Chapter 127: The Fungal Carpet
Some carnivorous plant genes endowed the new organism with the ability to produce digestive fluids, allowing it to rapidly convert prey into nutrients. At the same time, it drew from various leafy plant genes to strengthen its root system. These robust roots could extend hundreds of meters underground.
The most remarkable trait, however, came from the integration of biological genes, which enabled the organism to grow large fungal nodes on its surface. These nodes could illuminate points on the Swarm Network.
This meant that Luo Wen could directly project his consciousness into these fungal nodes and observe their surroundings from their perspective. Additionally, while these fungal nodes lacked intelligence, they could be programmed with reactive options.
As active nodes on the Swarm Network, they came equipped with friend-or-foe recognition capabilities. When unidentified creatures stepped on or passed near them, the nodes would blink on the Swarm Network to send a warning.
The new plant also solved the food storage problem effectively. Thanks to its powerful digestive capabilities, prey placed on the organism’s body would be quickly broken down and converted into nutrients. These nutrients were stored within the plant and could be rapidly transported through its body. Any unit registered on the Swarm Network could tap into this resource by opening a “valve” on any part of the plant’s body and requesting access to the nutrients.
In simple terms, the plant’s body functioned like a “plumbing system,” where authorized users could install “faucets” to draw resources.
Moreover, in critical situations, the plant itself could be consumed directly as food.
The practicality of this innovation far exceeded Luo Wen’s original expectations.
However, it had its downsides—namely, its unattractive appearance. Its visible portions resembled a grayish-purple carpet spread across the ground. The carpet’s network of veins would occasionally writhe as if alive, transporting nutrients.