Starting Off Survival With A Small Treehouse

Chapter 949: Chapter 544: Have You Showered?

Xu Xin was currently under the world tree discussing some matters with Ji Chaoyang.

He encountered Ji Chaoyang on the way back, so both of them did not return to the tree house and instead observed the situation in the sky outside the city while discussing what should be done next.

Although Crystal City was still illuminated by a bright and pale light, the sky outside the city had completely darkened. The originally star-filled sky appeared extremely dim and barely visible under the bright pale light.

”Those mutant creatures, I went to the outskirts of Crystal City to see them. Their numbers are indeed large, but... their level can only be described as average,” Ji Chaoyang expressed some dissatisfaction with the strength of the mutant creatures on the outskirts, somewhat frustrated, ”Considering their current abilities, the negative impact they might bring to our Crystal City could far exceed any positive impact.”

Negative impact far exceeding positive impact?

Xu Xin could understand Ji Chaoyang’s perspective.

Although the number of intermediate mutant creatures in this beast tide had indeed increased, they were basically just newly advanced intermediate mutant creatures.

Actually, it’s normal to think about it. They were only the first wave attacking the world tree, and naturally, the first wave of the beast tide wouldn’t use their strongest cards.

From what we can infer, the task for this batch of mutant creatures might just be to test the effects of this peculiar Crystal City, and if they can harm the world tree, that would be even better.

They did not cause any harm to the world tree, but perhaps their mission was accomplished.

Therefore, the individual strength of these mutant creatures wasn’t very strong, just very numerous.

And Crystal City captured only a small portion of them.

Moreover, their giant beast lineage, to be honest, wasn’t very concentrated, merely the normal concentration of beasts in this world, basically not matching the concentration of Silver King Mimi, and maybe even less than Afu.

Considering their strength, trying to have them form the first line of defense around Crystal City might not be very effective.

After all, what they can defend, Crystal City can basically defend directly.

What Crystal City can’t defend against, like beasts with only mutant bloodlines, like previous wyverns, or attacks from high-tech weapons...

Against these threats, can they really be effective?

It feels very doubtful...

”That is indeed my thought,” Ji Chaoyang sighed, ”Their role feels like merely embellishing our situation, but them remaining here might bring us a lot of trouble.”

Speaking, he glanced towards the outskirts: ”I just went to the outskirts with one of my subordinates, a survivor. Some mutant creatures in the outskirts have already awakened, but...”

Xu Xin’s eyelid twitched: ”You mean... they are not friendly to survivors?”

”Yes, and no,” Ji Chaoyang pointed to himself, ”They are very friendly to me, even intentionally approaching me in a friendly manner, but toward the person I brought, they showed unfamiliarity and hostility.”

...Such a situation actually exists!

”This is a big problem,” Xu Xin frowned.

At that time, people around him included Lou Fei’Er, Jin Yue, Wen Guixin, and Keke. Those affected mutant creatures did not show hostility, and their inner monologues were all friendly.

This situation made him directly assume that these mutant creatures affected by Crystal City would be friendly toward all survivors.

Or perhaps be friendly toward survivors transplanted from the tree house into Crystal City.

But from what Ji Chaoyang described...

”It is indeed a big problem,” Ji Chaoyang said solemnly, ”We will use this place as a base in the future, and if possible, more survivors will reside here, so the safety of those mutant creatures in the outskirts must be ensured.”

”But judging from the current situation, although they haven’t made any moves, they are not familiar either. Perhaps they won’t threaten the survivors now, but in the future? If the resources in the surrounding forest are insufficient to satisfy the hunger of this group of mutant creatures...”

Xu Xin nodded slowly, ”Perhaps they won’t target us, but the safety of others...”

”That’s just one aspect,” Ji Chaoyang raised a second finger, ”There’s a second aspect, these influenced mutant creatures aren’t just those large beasts you see.”

He pointed to the west of Crystal City: ”Over there in the crystal houses... they are crawling with small mutant creatures. Small, in this context, means smaller in size compared to those you see, like... rats the size of cats. Crawling everywhere inside the house. Oh, and some insects too.”

This...

Just thinking about it feels a bit disgusting...

”Most survivors still cannot accept such existences.”

”What do you think we should do?” Xu Xin rubbed his head in distress.

Rats and the like can be overcome somewhat, but this hostility issue is indeed a big problem...

Ji Chaoyang was silent for a moment, then shook his head: ”I don’t have a good solution either.”

He looked up at the world tree, which was still slowly increasing in height, though its crown was growing the fastest at the moment.

The dense crown continued to extend outward at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Countless roots, thick as thighs, hung down from the canopy, some had already reached the ground, slightly obstructing the view.

Luckily, the intervals between these roots were relatively large and did not interfere with normal movement, just like street lamps on the road. Though they stand there, a normal person would not consider street lamps as obstacles.