It's okay to be quiet.

Han Mingyue froze for quite a while, then his face showed an expression of both crying and laughing.

"Ah... I'm really sorry for that, could you please apologize to it for us?"

Dora nodded lightly, then closed her eyes again, opening the invisible psychic network and established a connection with the consciousness entity of the Baiyuexing Province Hive which was nearby.

This time, she took a little longer.

Professor Sun Zewen stared at her for quite a while, then turned his gaze to Night Ten standing next to him, encouragingly saying.

"Don't you also have that psychic power? Why don't you give it a try?"

Night Ten made a helpless expression.

"I can speak, but that doesn't mean it's willing to pay attention to me."

Sun Zewen: "..."

The statement was so reasonable that Professor Sun didn't know how to refute it for a moment.

In fact, it was indeed so.

Actually, even without mastering psychic abilities, by simply using the "Mind Interference Device," one can still let a variant mucor mother nest with high intelligence understand what humans are saying.

However, the higher the intelligence of the creature, the more independent it becomes. So far, except for Xiaoyu, the Alliance hasn't truly used that device to tame any variant mucor mother nest.

If it weren't for not being able to locate the Baiyuexing Province Hive, and considering the crop yield increase buff in Baiyuexing Province, Night Ten estimated that Ah Guang in the shelter might have already incited Xiaoyu to do harm to this hive.

Besides the Clear Spring City's hive, a few hives have also fallen at Xiaoyu's hands.

But on the other hand, it's actually hard to say.

After all, due to the investigation by the surviving crew of the Gemini and the messages from this psychic, the Alliance now has a new understanding of the essence of the Gaia planet and variant mucor. The technical prototype of the "Seed of Gaia" is actually the "Planetary Ecological Maintenance System" of the pioneer civilization.

Who would bother with the "Holy relics" from the past?

With these artifacts, the Alliance might be able to create a few more habitable planets.

Especially the Baiyuexing Province Hive, among all hives on Earth, its development characteristics are most similar to that system named "Tree of Yenshof" on the Gaia planet.

Night Ten suddenly realized the strategic value of this guy had reached its peak!

As time passed, Dora finally reopened her eyes.

Seeing the expectant eyes directed at her, her face was filled with a sheepish expression, and she timidly said in a small voice.

"It said... it doesn't need your insincere apology, since you wouldn't change anyway. But if you genuinely feel sorry, you could give it some of those colorful granules scattered in the ground... It wants to taste them too."

"...uh, colorful granules?"

Han Mingyue was stunned by this statement, blankly looking at Professor Sun Zewen beside him, but the latter was also in a dazed manner.

Dora was also unsure how to explain.

The limitation of psychic abilities is precisely this.

The bridge of the mind can only be established between mutually recognized individuals, and the information transmitted must be concepts both parties understand.

This is the precondition for "Resonance."

She could only helplessly watch everyone present, hoping that they, living here, could understand what the familiar consciousness entity hidden in the forest wanted to express.

At this moment, Night Ten suddenly coughed lightly, speaking with an uncertain tone.

"Could it be referring to fertilizers?"

"Ah?!" Professor Sun Zewen stared at him blankly, his eyes almost popping out.

Not only Professor Sun Zewen, but the others accompanying them also directed odd looks over here, obviously caught off guard by this twist.

"Don't look at me like that, I'm just guessing randomly too," Night Ten made a helpless expression, "Why don't we give it a try?"

This is the fastest way to verify.

"I'll report it to the research unit first..." Han Mingyue nodded with a strange expression, then looked at Dora and continued to ask, "Did it say anything else? Just this matter?"

She always felt that taking so long shouldn't be needed for clarifying such a minor issue.

As expected, Dora's face showed an expression of being seen through.

Han Mingyue slightly narrowed her eyes, as if discovering an incredible clue, playfully examining the evasive gaze.

This guy is hiding something from me!

Facing those sharp eyes, Dora didn't realize the seriousness of the problem, blushing shyly as she confessed.

"It told me that there are many treasures in this tribe, and urged me to steal some and hide within the forest. It also promised it could protect me, making others unable to find me, provided I helped it carry some... those 'colorful' granules? Oh, but of course I refused! Really!"

Han Mingyue raised her eyebrows, with an interest in continuing to look at her and asking, "Oh? What treasures?"

The Gaia people are indeed not very good at lying, and the guy hiding in the forest probably didn't think his compatriots would be so straightforward.

In any case, she felt she was getting closer and closer to the truth!

Since a while ago, Night Ten has been wondering if this guy is overthinking a bit, like how could that lair rely on a few bags of fertilizer to take down Potato Harbor?

Moreover, for people who have established psychic connections, it's very easy to discern each other's malice and goodwill.

At least he didn't feel that Dora had any ill intentions.

The fact was indeed as expected.

Faced with the increasingly pressing gaze, Dora finally couldn't resist and spoke up, trying to depict with her index finger something she'd never seen, she said softly.

"Like that... a yellow fruit with milky white liquid on it."

A moment ago, Han Mingyue, who was expecting to uncover some clues, was completely dumbfounded, his voice even going off pitch.

"What?!"

The startled Dora shrank her neck, looking for help to the spiritual "Ancestor" standing beside her.

Night Ten sighed, holding his forehead, and said.

"Perhaps she means... uh, coconut mango?"

Han Mingyue, who experienced a mental freeze, suddenly came to his senses, blushed, and hurriedly explained.

"Of course I meant coconut mango!"

Night Ten: "...?"

What's with the flushing teapot face!

Dora wasn't sure if that's what it's called, but she involuntarily swallowed.

"Is it tasty?"

The Doma people's food doesn't have much variety, it's either sweet or tasteless.

She still remembers telling the lair that food was just for filling the stomach, which got her laughed at by the latter.

Thus, she suddenly became curious about what the Ancestors usually eat.

"Hahaha! That stuff is quite popular, though I prefer the beer here," Captain Chen Jianhong, who hadn't spoken until now, laughed heartily, joining the conversation and smoothing things over, "Speaking of which, it's already noon, and you haven't had anything since you came down from the space elevator, right? I happen to know a nice restaurant nearby, this meal's on me!"

Night Ten suddenly remembered that he had been too focused on serious topics and hadn't had a chance to treat this guest from South Gate Two to a meal.

Looking at Dora's expectant face, he laughed and said.

"True, let's eat first."

...

On the outskirts of Potato Harbor, there are many plantations and farms producing cotton and sugar needed by Jinjaron Harbor's factories.

Due to the rapid growth of local vegetation, to maintain soil fertility, these plantations and farms typically use large amounts of various types of fertilizer.

Otherwise, the crops would just grow tall without yielding anything, or they'd lie wilting on the ground.

Colorful granules...

Night Ten could only think of this, the only surprise being the Baiyue Province Hive craving this stuff.

The key is, other lairs aren't like this!

Suddenly, Night Ten recalled something.

Remember many versions ago, the Biological Institute issued a report on the mutant slime fungus mother nest in the Baiyue Strait.

The report mentioned that the lair in this region seemed to exist in the form of the Nago Primitive Fungus Strain, establishing a symbiotic relationship with the local forest.

There's more.

Through this unique symbiotic relationship, the lair can integrate foreign species' DNA into other species in the forest, achieving the goal of maintaining the forest's ecological balance and increasing resistance to foreign invaders.

This incredible ability once made players afraid of relieving themselves anywhere, fearing their gene sequence would get "stolen" by forest monsters.

If you think about it carefully, this thing might really be the most like "Gaia"—or shall we say the "Tree of Yenshof" lair.

Firstly, similar to the Tree of Yenshof, it doesn't stick to the single form of a mutant slime fungus, but seamlessly blends into the environment without a specific shape, yet is omnipresent.

Secondly, it allows two distinctly different species to merge with each other, not just integrating into itself like other lairs.

The original little green people on Gaia planet were actually a fusion of human DNA and other species DNA...

Taking advantage of the time before lunch, Dr. Han Mingyue reported the situation of the "Gaia people's first contact with the Seed of Gaia," quickly attracting the attention of the Alliance Biological Research Institute.

Almost immediately after the group had their lunch, Ms. Chen Yutong, who was giving a report in the City of Dawn, flew in with several researchers from Shelter No.79.

The Baiyue Province Hive had always been her research subject.

Even though her focus recently shifted to developing the "Mortal Serum" vaccine, she had never stopped research on the Baiyue Province Hive.

"Interesting... The mutated slime mold's lair is actually interested in fertilizer; we've never heard of that before."

After understanding the specifics of the situation, Chen Yutong stroked his chin with interest and continued to look at Dora.

"We have a lot of types of fertilizers here. Does it specify any kind?"

At this moment, Dora was holding a bowl of shaved ice drizzled with red syrup and was blissfully shoveling spoonfuls into her mouth, unable to stop even though her head hurt.

She finally understood why the lair told her that once she tasted this flavor, there was no turning back.

Forget going back...

She even felt like staying here forever!

As for anything like the edge of the universe or the god relics of the "Tree of Yenshof," let the little Koala go with the respected Ancestor to find those!

"Straw... strawberry flavor!"

Looking at the brain-freeze-stricken Dora and the dumbfounded Chen Yutong, Night Ten lightly coughed to remind them.

"The question was about fertilizer."

"Ah!" Dora suddenly snapped back to reality, embarrassedly putting down her spoon and said, "Um... it did not specify."

Chen Yutong stared at her for a long time and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... Interesting! Then let's try a bit of everything."

Anyway, it's cheap stuff.

Speaking with a teasing tone, Chen Yutong gave a knowing look to the waiting researchers, who immediately caught on and made arrangements with a phone call.

Didn't have to wait long.

Two newbies from the Goblin Corps immediately appeared at the outskirts of Potato Harbor's agricultural market.

According to the task requirements, they evenly purchased fifty tons of various types of fertilizer, both organic and inorganic, then cheerfully trucked them to a nearby military base and dumped them into the surrounding forest with propeller planes.

The particles, scattered all over like a tempest, covered tens of thousands of acres of forest, even engulfing players who were completing tasks nearby.

Covered in the falling particles, the player [Just Want to Quietly Be a Dog] was instantly annoyed and looked up, noticing that the culprit had already flown away.

Patting the dust off, he grumbled.

"MMP, what's this stuff?!"

[Just Want to Quietly, Yee Dog] bent down, picked one up from the ground, and tossed it in his mouth, spitting it out instantly.

"Bleh! Bitter!"

This smooth operation left another teammate in his squad stunned and blurted out.

"Damn, you dare put anything in your mouth!"

[Just Want to Quietly, Yee Dog] chuckled.

"What's the big deal, it's not like I'm gonna die—"

Before he finished speaking, rustling sounds suddenly came from the surrounding bushes.

The group, laughing earlier, instantly became alert, their hands instinctively reaching for their gear at their waists, aiming at the nearby shadows.

After all, this is Baiyue Province's forest!

An officially recognized level 30 map!

Encountering any absurd variant here is not surprising, which in some sense is even more dangerous than the Great Desert!

Although dying in the Great Desert may not be known to anyone, getting knocked out near home might get you laughed at all day by your buddies.

The rustling sounds grew more pronounced, and the movement of vegetation became increasingly noticeable, a sign of unease gradually etched on everyone's face.

"Hey, should we retreat?" [Just Want to Quietly, Yee Dog] became a bit timid; he wasn't good at dealing with such hidden threats.

[Just Want to Quietly Be a Dog] had a fluctuating expression, eventually deciding and waving his hand decisively.

"Retreat—"

As soon as his words fell, something unbelievable suddenly happened!

The forest before them seemed to come alive, twisting upwards and growing at an astonishing speed, spreading towards the surroundings.

Never having seen such a ludicrous scene, the three players standing in the forest were instantly dumbfounded, their rifles rendered useless.

Watching the vines sealing off nearby paths, [Just Want to Quietly, Yee Dog] was startled and screamed.

"What the hell's going on?!"

ID [Just Want to Quietly Be a Dog] remained slightly composed but wasn't much better off, drawing a battle knife to cut through the vines entangling his ankle, shouting.

"Forget what's happening, just fricking retreat!"

The same scene played out in various parts of the forest, with squads of players completing tasks retreating from the woods.

The wildly growing trees even alarmed the Jungle Corps stationed in the suburban military camp.

One by one, hulking figures wielding chainsaws gathered instantly, boarding the Chimera armored cars and heading towards the logging site reportedly hit hardest by the "Tide."

There were a dozen NPCs trapped inside the warehouse there.

According to them, it was the "trees" to blame.

If it weren't for seeing those crazed pieces of wood with his own eyes, the squad leader wouldn't have been able to resist doubting whether he had heard incorrectly.

Just when the Chimera armored car was about to reach the logging site, an unexpected incident suddenly occurred.

A tree root as thick as a thigh slithered across the cement road like a python, with an astonishing speed!

Constrained by the visual obstruction, the driver didn't even see the root dart beneath the car, and the front wheel of the armored car went right over it.

The car, speeding at high velocity, was jolted upward!

Unprepared, the tin-canned soldiers in the armored car flew out like lead balls, landing scattered along the roadside.

Fortunately, these guys were all tough fighters, and the ground was soft mud and grass, so there were no non-combat casualties.

Listening to the NPC officer yelling inquiries on the communication channel, the squad leader, shaken from the accident, breathlessly replied.

"This is the Jungle Corps... Patrol Forest Team! You may not believe it, but we just fought with trees."

The surrounding trees and vines continued their madness.

And not just the trees and vines!

All the vegetation around Potato Harbor grew wildly at an unbelievable pace, as if on drugs!

Though no casualties had occurred for the time being, the sudden situation caught the residents and players of Potato Harbor off guard.

The forest was just fine, why did it suddenly go berserk?!

It wasn't just the residents of Potato Harbor who were shocked, but also the "perpetrators" standing at the forest's edge were astounded by the chaos unfolding before them.

Staring at the forest that seemed to have come alive, Professor Sun Zewen muttered incessantly, his whole demeanor like a madman.

"Spiritual Energy! Is this the power of Spiritual Energy..."

He clearly misunderstood something.

But that didn't matter anymore.

"Seems we messed up..."

Chen Yutong swallowed, her face slightly pale.

Who would have thought that mere dozens of tons of fertilizer could produce such a terrifying effect.

At this moment, she was too preoccupied to consider the economic losses, silently praying that no one would be harmed.

If lives were lost, the cost of this experiment would be far too great...

However, her worries were clearly unnecessary.

The residents of Potato Harbor knew well the condition of the forest at their doorstep, and certainly no one would cross the barbed wire fence and enclosing wall of the quarantine forest.

As for the players.

They were indeed startled, but not to the extent of being killed by a few trees.

All those uninvolved, including the NPCs trapped in the warehouse at the logging site, had been protected.

Standing next to Dora, Night Ten gazed wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the wildly growing trees and vines, finally squeezing out a sentence.

"Damn... the absorption is that good?!"

At least wait for it to rain, right?!

Not just Night Ten, Dora was also shocked by this terrifying growth rate.

On Gaia planet, although the priests of the Doma could accelerate plant growth through prayer, they couldn't come close to such an astonishing degree!

She saw with her own eyes, the vines that were just calf-high climbed up the treetops in no time, and the short bushes, half the height of a person, shot up an inch longer within a few breaths.

But——

Now wasn't the time to be shocked by this.

Hearing a voice that seemed to drift into her ear from nowhere, Dora quickly regained her composure, looking at the nearby Night Ten, speaking hastily.

"It says... these woods are a gift for you, you can use them directly, no need to be polite."

A gift, huh...

What a big misunderstanding.

Night Ten looked at Dora with a helpless smile.

"Please tell it that the gift is very nice, but not to give it like this next time."

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