Ruan Linzhan: “…”
He took a deep breath. This little vine was proving to be unreliable, so he turned to search elsewhere nearby.
At that moment, Shushu was sitting comfortably in the nest woven by the dodder vine, braiding its “hair.”
Yes, she was indeed braiding a big, plaited style.
Of course, she hadn’t forgotten about her brother. Sitting on the edge of the nest with her short legs dangling over the side, she had no fear of falling because she’d tried before. Originally planning to escape, she’d let herself fall, only to be gently caught and returned to the nest by the soft mat the dodder vine had woven.
Though she hadn’t managed to escape, Ruan Shu felt a hint of regret. Now, she could only sit there braiding the vine’s hair while keeping an eye out for opportunities.
Once the braid was done, she instinctively reached for something to add a decorative touch, only to find the object in her hand to be extremely familiar.
Ruan Shu, holding a pink mushroom: “…”
What a coincidence, it’s you again.
The pink mushroom, as if shy under her gaze, snuggled further into her palm, wiggling its cap to greet her excitedly.
In the next second, it was swiftly wrapped in layers of dodder vine.
Pink Mushroom: “…”
In a scene all too familiar, the pink mushroom was tossed away once more.
It wasn’t that the dodder vine was too kind to kill it; it was simply that the mushroom was poisonous. The vine didn’t want to risk wilting and looking all shriveled just to eliminate that mushroom.
Ruan Shu reached out, but failed to hold onto the flying mushroom. She could only watch as it turned into a tiny speck in the distance.
Ruan Shu: … It seems like it’s having a hard time, too.
The pink mushroom, following a parabolic trajectory, landed far, far away, eventually rolling to a stop right at the feet of someone in boots.
Ruan Linzhan looked down, noticing the tiny pink mushroom at his feet.
The mutated botanical garden staff also glanced down and then…
“Holy crap, how did Pink Maiden end up on this path!”
“Quick, quick, get the protective gear!”
“Don’t look at its cap!”
The parasitic ability of mutated fungi was too overpowered. Even though the spores could later be removed from one’s body after a certain size, no one exactly wanted mushrooms growing inside them!
However, Pink Maiden had no time to worry about them.
After rolling on the ground and getting itself covered in dust, the mushroom puffed up angrily, its cap trembling in frustration.
“Chirp chirp!”
The more challenges Pink Maiden faced, the braver it got. Determined, it hopped forward in the direction it had set its sights on, bouncing with unusual resolve.
Ruan Linzhan stared thoughtfully in the direction where Pink Maiden had bounced off. Though he wasn’t certain, he felt a strong instinct urging him to follow.
Moreover, he had a gut feeling that Shushu was safe.
“Sir, sir, come back!”
Everyone present was left speechless as they watched Ruan Linzhan not only refuse to leave but actually follow after the little pink mushroom. Was he out of his mind? That was a mutated fungus! Didn’t he worry about being parasitized and ending up with mushrooms growing on him?
Someone quickly informed the botanical garden director about the situation.
Director: “Does that gentleman seem to be under any sort of influence? Has he been mesmerized by Pink Maiden?”
Honestly, even he didn’t believe it, given that Ruan Linzhan was an SS-class Jingshen user. There was no way he could be charmed by a little mushroom.
Everyone thought back on Ruan Linzhan’s actions and resolutely shook their heads.
“No, he doesn’t seem like he’s been influenced by Pink Maiden.”
“Follow him. Suit up in full protective gear, keep your eyes off Pink Maiden, and just follow the man.”
“Yes, sir!”
The director, meanwhile, had to deal with the person who released the baiting agent and those frenzied mutated plants. If the law didn’t forbid it, he’d have gladly taught that person a permanent lesson!
Ruan Linzhan and his group followed Pink Maiden for a while, but what they eventually saw made everyone except Ruan Linzhan feel weak in the knees.
Faces pale, they gasped, their eyes filled with the sight of countless delicate, silver-white threads.
It was an incredibly beautiful sight, but all anyone felt was an eerie chill creeping up from their toes.
“D-dodder vine…”
Everyone instinctively took a step back, their voices trembling.
“How could… how could it be here?”
“It’s… not berserk, right?” one of them stammered, swallowing nervously.
After all, if the dodder vine went berserk, no one here would stand a chance.
“Prepare the cleansing agents.”
“Wait… what is that in the center of the dodder vine? It looks… odd.”
“It seems like… a nest?”
As these uncertain murmurs filled the air, Ruan Linzhan had already charged forward.
“Wait—hold on, sir!”
Damn, yes, the man was powerful, but did he have to be so reckless?
But he’d already rushed in, and they had no choice but to notify the usual caretakers of the dodder vine to assist. Angering that creature could lead to a catastrophe!
The silvery threads of the dodder vine might look light and fragile, but the mutated dodder vine was anything but ordinary.
Its threads were as strong as metal, yet flexible, like deadly wire capable of cutting through almost anything.
The dodder vine was clearly enraged by the intruder, and countless silvery threads swarmed toward Ruan Linzhan, trying to entangle him.
“Hurry, hurry, find a way to calm the dodder vine down!”
“What does it like most? Throw it something!”
“It loves pretty toys. Does anyone have one?”
The staff fell into chaos, shouting desperately. They didn’t dare charge forward recklessly like that man—every second counted, and it was a matter of life and death.
Inside the dodder vine’s nest, Ruan Shu sensed that something was off. She tried looking outside, but the dodder vine kept gently pushing her back.
Growing anxious, Ruan Shu couldn’t hold back and gave the vine a little push.
“Move aside! Let me see what’s happening outside!”
The dodder vine hesitated, giving her a look that seemed almost hurt.
It was only trying to protect her, fearing she might fall or get hurt by the danger outside.
Sensing the dodder vine’s emotions, Ruan Shu regretted raising her voice. She gently patted the vine and apologized in a soft voice, “I’m sorry. But I need to find my brother. He’ll be so worried if he can’t find me. Dodder vine, can you take me to him?”
Her big, tearful eyes turned red, glistening as she looked at it.
Now it was the dodder vine’s turn to feel flustered.
In the end, it agreed to help Ruan Shu, but it hesitated, deciding it would deal with the person daring to provoke it first.
Ruan Shu: “…”
“No, wait! Who are you fighting? Take me to see!”
Reluctantly, the dodder vine finally led her out.
When they arrived, an intense battle was underway. Even the dodder vine hadn’t expected the intruder to be so powerful; parts of its body were frozen and broken.