With a mix of doubt and hope, the bow-bearing young man lit the "fuel rod" bestowed by the Progenitor and felt his way into the interior of the starship wreckage.
The silver disc clutched in his hand cast a faint blue beam ahead.
Tiny specks of light converged in midair into arrow-shaped icons, guiding him forward.
At the same time, seated on the bridge of the missile cruiser Orion, Jiang Xuezhou munched on a compressed biscuit while remotely directing the native youth.
The entire process felt just like playing a first-person RPG.
If Ye Shi were here, he would definitely have made that exact complaint.
In fact, it wasn't limited to a first-person view. When necessary, she could order the "drone" the boy held to hover behind him, switching smoothly to a third-person perspective.
Just as Jiang Xuezhou was thoroughly enjoying herself, the shipboard server suddenly received a message that popped up on the holographic screen before her.
[Investigation Report on the "Tree of Ein Sof," the Forest People Tribes, and the Locals' Unique "Psionic Abilities"]
Seeing the pop-up, Jiang Xuezhou's eyes lit up. She cleared her throat and spoke into the comms channel.
"My battery's dead—I mean, I'm out of mana. Explore on your own for a bit. When you step out of the ruins to rest, remember to mark the areas you've checked, and set the silver metal disc under the sunlight."
Qiu Ling: "?"
Leaving him with those words, Jiang Xuezhou didn't wait for the native boy to reply. She eagerly clicked open the investigation report Ye Shi had uploaded.
In the report, Ye Shi detailed the Doma tribe shrine maiden's explanation of the "Tree of Ein Sof," along with the sequence of events during the "Savage Era" and the "Awakening Era."
[For reasons unknown, the locals have forgotten the written script and history of the Human Alliance era. My hypothesis is that most of the survivors of that war were children whose physical traits had not fully developed, or even infants. Gaia—or rather, the Tree of Ein Sof—altered their genetics, granting them the ability to photosynthesize under specific conditions so they could survive the fallout of that war. However, because they had no parents, the transmission of civilization and knowledge suffered a complete rupture.]
[On the other hand, that genetic modification granted some surviving newborns a special capacity for telepathy, hereafter referred to as 'psionics.']
[Through this unique ability, they could communicate directly with one another via telepathy, commune with other living beings in nature, interact with the Tree of Ein Sof, and even bridge the past and the future.]
[This special ability accelerated the locals' civilizational progress to a degree, even if they were not consciously aware of it. Under the catalyst of psionics, they swiftly invented new languages, and under the cohesive force of those new languages and culture, they formed sprawling tribal communities.]
[Then came the Awakening Era. Marked by the landing of the surviving crew from the missile cruiser Gemini, the local survivors, assisted by the seventeen Gemini crew members, thoroughly awakened to their psionic talents. They truly recognized the existence of the Tree of Ein Sof and used dimensional theory to understand it as a higher-dimensional entity.]
[With the help of the Tree of Ein Sof, the locals rediscovered their forgotten history, categorizing their past memories as the Savage Era, and the memories after 'becoming conscious of the self and It' as the Awakening Era, lasting until the arrival of the second Day of Judgment.]
[Regarding the Tree of Ein Sof, a schism emerged among the Gemini crew. Some left the forest, leading the 'Sinners' who apparently could not sense the Tree of Ein Sof. The rest stayed behind in Forbidden Forest Valley with the survivors who revered the Tree, resting and recuperating beneath the sprout of the original Sacred Tree—the Tree of Ein Sof itself.]
[What specifically caused the division among the Gemini crew is not clearly recorded on the shrine murals. The history the shrine maiden could 'see' through the murals does not seem to include that part.]
[According to her, the foundation of psionic resonance requires mutual recognition, and the communicated information must consist of mutually understood concepts. My interpretation is... this psionic link is like pressing each other's teleprompters. Therefore, when this link is established between past and present, the present can transmit more information to the past, but relative to that, its influence on the future is smaller. The past receives less information from the present, but relative to that, choices made based on that known information exert a far greater impact on the future.]
[This is remarkably similar to our encounter in the hyperspace conduit, yet not entirely identical.]
[Although the hope of establishing a psionic channel with the Gemini crew is slim, I can still formulate a rough hypothesis from the limited information: their dispute was likely related to whether they should continue assisting the locals with their awakening, and whether they should board the Gemini to return to the Solar System. This conflict ultimately ended with the missile cruiser Gemini crashing through the atmosphere. From that point on, the Forest People were forced to leave Forbidden Forest Valley, yielding their ancestral sacred land to what are now the Valley People.]
"I see... No wonder the Forest People call the Valley People 'Sinners,' while the Valley People call them 'Renegades.'" Having read the report from beginning to end, Jiang Xuezhou curled her lips into an approving smile.
The word "report" in particular thoroughly satisfied her desire for dominance, dispelling much of her lingering irritation.
"Mhm, not bad. Looks like this guy isn't just staring at pretty girls after all; he's actually doing his job properly."
Back to the report itself.
Did "Renegade" mean they had betrayed the Human Alliance?
Although the term "Human Alliance" had been replaced by "Progenitor" in the culture of the Qiu people—just as the concept of "dimension" had been replaced by "higher entity" among the Forest People—the hatred between the two had been handed down through the generations.
To this day, Forbidden Forest Valley remained both a sacred ground and a historic disgrace in the hearts of the Forest People.
She had to admit, Ye Shi stirring up this war while completely in the dark had been a terrible idea.
And that little cleverness of his might end up dragging him down with it.
The Progenitor's palace had destroyed the Forest People's sacred tree. While the Forest People still respected the Progenitor, they clearly held the Tree of Ein Sof in far higher regard.
If the two came into conflict, or if territory, secular prestige, and property were thrown into the mix, she didn't even need to think to know that the Forest People would stand with the Tree of Ein Sof without hesitation.
"Even if the Qiu people return the 'holy relic,' the Forest People probably won't let it go at that... When that time comes and his conscience starts bugging him so he tries to hit the brakes, he'll end up pleasing neither side."
Even though Ye Shi had teased her more than once about being a "bleeding heart," she could sense that he wasn't truly cold-blooded either—just occasionally reckless and too clever for his own good.
If this war truly broke out, once he saw the fields littered with corpses and remembered that these people were descendants of humanity, he would definitely start regretting it.
Demanding something one minute and rejecting it the next, crying that something was too soft one second and too cruel the next—that was the hallmark of immaturity, and it always came with a price.
Of course, her private criticism wasn't meant to imply she was a paragon of maturity herself.
Especially when it came to expressing her feelings honestly...
"Psionics... sounds like such a convenient ability. If only there were a way for me to awaken something like that too."
Leaning back in her swivel chair, Jiang Xuezhou let out a soft sigh and tapped her index finger against the holographic screen.
"Whatever... I'd better warn him."
Seeing as he'd backed down and submitted a proper report...
Just as the thought crossed Jiang Xuezhou's mind, a faint blue pop-up appeared in the window.
Looking at the notice on the holographic screen, Jiang Xuezhou's expression changed instantly. She bounded out of her chair in a pure reflex.
"Connection lost?!"
What happened?!
...
On the official forum for Wasteland Online, a discussion thread about the world five light-years away was pinned at the top of the trending list. The thread's title was the exact one Jiang Xuezhou had seen on the shipboard server:
[Investigation Report on the "Tree of Ein Sof," the Forest People Tribes, and the Locals' Unique "Psionic Abilities"]
Jieyan: "Holy shit, psionics?!"
WC Really Has Mosquitoes: "MIND OVER MATTER!!! (screaming)"
Elven King Fugui: "Fast forward to the End of the Cycle. (funny)"
Elaina: "Fifty years of life, huh? I'll sign the covenant for the Alliance. (funny)"
Brother Edge: "Fuck, your memes are getting harder and harder to understand. (terrified)"
It wasn't just Brother Edge who didn't get the jokes; Ye Shi didn't understand them either this time. Perhaps it was because he hadn't awakened psionics and hadn't established a "psionic channel" with these bastards.
Still, watching row upon row of enthusiastic replies took the edge off his anxiety.
Fang Chang's guess matched his own: he had likely fallen prey to some sort of hypnosis.
It wasn't an absurdly overpowered skill, merely a hypnotic effect induced through psychological suggestion.
Even setting aside the game's psionic setting, similar phenomena existed in real life.
Fang Chang: "...According to your description, those little green people can understand parts of the Human Alliance language and even Mandarin through psionics. Applying hypnotic suggestions to you based on similar principles should be entirely feasible."
Ye Shi: "They can even pull off hypnosis? (bitter smile)"
Fang Chang: "At least psychic interference devices can. I've always felt psionics were something similar, so it should be possible in theory."
Brother Mole: "By the way, didn't psychic interference devices have little effect on active minds?"
Kuang Feng: "The specific explanation, if I recall correctly, is that higher mental activity results in less influence and more concrete received information."
In Debt God: "Damn, roasting Brother Ye Shi on the sly again. (manual funny)"
Ye Shi: "??"
Fang Chang: "Similar doesn't mean identical. The signal from a psychic interference device is mechanically simulated, after all, so it should differ from a genuine psionic talent. Personally, I'm inclined to think your guard was too low and the natives exploited an opening. Don't take it to heart. (smile)"
Ye Shi: "Piss off, all of you!"
Looking at these foul-mouthed guys who couldn't utter a word of comfort, Ye Wei wished he could roll his eyes straight to the ceiling.
His peripheral vision landed on the gaming helmet resting beside him. Taking a deep breath, he picked it up once more.
Five or six hours had passed since he was disconnected. If it was hypnosis, it should have worn off by now.
*Might as well try again...*
With that thought, he pulled the helmet over his head for the nth time, gathering his willpower to extend his consciousness into the impenetrable darkness, trying to break through it.
This was a "trick" he had discovered during his countless login attempts.
When your in-game body was unconscious but not dead, putting on the helmet and striving to stretch your awareness into the surrounding dark let you vaguely sense your character's situation.
For instance, right now, he felt a faint sensation of warmth pressing against the back of his head.
The warmth grew clearer, and the seal of [Abnormal Connection] seemed to loosen slightly.
Delighted, Ye Shi pictured himself as a little tadpole, swimming with all his might through the pitch-black void.
Just then, a speck of light finally appeared before his eyes, shining brighter and brighter!
The next instant, he snapped his eyes open, waking with a start from his slumber.
At the exact same moment, two lush, bountiful fruits bounded into his line of sight.
"You are awake?"
A gentle voice drifted down from above.
Kneeling on both knees, Dora leaned down slightly, a tranquil smile blooming above those generous peaks.
By the faint glow of the fireflies, Ye Shi saw her gentle, lovely face.
The back of his head seemed to be resting directly on her lap.
The moment he realized this, there wasn't a shred of romantic flutter in Ye Shi's heart, let alone any leisure to appreciate her tranquil smile. His face twisted in horror, and a loud curse tore from his throat: "Holy fuck!"
These natives—
They stole his power armor?!
For him at this very moment, nothing could be more terrifying.
Dora tilted her head slightly. She didn't seem to fully grasp the complex nuances of "holy fuck," but she clearly read the shock in his eyes and knew what it was about.
"The Chieftain removed your armor. He wishes for you to remain here... until everything is over."
She paused for a second before continuing in halting Human Alliance language.
"Doma City meant no offense. We... shall return the heavenly relic with both hands once everything concludes, offer our apologies, and... compensate you."
Before she could finish, Ye Shi shot up from her knees like a startled cat, planting his feet firmly on the ground.
The shrine was still the same shrine.
However, a table and two chairs had been added, along with a bed woven from vines.
"How did you know how to unlock the power armor?"
Seeing the wary Progenitor, Dora remained kneeling and answered in her gentle voice.
"You... told us."
*I told you?*
Ye Shi froze for a second, but quickly realized: "you" referred to the "Progenitor"!
Through psionics, they had contacted the "Progenitors" of the past—one or several of those seventeen crew members!
Recalling his experience in the hyperspace conduit, Ye Shi instantly pieced together what had happened.
Without a shred of hesitation, he snatched up a sharp stone, lunged forward in a single stride, and pressed it against Dora's throat, threatening in an icy tone:
"Take me out of here!"
Facing the murderous Ye Shi, Dora said nothing, simply closing her eyes in silence.
The Chieftain had commanded her to fulfill his every demand. Naturally, that included dying if he wished it.
She held no grievances.
Seeing her stretch her neck out for the slaughter, Ye Shi's temper instantly deflated.
What would killing her achieve?
She was just a shrine maiden.
Tun Nan wouldn't care in the slightest; he might even send another maiden over for him to vent on.
Talking about human rights in a primitive tribe was an exercise in futility. Here, the only difference between a person and an object was that a person could speak.
As for those who possessed psionics, they were merely more expensive objects.
Ye Shi felt as though he had punched a bag of cotton. Gritting his teeth, he finally hurled the stone violently against the shrine wall.
The root-woven wall gave a dull *thud*, without leaving a single scratch.
There was no metal nearby.
If there were, he might have been able to blast through this wall with an electromagnetic cannon.
Of course, that wasn't his only trick.
Aside from his electromagnetic railgun, he could directly discharge electricity to give this damned tree a round of shock therapy.
Yet expecting that meager amount of power to carbonize a sacred tree the size of a skyscraper was pure wishful thinking.
The people outside wouldn't just sit idly by either.
Even if the natives didn't understand what electric current was, once they realized he was behind it, they would probably use the same trick to put him right back to sleep—perhaps even channeling the hypnosis continuously.
Having waited for death to claim her to no avail, Dora slowly opened her eyes and looked at the "Progenitor," who was sulking all on his own.
A trace of heartache surfaced on her gentle face, and she murmured softly:
"You are a... gentle person. You could not bear to kill me, even though you could."
Ye Shi shot her a glance and let out a self-deprecating scoff, his voice hoarse.
"So this is what doing good gets you..."
Fine.
He wasn't truly a good person either; "reaping what you sow" was probably more accurate.
Dora gazed at him unblinkingly and continued in a soft murmur:
"Why are you unwilling to follow the Chieftain's arrangement? We do not intend to harm you. We wish to help you."
"Help me?" Ye Shi chuckled sarcastically. "Is this how you help someone?"
Dora nodded gently, her voice calm and soothing.
"The tribes in the forest are gathering. Soon we will unite once more, take back the sacred heavenly relic from the Sinners, and return it to you. Our Chieftain also said that I must fulfill your every wish... Aside from leaving this place, you may do whatever you please to me."
Looking at that obedient, fetching face, Ye Shi retorted coldly:
"I'm not interested..."
Besides, there was nothing he could do anyway.
Bah.
Even if he could, he wouldn't.
Unlike In Debt God, he possessed morals, and he always had.
Seeing Ye Shi unmoved, Dora didn't press the matter, quietly waiting where she knelt.
Minutes and seconds ticked away.
As time passed, the anxiety in Ye Shi's chest mounted.
The biggest problem right now was that he had no idea what was happening outside. Mobilization for war might be underway, or the war of annihilation between the Forest People and the Valley People might have already begun.
Furthermore, having lain here for so long, he had no clue what was happening on Jiang Xuezhou's end.
He was honestly more worried about her, particularly afraid that she might do something rash.
*What do I do?*
Ye Shi's mind raced, countless thoughts flashing through his brain in a matter of minutes.
Watching the Progenitor pacing back and forth before the murals, Dora suddenly spoke again in her gentle tone:
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
Not believing for a second that she could be of any help, Ye Shi snapped impatiently:
"What could you possibly do for me?"
Dora replied respectfully:
"Anything."
Ye Shi let out a sneer.
"What about letting me out?"
Dora murmured:
"Anything other than that."
Ye Shi curled his lip.
"Then make a trip to Forbidden Forest Valley on my behalf."
He said it offhandedly, without any genuine expectation of sending her there.
Besides, what good would her going do?
Could a mere shrine maiden broker peace between two tribes for him?
He wasn't even sure he could do that himself.
To Ye Shi's surprise, however, Dora nodded gently and rose from the floor.
"If it is for your sake, I am willing to go there."
Ye Shi froze.
He turned to look at Dora, staring straight into those crystal-clear eyes, taking a long moment before squeezing out a sentence:
"Are you serious?"
Dora nodded again, speaking in that soft, gentle voice:
"You cannot leave. The Chieftain's men surround the exterior; with a flick of his finger, he could send you right back. Even if I were willing to help you escape, you would not make it out of this shrine..."
Pausing, she met Ye Shi's eyes and continued with earnest sincerity:
"But I can leave this place... The Chieftain ordered me to fulfill your every wish. I will do anything for you."
There was a trace of subtle cunning within that sincere voice.
Clearly, she realized that doing this might betray the Chieftain's original intent.
Yet Dora believed that the Progenitor standing before her was a kind soul.
And she had believed it from the very first moment she laid eyes on him.
Even if not every word he spoke was the truth.
"I can sense that you are earnest. You genuinely wish to help us through this hardship, treating us as your children... just as you did at the beginning of the Awakening Era."
"We are... all the same, after all."
Ye Shi stared dumbly at that tranquil, devout face, suddenly remembering what Jiang Xuezhou had told him before—
They could read things beyond spoken language!
Even things that words could never convey...
In a sense, psionics truly was a remarkably convenient ability.
A bridge connecting heart to heart drastically lowered the cost of trust within their community.
If one needed a counterexample, Brahma Province was probably one: the actual unity of the people there and their imaginary unity were perpetually polar opposites.
As for a positive example, Boulder City might count for half, and that was already a unique miracle in the wasteland.
Even the Alliance did not possess this almost incomprehensible level of cohesion.
Perhaps only by narrowing the scope to players who had completed the novice quests could one find something comparable...
Waves of emotion churned in Ye Shi's chest.
Looking at her earnest face, he finally made up his mind, resolving to entrust his hopes to her.
In truth, this was how it should have been all along.
Just as the crew of the Orion had placed control of the starship into his hands—
Though this blunder had begun because of him, in the end, it was the locals' own destiny.
"I need you to do something for me..."
"For the survivors living in the forest, for the survivors living in the valley...
"And for all living beings across this land!"
Chapter 1011