CH 148

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The Shui Jing Gong was swept up in an unprecedented planting frenzy, and everyone within the base was dedicated to tree planting. The gray rats, in particular, moved like the wind, as they would be indispensable in the upcoming afforestation efforts. The iconic little flags of the Gray Rats Company quickly spread throughout the Cangyu Mountain Range, used to delineate safe zones and planting areas.

Soon, Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu found the White Deer. Compared to a month ago, the aura surrounding the White Deer was even purer. Even with the naked eye, one could vaguely see a white misty radiance around it.

As the White Deer walked, a white mist would linger on the ground, dissipating as it moved. Coupled with the variously blooming lotus flowers on its jade-like antlers, it truly appeared as if it had come from a fairyland, not of this mortal realm. Such a White Deer, anyone who saw it would easily recognize its status as a leader. In the Cangyu Mountain Range, no other creature could surpass its authority.

Upon meeting, the little hummingbird rushed up faster than Shu Shuishui, affectionately nuzzling against the White Deer before flying up to its head to feed on nectar. This wasn’t the first time it had happened, and Shu Shuishui had a hunch that the hummingbird’s uniqueness was linked to the nectar of the lotus flowers on the White Deer’s antlers.

However, Shu Shuishui later learned that the little hummingbird had originated from one of the lotus flowers on the White Deer’s antlers. While the lotus flowers bloomed and withered many times on the antlers, the birth of the hummingbird had only occurred once.

Watching the White Deer in front of him, calm and composed, allowing the hummingbird to flutter around it freely, Shu Shuishui was certain that if Cang Zhan Star’s future followed the example of the Huanxing Continent, then the White Deer was undoubtedly one of the earliest divine beasts. The White Deer possessed the wisdom, demeanor, and talent for it. Shu Shuishui conveyed the information brought by Qing Mengxing to the White Deer, and it did not show much surprise. It comforted him with an elegant and deep voice, “Even if it’s not because of you, sooner or later, they would come to attack the Cangyu Mountain Range. This year’s dry season is far more terrifying than you can imagine.”

“Xiao Bai Bai, do you have any premonitions?” Creatures, especially awakened ones with intelligence like the White Deer, are far more sensitive to their environment than humans, and they often come with premonitions and signs.

Shu Shuishui also has such instincts, but unfortunately, he doesn’t understand what constitutes a normal environment on Cang Zhan Star. As an outsider, his judgment of the environment is not very accurate.

Bai Ye nodded lightly. “I have a strange feeling as if there is a huge crisis approaching, which makes me very uneasy. However, I cannot determine the specific source of the danger. It seems to be overwhelming, with nowhere to escape.”

Bai Ye had a good deal of trust in Shu Shuishui. As for Gu Langu, who was with Shu Shuishui, although he didn’t speak much, the Bai Ye still trusted him, adhering to the principle of frankness. Therefore, it openly expressed its ominous premonitions and concerns.

“Through the information transmitted by Gu Lanyi through the simulator, Cheng Que’s prophecy, the warning messages from the Xian Ge Galaxy, and now Xiao Bai Bai’s premonition, they all point to the same endpoint.” That endpoint is destruction, as only destruction leaves one defenseless.

Bai Ye was quite interested in the information Shu Shuishui provided, and Shu Shuishui patiently explained it all. It couldn’t be a coincidence that there was so much information pointing to a destructive future for Cang Zhan Star. According to Cheng Que’s prophecy, this destruction came from a high-level civilization, with a technological gap that couldn’t be bridged by Cang Zhan Star. Trying to change their fate through technological innovation was almost impossible.

“Perhaps the Canghai Galaxy also knows this, so they took a different path, attempting to change the direction of their world’s evolution through cultivation,” Bai Ye speculated and positioned itself based on the knowledge and information Shu Shuishui conveyed. “That’s why I awakened to intelligence. But if this inspiration is from the Canghai Galaxy, what should we do next?”

“Xiao Bai Bai, let’s not think so far ahead for now. The immediate issue is to resolve the war that will occur in two months,” Shu Shuishui said as he looked at the contemplative White Deer. He couldn’t help but admire the Bai Ye’s ability to think scientifically if it were ever to take on a human form.

Bai Ye tilted its head. “Haven’t you already figured that out? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come to me so urgently.”

Shu Shuishui shrugged. “Well, Xiao Bai Bai, you’re indeed smart. Our collective decision is that if we can avoid war, we should avoid it. The benefits of war are far outweighed by the destruction it causes. Moreover, in a year of catastrophe, the population is a precious resource. The future of Cang Zhan Star is still precarious, so who has the time for fighting?”

Bai Ye nodded in agreement, indicating for Shu Shuishui to continue.

“War is not an option, so we’ve decided to plant trees to resist the attacks. There’s nothing that planting trees can’t solve. If there is, it just means we haven’t planted enough. So, for the time being, we’re going to use all our efforts to cover the Cangyu Mountain Range with spirit wood! We’ll use the Cangyu Mountain Range as the first large-scale source of spiritual power we’ve created on Cang Zhan Star, build a protective array, and use it as a radiation point to plant spirit wood all over Cang Zhan Star!” To make his point more persuasive, Shu Shuishui spoke passionately and emotionally.

However, after saying this, Bai Ye didn’t show any obvious signs of heightened emotions. In fact, it took a moment for it to react. “Should I applaud?”

Shu Shuishui was a bit embarrassed. Just as the awkwardness settled in, there was a round of applause from the side, coming from Gu Langu, who was mechanically clapping.

Bai Ye pondered for a moment. “By the way, is this Gu Lanyi also from your Gu rat family?”

Shu Shuishui hesitated. “Well, actually… kind of. Their family is quite extensive, and there are distant relatives.”

Bai Ye understood. “I know, rats always have large families. But I heard that Gu Langu has exceptional talent in writing. I wonder if they could create some convenient written language and inheritance methods for our mutated creatures to understand.”

Shu Shuishui wasn’t sure, as he had been busy with infrastructure development lately and hadn’t logged into the simulator for a while. He also hadn’t heard of any large-scale group instances recently. “I’ll ask if I get the chance. Indeed, if mutated creatures evolve into spiritual beasts in the future, inheritance will be necessary.”

As for Shu Shuishui’s purpose for coming here, although Bai Ye wasn’t swayed by Shu Shuishui’s passionate words, it still fully supported Shu Shuishui’s decision. There was no specific reason; it was just trust. Mutated creatures were all about action. After Bai Ye gave the order, a large number of mutated creatures had already gathered.

Of course, there were still some lingering around the outskirts of the mountain range, just in case the hunting squads from the northern hemisphere tried to ambush them.

Shu Shuishui classified the mutated creatures, with the mutated parrots responsible for translation, and the gray rats in charge of diplomacy and guidance. He believed that these mutated creature teams would become a major force in the tree-planting effort.

Since the Shui Jing Gong had to prepare a series of tree planting procedures and basic resources today, the actual planting was scheduled for the next day. After agreeing on the time and location for the meeting the next day, the mutated creatures didn’t leave. Instead, they began to attentively listen to Shu Shuishui explain the relevant knowledge about cultivation.

Of course, not many of them could truly understand and fully grasp the teachings, but the advantage was that their bodies were gradually being transformed, making them highly attuned to spiritual energy. Therefore, in the practice of cultivation, they actually had an advantage over humans. Shu Shuishui gradually discovered that knowledge related to physical conditioning, enhancing one’s abilities, was more easily absorbed and mastered by mutated creatures. This coincided with the characteristics of spiritual beasts, and the specific skills they could develop depended on their individual talents.

As the evening approached, Shu Shuishui briefly bid farewell to Bai Ye and his many “students.” He, along with Gu Langu, prepared to return to the Shui Jing Gong. Just before leaving, Shu Shuishui suddenly remembered something and waved his hand, calling out behind him, “Everyone is entitled to tree-planting rewards, and you’ll have planting points that you can exchange for micro-farms or other cultivation resources.”

Bai Ye and the surrounding mutated creatures were visibly surprised, evidently not expecting Shu Shuishui to offer them rewards. This was a first. With a deep and elegant laugh, Bai Ye responded, “Very well.”

The other mutated creatures also showed strong interest in this offer, and for a moment, they were actually looking forward to the planting on the next day.

Satisfied with the response, Shu Shuishui turned back to leave, but Gu Langu suddenly turned back and called out once again, “The micro-farms you obtain through exchange won’t be managed for you. You can hire Gray Rat Company at a special rate for friends and family, which is more cost-effective.”

The mutated creatures were left in a bit of confusion, feeling as though their little treasure chest was being eyed. Fortunately, the person only shouted a sentence and didn’t make any other probing moves, but it still made them inexplicably feel that their savings were under threat.

On the other side, Shu Shuishui was also slightly surprised by Gu Langu’s proactive help in attracting business for Gray Rat Company. However, Gu Langu had always been thoughtful and kind, so it was entirely normal for him to consider the gray rats. Thinking about this, Shu Shuishui couldn’t help but give Gu Langu a thumbs-up to express his praise.

Gu Langu smiled, revealing a set of white teeth, clearly genuinely happy. His face appeared serious, but his mind was already spinning with plans. He was determined to collect the advertising fee this time, along with a share of the profits, which would undoubtedly become a substantial source of income in the future. Unfortunately, Shu Shuishui’s lectures were free. Gu Langu wondered if he could convince the Gray Rats to sell snacks and drinks during the lectures… His thoughts began to wander.

By the time Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu returned to the Shui Jing Gong, it was already completely dark. Standing at the edge of the basin, looking down, they could see a vast expanse of lights in the open field below, indicating that everyone was still busy.

There were a few campfires that had been lit, with people preparing dinner.

Among them was Qing Mengxing. He could now walk around the base, and both the humans and the Gray Rats treated him kindly. Clearly, the awe of a strong individual transcended species boundaries. Qing Mengxing’s swift recovery in just a few days was indeed remarkable.

Thinking back to the initial meeting when Qing Mengxing appeared frail and on the brink of death, he was now unrecognizable from the person standing before them.