Chen Xiao had naturally foreseen all of this, but when this scene occurred again, he was still, like the other ability users around him, shocked to the point where their jaws almost hit the ground.
The scene was truly breathtaking. The reinforced walls, designed to withstand nuclear attacks, were shattered by the residual energy from an attack that had flattened all structures within a ten-kilometer radius…
And this was merely a casual strike from Zhang Chen.
If Zhang Chen were to unleash his full power, the entire planet Shui Lan might not be able to withstand it.
"Alright, let's go now!"
Zhang Chen spoke, and a teleportation portal slowly opened before him.
"Okay!"
Chen Xiao nodded and followed him into the portal.
As the surrounding scenery blurred and then returned to normal, Zhang Chen and Chen Xiao found themselves inside the fortified walls of the apocalypse.
However, the walled city before them was already in ruins.
It seemed a fierce battle had taken place here. Great cracks, stretching for over a hundred meters, marred the city walls that were hundreds of meters high.
The city within the walls had been reduced to rubble and debris. The only towering building had half of its structure completely pulverized, leaving only an empty frame.
At this moment, a prompt slowly reappeared:
[Apocalypse Shui Lan Planet, the fourth walled city. It has been 1 year since its last appearance here...]
"This… a year has passed?"
Zhang Chen was somewhat surprised and also a little anxious.
Although he had considered that temporal distortions might cause the time flow between the two worlds to become abnormal after the穿越 (chuānyuè - crossing over/transmigration), he hadn't expected such a significant difference!
What would have happened to the others in the year he was gone?
Would anyone have been eliminated by Xu Lin Na?
In an instant, Zhang Chen's mind flashed with all those familiar faces.
"Don't worry, although there were losses, your acquaintances are all safe, and their strength has also improved considerably!"
Chen Xiao seemed to have read Zhang Chen's mind and spoke proactively.
"Really?"
Zhang Chen asked, both surprised and delighted.
"Of course, I'm here to help you; there's no need to lie!"
Chen Xiao nodded.
As long as Zhang Chen, this powerful individual, remained emotionally stable, revealing a little about the future wouldn't cause too significant a disruption to the timeline. It could be rectified later.
"That's good then!"
Zhang Chen finally let out a sigh of relief.
But then again, his main subordinates were already very powerful. Even if they encountered strong enemies they couldn't handle, they could at least escape and save themselves.
"Moreover, after a year of development, they have all established firm footing in their respective camps."
"Because they all belong to the True God Cult or are members of the Nightmare organization, there is no internal strife or fighting amongst them."
"Each camp has developed positively. Some camps have now evolved into independent kingdoms!"
Chen Xiao said slowly.
Zhang Chen noticed a silver flash in Chen Xiao's eyes as he spoke, seemingly an effect of his ability.
The Time Ability was a power entrusted to the core of the Time Meteorite. Its strength was in a parallel relationship with Creation and Destruction.
Zhang Chen could not replicate Chen Xiao's ability, and similarly, Chen Xiao's physique could not withstand excessive bio-energy.
"What about Xu Lin Na? Has she been inactive this past year?"
Zhang Chen asked, surprised.
"She has taken many actions this year, and has also defeated your subordinates' camps multiple times."
"However, these actions were all probing, aimed at finding you."
"After all, you and the Meteorite core within you are her targets."
"But... I can interfere with her predictions of the future. Similarly, her Meteorite shards will also restrict some of my abilities."
"It can be said that you two are now at the same starting line, able to engage in a decisive battle openly!"
"No matter what, I will accompany you until the very end!"
Chen Xiao said with a determined expression.
He had seen the future and also the outcome of this battle.
But he could not say. As an entity possessing the Time Meteorite, he could alter temporal branches at will, but he could not tell Zhang Chen about important future events.
Because Zhang Chen, who possessed the Creation and Destruction Meteorites, was a special existence. The impact of his key actions on the timeline was something Chen Xiao could not undo.
Once Zhang Chen made a decision that deviated from the original timeline, it would mean the simultaneous disappearance of many other branching worlds.
"Yes, good!"
Zhang Chen looked at Chen Xiao with gratitude.
What he wanted was a fair fight!
He was eager to see how much combat prowess Xu Lin Na would have without her precognition and without resorting to underhanded tactics!
...
At the same time, in Lin Hai City.
A group of believers, clad in the deep red hoods of the True God Cult, were rapidly withdrawing from their camp.
Their leader, Xiao Guanghan, accompanied by two protectors, Fan Yiyi and Han Shuang, along with Xiao Bai, and over a hundred disciples, were fleeing swiftly, using the cover of the buildings and massive trees.
Behind them, three bio-engineered humans were in hot pursuit.
Over the past year, Xiao Guanghan had adhered to the combat strategy previously laid out by Zhang Chen during their meetings, avoiding battles with Xu Lin Na and her subordinates as much as possible to prevent her from predicting future events.
Therefore, whenever they were discovered, their first reaction was to immediately retreat.
They didn't even dare to engage in any direct combat.
This was because as long as a fight occurred, Xu Lin Na could ascertain the strength of Zhang Chen's subordinates, and subsequently optimize her bio-engineered humans accordingly.
This would be detrimental to the eventual decisive battle.
Xiao Bai also fled along with them, naturally feeling quite disgruntled.
Fortunately, as she had grown older, she had become more receptive to advice, preventing impulsive actions.
"Professor Xiao, do you think the bio-engineered humans will suddenly appear from the front this time?"
"After all, this has happened more than once. She seems to be able to predict our escape routes and chase us like a cat playing with a mouse!"
Fan Yiyi said with a frown.
"This time it seems a little different... they've been obediently following behind, and the previous situation hasn't occurred!"
"Could it be that they've come up with a new trick?"
Han Shuang said, confused.
"We'll know if we try. Everyone enter this building ahead and conceal your auras!"
Xiao Guanghan said.
Ahead, there was a giant tree whose roots had enveloped the entire building in soil, leaving only a window exposed. A large door on the side served as an escape route.
The group instantly filed inside and immediately concealed themselves.
Three seconds later…
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Three bio-engineered humans flew straight past the roots of the tree.
A few minutes later, the three bio-engineered humans returned and headed off in another direction.
"Are they pretending to be stupid?"
Fan Yiyi asked with a puzzled look.
The bio-engineered humans before could always attack with precision, no matter where she hid.
Now, they were scurrying around like headless flies?
This was the first time she had encountered such a situation.
"The True God has returned! And he has succeeded; Xu Lin Na's precognitive abilities have failed!"
Xiao Guanghan said excitedly.
Then, he gently called out, "City Lord Xiao Bai," and respectfully said:
"In a moment, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills!"