Apocalypse Gachapon

Chapter 1618: Huge Burden Challenge

As the distance closed, the people of Cloud Peak realized that the black line was actually row upon row of cavalry!

For those who have never experienced it, itʼs impossible to imagine the bone-deep trembling and fear that arises when facing a thousand-strong cavalry charge.

This has nothing to do with courage—itʼs pure instinct.

Perhaps the only ones who could barely suppress this instinct were the most elite infantry of the dynasties in the central plains at their peak during the era of cold weapons.

The members of Cloud Peak, especially the Female Guard, had experienced countless battles. Their mental fortitude was unquestionable.

But that didn’t mean they felt nothing. This primal fear couldn’t hinder their combat effectiveness—on the contrary, they knew how to transform it into excitement!

In comparison, the Youth Army fared worse. Their rapid rise from low-level evolved to their current strength had left their mental states unstable. Faced with the overwhelming cavalry charge, many of the youthsʼ breathing grew ragged, and a few even trembled.

Such was the psychological terror of a mass cavalry assault.

”Stone horses!”

As the cavalry drew closer, everyone saw that their mounts were brown stone steeds—massive, unarmored, their very bodies serving as impenetrable armor.
”And the riders too.”

Xiao Min sighed softly, realizing this was likely a manifestation of the Mountain Crown Wheel’s attributes.

”Our battle beasts’ abilities are sealed!”

A female warrior with a support-type battle beast shouted in alarm. She had intended to buff the team, only to receive feedback that her beast’s abilities were locked entirely—and would remain so.

Others quickly confirmed the same. Even Yangos and Yellow Ball, stubborn as they were, attempted to break the restriction, only to fail.

This humbled the two unruly creatures. The space had proven it could suppress them effortlessly.

”This is a trial.”

Ye Zhongming’s voice cut through the chaos. Whatever he said, his words always carried weight and reassurance, calming even the most nervous Youth Army members.

Such was the effect of an idol and pillar of strength.

”The Mountain Crown Wheel is testing evolved’ abilities to determine who the worthiest candidate is. Battle beasts… are excluded from consideration.”

Ye Zhongming drew his warblade, and the rest of Cloud Peak followed suit.

”But there’s nothing to fear, is there? Compared to the demonic hordes of the secret realm, these are nothing.”

With Ye Zhongming as the spearhead, the entire Cloud Peak force charged forward.

From above, the two formations were grossly mismatched. Cloud Peak’s assault force appeared pitifully thin and insignificant compared to the tide of stone cavalry.

Yet when the two sides collided, Cloud Peak’s formation proved far more suited to this space’s nature. Like an unshakable boulder, they held firm against the stone torrent.

The cavalry’s strength wasn’t particularly impressive—their evolutionary levels capped at three or four stars at best. Their only notable trait was defense. The brown stone composing their bodies was unnaturally hard; even green-grade weapons from Cloud Peak struggled to shatter them unless striking at precise angles or thinner sections.

Broken stone shards filled the air, never fully dissipating due to the ferocity of the clash. The relentless slaughter ensured a permanent storm of debris, gradually enveloping Cloud Peak’s advancing forces.

Then—a haunting horn blast.

In the midst of battle, Ye Zhongming leaped onto a stone horse, decapitating its rider with a single slash. His expression darkened as he surveyed the battlefield.

During the initial charge, only Cloud Peak’s warriors had engaged. The Old Man Squad and the battle beasts had remained in the rear, guarded by a Youth Army detachment.

Now, spurred by the horn’s call, a new wave of stone cavalry materialized from thin air, charging straight toward the defenseless support line.

”Xia Bai, hold this position!” Ye Zhongming roared, then named two Female Guard captains to follow him back.

The sheer number of stone cavalry had long since stalled Cloud Peak’s momentum, forcing them into a defensive circle under relentless assault.

Ye Zhongming’s group fought desperately to break through, every step a grueling ordeal.

The stone cavalry seemed endless—no matter how many they slew, more took their place.

And that horn… they were being directed.

With the enemy seconds away from overrunning the battle beasts, Ye Zhongming acted alone.

Without their skills, even the mightiest battle beasts would eventually succumb to sheer numbers.

Every one of these creatures was priceless to Cloud Peak—losing them would be unthinkable.

While Ye Zhongming couldn’t annihilate the entire cavalry force quickly, breaking through was no challenge.

He burst free from the encirclement, blurring toward the battle beasts’ position. Raising the Soul Shattering Bone Staff, he channeled 10% of his mental energy, unleashing a devastating beam that cleared a path through the stone tide.

Next came the Explosive Mechanic, its barrels roaring as it mowed down the advancing foes.

Behind Ye Zhongming, the Youth Army and Old Man Squad formed a second line of defense. Further back, the physically stronger battle beasts shielded their support-type brethren, led by Yangos and Yellow Ball, their fangs bared as if daring the stone cavalry to test their claws.

Ye Zhongming noted with frustration that even his Undead Sand Moonblade’s summoning ability was nullified here. Only Red Hair, whose connection to him had grown increasingly ambiguous, remained unaffected. The rest, like Ice Bird, were completely powerless.

At least their weapons still functioned.

Yet as Ye Zhongming, Xia Bai, and Xiao Min fought, a gnawing worry took root.

This was only the first trial.

If the difficulty escalated further, how would Cloud Peak survive?

Then—a deep rumbling.

The shattered stone fragments on the battlefield began moving, coalescing into new forms.

From each cluster emerged a stone knight, towering several times taller than the standard cavalry, their bodies now jet-black, their weapons transformed from simple lances into massive, curved stone blades.