I STACK ATTRIBUTES IN THE APOCALYPSE -MyOwnEdit-

Danger permeated the Black Mist Zone, a constant source of unease. Yet, not all dangers were equal.

Within the vast expanse of the Black Mist Zone lay numerous recognized danger zones—forbidden territories that most sentient beings avoided at all costs.

The Undead Clan's territory was one such place.

A large clan with members scattered throughout the Black Mist Zone, the Undead Clan's presence was widespread. Besides the infamous Undead Spirit domain, they established numerous gathering places within the zone.

One of them was the Blood Flame Sect.

Situated a fifteen-day journey from Bear Mountain, the Blood Flame Sect occupied a swampy area. Its towering walls and macabre architecture exuded an air of terror.

The interior was vast, dominated by a massive blood pool nearly a kilometer in diameter. Resembling a small lake, it was surrounded by diverse buildings. Only those of high rank or exceptional power within the Blood Flame Sect were allowed to reside near this crimson heart.

Moments after Yamamoto Yuichiro's demise, a strange sound echoed from a small building near the blood pool.

An unseen gaze pierced through the walls, landing on the master bedroom on the second floor. There, another dead snake writhed briefly before evaporating into thin air.

Sporadic rays of light emanated from the spot where the snake had vanished. These rays tugged at the blood in the pool below, drawing it through the floorboards and into the room.

The blood writhed and churned, guided by an unseen force. Three minutes later, a naked Yamamoto materialized on the floor, gasping for air.

The memory of his imminent death flooded Yamamoto's mind. He screamed, recalling the explosions within his body, feeling a phantom pain.

The experience of dying left Yamamoto unsettled. After half an hour, he managed to rise, shaky but alive. A quick shower and a change of clothes later, he left his house and headed for the grandest building nearby.

At the entrance, Yamamoto spoke with deference, "Yamamoto Yuichiro, seeking an audience with the Minister."

The Minister was the leader of the Blood Flame Sect, the supreme authority.

Not long after he spoke, the door creaked open before Yamamoto.

He entered the manor-like building. Its interior was sparsely furnished, with a simple, almost rustic style. No, not quite rustic—more like old and neglected for decades.

Dust coated the floor, soft and unsettling beneath his feet. As Yamamoto ventured deeper, red hues grew more prominent. Bloodstains, indistinct and smeared, marked the walls and floors.

Cobweb-like strands, resembling bloody intestines, hung in the corners. The dust gave way to slick, undried bloodstains and the nauseating scent of iron.

Finally, Yamamoto stopped before a crystal ball.

He bowed respectfully and addressed it, "Minister."

"Um," a low voice rumbled from within the crystal ball. Red light seeped from its depths, coalescing into a blood-red eyeball.

The eyeball fixed its gaze on Yamamoto, and the Minister's voice rumbled again, "What news do you bring?"

"I've located the gathering place of the Nanxiang people," Yamamoto reported. "And there, I encountered an Awakened individual even more powerful than myself."

Silence fell within the crystal ball. Then, the Minister's voice returned, "That's interesting... Hmm, summon Terashima Asaichi, Yamanaka Hitomi, and Hachima An."

Yamamoto took a deep breath, nodded, and turned to leave.

Terashima Asaichi, Yamanaka Hitomi, and Hachima An, like Yamamoto Yuichiro, were all Tokyo Revenants.

Before the black mist fully engulfed Tokyo, humans and Tokyo Revenants held a near-equal balance of power. However, Yamamoto Yuichiro had entered the Black Mist Zone ahead of the others, forging an alliance with the Undead Clan's Blood Flame Sect. Six days ago, when Tokyo succumbed to the black mist, the Blood Flame Sect, under the banner of the Undead Clan, ambushed and launched a genocidal attack on the humans of Tokyo.

The outcome was devastating. In the aftermath, the Blood Flame Sect continued to recruit Tokyo Revenants, either assimilating them into their ranks or eliminating them.

There were quite a few talented individuals among the Tokyo Revenants.

Yamamoto Yuichiro was a prime example. His Destructive Death Ray was a formidable weapon, capable of annihilating everything in its path and even instantly killing beings four or five levels stronger than himself.

Terashima Asaichi, Yamanaka Hitomi, and Hachima An also possessed their own unique talents.

The Minister of the Blood Flame Sect had reported these four individuals to the higher echelons of the Undead Clan. They were designated as promising successors of their generation, temporarily entrusted to the Blood Flame Sect for nurturing.

Soon, Yamamoto Yuichiro arrived with the other three Revenants at the Minister's residence. The four of them stood before the crystal ball, still maintaining their human appearances.

Before long, the Minister's voice echoed from within the crystal ball once more.

"Yamamoto, recount your experiences."

Yamamoto nodded and proceeded to share his tale.

Ten minutes later, when Yamamoto finished speaking, Terashima Asaichi immediately interjected. "Such an interesting person from the South District. I should pay them a visit." He was tall and robust, with dyed blond hair and an irritable, impulsive demeanor.

Yamanaka Hitomi, a strikingly attractive young woman, rolled her eyes. "Even Brother Yamamoto isn't his match, and you, Terashima Asaichi, are even worse."

Terashima glared, but before he could retort, Hachima An, a middle-aged man, spoke up. "We should follow the Minister's orders."

Hachima An seemed to hold considerable authority. His words silenced Yamamoto and the others.

It was only then that the Minister's soft voice returned. "The human Yamamoto mentioned is a threat. We must eliminate him!"

There could only be one victor on the path to ascending the heavens. Each time they employed an external trick to eliminate an expert among the tribulation transcenders, Yamamoto and the others would have one less competitor.

The minister continued, "But not right now."

At this moment, all the experts of the Blood Flame Sect were deployed to support the Barbarian Tribe. The remaining members were capable of self-preservation but lacked the strength for expeditions.

The eyes in the crystal ball scanned the four Revenants. The Minister's voice returned, "Furthermore, I strictly forbid you to cause trouble for that human without permission."

The Minister feared an unexpected incident and wished to protect the precious Ring of Corpse Snakes, of which there were few.

One by one, the four nodded in agreement. The tension in the room eased slightly.

Perhaps valuing these promising successors, the Minister's tone softened as the conversation shifted to other matters. "The Barbarian Tribe is fostering a close relationship with the Insect Clan. Over thirty days ago, a large number of new generation tribulation transcenders arrived there, intensifying the conflict between us and the Insect Clan."

Yamamoto and the others exchanged glances. Hachima An spoke softly, "It's those people from Mist City."

The minister mused, "It seems so... Among them are many of the Undead Clan and a few potential seedlings. I wonder how their potential compares to yours."

The four replied in unison, "We won't let the Minister down!"

The minister chuckled, "After I help our fellow clansmen in the Barbarian Tribe secure this batch of tribulation transcenders, I'll take you to meet those Nanxiang people."

He paused, then added, "But remember, according to you, there should be four batches of Tribulation Transcenders descending into the Black Mist Zone now. We've located the Nanxiang, Mist City, and Tokyo groups. However, the whereabouts of the New York Tribulation Transcenders remain unknown."

The arrival of each new generation of Tribulation Transcenders was a momentous event for all clans within the Black Mist Zone.

The Undead Clan, a major player, harbored ambitious plans. They sought to eliminate all the Tribulation Transcenders and claim the most prized gem on the crown.

Three groups were located, but the whereabouts of the first group remained a mystery.

Meanwhile, in the direction of the New York gathering place, after several days of travel, Apelo also arrived at his destination.