Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

As Liu Zheng walked forward, she stood facing the plane trees across the distance.

The novelist had heard of this tree because the origin of the London plane tree was a mystery.

Although all trees in the metropolis have the potential to develop sentience, in reality only a few species possess the necessary talent.

There is no record of any sentient being emerging from the plane tree in Metropolitan City.

According to scholars, they are among the least talented of all trees.

But this plane tree somehow developed intelligence, and its thinking was quite lively, even approaching that of humans.

If it weren't for some kind of notice from the city hall, it would have been arrested and dissected for analysis long ago.

The novelist knows more; the reason this tree gained sentience is likely related to the Chaos Club.

The city hall's attitude toward anything related to the Chaos Club has always been: anything confirmed to be risky will be dealt with, anything suspected of being risky will be banned, and anything deemed to be risk-free will be observed.

Trees that have developed sentience are extremely rare "human resources," and are very useful for both purifying filth and suppressing disorder.

Therefore, once a tree develops sentience, it is usually quickly incorporated into the city hall.

The plane trees, however, were left here by the city hall, neither dealt with nor incorporated, which is consistent with the city hall's principles for handling matters related to the Chaos Club.

Such an unstable factor has become involved with a senior colleague, and it seems that the relationship is quite close, which is obviously not a good thing.

Whether it's because her senior was punished by the city hall, or because she got something strange on her that made her unable to eat, it's all extremely bad.

It seems we need to put more effort into making him realize that she is the only person he can rely on and who can form a bond with him.

A thousand thoughts flashed through the novelist's mind, culminating in a smile that made the branches of the plane trees tremble.

"Idiot human, who gave you permission to bring outsiders?"

As soon as Liu Zheng approached, the plane tree began to question him.

"She's not exactly an outsider. I'm your friend, she's my friend, so basically she's your friend too."

he said with a smile.

“Zut! Who’s friends with her? The way she looks at me is more vicious than a chainsaw.”

The plane tree complained.

"It must be because it was too dark, and you misjudged it due to poor eyesight."

Liu Zheng gave a perfunctory reply.

"I don't care, make that woman leave right now, or I'm going to attack her."

The plane tree said menacingly.

The fact that it's trembling doesn't mean it's really scared.

On this street, the plane trees don't really have much to fear.

If it weren't for the fact that the Tindaros Hound killed one and then a whole bunch of them, it wouldn't have been scared by Liu Zheng using Tindaros in the first place.

"Are you sure that if she leaves, we'll miss out on the good stuff?"

Liu Zheng said casually.

"I'm not interested. Make her leave now."

The plane tree said unhappily.

Not only did he scheme to seize his collection, but he also brought his mistress along.

What for? To use it as an ornamental tree.

"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you later."

He said this and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute, what good stuff is it?"

The plane tree finally couldn't resist its curiosity.

"See for yourself."

Liu Zheng demonstrated the "Ctrl" and "V" keys.

"La vache! Give it to me, give it to me!"

The plane tree stared wide-eyed, its wooden hands stretching out as if it were a drowning person trying to grab a lifeline.

"You just said you weren't interested."

He raised an eyebrow and said.

"I'm interested again now. What, you have a problem with that?"

The plane tree glared at him.

A thick tree root stretched out directly below Liu, eager to take flight.

"No objections. Go ahead then."

He handed over the "Ctrl" and "V" keys.

"Wait a minute, tell me what you want to exchange it for first?"

The plane tree said warily.

In terms of market value, this replica of the character "信" is far less valuable than the Vlad III limited edition, at most equivalent to two bottles of Ascension Moss.

But the replica of the character "信" is of great value to it. Not to mention anything else, it can shorten the incubation time for it to evolve into a phoenix by more than half.

As for other benefits, the plane trees may not feel them yet, but there are certainly many more.

The Vlad III limited edition was just a hobby, but it came at the cost of a legendary vest.

So, for a replica of the character "信" (xin, meaning faith/trust), a treasure that concerns life and the future, the price to pay will only be higher.

Therefore, the French plane tree must ask clearly to avoid the cost exceeding its capacity to bear.

"Uh, I didn't actually want to change anything."

Liu Zheng spread his tentacles.

The replica of the character "信" (trust/faith) was an unexpected bonus, so there's nothing wrong with giving it to the tree as a gift.

"No, you have to change something!"

The plane tree spoke loudly.

What's free is the most expensive. These idiot humans dare to give things away for free now; they'll only make it pay with its life later.

"Then let's put it in the books for now. I really can't think of anything I need to exchange right now."

After thinking it over, Liu Zheng said.

The problems he's dealing with either already have the necessary tools, or they're too complex to be solved with just one tool.

So it's better to keep this plan and deal with it when needed.

"Alright, since you and I signed a contract, I'll reluctantly agree."

"French plane tree," he said awkwardly, then his expression immediately changed.

"Quickly, quickly, cover my tree with your things!"

It opened its mouth, revealing a bottomless black hole inside.

Chapter 232 Si Xue took off her clothes

"."

Although he felt something was off, Liu Zheng still put his tentacles into the tree hole.

The tentacles reached downwards and then imprinted the "Ctrl" and "V" keys on the growth rings.

A faint "letter" character is imprinted on the tree rings, as if it wasn't pressed hard enough when writing on a copy.

"Cool~"

The plane trees sang with contentment.

Although it did not substantially improve its strength, it had obtained the key to a higher level of life, which made it excited.

"As long as you're happy. I'm leaving."

Liu Zheng said goodbye and prepared to leave.

"You idiot human, you'd better stay away from that woman, she'll eat you up sooner or later."

In a great mood, the plane tree took the initiative to offer a reminder.

"Oh."

He gave a curt reply.

"You don't seem to care at all?"

The plane tree in France said strangely.

"I don't really care, I'm leaving."

Liu Zheng retracted his tentacles and turned to leave.

The entire metropolis wanted to devour him whole, so what difference would one more novelist make?

"Tch, you humans have a saying: 'Those who don't heed the advice of their elders will suffer the consequences.' You'll see when the time comes."

The plane tree pursed its lips.

"Aren't you only eighteen?"

Liu Zheng looked at it suspiciously.

"Mind your own business! Get lost."

He was bound by a tree root and then thrown out like a stone, landing right in front of the novelist.

"Sigh~"

He rubbed his buttocks and stood up.

The novelist had already signed for the takeout on the way. Now that Liu Zheng didn't have the attribute bonus from the legendary vest, the hit still hurt a bit.

"Senior, should I go and teach that tree what manners are?"

The novelist said with a cold look in his eyes.

"No need. If you both end up hurting yourselves, I'll be the one in trouble later."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

Moreover, this woman spoke with righteous indignation, so why didn't she catch him when he came crashing down?

He gave the novelist a disdainful look, and the latter smiled sheepishly.

The novelist didn't know why he hadn't intervened earlier; perhaps it was because the way his senior was thrown out was quite cute.

"Let's go."

Liu Zheng patted his butt and walked towards the Bloody Restaurant.

The novelist followed closely behind him, then suddenly turned around and made a chopping motion towards the plane tree.

"cut!"

The plane tree responded with two middle fingers.

When it transforms into a phoenix, it can eat a hundred of these tiny insects in one bite.

Liu Zheng kept walking forward, seemingly oblivious to everything happening behind him.

-

"You look like you're having a lot of fun."

Niu Ma looked at Liu Zheng, who looked refreshed as he entered the room, and said.

"It was so-so, just dancing and drinking some specialty drinks."

He shrugged.