Chapter 138
On the picnic mat, plates of dishes prepared by A-Yan were neatly arranged. The meat dishes alone included grilled meat, steamed meat with taro, and stir-fried pork with garlic shoots. There were also fish soup, roasted taro, and stir-fried Star-chain vine.
Aside from the fruit, other parts of the Star-chain plant were edible. A-Yan had only allowed the children to harvest the freshest vine leaves. The tender green leaves, stir-fried over high heat, were crisp and flavorful, with a slight sweetness that made them a perfect palate cleanser.
In addition to the Star-chain plant, the leaves of emerald beans were also edible, though their limited quantity meant they were left untouched for now. Instead, the emerald beans themselves were braised and stir-fried.
The aroma of food wafted across the riverside, adding a true picnic atmosphere.
Among the dishes, Su Ci finally spotted a plate of grilled fish. The fish was charred on the outside, with its tail burnt to ash. However, beneath the burnt skin, the flesh was still edible.
The Crimson Flame Tiger squatting nearby noticed Su Ci’s gaze and lowered its head in shame.
“I’ll keep working on it,” Ran Lie said earnestly.
Su Ci didn’t comment further. After tasting a small bite, he nodded. “Not bad.”
As for the fish that had been burned beyond recognition, they had already been turned into ashes and buried in the soil by A-Yan to fertilize the fields.
Ran Lie felt slightly reassured.
“Then this afternoon…”
He was about to propose continuing his fish-grilling practice when the caretaker interrupted, “We’ll head to the Demon Flower Valley this afternoon. You need to exhaust all your Crimson Flame energy before returning.”
“Understood,” Ran Lie replied.
He had come to realize the benefits of this training method. In the past, not to mention the precise control required for grilling fish, even basic control over his flame’s activation and deactivation had been difficult.
Through days of intense “devil training,” he had achieved the ability to control his Crimson Flame at will. Ran Lie could clearly feel the violent bloodline power within him gradually becoming more docile.
He believed that it wouldn’t be long before he could maintain his human form without needing to completely deplete his Crimson Flame energy.
At this moment, Rong Heng and Lang Ze had finished stir-frying the emerald beans. After A-Yan added seasoning and carefully mixed everything, the crispy and aromatic fried beans were ready to serve.
The children gathered around the picnic mat.
Each of them received their own set of bowls and utensils. Though they had expected it, they couldn’t help but cheer when Su Ci gave the green light to eat.
Even the usually composed Rong Heng couldn’t help but smile, while the ever-energetic Lang Ze exclaimed, “Hooray! Su Su is the best!”
Their excitement was understandable. Despite the recent improvements in their meals, their staple food was still nutrient paste. A meal consisting purely of meat and vegetables like this was unheard of!
A-Yan placed a large piece of roasted taro in each child’s bowl as the main dish. Once Su Ci gave the word, the children dove into their feast.
The roasted taro, drizzled with devil flower honey, emitted a unique caramel aroma. After baking, the taro was neither dry nor hard but soft and fluffy, with a texture that was both satisfying and filling. Though it could become cloying if eaten alone, pairing it with a sip of the fresh and savory fish soup made for a delightful balance.
The stir-fried vine leaves, beans, and garlic shoots were a new favorite. Even Lang Ze, who loved meat, found the green “vegetables” surprisingly delicious, while Lu Jiao and the others couldn’t get enough of them.
The new dishes were a hit, but grilled meat remained their undisputed favorite.
With the addition of steamed meat with taro and stir-fried pork with garlic shoots, the children discovered just how versatile meat could be.
For the first time enjoying such a variety of flavors, the children ate quietly, too engrossed to speak.
A gentle breeze blew across the riverside. The new green shoots swayed in the wind, fish swam peacefully in the water, and the aquatic plants at the riverbed continued to flourish.
After filling his stomach, Su Ci lay back comfortably, closing his eyes for a peaceful rest.
Seeing him resting, the cubs instinctively quieted down, taking great care not to make any noise. They cherished every bite, ensuring all the dishes were cleaned, even the juices licked clean. If it hadn’t been for A-Yan stopping him, the little wolf cub might have picked up a plate to lick directly.
When A-Yan collected the dishes, loading them onto the Crimson Flame Tiger’s back to take them back to the nursery for washing, the little wolf cub wore an expression of longing.
It was just too delicious! How could Brother A-Yan make such incredible food?
The little wolf cub patted his now round belly, his face full of satisfaction. He felt like this was the happiest day of his life!
Spotting a spot beside Su Ci, he sneaked over and lay down beside the young man with a blissful grin.
Sprawling out like a starfish on the picnic mat, he stretched lazily as the humid breeze from the riverbank swept over him. The relaxing atmosphere quickly made him drowsy.
Once one cub followed suit, a second and third soon joined in.
When Little Li Hua rubbed her sleepy eyes and tugged at her brother’s hand, wanting him to lie down with her, Xue Wei thoughtfully spread another picnic mat on the ground so that all the cubs could have enough space to nap.
Well, all except the ever-solitary Zheng Xing.
After finishing his meal, he retreated back into the tent to process the insights he had gained while piloting the ship earlier.
Though the base AI had provided him with a wealth of knowledge, turning it into his own required practice and comprehension.
Still, being full made it hard to fight off sleepiness. Add to that his earlier mental exertion, and a tiny yawn escaped him. He stubbornly tried to stay awake, determined to finish processing his thoughts before taking a nap.
He figured he could sleep once Lang Ze came to find him.
*
Outside the tent.
The first to lie down, Lang Ze, suddenly opened his eyes just as he was about to drift off. Sitting up abruptly, he looked around before getting to his feet and heading into the tent.
Sure enough, there was Zheng Xing, curled up in a corner. His head nodded drowsily as sleep threatened to claim him, yet he still resisted lying down.
“Xing Xing, come outside to nap! Everyone’s out there, and it’s so stuffy in here. Outside, the breeze is super comfortable!”
Without waiting for a response, the boy bent down and picked him up.
Hearing Lang Ze’s voice seemed to soothe Zheng Xing. He let himself be carried, resting his head on Lang Ze’s shoulder as his consciousness drifted off.
Lang Ze carried him outside and lay down again in his original spot, placing Zheng Xing between himself and Su Ci. Finally, even Lang Ze couldn’t fight off sleep anymore and closed his eyes.
When A-Yan and the Crimson Flame Tiger returned, they were greeted by the sight of the cubs all sleeping peacefully around Su Ci.
A-Yan pursed his lips and motioned for the Crimson Flame Tiger to find a spot to nap. Then he walked over, moved Lang Ze and Zheng Xing a little farther apart, and squeezed in next to Su Ci himself.
The spot beside Su Su was his!
Of course, before settling in, A-Yan made sure to cover the cubs with blankets to keep them from catching a chill.
The sight of the cubs huddled together like little animals was undeniably heartwarming. With the addition of the fluffy Crimson Flame Tiger lying nearby, the scene became even more adorable.
As he tucked them in, A-Yan couldn’t resist mimicking Su Ci and lightly patting each cub on their soft, furry ears.
The sleeping cubs were blissfully unaware. Those who stirred only shifted a bit, hugged their blankets tighter, and drifted right back to sleep.
The serene atmosphere, combined with the morning’s busyness, made it the perfect time for the young cubs to recharge their energy and spirits with a much-needed nap.
A-Yan didn’t feel tired. After the Crimson Flame Tiger also fell asleep, he sat beside Su Ci and took out his notebook to work on inscribing divine script.
The last time he dispersed the blood rain, he had used up all his reserves, so he needed to replenish them as soon as possible.
By the time Su Ci woke up that afternoon, the cubs were nowhere to be seen—they had been awakened by A-Yan and sent back to the nursery to attend their classes.
The cubs couldn’t stay away from the nursery for too long, especially with personnel from the cultivation garden occasionally visiting.
When Su Ci finally stirred awake, only A-Yan remained by his side.
Sensing his movement, A-Yan turned his head to look at him, flashing a sweet smile. “Su Su, you’re awake.”
Still groggy, Su Ci didn’t reply immediately. He simply stared at A-Yan for a moment before stretching out his hands and giving the furry ears on A-Yan’s head a thorough ruffling.
Far from resisting, A-Yan laughed happily, seemingly enjoying the attention.
After a while, Su Ci fully came to his senses. He let go of A-Yan’s ears, sat up slowly, and looked around at the now-empty riverside. “They’ve gone back?” he asked.
“Mm, they’ve gone back for their lessons,” A-Yan replied with a smile.
Su Ci nodded, stretched lazily, and stood up. “Let’s go check out the downstream area,” he said.
A-Yan quickly put away his notebook and followed him as they traced the river downstream. Eventually, they arrived at the spot where the river’s flow had been blocked.
It was a cliff. If the river were flowing freely, it would cascade down the cliff as a magnificent waterfall. However, for some reason, the river’s source had been obstructed, leaving the flow stagnant.
Water is the source of life, and this river needed to be restored sooner or later.
Su Ci, with A-Yan in tow, teleported to the base of the cliff.
At the bottom, there was a deep pit several meters wide, likely formed by the force of falling water over time. From there, a dry riverbed stretched southward, hinting at where the river once flowed.
The recent rainfall had moistened the parched riverbed, much like the upper reaches of the river. However, the area was now teeming with mud monsters, creatures born from the tainted energy of resentment.
Su Ci methodically eliminated and purified the mud monsters, leaving the area cleansed. Then, he directed A-Yan to inscribe a purifying water barrier along the riverbed.
Together, they worked to lay the foundation for restoring the river’s vitality.
The impact force of the water was significant; a single purification barrier would struggle to purify the water as it passed through. Therefore, it was necessary to set up multiple barriers in segments.
Once this river was unblocked, the water could carry moss and aquatic plants to distant areas, with fish being swept along as well. Over time, a new ecosystem would be established.
Although the purified water would inevitably become polluted again as it flowed forward, progress had to be made step by step. The first priority was to ensure a reliable water source for the plains, and then gradually expand the clean territory.
As someone with infinite life, Su Ci had plenty of patience to see this plan through.
By evening, they had set up over a dozen barriers. The remaining work would have to wait until the next day.
When Su Ci returned to the nursery, Zhuang Shisong and Wei Ming had not yet left. They had arrived while the cubs were in class by the greenfield and hadn’t noticed that the children had gone out for a picnic.
In truth, they didn’t have the focus to notice because—
One of the mutated star-link fruit plants was missing!
After questioning the cubs, they learned that the mutated plant had been relocated by Su Ci. This left them puzzled.
Other than the nursery, where else could Su Ci have moved the plant? Moreover, the plant was already thriving, with its vines entwined with those of other star-link fruit plants. Yet, there were barely any visible signs of disturbance at the site.
So how exactly did Su Ci manage this?
The two had spent the entire afternoon trying to figure it out but to no avail. With no answers from the cubs, they were unwilling to leave and decided to wait for Su Ci.
Fortunately, they eventually got their chance to see him.
When they asked about it, Su Ci didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, “How is the garlic seedling doing?”
“It’s stabilized somewhat today. You can now approach within ten meters without fainting,” Zhuang Shisong replied. “Of course, getting any closer is still not feasible.”
Moreover, the intense odor continued to intermittently spread, leaving the researchers both frustrated and perplexed.
“Boss Cen Liang hopes you can come and take a look,” Zhuang Shisong relayed Cen Liang’s request. “The mutated garlic is in its most critical differentiation phase, and we’re unsure if its current state might affect the process…”
Unintentionally, Su Ci had already established a sense of authority. The news about his plant lineage had spread throughout the cultivation center, and when Cen Liang suggested inviting him to inspect the situation, no one questioned the decision.
However, Su Ci simply shook his head. “I won’t be going over for now.”
The little spirit garlic tended to get excited whenever it saw him. Its enthusiasm often resulted in the release of even stronger garlic scents, which was both amusing and exasperating.
“Its odor helps dispel pollutants,” Su Ci explained. “All of you carry some level of pollutants, which is why you faint when exposed to particularly concentrated emissions.”
Hearing Su Ci’s explanation, Zhuang Shisong and Wei Ming finally understood.
No wonder Su Ci hadn’t fainted!
They had initially assumed it was due to his plant lineage, but if it was because of this, it made sense as well. After all, Su Ci hadn’t been on this polluted planet for long, and the concentration of pollutants in the base had recently decreased for unexplained reasons. Thus, the accumulation of pollutants in his body was likely minimal.
“So, that means once the pollutants in our bodies are reduced to near zero, we can approach the mutated garlic without fainting, no matter how strong the odor is, right?” Wei Ming asked excitedly.
“Yes,” Su Ci nodded. “As for its differentiation phase, as long as its nutritional needs are met, it should grow normally.”
With Su Ci’s assurance, Zhuang Shisong and Wei Ming finally relaxed.
However, they hadn’t given up on the mutated star-link fruit plant.
“Caretaker Su…” they started, but Su Ci interrupted, “I know what you want to ask. Once you pass my test, I’ll tell you.”
The two were undeniably skilled in cultivation, and Su Ci wasn’t about to let their talent go to waste. However, whether he would display his full abilities to them or train them as spiritual plant cultivators was still under observation.
Zhuang Shisong and Wei Ming froze for a moment before recalling their earlier request for Su Ci to take them as students.
If Caretaker Su said he would test them, it meant he was truly giving them a chance!
Both were overjoyed and quickly responded, “Got it! But… what exactly is this test?”
“Just do your job well,” Su Ci replied. “I’ll make my judgment.”
Not daring to press further, the two nodded.
“Alright, we’ll take our leave for today and come back tomorrow!”
After saying their goodbyes, they left in high spirits, eager to share the crucial information about the mutated garlic with the other cultivators.
As their figures disappeared into the night, Su Ci turned his gaze back, only to find the scarlet flame tiger sitting behind him, staring at him expectantly, having not returned to its room.
Remembering his promise from midday, Su Ci sighed and brought the tiger back to the Demon Flower Valley.
At the giant spider’s nest, countless spiders of varying sizes were perched, their multifaceted eyes glinting as they cautiously peeked outside.
The sky had darkened—surely, that fiery little tiger wouldn’t show up at night, right?
With nightfall, the spiders that had fled earlier began to creep back into their nest, relieved at the thought of safety.
However, just as they were about to rest, that same intense and oppressive aura reappeared.
The spiders’ collective mood shifted from relief to rage.
Not again!
Frantic, they waved their spindly legs and retreated deeper into the nest through side passages.
But Su Ci, of course, had no intention of letting them escape so easily.
Transparent barriers sprang up, trapping the giant spiders that hadn’t managed to escape within their nest.
Now bolder than ever, Ran Lie let out a roar at the entrance before charging straight into the giant spiders’ nest to battle them. Without any hesitation, he threw himself into the fight, tearing through his foes.
It wasn’t until his scarlet flame energy was completely depleted that Su Ci finally stepped in and pulled him out.
Notably, Ran Lie lasted five minutes longer than the previous day and killed significantly more giant spiders, showing visible progress with each passing day.
After returning, Su Ci handed the exhausted boy over to the caretaker robot and then went to inspect the greenfield. He selected the three hardiest star-link fruit plants and transferred them into his spiritual storage pouch, planning to transplant them into the mountains the next day.
The three star-link fruit plants filled up the first storage pouch entirely. Returning to his room, Su Ci began weaving new spiritual storage pouches.
By the time he went to bed, he had crafted three more.
He gave one of them to A-Yan, kept the remaining two for himself, and then headed off to wash up and rest. The next morning, he and A-Yan used the teleportation array to travel to the Demon Flower Valley.
A-Yan didn’t know why Su Ci had brought him to the valley so early but obediently followed along. Soon, they left the valley and arrived at a clearing in the mountains.
The clearing was noticeably different from its surroundings, with soil that had undergone purification.
In addition, there were several footprints on the ground, likely left by animals. As for the dozen or so star-link fruits Su Ci had left there the previous day—they were all gone.
