Chapter 614: Spring Sprouts, Restless Nights

Xia Qing cleared her throat and asked calmly, “Third Brother?”

Zhang San spoke a bit faster than usual. “I’ve just confirmed one standout effect of this Evolutionary Synthetic Element—it stimulates hormone secretion. How are you feeling now?”

How am I feeling?

Xia Qing pressed a hand to her forehead. “Old Goat spent all night pedaling the bike, and I just had a nightmare. Third Brother, do you have anything I can take for this?”

Hearing that Xia Qing was unharmed, Zhang San’s tone turned relaxed and lazy. “Nope. For the next couple of days, try not to interact with outsiders or do anything rash if your emotions get stirred up.”

Having just acted impulsively herself, Xia Qing shot back, “Don’t worry, Third Brother. Until the scent’s gone, I won’t see anyone.”

Her idol must’ve stayed up all night studying the sample, called as soon as he figured it out, and made sure to warn her. Hardcore fangirl Xia Qing pressed down her endless admiration and asked earnestly, “Third Brother, is this new element that stimulates hormone secretion considered harmful or beneficial?”

Idols hate empty praise, so true fans naturally let them show off their expertise and have their moment to shine.

Sure enough, Zhang San seemed to enjoy the question. Even his raspy voice had a hint of delight. “Every substance—including Synthetic Toxin—has two sides. Used right, it’s beneficial; used wrong, it’s harmful. This new element doesn’t just boost human adrenaline, it can also trigger sex hormones and insulin. Maybe some other hormones, too. When did you spray the pesticide?”

“A little after ten last night. It’s been over an hour, so I’ll need to reapply soon.”

Zhang San asked, “If this Evolutionary Synthetic Element can be successfully extracted and used in clinics, it could really help with diseases like diabetes, infertility, and slow growth. How many of those toon trees do you have in your territory?”

Xia Qing replied, “There were some saplings under the main toon tree last spring, but I couldn’t transplant any of them. Now there’s only this one.”

“Seems toon trees are picky about soil. If any new shoots sprout near the main tree this year, don’t try to move them—let them grow right there.” Zhang San followed up, “Did the toon tree make any seeds last year?”

Xia Qing paused for two seconds. “A bunch, but I used them all to grow toon sprouts for eating.”

Zhang San went quiet for even longer, then tried to negotiate. “I want to collect as much of this gas as I can over the next few days for new medicine research. Is that okay with you?”

Xia Qing didn’t agree right away. First, she asked how he planned to collect it.

Using the Evolutionary Synthetic Element for treating several diseases would be great, but gathering it openly would draw too much attention to Section Three and risk exposing the pure spring water. That was something Xia Qing absolutely couldn’t accept.

Zhang San had thought of that as well. “Just cover as many toon sprouts as you can with bags. That’ll keep the gas from escaping.”

If that’s the case, Xia Qing could accept it. “Third Brother, how about we do it this way…”

After hanging up, Xia Qing couldn’t sleep a wink. She got up, climbed the ladder, sprayed more pesticide on the upper branches of the toon tree, and started her morning chores and training.

Once the sun was up and the temperature climbed, the toon sprouts that hadn’t been sprayed started releasing more Evolutionary Synthetic Element into the air, drawing plenty of evolved toon borer moths.

Xia Qing grabbed her walkie-talkie and contacted her idol. “Third Brother, you there?”

Zhang San’s voice was thick with sleep. “Talk.”

Xia Qing tried to sound cautious. “Third Brother, the toon tree in my territory sprouted, and it’s attracting a lot of bugs. The pesticide I got from you didn’t work so well. Do you have anything stronger that’s still safe for big animals? I’d like to trade for some.”

Zhang San yawned. “What kind of bug?”

Xia Qing answered, “They have wings, about the size of a fingernail, but I’m not sure what kind. Probably some evolved type. Their shells are tough.”

Qi Fu, after hearing Xia Qing’s description, chimed in. “Sounds like toon stink bugs. My territory’s toon tree sprouted too, and I’ve got those bugs. Pesticide only knocks them off the tree—you have to stomp them yourself. Xia Qing, got a lot over there?”

Xia Qing replied at once, “Plenty. The toon sprouts are practically all chewed up. That’s why I want a stronger, safer pesticide from Third Brother.”

Tang Huai jumped in as well. “Xia Qing, is your toon tree the Green Lantern one?”

Xia Qing replied calmly, “It is. That’s why I want to avoid spraying chemicals and see if I can collect as many toon sprouts as possible.”

According to Zhang San, the main toon tree had both low Devastation Element and low Evolution Element, so it wasn’t anything special. As long as people didn’t realize it could release Evolutionary Synthetic Element, it wouldn’t draw too much attention.

Tang Huai was still curious. “Do your toon sprouts taste good?”

Xia Qing answered plainly, “They’ve got a strong toon flavor. My sheep love them.”

Tang Huai was speechless.

It’s over!

As expected, Zhang San got mad. “If the toon sprouts attract bugs, just squish them by hand. If you don’t want to, bag them up! Stop bothering me with petty stuff, or I’ll drag that crazy sheep of yours over here and roast it!”

After Zhang San logged off, the Lords’ channel went dead silent.

About five minutes later, Tang Huai called Xia Qing, asking carefully, “Xia Qing, what are you up to?”

Standing on a ladder dressed in her airtight protective suit, Xia Qing replied flatly, “Squishing stink bugs. Bagging up sprouts.”

Tang Huai perked right up. “Need help? I can swing by and give you a hand!”

“What, so you can bang your head on the tree?” Xia Qing refused without hesitation. “No need, I can handle it.”

Tang Huai had expected that already, but still asked with interest, “How’s Old Goat doing?”

“Much better. I’m busy, talk later.” Xia Qing barely had time to bag up the toon sprouts, never mind holding a phone.

Tang Huai, squatting somewhere in Territory Nine, listened in for another half minute. Realizing Xia Qing was genuinely swamped, he finally hung up.

Only after bagging up a hundred and fifty toon sprouts did Xia Qing finally finish covering those that hadn’t been sprayed and were still releasing Evolutionary Synthetic Element.

Now that the bagged and sprayed toon sprouts couldn’t give off any scent, bugs like the borer moths stopped showing up. The few moths still on the tree got snapped up by birds and swallows. The toon tree was safe for now.

Jumping down from the ladder, Xia Qing returned home, swapped her airtight protective suit for her usual gear. As she did, she heard a beep from the camera in the yard and, sensing something, glanced outside through the window.

There, the dirty, balding weasel had deposited half a wild frog—left over from what White Weasel didn’t finish—right in front of her security door. Then it dashed to the sheep shed, poked out half its wet little head, and stared at her through the glass, trembling.

While Xia Qing exchanged silent glances with the yellow weasel, a flash of fiery red dropped from the roof, snatched up the half-eaten frog, and vanished at lightning speed.

The sight sparked a nameless anger in Xia Qing. At that very moment, the balding weasel squeaked out two furious cries and tore off in hot pursuit.