"Is it monsters?"
"I haven't received any alerts from the team, could it be that fighting has already started?"
"The walled city is protected by an energy grid, and there's an anti-air matrix at the top of the wall. Monsters shouldn't be able to rush in this quickly!"
"No screams or battle cries were heard. It seems to be a localized conflict, not a monster attack!"
Hearing the explosion, everyone stood up alertly, some even rushing into the corridor to prepare for battle.
At this moment, a level 2 merchant nervously approached Qian Xinxin and whispered a few words in her ear.
The latter nodded and said calmly:
"It's not a monster attack; survivors are coming through the underground tunnel!"
"Merchants of the black market, pick up your weapons and defend our land!"
"As for our esteemed guests, please rest here comfortably. There's no need for you to intervene."
Zhang Chen turned his head and activated Absolute Vision, looking towards the direction of the explosion.
In an instant, all buildings became transparent. Without the obstruction of walls, only slowly flowing energy veins remained.
Through a block's distance, he could see a group of survivors charging aggressively into the city.
Zhang Chen observed the energy intensity of these survivors and then turned to look at the energy intensity of the Meng Yan members.
Suddenly, Zhang Chen stood up and said preemptively:
"Boss Qian has treated us with such sincerity, even allowing nearly 30,000 of us to settle here. We should do something to help!"
"Leave these disruptive survivors to us. The black market merchants don't need to make a move, lest we accidentally injure each other during the fight!"
While Zhang Chen's words seemed kind on the surface, spoken by him, they carried a subtle threat.
The black market merchants felt a chill down their spines.
What was going on? Why were they so eager to fight?
If they were willing to go, that would be excellent. They would bear all the losses, and the black market would profit. What a great deal.
Qian Xinxin furrowed her brows slightly and said with some difficulty:
"Oh dear, Mr. Zhang and his Meng Yan organization are our guests. How can we let our guests take action? That would be a serious breach of hospitality!"
Hearing this, Zhang Chen suddenly moved with ghost-like speed and appeared next to Qian Xinxin, whispering:
"We've acted enough. If you delay any longer, we won't go!"
"Heeheehee, Mr. Zhang is truly joking!" Hearing Zhang Chen's words, Qian Xinxin suddenly burst into loud, charming laughter, her body shaking. She then slowly sat back down, spread her hands, and said:
"Then I shall trouble you, Mr. Zhang. I will prepare steak and red wine and await your triumphant return!"
"What a cunning woman!" Shirley glared at Qian Xinxin with dissatisfaction before quickly following Zhang Chen out of the hotel.
As they walked, she said:
"Master, those who can come through the underground tunnel must be survivors from cities near the high walls!"
"This tunnel entrance is the only one, meaning the people coming should be from the Soul organization and affiliated camps of the second high-walled city, as well as the Black Bull Legion of the third high-walled city!"
Upon mentioning the Soul organization, Shirley's expression immediately turned cold.
She had joined a camp under the Soul organization in the past solely for revenge.
Unfortunately, in the last cycle, Shirley's strength had plateaued at the Mutated stage, making her powerless to contend with the Soul organization.
Now, having successfully advanced to the second stage of the initial Evolution stage, she could finally seek her revenge!
"The Soul organization and the Black Bull Legion? Don't they have their own high-walled cities? Why are they crowding towards the black market?"
"In the Ultimate Apocalypse, does having more people necessarily mean more strength?"
Zhang Chen asked curiously.
"Of course not! The reason it's called the Ultimate Apocalypse is because whether it's individual powerhouses or numerous strong individuals, they all end up being crushed..."
"What survivors can do is simply scrape by, try to avoid monsters they can't defeat, and that's it."
"Before the last cycle began, the second high-walled city was attacked by Soul Devourers. It's estimated that the Soul organization fears that with the start of this Ultimate Apocalypse, they will continue from the state they were in before the last cycle began, so they must abandon the second high-walled city!"
"As for the Black Bull Legion... I think it has something to do with Gromos. Otherwise, they wouldn't have desperately attacked the small, mutated V-class goo in the laboratory immediately upon the cycle's awakening!"
Shirley analyzed seriously.
"Mmm... that makes sense..."
"Moreover, the black market has abundant resources. By conquering it, they can ensure their safety and get rich in one go!"
"They've really calculated it well!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"Master, that Boss Qian clearly has ill intentions. She called it a welcome reception, but it's essentially paying us to resolve her troubles."
"Both the Black Bull Legion and the Soul organization are formidable opponents. If we fight them to a mutual destruction, Boss Qian might reap the benefits!"
Shirley said with a worried expression.
"That's right, your analysis is very accurate. Boss Qian is thinking exactly that!"
Zhang Chen nodded in approval.
"Master, since you know Boss Qian's scheme, why did you volunteer to fight the Soul organization and the others?"
Shirley asked, puzzled.
"The Ultimate Apocalypse came too suddenly, completely skipping the colossal stage."
"The monsters' strength has greatly increased, but the strength of our camp's core members cannot increase that quickly."
"Now that Boss Qian is treating us to a meal and also giving us energy crystals, how can we refuse such a generous gift?"
"I believe your strength is fully capable of defeating these invaders, not to mention I'm here. We won't lose!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"However... you need to fight quickly. Once Mo Ran and Royd arrive, I'm afraid these guys will get scared and flee!"
"That would be a huge loss for us!"
Zhang Chen said with a worried look as the spatial energy from the direction of the park grew stronger.
Soon, the main forces of both sides met at an intersection.
"Hmph, that's it? I originally thought the renowned black market would send some formidable bounty hunters or mercenaries to fight us!"
"Who would have thought they would send a group of previous cycle participants?"
"Boss Qian is looking down on us too much!"
The bald deputy leader of the Black Bull Legion said arrogantly.
"Alright, Baldy, enough nonsense. Let's focus on the main task. Charge straight through, and we'll meet at the black market hall!"
The leader of the Black Bull Legion, Mugan, said calmly.
"Then we'll proceed according to plan!"
The leader of the Soul organization nodded, gave a look to those behind him, and dozens of assassins instantly vanished, their presence concealed.
"Alright, brothers, there are enough energy crystals here. Everyone pick your desired crystals. Don't fight over them, there's enough for everyone!"
Zhang Chen stood in the middle of the team, speaking with an air of ease.