Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food Chapter 1246 - 580: What Do You Want?

Yangshan, blanketed in immense snow, its branches weighed down and gracefully bending.

Numerous pine trees on the mountain were bowed by the sheer volume of the snowfall.

However, what lay before were no longer ordinary pine trees.

Amidst the whirlwind of mutation and evolution, they not only grew more solid and robust, possessing root systems fortified against flood erosion, but also developed resistance to the gnawing of mutated creatures.

A mere snowstorm, in reality, couldn't truly break them.

Clad in a military uniform, Aftershock stood within the cliffside room, his gaze fixed upon the Yangshan patrol team at the mountain's base, a look of contemplation in his eyes.

"The people of Yangshan, their mental fortitude is profoundly different from the survivors I encountered in the earlier shelters."

"And the population count of Yangshan surpasses my initial expectations."

"It's true there are fewer experts, yet the resources here are quite exceptional, with Yangshan's collective mineral wealth being abundant, and the spiritual power intensity detected by the Spiritual Ability Detection Compass is nearly on par with Cangqiong Mountain."

Internally, he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration; this Yangshan truly was the second highest peak near Linjiang.

In this aspect, Yangshan certainly possessed the qualifications for cooperation with the military.

Nevertheless, the scarcity of experts meant their overall strength fell considerably short of the Three Great Sects.

Beyond Liang Yuan, whom he had yet to meet, figures like the so-called Space King Li Qinghua and Frost King Zhao Kai were, in his estimation, rather weak.

Their core attributes were below 90 points, rendering them unqualified to be termed 'experts' in his presence.

"Knock knock knock—"

A sound of knocking emanated from the door, followed by Monsoon's voice.

"Mr. Yu? Our Mr. Liang has returned; please proceed to the Leader’s Mansion."

Aftershock's focus snapped back, his eyebrows immediately raising, a subtle smile gracing his lips.

"At last, I shall have the opportunity to meet the enigmatic Mr. Liang?"

For reasons unknown, an inexplicable sense of pride swelled within his heart.

He was eager to ascertain what made this Yangshan Leader, Mr. Liang, capable of commanding such extensive resources.

"I am coming,"

he declared in a deep tone, opening the door.

Monsoon offered him a smile at the doorway: "Kindly follow me."

As the captain of Gale Camp, Monsoon's personal invitation was already a significant indication.

Monsoon's figure blurred, showcasing his full agility, and he commanded, "Keep pace."

Intending to gauge this expert from the military's Dove Faction, he immediately broke into a full-speed sprint.

With his current primary attributes, he could literally tread upon waves, even amidst the Great Flood.

The snowy surface appeared yielding, with each step likely to sink deeply.

However, his speed was so prodigious that he could practically glide over the snow, leaving barely a trace.

Whoosh!

Monsoon truly embodied a gust of wind, swiftly weaving through the trees and bamboo thickets.

Witnessing this display, Aftershock's eyes held a hint of amusement, recognizing Monsoon's intention.

Without revealing his hand, his own form flickered, dissolving into a mist and swiftly ascending towards the sky, accelerating into the distance.

Monsoon, looking up from below, witnessed this transformation with a subtle shift in his expression.

"A Transformation Ability?"

This military expert, Aftershock, was indeed a Transformation Ability User!

This particular ability bore resemblance to the Blood Mist Ability User Zhou Qingming, who was associated with Li Qinghua.

The distinction lay in Aftershock manifesting as mist and vapor, whereas Zhou Qingming controlled blood mist.

Furthermore, it appeared Aftershock's mist ability possessed the capacity for other transformations, suggesting a more advanced form.

At that moment, the cloud-like mist reshaped into a bird, its wings shimmering with an ethereal glow, swiftly traversing the bamboo grove and entering the Fire Bamboo Forest.

Within the confines of the Fire Bamboo Forest, the plaza area was routinely kept clear, exhibiting no accumulation of snow.

Inside the sunroom, the ambient temperature was remarkably pleasant.

At the Leader’s Mansion, a multitude of Mutated Sunflowers had been cultivated, creating a warmth several degrees higher than the external environment.

Aftershock descended, resuming his human form, his gaze sweeping over the Mutated Sunflowers, a look of clear admiration involuntarily surfacing on his face.

This excursion had left him with generally average impressions of Yangshan, but he found himself profoundly envious of these Mutated Sunflowers.

Despite Cloud Mist Island having a protective barrier, snowflakes still fell, and the temperatures remained extremely low.

The widespread cultivation of Mutated Sunflowers there could significantly enhance the quality of life for the soldiers stationed on Cloud Mist Island.

Contemplating this possibility stirred a surge of excitement within him.

However, he acknowledged that these Mutated Sunflowers were a prized asset of Yangshan, unlikely to be readily permitted for removal by outsiders.

Certainly, acquiring them covertly was not beyond the realm of possibility, but if circumstances allowed, Aftershock much preferred to secure explicit permission from the opposing party.

He held no resemblance to those within the Hawk Faction; his conviction was that the people's soldiers should not resort to brute force.

With this thought solidifying his resolve, he made a decision.

"Mr. Yu, this way, please."

Monsoon's voice interrupted his contemplation, ushering him into the Leader's Mansion.

Whatever lingering thoughts Aftershock had vanished as he stepped purposefully toward the mansion.

The Leader's Mansion itself was not ostentatious but exuded a certain authority. Its minimalist interior spoke volumes about its owner's pragmatic and efficient nature.

A stark contrast formed in Aftershock's mind as he recalled the opulent estates of the Hawk Faction leaders. Even amidst dire times, they reveled in excessive luxury, indulging in comforts far beyond what the current era could justify.

A deep-seated resentment stirred within him, feeling ashamed of these former military pariahs.

They couldn't even measure up to the leader of a mere local armed force.

Taking a steadying breath, Aftershock entered the Leader's Mansion.

Inside, a figure sat with their back to him, engrossed in a pile of documents.

Yu Bo observed the man closely. He appeared to be under thirty, with fair skin and striking facial features. His short hair complemented an unassuming T-shirt and plain blue jeans.

The man's simple attire caused a brief, unexpected distraction for Yu Bo.

His clothes were remarkably clean, and the room's decor was equally sparse.

It evoked a strange sense of returning to the world before the apocalyptic deluge.

Since the onset of the apocalyptic flood, everyone, regardless of age, seemed to carry a distinct aura.

It was a palpable tension, a perpetual wariness and mistrust towards others.

Yet, the man before him exuded an unparalleled calmness, his emotions completely unreadable.

At first glance, it was as if he had never known the crushing despair of the apocalypse.

Yu Bo drew another breath and addressed him with clear gravity, "Mr. Liang?"

Liang Yuan, having sensed his presence long before, set aside his documents. He looked up, his tone indifferent as he inquired, "Are you affiliated with the military's Dove Faction?"

Yu Bo's eyebrow arched slightly. "I am Yu Bo. Prior to the deluge, I held the position of regimental commander in the Guangfu Military District. You may refer to me as Mr. Yu."

With that, he offered a crisp salute to Liang Yuan, a gesture of respect.

Liang Yuan showed a flicker of surprise, then a soft laugh escaped him. "That salute is executed with textbook precision. However, I wonder how many among your ranks still genuinely remember what it means to be a soldier."

Yu Bo's brow furrowed subtly. "We are not like those from the Hawk Faction, Mr. Liang. You shouldn't paint us all with the same brush."

Liang Yuan chuckled lightly. "My belief rests on what I witness. If you seek my trust, surely some form of sincerity is required, wouldn't you agree?"

A realization dawned upon Yu Bo; Liang Yuan's words carried a deeper meaning.

True cooperation necessitated a demonstration of earnestness.

Yu Bo found himself perplexed by Liang Yuan's demeanor.

Logically, with the Hawk Faction and the Three Great Sects poised to form an alliance, shouldn't the other party be consumed by anxiety?

At this juncture, Yu Bo represented the military Dove Faction, seeking an alliance—an opportunity that could be considered the other party's sole remaining hope.

Why, then, was he not being met with eager anticipation, but rather, requests for concessions?

Could this man be nothing more than a greedy opportunist?

In that instant, Yu Bo's assessment of Liang Yuan plummeted to its lowest point.

He shook his head almost imperceptibly. "It seems, Mr. Liang, you may not fully grasp the situation in Yangshan. Did you not review the intelligence I provided?"

Liang Yuan steepled his hands, leaning back in his chair as he chuckled, "I did. Is it not merely a report of the military Hawk Faction and the Three Great Sects forging an alliance?"

"An alliance aimed at eradicating Yangshan. Are you not concerned?" Yu Bo pressed, attempting to decipher Liang Yuan's true thoughts with his gaze.

Liang Yuan remained imperturbable, a smile gracing his lips. "Concerned? Why should I be?"

"A gathering of mere stragglers and underlings—what threat could they possibly pose?"

Yu Bo was taken aback by Liang Yuan's dismissive response, his apparent lack of fear utterly astonishing.

He couldn't help but interject, "Mr. Liang, you are gravely underestimating them."

"I acknowledge your primary attribute of 100 points, Mr. Liang. It certainly places you among the elite in Linjiang."

"However, the leaders of the Three Great Sects, and Yuan Shijie of the Hawk Faction, are also cultivators whose primary attributes have reached the 100-point mark."

"Should they combine their forces to besiege you, what level of confidence do you possess in prevailing?"

"Then let them try. I am curious to gauge my own strength accurately."

Upon hearing this, Yu Bo could only offer a silent, internal scoff; this Liang fellow's arrogance knew no bounds.

What a shame, he thought, that he had initially held a relatively decent opinion of the man.

He shook his head, convinced that such a person was beyond any hope of redemption.

Brigadier Feng and Commander Zhang had truly placed too much faith in this individual.

"Mr. Liang, your overconfidence is reckless. You are gambling with the very lives of Yangshan's survivors.""Now, I am representing the military's Dove Faction, extending a hand of peace. Yet, instead of accepting it, you demand sincerity? Truly—" Yu Bo sighed, his face etched with disappointment. "How interesting, Mr. Yu, is it? What peculiar words you choose," Liang Yuan responded with a hint of amusement. "We have weathered two assaults from the Three Great Sects and repelled one attack from the Hawk Faction." "We have persevered through it all and are only growing stronger." "And now, your Dove Faction emerges, proposing an alliance." "And presenting it with an air of condescension." "Heh, I am compelled to inquire: if your Dove Faction possessed such eagerness, where was this enthusiasm before?" His words caused a shift in Yu Bo's demeanor, his expression darkening with anger. "What exactly do you mean by that? Do you truly believe our military gains nothing from allying with you?" Liang Yuan stated coolly, "As for benefits, I cannot speak. However, I can responsibly assure you that with my presence in Yangshan, no harm will befall us." "Whether it be the combined forces of the Three Great Sects or the military itself, any who dare lay a hand on Yangshan will pay a steep, bloody price!" Yu Bo's expression flickered upon hearing Liang Yuan specifically mention the 'military' and not just the Hawk Faction. The implication was clear: even their Dove Faction was included in this warning. A wave of disdain washed over Yu Bo; this Liang Yuan clearly lacked proper judgment. He inhaled deeply and declared, "Recently, our Dove Faction has been occupied with more critical matters, diverting our attention from lesser concerns." "If you interpret this as a lack of sincerity, then I am at a loss for words. I can assure you, my intentions here today are genuine." Liang Yuan merely shook his head. "Your sincerity is not apparent; only an air of arrogance pervades your words." "You— What is it you truly want?" Yu Bo took another breath, the anger he felt suppressed as he posed the question. Liang Yuan responded by shaking his head, rising to his feet, and slowly emanating a formidable pressure that permeated the air. Yu Bo's expression faltered as he felt the oppressive aura. The immense, terrifying pressure caused him to involuntarily take half a step back. Yet, he quickly regained his composure, gritting his teeth and planting his feet firmly. He watched as Liang Yuan advanced steadily, speaking, "The question is not what I want, but rather, what do the individuals behind you truly desire?"