Published: February 10, 2025
CHAPTER TEXT:
In "Still Two-in-One," Ye Zhongming focused on the overall strength ranking of the national district because it was beneficial for him to assess the power of Cloud Summit Villa.
He knew that the Five Rings Society would manipulate this list, placing them and the Ogre Chain at a lower position, but he also recognized that other forces were still quite valuable as references. This would help him judge certain matters.
Just like the Resistance Zone; although it suffered significant losses in previous operations, with several battle departments facing destruction and even losing a seven-star evolver, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse. The entire Resistance Zone remained in a leading position. Moreover, this âcamelâ was not dead yet; it was merely injured.
Of course, Ye Zhongming was very satisfied with Cloud Summit's position, but that didnât mean he would be content. He knew there were various shortcomings within Cloud Summit, and this ranking undoubtedly served as a reminder that the road ahead would be long, winding, and arduous.
There was no discouragement, only a growing desire in his heart.
Ye Zhongming was looking forward to how high he could elevate Cloud Summit Villa.
âBoss, over there!â Zhao Xiangxue quietly said from behind. Although the young girl had joined an organization that was destined to live in darkness, she was still young, and her first outing with Ye Zhongming excited her. Additionally, Ye Zhongming hoped that she and Gao Yi wouldnât always be so cold. As a result, the girl began to regain some of her traits from the peaceful era.
Ye Zhongming looked in the direction Zhao Xiangxue pointed and saw the last list, which had gathered the most crowds belowâ the national district personal combat power ranking!
This list was worthy of the public's attention, with over a hundred individuals listed!
âLiterature has no first, martial arts has no second.â Ye Zhongming reflected as he examined the list, wondering what kind of storm would arise from its circulation.
Not willing to lose, pursuing fame and reputation was perhaps an instinct of humanity. For this instinct, some people would be extremely concerned about this ranking.
Simply put, it was about fame!
Is it empty? Just a title? Of no significance?
If one thinks that way, they would be gravely mistaken.
In peacetime, why is there Forbes? Why is there Hurun? Why do they publish rankings? To let everyone know who is wealthy in the world for free? Are those who made the list only for recognition of their names and faces?
Certainly not, because there are profits to be made.
How did the old Forbes make money? They weren't producing rankings for free. Ordinary people see the rankings they create, but behind this list lies the vehicle that carries it. Forbes is actually a famous publishing and media group. They possess magazines that are bestsellers worldwide and control the publication of numerous books. Once they established their reputation, advertising fees, copyright fees, agency fees, and many other revenues, both expected and unexpected, would continuously flow in. Over the years, they have become a global giant.
As for those celebrities, their names and faces appearing on the most authoritative rankings serve as ads more effective than any media, leaving a lasting impression and invisibly enhancing their companies' brand and market values, influencing ordinary people's consumption and even their ideologies.
Although stability is no longer present and apocalypses have arrived, some things remain unchanged. The Five Rings Society aims to be the former Forbes, but they could do much more than Forbes ever could.
What needs to be done and what can be done is perhaps the greatest distinction between the pre-apocalypse and the post-apocalypse.
As for those who made it onto this list, they undoubtedly provide a draw for other ordinary evolvers, enjoying various invisible benefits in the apocalypse. These benefits are enough to tempt anyone.
Including Ye Zhongming.