Chapter 274: A Gift from the Weasel

Xia Qing paused, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. “Hey, Fluffy, did you need something from me?”

She had to keep her tone soft. This little creature was as timid as the Red Squirrel—if startled, the squirrel would bolt, but this one would release its toxic gas.

The evolved weasel trembled at Xia Qing’s words, quickly retreating behind a rock. After a while, its round little ears cautiously peeked out. The balding weasel stared at Xia Qing with its shiny black eyes for a steady two seconds. Once it was sure she was watching, it hurriedly set two small prey on top of the rock and dashed away.

So… it’s really giving me a thank-you gift?

Xia Qing walked over and picked up the two plump frogs, each about the size of her palm. A quick scan revealed they were both Green Lantern.

Was this just a happy coincidence? Or could the balding weasel actually distinguish an animal’s Qiang Element content?

If it was the latter, that meant the oversized evolved rabbit the weasel had clowned around to catch yesterday was probably a Green Lantern too.

Xia Qing decided to keep one of the frogs for herself and make frog porridge. She’d exchange the other one.

The trading partner? Of course, it had to be her Idol, who refused to eat anything but Green Lantern foods. This way, she’d pay back some of the points from today’s trade for the High-Grade Evolved Black Gardenia. Speaking of which, it’s been several days since Idol accepted the Green Lantern chestnuts, yet she still hadn’t received the medicine to heal her injuries.

Looks like mixing up that medicine is no easy task.

Xia Qing contacted Ji Li right away. “Brother Ji, I’ve caught two Green Lantern frogs. They’re not huge—just over a pound each… Okay, I’ll wait for you at the quarantine barrier.”

The weasel’s thank-you gift helped her settle part of the points for the High-Grade Evolved Herb exchange today. She could clear the rest using Green Lantern vegetables or dried Green Lantern meat.

Once inside, she shut all the windows and doors tight. First she washed the pesticide off her Protective Suit, then finally took off her Protective Mask.

Even with everything closed up, and even though she wasn’t an enhanced smeller, Xia Qing could still catch a whiff of harsh pesticide. Strangely, the scent didn’t bother her—instead, it gave her a sense of security.

After all, that pesticide could finally wipe out the insect disaster plaguing her Territory.

She helped the three animals inside remove their masks. “Old Goat, Er Gou, Crippled—spraying’s done. Time to eat and drink.”

Once they all had safe spring water, Crippled Wolf signaled he wanted to head out. He didn’t need the bathroom—he wanted to leave the Territory.

Xia Qing asked, “Hungry? Or is the one with the broken leg not delivering food later?”

She met the clever wolf’s steady gaze and soon gave in. It wasn’t like she could stop him; Crippled Wolf had made up his mind. “Go ahead, but be careful. There are still plenty of bugs in the Evolved Forest right now.”

Crippled Wolf padded over, circled Xia Qing once, then sauntered away. Only then did Xia Qing help Old Goat and Er Gou out of their Protective Suits and start cooking. She left Crippled Wolf’s suit on—there might be fewer bugs in the forest than in the Territory, but with a bald patch on his back, it was still risky for him.

The other two would be easy to feed. Xia Qing had gathered enough feed for Old Goat before spraying—plenty for two days. Er Gou could enjoy some frog porridge with her.

She did have a recipe, but couldn’t find even half the ingredients. So she’d just do her best to cook the porridge and let fate decide whether it tasted good. After all, in a year of disaster, with the insect plague just over, a safe place to rest and a hot, safe meal was already more than enough for Xia Qing.

That evening, she tuned in to the Hui Three Base news broadcast and learned that only Territories One through Twenty-Eight had suffered the stinging caterpillar outbreak this time.

Honestly, it wasn’t that surprising. Blue Star’s evolution never stopped. No one really knew how many evolved creatures existed on Blue Star. Not to mention, the same species could evolve in so many ways that nobody could even keep track.

After all, different environments and varying concentrations of Qiang and Yi elements could set off all sorts of evolutionary directions. Xia Qing turned on her walkie-talkie, hoping to hear a professional take on this insect disaster.

Barely had she tuned in when Kuang Qingwei posed the very same question.

Li Si answered with expertise. “All biological disasters are the result of multiple factors. First, this year’s third Qiang Rain lasted too long and brought more Red Qiang Rain than usual, which hugely impacts insects in the egg stage. Second, our Territory’s soil is just right for evolved stinging caterpillars to thrive.”

Zhao Ze chimed in, “Sis Si, when did these stinging caterpillars lay their eggs? I’ve lived here half a year and never saw tons of caterpillars flying into the Territory to lay eggs.”

Li Si speculated, “We’ve caught some caterpillar larvae to study, but it’s too soon for conclusions. Our early guess is these eggs were laid last year by stinging caterpillars after they emerged from their cocoons.”

Eggs laid last year? Only hatching now?

Before Xia Qing could say a word, Tang Huai launched straight into an attack against Territory One. “Last autumn and winter, the Azure Dragon Squad was in charge of clearing this area. If that’s true, our losses this time are because the squad didn’t clean up properly. Azure Dragon Squad should compensate all the territory lords. Double!”

The channel went silent…

Hu Zifeng shot right back. “We completed the cleanup exactly as required and passed inspection, so if you want compensation go talk to whoever assigned the task.”

Their argument lasted a while until Tan Junjie stepped in. “The insect disaster isn’t totally over yet. All the Territory lords—make sure to finish clearing out evolved bugs in your areas these next few days, or you’ll risk hordes of migratory birds damaging your crops.”

Assistant Xiao Liu started advertising Territory Nine’s special chemical compound, which could drive off birds below level six, but nobody on the lord’s channel seemed interested.

Suddenly Xia Qing realized—Li Si had come to her Territory for more than just Zhang San. There had to be a side quest: earning points.

But after all these months, they’d only racked up a few points selling compost starter and green bean Growing Manuals.

Zhao Ze whined, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have picked a Territory with a Buffer Forest…”

No wonder Zhao Ze complained—most Territories were about two thousand mu, but if you had Buffer Forest, it jumped over three thousand. Bigger Territories meant more potential gains, but also a bigger workload and way more responsibility.

Like with this disaster: for the High-Grade Black Gardenia, Territory Eight—no Buffer Forest and only eighteen hundred mu—needed to buy just six plants. Territory Seven, with Buffer Forest and over thirty-seven hundred mu, needed twelve. As for Xia Qing, whose Territory was the biggest, she had to buy all twenty-three.

If it weren’t for the uncontaminated spring in Section Three, Xia Qing—who planned to live solo—would never have chosen this Territory.

Xia Qing turned off the walkie-talkie, trained until nearly eleven and was about to go to bed when Crippled Wolf returned. His Protective Suit was covered in grass, mud and bug bits, but he wasn’t hurt. Both eyes sparkled with excitement.

He trotted up to Xia Qing, craned his neck, and gestured for her to check the pocket of his Protective Suit.