432: Chapter 432 A Pair

Qin Lin walked up to her: "I am Qin Lin, the owner of The Ark. Is your planet experiencing a disaster?"

The leading woman looked at him, silent for a moment: "My name is Shi Xin, and I am the leader of the Desolate Race. Our land is dying. The grass no longer grows, the prey is decreasing, and energy from the rifts is seeping out from underground, contaminating our water sources."

Qin Lin looked at her: "Are you willing to board The Ark?"

Shi Xin turned her head to discuss with her tribespeople behind her for a few moments, then turned back: "We are willing, but we have one condition."

Qin Lin looked at her: "What condition?"

Shi Xin looked at him: "We cannot abandon our traditions. We can board The Ark, but we wish to preserve our tribal culture."

Qin Lin nodded: "That is acceptable. The Ark respects the traditions of every race and can even arrange a dedicated living space for you."

Shi Xin extended her hand: "Then it's a deal."

Qin Lin shook her hand. Her hand was large and powerful, with thick calluses on the palms, appearing to be marks left from holding weapons or tools: "Welcome to The Ark."

The Desolate Race began to board The Ark.

As they walked up, their steps were heavy and forceful, completely different from the lightness of the Elf Race.

Qin Lin noticed that many of them carried simple bundles and weapons on their backs, as if they had prepared to leave their homeland.

The System prompt sounded in Qin Lin's ear.

[New passengers detected: 150 people]

[Race: Desolate Race]

[comprehensive rating: 90-96 points]

[Suggestion: Establish a Bond as soon as possible and complete the More Children, More Blessings Task]

Qin Lin stood by the gangway, watching the women of the Desolate Race walk into The Ark one by one.

Their physiques were taller than humans, nearly two meters high, with more defined muscle lines and rougher skin, but their eyes were all very bright, carrying a vigilant glow.

At the end of the line, the relationship between two individuals caught Qin Lin's attention.

An older woman, in her early forties, had gray hair mixed with a few strands of white, and her pupils were amber.

Her physique was sturdier than the other Desolate, and there were small scars on her face, as if she had experienced many battles.

Her gait was very steady when she walked, and every step landed firmly.

Behind her followed a younger woman, around twenty years old, with reddish-brown hair and golden pupils, which were lighter than Shi Xin's.

Her physique was slimmer than the older woman's, but still sturdy.

Most notably, there was a pair of small triangular ears on top of her head, twitching slightly in the air as if catching surrounding sounds.

Qin Lin noticed that the relationship between them was somewhat special.

The older woman would look back at the younger one after walking a few steps, as if to confirm she was still there.

The younger one would quicken her pace to catch up, and then the two would continue walking side by side.

There was intimate physical contact between them.

The older woman would reach out to rest her hand on the younger woman's shoulder, and the younger woman would tilt her head slightly, as if responding to that touch.

Qin Lin looked towards Ling Xi: "What is the relationship between those two?"

Ling Xi followed his gaze: "Mother and daughter."

Qin Lin looked at them: "Do both mother and daughter meet the rating requirements?"

Ling Xi nodded: "Both meet them."

Qin Lin was silent for a moment.

Ling Xi looked at him and spoke to herself: "The culture of the Desolate Race values strength and loyalty. They have a very open attitude towards childbirth, believing that reproduction is the foundation of tribal continuation. They will be willing."

The women of the Desolate Race began to settle down on The Ark.

They felt curious about the automatic doors and glowing walls, but quickly learned how to use them.

They would forcefully slap the walls with their palms, as if testing their sturdiness; they would squat down to touch the floor, feeling that texture that was neither too soft nor too hard.

Han Yurou stood in the corridor watching them: "They are so tall."

Li Ying leaned on the massage chair: "And their muscles are so sturdy; one look and you can tell they can fight."

Liu Ruyan stood nearby: "Their skin color is so healthy, as if they are often in the sun."

Su Han leaned against the wall, her gaze sweeping over the Desolate Race women, without speaking.

Yeying stood in the center of the living room, watching the Desolate Race women: "They are very strong, even stronger than our Demon Race."

Forest Lord Cui Yin stood next to her: "But their eyes are very gentle, like beasts guarding their own territory."

A few days later.

After arranging the accommodation for her tribespeople, Shi Xin found Qin Lin: "Qin Lin, we need to talk."

Qin Lin took her to the Bridge to sit down: "What do you want to talk about?"

Shi Xin looked at him: "I already know the rules on The Ark—Many Children, Many Blessings, bearing children. Our Desolate Race is willing to abide by this rule, but I have a request."

Qin Lin looked at her: "What request?"

Shi Xin was silent for a moment: "My daughter, Shi Ya, is still young; she has only just come of age. I hope you can give her time to adapt first and not rush her to complete the task."

Qin Lin looked at her: "I will respect her wishes. We will start when she is ready; I will not force her."

Shi Xin looked at him: "Can you guarantee that?"

Qin Lin nodded: "I guarantee it."

Shi Xin extended her hand: "That is good."

In the evening, Qin Lin encountered the Desolate Mother and Shi Ya in the corridor.

The Desolate Mother was teaching Shi Ya how to use the equipment in the room. Shi Ya clumsily pressed the buttons, and the lights flickered on and off, as if playing with an interesting toy.

Seeing Qin Lin walk over, the Desolate Mother straightened up: "Are you Qin Lin?"

Qin Lin nodded: "I am. Are you still getting used to things?"

The Desolate Mother looked at him: "We are getting used to it." She paused: "Qin Lin, I still want to talk to you."

Qin Lin followed the Desolate Mother into her room.

"I will do this task first."

Qin Lin looked at her: "Are you sure?"

The Desolate Mother nodded: "I am sure."

She turned her head to look at Shi Ya outside the door.

"But my daughter is still young, and I hope she can adapt for a period of time first."

Qin Lin nodded: "I said I would wait for her to be ready herself."

The Desolate Mother was silent for a moment, then looked at Qin Lin: "Then tonight, will you be with me first... or do you wish to wait for a while longer?"

Her tone was calm and direct, as if discussing a natural matter.

Qin Lin looked at her: "If you are ready, tonight is fine."

The Desolate Mother nodded: "Good, then tonight."

...

The next morning, when Qin Lin came out of the Desolate Mother's room, he felt his legs were a bit weak.

The bodies of the Desolate Race were not like any race he had encountered before.

Sturdier, more powerful, and their body temperature was higher than humans.

The Desolate Mother's skin was warm, like a stone baked by the sun; her breathing was deeper and steadier, her heartbeat was deeper and more powerful—that sense of strength was something Qin Lin had never experienced before.

Shi Ya stood in the corridor, seeing Qin Lin come out of her mother's room, her golden pupils widening slightly: "You... you and my..."

Qin Lin looked at her: "I came to check on the new passengers."

Shi Ya was silent for a moment, did not speak, and turned to leave.

Qin Lin watched her back.

A few days later, the System prompt sounded.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! ...]

[Reward: ...]