Zhang Chen stared blankly at the revived five-headed serpent.
He felt that the process of the zombie virus reviving corpses was somewhat similar to the process of Zhang Chen creating clones.
Both involved the condensation of a new energy core.
The only difference was that the zombie virus could not materialize energy.
Therefore, they had to rely on existing corpses, condensing an energy core to form a new individual.
As for living people, because they already had an energy core within them, the zombie virus had to kill the host for the zombie virus's energy core to gain dominance.
If this theory held true, it would mean...
Semi-infected individuals likely possessed two energy cores!
One was the individual's energy core, and the other was the virus's energy core.
This would allow the body to function normally while retaining human consciousness.
With this thought, Zhang Chen activated his Absolute Vision and curiously glanced at Xu Ruina.
Xu Ruina's energy core was located below her heart, but faintly, behind this visible energy core, there seemed to be another energy core!
However, the zombie virus's energy core was so brilliant that it obscured the one behind it.
Zhang Chen lowered his head and leaned forward, wanting to get closer to the energy core to see it more clearly.
Suddenly, his breath hitched, and his face felt covered by something, making it difficult to breathe.
Yet, the hidden energy core behind was almost fully visible.
This could very well be the key to how Xu Ruina could turn back into a human, and how her claws could transform into human hands.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
Xiao Bai asked curiously.
"Hmm?"
Zhang Chen retracted his Absolute Vision and came back to his senses.
Only then did he realize that he had indeed gotten a bit too close.
It was practically zero-distance contact.
"Is that enough?"
Xu Ruina looked down at Zhang Chen with a half-smile.
"Ah? I'm researching something important..."
Zhang Chen replied honestly.
However, his words seemed to lack conviction.
Shirley stood awkwardly to the side.
After Luo Tianyu died, his control over the ring vanished.
Shirley had intended to see if any help was needed, but instead witnessed such a blush-inducing scene.
"Oh~ So it's important research. But I suggest doing it at night. There are many important things to do during the day, so don't waste time!"
Xu Ruina adjusted the collar of her qipao.
The button on her qipao had loosened slightly, and she leaned forward, allowing Zhang Chen to re-fasten it.
"What important research? Xiao Bai wants to try too!"
Xiao Bai said, then butted her head forward.
A moment later, she was heard saying with enjoyment:
"Dad, you really know how to enjoy yourself. It feels so good!"
"Sister Shirley, do you want to try too!"
Shirley shook her head awkwardly and said,
"I... I don't think I will..."
Suddenly, Xiao Bai's eyes lit up. She looked at Shirley's figure, then lunged towards her.
Burying her head deeply in Shirley's chest, she nuzzled and said:
"Wow, Sister Shirley's is so comfortable too, and it's so soft. It feels different!"
"Dad, do you want to try?"
Zhang Chen coughed awkwardly twice, then changed the subject, asking:
"Where are Er Pang and Mo Ran? How are their battles going?"
"I know!" Zuo Nan quickly replied from the side.
If anyone was the most awkward, it was Zuo Nan.
Regarding the women here, he couldn't even think about touching them, let alone actually touching them.
Even thinking about it could be fatal. He had to highlight his value now to ensure his own survival.
"Mo Ran and the giant spider went towards the mountains. It seems they are evenly matched, with Mo Ran even having the upper hand. We don't need to worry!"
"As for Er Pang... I saw that after all the wolves it summoned were killed, it summoned another batch and charged into the dense forest with the Sharp-toothed Tiger."
"It's probably in the northern direction, but they're fighting without regard for direction, so I'm not sure of their current location!"
When Zuo Nan was restrained, his gaze was constantly fixed on Mo Ran, Xiao Bai, and Er Pang.
In this team of monsters, his only role was to act as a scout, paving the way.
"Xiao Bai and Shirley, you two go support Er Pang!"
"Ruina, you come with me to find Mo Ran!"
Zhang Chen commanded calmly.
"Okay, Dad!"
"Yes, Master!"
"Alright!"
"That..."
Zuo Nan hesitated, then weakly asked:
"Boss, then... what about me?"
Zhang Chen looked at Zuo Nan, then at the two giant armored troop carriers behind him, and said:
"You're responsible for guarding the vehicles. Don't let anyone steal them!"
"Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission!" Zuo Nan immediately stood at attention.
Soon, everyone separated according to their predetermined directions.
Zuo Nan sat in his spot for a while, feeling bored.
These two giant armored troop carriers contained nearly a hundred Cleaners.
These guys were already strong, and they needed someone to watch over them?!
Moreover, in this deep mountain forest, mutated creatures were abundant, but humans... they were rarer than endangered animals!
"Sigh... Being a vehicle guard is better than being completely useless!"
Zuo Nan laughed self-mockingly.
He had planned to make a name for himself in this reincarnation.
However, he had encountered Zhang Chen, this god of death, and the third phase had arrived prematurely.
With more and more powerful individuals awakening, it was too difficult to become stronger through his own efforts.
It was better to latch onto Zhang Chen's leg. If he was happy, even a small reward of some crystal cores would be enough for an upgrade.
Zuo Nan leaped onto a tree branch and looked around.
The once tranquil forest had been ravaged beyond recognition.
The battles below had left behind a patch of withered branches and leaves.
The fight between Mo Ran and the giant earth spider mother had caused widespread destruction, with broken giant trees everywhere.
Behind them, there was also the path of an approaching tornado.
Speaking of tornadoes...
Zuo Nan suddenly realized that the tornado Zhang Chen had released earlier had not dissipated, but was growing more intense.
It was rolling up countless plants and unlucky animals, slowly moving towards the convoy.
"This... this released tornado can come back on its own? This... this is too outrageous!"
Zuo Nan looked at the tornado with despair.
Suddenly, his mind recalled the words spoken by a researcher at the epidemic prevention center in a parallel world:
"Generally, ability attacks are not indiscriminate; they can distinguish between friend and foe..."
These words, overheard occasionally, were spoken when he was being prepared for research by Zhang Chen, who had used him as bait, and was being cuffed.
If these words were true, then the abilities released by Zhang Chen should not cause harm to him and the giant armored troop carriers...
Zuo Nan prayed silently in his heart.
If this theory failed, he would be left to wander the apocalypse...
Losing Zhang Chen's Cleaners, what kind of trouble would he be in?!