If she had encountered the Spider Queen in the ultimate apocalypse, Qian Xinxin wouldn't have been too shocked. After all, mutated monsters were commonplace in the ultimate apocalypse; encountering one would just mean teleporting away. If you can't beat them, you can at least avoid them, right?
But the ultimate apocalypse was still five minutes away.
Seeing the Spider Queen and her pet, the Wall Breaker, emerge from the teleportation gate meant they were with Zhang Chen!
Furthermore, ordinary teleportation beacons couldn't open such a large portal. Only Gromos could achieve that.
She had heard Prince Hao mention before that Zhang Chen had subdued Gromos as his pet.
At first, she didn't quite believe it, because that was Gromos!
Survivors who managed to live under Gromos were rare, and to tame it? That was madness!
It was simply impossible!
It must have been some other creature with eight tentacles similar to Gromos, mistaken for Gromos.
However, it now seemed Prince Hao's report was accurate.
Gromos opened the portal, summoning the Spider Queen and the Wall Breaker...
No wonder he was so confident about the northern defenses...
For ordinary reincarnators, the ultimate apocalypse was a terrifying existence.
For Zhang Chen, who possessed countless terrifying beings, the ultimate apocalypse should feel like returning home...
"You... you... you..."
Qian Xinxin stuttered "you" three times, her other words choked in her throat by the shock, unable to utter another sound.
"So, the 'profiteering from the fisherman's dilemma' you thought of and the one I imagined are completely different!"
"Our battles with the Soul Organization and the Black Ox Legion were not Pyrrhic victories; they were crushing triumphs."
"The reason for the lack of immediate victory is not that I lack the strength, but as I just said, it's merely to train the team's combat experience!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"This..."
Despite experiencing numerous great storms, Qian Xinxin had never been so flustered as she was today, unable to even form a complete sentence.
The primary reason was that the man before her was too terrifying, seemingly possessing infinite energy and a mystery that made him perpetually inscrutable.
"Everyone stop, Leader Qian, tell your people to stop, or we'll perish together!"
Suddenly, a loud voice pierced through the entire battlefield, reaching everyone's ears.
The speaker must have possessed some special ability, otherwise, just shouting with their voice alone wouldn't have the power to cut through the cacophony of the battlefield.
Upon hearing this, the members of the Soul Organization and the Black Ox Legion immediately retreated, disengaging from the fight with a smug smile on their faces.
Everyone looked towards the source of the sound and saw a bright light flashing on the high wall.
The voice seemed to originate from there.
Zhang Chen activated Absolute Vision, magnifying and observing the entire city wall.
He discovered dozens of survivors on the high wall, positioned beside anti-aircraft gun turrets in different areas.
Survivors also appeared near the core energy room below the city wall.
It was likely that enemies with stealth and invisibility abilities had sneaked in during the battle.
"What exactly do you want?"
Qian Xinxin asked.
She spoke in a normal voice, but a senior merchant nearby immediately stepped forward and loudly repeated Qian Xinxin's question: "What exactly do you want?"
His voice was equally loud and had extreme penetration.
"This skill is quite interesting. Without communicators, it can be used to command battles or intimidate enemies!"
Zhang Chen nodded, observing the energy construction within the merchant as he spoke with slight concentration.
"It's very simple. Acknowledge the presence of the Black Ox Legion and the Soul Organization in the fourth high wall city!"
"Furthermore, we require the black market to provide us with food, water, and other supplies for six months, free of charge, paid in one lump sum!"
"And hand over the supplier information for Crispy Fruit, which will be jointly sold by us and the black market!"
The person spoke according to the plan previously negotiated between the Black Ox Legion and the Soul Organization.
"Then... what if I don't agree?"
Qian Xinxin asked with a cold expression.
"If you disagree, we will destroy the anti-aircraft equipment on the city wall and the city's core energy supply!"
"In any case, our original high wall city is destined to be occupied by monsters, we are already homeless and will die sooner or later. It's no loss to take someone down with us!"
"There are still 3 minutes and 12 seconds until the ultimate apocalypse arrives. You should consider carefully, if it's too late, then it will be too late for everything!"
The person on the city wall shouted.
"These guys..."
Qian Xinxin clenched her fists, her face filled with indignation.
She was a businesswoman and could haggle, but this was blatant blackmail. They expected to get supplies and territory without offering anything in return.
If Qian Xinxin gave in now, then in the future, if they had the slightest dissatisfaction, they would surely resort to the same tactic, as they had already tested her limits.
But if she refused...
A high wall city without defenses was like a cage.
Would she have to lead everyone in the black market to escape right at the start of the ultimate apocalypse?
Half the people died during the last escape, would she have to repeat the same tragedy?
As Qian Xinxin hesitated, time ticked by second by second.
Both sides of the battle were well aware of the current situation and had paused their fighting, turning their attention towards the city wall.
"Can... can you... help us?"
"If you help us through this crisis, our black market will be willing to follow your lead!"
Qian Xinxin suddenly remembered that the super-expert Zhang Chen was beside her. Perhaps he had a way to solve the problem?!
As for the promise to follow Zhang Chen's lead, it was also a worthwhile deal.
If Zhang Chen truly had the ability to resolve this matter, and additionally deal with the subsequent monster tide...
Following such a powerful individual would undoubtedly be beneficial in every way.
In the apocalypse, who wouldn't want to respect strength and rely on the strong as their ultimate support?
Moreover, Zhang Chen was already so powerful. If the black market didn't proactively pledge allegiance, would they wait for him to crush them?!
Proactive allegiance would be considered merit, while passive allegiance would not only be disregarded but might even lead to being treated as second-class citizens.
If Zhang Chen lacked the ability to resolve this matter, then there would be nothing more to say, and Qian Xinxin's previous words would become void. They would each face their own fate, nothing more.
"Alright, I'll give it a try!"
Zhang Chen nodded.
The current crisis was not just for the black market, but also for the True God Cult, Wolf Fang Camp, Revival Camp, and the Nightmare organization. It was time to act.
Zhang Chen slowly raised his right hand and slowly clenched his fist.
In an instant, all reincarnators wearing dark red rings on their hands collapsed to the ground, devoid of strength.