Published: February 11, 2025
When Ye Zhongming returned, Gao Yi, Zhao Xiangxue, and the others obviously breathed a sigh of relief.
In the past, when Ye Zhongming was not around, the two senior members of the avoidance action squad had gotten used to making decisions on their own, accustomed to facing any danger without changing their expression, and used to confronting life and death at any moment.
In front of their subordinates, they were cold and even ruthless, like machines of battle, fearsome robots, unique products of the apocalypse, even monsters.
It was they who had established the position of avoidance in Cloud Summit through seemingly impossible operations and assassinations, allowing the powerful main combat teams to truly regard avoidance as equals.
Even before, Gao Yi and Zhao Xiangxue had thought that this would be their constant state in the future.
Moreover, during the occasional midnight dreams, they would fleetingly entertain the thought—perhaps they could become the iconic figures of Cloud Summit, surpassing the man who stood at the peak of Cloud Summit Mountain.
However, once they were with Ye Zhongming, the gap between them was enough to leave them in despair, and such thoughts were completely crushed by reality, leaving not a trace behind.
Thus, the previous indifference, ruthlessness, and cold-bloodedness transformed into obedience, admiration, and reliance.
The two understood that after the brightwater realm incident was completed, they would return to their previous roles. But for now, they had already grown accustomed to following this man, silently standing behind him, not needing to think about anything, just following orders.
“The wasteland launched an attack just now, but it wasn't fierce. They quickly retreated, and that monster didn't pursue. It seems to be in a good mood,” Zhao Xiangxue reported to Ye Zhongming, sharing her speculation, “I think they were testing the damage level of their firepower against the monster, preparing for what's next.”
Ye Zhongming nodded in agreement with Zhao Xiangxue's deduction.
Since Wen Huan had come here and refused to trade with Cloud Summit, it meant they would inevitably be involved in the battle for the last five percent of completion. Therefore, it was indeed necessary to test what level of attack power could cause what degree of damage to the monster in order to accurately grasp the timing of the final strike.
Just from this point, it was clear that although the wasteland had only gained fame in the past year, it was already a mature and rational combat entity.
“Should we also test it?” Zhao Xiangxue glanced at the immobile monster sitting there, asking her boss.
This suggestion, which she thought would be immediately agreed upon, was unexpectedly rejected by Ye Zhongming.
“No need.” Ye Zhongming shook his head and then called over Garan and Mina, whispering a few things in their ears. This prompted expressions of disbelief from Gao Yi, Zhao Xiangxue, and Li Qiang, who could hear it clearly, along with the two team leaders, Mina and Garan.
Gao Yi and Zhao Xiangxue were somewhat okay, as they had experienced the previous conflict with the royal guild and understood the spatial exceptions involved. Garan and Mina were different; they were hearing about this for the first time, realizing that the brightwater realm could operate this way.
If success or failure previously relied on snatching the monster at the end, with a significant portion depending on luck, then now Garan and Mina were much more confident. In their minds, they believed that in terms of true hard power, Ye Zhongming was not weaker than anyone else. Aside from the mysterious divine hall and the massive resistance zone, no one was a match for this man.
The two silently moved on, starting to lead their people in less conspicuous movements.
Gao Yi, Zhao Xiangxue, and Li Qiang did not need to be instructed; they knew what to do. Centered around Ye Zhongming, they each occupied a direction, guarding their boss while silently recovering their stamina and mental strength.