"Ah? We... we're going to ambush monsters?"
Sherry's eyes widened in surprise, her face full of disbelief.
In her memory, even with powerful beings like the Soul Organization, the camps she followed were either running away most of the time or on the run.
The apocalypse was filled with too many monstrous creatures. If the first stage of the apocalypse was like leveling up in a beginner's village,
Then from the second stage onwards, beings that even轮回者 (reincarnators) found difficult to defeat began to appear.
By the final apocalypse, humanity had completely shifted from leveling up to survival.
The strongest individuals in the world at that time had voluntarily chosen to hide in walled cities for refuge.
Therefore, survival, escape, and self-preservation had become Sherry's daily routine.
This was the first time she had ever seen someone actively choose to confront a powerful enemy!
"That's right, I've been pondering a question,"
"Why is it that even though there were many strong individuals among the previous two batches of 轮回者 (reincarnators), none of them could complete the task of ending the apocalypse?"
"I'm gradually figuring it out!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"What is it?"
Sherry asked eagerly.
"I believe it has a lot to do with the passive and reclusive attitude of many of them – hiding in walled cities, content with their own corner, avoiding strong enemies whenever possible..."
"This caused them to miss many opportunities, even the chance to end the apocalypse..."
"Only by constantly facing challenges and continuously getting stronger can we change the outcome of the reincarnation!"
"Escaping won't solve problems; it will only make you weaker. Only through persistent fighting, researching ways to defeat strong enemies, and becoming stronger yourself, is the true way to survive the apocalypse!"
Zhang Chen analyzed with a serious expression.
Xu Ruina glanced at Mo Ran, who was sleeping in Zhang Chen's collar, a small tentacle peeking out from his pocket, and Xiao Bai, who looked on with a bewildered expression... She nodded silently.
Any one of these three guys was not to be trifled with. If other survivors encountered them in the apocalypse before they were tamed, it would be almost equivalent to death.
After Zhang Chen's modifications, Mo Ran had also been upgraded to mutated Type IX, and Xiao Bai was also Type IX. At this level, they were already considered the highest-ranked existences in the apocalypse that could be measured by strength.
As for Xiao Ruan, it was even more so. It grew stronger with each encounter, until it evolved into its ultimate form. It could even connect with parallel world biological energy to compete in energy values, making it a boss-like existence.
These were all incredibly difficult battles, but Zhang Chen had endured them, which was why he had now become the master of these powerful beings.
Perhaps... the apocalypse might truly end in Zhang Chen's hands, and it was not impossible!
"So... is that how it is?"
Sherry looked at Zhang Chen with uncertainty.
However, the old man she had met before, wearing a yellow ring on his hand, was already incredibly powerful.
His view was the complete opposite:
"Living a stable life is the most important thing. As long as the apocalypse doesn't end, there will always be enemies you can't defeat. Why seek trouble?"
She didn't know who was right between Zhang Chen and the old man...
But now, she chose to believe Zhang Chen.
"Everyone, accelerate! We need to race against time!"
Zhang Chen gently patted Er Pang's broad back.
"Roar!"
Er Pang let out a mighty roar, and its speed greatly increased.
The [Giant Armored Troop Transport] behind them also picked up speed to keep up.
As for the convoy further behind, even without being told, they would stick close.
They had finally latched onto a powerful patron; they couldn't afford to lose them!
The man now ignored the woman's nagging from the side, focusing his attention on dodging obstacles on the ground, staying close behind the giant beetle.
At midnight, the convoy finally arrived at Huguang City.
As they approached the outer ring, they saw a vast expanse of lake water in the distance.
The clear moonlight cast a tranquil beauty upon the shimmering lake surface.
Boom!
A serpentine creature, over twenty meters long, leaped out of the lake. Its countless barbs and poisonous tendrils were clearly visible under the moonlight.
Splash...
Then, the massive form slowly submerged back into the water.
This sight instantly pulled everyone from the illusory world of beauty back to the harsh reality of the apocalypse.
No matter how beautiful the scenery, the apocalypse was still the apocalypse!
"Ugh..."
"Gurgle..."
Low-level zombies, sensing Er Pang's might, swayed and moved away from the road.
Swarms of insects crossing the road, upon sensing Er Pang's pressure, divided into two at the road's boundary.
They forcefully carved out a path.
Zhang Chen, riding Er Pang, led the convoy through smoothly.
After they had traveled a considerable distance, the gap closed again.
The dense swarms of insects resumed their formation and crawled rapidly towards a certain target, emitting rustling sounds...
"There are insects and zombies. It seems we really got ahead of that monster!"
Sherry said excitedly.
"Mm... this is just the first step..."
Zhang Chen opened the electronic mini-map and studied it.
There were two roads into the city: one through the waterfall bridge to the west, and the other was the lakeside road.
Initially, guarding the bridgehead would have been the best option, and Zhang Chen had prior combat experience defending bridges.
However, after seeing the unknown terrifying monsters in the lake, Zhang Chen immediately decided to hold the lakeside road.
"Sherry, blow up the waterfall bridge, then rendezvous with us at the intersection of the lakeside road and Jingai Street!"
Zhang Chen instructed.
"Understood, Master!"
Sherry nodded, leaped off Er Pang's back, and disappeared into the darkness.
"Ruina, you take the cleaner army and be responsible for controlling the infected within the city, while ensuring no insects interfere!"
Zhang Chen turned to Xu Ruina.
"Mm, no problem, I'm good at this!"
"I can already sense the numerous infected within the entire city!"
Xu Ruina smiled calmly, then used a series of flash jumps to appear on a rooftop.
At the same time, the cleaners, upon receiving Zhang Chen's command, left two individuals to drive.
The other ninety-six people all jumped out of the troop transport vehicles, scaling the buildings with ease by stepping on decorative elements on the building surfaces, and quickly ascended to the rooftop, standing behind Xu Ruina.
Zhang Chen controlled two vehicles to form a second defensive line behind the intersection.
As for the first defensive line...
Zhang Chen looked at Xiao Bai and said,
"There might be something fun coming up, I'm leaving it to you!"
"The mission for this game is to absolutely prevent the monster from passing this intersection, and also not allow it to escape!"
Xiao Bai was already very sleepy from the tedious journey.
But when it heard about a game mission, it immediately perked up, its eyes shining, and it nodded vigorously in agreement:
"Got it, got it, don't worry, Daddy, Xiao Bai has never lost a game!"
"Roar!" Er Pang roared, as if asking what it should do next.
"You hide in the shadows later and appear as a surprise force!" Zhang Chen said, patting Er Pang.
With all preparations in place, Zhang Chen shook his body, and his entire being, like a pool of mud, quickly merged with the surrounding darkness...