Chapter 3 The Third Shelter

The Third Shelter's high tower. Bennett stood with his hands behind his back in front of the window, overlooking the players coming and going in the square, his eyes deep.

The door was pushed open, and Han Xiao walked in. Bennett turned around, his face serious. "Is that alien still alive?"

Han Xiao stepped aside, and Kerlodd also walked in. Bennett's eyes narrowed. It was his first time seeing an alien, and he couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Kerlodd said unhappily, "Hey, local, what are you looking at!"

"He's speaking our language?" Bennett asked in surprise.

Han Xiao helplessly pointed to the translator and explained it once, and Bennett was relieved.

"The technology of aliens is indeed advanced." Bennett sighed, his eyes wandering over the two of them, and asked doubtfully, "Didn't you capture him? Why does it look like…"

"We have reached a consensus." Han Xiao didn't want Kerlodd to hear the following conversation, so he took off his translator.

"How did you know about the alien?" Han Xiao asked.

Bennett shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Ruilan informed me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that aliens had landed. They traced it back to you, confirmed that you had captured an alien, and then secretly contacted me, asking you to hand over the alien to them."

Ruilan? Han Xiao wasn't too surprised. According to the clues at the time, they could indeed trace it back to him. He didn't intend to hide it either, because there was no need.

"What if I refuse?"

"Their official statement is 'we do not rule out the use of violent means.' Ruilan's attitude is very firm this time."

Han Xiao was both a hero in destroying Germinal and the strongest Esper on Planet Aquamarine. The Six Nations respected and feared him. But this time, Ruilan was determined and had a very tough attitude. They weren't going to give him face and were going to force Han Xiao to hand over the Godoran, taking control into their own hands. Han Xiao secretly shook his head. Ruilan's hostility was meaningless to him.

Bennett was very annoyed. "Can you tell me why you can just take a casual stroll outside and bring back an alien? What exactly are you trying to do?"

Han Xiao sat down, staring at Bennett, and said, "I'm planning to leave Planet Aquamarine."

Bennett was stunned.

You're going to heaven?!

The news was too sudden. After a while, Bennett came back to his senses and asked in surprise, "Why? You're not really an alien, are you?"

"Compared to the starry sky, Planet Aquamarine is just a remote little place. The world is so big, I want to see it." Han Xiao smiled.

So, that's the reason for capturing the alien…

Bennett quickly adjusted his mindset. After all, he had seen a lot of things. He said with a slight regret, "You are a like-minded partner. If you really decide to leave, I can only wish you well. I will miss you."

Han Xiao stared into his eyes and smiled. "That is a wider world. Aren't you tempted? Do you want to come with me?"

Bennett was slightly lost in thought, as if he saw the boundless starry sky in Han Xiao's eyes. A man's romance is the stars and the sea, the higher you stand, the farther you see.

His heart throbbed, and an instinctive desire to explore rose continuously.

However, Bennett quickly calmed down and shook his head. "The shelter is my ideal. Sorry, I still have to continue this cause."

Han Xiao hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, there is another reason. A disaster will sweep through Planet Aquamarine in two or three years. I foresaw this scene. It is a terrible catastrophe, with only a slim chance of survival… Are you really not leaving?"

He decided to remind Bennett of the coming of the Mutant Disaster. No matter what, Bennett had treated him well. Staying on Planet Aquamarine was very dangerous. One of Han Xiao's main goals in going to the Interstellar Era in version 1.0 was to avoid the most dangerous first wave of the Mutant Disaster on Planet Aquamarine.

Han Xiao's identity as a suspected seer gave his "prophecy" a credible basis.

However, after Bennett listened carefully to Han Xiao's general description of the disaster, the hesitation on his face disappeared, and he said solemnly, "Then I have even more reason to stay. This is my hometown, and she needs me."

Han Xiao stared at Bennett for a long time and let out a breath of stale air.

"…Yeah, you are indeed that kind of person."

Everyone has their own aspirations, and you can't force it. Bennett stared at Han Xiao, his eyes complicated, and asked, "Are you leaving to escape danger?"

Han Xiao smiled and said, "The solution to the disaster is hidden in the starry sky. I am not only trying to avoid harm, but also to go to the starry sky to find a solution."

He didn't really lie to Bennett. Finding a way to solve the version 2.0 Mutant Disaster in advance was also in his plan. If he could change the plot of Planet Aquamarine in version 2.0, he would definitely be able to gain a wave of Legendary Points.

Hearing this, Bennett smiled. "I knew I didn't misjudge you. When I heard you speak before, I knew we were the same kind of person."

That's not true! The corners of Han Xiao's mouth twitched. That speech was copied from Bennett's original words. The last time Han Xiao went to the First Shelter to find him, he saw that Bennett's office had this sentence hanging on it, and it specifically stated that the original author was Han Xiao, constantly expressing his admiration for this sentence, which made the Great Technician Han feel slightly embarrassed.

However, although the starting points are different, the goals are the same, so the motives don't matter.

Now that he knew Han Xiao's thoughts, Bennett threw Ruilan's ultimatum out of the blue.

"How are you going to leave Planet Aquamarine?"

"I've already arranged it. You'll know when the time comes."

Seeing that Han Xiao didn't want to reveal the details, Bennett had to suppress his curiosity and said, "If you leave, the Third Shelter will have to choose a new person in charge. Do you have any recommendations?"

Han Xiao thought for a while. "Huang Yu. He handles the daily affairs of the shelter. He is very familiar with the situation here. It would be most appropriate for him to take over."

Through the influence of the Pro League, the impression of the Third Shelter's main city has already been formed. Even if he leaves, it will not affect the status of the shelter. The Third Shelter has his name on it, and every player who comes will deepen their impression of him.

It's just that the players in the shelter won't be able to enjoy his various "functions" anymore, which may cause the shelter to lose some popularity.

Han Xiao suddenly had a thought and had a new idea. "Perhaps there is a way, even if I leave the planet, I can continue to consolidate the shelter's influence…"

Since he had already revealed the Mutant Disaster to Bennett, this "prophecy" should be able to play a greater role. After thinking about it, Han Xiao had a specific plan and secretly kept it in his heart.

On the other side, Bennett thought that Huang Yu was a good candidate. Suddenly, his tone became serious and he said, "There are too many Awakened in the Third Shelter. They even exceed the number of refugees the shelter can accommodate, occupying too much space. Their origins are unknown and they are too mysterious. This is a safety hazard. I don't know what method you used to make them work for you, but you are about to leave. What should be done with them?"

"When disaster strikes, the Awakened are likely to be the backbone of protecting the shelter. Don't be too harsh on them. Be tolerant of them and accept them." As the players grow, the major forces on Planet Aquamarine are becoming more and more wary of the "Awakened." Bennett is no exception. Persuading Bennett is the only way to ensure that his achievements on Planet Aquamarine are not ruined.

Hearing this, Bennett's expression changed. "If that's really the case, I will pay attention to it." Although he was wary of the Awakened, when he learned that the Awakened could protect the shelter, he immediately changed his attitude. This reason was very useful to him.

The two chatted for a while, and Bennett got up to say goodbye. He came this time to deal with Ruilan's ultimatum, but he unexpectedly learned about Han Xiao's next actions. In this way, Ruilan's warning was no longer a concern, so he didn't worry about it.

On the contrary, the catastrophe that Han Xiao revealed made him feel heavy, as if a dark cloud was shrouded in the road ahead. He decided to go back immediately to write a crisis plan, increase the shelter's defense, and speed up the progress of the plan.

Bennett was reluctant to part with a partner like Han Xiao and said sincerely, "I hope everything goes well for you and that we can see each other again soon."

Han Xiao reached out and shook Bennett's hand heavily.

The two smiled at each other.

…

Bennett's arrival reminded Han Xiao that he should inform some friends. Hela and Aurora stayed in the shelter because of him. Han Xiao decided to tell them first.

That night, the moon was bright and the clouds were clear. He summoned Hela and Aurora, revealing that he was about to go to the Interstellar Era.

As expected, the two were extremely surprised and looked incredulous.

"Han Xiao, what is the universe like? Have you met aliens?" Aurora asked eagerly.

During this period, Aurora had been recuperating in the shelter and had recovered her health. Han Xiao had finally corrected her address to him and was finally no longer called a stuffy old uncle.

Han Xiao let Kerlodd come closer and said, "This is an alien."

Aurora's lively eyes were full of curiosity. "Aliens look almost the same as us. Will he bite?"

That question again! Can't you locals be a little more knowledgeable!

Kerlodd's face darkened, and he couldn't bear it any longer, roaring, "You're the one who bites people!"

*Pa!*

Kerlodd fell headfirst to the ground.

Han Xiao put down his palm and said with an unkind expression, "Be polite to children."

Aurora shrank back and muttered softly, "Aliens are so scary."

Hela was expressionless and pointed at Han Xiao. "He's obviously scarier."