Chapter 1005 - This Game Is Too Realistic

### Chapter 1005: Descendants "Whoosh—" Ancestor? What in the world?! Ye Shi certainly didn't expect this old man to speak the language of the Union. The moment he opened his mouth, Ye Shi was left utterly confounded. It reminded him of a long time ago when they disembarked at Jinjialun Port. The locals there were astonished by their gear, exclaiming that they were "Ironmen." But at least those people could communicate, and things normalized quickly. "Hurry, put on a show!" A hurried urging came through the communication channel. Ye Shi could tell that Jiang Xuezhou, who was watching the drama unfold from a synchronous orbit, was more anxious than he was on the ground, bewildered. "I know..." Ye Shi replied with a suppressed voice, then coughed lightly and activated his power armor’s speaker, addressing the old man and the group of young men prostrated before him. "All… stand up and speak." Most of them didn’t understand a word he said, but the old man seemed to get it, muttering something under his breath as he shakily got to his feet. The young men behind him did the same. The confusion once plain on their faces had transformed into solemnity and reverence due to the old man's mutterings. "What on earth are they saying?" Ye Shi was entirely in the dark regarding their discussion. Despite maintaining a composed façade, inside he was a bundle of nerves. Jiang Xuezhou responded, "I don’t know either... But I did create a linguistic behavior model earlier. Maybe it’ll be useful." Ye Shi’s heart leapt with hope at her words. "Awesome! When did you make that?" Jiang Xuezhou replied, "A while back... It was because you kept saying weird things!" Ye Shi chuckled sheepishly. Seems like spouting nonsense has its perks after all; it’s come in handy now. While he was joking around, more and more "little green men" emerged from the forest, examining the metal-clad figure by the riverbank with a mix of curiosity and fear. Their clothes were woven from hay and flax, indicating their gender, though not everyone carried weapons. Some held woven baskets filled with gathered berries and oddly shaped insects. The old man continued to chatter away vehemently to his fellow tribesmen, his emotions growing more intense with each word. The expressions of the gathering youths shifted from fear and curiosity to piety. “...It seems they regard you as some sort of totem of religious significance,” Jiang Xuezhou remarked softly through the communication channel. “I attempted to translate some of their words. Essentially, in their culture, they believe they are a race from the heavens, originally arriving in this world clad in ‘iron’ garments.” “They know about iron?” Ye Shi asked in surprise, eyeing their primitive spears. Jiang Xuezhou's tone was uncertain. “Uh, that’s merely my translation. It could also be interpreted as metal or something similar. I don’t think they’ve developed forging techniques yet, but they must have seen metal before, considering the wreckage of the Gemini is scattered around here.” Translating it as wearing clothes made from the same material as that “starship” might be more accurate, yet fixating on the literal words would be cumbersome to articulate. Ye Shi tried to wrap his head around it and seemed to grasp what Jiang Xuezhou was trying to convey. “I somewhat understand now... So these folks are descendants of the Gemini missile cruiser?” Jiang Xuezhou was also in the dark, offering a vague answer. “It's hard to say. I couldn't extract more information from their dialogues. They might also be survivors from a Union-era colony since early colonizers descended with protective gear similar to power armor from high orbit. You can interpret many sentences in various ways.” Ye Shi pressed his temples, a bit overwhelmed. In truth, both the theory of these being descendants of the Gemini missile cruiser and the one of them being descendants of a Union-era colony contain significant issues. For starters, the cruiser had withstood a neutron torpedo, and the latter would’ve faced a neutron torpedo or a neutron annihilation device; logically, they should’ve been wiped out. However, the reality he was witnessing was different. They had survived in another form, even evolving into another form of humans. At this point, Jiang Xuezhou’s voice continued over the communication channel. “What we can ascertain is that the civilization here has regressed severely, reverting to the tribal stage. Although it might be a detour to suggest this... I still think you should check out their settlement; perhaps you might find some answers there.” Ultimately, Jiang Xuezhou left the decision in his hands, which Ye Shi had been considering as well. He was completely unfamiliar with this forest, stumbling along blindly. Who knows what bizarre hazards awaited in the valley ahead? This was a make-or-break situation; the nearest respawn point was five light-years away, and exploring indiscriminately might not be wise. It seemed prudent to find a guide to assist. After all, these people revered him as an ancestor. After the Orpheus incident, Ye Shi had gradually learned to use his brain to solve problems. As Ye Shi indulged in self-satisfaction, the old man, having concluded his discourse with his tribesmen, earnestly invited Ye Shi. "Honorable Ancestor… Would you… accompany me to our tribe?" The old man didn’t know much of the Union language, and his sentences were sprinkled with words Ye Shi couldn’t comprehend. Thankfully, with Jiang Xuezhou's assistance, her linguistic behavior model helped decipher the obscure words, providing simultaneous translation for Ye Shi. Looking at the devoted elder, Ye Shi nodded his helmeted head, responding in the most concise way possible. "Alright." The old man's face lit up with ecstatic joy, as if Ye Shi's nod held some profound honor, making Ye Shi wonder whether this universally recognized gesture of approval carried additional meaning here. Regardless, this unplanned “first contact” was relatively successful. The old man hollered something into the forest, and soon, the woods resounded with warbler-like calls. Amidst the ensuing symphony, birds and beasts in the forest were startled and driven away. Thus, accompanied by singing and dancing “little green men,” Ye Shi followed the meandering creek upstream towards higher ground. According to the elder, their tribe was located at a bend in the creek upstream. Throughout the journey, Ye Shi observed his surroundings intently. To his surprise, the further they ventured upstream, the sturdier the trees became, and the undergrowth between them grew ever more lush and bizarre. In contrast, the paths available for navigation became scarcer and narrower. Based on Earth's experience, such heavily vegetated areas weren't suitable for settlements; more open areas near mountains and water were preferable for habitation. However, those Earthly principles didn’t seem to apply here, especially as the agile little green men weren’t at all hindered by the dense forest. In fact, they traversed it more swiftly and easily than when they were in open terrain. The only one suffering was Ye Shi. Even with a guide, squeezing through the dense woodlands with his cumbersome gear was no easy task. His towering backpack made squeezing through the forest a near-impossible feat. He couldn't help but wonder whether he would manage to find his way out without their assistance. He did carry some incendiary grenades for emergencies. Though they could deter predators, clearing a path through a forest was another matter entirely. Not to mention the lurking presence of "Gaia." Unless utterly necessary, he had no intention of letting it know that its adversaries from two centuries ago had returned. Pushing through a thicket of dense foliage, Ye Shi was greeted by a towering "wall" that caused him to widen his eyes in astonishment. What took him aback even more was what he saw next— Amazingly, this wall had grown straight out of the ground! Robust tree trunks were seamlessly interlocked, their sprawling roots intertwining below the surface like firmly grasping hands. Ye Shi involuntarily looked up. The luxuriant canopy wove a tapestry overhead, creating an aerial sea. No wonder Jiang Xuezhou’s drones hadn’t spotted this settlement! Without a guide, even passing by, it would have been nearly impossible to uncover this hidden enclave in the heart of the forest. A guard wielding a spear strode over, noticing the commotion outside the wall. His body was clad in wood armor woven from vines, and his elongated helmet and faceplate bore a slight resemblance to the wooden elf armor from medieval war games. Ye Shi was stunned. This world, five light-years away, was completely different from the wasteland of the solar system. He wouldn't even be surprised if they started chanting magical incantations the next second. Of course, that possibility was slim. He preferred to think these odd styles were the local survivors' adaptations, a unique set of customs and traditions developed for surviving in this peculiar environment. "...I wouldn't have thought there was a city hidden here. I didn’t see anything from above," Jiang Xuezhou whispered in his ear. "You might want to check again... I have a feeling there are more settlements like this hidden in the forest," Ye Shi replied. Whether it was an illusion or not, Ye Shi felt as if the spear-wielding guard’s vigilant gaze was directed at him just as Jiang Xuezhou started speaking. But their eyes only met momentarily. The guard quickly shifted his gaze back to the elder, who seemed highly respected. "What happened? Why did you bring an outsider? What if he’s...?" "...@%#!" The elder passionately interrupted, seemingly refuting the guard's implication, and then enthusiastically repeated his earlier words, "The Ancestor... our Ancestor has returned!" As the elder elaborated with vibrant expression, the vocabulary that Jiang Xuezhou could translate expanded. They were essentially using the language of the Union, albeit having evolved independently for two centuries into a different form. Listening to the elder's explanation, the man at the camp entrance suddenly showed an astonished expression, then hurried back toward the city gate. Before long, a throng of "little green men" clad in wooden armor emerged from beneath the tree wall's roots, eyeing Ye Shi with a mix of tension and reverence. Ye Shi felt quite uncomfortable being the focus of such peculiar gazes. However, he decided not to act and maintained his composure. His instincts told him that acting mystically was the best strategy when unaware of the situation. As expected, after concluding his argument with the guards, the elder turned his respectful gaze toward Ye Shi. "Honored Ancestor. I am Sakui Doma. We are your children." Jiang Xuezhou quickly translated his words. Doma was likely the tribe's surname, while Sakui was possibly a title, similar to priest or monk. Ye Shi managed to comprehend his words, suppressing the urge to retort. Then, adopting a tone of compassion he'd never used before, he said with a softer voice, "My children, you have waited long." The elder, seemingly understanding both his words and the empathic tone, was moved to tears. Seeing such reverence, Ye Shi felt a twinge of guilt about deceiving them. He wasn't made for acting, wasn't naturally adept at pretending to be something divine. Yet Jiang Xuezhou approached it differently, even complimenting Ye Shi’s performance. "Being enigmatic can be a good strategy. Our technology is too advanced for them. Rather than trying to explain incomprehensible concepts, it’s easier to have them revere us, which significantly lowers communication barriers… as taught in exo-civilization communication courses." Despite these beings looking human, they couldn’t easily be classified as part of human civilization from any angle. Therefore, Jiang Xuezhou wasn’t too fussy, unlike Ye Shi. Besides, they had no intentions of exploiting their "divine" status for bad purposes—simply to obtain fuel needed to return home and gather some local intelligence. Ye Shi grumbled, "What kind of peculiar knowledge does your academy teach…" Jiang Xuezhou laughed, "Not peculiar at all, right? I’ve mentioned before, our goal is to venture into distant worlds, so we have to be prepared.” "Whatever," Ye Shi sighed. “As long as we're not deceiving them too much. Let’s not interfere with their civilization, just get what we need and leave.” From a legal standpoint, the artifacts from the Gemini missile cruiser belonged to the survivors on Earth. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with what he said. Suddenly, Jiang Xuezhou had an idea. “Wait, I just remembered... Let me make something fun for you.” Instead of being intrigued, Ye Shi felt a sense of wariness. “What are you up to?” Jiang Xuezhou chuckled mischievously but didn’t explain. She simply urged, “Don’t worry, just lift your right hand over your head.” Ye Shi was confused. But trusting Jiang Xuezhou wouldn’t harm him, he complied, raising his right hand. Not only did he mystify himself with the unnecessary gesture, but it also sparked a commotion among the nearby little green men, unsure what their Ancestor intended. Suddenly, there was a sound in the clear sky above—a pitter-patter. It was rain hitting the leaves! The dense trees acted like a huge umbrella, holding back the water droplets momentarily. But soon enough, the downpour covered the entire settlement! All the little green men present were dumbfounded. Even the armored guards had their remaining vigilance replaced by awe. Water is the source of life. The ability to call forth rain—it was a self-explanatory marvel for those still living in an age of primitive worship. As the rain, poured from the scattered dry ice, came swiftly and ended just as quickly. A vibrant rainbow appeared through the canopy, draping across the tree crowns still glistening with raindrops. Witnessing this miracle, the elder’s face turned ecstatic, reverently prostrating once more. Ye Shi was also taken aback. However, his expression of astonishment was hidden by the power armor’s helmet, maintaining his composed appearance. After a while, he quietly asked, "…Was that your doing?” A lilting, bell-like laugh resonated in the communication channel as Jiang Xuezhou responded joyously. “There just happened to be a cumulus cloud overhead, so I used a drone to sprinkle some dry ice… Turns out, just like in the textbooks, these people were indeed awed.” Gazing at the rows of prostrate believers, an involuntary smile crept across Ye Shi's face. At that moment, another figure emerged from under the grand tree wall—a robust man. His wood armor was studded with dark green crystals, and a crown sculpted from crystal rested on his head. His commanding presence unmistakably marked him as the leader. What surprised Ye Shi most was the sense of familiarity he felt from the man’s aura. The pressure that penetrated deep was uncannily similar. Yet, possibly due to a gap in strength, the man’s aura wasn’t as pure or intense as that of the superiors. Perhaps because he was unaware of his inherent power, that raw force was wild, uncontrolled like roadside weeds, lacking finesse or restraint. While Ye Shi studied the man, the latter reciprocated, scrutinizing the armored figure. Focusing intently on Ye Shi’s angular armor, the man placed his hand on his chest and spoke. “...Honorable Ancestor, I am Tunan Doma, chief of the Doma clan.” This individual spoke the Union language more fluently than the priest called Sakui, likely a member of this society's elite class. Ye Shi nodded, gazing into those astonished eyes, and replied with a dignified gravitas. “Hello, leader of mortals. I am Ye Shi of the Union, whom you deem the Ancestor.” Tunan stared blankly at Ye Shi, his understanding clouded yet nodding regardless. “May I ask why you have come here?” Ye Shi kept it straightforward, getting right to the point. “We have lost something here that is beyond your control and could bring disaster. To prevent that, we must return it to the heavens.” Understanding his implication, Tunan’s expression turned serious. “The Doma clan will assist you with all its might!” Seeing this "little leader" being so accommodating, Ye Shi couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction. "We won't have you helping us in vain. As long as you assist me, we won't hesitate to reward you." While steam engines and the printing press might be too advanced for them right now, sharing a few metallurgical "Eureka" moments should be harmless. As he secretly reveled in his plan, a sarcastic voice came through the communication channel. "Wasn't someone saying not to interfere with their civilization's process just a moment ago?" Ye Shi couldn’t help but cough awkwardly to hide his embarrassment. "Did I say that? Alright, let's just pretend I was speaking nonsense earlier." Jiang Xuezhou: "..." After hearing Ye Shi's words, Tunan exchanged a few words with several elder-looking tribesmen, then his face lit up with joy. He turned to Ye Shi with a solemn expression and asked seriously, "What is that object, and where is it located?" "I can't describe its appearance. It should be beyond the river, about one or two thousand steps into the valley... I need a guide, and I’ll find it myself." Ye Shi tried to articulate his needs. However, to his surprise, upon learning his destination was the opposite valley, Tunan and the elders' faces were filled with dread. Even Sakui, who was prostrating, lifted his head in fear. "Honorable Ancestor, that is the Forbidden Forest... We cannot go near it." "The Forbidden Forest?" Ye Shi frowned, sensing something ominous in the name. He pressed for an explanation. Sakui nervously explained. Thanks to Jiang Xuezhou’s simultaneous translation, Ye Shi managed to grasp the gist. Basically, the valley wasn’t a no-man’s land. Under its fifty-meter-high canopy lived a group of tribespeople culturally and spiritually different from the "Foresters." The forest tribes referred to these people as "the Condemned." These individuals were not only numerous and muscular but also wore sturdy armor and had tamed fierce wild lizards, enabling them to fight mounted on these beasts. The "wild lizard" Sakui mentioned seemed to be the same creature Ye Shi had encountered in the woods earlier. If these were the only threats, Ye Shi would find them troublesome but not intimidating. However, according to Jiang Xuezhou, Sakui’s depiction suggested that the threat involved more than just these aspects. Aside from their prowess in warfare and blacksmithing, these people wielded a mysterious power unknown to the forest dwellers. A force that truly terrified them… "I hope it's just some trick drone..." Jiang Xuezhou muttered softly over the channel, "But for it to be functional in an oxygen-rich atmosphere for two hundred years... its durability is remarkable." Tunan stared at the metallic figure before him, his expression contemplative as he weighed the potential pros and cons. As the tribe's chief, he had to make practical decisions for the tribe’s future. Yet, the ancestor’s prophecy was also a part of the future. Calamity, or blessing. He had to make a choice. After consulting with the elders behind him, Tunan gave a formal reply with a solemn voice. "The descendants of the Ancestor will always heed the Ancestor's call. We will assist you in retrieving the celestial ‘relic’ from the Forbidden Forest and the Condemned." "But it will not be an easy task. We need to rally the other tribes within this forest." "Please grant us some time." To be continued...