Chapter 666: Plans, Bargains, and Thresholds

“This grass either isn’t the same evolutionary species as the one from Red One Base,” Zhang San observed carefully, “or it’s the same species but has changed again, developing a new form due to environmental shifts.”

At four in the afternoon, emergency status for Devastation Snake disaster was lifted in Section One of the North. When Xia Qing was called to Territory Seven by her Idol to discuss something, Idol showed her some photos she’d taken.

After hearing Idol’s theory, Xia Qing offered her own guess. “Do you think the evolution of Devastationweed is connected to the surge in Devastation Snakes in our area?”

They say where evil grows, the righteous rise to meet it. If the Devastation Snakes are multiplying, shouldn’t the antidotal herbs in the wild also be increasing?

Zhang San didn’t confirm or deny Xia Qing’s hunch. “That’s a very mystical hypothesis. Whether the two have a direct connection would need plenty of fieldwork and data analysis—I don’t have time for that right now.”

As a big shot researcher, Zhang San juggled several ongoing projects and was swamped with work.

Xia Qing was only asking out of curiosity, not because she needed an answer. She turned back to business. “Third Brother, which plant should I cut the leaves from this time?”

There were two Devastationweeds. One was seeding, the other growing side shoots—both at a critical stage, and Xia Qing couldn’t decide. That’s why, when Idol asked her to bring four leaves, she only brought the photos. She figured she’d collect the leaves after Idol decided.

Zhang San made the call immediately. “Leave both alone. We don’t want to risk damaging them. Red One is sending people to pick up the high-evolution spinach seeds tomorrow. I’ll have them bring four leaves too.”

“It’s best to trade with Red One’s Research Institute,” Xia Qing agreed. Then she asked, “Third Brother, are the medicinal herbs we gathered from Hill Fifty-Five usable?”

Zhang San shot her a look. “Would I ask you to collect the leaves if they weren’t usable? The first round of medicine will be ready tomorrow. For the second round, we’re still short just that one ingredient I told you about. Push the Wolf Pack to find it soon. Otherwise, we’ll have to extend the first course, and Zhang Hongda can’t wait any longer.”

Xia Qing asked, “Got it. How many courses does he need in total?”

“With enough herbs, two courses will cure him.” Zhang San discussed with Xia Qing, “Tomorrow’s medicine will need 300 milliliters of Pure Spring Water. I’m running low. Can we use the supply from your side?”

“No problem,” Xia Qing agreed quickly. Three hundred liters was her spring’s daily yield—practically nothing compared to the fifteen thousand liters Luo Pei needed to neutralize the Synthetic Toxin. Zhang Hongda’s dose was a drop in the bucket.

“Fire Phoenix is selling spring water to outsiders at 220 credits per liter, so let’s use that price for yours too. That’s 66,000 credits. Add the twelve medicinal herbs for a total of 186,000 credits. The remaining twenty-odd herbs aren’t worth much—just call it four hundred credits. All together, that’s 186,400 credits.” Zhang San pulled a fat stack of Points Cards from his drawer, picked out three to make up the total, and handed them to Xia Qing. “Once things calm down, I’ll check your brain for you.”

He made it sound like she had brain problems. Xia Qing quietly looked away from that thick stack of Points Cards. “Thanks, Third Brother.”

More than thirty herbs sold for credits! She just had to split half with Yang Jin—there was still so much left, this was a real windfall.

Xia Qing left Idol’s soundproof office in high spirits. She’d barely reached Yan Long when Yan Long asked, “Is that Yellow Weasel in your territory still hanging around?”

Xia Qing stopped two meters from Yan Long and didn’t go any closer. “Still there.”

Yan Long asked about Xia Qing’s adventure at Python Pond on Hill Fifty-Five. “I was checking the surveillance. That black python is just as big as the one we caught last year. Is it a Brain Evolutionary?”

The camera by Python Pond at Hill Fifty-Five was under Territory Seven’s jurisdiction, so Yan Long could check the footage. Problem was, the camera angle only showed the python’s back.

Xia Qing shook her head. “I can’t be certain, but that black python is definitely smarter than the other three. It didn’t rush out to attack me and Yang Jin.”

Yan Long thought there might be another explanation. “It might not have attacked for two reasons. One, you two weren’t carrying bait. Two, maybe it’s got a sharper sense for danger—it could be afraid of Yang Jin.”

Creatures in the Evolved Forest are hypersensitive to danger. Either of Yan Long’s guesses was plausible. Xia Qing was curious. “Sister Yan, are you interested in the pythons on Hill Fifty-Five?”

Yan Long was captain of the Frogman Special Ops—no one could match her in water. Was she looking to capture a python?

“Since there are giant pythons in the area, Tan Qi needs to level up her combat skills,” Yan Long said, glancing at Xia Qing. “If you’re not too busy…”

“I’m free!” Xia Qing blurted before the offer could pass. “Count me in, Sister Yan! Just say when—I’m ready anytime.”

Like she’d miss a chance to train under Yan Long. Leveling up combat skills with her was a rare opportunity, and Xia Qing had no intention of letting it slip by.

Yan Long nodded in approval. “Let’s focus on your and Tan Qi’s underwater combat skills for now. Once you’re ready, we’ll move on to field training at Hill Fifty-Five. Can you swim? How’s your lung capacity?”

Xia Qing straightened up, trying to look confident. “I learned the breaststroke before the disaster. In a pool, I could swim about twenty meters. Haven’t been in the water since then, and I’ve never checked my lung capacity, but it has to be way better now.”

Breaststroke, twenty meters, all indoors? In the Monitoring Room, Ji Li quietly lit an incense stick for Xia Qing, while Huo Zhun started rummaging through his old man’s stash, hoping to find something good for Xia Qing’s safety.

Xia Qing followed Yan Long to the testing room, took three deep breaths into the tube, then waited for the results.

Yan Long frowned. “Before the evolution, the average adult female in our country had a lung capacity between 2,500 and 3,000 milliliters. Afterward, it’s gone up to 4,500 to 6,000. You’re an Advanced Evolutionary, so your lung capacity should be in that range. But right now yours is only…”

Xia Qing, still a ways off from passing, asked seriously, “Sister Yan, how do I improve my lung capacity?”

Yan Long liked Xia Qing’s attitude. “I’ll send you some training videos. What time are you free the afternoon after tomorrow? I’ll teach you and Tan Qi to swim. Can we use the reservoir in your territory?”

After settling on a time, they walked quickly toward the Northern Buffer Forest of Territory Seven. Suddenly, a female guard came over, lowering her voice to speak to Yan Long:

“Captain Yan, a group from Chonglian just arrived. I’ve already told Captain Ji—should he escort Miss Xia back?”

Xia Qing hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but her advanced hearing evolution picked up the words crystal clear. One thing she was sure of: the moment the guard said ‘Chonglian,’ Yan Long’s eyes turned hard as steel.

There was definitely some bad blood between Yan Long and Chonglian.

Xia Qing heard a rush of footsteps and looked up at the Northern Buffer Forest.