Chapter 139
A-Yan frowned slightly as he noticed the footprints on the ground.
Su Ci, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen them, instead checking on the Star-chain fruit seeds he had scattered the day before.
The seeds lay shallowly buried in the soil, not yet sprouted but undamaged.
After watering them, Su Ci retrieved a Star-chain fruit tree from his storage pouch and prepared to plant it in the area. A-Yan stopped examining the footprints and began helping, digging a hole and carefully planting the tree. They watered it with spiritual water infused with energy, which quickly revitalized the previously wilted leaves, making them visibly perk up.
Although the tree was not a spiritual plant, it thrived with vigorous vitality. Thanks to Su Ci’s spell, its roots had remained intact during the transplanting process, making it likely to establish itself easily in the purified soil.
The lush vines of the Star-chain fruit tree were guided to climb onto the nearby rocky terrain.
The area purified by the heroic spirits wasn’t very large—only about 20-30 steps at its widest. When the blood mist retreated, it revealed barren land that now looked more vibrant with the newly transplanted Star-chain tree.
After planting, Su Ci blessed the tree to ensure it would grow smoothly, free from disease and misfortune.
Before leaving, he placed ten Star-chain spiritual fruits on the ground.
A mature Star-chain spiritual tree produces fruit every two weeks, yielding about 100 fruits per cycle—a number expected to increase as the tree grows.
Su Ci’s storage pouch didn’t have many fruits left, but the regular Star-chain fruit trees in the nursery were beginning to bear fruit, and harvesting was likely in a day or two. As for whether the iron-eating beast could adjust to eating ordinary fruits after enjoying spiritual ones—it wasn’t something Su Ci concerned himself with.
Although Su Ci didn’t explain, A-Yan quickly pieced it together after noticing the fruits left behind and the footprints nearby.
He took a bowl from his spatial button, placed it next to the fruits, and filled it with spiritual water.
Su Ci, noticing his gesture, smiled slightly but didn’t stop him.
The second purified area was at the foot of the mountain. It was slightly larger, with flatter terrain and looser, sandier soil.
After surveying the soil, Su Ci decided against planting another Star-chain fruit tree. Instead, he ventured to the riverbank to collect a few resurrection ferns (Selaginella).
The riverbanks were now teeming with these hardy plants, nearly covering the area.
Thanks to the suitable conditions and spiritual energy, the ferns’ incredible vitality was fully unleashed.
Now, the challenge was to see if they could survive in the mountains without the continuous influence of spiritual energy.
Interestingly, the Star-chain fruits Su Ci had left at this second site the previous day remained untouched. He wasn’t disappointed; encountering a creature like the iron-eating beast (Panda) in the mountains was already rare. It wasn’t realistic to expect wildlife to appear every day.
After watering the transplanted resurrection ferns, Su Ci and A-Yan moved on to the third site.
Just as Su Ci was about to retrieve a Star-chain fruit tree and begin working, he suddenly stopped and turned to look in a certain direction.
This patch of land, under the protection of heroic spirits, had driven away the red mist. A stark boundary separated the purified soil from the mist, and creatures born of the mist dared not approach.
Now, however, shadowy figures gathered outside the boundaries, their eyes filled with a probing curiosity as they peered toward the cleared land.
Su Ci had observed these shadows before.
Most of them were wraiths, lacking any trace of bloodlust, indicating they hadn’t killed while alive.
Such wraiths were likely spirits of those who had died with lingering attachments, making them low-tier entities in the hierarchy of blood mist creatures. Their weak strength left them vulnerable to being devoured by stronger monsters.
Purification techniques had limited effect on these wraiths. They weren’t formed directly from resentment but instead exuded it themselves. While purification could cleanse the mist, it couldn’t heal their tormented hearts.
As for why these wraiths existed—
During his efforts to restore the land, Su Ci had also been piecing together information from the earth itself.
It seemed that during his long slumber, the land had suffered a cataclysmic disaster that led to countless lives being lost.
Innumerable beings had perished unjustly, their unresolved grievances coalescing into a wave of resentment that ultimately engulfed the entire planet.
Countless living beings, after death, had turned into wraiths. Lingering in the mortal world, they persisted due to the blood mist and simultaneously provided it with a continuous supply of resentment.
Such wraiths could not be eradicated with purification techniques.
Su Ci hadn’t yet found a better solution. Perhaps a highly accomplished Buddhist monk could pacify these wraiths. But…
Could Ran Lie, currently studying Buddhist techniques, ever grow into such a monk?
Su Ci thought it more reliable to explore other solutions himself—after all, he never intended for Ran Lie to become a monk.
These wraiths gathered around the purified lands, likely because the monsters formed purely of resentment didn’t dare approach. Instinct drew them to these areas.
At least, that’s what Su Ci believed—until now.
A-Yan followed Su Ci’s gaze.
Outside the boundary of the purified land, within the thick blood mist, a small shadow emerged from the densely packed wraiths. Its form gradually became clearer.
It appeared to be a young child, retaining the state it had been in at the time of death—its frame was emaciated to the point of being skeletal. Sunken cheeks and ribs clearly visible beneath tattered clothing painted a bleak picture.
Compared to A-Yan’s appearance when he first encountered Su Ci, this was even more heartbreaking.
From its form, it wasn’t hard to deduce that the child must have starved to death, and the resentment radiating from it confirmed this tragic end.
“Hungry… So hungry… Mama, I’m so hungry…”
The soft, childlike voice echoed through the mountains, carrying a chilling undertone. Su Ci’s calm gaze flickered with emotion.
During his time at the nursery, the cubs had undergone significant changes, but… had Su Ci himself not changed too? As he looked at the starving wraith, a trace of pity began to emerge in his expression.
The small wraith hadn’t noticed Su Ci or A-Yan yet. Its gaze fixated on the spiritual fruits Su Ci had placed on the ground, and a faint glimmer of light appeared in its previously hollow eyes.
Drawn by the fruit, it broke away from the mass of wraiths and crossed the clear boundary separating the purified land from the blood mist.
Iron-eating beasts and enlarged insects could enter and exit the purified areas freely, but wraiths couldn’t.
As the small wraith stepped onto the purified land, wisps of smoke began rising from its body. Its resentment was being purified.
Barely a step in, the wraith collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain as it emitted confused and anguished screams.
“Ahhh—ahhh—!”
The surrounding wraiths instinctively retreated upon hearing its cries, though not very far. They silently observed the scene unfolding before them, the resentment emanating from their forms growing thicker.
As for the wraith writhing in agony, there was no one to help it—just as with the wild grass from before, the pain of purification was something only it could endure.
And yet, despite the suffering, it didn’t choose to leave the purified land.
Finally, as its cries began to subside, it lay weakly on the ground, its ethereal form appearing faint and translucent.
Barely clinging on, it gazed longingly at the spiritual fruits, its eyes filled with desperation.
“Hungry… So hungry…”
As the resentment emanated from its body, the small wraith’s face twisted in pain again, but this time, it endured.
The little wraith lay prone on the ground, struggling to move closer to the spiritual fruit. Its eyes, from which wisps of resentment continuously seeped, turned blood-red, intensifying its suffering.
A-Yan, filled with loathing for the blood mist, found himself unable to bear watching the tormented child. Helpless, he looked up at Su Ci.
“Su Su…”
Su Ci glanced down at him, gently patting his head before stepping toward the small wraith.
“Hungry… so hungry…”
The little wraith, enduring the agony of having its resentment purified, inched forward bit by bit. Its hands, as they touched the ground, released thin tendrils of smoke.
At that moment, a pair of polished leather shoes appeared in front of it.
The small wraith didn’t stop.
As a spirit, it couldn’t touch physical objects, nor could such objects obstruct it.
So, even if food were placed in front of it, how could it possibly grasp it?
Su Ci crouched down in front of the small wraith.
He watched the child’s unwavering determination, then picked up a spiritual fruit and placed it before the wraith.
The small wraith froze for a moment, then eagerly reached out to grab the fruit. However, as expected, its hand passed right through it.
No matter how it waved its hands, it could no longer touch anything tangible.
Blood-red tears welled in the child’s eyes and streaked down its face.
“Hungry! I’m so hungry!”
Its gaze turned toward Su Ci, the longing in its eyes morphing into extreme resentment.
Su Ci sighed softly. Before the little wraith could succumb to the torrent of resentment it produced, he reached out and rested his palm lightly on the wraith’s head.
As soul energy flowed into the wraith, its ethereal form began to solidify.
The child, once consumed by hatred, suddenly froze.
It stared blankly at Su Ci, then at the hand resting on its head, a hand emanating warmth it hadn’t felt in what seemed like an eternity.
“Mommy…”
The child’s voice, tender and filled with profound yearning and attachment, broke the silence.
Su Ci: “…”
He sighed again, his voice carrying a tinge of helplessness, as he picked up the spiritual fruit from the ground and held it out to the small wraith.
The little wraith looked at him, then at the fruit, before tentatively reaching out. And this time… it held the fruit in its hands.
The child froze, its hands trembling slightly as it clutched the fruit.
“Eat,” Su Ci said gently.
The little wraith glanced at him, then truly lowered its head and bit into the fruit.
A chunk of the spiritual fruit was instantly bitten off.
For the first time in countless years, the little wraith tasted food, thanks to the help of the Spirit of Earth.
At first, it seemed a bit bewildered, but as it truly savored the taste, it began devouring the fruit in large, hurried bites.
The juice of the Star-chain fruit overflowed with every bite, and the little wraith slurped and gulped greedily yet gratefully.
As it continued eating, its appearance began to transform. The previously shriveled and emaciated form grew fuller, revealing a little girl with twin braids, about four or five years old—roughly the same age as Number Five.
Midway through eating the fruit, the little girl suddenly stopped. She glanced at Su Ci, then looked around her.
“Mommy… Mommy…”
She called out repeatedly, the familiar voice from her memory echoing in the air, yet no reply came.
After a long while, she seemed to remember.
Her mother, after giving her the dug-up tree roots to eat, had fallen asleep and never woke up again…
The little girl burst into tears, wailing loudly as she cried for her mother, dropping the spiritual fruit in her hands.
Su Ci finally extended his arms, gently pulling the small girl into his embrace. He softly patted the back of her head, offering her quiet comfort.
Leaning against him, the little girl sobbed sorrowfully, her grief spilling out. Gradually, the resentment surrounding her began to dissipate.
Her spiritual form became more translucent, glowing faintly in a way similar to the heroic spirits Su Ci had encountered before, though her light was much dimmer.
After a long while, her crying subsided. When Su Ci released her, her form had become completely transparent.
Her unfulfilled yearning had been resolved; the resentment in her heart faded away, leaving her at peace.
“Rest now. Your mother is waiting for you,” Su Ci said gently.
Tears still hung on the little girl’s face, but a smile slowly emerged because—she seemed to see her mother.
“Thank you!”
She gave Su Ci a soft word of gratitude, then joyfully ran off.
In the illusion Su Ci had created, she handed the remaining half of the fruit to her mother and watched as her mother took a bite. Smiling brightly, the little girl waved back at Su Ci, then held her mother’s hand as they walked off together.
Eventually, the girl’s figure vanished from sight, dissolving into shimmering specks of light that merged with the land.
The boundary between the purified ground and the blood mist appeared to expand slightly outward.
The group of wraiths gathered at the edge stirred with faint unease but didn’t make any bold moves. None dared cross into the purified land like the little girl had.
Su Ci rose to his feet, walked over, and picked up the fruit that had fallen to the ground.
The Star-chain spiritual fruit was still intact.
Everything the little wraith had seen, felt, and experienced had been nothing more than an illusion Su Ci had created for her.
After all, little children were so easy to fool…
However, no trace of joy appeared on Su Ci’s face. He silently crouched down to dig holes in the ground. Though he could easily use spells to do it, he chose to personally plant the remaining two Star-chain spiritual trees in the soil.
A-Yan, having witnessed everything earlier, naturally understood what had just occurred.
He pursed his lips but said nothing, quietly staying by Su Ci’s side. He knew that what Su Su needed most right now was companionship.
Su Ci’s gloomy mood didn’t last long. Upon arriving at the riverbank through the teleportation array and seeing the clear, vibrant scene brimming with life, his spirits gradually lifted.
The issue of the wraiths was something that had to be addressed, but for now, he could only take it one step at a time.
Restoring vitality to the land as quickly as possible would allow him to regain more of his power and achieve even greater things.
The process of liberating the wraiths one by one was indeed exhausting, but time was the one thing he had in abundance.
With this thought, Su Ci fully revitalized himself. He and A-Yan teleported to the site where the Star-chain spiritual tree had been planted the previous day.
The tree, planted on the opposite bank, exhibited its inherent vigor as a growth-focused spiritual plant. In just one day and one night, it had already taken root and sprouted new leaves in the soil.
For this particular spiritual tree, Su Ci had not restricted its growth.
The barren expanse of land stretching about a thousand meters from the riverbank to the 24th base would be left to the Star-chain spiritual tree to transform.
What it might grow into in the future remained to be seen.
A-Yan watered and fertilized the spiritual tree, and then the two of them moved to the plain from the day before, continuing their work on placing purifying water barriers along the dried-up riverbed.
The barriers needed to be fully in place before the river’s water source could be restored.
Su Ci had grown increasingly busy, and the cubs weren’t idle either. They diligently tackled the tasks Su Ci had set for them.
The little wolf cub and Lu Li practiced the foundational techniques of body cultivation together, eventually inspiring the other cubs to join them.
During their free time, the cubs had gained two additional playgrounds besides the greenfield of the nursery: the riverbank and the 244H spaceship.
Every day, they accompanied A-Yan to the riverbank, not just to play but also to help with farming.
Under the guidance of Zhuang Shisong and Wei Ming, they learned various plant propagation techniques. Even without seeds, they could grow one plant into two or three…
Thanks to their efforts, the variety of plants along the riverbank gradually increased.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Shisong and Wei Ming finally realized that the cubs were leaving the nursery every day. However, they didn’t discover exactly how it was happening, nor did they expose the secret.
As their bond with the cubs deepened, the two plant cultivators tacitly chose to remain silent about this revelation.
Instead of prying further, they devoted themselves even more to their work.
Because they knew that Caretaker Su was still testing them, they believed that once they passed the test, they would likely learn how the cubs were leaving the nursery.
The idea that this had nothing to do with Caretaker Su? They wouldn’t believe it even if they were beaten!
Of course, the most intriguing question was… where were all the transplanted plants being relocated to? It was too fascinating not to wonder!
In the midst of these busy daily routines, time passed day by day, and four days quickly flew by.
The previous afternoon, Su Ci had finished placing the purifying water barriers along the riverbed and had located the source of the river.
The source was indeed within the mountain range, blocked for some unknown reason. That morning, Su Ci was preparing to head out with A-Yan to clear the source of the river.
However, just as they were about to leave, the light screen of the base’s AI system popped up.
It was a communication request from Guo Hui in the administrative office.
Su Ci, puzzled, accepted the call.
Guo Hui appeared on the light screen, and her voice followed.
“Caretaker Su, hello. Is Number Nine available? The administrative office has received a directive from the Galactic Alliance. Someone wishes to establish communication with Number Nine.”
Su Ci frowned slightly. “Who is looking for her?”
Guo Hui paused briefly and then said in a low voice, “Her former guardian, Marshal Li from the Ters Empire.”
