Zheng Hao absorbed all the crystal cores from Wang Daifu’s body. In an instant, a golden light flashed in his eyes, and his level increased by one.
He was now at the second stage of early-stage evolution.
Zheng Hao was very satisfied with his previous elite soldier policy.
Without the elite soldier policy, he wouldn't have cultivated so many high-level metamorphed individuals among his subordinates.
Without so many high-level metamorphed individuals, he wouldn't have been able to advance to the evolution stage so quickly.
Although this leveling speed couldn't compare to that monstrous Zhang Chen, as someone with dual talents, Zheng Hao was quite satisfied with this leveling speed.
“Gather all combat units. We’re going to start leveling up like crazy these days!”
“Time waits for no one. Who knows how long the wild beast phase will last?”
“Who knows if the giant creature phase will arrive early…”
Zheng Hao narrowed his eyes and said.
“Yes, I’ll go notify them right away…”
The clerk hurriedly handed the recorded notes to Zheng Hao and vanished on the spot.
Shortly after, the roars of countless monsters, like a tide, could be heard from all around.
The next day, the third day of the third phase of the apocalypse, in the early morning.
Lloyd was already on his way before Zhang Chen and the others woke up.
At this point, Tianyang City was far behind them.
After Zhang Chen and the others finished washing up and eating breakfast, they stood on the rooftop of the manor, looking at the scenery outside the window.
Perhaps it was due to the time of year or because they were moving further north, but the morning temperature had dropped to just a few degrees above zero.
As the temperature decreased, dark red energy grids faintly appeared in the surrounding sky, earth, and even the air.
Of course, only Zhang Chen could see this peculiar sight. Others merely felt strange: despite their mutated physiques, they felt a chill in an environment with temperatures just above freezing.
In reality, it was the continuously energy-absorbing dark red grids causing this.
“Boss, I found this among Kold’s personal belongings.”
Zuo Nan said, handing a transparent crystal cube to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen looked at the crystal cube in his hand. Inside it were six different colored fluids, forming various strangely shaped symbols within the crystal.
Especially the last symbol, it was constantly changing.
Occasionally, the second to last symbol would also shift, but its frequency of change was significantly lower.
Zhang Chen gazed at the crystal cube for a moment.
Soon, a line of prompts appeared!
【Primitive Time Flow Timer of the Progressive Faction. This records the normal time from the beginning of the apocalypse to the present, unaffected by the apocalypse’s suppression and system resets.】
【Current displayed time is: 8 years, 12 months, 29 days, 9 hours, 23 minutes, 15 seconds…】
【The natives’ timekeeping method is calculated based on the lunar phase cycle, referencing the solar return year.】
Based on the lunar phase cycle and the Tianyang return year?
These two sentences felt somewhat familiar to Zhang Chen…
It seemed like… the lunar calendar?
The lunar calendar in Long Country was previously divided into months and solar terms according to the lunar phase cycle and referencing the sun’s return year.
If that were indeed the case, then today should be New Year’s Eve.
“It’s New Year’s…”
Zhang Chen looked at the slightly yellowing leaves of the plants outside the window and sighed.
In the past, he always found New Year’s to be boring, lacking the festive spirit. After finally getting a few days off, his schedule would be packed with visiting relatives.
Holidays were more tiring than work or school.
Now, in the apocalypse, Zhang Chen surprisingly missed New Year’s.
“What? Boss?”
Zuo Nan asked, looking puzzled.
“Oh, it’s nothing. In my world, this is exactly the time for the New Year…”
Zhang Chen mused.
However, in this world, a slight mistake could lead to someone’s death.
Survivors were cautiously trying to survive. Even if they knew it was New Year’s, no one would have the inclination.
“There’s no festive spirit here…”
Zhang Chen added.
“New Year? Festive spirit? What is festive spirit?”
Zuo Nan asked, utterly bewildered.
There was no such festival in his world, so he didn’t understand Zhang Chen’s meaning.
“It’s nothing. I’m going out for a bit. You continue interrogating Kold!”
Zhang Chen said.
“Right, Boss, I also found this on Kold!”
Zuo Nan had actually not finished speaking when Zhang Chen interrupted him.
But he didn’t dare to interrupt Zhang Chen again, so he stammered after Zhang Chen finished speaking.
“Hmm?”
Zhang Chen took a box, which contained several crystal spheres.
【Energy Isolation Suit】*5: Upon use, a semi-transparent film will be generated to cover the entire body, temporarily preventing internal energy from diffusing outwards, thus avoiding polluting consequences (breathable).
This isolation effect is only effective for 2 hours.
Seeing this description, Zhang Chen’s eyes lit up!
This was a good item!
According to the research results of the Progressive Faction, as long as any person from this world traveled to a parallel world, their internal energy would rapidly diffuse, causing almost devastating effects on the entire world.
This was also why Zhang Chen had not actively traveled to parallel worlds since he tamed Gromos and traveled between worlds, and rescued Xu Ruina.
While Zhang Chen was not a saint, he was not a devil who treated lives as expendable.
Traveling to a world and causing an apocalypse, making billions die due to Zhang Chen’s selfish desires.
Zhang Chen couldn't do such a perverted thing.
However, with this energy isolation suit, it was fine.
At least it could guarantee that Zhang Chen could stay quietly for two hours without affecting the parallel world.
To be honest, Zhang Chen really missed the prosperity of the past.
He decided to go immediately!
Zhang Chen glanced at Mo Ran. She had not yet emerged from her cocoon, and the threads on it were faintly glowing golden.
It was likely the most critical moment of her metamorphosis, so he shouldn’t disturb her.
Then he looked at Xiao Bai.
This fellow was having a great time playing with Ao Xue.
Er Pang lay beside them with a jealous expression, his tail motionless with boredom.
From now until they reached the far north ice plain, unless someone voluntarily left Lloyd’s back, this journey was destined to be boring but very safe.
So he wouldn't bring them along. Zhang Chen decided to go and return quickly, to quietly celebrate a peaceful Spring Festival.
Zhang Chen first squeezed Xiao Ruan.
The latter understood immediately.
Soon, a teleportation portal expanded in the room.
Zhang Chen took out the spheres of two isolation suits, placing one on his head and the other on Xiao Ruan’s head.
In an instant, the crystal spheres began to melt, covering Zhang Chen and Xiao Ruan’s entire bodies like living beings.
The liquid of this energy isolation suit contained a large amount of powdered metal debris that inhibited biological energy, making both of them appear to have a slightly darker skin tone.
“Let’s go, let’s go to a parallel world to celebrate the New Year!”
Zhang Chen, holding Xiao Ruan’s slippery tentacles, quickly walked into the teleportation portal.