Back in reality, only two hours had passed in the main world.
Zhang Chen then distributed the ice cream to the children.
A group of children happily ate the ice cream, feeling as if it were New Year's.
At this time, it was already dusk. Zhang Chen left Katerina and the others in the room and went alone to the dungeon where Gelin was imprisoned.
The dungeon was created by Zuo Nan within the manor to interrogate prisoners.
At this moment, Zuo Nan was sitting in front of Gelin, with a tall and unfamiliar man standing beside him.
Seeing Zhang Chen arrive, Zuo Nan quickly stood up, his face beaming with a smile, and introduced:
"Boss, let me introduce you. This is Qingfeng. He's the one who caught this kid Gelin. He's quite skilled, very formidable!"
Then, he turned to Qingfeng and said:
"Brother Qingfeng, this is the boss I told you about. His strength is incredibly boundless, and he's also looking for natives and aiming to end this wretched apocalypse!"
Qingfeng nodded gently, his gaze sharp as he looked at Zhang Chen, and then asked:
"The gap on Gelin's armor, did you cause that?"
"Yes, is there a problem?" Zhang Chen replied casually.
"It seems your strength is immense. I want to spar with you!"
Qingfeng said, rubbing his fists together eagerly.
"Qingfeng... I know you. Based on the strength rankings of our generation of轮回者 (reincarnators), you should be second."
"You should also know that I am ranked first. The gap in our strength is significant, so there's no need for a spar, right!"
Zhang Chen said with a hint of helplessness.
He could tell that Qingfeng possessed a strong sense of righteousness, and his posture and build suggested he had undergone rigorous training, completely different from ordinary people.
If Qingfeng's character was indeed as he predicted and without issues, Zhang Chen would be inclined to recruit him into the organization.
Teaming up with the strong had always been Zhang Chen's principle.
"That's true, your level is indeed a bit higher than mine. However, starting from the Transformed, strength is no longer the sole determinant of victory!"
"I've also defeated many Neon people whose levels were higher than mine, even fighting outnumbered."
Qingfeng said calmly, with considerable confidence in his own strength.
"Alright then, I'll tell Zuo Nan a few things. We'll find an open space later to spar. We're both from Long Country, so we'll just spar until a clear winner emerges!"
Zhang Chen patted Qingfeng on the shoulder and said with a smile.
"Don't worry, I know my limits, and I never intentionally harm my own countrymen!"
Qingfeng replied.
Zhang Chen called Zuo Nan aside, glanced at Gelin in the distance, and then asked in a low voice:
"Did you get anything from questioning him?"
Zuo Nan shook his head and said:
"This guy is different from the others. He's a tough man. No matter how we interrogated him, he wouldn't crack."
"Boss, if you're in a hurry, I can use some methods later. Given the physique of that native, he'll probably be crying for mercy soon!"
Zhang Chen waved his hand, quickly stopping him:
"Hold off on the methods for now. There are things I need to ask him personally later. He also knows I've been to their headquarters, so he'll likely want to know what happened there."
"I can exchange some information with him. Give him some food and water, let him conserve his energy."
Zuo Nan was obedient to Zhang Chen, especially when he heard that Zhang Chen had just been to the native's headquarters, his jaw nearly dropped in surprise.
However, seeing Zhang Chen's reluctance to elaborate, he suppressed his immense curiosity and asked nothing.
"Understood, boss. Don't worry, I'll ensure he's in the best condition to be interrogated by you later!"
Zuo Nan promised, patting his chest.
Zhang Chen nodded without a word and led Qingfeng to an open space far from the manor and the camp.
Initially, it was just a spar between the two, and they didn't want too many people to witness it.
Zhang Chen intended to win over Qingfeng, so he certainly couldn't have a crowd watching. If Qingfeng lost, it would be embarrassing.
Qingfeng was thinking the same thing at that moment. After all, Zhang Chen was the leader of the main camp. If he were to defeat Zhang Chen in front of his subordinates, it would be quite humiliating for him.
Therefore, both of them were very satisfied with this location.
"Can we begin?"
Qingfeng got into his stance, asking eagerly.
"Come on!"
Zhang Chen stood his ground with pride, saying with a relaxed expression.
"Alright, I'd like to see how you manage to break through the native's battle armor!"
After saying this, Qingfeng instantly sprang forward, his fists and legs attacking with a dense, storm-like ferocity!
"So fast!"
Zhang Chen narrowed his eyes and commented.
"But... not fast enough!"
Although Zhang Chen didn't know martial arts, his physical condition far surpassed Qingfeng's.
When Qingfeng fought Gelin previously, it was when Gelin's armor was already damaged, and he attacked its weak points, which is how he managed to knock Gelin unconscious.
However, that damage on Gelin's armor was merely caused by Zhang Chen's casual use of [Concentrated Strike].
This showed the enormous difference in strength between the two.
Qingfeng's fluid movements, in Zhang Chen's eyes, were all slow motion, giving him ample time to react.
However, to Zhang Chen's surprise, although his own speed was faster, Qingfeng's movements were economical, and each move was seamlessly connected.
For instance, if he threw a whip kick, he would simultaneously anticipate Zhang Chen's potential next moves, preemptively blocking Zhang Chen's defensive routes, or directly counter-attacking in a defensive manner, preventing Zhang Chen from retaliating.
In comparison, Zhang Chen was merely reacting to each move as it came. Despite his speed, he found himself in a passive position.
It was like playing chess, constantly being led by the opponent, and struggling to defend.
Zhang Chen watched Qingfeng's series of techniques, which seemed entirely natural. He could even enhance his strength and speed through subtle changes in his body movements. He could even fight Zhang Chen to a draw without using any skills, which made Zhang Chen secretly marvel!
"What kind of martial art is this? Why is all my attacking force being deflected, and even though your speed isn't as fast as mine, you can still control my movements?"
Zhang Chen asked curiously while parrying and dodging.
"You... you can still speak?"
Qingfeng feigned an attack and then retreated several steps, creating distance between himself and Zhang Chen, before exclaiming in shock.
"Yes, is there a problem with being able to speak?"
Zhang Chen asked, confused.
"Those who are trapped by my techniques often have their combat rhythm disrupted, and even their breathing rhythm becomes chaotic. It's impossible to defend, dodge, and speak simultaneously... How did you manage that?"
"Could it be... you haven't used your full strength yet?"
Qingfeng was startled by his own analysis.
With the boost from martial arts and energy, his combat power had increased dozens of times over. Thus, not only was he unrivaled among his peers, but he also rarely encountered opponents who could match him even when fighting across levels.
Now, facing Zhang Chen, while he himself was fighting with all his might, the opponent could still talk and laugh casually?
This... was impossible!
"Use your full strength! I want to have a fair fight with you. Fighting me like this only makes me feel insulted!"
Qingfeng said angrily.
"Use my full strength? Alright... then!"
Zhang Chen sighed with a hint of helplessness, and then, a golden energy instantly enveloped his entire body.
[God-Soul Burn] Level 1!