Absorbing the energy of the apocalypse back?
Zhang Chen frowned. This method of ending the apocalypse was something he hadn't considered.
He had expected it to involve dominating the entire ecological system of the apocalypse or opening up new spaces for survival.
So, the savior of the apocalypse was just a vacuum cleaner?
Zhang Chen called Zhao Xiyue over and transferred the 400,000 [Super Condensed Crystal Cores] and 3,000 [Super Energy Crystal Cores] he had just obtained to her.
In an instant, Zhao Xiyue's level soared again.
She felt different to Zhang Chen.
Had she entered the Transcendent stage?
Just as Zhang Chen thought this, the system suddenly pinged!
Ding! The world's first Transcendent is born!
Seeing this message, Zhang Chen nodded.
Zhao Xiyue had a single talent, so her leveling speed was particularly fast.
If these crystal cores had gone to Zhang Chen, he would probably still be hovering in the Advanced Evolution stage.
At this moment, survivors all over the world erupted again, especially those in the military bases. They knew Zhang Chen and Zhao Xiyue, so their reactions were the most intense:
"Holy crap, a Transcendent has appeared! I'm just a Metamorph, and I'm still a long way from being an Evolutioner, and she's already a Transcendent!"
"I'm numb. No need to think about it, the one who levels up like a rocket is probably Zhang Chen, right?"
"No, it's Zhao Xiyue... she's already ranked first in the strength leaderboard!"
"Zhao Xiyue? Never heard of her. I didn't see her in the top hundred rankings before!"
"You mean she jumped from outside the top hundred to first place instantly? Who's at the door? Is it outrageous?"
"Speaking of which, Zhao Xiyue's strength is pretty good... but her leveling speed has always been lukewarm. She's only been out of the base for half a day and she's leveled up this much?"
"She went out with Zhang Chen, so Zhang Chen probably helped her level up. The boss's woman is definitely treated with preferential treatment!"
"Yeah, even a little bit of crystal cores from the boss is enough for us commoners to jump a few levels!"
"Don't talk nonsense, can you casually mention the name of the True God?"
"Yes, yes... I'll be careful next time... May the True God bless us..."
Some of these conversations were happening in the regional channels, so Zhao Xiyue and Zhang Chen could naturally see them.
"It always makes me feel so useless to keep taking crystal cores from you for my growth..."
Zhao Xiyue said somewhat sheepishly.
"Being able to get crystal cores is a skill. Others can only get them from me if they have the ability!"
"Besides, everyone has their own specialty. You're not naturally good at fighting!"
"From how you've allocated housing and resolved issues for survivors just now, I can see you have leadership potential. In peacetime, you'd be a good leader!"
"You just need to play to your strengths to the fullest, and what I need to do is make your strength so formidable that no one with ulterior motives would dare to provoke you!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
A leader can be benevolent to their subordinates, but their own strength must be immense.
This is like holding an army in your hand; without an army, any leader is just an empty promise.
"Leader? I never thought about being a leader. I just want to organize everyone's work so they can contribute to the camp to the best of their ability. I haven't thought about anything else!"
Zhao Xiyue looked at the orderly bustling people in the distance, saying with a satisfied expression.
"If you weren't Captain Zhao's sister, and if Captain Zhao wasn't the leader of the camp, do you think they would listen to the things you arrange?"
"If an aggressive leader came to power, constantly thinking about militarism, abandoning all civilians below the fighting force, and ruling with an iron fist."
"And you have no strength and no influence, would anyone support your ideas and decisions? Would they be implemented?"
"Since you have the ability, you must bear the responsibility. People with a thirst for power are everywhere. If you take one step back, dozens of people will rush forward to take your place!"
"Would you dare to hand over the camp to unreliable people?"
Zhang Chen asked.
"This... I hadn't thought about it..."
Zhao Xiyue frowned slightly. She was indeed worried that the camp might be led into war by warmongers.
It was fine in the apocalypse, but if there was still internal conflict in peacetime, humanity would be engaging in completely meaningless internal strife.
"Now is the time to think about it. When the apocalypse ends in the future, whether you want to be this leader!"
"If you decide to do it, I will make all dissenting voices shut up immediately!"
Zhang Chen said in a calm tone.
Indeed, if anyone else said this, it would be boasting. But if Zhang Chen said it, it was stating a fact.
With Zhang Chen's current strength, if he didn't have to worry about energy surges, a snap of his fingers could make the survivors of an entire city disappear, or turn swathes of terrifying creatures into dust.
"Mm... I won't let you down. If you believe in me, I will definitely work hard!"
Seeing Zhang Chen's support, Zhao Xiyue's confidence surged. She waved her small fists and said with a serious expression.
"Mm, keep it up!"
"Then... I'll go back to work!"
"Go ahead!"
Zhao Xiyue hummed a song and skipped towards the busy crowd.
She worked until dark, and then returned to her room in Zhang Chen's manor to shower and rest.
At this moment, Qian Xinxin also slowly sat up from the bed.
She rubbed her head, which was sore from sleeping for too long, and then supported the two mounds in her chest. Although they were something to be proud of, they were sometimes really inconvenient.
"Where is this?"
"Is this the ring's manor?"
Qian Xinxin squinted her eyes to adjust to the light intensity, and then she could clearly see the environment.
Her ring was also of a high level, so she naturally knew that rings could create manors.
"Mm, this is your temporary room!"
Zhang Chen sat by the window, looking at the figures of huge monsters occasionally flying across the sky, and said.
"How... how long have I slept?"
"About 8 hours. If you're hungry, I can get you something to eat!"
"You treated me to a meal before, so it's my turn to treat you this time!"
Zhang Chen walked to the empty dining table and sat down, gesturing for Qian Xinxin to sit opposite him.
"Okay, that's great! I've been wanting to experience Mr. Zhang's culinary skills!"
"I wonder if Mr. Zhang, who is so powerful, also has as abundant supplies as his strength!"
Qian Xinxin smiled slightly and elegantly sat opposite Zhang Chen.
"While we eat, I have some questions for you!"
Zhang Chen said directly.
"I knew you wouldn't invite me for a meal for no reason. How could you invite me alone?"
"Even if you were to eat, you'd have to bring your little lover. So you definitely have something to talk about!"
Qian Xinxin said with a hint of jealousy.
However, her jealousy didn't last long. Her expression quickly turned to surprise, then shock, and finally, awe...
Looking at the table full of dishes, Qian Xinxin couldn't hide her surprise, saying:
"This... this is the meal you invited me to?"