Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Liang Yue remained at the Deng residence, where, according to Deng Yuanbo, she would undergo genetic experiments.

The process would be similar to what the members of the Celestial Squad had experienced.

Zhang Yi had already made up his mind—he wasn’t going to take any risks for now.

But if Liang Yue succeeded, he could have others like Uncle You and Fatty Xu try next.

As for the cost of the experiment? That wasn’t something he needed to worry about.

After all, he’d done the Deng Family a huge favor—it was only right that they repay him with benefits.

But for himself…

Zhang Yi thought about the bottleneck in his power and couldn’t help but feel a little lost.

“Is my ability capped at Delta?”

“If not, then why is Devouring getting less and less effective?”

Zhang Yi left the Deng residence with Yang Xinxin, who was carrying Hua Hua in her arms.

Meanwhile, Liang Yue was escorted by the butler Lian Cheng into the internal lab at Deng Manor.

Back in the study, Deng Yuanbo still stood before the giant floor-to-ceiling window, watching Zhang Yi’s silhouette disappear into the distance.

“This kid… is cautious to an admirable degree.”

Deng Yuanbo sighed.

“If you had even half—no, a third—of his caution, would you have ended up like that?”

His voice was filled with regret.

Just then, from behind what had appeared to be a solid wall, a low voice echoed.

“This guy really is hard to read.”

Hearing that voice, Deng Yuanbo turned slightly. “Oh? That’s why you have your eye on him?”

“But do you really believe he can beat Gao Changkong?”

Even Deng Yuanbo couldn’t help but doubt it.

Zhang Yi had performed impressively during the last raid on Moon of Corrosion.

But in the end, he’d only taken down minor members—and picked off two already-injured ones.

Yet the person behind the wall had insisted: Zhang Yi had to be the one to do it.

Otherwise, Deng Yuanbo would never have treated Zhang Yi with such eagerness.

In Blizzard City, who didn’t want access to the Deng Family’s technology?

The voice came again, deep and firm: “Don’t underestimate him. His potential is not beneath that of the Six Investigation Captains. In fact, it might be higher.”

A flash of shock crossed Deng Yuanbo’s eyes.

Blizzard City’s six Investigation Captains had all developed their Delta-level potential to the extreme.

If Zhang Yi’s ceiling surpassed even theirs, then that meant…

“Epsilon?”

There was a pause behind the wall, then the voice slowly replied:

“Our understanding of mutation is shallow. Even after half a century of genetic research, the Deng Family has only glimpsed vague shadows.”

“That’s the domain of gods. How can mortals touch it?”

“When I saw Zhang Yi’s battle in Jiangning City, I finally understood—everyone underestimated him.”

“He’s like a massive void—bottomless and unfathomable. People like that… we must win them over. They must not become our enemies.”

Deng Yuanbo’s eyes burned with determination.

What’s the most valuable thing in the 21st century?

Talent.

Especially after the apocalypse began, nurturing a top-tier Superhuman would yield returns a hundred—no, a thousand—times over!

He made up his mind: he would invest in Zhang Yi, turn him into someone on his side.

Right now, Zhang Yi hadn’t sided with any faction in Blizzard City. His background was clean—like a blank sheet of paper.

Now was the best time to recruit him.

But… if he had that idea, wouldn’t other factions think the same?

Deng Yuanbo frowned slightly.

In terms of foundation, only Zhu Zheng—the Supreme Commander—could rival him in Jiangnan District.

“As long as we keep Zhang Yi from joining them, we’ll be fine. With his laid-back personality, he doesn’t like being controlled anyway.”

“The stronger I help him become, the less he’ll rely on Zhu Zheng.”

…

On Zhang Yi’s end, he and Yang Xinxin had left Deng Manor.

Escorted by Deng Family vehicles, they arrived at Zone A, where a private villa had been specially prepared for him.

After moving in, Zhang Yi gave the place a thorough inspection and found no surveillance equipment.

Only then could he finally relax a bit.

Zhang Yi lay back on the sofa, with Yang Xinxin pressed close beside him. The two of them reclined comfortably against the cushions.

Hua Hua, eyes half-closed, perched on Zhang Yi’s stomach with practiced ease.

Thinking of Liang Yue, now undergoing genetic experiments with the Deng Family, Zhang Yi still felt slightly uneasy.

“I can’t help but feel the Deng Family is being too nice to me. And Deng Yuanbo’s explanation didn’t fully convince me either.”

Yang Xinxin’s lips curled into a soft smile. She rested one arm on the backrest, her gaze toward Zhang Yi full of admiration and affection.

“Brother, you’ve missed one important point.”

Zhang Yi: “Hmm? What’s that?”

Yang Xinxin reached out and tapped Zhang Yi’s nose with her fingertip—cool, soft, and gentle.

“You’re too cautious. You always expect the worst.”

“But you’ve forgotten—right now, you’re one of the top Superhumans in Jiangnan District! No matter where you go, people like you are respected and courted by the major factions.”

“And the Deng Family, having just lost their strongest asset, is trying to make friends with you. Even without the Moon of Corrosion mission, they’d still want to get close to you. Isn’t that obvious?”

Zhang Yi suddenly saw the light.

He let out a long sigh. “I’ve been in cutthroat, backstabbing environments for so long, I’ve practically forgotten how civilized society works.”

Blizzard City still preserved some semblance of civilization—people still dealt in relationships, not just brute force.

With a flip of his hand, Zhang Yi retrieved the silver case containing the Compound X from his Dimensional Space.

Opening it revealed a syringe filled with a pale golden liquid.

This was the drug Deng Yuanbo claimed could quickly unlock a Superhuman’s potential.

Zhang Yi could imagine how valuable it must be.

He felt a strong impulse to use it—a craving that came from the genetic level.

But his caution stopped him.

After thinking it over, he decided to call Baili Changqing for advice.

Soon, Baili Changqing answered.

After a few pleasantries, Zhang Yi got straight to the point.

“How advanced is the Deng Group’s genetic research? Do they have any shady history with drugs?”

Baili Changqing replied, “Let me put it this way—Blizzard City’s entire gene-medicine sector heavily depends on the Deng Family. And after multiple rounds of testing, the drugs are pretty stable now.”

As he spoke, he glanced down at his own arm.

“I’m part of the third batch of trial subjects. Everything’s normal so far—no adverse effects.”

Zhang Yi asked, “What’s the name of the drug you used?”

Baili Changqing thought for a moment. Zhang Yi was pretty much one of them now. Even if he didn’t want to be under the Jiangnan District’s control, the fact that he was willing to join the Celestial Hound Squad and fight Moon of Corrosion meant he could be trusted.

“That drug is called Compound No. 6.”

Author’s Note