Chapter 207 - A Mysterious Blue Plant
Locating a tree posed little difficulty.
However, seeking a diminutive, unique flora meant meticulously excavating through grass at a gradual pace.
Such an endeavor demanded an excessive amount of time!
You'd fail to discover it even if the waters of the Eternal River were to evaporate.
Providing me with a specific area, I am prepared to undertake a methodical search within a 500-meter radius, or even extend up to 5 kilometers.
Yet, finding this specific plant equates to the challenge of locating a needle in a vast sea.
By the time it comes into my possession, the descendants of Cao Mingyuan would have welcomed a new generation!
Huh?
My thoughts have wandered to him, why so?
It leaves me wondering about his current circumstances.
Noticing the time, Su Ming realized it had surpassed six in the evening.
Despite the summer's bright sunshine, darkness would envelop the sky in just over an hour.
Descending the mountain then would pose risks.
The setting was essentially a woodland.
Twilight had already set in across the mountains.
Well then…
With a sigh, Su Ming dismissed the thought with a shake of his head.
It appeared fate hadn't favored him with the acquisition of this plant.
Prioritizing his safety, he decided to let it go.
Blueberries awaited his return in the field.
As did the Glass Pearl Chicken.
And there's more!
The two hefty pigs were likely perfectly fattened by now.
What transformation would they undergo?
Perhaps becoming Glass Pearl Pigs?
Admittedly, that notion seemed somewhat odd.
While the plant held value, his life held paramount importance.
Making the decision to return home, Su Ming relinquished his pursuit.
This decision brought a semblance of relaxation, albeit accompanied by a deep sense of loss.
Nonetheless, Su Ming harbored confidence in the System's burgeoning capabilities, anticipating even more astonishing developments ahead.
Eventually, he believed, what once seemed invaluable would lose its significance to him, rendering the current loss inconsequential.
Attempting self-consolation in this manner seemed futile.
Acceptance of the situation remained elusive to him.
Overwhelmed by frustration, Su Ming found himself in turmoil.
Ultimately, he had no choice but to make his way home, feeling defeated.
Departing, he realized the substantial distance he had inadvertently covered.
After a thirty-minute walk, darkness fully settled, intensifying within the woodland, despite the lingering twilight outside.
Unfazed by the darkness, Su Ming found his progress hindered.
Continuing at this pace suggested a midnight arrival at home.
Such a late return would undoubtedly cause his parents considerable worry.
Could opening the scanner and giving it a try be a good idea?
With a blink, Su Ming activated the scanner.
Could this actually be beneficial?
The scanning process would highlight and track the contours of an object, making it distinctly visible to him.
Su Ming focused on the trail ahead.
A narrow trail, once obscured by shadow, now became vividly apparent.
This improvement lifted his spirits.
A chuckle escaped Su Ming.
He proceeded, walking confidently.
An expression of concern suddenly crossed Su Ming's face.
What could that be?
A fleeting shape caught the edge of Su Ming's vision.
The darkness of the day was profound.
There was someone isolated in the forest's depths.
The abrupt appearance of this entity…
Expletives escaped him.
Might this be a dangerous animal?
Su Ming was aware, given the increasing efforts to conserve the environment, that the mountains had become home to numerous wildlife species recently.
Sightings of creatures such as wild boars had become more common.
Wild boars didn't intimidate him. Despite their aggressiveness, he could simply climb a tree to evade them.
His physical capabilities had been enhanced; having consumed the Body-stretching Pill and possessing the Stamina Talent, he could outrun any danger, ensuring no wild boar could catch him.
Yet, if he encountered predators known for their short-burst speed and formidable power…
Expletives escaped him again.
Escaping such creatures would be impossible.
He inventoried his possessions.
The Body-stretching Pill!
This proved to be of no use!
Did he intend to boost the predators' speed with the Body-stretching Pill, facilitating their chase to catch and consume him faster?
The Truth Pill?
Equally futile!
Even if the beasts could articulate in human tongue, they would express their intent to devour him!
Indeed, their intention was to prey on him.
Taking a deep inhalation, Su Ming steadied himself.
He exhaled slowly and turned his head with caution.
He reminded himself to remain composed.
In encounters with wild beasts, running haphazardly was not advisable.
He resolved to face this creature head-on.
As Su Ming looked around, he was taken aback.
What exactly was this creature?
The figure was a schematic of a botanical specimen.
“Kudos on uncovering a unique botanical specimen. Hurry and secure it!”
Su Ming leaped in excitement.
He had lost all hope previously.
By this time, dusk had settled in entirely.
Nonetheless, with the scanner activated, Su Ming was able to focus on the botanical specimen located ten meters from him.
The shape of it was distinctly visible to him.
It stood over ten centimeters in height.
Its hue was entirely azure.
This color bore a resemblance to the hue of the heavens.
A slender, golden streak adorned the center of its leaf.
The appearance was strikingly attractive.
During nighttime, this botanical specimen stood out remarkably.
A realization dawned upon Su Ming suddenly.
It appeared that activating the scanner was necessary to locate this object.
To put it another way, activating the scanner and following the path sufficed. A simple glance to the left and right was all it took.
The visible distance marked the extent of the search area.
Upon giving it thorough consideration, Su Ming felt overwhelmingly frustrated.
That explained everything.
He fought back the impulse to mock the System.
Approaching the site, Su Ming peered downwards.
Subsequently, he powered up his mobile device.
This was merely common flora.
Yet, standard verdure is characterized by its greenness.
This specimen, however, was entirely cerulean.
A golden streak adorned one of its leaves centrally.
The leaf's surface displayed a color that seemed to ripple like liquid, adding to its allure.
“System, what's the proper method to collect this specimen?”
“Do not fret! Gently extract the special botanical specimen and ensure its preservation. Place it in the System's soil within two days or risk its withering and loss of potency!”
Acknowledging the instruction, Su Ming nodded.
He retrieved a small blade designed for mushroom foraging from his backpack to loosen the soil surrounding the specimen.
Following that, he secured the specimen.
He then stored the specimen in a polyethylene bag he had on him, subsequently placing it in his backpack.
Afterwards, Su Ming made his way home directly.
“Relieved to see you've returned. Your absence had us concerned.”
Standing at the entrance, Lee Sumei and Su Tao expressed their relief upon sighting their son.
“There's no need for worry, Dad, Mom. All is well.”
With a chuckle, Su Ming remarked, “Mom, is dinner ready? I've worked up an appetite.”
“Let's proceed to have our meal!”
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