Published: February 12, 2025
Chapter Text:
In the past, Ye Zhongming did not pay much attention to the application of poison. On Earth, at his level, there were basically no poisons that could inflict fatal harm on him.
However, after arriving in the realm of the All Races of the Universe, he discovered that when his strength was vastly inferior to those beings who had lived in the skies for countless years, poison was a good way to bridge the gap between them.
At the very least, it was effective.
On Earth, poisons were ineffective because the life forms that produced them were not powerful enough, which rendered them useless to Ye Zhongming.
Yet in the vast cosmos, the variety and strength of life forms were far beyond those on Earth, and the poisonous plants and animals here were not the same as those back home; they were significantly more potent.
Ye Zhongming had collected a considerable amount of these poisons and used them in the crafting of the metal spheres he had made for the layered bow, resulting in the current effects.
For many massive mutated beings, even if they were struck or penetrated by a short needle from a metal sphere exploding just a centimeter in diameter, as long as it wasn't a vital area, the damage inflicted was minimal. In fact, if it hit a less crucial part of their body, it might not even affect their combat ability.
However, when the short needle was laced with poison, it was a different story; even without hitting a fatal area, it was enough to induce poisoning effects in the mutated life forms.
Ye Zhongming couldn't obtain a toxin as potent as the kind that could cause instant death, but the type he used caused the injured heavyhammer apes to start rotting, their life force rapidly depleting.
In the food chain system of mutated life, those heavyhammer apes that lay injured on the ground had essentially lost all difference from being dead, whether they were actually dead or not.
The power produced by the thousand-layer bow was immense, causing the blast radius of the short needles from the exploding metal balls to increase significantly. The heavyhammer apes, who had already gone berserk, fell in groups, and the offensive they had been preparing came to a sudden halt.
Those watching now understood why Ye Zhongming had remained silent about the retreat order, as he had such a backup plan.
Others looked at the chaotic scene below, filled with mutated life forms, and felt immense respect for Ye Zhongming; there was no need to mention their shock.
However, those who knew Ye Zhongming well, especially the Star-Eye Clan, understood that he had not had much time to prepare; it was difficult to imagine the level of his artisan skills, given how many metal spheres he had created in such a short time.
In the Tarros Red Dwarf, the top-tier artisans were known as divine artisans. Ye Zhongming was definitely not one yet, but he was very close to that level.
"Let’s retreat."
Ye Zhongming said, issuing a retreat order to the first squad.
He had done basically all he could; from now on, his role would not differ much from that of other warriors.
All the warriors of the first squad began to abandon the first defensive line, though many were unwilling in their hearts.
They hadn't even properly engaged in battle yet; how could they retreat? However, Ye Zhongming understood that under the current circumstances, Lord Xing’s judgment was correct. If they did not retreat promptly, they might not have another chance.
The first squad quickly fell back to the third defensive line.
"Zhong Ming?"
Seeing the first squad stop, Lord Xing quickly inquired.
"Let’s assist in defense here."
It made sense for Ye Zhongming to stay here as all those guarding were part of the first division, after all, he was the commander of the first division.
"Then…"
Lord Xing wanted to say that the situation was not right and they should fall back, but saying such things on a public channel was quite difficult, so he could only shift to reminding Ye Zhongming to be cautious.