Chapter 1630: Six methods

In the apocalypse, unexpected situations almost always mean accidents—and accidents often signify battle and death.

So when this person suddenly appeared, Cloud Peak’s forces immediately attacked.

There would be no allies here.

Not even the Cannibal Chain.

On the path forward, no one was a friend.

Even if the Cannibal Chain had previously cooperated well with Cloud Peak.

At least half of the Female Guards struck, while the rest took a step forward, assuming defensive stances.

A barrage of attacks instantly covered the exit of the black void, along with the first person who had stepped out.

But then, an energy shield appeared, effortlessly blocking the onslaught. The combined skills and strength of hundreds of fighters were halted without so much as a tremor in the barrier.

Even Ye Zhongming couldn’t have done this. If so many Female Guards attacked him at once, he wouldn’t dare face them head-on.

This could only mean one thing: the rules forbade it. Attacks were not allowed.

The person who had appeared was clearly terrified, standing frozen for a long moment. Through the energy shield, everyone could see the sweat on his forehead.

Suddenly, he staggered forward, nearly falling, before catching himself after a few steps. Behind him, a bare-chested man shoved him aside and stepped out.

Then came more evolved, war beasts, and machinery. Knowing the energy shield protected them, they stopped just inside it, refusing to step beyond.

Xiao Min waved her hand, and a squad of Female Guards charged forward. The distance was negligible—they reached the energy shield in seconds. Realizing skills were useless, they swung their weapons, only to be blocked again. Unfazed, the female warriors threw their bodies against the barrier, but it still held firm.

The energy shield divided the evolved into two distinct factions.

Laughter erupted from the unknown force on the other side, amused by the Female Guards’ futile attempts to breach the shield.

The squad returned empty-handed. Xiao Min didn’t order further action—the next move was Ye Zhongming’s decision.

Ye Zhongming said nothing, simply watching and waiting.

About ten minutes later, no more evolved emerged from the black void. A force of roughly four thousand stood opposite Cloud Peak, advancing at a measured pace.

"Selection trial begins. Please choose a method."

A stiff, metallic voice echoed through the space, familiar to those who had entered special zones before.

"Method One: Peaceful Negotiation. Both parties may negotiate for one side to voluntarily withdraw from this trial. The withdrawing party will face no penalties and will receive rewards based on their performance in the first three trials. The remaining party gains no rewards but may proceed to the next trial."

The voice paused, as if giving both sides time to consider.

Both the newly arrived force and Cloud Peak found this method peculiar. Was this a chance for regret?

And "negotiation" felt like a joke. Who would willingly back out after coming this far?

"Method Two: Selective Trial. Both parties will compete via methods determined by the space. The losing party faces no penalties but receives no rewards upon exiting. The winning party gains certain rewards."

"Method Three: Arena Duel. Both parties will compete in individual or squad matches. The winner proceeds to the next trial with superior rewards. The loser is ejected from the space but still receives some rewards."

"Method Four: Elite Duel. Each side selects one representative for a decisive battle. The winner gains superior rewards and proceeds. The loser is ejected with no rewards."

"Method Five: Team Battle. Both parties engage in full-scale combat. The winner receives substantial rewards and advances. The losing leader may surrender when necessary, ending the battle, but is ejected with no rewards."

"Method Six: Luck Trial. If both parties choose this, they will undergo tests of luck. The winner gains exceptional equipment and proceeds. The loser is ejected and suffers random penalties."

The voice listed all six methods in one breath, leaving everyone slightly dazed.

Unlike written conditions that could be studied at leisure, this was an auditory test—a challenge in itself.

Though evolved had excellent memories, processing and analyzing the options on the spot was still taxing.

Whispers broke out. On Cloud Peak’s side, only the younger fighters murmured softly, while the Female Guards remained expressionless.

The opposing force, however, descended into chaos. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, voices loud and overlapping.

"Silence!"

A single shout instantly quieted the newcomers. Cloud Peak heard it too, though many wore odd expressions—because the voice sounded... childish.

Sure enough, a figure barely over a meter tall stepped forward, clad in golden armor and wielding an equally golden halberd.

Blond hair, fair skin, a child’s voice, and a halberd twice his height—it was a surreal sight.

"Please select a method. Time remaining: five minutes."

The space’s prompt tightened everyone’s nerves.

"Who’s in charge over there? Come talk to me."

The child—who looked no older than seven or eight—walked to the edge of the energy shield and shouted at Cloud Peak.

Ye Zhongming rubbed his chin, smirking as he approached.

The two studied each other through the barrier.

Up close, Ye Zhongming was struck by the child’s—if he could even be called that—stunning beauty. Exquisitely sculpted wouldn’t be an exaggeration. In peacetime, a single photo of this pretty boy would’ve driven women wild online.

"I’ll give you one chance. Choose Method One—withdraw. That way, you’ll live."

Had an adult said this, Ye Zhongming wouldn’t have batted an eye. But hearing it from a kid who barely reached his waist, he couldn’t help but laugh—a silent, upward twitch of his lips.

Yet this faint smirk ignited the child’s fury.

Pointing his halberd at Ye Zhongming, the boy shrieked in his high-pitched voice:

"You ignorant fool! Your mockery enrages me! Now I revoke Method One! I choose Method Four—Elite Duel! I’ll kill you myself!"