The next morning, Xiao Guanghan woke up looking haggard. He ate a large piece of bread and two slices of ham by himself, then went to wake up Zhang Chen.
He found that Zhang Chen and Xiao Bai had already finished washing up.
Although Zhang Chen was wearing the same clothes as yesterday, they were noticeably cleaner. His hair was still slightly damp, emitting faint wisps of steam as if he had just taken a hot shower.
Xiao Bai had indeed changed into new clothes.
Perhaps the sailor suit was too eye-catching in the apocalypse.
Zhang Chen had changed her into a pink tracksuit.
He knew Xiao Bai was active, and with these clothes, she could have as much fun as she wanted.
"I was just about to call you. We're leaving!"
Xiao Guanghan said with a hint of envy.
"Alright, let's go. We're ready too!"
"Oh? Professor Xiao, your complexion doesn't look too good. Did you not rest well yesterday?"
Zhang Chen asked.
"Uh... it's okay. In an environment like this apocalypse, we have to be constantly vigilant against insect ambushes, so everyone sleeps very lightly!"
"This way, if danger arises, we can wake up immediately and engage in combat!"
"Those who slept soundly are already gone!"
Xiao Guanghan said with emotion, then added:
"But fortunately, the sentries said we were very lucky yesterday, as many insects went around our area!"
Hearing this, Zhang Chen smiled slightly and gently patted Er Pang's back, saying:
"Oh... is that so... I forgot to tell you something!"
"With Er Pang here, most insects in the vicinity dare not approach!"
"It's an energy beast, and it has a suppressive effect on weaker insects, which is why they steer clear of us!"
Xiao Guanghan looked at Er Pang with surprise, thinking: This dog isn't simple either? It can even make insects detour?
No wonder they weren't attacked by insects all the way yesterday afternoon.
It wasn't good luck, but because it was here?!
Hiss... If I had known, I could have slept soundly last night...
Before Xiao Guanghan could finish lamenting, a large shadow suddenly blocked his path.
It was Er Pang in its magnified form.
This guy was growing very quickly.
Its shoulder height was already taller than the SUV. Its massive head and glowing eyes gave off an eerie chill.
"This... this thing can also grow larger!?"
Xiao Guanghan shivered.
The surrounding guards also saw the situation and shouted loudly.
However, from their shouts, it wasn't the sound of organizing combat to prepare for resistance.
It was a call for Professor Xiao to quickly get into the car, as everyone was preparing to flee!
"Don't misunderstand, Er Pang is quite friendly. It generally doesn't eat people!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile, stroking Er Pang's thick fur.
"Roar~"
Er Pang let out a roar.
A few sluggish insects in the distance were instantly frightened and hid in the crevices of the rocks, not daring to show themselves again.
A flock of large strange birds on the rooftop cawed in alarm and flew up, circling in the air.
They hesitated to descend.
A few burly men, mustering their courage, approached Professor Xiao and pulled him back a few steps.
"I'll follow the convoy today. I won't ride in the RV, it's too bumpy and uncomfortable!"
"Xiao Bai and I will ride Er Pang!"
Zhang Chen said, then with a light leap, he mounted Er Pang.
Xiao Bai followed suit, nestling into Zhang Chen's arms with a blissful expression.
"Then... alright then..."
Xiao Guanghan had intended to politely say, "Be careful!"
But upon seeing Er Pang's size and recalling Zhang Chen's terrifying combat prowess from yesterday... the words were forcefully held back.
Perhaps it was he who should be careful...
The convoy moved forward.
Er Pang, carrying Zhang Chen and Xiao Bai, followed slowly behind.
Previously, riding Er Pang on the uneven roads felt somewhat bumpy.
But after riding in the RV, he realized what true bumps were. Even a small pothole in the road caused a violent shake.
Slightly larger potholes even threatened to fling people out of their seats.
In comparison, riding Er Pang was incredibly comfortable, a veritable five-star experience.
The journey was uneventful. Around noon, the convoy finally reached the highway toll gate of Zhong'an City.
Ahead was the checkpoint set up by the Black Gang.
Many convoys were jammed there, as were many survivors without vehicles, waiting blankly by the roadside.
When they saw Zhang Chen and Xiao Bai riding a giant wolf, their eyes were filled with astonishment.
"Did you see that? That giant wolf!"
"I know, that's called an energy beast. Only a few lucky people can tame such a ferocious beast. Their combat power is immense!"
"I heard that the reason this Black Gang dares to charge tolls is not only because they are strong themselves, but almost everyone has a powerful energy beast!"
"In short, anyone possessing such an energy beast is definitely not someone we can afford to provoke. Don't stare at it for too long, or we'll be in trouble if we anger it!"
People chattered amongst themselves, automatically distancing themselves from Er Pang.
They were afraid that one extra move would displease Er Pang, and it would eat them!
Xiao Guanghan got out of the car, waved at Zhang Chen, and said:
"Zhang Chen, please wait a moment. I'll have my assistant go handle the procedures for entering the city. It won't take long!"
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "Thank you for the trouble!"
In reality, Zhang Chen had countless ways to enter the city.
He could have simply blinked through, flown through, or fought his way through. All were possible.
And with Zhang Chen's strength, he was confident that no camp or organization could stop him.
But he chose to queue up quietly.
Because this environment gave him a sense of returning to an era of peace and order.
Human civilization could only survive and develop better under order.
Chaos only brought destruction.
This was also why Zhang Chen chose to pay for his room at Isaac's inn instead of threatening him at knifepoint to stay.
The female student beside Xiao Guanghan, accompanied by two burly men, ran towards the entrance of the checkpoint.
"Toll, 500 crystal cores or equivalent supplies per person!"
At the checkpoint, a large table was set up, with a middle-aged black woman sitting behind it.
Four black guards stood beside her.
Behind each guard crouched a gorilla, two to three meters tall.
They exuded a powerful sense of pressure.
Around them, many black men with weapons were maintaining order in the queue.
"500 crystal cores per person?"
The female student frowned and calculated.
The entire convoy had 35 people, plus Zhang Chen and Xiao Bai made it 37 people. That would require 18,500 crystal cores!
But she only had 12,000 crystal cores on her right now. She was still short 6,500. What could she do?
Just then, a man with a face full of wrinkles walked over hesitantly. As he got closer, he exclaimed with pleasant surprise:
"Senior sister, is that you? What a coincidence?"