Chapter 971 - 551: Can I Still Return to My Original World? (Part 2)

"...You can still sit up?" The woman’s expression was surprised.

"...I can only sit up. If I move any further, I’ll feel completely powerless." Shi Wanyun decided to be honest for now to gain this woman’s trust.

Judging by the others’ attitudes toward her during the recent ritual, she must hold a very high status here.

"That’s already impressive." The woman smiled with satisfaction, "Indeed, this batch of survivors is much stronger than before."

Her words stirred something in Shi Wanyun’s heart.

This woman seems to know something about the survivors!

The woman reached out and lightly patted Shi Wanyun on the shoulder.

Shi Wanyun suddenly felt the sense of constraint ease significantly.

She looked down and saw the blood markings on her body gradually receding, sinking into the stone bed beneath her, merging with the engravings, and then slowly fading away.

She moved her body slightly and found that she was no longer being drained of strength like before.

She looked at the mature woman, her eyes filled with confusion.

The mature woman smiled faintly: "I admire you, so I’ll be kinder to you, but don’t think about running away. You’re still too weak."

"I..."

"Don’t say you won’t run." The woman interrupted her, "I know your situation. You’re definitely thinking that staying here will turn you into one of those bizarre monsters like them. So given a chance, you’d definitely leave here, wouldn’t you?"

Shi Wanyun opened her mouth slightly, not knowing how to respond.

Or rather, she wasn’t sure what answer this woman wanted.

Does she really understand my situation?

She finally nodded: "I don’t want to become like those outside, but I don’t plan to run because I know I can’t escape."

"Hehe, you do have self-awareness." The woman chuckled, "Don’t worry, this mindset is quite common among the new batch of survivors. You don’t have to worry about me blaming you."

As she spoke, she gently lifted Shi Wanyun’s chin, examining her face: "I understand. A girl as beautiful as you surely can’t stand the thought of becoming a monster, right?"

Shi Wanyun did not resist, quietly looking at her.

She was just a bit surprised.

To hear the word "monster" from this woman’s mouth.

Aren’t they the same kind?

However, this woman seems indeed...

She has no strange features on her entire body.

She looks almost identical to a normal human, at least for now, she doesn’t appear to be a monster.

If not for her crimson eyes and the respectful attitude of others towards her, she would really think this woman is a normal person.

"It seems you’ve noticed as well, my appearance doesn’t seem to have changed." The woman released Shi Wanyun’s chin, crossing her arms and smiling.

"...You’re stronger than them, yet your body hasn’t changed." Shi Wanyun said softly.

"That’s right." The woman nodded, smiling, "Because I also don’t want to become like them."

"...Is it possible not to become like that?" Shi Wanyun slightly raised her eyes.

"Physical changes are just one form of mutation. The direction I chose is another, one more suitable for humans. That’s why my body hasn’t undergone significant changes."

Shi Wanyun looked at her, already knowing what she was about to say.

"This mutation direction requires a very rare potion. Coincidentally, I still have one left. If you can meet my conditions, then you can become like me."

The woman’s words even made Shi Wanyun a little tempted.

Or rather, very tempted.

She already knew the identities of these people here—they are previous batches, even several batches of survivors.

Even though she still doesn’t understand what kind of place this is or its purpose, it’s clear that these former survivors live well here and have no desire to leave.

Though the original survivors appear monster-like, she now understands the reason.

It’s genetic modification that has made them, originally humans, appear somewhat like monsters.

Apart from that, these people are genuine humans, and they’re capable of friendly communication.

So, this place is basically akin to a human gathering place!

Realizing this, her resistance to this place greatly diminished, and she even felt a bit of kinship!

If it’s possible to stay here without turning into a monster...

Compared to the insecure life in the treehouse, this place might indeed be much better!

Of course, there’s still one thing she’s very concerned about.

It’s the master they mentioned, who exactly is it?

Clearly, it’s not the woman in front of her, as the others call her "Director" instead of "Master."

This so-called master, could it be... that mysterious voice?

At this moment, unaware of any alien invaders or Earth’s fate, Shi Wanyun suddenly felt her heart race.

She felt she might have touched upon the true secret of this world.

She was even pondering in her heart, if she found the truth, would she...

Be able to return to the original world?

Return to the world... where she truly belongs?

The woman clearly sensed her emotional change, a slight smile on her lips: "You’re an excellent candidate, the possibility of you becoming like me is very high, so..."