Chapter 177 : Plant Disaster
The Boundless Lands are a barren territory.
This is a fact recorded in textbooks and known to all.
Because this place was once a massive battlefield of the previous era. Many weapons were unleashed upon this land, burning everything into ash.
Due to this reason, the Boundless Lands are almost completely barren. The environment here is extremely harsh, with soil filled with corrupting forces. Wild beasts often lurk in the darkness, trying to claim people's lives.
However...
Just yesterday, our reconnaissance personnel discovered a peculiar tree seed in the B6 area.
Did it drift here from somewhere else? But in a place like the Boundless Lands, it would be impossible for it to take root and sprout.
Although we held little hope, due to academic rigor, we still gathered soil from the Boundless Lands and prepared to attempt cultivation in the greenhouse.
......
......
How is this possible?!
This seed actually sprouted and took root!
A growing environment that would be like a death trap for ordinary plants seemed like abundant nutrients to it, gradually growing.
This means this plant can adapt to polluted extreme environments!
If we could cultivate it in large quantities, we might be able to change the growing environment of the Boundless Lands!!!
How amazing!
Is this a gift from angels, or a temptation from demons?
We don't know, but conveniently this morning, the research institute has already requested cargo assistance from Clear Academy.
Perhaps after the main forces arrive, we'll be able to smoothly conduct scientific research.
......
......
Wait, why is this sapling this shape?
This is too strange.
We've conducted multiple tests to ensure the greenhouse has appropriate gravity, light and soil all simulating the environment of the Boundless Lands.
But this plant is growing upside down!
What does this mean?
Its trunk and branch parts are emerging toward the ground, while its root parts are growing upward, piercing through the surface.
I've been involved in research for twenty years, and this is the first time I've seen such a strange plant.
If it's not that gravity sensing has reversed, then it must be
......
This sapling is growing larger and larger.
In just 3 days, it's already taken initial form, like an ordinary tree that's grown for 3 months.
Like sharp spikes, its roots shoot straight up into the sky, while its branches and leaves are buried deep in the soil, stretching freely.
Its leaves are pale white, and the veins on them are completely different from all known trees.
What's going on?
I think I need some professional instruments to take measurements.
It's confirmed now—it's through this power that it absorbs energy from the Boundless Lands.
Don't we call the normal nutrient storage of plants photosynthesis? It's precisely because of photosynthesis that this world can maintain the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen, with producers providing organic matter for consumers to survive.
So the activity this plant conducts can be called "dark synthesis."
It can neutralize pollution in the earth and convert it into a peculiar energy.
So amazing, simply too amazing.
But speaking of which...
These past few days, strange things have been happening continuously at the research station.
Researchers often lose control.
Could this also be related to this sapling?
Due to this plant's special characteristics, I plan to call it the Tree of Causality Ruins.
If only the transport team from Clear Academy could arrive quickly.
Now, this sapling's growth is extremely rapid, completely beyond my expectations.
What will it grow into next?
Terrible, the research station has been invaded!
Is it demons, or something else?
We don't know, but right now, we must evacuate.
I know those guys must have come for this sapling.
We absolutely cannot hand over the sapling, absolutely not.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
......
......
After returning to the magic ship, Lonis was exhausted.
Although the single-soldier suit could help her with some strenuous activities, she ultimately still had to walk.
Running swiftly while carrying that woman back to the magic ship—these things had already exceeded Lonis's monthly exercise quota.
"Wah ah, is Lonis okay! I just saw you seemed to be fighting hand-to-hand with that woman..."
"I'm fine, but... Suling, this woman's mental state might be somewhat unclear. Bring the handcuffs over and cuff her first!"
"Mm... mm!"
......
Under Suling's close care, Lonis took a quarter hour to slowly recover.
As for the woman Lonis had rescued? She lay unconscious in the living room, her hands firmly cuffed together, soaking wet all over, her hair looking like it had rolled through mud, extremely dirty.
So...
"Suling, let's help this woman clean up first. She's been in the rain so long, she might catch cold."
"Yes!"
"But be careful—she might wake up at any moment."
......
While carefully wiping away the dirt from the woman's body, Lonis discovered she was covered in wounds, as if she'd been through many battles.
Her fingernails were also full of grime, as if she'd dug through soil with her bare hands.
And if they searched her pockets further...
"Found it, Little Lo, there's an ID card here!"
"ID card?"
"Yes, it says Dr. Okali."
"I remember Bai Ye mentioned that Dr. Okali was one of the important researchers she cared for, so this means..."
Realizing this, Lonis didn't dare delay any longer and took out the medical kit to quickly bandage Dr. Okali's wounds.
......
......
While Lonis and Suling were treating Dr. Okali, a sharp sound suddenly came from the distant Boundless Research Station.
"Roar!"
This sound was very similar to the monster roar Lonis had heard before... Could it be that Elucia and the others had encountered monsters?
Lonis's expression showed some tension, but she still didn't put down her work.
Finally, all of Dr. Okali's wounds had been treated. Lonis and Suling carried her together to the sofa to rest quietly.
But at the same time, a familiar shout came from outside the door...
"Lonis, quickly start the ship."
"Ah?"
"The Tree of Causality Ruins's power has gone out of control and is now spreading this way!"
Hearing Elucia say this, Lonis quickly ran to the control room. The scene on the wasteland also stunned the silver-haired girl.
She saw Elucia carrying Bai Ye on her back, running together with Yi Cheng.
Behind them on the ground, countless ferocious tree roots were emerging... These roots surged forward one after another, like lust-crazed tentacle monsters, continuously reaching for the girls' ankles.
Fortunately, both Yi Cheng and Elucia's movements were extremely agile.
Often with just a toe touching the ground, the girls would dodge the entanglement of the roots.
Although the magic ship was still several hundred meters away from Boundless Research Station, before long, Elucia and Yi Cheng had already approached.
(Need to start the ship quickly.)
Lonis's mind was crystal clear. She knew that if she waited for Elucia and Yi Cheng to get closer before lifting the ship, everything would be too late.
Those roots from the earth would entangle the ship's landing gear. So she had to start early, then have Suling lower a rope to pull everyone up.
......
The situation was extremely critical, but fortunately Lonis had once been a hero. When facing danger, she didn't panic and successfully started the ship.
But just then...
"Ahhh!"
Dr. Okali on the living room sofa suddenly became violent.
She suddenly stood up and lunged straight at Lonis.