Chapter 335.1: The Utopia Hidden In the Tunnels

It took about 10 minutes for Lu Bei to report to Chu Guang about the entire day's work.

"... Under the guidance of a gatekeeper named Tris, we entered Camp 101 and were received by the local survivors."

"That's a camp hidden deep in the subway tunnels, housing around 200 to 300 people. The local survivors live in square-shaped barracks, surrounded by greenhouse plantations, generators, water purifiers, and biogas tanks."

"The situation there is vastly different from Hope Town. They've achieved complete self-sufficiency in supplies and manage everything in an orderly manner using scientific methods."

"That gatekeeper Tris showed me around their greenhouse plantations where they cultivate hydroponic boxes growing rice, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers... There's also some carbon fixation device; they convert part of the carbon dioxide into starch, glucose, balancing the carbon dioxide levels in the air."

"Overall, it's quite astonishing there. The locals refer to themselves as 'The Protected’, but they are not residents of the shelter; rather, they're wasteland guests aided by the shelter residents."

"The gate to Shelter 101 is located at the deepest point of the camp. The shelter residents have taught them knowledge, and their mission is to report the situation outside to the shelter residents."

"According to them, their camp was initially on the surface, but later, to avoid conflicts, the shelter residents lent them the materials transfer area at the entrance, which later became their current camp."

"During our conversation, I could sense their deep affection for the shelter residents. Shelter 101 is like a sacred place to them, and the residents living there are more like teachers to them."

After listening to Lu Bei's report, Chu Guang looked at the notes he casually jotted down and pondered for a while, nodding thoughtfully.

"... I see." He grasped the essence of it.

In simple terms, Camp 101 served as the spokesperson supported by Shelter 101 on the surface.

These spokespersons had been enlightened by the shelter residents, gaining knowledge not found in the wasteland, even learning some pre-war era production methods and tools.

While enjoying the conveniences brought by pre-war civilization achievements, they also bore the responsibility of guarding the entrance of the shelter.

It was an astute approach, Chu Guang noted.

Compared to the shelters he had encountered like Shelter 117 or Shelter 401, they fell short due to their civilized reserve and pride.

In contrast, the blue coats of Shelter 101 adopted a more cautious strategy, nurturing worthy individuals, enlightening the ignorant wasteland guests, teaching them to use utensils and books, educating them in mathematics and physics, and approaching the world from a rational perspective.

This ensured not only their education levels and professional skills but also aligned their worldview, values, and ideologies closely with their own.

Through this method, residents of Shelter 101 could gather the information and resources they needed at minimal costs while avoiding potential troubles that direct contact with local survivors might bring.

Camp 101 was both the seed they planted on the surface and their buffer zone with the wasteland.

If it failed, they could retreat underground, bide their time for 20, 50, or even 100 years before attempting again.

But if successful, this seed would grow into a towering tree, establishing a stable, enlightened regime in the wasteland...

Their historical mission would then be fulfilled.

"... I didn't meet the residents of Shelter 101," Lu Bei added cautiously at the end. "The elders of Camp 101 informed me that until they confirm the safety of the world outside, they won't advise the shelter residents to open their gate. Even though I tried explaining that we had driven away those marauders, they just didn't believe me."

"Later, upon my insistence, they took me to the gate of Shelter 101. The residents there also didn't listen to my explanations, directing me to communicate with the people at Camp 101."

As Lu Bei spoke, he felt quite frustrated.

He felt like a ball kicked back and forth between both sides.

These people truly didn't know what was good for them!

Hearing the young man's complaint, Chu Guang immediately guessed what he was thinking and smiled. "They aren't worried about the marauders; they are worried about us."

Lu Bei was taken aback. "Worried... About us? But why would they be worried about us?"

Patiently, Chu Guang explained, "Marauders can also wear blue coats and might even carry our VMs. The Vital Monitor itself isn't particularly advanced, nor is it the exclusive patent of a shelter."

"In their first encounter, they can only judge by intuition whether we have good intentions, but ultimately, they need to confirm with their own eyes if what we claim and what we are doing align."

"This world isn't simply in black and white. Those who drive away marauders might not necessarily be righteous partners but might themselves be another group of bandits. Their vigilance is reasonable."

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"That's why I repeatedly advised you before you left: be cautious before expressing our intentions, don't rush to urge them to make decisions, give them some time to think. If they hesitate, suggest that they come and see our settlement."

Lu Bei contemplated on the phone for a while, pondering thoughtfully. "I understand it now. So, we should invite a few representatives to visit our settlement."

This apprentice learned quickly.

Satisfied to see the young man catching on, Chu Guang nodded approvingly. "Invite a few more people. Remember, it's not a demand; it's an invitation. We need electrical engineers here and engineers specializing in water resources."

"You can even tell them that I plan to build a dam on the west and southwest sides of the 4th New District, diverting the overflowing lake water north to merge into Heavenly Water for irrigation of nearby lands... This will be a long-term project, and we need their help."

Painting possibilities was also part of the art of management. The New Alliance needed to find common interests with the local survivors.

Although the hydraulic engineering project wasn't the top priority in Daybreak City's construction, as the settlement expanded, it would eventually become essential.

Excitedly, Lu Bei exclaimed, "I understand!"

Chu Guang nodded in approval. "If you understand, then go ahead and carry out the plan."

Chu Guang had always been pleased with this diligent, loyal young man and had intentionally been nurturing him.

For instance... He issued the mission to him so that the youngster could grow and take on heavier responsibilities in the future.

As for abilities and origins, those were never an issue for Chu Guang; he never believed in the concept of bloodlines.

Once a person reached that position, growth would naturally follow.

The core members of the New Alliance, the truly shining ones, were actually Yin Fang, Hyrja, and Charlie. Most of the others were wastelanders.

Take Luca, for example, initially just a slave working the fields; what did he know about logistics management? But now, he could manage his assigned tasks efficiently and systematically.

Even Shu Yu, dispatched by Chu Guang to Boulder Town, was initially just a refugee.

In fact, Chu Guang himself was no different. In the Alpha 0.1 version, he barely had anything and almost got bitten by a mutated creature. Now, he had everything.

After hanging up the phone, Chu Guang was too lazy to go out for dinner. He rummaged through his luggage and pulled out a box of braised canned pork, eating dinner with steamed buns while scrolling through the forum using his VM.

The official website was as bustling as ever today.

Coincidentally, while he had dinner, his players were also having their meals, though due to the time difference, they were having breakfast.

Tail: (╥_╥)... I've already eaten in the game, why do I have to eat again in reality! QAQ

Sisi: Isn't that normal?

Tail: So annoying! Why don't they develop a chamber where you can just lie down and not worry about anything! Eating, brushing teeth, taking showers, going to the bathroom are all too bothersome! (ノ｀Д)ノ

Sisi: Uh, are you talking about those that need to insert tubes into your body...? I'll pass.

Tail: ?

Sesame Paste: Even if there's such a culture chamber, the anti-addiction system wouldn't allow 24/7 online play. (˘•ω•˘)

Roshan: Ahaha... Hahaha...

...

Their addiction was way too intense.

Seeing the discussions in the forum post, Chu Guang was speechless, unsure how to comment.

The devices for the morphogenetic field were not under his purview. That kind of nurturing cabin... may really exist in the real world, but its existence was not important. The helmet was sufficient; if they were awoken by the urge to pee, they could just find a convenient spot, log out, and return. Finding a place to lie down and log off comfortably was basic operation for the players after all.

Even though a culture chamber could make players more focused on the game world, he still hoped his players would eat well and live well in reality.

Even if his game was the world's only fully immersive virtual reality game, it shouldn't be exploited to the fullest extent.

Closing the post, Chu Guang continued browsing the forum.

Most players were focused on tonight's expansion pack settlement and lottery rewards. Some were interested in the newly unlocked map, West Continent City.

For instance, there was Ample Time.

Similar to when he visited Boulder Town before, after arriving at Camp 101, Ample Time immediately investigated the situation there in detail, openly updating all the gathered intelligence on the official website.

[Shocking! A high-tech town hidden in the tunnels! Insights into Camp 101!]

Seeing this headline, Chu Guang immediately clicked to read more.

Speaking of which, it was really embarrassing for him, a game designer, to be among the last to know about the new map-related information.

In other games, it was usually the lead designer leaking inside information to prominent players.

Unlike Lu Bei, Ample Time narrated from the player's perspective, not only in style but also in the focus of attention.