Chapter 121
Faced with the wolf cub’s provocation, Lu Li didn’t respond as he once would, with a sharp retort. Instead, he calmly looked away and continued admiring the flowers blooming on the rope net.
These pale yellow, star-shaped flowers, though not as vibrant or enchanting as those in the Demon Flower Valley, gave him a sense of comfort. Just looking at them made him feel at ease.
The blond-haired boy stood quietly, gazing up at the flowers, peaceful and still. This left Lang Ze, who had been ready for a full-blown fight, feeling as if he’d punched a pillow—his aggression hitting nothing but air. He froze in confusion.
Huh? What’s going on with this stinky monkey today?
Lang Ze scratched his head. To be honest, it had been a few days since he’d last fought anyone, and he was starting to feel restless.
If the stinky monkey wasn’t going to fight him, then…
Lang Ze glanced around and finally set his sights on Rong Heng. Without sparing Lu Li another thought, he marched off boldly toward the lion siblings.
“Xiang Yang, let’s fight!”
According to the nursery’s new rules, friendly sparring between cubs was allowed—as long as they didn’t destroy anything.
Hearing the challenge, Rong Heng didn’t refuse. He’d gained some insights while practicing the meditation mantra and had improved his ability to manipulate objects. Sparring with Lang Ze would be a good chance to test his skills.
After all, no matter how powerful a talent was, it only became truly strong when honed in combat.
The two moved away from the green space and onto a nearby open field, where they began sparring in earnest. Little Li Hua pulled Xiao Xuewei along to watch from a safe distance.
Xue Wei found the boys’ sparring fascinating.
“Brother, go for it!” “Lang Ze, go for it!”
They clapped their hands, cheering for their respective sides. Spurred on by the encouragement, the two boys fought even harder.
Lang Ze was extremely cautious against Rong Heng. He knew his strength couldn’t compare to Rong Heng’s, but his endurance and speed were superior. He decided to exploit these advantages and wear him down in a drawn-out battle.
He also felt faster than before, like he was running on the wind. No one could catch him!
Pleased with his own agility, Lang Ze darted back and forth like a slippery eel, evading Rong Heng’s every attempt to grab him. That was, until—
After landing a punch on Rong Heng and retreating swiftly, he suddenly felt a force grab the back of his collar, pulling him backward.
Huh?
Lang Ze looked behind him, bewildered, but saw no one there. Yet his body moved against his will, dragging him back into Rong Heng’s grasp.
In the nick of time, Lang Ze blocked Rong Heng’s oncoming hands. But when he tried to escape, that mysterious force reappeared, yanking him back into Rong Heng’s range and trapping him in his rhythm.
To be fair, Lang Ze wasn’t bad in close combat. Against an enemy, his ferocity and recklessness often gave him an edge. In a life-or-death struggle, he might not have lost.
But this was a friendly sparring match with a good friend. He held back his usual ferocity, and Rong Heng’s superior strength ultimately tipped the scales. Before long, Lang Ze was pinned to the ground.
“I surrender, I surrender! I give up!”
Pinned by the neck and unable to escape despite struggling, Lang Ze admitted defeat without hesitation.
After all, losing to his former leader wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
Rong Heng released him. The match hadn’t been easy for him, either. Exhausted, he collapsed beside Lang Ze, the two of them panting heavily on the ground.
The nursery bot, Unit 4586, quickly floated over and began spraying medicine on the bruised and battered cubs.
After a while, Lang Ze perked up again. He sat up and voiced his confusion. “Xiang Yang, during the fight, did you do something to me?”
He was certain the strange bursts of strength pulling him back weren’t just his imagination.
Rong Heng was still catching his breath, but he didn’t hide the truth. “Yes, it’s a new ability I’ve awakened, but I’m still getting used to it.”
He pushed himself up to sit, picked up a nearby stone, and activated his bloodline power. Without anyone physically touching it, the stone slowly rose into the air.
However, the earlier fight had drained him significantly, and the stone barely lifted about ten centimeters before dropping back to the ground.
Even this small demonstration was enough to make the quick-witted Lang Ze connect the dots.
“Controlling objects! That’s why you kept pulling me back when I was trying to escape. Ugh, this ability is so overpowered!” Lang Ze groaned, clutching his head. “Xiang Yang, you’re my nemesis!”
Rong Heng scratched his nose and replied, “If you run too far or move too fast, I can’t control you.”
When the wolf cub’s speed exceeded the range of Rong Heng’s mental focus, the ability became ineffective.
“Alright! I’ll work harder to get faster so you can’t catch me!” Lang Ze nodded firmly.
If he couldn’t win in a fight, he at least wanted to be able to escape.
As the two boys exchanged insights from their sparring, Xue Wei stood nearby, watching them with a dazed expression.
The ability to control objects…
She had seen the gentleman use it before! Madam had also mentioned that it was unique to her, a power possessed only by her in the entire Tes Empire.
So…
She glanced at Little Li Hua beside her, then at Rong Heng still sitting on the ground. Her conviction grew stronger.
Even if they weren’t Madam’s and Sir’s children, they were undoubtedly connected to them!
*
Meanwhile, Ran Lie arrived outside Room 303. Just as he stopped at the door, the metal door slid open.
Stepping inside, he saw the caretaker having breakfast. He crouched beside him, listening to the conversation between the young man and A-Yan.
“The Star-chain Fruit vines have bloomed?” Su Ci asked. “Good, it seems we’ll be able to harvest them by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”
“Yeah,” A-Yan nodded. “Also, the golden yams—I think they’re ready to be dug up.”
Su Ci’s eyes lit up, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Excellent. If A-Yan says they’re ready, then they are. Let’s dig them up after we return.”
While grilled meat was delicious, eating it every meal could get tiresome. With the addition of golden yams, they’d finally have another staple food to enjoy.
It was unfortunate, though, that there were no rice seeds available, nor a suitable environment to cultivate them. Otherwise, Su Ci would have loved a bowl of fragrant, steaming rice.
Shaking off the thought, Su Ci finished his breakfast and went to check the jars of spirit water placed in the living room.
The perennial plant seeds Cen Liang had given him the day before included three types known for their hardiness and ability to enrich soil and retain moisture. Last night, Su Ci had selected these and left them to soak in the jars of spirit water to germinate.
These seeds had been stored for many years, so their vitality was much weaker than previous ones. After soaking overnight, they appeared only slightly plumper, with no significant changes on the surface.
However, Su Ci could sense that their vitality had been restored. By tomorrow, they were likely to sprout.
He then turned his attention to two other jars containing soil.
Compared to before, the wild grass had undergone a complete transformation. It had grown new leaves, and the entire plant appeared lush and vibrant, full of vitality.
As Su Ci observed, the leaves of the wild grass trembled slightly, even though there was no wind, conveying a sense of joy.
After a careful inspection, he reached out and gently touched the tip of its leaf. “Are you ready?” he asked.
The wild grass couldn’t speak, but its leaves shook even more vigorously in response.
At that, a faint glow emanated from Su Ci’s fingertip, imbued with the power of purification, enveloping the wild grass with a gentle light.
The resentment that had become part of the grass slowly dissipated under the purification’s effect.
The process was undoubtedly painful.
The wild grass endured it silently, just as it had when it grew resiliently in its harsh environment.
Finally, as the light faded, the reddish parts of the wild grass disappeared entirely. Though weakened, the plant now exuded a faint spiritual energy.
Su Ci withdrew his hand, observing the wild grass and nodding in satisfaction.
Once it fully recovered, he might have another spiritual plant in his collection.
As for the other jar…
The moss inside, initially the size of a fingernail, had doubled in size. Its original blood-red hue had significantly lightened, and the new growth was a vibrant green.
Su Ci carefully separated the newly grown moss into another jar before standing up to leave.
“Let’s go,” he said to the Crimson Flame Tiger.
Ran Lie perked up instantly and quickly stood. He didn’t know where the caretaker was taking him, but he had an innate trust in him now.
After all, the meditation mantra Su Ci had taught him was genuinely effective.
Following Su Ci to a corner of the living room, Ran Lie noticed a strange pattern on the floor. He had seen it before but assumed it was just a decorative design.
However, when he stepped onto it with Su Ci, light suddenly illuminated beneath his feet…
When Ran Lie could see his surroundings again, he was stunned.
A gentle breeze brushed against his face.
He stepped out of the teleportation array, walking slowly toward the riverbank. Looking at the winding river, the vast barren land on the opposite bank, and the distant outline of Base 24 at the horizon, Ran Lie stood dumbfounded, at a loss for words.
He… had left? He was outside Base 24?
So easily?
As the realization struck, Ran Lie turned abruptly to look at the caretaker behind him.
“Meow?” Is this outside the base?
Su Ci, crouching by the riverbank, didn’t answer. Instead, A-Yan’s voice came from behind him. “Yes. See that small structure over there? That’s the base where we live.”
A-Yan pointed toward the distant barrier-covered blood mist and added with a note of caution, “That’s the danger zone. Don’t go there without Su Su’s permission, understand?”
Ran Lie nodded mechanically, his face still a mix of disbelief.
He had always dreamed of leaving the base, of gaining freedom… but he had never imagined that this dream could be realized so easily!
Yet, standing on the land outside the base, he didn’t feel as happy as he had expected. Instead, he felt… underwhelmed.
This is it?
Ran Lie looked around. After seeing the lush greenery behind the nursery and the blooming Star-chain Fruit flowers, the vast barrenness before him felt starkly desolate, evoking an inexplicable unease.
He had known that life outside the base wouldn’t be beautiful and had mentally prepared for it.
But if he hadn’t seen the green space behind the nursery, hadn’t taken the AI’s lessons, or learned about the vast and exciting world beyond…
If he hadn’t experienced the current sense of peace and fulfillment, he might have been able to adapt to such barren solitude.
Ran Lie stared blankly at everything in front of him, feeling a sense of confusion he had never experienced before.
He realized that the freedom outside the base wasn’t quite what he had imagined. So… what was it that he truly wanted?
Was his long-held goal of leaving the base wrong?
As Ran Lie sank deeper into his thoughts, he felt a gentle hand rest on his head. Startled, he snapped back to reality and looked at the caretaker standing beside him.
The usually lazy and calm young man now had a faint smile on his face.
Pointing toward the river below, Su Ci said, “Look.”
Ran Lie blinked and followed his gaze. In the clear water, dozens of creatures he had never seen before swam and played, carefree and lively.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, his casual glance turned into a focused stare. His tail swished slightly as his attention sharpened.
The previously dejected Crimson Flame Tiger suddenly perked up, his eyes fixated on the fish in the water, itching to pounce.
Su Ci, feeling similarly excited, observed the visibly larger fish school compared to the day before. Unable to resist, he pointed his finger at the largest fish, and it soared out of the water with a splash.
The fish flailed its tail desperately, sending droplets flying everywhere.
The little tiger, who had been crouched, sprang to his feet, his gaze locked on the fish as though ready to leap and catch it.
However, just as Su Ci was imagining various ways to prepare the fish, he noticed something about it and frowned. Withdrawing his power, he let the fish fall back into the water with a loud splash.
Startled by the commotion, the fish school scattered, diving quickly to the riverbed.
“It’s a female about to lay eggs,” Su Ci said, somewhat regretfully.
A-Yan, however, was delighted. “That means the fish school will grow even larger soon. We’ll have more than enough fish to eat in the future!”
Su Ci nodded. “True.”
Ran Lie squatted nearby, listening to their conversation and watching the clear river. His mood gradually lifted.
Although he still couldn’t see the direction of his future, it no longer seemed like such a big deal.
He had a way to control his bloodline power now. Once he could fully master the Crimson Flame and return to human form, he would be able to accomplish so much more.
The future’s direction… could wait for later.
Speaking of which, what did “laying eggs” mean? Why would the fish school grow larger because of it? And were these creatures called fish?
Questions popped up in Ran Lie’s mind one after another, but before he could ask, the caretaker had already stood up and started walking toward a nearby pile of rocks.
Following his gaze, Ran Lie’s attention was drawn to small patches of green.
Compared to yesterday, more Selaginella sprouts had appeared, and the older seedlings had grown significantly, bringing a touch of life to the rocky area.
A-Yan had watered the soil earlier in the morning, so it was still moist.
Su Ci planted the moss he had brought under the cool, damp rocks before leading A-Yan and the Crimson Flame Tiger to inspect the riverside.
The Selaginella leaves A-Yan had propagated the previous day had already developed roots and turned into new plants, ready to grow and mature with time.
Meanwhile, the first Selaginella plant they had planted had scattered its spores everywhere. As they walked, they spotted fresh sprouts emerging all along the way.
Ran Lie took note of everything, and his spirits lifted even higher.
Could he dare hope that one day, this place might become as lush and green as the area behind the nursery?
Had Su Su brought him here just to show him all this?
Ran Lie felt a newfound clarity regarding the meditation mantra, which helped him feel calmer again.
After finishing their inspection of the riverside, Su Ci didn’t lead the Crimson Flame Tiger into the blood mist. Instead, he brought both Ran Lie and A-Yan back to the teleportation array.
Within the array’s glow, they vanished from their previous location and reappeared in Demon Flower Valley.
Where was this now? Was it also outside the base?
Ran Lie looked up, his gaze falling on the mesmerizing sea of demon flowers swaying in the blood mist. Captivated by the breathtaking sight, he couldn’t help but be enchanted.
How beautiful… the boy thought to himself.
But his awe was short-lived as he soon witnessed the demon flowers hunting and devouring a giant spider.
All sense of beauty shattered. Ran Lie was jolted out of his dreamy admiration and back to reality.
Unlike Lu Li, he didn’t feel fear, but he did stop in his tracks. His tail bristled slightly, and he dared not step closer to the demon flower field.
Taking in the surrounding blood mist, he felt a surge of caution.
The blood mist was dangerous—how could he have let his guard down just because the caretaker was with him? Ran Lie’s nerves tightened as he became more alert.
Su Ci, however, spoke calmly at that moment.
“This is a highly aggressive type of plant collectively known as magic plants,” he began explaining to the boy. “They have various means of attack. Beyond their vines, their underground root systems can also be used as weapons.”
As Su Ci spoke, a patch of ground within the flower field began to shift. Thick roots emerged, grabbing a giant insect and dragging it underground. The ground quickly returned to its undisturbed state.
Ran Lie watched the scene, swallowing nervously.
Su Ci continued his explanation, “In addition to vines and roots, they can emit hallucinogenic scents…”
Ran Lie listened intently. Although he no longer felt a strong desire to leave the base, he understood the value of gaining this knowledge.
“So, when encountering magic plants in the wild, it’s best not to provoke them unnecessarily.”
Ran Lie nodded, realizing for the first time that plants could be so dangerous, with so many ways to attack.
“Of course,” Su Ci added with a shrug, “they won’t harm you.”
In fact, in some ways, Ran Lie himself was the bane of these plants.
Ran Lie was still puzzled when the young man said, “Besides, they’re not your opponents.”
Not his opponents? Was Su Su bringing him here to fight monsters?
Ran Lie perked up immediately, his tiger eyes darting around until they landed on the writhing giant insects. Were those his targets?
However, Su Ci shook his head again.
Just as Ran Lie was about to ask, his vision blurred. When he could see clearly again, he found himself standing at the entrance of a cave.
The cave entrance was dim, with white web-like threads clinging to the rocks. Beyond that, it was pitch dark, impossible to see anything inside. Yet faint, unsettling noises echoed from within, sending shivers down his spine.
Ran Lie warily stared at the cave.
“Meow?” Is my opponent inside?
Su Ci didn’t explain. Instead, he walked to the cave’s entrance, bent down to look around, and casually picked up a rock about the size of a head.
Weighing the rock in his hand, he turned to Ran Lie and said, “Your goal today is to hold out for five minutes.”
Before Ran Lie could react, Su Ci hurled the rock into the cave with all his strength. Then, his figure disappeared into thin air.
“Chirp! Chirp!”
The rock crashing into the cave disrupted its relative calm. A cacophony of sharp, piercing insect calls and the rhythmic clatter of countless legs on the ground erupted, echoing from deep within.
The rock was like a stone dropped into a still pond, triggering a massive ripple.
Under Ran Lie’s bewildered gaze, pairs of blood-red, glowing, menacing eyes began appearing at the cave entrance, one after another.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, the icy, predatory stares of so many eyes made his fur stand on end, puffing him up into a ball of fluff.
Su Su… seriously?!
Before Ran Lie could even think of running away, giant spiders of various sizes, like sharks drawn to the scent of blood, poured out of the cave in a dense, overwhelming wave.
Panicked and disoriented, the little tiger froze in fear, utterly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the onslaught.
Thankfully, just as he was about to be engulfed by the tide of giant spiders, Su Ci’s voice rang clearly in his ears:
“Don’t just stand there—use your Crimson Flame to fight!”
Right! Crimson Flame! My Crimson Flame can deal with the spiders!
In this life-or-death moment, Ran Lie instinctively followed the voice’s command.
Never before had he summoned the Crimson Flame so quickly. Perhaps even the flame itself sensed the immediate danger, as it surged forth without the usual resistance or difficulty.
“Whoosh!”
Just as the first wave of giant spiders lunged toward him, crimson flames erupted from the young tiger’s mouth, incinerating the leading spiders into ash.
But it wasn’t enough—not even close—because…
There were just too many spiders. Too many!
“Use all the Crimson Flame power you can muster! Hold on! There are four minutes and thirty seconds left in the challenge.”
What? Only thirty seconds have passed?!
The Crimson Flame Tiger continued spewing flames in all directions, surrounding itself with a fiery barrier. But it couldn’t stop—not even for a moment—because if the flames died down, a gap would form, and the giant spiders would break through.
The constant life-threatening danger pushed Ran Lie’s potential to its limits. Never before had he wielded the Crimson Flame with such proficiency, but there was no joy in his heart.
Or rather, he had no time to even realize it. His entire focus was on breathing fire.
Faster… faster… faster!
If I don’t move faster, I’ll die!
Why… why does five minutes feel so long?!
*
On the cliff overlooking the valley, Su Ci and A-Yan crouched on a protruding rock, watching the scene below.
“Su Su, it’s been five minutes already,” A-Yan reminded.
Su Ci popped a potato chip into his mouth, replying leisurely, “No rush, he’s still hanging in there, isn’t he?”
