During the ride into the shelter, Roger explained many things to Lin Xinghai. Beyond the genetic medicine, he also introduced the general structure of the refuge.
The Star Shield Shelter was divided into three tiers: upper, middle, and lower. Ordinary people lived in the lower sector. To move up to the middle level, one had to become a genetic optimizer. As for the upper level, only the powerful and the administrators of the refuge had the right to stay there.
Newcomers like them, of course, could only remain in the lower area.
By the time the convoy entered, the military handed everyone over to the local administrators. Under the guidance of the security team, the rescued survivors lined up in neat columns and followed instructions.
The lower district covered nearly 200,000 square meters. Yet, as Roger said, more than 150,000 people were already crammed inside. The population density was suffocating.
As they marched deeper, Lin Xinghai realized Roger had still been too kind in his description.
The streets were chaotic, haphazardly built without planning. Houses leaned against each other, clustered to save space. The sight was messy, oppressive. Most passersby were gaunt, sallow-skinned, their clothes filthy. A foul stench clung to them—it seemed many hadn't bathed in days.
"It's almost like a refugee camp," Lin Xinghai muttered, unable to help himself.
But he also knew this was inevitable. The true enemy wasn't poor management—it was the lack of resources. Considering the wasteland above ground, it was already a miracle that the shelter could sustain so many.
After about fifteen minutes of marching, the column stopped. Ahead stood a crumbling residential block.
At that moment, some residents shuffled out with their belongings. Their expressions were blank, numb. Under the whistles of patrolling guards, they left in silence.
Then, an administrator stepped forward. He climbed the steps of the building, holding a loudspeaker.
"Hello, everyone. I'll introduce myself. My name is Ji Yuan. As you can see, this area is a temporary housing zone. These buildings will be cleared out for your stay."
The crowd immediately stirred. The outer walls were cracked, and patches of concrete were missing. The entire place looked like it might collapse at any moment. Could people really live here?
Protests broke out. First a few voices, then louder, spreading like fire.
But Ji Yuan only smiled. He raised his hand for quiet, then said calmly, "You think the exterior looks shabby, don't you? Don't worry. Inside, it's even worse."
The uproar exploded. Some survivors thought they'd misheard. Did he really just say that?
Yet Ji Yuan's smile never wavered. "I know you all have complaints," he said, his tone unchanged. Then, his voice suddenly hardened. "But listen well—the resources here are limited. This place has no room for idlers or parasites. If you want to eat well and live better, then prove your worth. Earn points. Work. Move up."
With a snap of his fingers, staff members appeared and began handing out papers filled with instructions.
"No need to waste more words. Everything you need to know is written down. Read it when you have time."
"These buildings are six-person dormitories. If you know people you want to room with, gather now. If not, we'll assign you later. Ten minutes."
Ji Yuan checked his watch and stood quietly, waiting.
His words were few, but every line carried weight. The survivors quickly fell silent, uncertain, but forced to act. None of them wanted to be stuck with strangers.
Lin Xinghai, however, remained calm. Hands in his pockets, he waited like an outsider.
He knew the Split Sky Mercenary Group had arranged separate quarters for its official members in the middle district. The only requirement was becoming a genetic optimizer—an impossible dream for most, but for him, only a matter of days.
So he watched idly as others scrambled.
Then—
"Ah! Lin Xinghai, I finally found you!"
A clear, excited voice rang out.
Turning, Lin Xinghai saw a slim young woman with bright, beautiful eyes fixed on him.
"Uh…" He froze.
That was when he realized a serious problem: although he had crossed into this body, he hadn't inherited its memories. He had no idea who this beauty was.
Before he could react, the girl grabbed his hand. "Come with me!"
"Damn, are women this bold in this era?" Lin Xinghai muttered inwardly.
Still, her hand was soft and delicate…
He shook his head to snap out of it. Focus. Don't get exposed. The key now was figuring out how to deal with her without revealing his ignorance.
He considered pretending to be confused, or even feigning memory loss. The latter seemed safest.
But just as he was weighing options, the girl stopped abruptly.
"The last roommate is here!" she announced proudly, pulling him into a group.
Lin Xinghai blinked. Before him stood four other young women—every one of them beautiful.
The air froze. Everyone stared in disbelief.
"Liu Miaomiao, are you insane? How can you bring a man?" The most outspoken of the girls finally snapped, dragging the first woman aside. The others followed quickly, leaving Lin Xinghai stranded in awkward silence.
He didn't move, but with his enhanced hearing from genetic optimization, he caught their hushed argument.
"Wang Yao, calm down," Liu Miaomiao said firmly. "I thought this through. Think about it—times aren't peaceful anymore. A group of pretty girls living together is just asking for trouble. We need protection."
"So I found us a bodyguard."
"Bodyguard? Him?" Wang Yao's voice dripped with doubt.
"He may not look it, but when he was a freshman, he won the provincial Sanshou championship. Against ordinary thugs, taking four or five at once would be nothing."
Wang Yao hesitated, then snapped again, "Even if that's true, aren't you afraid of inviting a wolf into the house?"
"Don't worry," Liu Miaomiao replied confidently. "He's basically a block of wood. Back in class, plenty of girls chased him—some even prettier than me—but he ignored them all. People even whispered about his… orientation."
"So, it's safe. Trust me."
Not far away, Lin Xinghai's face darkened.