Apocalypse Gachapon

Chapter 2307: Controlling earth

"To the south, our forces have already extended there, haven't they?" Ye Zhongming's gaze turned to Xia Lei. After receiving an affirmative answer, he said, "We can continue south. There are many islands there, which are good places for naval training. We can have the newly formed navy get acclimated there before undertaking long-distance voyages."

"Now that we have the strength, the landmasses in the southeast are all quite unique and not too large—we can try to bring them fully under our control. They are rich in resources and have many things unique to Earth, so it's better to keep them in our own hands."

After saying that, Ye Zhongming thought for a moment and then asked Xia Lei, "How strong are the evolved there?"

Xia Lei shrugged. "So-so."

"Then there's no problem." Ye Zhongming replied.

Many among the crowd sighed inwardly—this was the power of a true leader. A few words from him could determine the fate of countless lives.

"We can do the same in South Asia, but there are more evolved there, and even more zombies. I've heard some of them are quite formidable, so there's no rush—take it slow. We should try to occupy that area as much as possible fully. Any non-Cloud Peak battle squads interested in participating can come discuss it—we can develop it together."

Ye Zhongming took a sip from the cup in front of him, then continued, "Continuing further south brings us to the southern hemisphere. What to do there is up to you—it's sparsely populated but has many mutated plants and animals, which should make it a good hunting ground."

"Finally, the west."

Everyone's eyes lit up, because "west" was not just one direction—it encompassed several large regions: the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

"We've been conducting penetration operations in the Middle East all along. How are they going?" Ye Zhongming asked Xia Lei again.

Such matters were usually classified, but since Ye Zhongming asked, Xia Lei had no reservations.

"Basically under our control. It's mainly people from Blue Secret Realm and the Chameleon's people managing it. We've secured the major cities and supply nodes, and that's enough."

The Middle East's geography was unique, with settlements concentrated in a few key locations. Controlling it did not require many people.

Even some of Cloud Peak's peripheral forces and even some Cloud Peak members were unaware of this; hearing it now, they were surprised that the Middle East had already been taken over quietly.

"If anyone is interested there, they can acquire rights through purchase—buying control over a region for a certain period, five years at a time. We'll use an auction format, with the highest bidder winning. Cloud Peak will assess each region and set a reserve price."

"But there's one condition... the winning bidder shall not engage in extermination-level hunting, mining, or plundering within that region during the five years. After five years, when the auction is held again, if Cloud Peak's assessed value is less than eighty percent of the previous one, then I'm sorry, but you'll have to pay additional compensation we deem sufficient before you can leave."

Ye Zhongming's words echoed across the testing ground. Everyone listened carefully, because this marked the beginning of a new form of cooperation between Cloud Peak and other forces—and it held enormous potential benefits.

"And if the assessed value increases after five years, then if that force successfully rebids, a certain percentage of the total amount will be waived. In other words, the better you manage it, the less you pay, and you'll have a natural advantage over others in the next five-year auction."

After Ye Zhongming finished, the many peripheral forces gathered there could no longer sit still. Everyone wanted to discuss it with their neighbors, but suddenly realized they were all future competitors, so they had to hold it in and think for themselves—the expressions on their faces were amusing.

Everyone realized that if managed well, this could be a way to have a fixed territory.

Given Cloud Peak's current momentum—basically aiming to control the entire globe—survival meant aligning with Cloud Peak, as these peripheral forces had done.

Though they were doing well—even better than when they had operated independently—who did not want even more? Who did not want to be in charge somewhere?

Now Cloud Peak was giving them that opportunity. Even if it was far away in the Middle East, not everywhere was just sand; there were still plenty of good regions.

"Also, Cloud Peak will have the right to station troops in your territories and the right of free passage through them, because I'll be using that area as a springboard to enter Europe and Africa."

"As for what strategy Cloud Peak will adopt there, here's my thought: during the pioneering phase, forces that cooperate with Cloud Peak will be rewarded. Once full control is established, we can follow the Middle East model and auction off certain regions, also in five-year terms."

Ye Zhongming stood up. "These are just my initial thoughts. Cloud Peak's decision-making body can adjust them according to the actual situation at any time."

"Everyone has contributed to Cloud Peak and supported it—I won't forget that. Cloud Peak will give you returns beyond your imagination. One day, when you're old and sitting by the window, looking back on Cloud Peak, I hope you'll have smiles on your faces."

"Earth is vast, but it's just the beginning. The stars and the sea are our true destination."

With that, Ye Zhongming raised his cup.

…………

The bonfire gathering lasted very late. Many people came to talk with Ye Zhongming, hoping to find their direction.

Ye Zhongming did his best to guide them.

In truth, it was essentially the same approach as with the Fake Ghost Tree.

As Ye Zhongming had said, Earth was too vast for Cloud Peak to control everything. With Cloud Peak people eventually going up to the sky, they would need these peripheral forces' assistance even more on Earth.

Perhaps—Ye Zhongming thought—in the future, Cloud Peak might be nothing more than a spiritual symbol.

The crowd dispersed one by one only by dawn. The remaining Cloud Peak high-level members gathered at Ye Zhongming's villa for breakfast.

Three large tables were packed full—there was no help for it. Cloud Peak had over a dozen nine-star evolvers alone, plus Liu Zhenghong, Le Dayuan, Mi Ya, Li Daqian, and others in charge of logistics and the War Beast Legion—even three large tables were a bit cramped.

The breakfast was sumptuous, rivaling peacetime fare, with both Eastern and Western options—eat whatever you liked. If you wanted, no one would stop you from dipping fried dough sticks in caviar.

"This time I came back, I won't be getting involved much in Earth's affairs. You all can discuss things among yourselves. I only have two things—or rather, one thing—to talk about: going up to the sky."

Many people stopped chewing.

The cosmic races of the universe were no longer a distant goal for Cloud Peak's people—they were prey.

After learning about Ye Zhongming's experiences and developments up there, many Cloud Peak members had come to regard the cosmic races as prey.

Even though these "prey" were currently countless times stronger than the hunters.

But that was Cloud Peak's nature—there was no helping it.

"There are currently two ways to go up: one is the welcome day—the way I went. Right now, we have four entry tickets in hand."

"The second is the way I came back—smuggling. Because this method can't be used often, I don't know when the next chance will be. This time, I will be taking some people with me."

The Cloud Peak King pushed forward the bowl of soybean milk made from mutated beans and asked, "First, let me hear your thoughts: who's willing to go up with me?"