As Zhang Chen and the others entered the portal opened by Xiao Ruan, they were met with the astonished gazes of everyone present.
The group returned to the main world.
They were still inside the laboratory building.
The several hours they had spent in the parallel world had also elapsed in the main world.
It was already dusk, and the dreadbird tide outside had gradually subsided.
Occasionally, a few dreadbirds would fly erratically above the high walls, only to be instantly reduced to roasted chicken by the anti-aircraft energy cannons, falling from the sky with strange squawks.
“Did you find anything in this laboratory?”
Zhang Chen asked Xu Ruina.
“It’s all experimental data on spatial research from the progressive faction, and it mentions reincarnation multiple times, referring to the matter of you all crossing over.”
“Much of the more core information, including how survivors are chosen as Reincarnators, whether these Reincarnators would become puppets of the natives or tools to sweep through the apocalypse… none of this was mentioned.”
“What’s more, I also found a lot of burnt documents, seemingly destroyed by the natives when they evacuated!”
“It seems they have many secrets they don't want us to know!” Xu Ruina said with a serious expression.
Now, she was completely considering things from Zhang Chen’s perspective, referring to the original humans as natives, and even saying “they.”
If it were in the past, Xu Ruina would definitely not use the term “natives,” but would refer to them as humans.
At that time, her viewpoint was the same as the natives, thinking that those who crossed over were merely test subjects.
However, this trip to the parallel world had caused her perceptions to change drastically.
“That’s right, I remember there was a book recording the history of the New Era. Before the historical records abruptly ended, it stated that the progressive faction announced the invention of an ultimate weapon that could change the world!”
“And in this last city, the laboratory’s main research was on parallel universes. This indicates that we Reincarnators are likely the ultimate weapon they summoned!”
“The reason the natives cleared so much data before evacuating is because they either couldn’t interfere with ground affairs, or at this stage, they, or most of them, couldn’t awaken!”
“Otherwise, they could have calmly laid out plans before each phase began, and even prevented us from discovering the slightest clue!”
Zhang Chen narrowed his eyes as he analyzed.
After all, he had been in the apocalypse for nearly 45 days.
During this long period, Zhang Chen had traveled far and wide, yet he hadn’t encountered a single native.
Moreover, the places he visited were highly sensitive areas, such as the meteor crater and the walled city.
These were all areas where the natives were active before.
If he couldn't encounter natives here, then the probability of others encountering natives in other locations on Water Blue Star would be even lower!
“It seems that to find out everything, we must first find Tang Houde!”
Xu Ruina nodded, looking at her sharp claws with a thoughtful expression.
“Exactly. To find Tang Houde, we must first find the lighthouse!”
“Next, it’s up to you!”
Zhang Chen’s gaze fell upon Zuo Nan.
“Okay, okay, okay!”
This was the first time Zuo Nan had been looked at so seriously by Zhang Chen, and he nervously said “okay” three times.
“Today is the fourteenth day of the second stage of the apocalypse, and only one day remains tomorrow.”
“If we go all out to climb the mountain within this one day, is it possible to reach the target location?”
Zhang Chen asked.
“I’m afraid not… a team had tried to break through to the mountain during the second stage before, but they were trapped on the mountain for six full days.”
“This mountain is not just about mutated creatures and plants; it also contains a large amount of poisonous fog and hallucinogenic substances.”
“If you’re not careful, you’ll fall into a hallucination without realizing it.”
“Once you enter a hallucination, all the ground you’ve covered will be wasted, and you’ll quickly lose your way.”
“Some people even become agitated due to the hallucinations and attack their companions, while others commit suicide…”
“If it were just about brute force, our strength would be more than enough to charge up, but once poisoned, when we can be cured is not something we can control!”
“Moreover, with only one day left until the third stage, if we encounter any unexpected situation mid-way… when the third stage arrives, there will be a tide of berserk beasts attacking all survivors.”
“At that time, we’ll be on the mountain with no defensible positions, surrounded by terrifying monsters, and our situation will be extremely passive!”
Zuo Nan analyzed with a frown.
“Then what is your suggestion?”
“My suggestion is that we all rest for a day outside the walled city, withstand the beast tide, and determine the threat level of the monsters to us.”
“This way, climbing the mountain will be more stable, and we have fifteen days for the third stage, which is enough time for us to reach the designated location!”
Zuo Nan said.
Zhang Chen turned to look at Xu Ruina and Shirley. Shirley also nodded slightly.
Indeed, Zhang Chen had a basic understanding of the strength of the monsters in the second stage of the apocalypse.
But the strength of the monsters in the third stage of the apocalypse, let alone Zhang Chen, even Shirley and Zuo Nan, who had gone through a reincarnation, were unclear.
Otherwise, they would not have only had the strength of Awakeners; they would have already entered the ranks of Evolvers.
“Then let’s wait for one day and go back to rest!”
“Also, Xu Ruina, you are responsible for leading the Cleaners to control all the nearby infected individuals and use them as defensive fortifications against the berserk beast tide in the third stage!”
Zhang Chen commanded.
“Understood, leave it to us!”
Xu Ruina nodded.
The group walked out of the laboratory building. The sky was already getting dark.
The city beneath the high walls experienced dusk even earlier.
The sun had only dipped slightly to the west before a portion of it was blocked by the high walls.
The streets outside the building were littered with the corpses of dreadbirds.
Besides the bodies charred by the defense towers, there were also many fresh corpses, as if a fierce battle had occurred outside during the time Zhang Chen was traveling in the parallel world.
Zhang Chen walked into an alley and retrieved the communication beacon.
He had initially thought there might be something terrifying in the laboratory, and if they got into a deadlock, they could teleport out while escaping.
Unexpectedly, it wasn’t used.
At this time, Prince Hao, leading the black market merchants, and the Black Tail Swallow Legion, arrived belatedly.
Many of them were injured, and their numbers were significantly reduced compared to before.
It seemed the dreadbird tide had caught them both by surprise.
“You’re here. Just as I’m leaving, you guys give it your best!”
Zhang Chen said with a smile as he led his team out.
Prince Hao thought for a moment and then, without hesitation, led his men away as well.
Zhang Chen had already scoured the place clean; what was the point of him coming now?
This time, it was truly a case of losing the wife and also the soldiers!