Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1933: Spending is also an art (5)

Aslan gazed at Ye Zhongming, her emotions swirling in deep complexity.

In the past, their bond resembled a mix of teacher and student, but now the student had outshone the teacher in one particular ability. At this moment, it stemmed from his outright rejection of the marriage offer.

Did he truly not see her worth? Not even when half the Star-Eye Clan was part of the package?

People naturally view issues through their own lens, and Aslan shared this habit. Such self-centered thinking stands out more in those with limited life experiences.

Although Aslan had disguised her status to hone her skills, the duration was brief, and she couldn't escape that subtle sense of privilege. Thus, she remained somewhat caught up in the sting of dismissal.

Yet, as the carefully groomed heir of the Star-Eye Clan, Aslan might not grasp it fully or solve it right away, but she could push beyond the issue nonetheless.

Still, White Robe's words now stirred genuine irritation in Aslan.

True, Ye Zhongming earned all those points himself, and the clan wouldn't meddle. But wasn't this level of extravagance a bit much? The catalog brimmed with pointless trash.

As she scanned items like the High-grade Specimen Cultivation Pods and Fifth Law Balancer, each followed by endless strings of hefty digits, frustration boiled within Aslan.

Cheng Liujin, unlike Aslan, harbored no resentment; he simply regretted the waste. He believed he ought to have consulted Ye Zhongming beforehand, at least probing his requirements and offering advice. That could have prevented picking so much garbage this round.

Yes, they proved utterly worthless. For a race like the Star-Eye Clan, struggling just to keep essentials running, where could they scrape together resources, effort, and personnel for experiments and innovation?

Lacking development work, such items amounted to mere junk.

Ye Zhongming settled into a seat at the meeting table. He had no intention of playing enigmatic today. After all, their backing would prove vital later on. Securing their alliance essentially meant gaining favor from the top three squads and the leadership. Within the Star-Eye Clan, that would grant him free rein without obstacles.

"I claimed twenty percent of the trade discount earnings."

Ye Zhongming eyed Cheng Liujin, and the Gold Order Leader gave a confirming nod.

"Regarding myself, I'm a skilled craftsman. While my grasp of cosmic races' production systems remains at a basic level, far from novice, I trust that dedicating time to study will yield progress."

"Examine my choices."

Ye Zhongming grabbed the list, scanned it, and highlighted a section. The group leaned in; it featured various tools and containers.

"From basic to advanced, everything's here. These serve my training needs, covering straightforward to intricate fabrication methods. Through analysis and breakdown of these apparatuses, I aim to learn production techniques unknown to the clan, particularly those from the Taros Red Dwarves."

The group first doubted its feasibility, but optimism quickly sparked inside them.

After all, Jie Kui had seen Ye Zhongming's crafting prowess firsthand. For him to claim he hadn't truly begun was pure humility. How could one who hadn't started produce gear that eager Novices snapped up? If he truly delved in, just how powerful would he become?

"You, can you truly manage it?" Aslan, with her shallower insight, blurted it out plainly.

Ye Zhongming shrugged it off and affirmed with a nod: "It should work fine. I must attempt it regardless."

White Robe, having battled beside Ye Zhongming, felt an innate affinity and faith in him. Upon hearing this, he accepted it without question and clapped Ye Zhongming on the back, declaring, "Fine, then describe these ones."

Cheng Liujin, eavesdropping close by, rolled his eyes in his mind, pondering how this straightforward fellow missed the core issue. Was equipment crafting the focus? No, this laid the groundwork! The key lay in the trade discount, the savings! That equaled wealth, riches! It could uplift the entire clan! Why not probe deeper into that?

"These here."

Ye Zhongming glanced over; they appeared as utility instruments.

"Exactly, let's speak plainly. These likely serve as padding, selections only the lowest rankers grab out of desperation. Yet they've all landed in your hands now."

Cheng Liujin eyed White Robe, the speaker, and mused that sharing perils forged a unique bond; his tone rang so offhand.

"You see, my personal prizes include a plot of land."

"I plan to cultivate crops there."

"Since I'm also a proficient gardener."

Everyone: "..."

Was that even a justification? Just because you're a top gardener, you pick these for agriculture or nurturing sprouts?

What's the central pursuit of cosmic races? Combat! Farming falls to those unfit for warrior paths or those with middling skills, doesn't it? Why would the top Novice dip into this?

"Must you handle it yourself?" White Robe's limb stiffened to the point of near spasm.

"Absolutely!" Ye Zhongming declared firmly. "See, I'm the fresh Bronze Order Leader, correct? Back in the clan, I'll face my team, won't I? How to secure their loyalty moving forward? Can't I offer incentives? Superior gear, these tools, and moreover, superior meals."

And moreover, superior meals...???

The looks on their faces defied description.

Whether by choice or circumstance, they all ranked as evolved beings who had abandoned homeworlds for the star-spanning age. Amid grand crises, did their diet warrant such fuss?

Noticing the reactions around him, Ye Zhongming understood their thoughts. He dismissed them entirely.

These folks surely ignored the vast fortunes his Earth-made nutrient boosters and Cloud Peak treats had generated!

By his departure from Earth, that sector had become Cloud Peak's prime moneymaker, boasting margins surpassing even his crafted weapons.

"I also acquired some welcome gifts for the Bronze Mask Warriors. They're all listed. Unsure of the exact count of Bronze Warriors; I've got a thousand units, hope that's sufficient~~"

The group inspected them; fine, this seemed reasonable at last. After all, these were gears and materials, spanning elite, standard, and basic tiers, clearly intended for merit-based distribution.

Spotting the standout pieces among them, White Robe and Cheng Liujin felt a twinge of jealousy. Handing such perks to Bronze Warriors felt squandered. But recalling Ye Zhongming's newcomer status and abrupt command of the Bronze Team, he indeed required tactics to rally support.

"What about these?" White Robe indicated other entries on the roster.

Ye Zhongming checked and countered: "Aren't these standard?"

White Robe denied it with a shake: "Far from it! These consist entirely of expendables, battle consumables. Our Star-Eye Clan relies on many for skill activation, plus a horde of trap devices. Though cheap individually, your volume could sustain a fair-sized clash. You know our clan's plight; starting fights with outsiders is out of the question now. This amounts to squandering."

Ye Zhongming pressed his lips together and responded deliberately: "Who claims we won't clash with others? I reject that nonsense of swallowing insults to linger on, clinging to a wretched life, or bearing crushing loads in silence."

"What I hold to is... the truth resides within cannon range."