The apocalypse struck, and I became a druid.

Page 111

Seeing this, Han Ning has figured out the basic usage of the "Crazy Growth" skill.

……

later.

After Han Ning and Professor Ye finished organizing some uses of the Crazy Growth skill, they prepared to go have dinner.

Suddenly, I heard faint sounds coming from downstairs.

He walked to the window and looked down.

The beams of light from several flashlights swayed in the rain.

Vice President Zhao and Lao Xie, along with others, carried back several young men covered in blood.

These people were dressed in tattered clothes, and their exposed skin was covered with gruesome wounds.

It was clear that they had gone through a fierce battle.

"What happened?" Chairman Wu's concerned voice rang out from downstairs.

Vice President Zhao explained:

"They were surrounded by a large group of black serpents in the ruins of a seafood market about three kilometers west of the resort."

"There were a lot of monsters, and they were almost at their limit when we arrived."

Old Xie frowned:

"Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the density of the black snakes is significantly higher than a few days ago."

"They may have noticed that the snake population here is decreasing rapidly and have become wary."

"Okay, let's bandage their wounds for now, then isolate them from others and observe them for a while." Chairman Wu nodded.

Having learned his lesson from the previous incident in the foggy area, Chairman Wu became more cautious.

What if we encounter a situation like Old Wang's again? We'd be completely helpless.

Therefore, the rescued teammates must first be quarantined for observation.

Han Ning's gaze fell on the few wounded people who had been rescued.

A ring of molten gold light shone deep within his pupils.

Everything is normal; there are no signs of being parasitized by foreign spiritual forces.

Only after confirming that there was nothing unusual did he turn and leave.

Chapter 123 Mutation of the Squirting Melon

The following morning, Han Ning arrived at the mutation research area as usual, preparing to release [Nature's Blessing] on the squirting cucumber plants that were the focus of his observation.

Since [Nature's Blessing] broke through to the intermediate level, although there are no visible changes on the surface, it has undergone two days of continuous nourishment.

These squirting cucumber plants seem to have changed a bit.

He walked up to the first squirting melon plant, and a soft green light emanated from his palm, which he then channeled into the plant.

The plant swayed gently, its leaves unfurling, as if enjoying the nourishment of life.

[Nature's Blessing (Intermediate) Proficiency +1, currently 27/500]

Then came the second plant, the third plant...

Han Ning carefully and released them one by one.

Professor Ye stood to one side, also taking notes attentively.

When he reached the fourth squirting melon, his brow furrowed slightly.

This plant, which was so vibrant yesterday, now looks rather wilted, with the edges of its leaves slightly curled and yellowed, and it doesn't look too good.

Despite continuously releasing nature's blessings, it has actually withered.

Han Ning had doubts, but still covered it with the energy of nature's blessing.

The energy seeped in, and the plant seemed to perk up briefly before quickly returning to its wilted state.

[Nature's Blessing (Intermediate) Proficiency +1, currently 28/500]

He continued toward the fifth, the sixth... and these plants were in even worse condition.

The leaves of the fifth squirting cucumber plant developed small, scorched spots.

The sixth plant was drooping, its stems losing support and leaning limply against the edge of the flowerpot.

Professor Ye carefully observed the several squirting melons exhibiting abnormal conditions and speculated:

"It looks like it couldn't withstand the energy impact, or it developed some kind of lesion."

"The level of Nature's Blessing has increased, but it also cost two extra squirting melons." Han Ning was somewhat surprised.

The squirting cucumber plant is not particularly rare, but in this environment, each experimental sample required a great deal of effort from him and Professor Ye.

"The process of life mutation is far more dangerous than we think." Professor Ye's eyes were focused.

“The dosage and the plant itself may have a certain tolerance. We can try grouping them and applying different intensities of blessing to different plants.”

"Or shorten the duration of a single blessing and increase the frequency."

"I'll leave everything to you."

He made a quick decision and took out a few more squirting cucumber seeds from the seed bank to stimulate their rapid growth.

With Professor Ye's assistance, several new seedlings in good condition were cultivated to supplement the experimental group, and the groups were specially marked.

He divided the remaining eight squirting cucumber plants into two groups:

Group A (4 plants): Received a medium-level natural blessing of normal intensity.

Group B (4 plants): Received nature's blessing at half the intensity.

At the same time, both groups increased the frequency of blessings from once a day to once in the morning and once in the evening.

The situation remained dire the next day.

The sluggish plant in Group A withered completely.

Of the other three plants, one showed obvious scorched spots.

Group B was relatively stable, with all four plants showing slight wilting but no serious damage.

The newly added experimental group, blessed with the intensity of Group B, is in good condition.

Seeing this, Han Ning added new plants and expanded the experimental group to ten groups, with one plant in each group, and labeled them separately.

Record the plant's reaction in detail after each blessing.

On the third day, the losses continued.

Group A has 2 plants remaining, one of which is severely scorched and nearing death.

Another plant stubbornly held on, but its growth had stopped.

Of the four plants in Group B, two showed obvious signs of discomfort, with severely curled leaves.

The other two plants are in slightly better condition.

Among the newly added groups, several plants blessed with different gradient intensities also showed sporadic abnormalities.

On the evening of the third day.

Han Ning habitually glanced at the group of people who had persisted until the fifth day.

His gaze first fell on the only remaining Group A squirting melon.

It died completely, its leaves resembling charred pieces of paper.

Next was Group B. Of the two plants in slightly better condition, one suddenly withered without warning, its life force fading away.

The other plant seemed to be twisted by an invisible force, its vine-like stems abnormally swollen and bloated, and the spindle-shaped young fruits on them became strangely shaped, like balloons that might burst at any moment.

"Damn, the skill description for Natural Blessing says it's always a positive mutation, but all the ones without a positive mutation are dead..."

Just as Han Ning's heart sank slightly, his gaze settled on the last Group B squirting melon.

This squirting cucumber is completely different from all the previous plants.

The main stem is nearly twice as thick as that of a regular squirting cucumber, and the plant is a light blue color.

The fruit has a slightly transparent skin, is a dark blue oval shape, and sinks slightly, occupying one-third of the entire plant.

A faint blue, viscous liquid can be seen flowing inside.

The skin is smooth and moist, and the leaves are thick with fine serrations along the edges.

"Oh?"

Han Ning and Professor Ye exchanged a glance.

Both of their heartbeats quickened slightly.

Han Ning carefully extended his finger and gently touched the peculiar fruit.

A warm and elastic sensation came from my fingertips, and at the same time, a cool, moist feeling spread along my arm.

The moment Han Ning touched the squirting melon, the melon trembled slightly, its main stem swayed, and it affectionately rubbed its plump fruit at the top against his finger, making a soft "gurgling" sound.

This incredibly insightful response surprised both Han Ning and Professor Ye.

"It...it recognizes you?" Professor Ye exclaimed in surprise.

"Perhaps it's because I nourish it with natural energy every day that it has remembered my scent."

Han Ning speculated.

This extraordinary crop is different; it even possesses a faint intelligence.

It's a clear cut above the dull red mist tomatoes and jade-colored potatoes.

"Let's go and test what it's capable of."

Han Ning picked up the pot of this distinctly different squirting cucumber.

It is much heavier than a regular squirting cucumber, quite heavy, probably because all the weight is in the fruit at the top.