"This..."
Zhang Chen, holding Zhao Xiyue's soft hand, couldn't help but hesitate.
To be honest, Zhao Xiyue was the first friend he had made in the apocalypse. From an emotional standpoint, he didn't want anything to happen to her.
As far as Zhang Chen was concerned, their connection was limited to a good impression.
After all, it had only been less than two months since the apocalypse began, and they had only communicated sporadically.
If this were a time of peace, it would be equivalent to knowing each other for two months, having met only three or four times, and occasionally chatting on WeChat during the remaining time, while both were busy with their own work or studies.
Under such circumstances, it wouldn't be accurate to say they had a deep bond.
However, it also wouldn't be accurate to say their feelings were shallow.
This relationship was subtle, and Zhang Chen couldn't express it accurately.
Now that Zhao Longchuan wanted Zhao Xiyue to accompany him on a mission, Zhang Chen's instinct was to refuse.
After all, this trip was bound to be dangerous.
The seventh walled city was a forbidden zone that previous轮回者 (lunhui zhe) had struggled to reach. The monsters or survivors within were definitely strong!
But from another perspective, Zhao Longchuan was right.
If Zhao Xiyue didn't fight and didn't grow, she would always be in the most danger in the apocalypse.
The strong were safe wherever they went, and the weak were in danger wherever they went. This was the most basic principle of survival in the apocalypse.
"I won't drag you down!"
Seeing Zhang Chen's hesitation, Zhao Xiyue quickly said with a pleading expression.
"This young girl's strength... I feel she should be at the advanced mutation stage, which is not bad..."
"However, the place we are going next, I'm afraid, will have at least evolved-stage powerhouses, and many of them are inherently cruel and violent..."
"Can this young girl's heart withstand seeing those brutal scenes?"
"Right now, she's a naive and kind girl... Honestly, in the apocalypse, these two words, 'naive' and 'kind,' are practically luxuries."
"Do you really have the heart to watch these things be corrupted by the darkness of the apocalypse?"
Qian Xinxin reminded him "kindly."
"I can do it. I promise to be obedient and do whatever you ask!"
"Moreover... I will hold onto my original intentions. I believe you can definitely end the apocalypse, and people will surely welcome the light!"
Zhao Xiyue said earnestly.
Seeing that Zhang Chen was still hesitant, Zhao Longchuan quickly pulled him aside and whispered:
"Honestly, I'm a rough person and not suited to lead a camp. Many times, I'm pedantic and strict!"
"Although the survivors in the military base live safely here, I can see that they are not happy!"
Zhang Chen nodded. The military base was managed in a militaristic fashion.
However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, it was the apocalypse; if one didn't maintain a high level of vigilance, they could lose their life at any moment.
Zhao Longchuan seemed to have read Zhang Chen's thoughts and continued:
"In the apocalypse, my methods might work, but what about the future?"
"Zhao Xiyue, myself, and the people in the military base firmly believe that if the apocalypse can be ended, then the one to end it must be you!"
"When the day comes to end the apocalypse, civilization will need to be restarted. At that time, the people will need a benevolent leader, not a harsh ruler!"
"Zhao Xiyue needs to gain this experience. She is naturally pure and innocent, but also vigilant and resilient."
"The upcoming mission can be considered her touchstone. If she endures hardship and witnesses the darkness of the apocalypse, but can still maintain her original intentions, it will show that she has matured, grown, and possesses the basic qualities of a leader."
"If she falls during this process and turns towards darkness..."
"Then we can cut our losses in time! No matter what she becomes, she is still my sister, but she may not be a good leader!"
"Therefore, this time, she must go! And only by following you do I believe she can return alive!"
Zhang Chen nodded.
He hadn't expected Zhao Longchuan to think so far ahead. Perhaps, from the moment he established the military base and took in the survivors of the Dragon Country, he had already prepared for the restart of civilization after the apocalypse.
No wonder he was willing to lose so many soldiers to bring back tens of thousands of survivors.
These people might not be skilled fighters, but they came from various industries and fields, and they could quickly restore human civilization during reconstruction, passing down the torch of culture and wisdom.
The Dragon Country could have 56 ethnic groups, or even 100, but the inheritance of culture could not be lost.
From this perspective, Zhao Longchuan's path was not any easier than Zhang Chen's.
In fact, in terms of camp development, he might even be superior to Zheng Hao.
"Alright, I promise you!"
Zhang Chen nodded solemnly.
Zhao Longchuan finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile:
"I entrust her to you!"
Then, he turned and waved to Zhao Xiyue, saying:
"I'm returning to the camp; there are still some matters to attend to. Xiyue, do your best!"
"Okay, I'll work hard!" Zhao Xiyue also waved to Zhao Longchuan, a look of excitement on her face.
"Bringing a burden in the apocalypse is a major taboo. You must know that, right?"
While Zhao Xiyue and Zhao Longchuan were waving goodbye, Qian Xinxin suddenly came to Zhang Chen's ear and said softly.
"Mm... you've reminded me!"
Zhang Chen nodded.
"So... we can totally find an excuse to leave her behind. If you're too embarrassed to say it, or don't have a good excuse, you can let me handle this matter!"
Qian Xinxin said in a seductive voice.
"No need. I'll handle this. You go to the tunnel entrance first; we'll meet there!"
"Alright then, make it quick!"
Qian Xinxin glanced at Zhao Xiyue with a smile.
This young girl was indeed beautiful, with a perfect nine-head-body proportion like a model, and possessed an aura of purity.
There were many beautiful women, but what truly captivated men, besides a sexy figure, was a different kind of charisma.
The pure, first-love type was undoubtedly a type that no man could resist.
Thinking this, Qian Xinxin cupped her breasts, smiled proudly, pushed off the ground, and lightly leaped onto the rooftop, then raced towards the tunnel entrance.
"Um... all my things are ready; we can set off anytime!"
Zhao Xiyue said, shaking the greenish ring on her hand.
"Mm, before that, there's one more thing to take care of!"
As Zhang Chen spoke, he directly transferred tens of thousands of [Super Crystal Cores] from his ring to Zhao Xiyue.
"Ah? This is..."
Zhao Xiyue was full of surprise. So many crystal cores? This was several times more than the total number of crystal cores that all the soldiers in the military base could gather!
"Didn't you say you didn't want to be a burden? Then let's start with strength!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
Ever since his body had been modified by the meteor energy, he no longer needed crystal cores to level up, as he had already reached the maximum level.
What Zhang Chen was currently researching was how to refine the endless energy within his body into crystal cores to help the people below grow rapidly.