Ye Zhongming struck immediately, not just to secure better rewards, but also to prevent the little boy from reacting and using his trump cards.
Judging by Adam's attire and temperament, Ye Zhongming suspected the boy likely had powerful backers. Otherwise, given his age and personality, it was improbable he could lead a team this far.
Since his advantages were likely granted by others—probably close relatives—they must have given him life-saving measures. Though Ye Zhongming wasn’t afraid, killing him would be troublesome. If the boy had some turtle-shell-like defense, not only would the best rewards be forfeited, but it might even result in a draw.
The King of Cloud Peak had chosen the bonus match to gamble for premium rewards, not to play a game of attack and defense.
So he opted for a blitzkrieg, using a ranged weapon to kill Little Adam instantly.
Yet what Ye Zhongming feared still happened.
The bullet he fired eerily reversed course.
Little Adam, overwhelmed by the attack and terror, collapsed unconscious. But before him, a swirling vortex of multicolored energy appeared.
A voice emerged from within.
"I don’t know who you are, but if you’re an evolved, I hope you’ll hear me out."Ye Zhongming lowered his gun slightly.
He noticed the energy vortex wasn’t just emitting sound—it had also enveloped the little boy.
"Adam is my child. Perhaps he has offended you, or you covet something he possesses, driving you to kill him. But none of that matters. Spare him, and you may take all his equipment, weapons—everything. Then come to Lake Superior and seek out us, the Hawkins couple. You’ll gain unimaginable riches. I swear this on the honor of the King of Naka."
"If you still insist on attacking my child, you’ll incur the curse of the King of Naka. My wife, the great Valkyrie of Amos, and I will hunt you to the ends of the earth, ensuring you suffer every torment this world offers. Believe me."
The voice ceased. The multicolored vortex began fading—clearly, the unconscious boy was losing the protection that had deflected the fatal strike.
Ye Zhongming’s expression didn’t change. He teleported forward, severing Adam’s head with Wind and Thunder.
A piercing shriek erupted from the nearly vanished vortex—a woman’s voice—then cut off abruptly. A second later, as the vortex dissipated completely, the same voice returned.
"I will find you. And kill you."
Then, all vanished, leaving only the energy arena.
Ye Zhongming looked down, his mind roiling.
Because he realized—the little boy’s corpse was gone!
Within this unique space, this so-called King of Naka—or the Valkyrie of Amos, who’d screamed—had the power to retrieve bodies?!
Suddenly, Ye Zhongming recalled fragments of intel overheard from North American survivors while awaiting the Mountain King Crown’s activation. Rumors spoke of a formidable faction near Lake Superior’s U.S. shoreline. Could they be the boy’s backers?
Though shocked by the ability to extract corpses from this space, Ye Zhongming felt no fear. At his current strength, no one on Earth could intimidate him.
The reward prompt arrived. As Hidden Snake Journey’s remnants were ejected, Cloud Peak erupted in cheers.
No choice—Ye Zhongming’s reward was S-tier.
Killing the boy within a minute should’ve granted an S- reward, but the bonus match upgraded it to full S-tier.
The glowing orb differed from prior ones—larger, brighter.
Reaching in, Ye Zhongming retrieved a jade ruyi scepter.
Snow-white except for its tip, which gleamed translucent emerald like imperial jade.
"Auspicious Ruyi."
The name made Ye Zhongming’s brow twitch.
Had the Wheel Space studied Chinese culture?
"Auspicious Ruyi (Purple)."
"Ability 1: Blessing of Will."
Every 3,000 hours, the scepter may bless a target, initially enhancing a chosen attribute by 20%. Duration increases with stored energy, up to 30%."
"Ability 2: Nectar’s Baptism."
Every 3,000 hours, by expending stored energy, it can purge abnormal statuses. If the scepter’s energy exceeds the negative energy, complete cleansing occurs. Otherwise, effects are mitigated proportionally."
"Ability 3: Nurture of All Things."
Can accelerate a lifeform’s growth span instantly. Magnitude scales with energy invested."
"Ability 4: Tranquil Focus."
*Grants crafters 1%-10% increased success rates. Efficiency correlates with energy expended. Base energy requires 5,000 days storage. Every additional 1,000 days boosts success rate by 1%."*
"Ability 5: Soul of Divine Bestowal."
Releases the emerald essence at its tip to bestow sentience upon equipment, granting limitless potential. One-time use. Afterwards, the scepter degrades to blue-grade, losing two random abilities. Remaining effects halve."
This was an S-tier reward?!
Ye Zhongming struggled to articulate his feelings—not disappointment, but sheer awe.
Though this purple-grade item had fewer abilities than peers, each was extraordinary.
Attribute boosts, status cleansing, life acceleration, crafting enhancements—any single effect would spark frenzied bidding. Yet here they coexisted.
Of course, their potency was balanced by the scepter’s need to accumulate energy over prolonged periods—a significant limitation.
What captivated Ye Zhongming most was the final ability: Soul of Divine Bestowal.
It brought to mind a certain enigmatic equipment in his possession—one whose purpose still eluded him. Using this ability would unveil its secrets.
But activating it would cripple the scepter’s other functions. The trade-off caused the King of Cloud Peak to pause.
As the energy arena dissolved, a gate materialized in its place—swinging open.