Chapter 404: Mutated Plants
Chapter 404: Mutated Plants
The world of plants is both magical and mysterious. A single root in the soil gives An Ran just one point of feedback. Several roots give her multiple points, and when these connect, they form a complete surface—allowing her to develop a clearer understanding of the world around her.
Right now, An Ran can only sense feedback from the thorny plant. She can only “see” the area immediately around it, so she quietly focuses all her attention on that one thorny plant.
A snake slithers past it. Before An Ran can even react, the thorny plant tilts two of its thorns—like sharp needles—and pierces through the snake’s tough skin, quickly absorbing its blood and flesh. The roots in the soil suddenly sprout, and a third thorn begins to grow.
As expected, this thorny plant thrives on flesh and blood. When it previously grows in soil alone, it consumes twice as much of An Ran’s energy and takes much longer to grow its second thorn. But now, after feeding on the mutant snake, it rapidly grows a third one.
What makes An Ran feel a little strange is how smooth and sustained the energy transfer to the thorny plant is—and how different the feedback feels compared to ordinary plants.
If she has to describe it… it’s probably the same feeling she gets when feeding Doll.
When Doll is hungry and wants milk, she enjoys being held by An Ran while drinking, winking and humming happily as she feeds.
When An Ran transmits energy to the thorny plant, it feels joyful in the same way. This isn’t an ordinary plant—it is a mutated plant.
The difference between a mutant plant and an ordinary one is like the difference between an individual and a puppet. Ordinary plants are like puppets in An Ran’s hands, but mutant plants act on their own.
An Ran realizes this now. The mutant plant doesn’t need her to instruct it on how to feed on the snake. All she needs to do is give it a little energy, and it happily devours the snake on its own—like a child learning to eat by itself.
So An Ran stops supplying energy. The thorny mutant plant doesn’t regress into an ordinary plant. When An Ran senses it’s a bit unhappy, she gently gives it some energy to soothe it. The thorny plant, like a child, happily resumes eating mutated snakes.
This makes An Ran realize something: her ability might not be limited to just wood-type ability. She might be able to attract and influence mutant plants.
She hides quietly in the car, watching the thorny mutant plant. Using her energy like sugar, she coaxes the small plant not to attack humans.
Soon, the thorny plant finishes consuming the mutant snake and grows a fourth thorn.
The full moon in the sky slowly begins to sink, and the horizon turns pale with the approaching dawn. At the end of the national highway, a group of figures comes running. No—they’re zombies. Underneath their tough skin and flesh, they extend long tongues, devouring mutant snakes as they come closer.
Zhan Lian blows a whistle and shouts to Luo Feifan at the rear of the group, “Retreat!”
Everyone quickly regroups, slaying the remaining mutant snakes, and jumps into their vehicles. The convoy prepares to retreat toward Xiangcheng.
Although the mutated animals’ skin and fur are tough, they are not invincible. Among all creatures at the top of the food chain, those copper-skinned are the real troublemakers. Apart from Luo Feifan, their copper skin is a major problem for everyone else.