Chapter 808: Shelter

Li Yi learned the general state of World 17 through this surviving squad: before the bio-monsters appeared, this world was relatively peaceful, with technology far surpassing that of Earth, especially in biotechnology, which had helped humanity overcome many diseases; but since the bio-monsters emerged, the world plunged abruptly from the peak of civilization into ruin.

Yet this was also humanity's own doing—these bio-monsters they developed had grown so powerful they could no longer be controlled; it was almost laughable.

"So this World 17 should be called a wasteland bio-world," Li Yi now renamed it.

"If a survival base with two million evolved beings were transplanted here, their strength would easily clear the bio-monsters and reclaim living space—it's no wonder Zhao Yongshan cares so much about World 17."

"Though this wasteland bio-world is utterly ruined, it still has advantages compared to Earth, which is now teeming with crises."

Li Yi thought to himself.

Of course, another way to reclaim this world would be to spread cultivation techniques or gene methods, cultivating evolved beings or gene warriors, letting the local survivors fight the bio-monsters and slowly grow the human population.

But the latter would take a very long time.

With monsters everywhere, it would take decades or even centuries of cleansing to make any real progress.

Moreover, the world's ecosystem has already collapsed—even if its people defeated the bio-monsters, survival in the future would remain extremely difficult.

To fully restore it, outside help would be essential.

"Alright, I've learned everything I needed to know. Meeting you is fate—you've given me information about this world, and I promised to safely return you to your residence. Where do you live? Mark it."

Li Yi waved his hand casually.

Hong Ji inside the Immortal Warship immediately scanned the map within a thousand kilometers, then projected it before Du Peng, Huang Qiu, and the others.

Du Peng, seeing the map projection, pointed to a mountain a hundred kilometers away: "We live here. This mountain used to be a military base, hollowed out and later renovated into a shelter."

"It's also the only place nearby capable of resisting bio-monster incursions."

Li Yi nodded slightly: "Hong Ji, set course immediately."

"Yes, Master," came the AI's voice, and the Immortal Warship activated, transforming like a cultivator into a streak of light speeding toward its destination.

Only seconds later, the Immortal Warship halted.

"Master, destination reached," Hong Ji's voice sounded again.

Du Peng and the others trembled at the words.

Wasn't that too fast?

A hundred kilometers—from launch to stop—in mere seconds, and they hadn't felt a single vibration. This technology shattered all understanding; even imagination couldn't grasp it.

But the Immortal Warship was a fusion of cultivation and technology; even Li Yi, who hadn't read much, couldn't comprehend it—and that was fine, since the AI handled everything.

The hatch opened.

Li Yi stood up: "Let's go, everyone. Don't forget your belongings."

Reminded, they remembered and quickly gathered the two boxes of medicine and other vital survival supplies they'd collected; though these items were trash here, they were still invaluable to them.

Soon,

a cloud of auspicious light gently lifted them down from the warship to the ground.

Looking at the white, soft cloud beneath their feet, the survival squad felt dazed.

Was this technology—or divinity?

Or both?

"Li Yi—no, Master Yi, forgive my boldness, but with your technological might and godlike power, those bio-monsters are as fragile as ants before you. Since you've come to this world, have you considered ruling it?"

Du Peng, gathering courage, spoke directly—he wanted to keep this otherworldly visitor, perhaps the chance to change the world's fate.

Li Yi laughed: "Why would I rule this world? If I wished to, I wouldn't be called Master Yi—I'd be called Grand Yi True Person, and long ago someone would have called me Grand Yi Emperor. What does ruling give me? Power, status, wealth? Those are mere byproducts of strength."

"Besides, this world is too small to hold me."

"This world is too hopeless. Is there no way you can save it?" Huang Qiu, emboldened, also asked.

At that moment, the auspicious cloud touched the ground.

Li Yi stepped onto the barren, desert-like earth and said: "I've already considered this. Though I possess great powers—moving mountains, filling seas, summoning wind and rain—I cannot save this world alone."

"Why not?" Huang Qiu didn't understand.

Li Yi walked as he spoke: "Put it in terms you can grasp: I'm like a humanoid nuclear bomb—without radiation. Even if I spent time cleansing this entire world, then what?"

"When I leave, the bio-monsters will rise again. The world is too vast; there will always be places I can't reach. And the ecosystem is already unbalanced. My personal power would permanently alter geography and weather. Then it would just be another apocalypse."

Hearing this, the group was stunned by Li Yi's power, yet fell silent at the thought of the world's future.

They weren't fools—they understood Li Yi's meaning. It was the same reason past leaders refused to use nuclear weapons.

"You're a god—you must have other ways, right? I know we survivors mean nothing to you, and if we die, we die. But we dying doesn't matter—it's all the other survivors who shouldn't be doomed."

Du Peng, watching the shelter ahead, grew anxious—if Li Yi left now, he knew, there would never be another chance.

Li Yi said: "Strictly speaking, I'm no god—just a warrior. Fighting suits me; saving worlds does not. I have a friend who loves saving worlds—but you didn't meet him. Had you, he'd gladly help you."

"Still, don't lose hope. This world's coordinates have been recorded. Hope still exists in the future."

"We probably won't live to see that day," Du Peng said bitterly.

The others' faces fell instantly.

They longed for change but were powerless. Though they survived this supply run, what about the next? And the one after? Eventually, the monsters would eat them.

Li Yi's arrival was like a lifeline—a drowning man desperately clutching at it.

Whether his power or his technology, they believed it might change everything—even this world.

Facing these survivors' pleas,

Li Yi understood their suffering well—he too had crawled up from the bottom, desperate for hope to change his fate, and he gladly helped those in despair.

But now that his strength had grown and his position risen, he understood: small help changed nothing.

Under the crushing weight of fate, everything was fragile.

Yet then he thought again.

Fighting this world with hope was better than dying in despair. What if a miracle appeared?

With this thought,

Li Yi stopped walking and said: "I won't stay long in this world. During my time here, I'll teach you the Evolution Method and Gene Method. Though the universe's energy here won't let you reach high levels in cultivation, reaching Spiritual Awareness and killing those bio-monsters is possible."

"Whether you can carve out your own survival depends on your future fate."

Hearing this,

the four previously despondent men and women instantly lifted their heads, eyes wide with shock—then that shock melted into wild joy.

"R-really? You'll teach me cultivation? H-how can we repay you?" Du Peng, too excited to speak clearly, stammered.

"Repay?"

Li Yi smiled: "Talk about repayment once you're alive. Cultivation only gives you the power to protect yourselves—it won't change this world's structure."

"Come on. Take me to the shelter. To survive better, you must first gain authority. Your first step: seize this shelter, become the leader of all survivors, and make them obey you."

"Seize power?" Xu Li, who had remained silent until now, flinched.

As the eldest woman, she'd witnessed shelter power struggles—bloody, cruel, even fatal. Some shelters had collapsed because of them.

"The shelter's leader is Zhang Ying. He has nearly a hundred armed men with real guns and hundreds of minor managers. Seizing power will cost many lives," Liu Gao whispered.

They didn't doubt Li Yi could win—but they couldn't bear the thought of the shelter's bloodshed under his rule.

After all, survivors were precious resources.

"Must it be done this way?" Du Peng hesitated.

Li Yi asked: "What do you think of your current shelter leader?"

"Not good, but not terrible," Du Peng thought a moment. "Still, Zhang Ying sometimes indulges himself."

"You could try negotiating with Zhang Ying—see if he'll obey me unconditionally. If he agrees, conflict can be avoided. If not, the old leader must disappear."

Li Yi said: "I have no time to slowly mediate internal shelter conflicts. I prefer swift, decisive action—crush all resistance with absolute force, make everyone abandon delusions, and follow only my will."

"The path ahead may lead to destruction—or rebirth. That is the meaning of change. Of course, you may refuse—continue living as you always have, barely clinging to life. After all, change requires courage."

"I understand. I'll try to talk to Zhang Ying. If that fails, we'll seize power," Du Peng took a deep breath, his gaze hardening.

He could no longer hesitate.

Many had already waited too long. This world desperately needed hope.

(End of Chapter)