Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2082: Technology from above (3)

~5 minute read · 1,196 words
Previously on Apocalypse Gachapon...
Guangyao outlines the deployment of combat teams to hold back encroaching forces, with the elite Female Guard joining the operation. Xia Lei then reveals that "Big Thigh Ye" has sent a significant shipment of equipment, including one thousand pieces of purple-grade or higher.
Cloud Peak’s core members were first silent, then they erupted in unison. The Female Guard’s importance to Cloud Peak transcended merely being a combat team; to a degree, they embodied a spirit—a spirit unique to Cloud Peak and, by extension, to the post-apocalyptic world. Simultaneously, they served as a symbol of Ye Zhongming. This significance was subtle initially but grew more apparent as time passed. After the Cloud Peak King’s departure, the presence of the Female Guard increasingly suggested Leader Ye’s enduring connection, hinting at his eventual return even if he was away. Curiously, while Xia Lei, Chuyin, Miya, and the other women close to Ye Zhongming did not evoke this feeling, the Female Guard did. Many people perceived the Female Guard as the very emblem and heart of Cloud Peak Mountain Villa. Astonishingly, they considered this small unit, lacking even a nine-star evolved being, to be the symbol and core of the nation’s paramount force. This perception wasn’t exclusive to outsiders; even within Cloud Peak, there was a subconscious agreement. This combat team, numbering only a few hundred, possessed an inexplicable charm. If the equipment Ye Zhongming had distributed were given to others, there might have been objections. However, when it came to the Female Guard, everyone would wholeheartedly agree. The current discussion wasn’t about whether they *should* receive it, but rather about their enhanced combat prowess *after* they received it. "Before, it was stated with certainty that the Female Guard could handle two top-tier life forms. Was this ever verified, or was it mere conjecture?" Deacon Tong, a relatively new member of Cloud Peak, harbored doubts about such pronouncements concerning the Female Guard. In her assessment, top-tier life forms were in a category of their own; exceptional feats of defeating stronger opponents were unheard of. Even if every member of the Female Guard were an eight-star evolved being, fully equipped with gold-tier gear, overwhelming two top-tier life forms seemed utterly impossible. "Sister Tong, you may have a slight misunderstanding regarding the Female Guard," Liu Zhenghong stated, placing a hand on the shoulder of the former Five Ring Money boss beside her. "Their armament and cultivation levels are crucial factors, undeniably so, but they are not the entirety of the picture." Liu Zhenghong and Le Dayuan, both now eight-star evolved beings—though not primarily combat-focused, their advancement ensured superior physical conditioning and energy reserves—possessed a deep understanding of cultivation. As a technically trained individual with keen insight, she grasped the Female Guard’s capabilities intimately. "Those young women, despite their seemingly delicate appearances, exhibit an unwavering resolve in battle. It’s not just bravery or a willingness to fight to the death—traits often exaggerated. When they engage, they are as composed as automatons. Yet, if the objective can be achieved by eliminating the target, or if they are under orders to fulfill a specific mission, they pursue it with absolute disregard for their own lives. This is a… habit." "A truly terrifying habit." Who was Liu Zhenghong? In a past life, she was known as Red, the Human-creator. Though in this existence, under Ye Zhongming’s patronage, she no longer directly used living subjects to engineer half-human, half-corpse abominations, her past research was far from benign. Her experiences had desensitized her to gore, severed limbs, and cellular structures. Such a person, long accustomed to the grim realities of life and death, would not lightly label something as terrifying. Her assessment, therefore, carried significant weight. "Furthermore, Cloud Peak is vast, home to numerous warriors. Even with an abundance of weapons, equipment, professions, bloodlines, and skills, it’s impossible to cater to every individual's needs. Most people must adapt to these resources. The Female Guard, however, is a distinct case. From their inception, they have operated under Little Ye’s meticulous plan. Every weapon each member wielded, every skill they learned, every bloodline and ability they acquired, and even the warbeasts they would eventually raise, were all carefully orchestrated by Ye Zhongming. Do you grasp the implications of this?" Deacon Tong nodded, making no particular effort to mask her awareness of Liu Zhenghong’s somewhat blunt delivery. While Sister Hong wasn’t a peak evolved being or a Cloud Peak leader, her reputation in the post-apocalyptic nation, and indeed globally, was immense. Thanks to the advent of magic crystal weapons, Le Dayuan was a household name; no one was unfamiliar with him. Yet, for many high-ranking officials, Liu Zhenghong’s name resonated even more powerfully. Le Dayuan’s creations required human operators, while Liu Zhenghong’s innovations could directly engage in combat.Wasn't this akin to the legendary immortal technique of scattering beans to manifest soldiers? Thus, though Deacon Tong was a nine-star evolved being, her standing was far inferior to Liu Zhenghong's. Xia Lei treated Deacon Tong with courtesy, and Deacon Tong did not object. Liu Zhenghong, however, spoke to her rudely, and she still did not mind.This illustrated the immense influence of Liu Zhenghong and Le Dayuan, this formidable couple, both within the nation and across the globe.Custom-forged armaments, specialized gear, tailored occupations, unique bloodlines, potent abilities, loyal warbeasts—despite Commissioner Tong having once been the wealthiest among the Five Ring Money titans, she had never undertaken such endeavors. It was simply too complex and prohibitively expensive. Moreover, any incident involving casualties, betrayals, or similar complications would render all those substantial efforts utterly in vain.Merely based on this single aspect, Deacon Tong was already convinced that the Red Guard, as a unit, could likely overwhelm two paramount life forms."The individuals present in this assembly are all either eight-star or nine-star cultivators. Excluding yourselves, the premier evolved beings, let's be candid: how many among the rest of us can confidently assert they could vanquish a Red Guard warrior in a one-on-one confrontation? Xia Lei could, Guangyao possesses the capability, Tong Hu might stand a chance, and Deacon Water probably could. However, for others, truthfully, victory is not guaranteed. Even if they manage to win, the cost would be exceedingly high."Everyone readily accepted Sister Hong's assessment. The true nature of the Female Guard was something those long stationed at Cloud Peak were intimately familiar with."There exists another, even more astonishing factor," Liu Zhenghong declared with a smile. "Every single warrior within the Female Guard benefits from no less than two distinct Team Book enhancements. Some, like Xiao Min and the others, have even four!"Deacon Tong was utterly stunned, as were the district managers from the Cannibal Chain and their associates.Team enhancement books! Such items were exceedingly rare, even more so than profession advancement scrolls. A single book had the power to elevate a team's overall might by a full tier, equivalent to every member undergoing a level-up in their cultivation."Consequently, beyond receiving the bolstering effects of a major Team Book that envelops the entire contingent, each member of the Female Guard is individually augmented by at least one minor Team Book."