Yin Junxi smiled wickedly.
He was the supreme existence at Stage 1 of Advanced Awakened.
Because further upgrades required a massive amount of [Energy Gathering Crystals], and the drop rate for these was laughably low.
Therefore, he was certain that the highest level in the world was currently Stage 1 Advanced Awakened.
No matter how strong Zhang Chen was, he couldn't possibly be a whole level higher than himself.
In a contest of equal strength, the true competition lay in combat experience and equipment.
And combat experience and equipment were Yin Junxi's proudest possessions.
Come on, show me what you've got!
Yin Junxi said provocatively.
In reality, he was probing Zhang Chen's limits.
He wanted to know what rare equipment Zhang Chen possessed so he could prepare accordingly.
What I have, you'll find out once you fight me, won't you?
Zhang Chen smiled faintly and said.
Judging by his expression, he didn't take Yin Junxi seriously at all.
Heh, acting this arrogant in the apocalypse, is that really wise?
Yin Junxi suddenly lunged at Zhang Chen, swiftly swinging his blade.
He attacked with a sudden burst while speaking leisurely.
Giving the opponent no time to react.
Swish!
The blade's edge grazed Zhang Chen's collar.
Damn it, so close!
Yin Junxi regretted it inwardly.
Again!
[Energy Strike]!
Using his momentum, Yin Junxi rushed behind Zhang Chen and unleashed a powerful shockwave!
Boom!
It was dodged again.
A large hole was blasted into the ground.
The scene utterly stunned all the team members present.
Is... Is that Energy Strike? The shockwave is too intense! My Energy Strike feels like a toy...
Such speed, if it were me, I'd be dead by now!
Is this how strong individuals clash... I suddenly feel like us guarding here is just a suicide mission... We don't have even a shred of a chance!
Is... is this the strength of an Advanced Awakened... Heavens, how many zombies did these two kill to reach Advanced Awakened...
While everyone was marveling.
Yin Junxi and Zhang Chen had already exchanged twenty to thirty blows.
In every exchange, Yin Junxi attacked at least seven or eight times, each strike a fatal blow.
Yet, all of them were effortlessly dodged by Zhang Chen.
Hmm? Something's not right!
A foreboding premonition suddenly surged in Yin Junxi's heart.
Initially, not being able to hit Zhang Chen could be attributed to good luck or Zhang Chen anticipating his movements.
But... not being able to hit him for twenty to thirty consecutive moves, especially when some techniques were spontaneous changes that couldn't be predicted.
Being able to dodge all of that was too outrageous!
We're both Stage 1 Advanced Awakened, why is he so much stronger?!
It made no sense!
Could it be... Zhang Chen was deliberately not counter-attacking?
And not that he was overwhelmed and couldn't fight back?!
Yin Junxi was startled by his own deduction!
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
He leaped into the air, swiftly brandishing his colorful treasure blade.
In an instant, three figures appeared in the sky.
All three figures were identical, and even the fluctuations of their energy barriers were exactly the same!
They attacked Zhang Chen simultaneously from different angles!
Heh, so it finally appears? So this is what the so-called illusion is!
Zhang Chen nodded in satisfaction.
The reason he hadn't counter-attacked immediately was precisely because he wanted to see what kind of illusion attack the colorful treasure blade could produce.
At the same time, he wanted to understand the strength of a typical Stage 1 Advanced Awakened.
Now, he had gotten the answers he wanted.
Then, this farce should come to an end!
[Crystal Core Resonance]!
Buzz!
A powerful shockwave, originating from Zhang Chen as the center, rapidly spread outwards.
Rumble!
The large iron gate of Gate No. 1 even trembled...
As Yin Junxi fell, he suddenly felt his breath hitch.
It felt as though something inside him was about to explode.
Then, the powerful shockwave sent him flying back mid-air, about seven or eight meters high, before he heavily crashed onto the ground.
Although Zhang Chen's move was not directed at the team members, and the resonance damage was only aimed at Yin Junxi and his two illusions in mid-air.
The aftershocks of the resonance still sent the onlookers tumbling, with many struggling to even stand.
Some even had to activate their defensive gear just to endure it.
Retreat, retreat quickly!
The captains who recovered first shouted loudly.
Quickly, the team members, with some effort, carried the injured and began to withdraw.
They moved back over twenty meters, taking cover behind obstacles, and continued to peek.
Though the clash of deities was dangerous...
It was truly exhilarating!
Especially watching Zhang Chen beat down the arrogant Yin Junxi, bringing an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
As Yin Junxi landed, his illusions vanished with him.
Zhang Chen used a Flash Step, instantly appearing beside Yin Junxi.
He threw a punch with force.
Thump!
Creak!
Yin Junxi crossed his arms in front of him, taking the blow head-on.
In an instant, his energy barrier flickered violently, nearly shattering.
He was forced into a half-crouch, sliding back thirty to forty meters before coming to a stop.
Even so.
The armor on his arms, unable to withstand the immense impact, shattered into fragments that scattered across the ground...
This...
Yin Junxi's eyes were no longer filled with disbelief, but with absolute terror!
Even with his energy barrier absorbing 90% of the damage, to shatter heavy armor with a single punch?!
What terrifying strength this must be!
How Zhang Chen became this strong, or why he became this strong, Yin Junxi was no longer interested in.
Now, only three words echoed in his mind: Must not die!
In reality, Zhang Chen possessed dual talents. If Yin Junxi was level 7, Zhang Chen would be equivalent to level 14.
His Metamorphosis had increased his attributes by 2 to the power of 7, and the Meteorite Energy Body Tempering further boosted his attributes by 100%...
Zhang Chen could fight Yin Junxi without even needing to draw his weapon.
[Soul Burn]! Stage 7!
Yin Junxi went mad, activating his skill to its maximum.
His power surged to seven times his original combat strength!
At Stage 7 of Crystal Core consumption speed, Yin Junxi could only maintain this for a few seconds.
But even a few seconds were enough!
[Energy Strike]!
Die!
Yin Junxi's expression was frenzied, veins bulging on his forehead.
This was his all-out attack!
[Energy Strike]!
Zhang Chen also slightly raised his hand and activated the same skill!
Boom!
Bang!
Zhang Chen's Energy Strike beam was clearly much thicker than Yin Junxi's after activating Soul Burn.
Without any suspense, it directly pushed back Yin Junxi's shockwave.
No matter how hard Yin Junxi tried, no matter how desperately he roared, it was all in vain...
He could only watch in despair as the shockwave approached him, getting closer and closer, until it finally engulfed him completely...