident that these patches severely hampered their agility.

Furthermore, from a different trajectory, the green-skinned demonic beast previously repelled by Yellow Ball's own shadow also drew near. While devoid of golden patches, its head and abdomen were ravaged with blood, indicating grievous injuries inflicted by Big Yellow’s earlier assault.

With Yellow Ball dominating the sky and the Speechless Woman and Black Cat engaged on the ground, Xia Lei and Zhao Xiangxue were poised to confront four elite green-skinned demonic monsters.

"Watch closely." Xia Lei reached out, her fingers brushing against the Speechless Woman's unblemished cheek. "While I may not be a top-tier lifeform... I am not so easily vanquished."