Starting Off Survival With A Small Treehouse

Chapter 984: Chapter 555: Captive Humans (Part 3)

Shi Wanyun spoke with a faint, elusive smile at the corners of her mouth, her voice becoming much gentler.

She seemed to have a good impression of this city, and even said she somewhat yearned for the life in that city.

Xu Xin’s eyes lowered slightly.

Indeed...

She did not yet know the true situation of this world and thought it was another planet, or even another world.

Even Xu Xin himself, if he did not know the truth of this world, upon learning of a city composed of humans, of veterans of survivors, would probably feel a sense of peace.

At least, in this world, humanity still has a place to belong, they still have large numbers of companions. That kind of feeling.

But...

He who knows the truth wouldn’t be so optimistic.

He couldn’t believe that the alien invaders who eradicated humanity a thousand years ago would do anything good.

"This city is named City of Hope, as the name implies." Shi Wanyun looked at Xu Xin, "The people in City of Hope generally believe that those who brought them here are higher-level intelligent beings than humans, and to them, these higher-level intelligent beings are like gods, rendering them powerless to resist."

"However, their current comfortable life also leads them to believe that the survival ordeal they went through was an exhilarating selection process, and those who successfully passed that selection are qualified to contact the higher beings of this world, qualified to live in this world, qualified to serve them."

"They take pride in this, each person showing extremely devout and even somewhat fanatical worship towards these higher intelligent beings, their so-called gods."

Xu Xin felt a slight stir in his heart.

This matched what the hologram of Xu Xin had basically said in the Crystal House.

At that time, the majority of those controlled by the alien invaders exhibited an extremely fanatical devotion, almost impossible to betray.

And the team of hologram Xu Xin were among the very few immune to such mental control.

"Therefore, every year, there’s an intense selection in the city, choosing the most outstanding people to go outside the city, to serve the true masters of this world, the higher directive beings, the gods in their hearts."

Xu Xin showed a knowing expression: "That towering giant tree?"

"Yes, but it’s only one among many." Shi Wanyun gazed outside at the World Tree still growing, and said softly, "There are many such trees on the other side of this planet, with varying levels, and the one I went to belongs to one of the highest levels."

She smiled lightly: "Regarding this, Number 228 is extremely proud."

Xu Xin, on the other hand, did not want to smile at all.

World Trees...many of them on the opposite side of the planet?

In this sense, the selection in the human city somewhat resembles the college entrance exam from a thousand years ago.

It’s a relatively universal selection.

All eligible individuals can participate, those who fail don’t go to university, those selected have the qualification to attend university, and universities differ in quality.

The World Tree that Shi Wanyun went to is precisely one of the highest-level "institutions of higher learning."

"Yet, it’s a pity that even those chosen to go to that World Tree mostly haven’t truly seen any higher intelligent life forms. Even Number 228, despite her relatively high status, hasn’t seen their masters, only heard of them."

Speaking of this, Shi Wanyun’s pupils trembled slightly.

Fear flashed in her eyes, and her hands clasping in front trembled imperceptibly.

Then she exhaled slowly, trembling.

"You... have seen them." Xu Xin spoke softly.

"...Yes." Shi Wanyun sniffed a bit, nodding lightly, "I’ve seen it, that... monster."

As she spoke, her hands unconsciously gripped Xu Xin’s arm.

Her hands were now trembling uncontrollably.

Xu Xin could see that her exposed wrist was covered in goosebumps.

...

That morning, Shi Wanyun was awakened by that mature woman.

Alongside the mature woman, besides the nervous Number 228, stood another girl, the one who had greeted her earlier, the girl with worm-like hair.

"Help her change within ten minutes." The mature woman’s voice was exceedingly cold.

Shi Wanyun didn’t resist either, allowing the two girls to strip off the sleepwear Number 228 had prepared for her the night before, then layer her with extravagant-looking clothes one by one.

"What’s this for..." Shi Wanyun asked, puzzled, looking at the mature woman.

"The master is very interested in you, so wants to see you." The mature woman’s voice softened when speaking to her, in stark contrast to her prior coldness, "Though the master doesn’t care about our appearance, we should not slack."

"Master..." Shi Wanyun murmured.

Was she going to meet the true master here?

Number 228 had mentioned last night that wanting to meet the master here is an infinitely glorious thing, but also an infinitely arduous thing, that among the people she knew, only the supervisor had the qualifications to meet the master.

Unexpectedly, she, who had just arrived here, was summoned directly?

Beside her, Number 228, arranging her clothes, was also wide-eyed, her neck extended significantly.

The other girl was also shocked, her head full of "black hair" frantically twisting and even entwining around Shi Wanyun’s arm.

Shi Wanyun’s body trembled, almost kicking the girl away.

Suppressing the physiological discomfort, she let these two help her don the elaborate attire.

She looked toward the mirror beside her.

At that moment, she resembled a delicate doll.

The mature woman looked at Shi Wanyun, nodding in satisfaction: "Not bad. You two did well. Next time you can use the gene potion first."

These words were directed at the two girls.

The two girls promptly awakened from their shock, elated: "Thank you, supervisor!"

"Alright, we should leave now."

The mature woman nodded at Shi Wanyun and turned to leave the room.

The clothes weren’t comfortable, even feeling restrictive, making Shi Wanyun’s movements difficult for a moment.

"Hurry up and follow!" Number 228 urged, her eyes filled with envy and jealousy, "Oh my, you get to meet the master on your second day here! Hurry up, quick, if they’re full and the supervisor gets angry and doesn’t take you, you’ll be done for!"