Chapter 129
Su Ci boarded the hover bus heading to the cultivation zone, accompanied by A-Yan, Cen Liang, and Zhuang Shisong.
Wei Ming, however, stayed behind at the Nursery Facility. Initially, Cen Liang wanted Zhuang Shisong to stay as well, but since the mutated garlic had been cultivated in his lab, it made sense for him to join the trip.
Given the circumstances, no one dared to dismiss Su Ci’s opinions on plants anymore. Although Wei Ming was eager to come along, the greenery at the Nursery Facility was equally important, so he reluctantly stayed behind.
Inside the hover bus, Cen Liang seized the opportunity to ask Su Ci some pressing questions. Over the past two days, he had been studying the soil and greenery at the Nursery Facility and analyzing samples from other parts of the base. The results had left him full of doubts.
Finally alone with Su Ci, he wasted no time.
“Caretaker Su, I didn’t detect any pollutants in the soil at the Nursery Facility. Were you aware of this?”
Not only the soil—pollutant levels in the air around the Nursery Facility were significantly lower than in other parts of the base, almost approaching zero.
This preliminary finding came from moving his equipment directly to the Nursery Facility for measurements earlier today. Although more tests were needed, the data already seemed credible enough to serve as a reference.
This anomaly also explained why plants thrived so easily at the Nursery Facility.
After all, soil pollution was the primary challenge in plant cultivation. With that core issue resolved, other problems naturally became negligible.
On top of that, the Nursery Facility housed two mutated plants known to promote the growth of greenery.
Now, only one question remained:
Did these two mutated plants, besides fostering plant growth, also possess the ability to purify pollutants from the soil?
Was it these plants that purified the soil, or was there another unknown factor that cleansed the soil, which then contributed to the emergence of the mutated plants?
More time was needed to unravel this mystery. However, if Su Ci were willing to share additional clues, it would undoubtedly save a lot of time.
In response to Cen Liang’s inquiry, Su Ci glanced at him and gave a slight nod.
Delighted, Cen Liang quickly followed up with another question. “Then…”
“Those two small pear trees do not have the ability to purify pollutants,” Su Ci said directly, anticipating Cen Liang’s query.
As for how the soil at the Nursery Facility had become completely purified, Su Ci found it too complicated to explain. Besides, in this age dominated by scientific reasoning and bereft of spiritual understanding, they might not even comprehend the explanation.
So, Su Ci chose to remain silent.
Cen Liang, noticing his demeanor, wisely decided not to press further.
Although Su Ci’s earlier response had left him slightly disappointed, Cen Liang’s intuition told him that Su Ci was being truthful—the two mutated pear saplings likely didn’t have any pollutant-purifying abilities.
As he looked at the seemingly laid-back young man before him, Cen Liang couldn’t help but wonder if Su Ci possessed a rare plant-based bloodline.
Aside from beast-blood warriors who carried the bloodlines of ferocious beasts, there were also individuals in the interstellar realm who had plant-based abilities. These people were even rarer than beast-blood warriors. Whenever they appeared, they were treated like treasures by governments across the galaxy.
These individuals had a natural ability to communicate with plants. While their abilities might not shine on the battlefield, in agriculture, they were absolute game-changers.
With the galaxy’s population ever-increasing, solving food production challenges owed much to these plant-communicators.
For instance, while an ordinary agricultural scientist might take years to study a new plant’s characteristics and over a decade to breed improved varieties, these plant-communicators could identify a plant’s traits at a glance, significantly shortening the breeding cycle.
And Su Ci… very likely had such a bloodline!
After all, he was the first to discover the mutated garlic plant. He had provided crucial guidance when Zhuang Shisong and the team were heading in the wrong direction. Now, in such a short time, he had worked miracles in the soil of the Nursery Facility.
Everything about him fit the profile!
Moreover, it was said that individuals with plant-based bloodlines were typically gentle in temperament and had a special affinity for beast-blood warriors, especially herbivore-type ones.
This perfectly explained why the younglings were so attached to and obedient around him.
The more Cen Liang thought about it, the more convinced he became. He didn’t know why such a rare plant-bloodline individual would end up as a caretaker on Prison Star, but… that detail didn’t matter!
With newfound admiration, Cen Liang looked at Su Ci and couldn’t help but ask, “Caretaker Su, what do you think about the mutated garlic plant? Why do you think it has suddenly fallen into a dormant state?”
Zhuang Shisong perked up at this question, his ears straining to catch Su Ci’s response.
He felt this question might be a bit unfair to Su Ci, as the caretaker hadn’t even visited the cultivation zone since the plant’s issue arose. How could he provide an answer without firsthand observation?
Despite his skepticism, Zhuang Shisong couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. After all, Su Ci had transformed the barren land of the Nursery Facility and nurtured the thriving mutated pear saplings.
And Su Ci did not disappoint.
He replied directly, “When a plant enters dormancy, especially a spiritual—or mutated—plant, there’s usually only one explanation.”
Spiritual plants were notoriously delicate. If their growth conditions weren’t suitable, they would quickly wither and die, unlike ordinary plants that could often persevere through adverse conditions—though there were exceptions.
“When a spiritual plant suppresses its vitality and enters a dormant state, it usually means…” Su Ci paused briefly, then said, “It’s advancing.”
“Advancing?” Cen Liang and Zhuang Shisong echoed in unison.
“Yes,” Su Ci confirmed. “To use a term that’s easier to understand—it’s undergoing secondary evolution.”
The two, already familiar with the concept of advancement, immediately grasped the deeper implications.
“So mutated plants can also advance?” Zhuang Shisong murmured.
The mutated plants on Prison Star were already scarce, and Base 24 was too resource-poor to have enough for proper study. Dormant mutated plants were even rarer, with most succumbing to death.
This lack of resources had prevented researchers from discovering that mutated plants could undergo advancement, or secondary evolution.
Beast-blood warriors, for instance, could also undergo secondary evolution. Their development was generally divided into three phases: the awakening phase (juvenile stage), growth phase, and maturity phase.
During the growth phase, their bloodline stabilized, and they were less prone to frenzy. This phase was critical, as powerful beast-blood warriors often unlocked a second ability hidden within their bloodline, known as an advanced ability.
It was said that the most exceptional beast-blood warriors could undergo second and even third advancements.
After reaching maturity, however, their abilities typically became fixed. While their power could grow, it would usually be limited to their existing abilities, with little chance of acquiring new ones.
And according to Su Ci’s explanation… if one were to draw a parallel to beast-blood warriors’ standards…
“This mutated garlic hasn’t been mutated for long, and it’s already starting to advance. Does that mean it’s… exceptionally gifted and has extraordinary potential?” Even the usually composed Zhuang Shisong couldn’t hide his excitement.
Cen Liang glanced at him, hesitant to agree.
Believing such a claim without verification seemed far too unscientific.
However, when he looked at Su Ci, he couldn’t help but think it was likely true. After all, Su Ci himself might be a “wild card” in the form of someone with a rare plant-based bloodline!
Cen Liang began pondering the potential research topics surrounding the advancement of mutated plants. For example, what conditions facilitated their advancement? Could human intervention play a role? These were questions worth exploring.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Shisong’s initial excitement gave way to worry.
“So, the mutated plants that fell into dormancy and gradually withered—did they fail to advance? Does this mean the success rate of secondary evolution in mutated plants is very low?”
Beast-blood warriors, once they entered their growth phase, could generally reach maturity even without awakening an advanced ability, albeit with varying levels of strength.
But for mutated plants, failure to advance meant death. That was far too cruel!
Cen Liang frowned, his face filled with concern.
If the mutated garlic was as gifted as they suspected, didn’t that also mean it was at a greater risk of premature death? After all, most previously matured mutated plants had failed in their attempts to advance. And this garlic plant… by its growth stage, it was still just a seedling!
While the two were deep in their worries, Su Ci yawned lazily and closed his eyes, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.
Seeing Su Ci’s reluctance to talk further, Cen Liang and Zhuang Shisong stopped pressing and instead focused on digesting the information they had just received.
Finally, the hover bus arrived outside the cultivation zone.
Unlike the quietness of before, several hover vehicles were parked near the entrance, where a team of guards stood watch. Judging by the numbers on their uniforms, they were clearly from Base 26.
On the ride over, Cen Liang had already received a message from Wu Yunqin, informing him of the visitors from Base 26. Seeing the guards at the entrance didn’t surprise him.
After all, the visitor was the director of Base 26’s cultivation zone—a highly respected figure who had made significant contributions. His personal visit underscored how much importance they placed on the mutated garlic.
After verifying their identities at the gate, Cen Liang led Su Ci and Zhuang Shisong into the cultivation zone.
“Caretaker Su, I didn’t expect Base 26 to visit so suddenly. They’re here for the mutated garlic, and Director Wu is currently hosting them,” Cen Liang explained briefly, then added with a nervous smile, “We won’t have much time to examine the garlic today, so… we might need you to come back again later.”
The relationship between the two bases had always been amicable, with frequent collaborations. Since the two directors shared a history, it was natural for Director Wu to grant them access to the garlic.
However, knowing that the mutated garlic was likely in the process of advancing—and that the risk of failure was high—Cen Liang was reluctant to let Su Ci leave without taking a look.
If they waited until another visit, and in the meantime, the garlic failed to advance and withered, who could they turn to for answers?
For now, at least having Su Ci examine it would give them peace of mind.
Su Ci didn’t mind. Yawning again, he followed them onto one of the cultivation zone’s work vehicles, driven by Zhuang Shisong, toward the greenhouse where the spirit garlic was located.
Along the way, Su Ci noticed that, aside from the greenhouses dismantled and moved to the Nursery Facility, most of the others were empty.
“Are these greenhouses not being used anymore?” Su Ci asked.
“The planting plans have been temporarily halted,” Cen Liang replied. “Due to the resources needed for the mutated garlic, we’re running low on nutrient solution and fertilizer. We’ve had to cut back on regular crops.”
Su Ci frowned slightly. To him, this was an enormous waste.
“Do you have experience with soil cultivation?” Su Ci asked.
Cen Liang smiled faintly, his expression tinged with bitterness. “Before coming to Prison Star, weren’t we all people who worked the land?”
While greenhouse cultivation and soilless farming were common, many agricultural planets still relied heavily on soil-based farming. As agricultural scholars, they naturally couldn’t detach themselves from the land.
But once they arrived on Prison Star, they had all been defeated by the pervasive soil pollution.
Su Ci nodded. That answer was enough for him.
Without revealing much, he said, “In that case, why not open up these idle greenhouses, like at the Nursery Facility, and plant directly in the soil?”
He had already been considering how to involve the cultivation zone staff in transforming the land. It seemed the time was now right.
Starting with the land of the cultivation zone seemed like a good plan.
However, hearing Su Ci’s suggestion, Cen Liang could only smile wryly. “I’ve already tested the soil in the cultivation zone. It still contains extremely high levels of pollutants, making it unsuitable for planting…”
“But now you have the mutated garlic, don’t you?” Su Ci asked curiously.
“The mutated garlic is still dormant,” Zhuang Shisong interjected. “And based on its previously observed traits, it doesn’t have the ability to purify pollutants. You were the one who reminded me of that.”
“That’s true,” Cen Liang agreed. “The mutated garlic can secrete a substance that repels pollutants…”
As he spoke, Cen Liang suddenly stopped, and Zhuang Shisong’s eyes lit up with realization at the same moment.
They exchanged a glance and saw the same spark of understanding in each other’s eyes.
Neither of them was slow-witted. They had overlooked this idea because of ingrained thinking that had steered them away from studying soil-based cultivation.
Additionally, the mutated garlic was a relatively recent discovery, and their research was already spread across multiple projects. This had created a blind spot. Now, with Su Ci’s single remark, they had been guided back onto the right track.
“Of course! If the mutated garlic can repel airborne pollutants, couldn’t it also expel pollutants from the soil?” Cen Liang exclaimed, slapping his thigh in excitement.
Zhuang Shisong quickly switched the work vehicle to autopilot. He was too excited—his entire body was trembling, and attempting to drive manually might lead to an accident.
“We could use a solution made by soaking the root systems of the mutated garlic to treat the soil,” Zhuang Shisong blurted out, outlining his idea rapidly. “Although the garlic has a strong odor, it doesn’t seem toxic to regular plants.”
They had previously experimented with this. Initially, plants sharing the greenhouse with the mutated garlic thrived. However, as the garlic’s scent intensified, the positive effects diminished. Eventually, they stopped placing other crops in the greenhouse due to the overpowering smell.
But this already suggested that, if the concentration of the garlic’s scent was controlled, not only would it be harmless to regular plants, but it could also promote growth.
Following this logic, could it be possible that the substances secreted by the mutated garlic, when kept within a certain concentration, could both remove pollutants from the soil and support crop growth?
If this theory were proven true… they could begin transforming the soil on Prison Star and plant crops directly!
The cultivation zone could become the first to successfully revitalize Prison Star’s land, elevating its status from a negligible player to a pioneering force.
Zhuang Shisong was thrilled, while Cen Liang barely managed to remain composed.
“It’s too early to say,” Cen Liang cautioned. “We need to confirm that the mutated garlic advances successfully and survives. Only then can we move forward with plans.”
His words poured cold water on Zhuang Shisong’s enthusiasm, bringing him back to reality.
“Right. We must ensure the mutated garlic survives…”
As the plant’s significance grew, both cultivators found themselves increasingly anxious about its fate.
Soon, they arrived at their destination.
“Let’s go, Caretaker Su. Let’s check on the mutated garlic,” Cen Liang said. “If it’s stabilized, we’ll tear up the greenhouse flooring immediately and begin soil transformation experiments!”
Su Ci nodded and followed them into the greenhouse, where the carefully nurtured little spirit garlic lay in its growth medium.
Compared to the last time Su Ci saw it, the spirit garlic had shrunk significantly. What had grown substantially before had now regressed to about ten centimeters in height. Its leaves drooped, and the entire plant appeared somewhat wilted.
Given this noticeable shrinkage, it was no wonder Cen Liang and Zhuang Shisong were so nervous.
However, from Su Ci’s perspective, the smaller spirit garlic seemed much more refined. Its energy was no longer chaotic but instead clean and pure.
It was clear—it had successfully advanced.
Su Ci extended his hand to touch the garlic, intending to awaken it from its dormancy, but a nearby cultivator quickly stopped him.
The greenhouse containing the spirit garlic was under constant surveillance, with dozens of cultivators taking shifts to guard it. If not for Cen Liang personally bringing Su Ci, these cultivators would never have allowed him inside.
The existence of the greenery at the Nursery Facility was known only to a select few in the cultivation zone. Thus, seeing Cen Liang escort a trainee caretaker into the greenhouse naturally sparked dissatisfaction among the other staff.
When Su Ci, after entering, seemed to disregard the rules and attempted to touch the mutated garlic, it immediately drew glares and protests from the accompanying staff.
However, before the cultivator could say anything, Cen Liang pulled him aside to whisper something.
After hearing Cen Liang’s explanation, the cultivator glanced at Su Ci with a mix of doubt and astonishment, muttering quietly, “Is this for real? A plant-bloodline holder?”
Cen Liang, on the other hand, turned back to Su Ci with an apologetic smile. “Caretaker Su, please, go ahead.”
The brief interruption left Su Ci’s hand suspended in midair.
He glanced at Cen Liang, intending to say something, but then he felt something touch his fingertips.
Turning his attention forward, Su Ci saw the little spirit garlic, which had been drooping just moments before. One of its limp leaves had somehow lifted and was now brushing against his fingertip.
In a perspective visible only to Su Ci and A-Yan, the entire plant emitted a faint, soft glow, and a wave of intense joy radiated from it.
Though the others couldn’t see the light, they all clearly observed the plant’s behavior:
The mutated garlic not only reached out to touch the trainee caretaker’s finger, but its previously drooping leaves all perked up instantly!
Everyone witnessed it—the mutated garlic had awakened!
“Ee-yah~ Ee-yah~”
The little spirit garlic exuded an intense, jubilant energy. Had Su Ci not stopped it, it would likely have begun growing uncontrollably again, using its rapid expansion to express its joy at touching the “Earth Spirit.”
Of course, while it couldn’t grow wildly, it found another way to celebrate.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A series of heavy thuds echoed through the greenhouse. First, the cultivator who had tried to stop Su Ci collapsed to the ground. Then Cen Liang. Then Zhuang Shisong.
One by one, the three fell unconscious.
As the overpowering scent of garlic rapidly filled the greenhouse, Su Ci gently tapped the little garlic’s leaf. Feeling its cheerful response, he sighed and wore an exasperated expression.
Previously, the spirit garlic had emitted an increasingly potent garlic odor when it was angry. But now…
It did the same when it was happy.
And…
Su Ci glanced at the cultivator who had tried to stop him. Despite being fully equipped with protective gear and a gas mask, the man had still succumbed.
So, the little garlic’s “scent attack” had grown stronger?
Outside the greenhouse, the observing cultivators, initially awestruck by the garlic’s awakening, were startled into action by the sudden fainting of their colleagues.
Donning gas masks, they rushed in to drag Cen Liang and the others out of the greenhouse.
Before the others rushed in, Su Ci temporarily suppressed the little garlic sprout’s scent. While some inevitably leaked out, it wasn’t enough to knock out the cultivators who entered the greenhouse.
To prevent the little spirit garlic from releasing even more intense garlic fumes due to its excitement, Su Ci left the greenhouse along with the cultivators.
The unconscious cultivators were taken to a rest area. Just as they were leaving, Wu Yunqin arrived with representatives from Base 26.
Upon discovering that the mutated garlic had awakened, Wu Yunqin was overjoyed.
“The mutated garlic has woken up?” Wu Yunqin asked excitedly.
“Yes, but some people fainted earlier…”
“Did they fail to follow safety protocols?” Wu Yunqin frowned.
“Two of them…”
“I’ve said it countless times: entering the greenhouse with the mutated garlic requires strict adherence to operational procedures. This happened because you were too careless!”
As she scolded them, Wu Yunqin donned a gas mask and prepared to enter the greenhouse herself to inspect the plant.
The remaining cultivators hesitated briefly, watching her and the director from Base 26, but ultimately swallowed their words of caution.
After all, hadn’t the caretaker, Su Ci, entered without fainting? And none of the cultivators who went in afterward were affected either.
However, before Wu Yunqin and her group could open the greenhouse door, Yun Zixu, who was standing nearby on guard, suddenly spoke up.
“Do you smell garlic?” he asked.
And… it seemed to be getting stronger!
A few seconds later, with a loud thud, Yun Zixu collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Outside the greenhouse, people were falling like dominoes. Inside the greenhouse…
The little spirit garlic swayed its leaves happily, exuding waves of excitement and joy. It showed no signs of calming down anytime soon.
the garlic is so cute hahaha