Those who came with Jiang Wan exclaimed in horror: "It can talk!"
They suddenly realized that mutated plants can also evolve!
The mutated plants they encountered in and around Xiangcheng were only the lowest level of mutations!
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow in shock, while the twins, startled, grabbed her neck from either side. The two little ones had gained a lot of weight recently, making them heavy and difficult to hold, but she didn't let go, gritting her teeth and holding on tightly.
She looked up at the tree canopy and could vaguely make out the branches and leaves of some trees beneath the canopy of the strangler fig.
She pondered for a moment, searching her knowledge base for the answer: "You are a dawn redwood."
Jiang Wan was testing the waters, but the satisfied sigh as she drank Cheng Zhen's blood stopped abruptly, and she knew she had guessed correctly.
"You're very impressive." The cypress tree seemed to be sizing her up as well, then suddenly chuckled, "Interesting, very interesting."
Cheng Zhen leaned against the tree trunk in a disheveled state, her eyes fixed on Jiang Wan, gritting her teeth: "Why aren't you running now? Are you in such a hurry to die? Do you want to be buried with me?"
Jiang Wan ignored him, not even giving him a glance. Instead, she took a few steps forward and slowly spoke:
"Metasequoia, a rare species, is known as a 'living fossil.' It was already an endangered species decades ago. Although humans have put a lot of effort into protecting it, this species seems to have been abandoned by nature and is gradually heading towards extinction. I originally thought that metasequoia had become extinct, but I didn't expect to encounter it here."
She sighed, "Unfortunately, you were strangled and covered by the strangler fig, and I can no longer see your original appearance."
Cheng Zhen, Yu Fen, and all the city guards who came with them were shocked. Even Yu Tongguang couldn't help but call out to her, "Xiao Wan! Don't go!"
However, an unbelievable scene unfolded right before everyone's eyes.
The mutated dawn redwood did not attack her; instead, it parted to the sides, clearing a path for her.
But the dawn redwood was enraged by her words: "We have not been abandoned by nature! It is you humans who are insatiably greedy. How many of my kind have died at your hands!"
"Now that I've mutated, it's your turn to die by my hand. This proves that nature hasn't abandoned our metasequoia clan!"
Jiang Wan remained noncommittal: "The strangler fig is your natural enemy. Even if you mutate, you can't escape its strangulation. The dawn redwoods are naturally difficult to grow into timber. Can you guarantee that they won't be strangled by the strangler figs?"
Perhaps because she had hit the nail on the head, the mutated dawn redwood remained silent.
Yu Fen panicked: "What are you talking to it about! Quick, save the boss!"
Jiang Wan suddenly turned around and gave him a "fool" look.
Suddenly, the dawn redwood erected a wall of tree roots to block her approach. "As long as I'm here, I will never let them suffer from strangler figs again."
"Not necessarily," Jiang Wan said firmly and confidently.
"Dawn redwood has many natural enemies, such as the coffee beetle. Their larvae bore into the stem, causing the branches to wither and die, preventing the plant from growing and flowering normally, or even causing the stem to break due to being hollowed out."
"The leaf buds cause pale white spots to appear on the leaves of the dawn redwood. When the damage is severe, the spots become patches or puncture the epidermis, causing the branches and leaves to wither."
"The rose leaf bee's larvae overwinter in cocoons in the soil. They often gather in groups of dozens on the leaves to feed, and in severe cases, they can eat all the leaves, leaving only the thick veins. The females lay their eggs on the branches, which can cause the branches to wither and die. This species makes life worse for the dawn redwood."
"And fungal diseases..."
"Enough!" Before Jiang Wan could finish speaking, the mutated metasequoia finally couldn't hold back any longer. Its aged voice shouted urgently, "You are different from them. I won't kill you. Go away."
"But I can help you, your kind."
After Jiang Wan finished speaking, Shui Shan indeed paused for a moment.
Jiang Wan continued, "If I can recognize you, I can naturally recognize other dawn redwoods, even if they are just seedlings. I can take them away from here to a place with oxygen, and I have the ability to make them grow healthily and strong."
Her expression was cool and serious. Sunlight filtered through the dappled shadows of the trees, falling on her face and body. At that moment, she seemed like a fairy who redeemed all living beings, so sacred that no one dared to look at her or offend her.
The dawn redwood did indeed soften its stance. It remained silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You cunning and treacherous human, you just want to save this man! I don't believe you!"
Jiang Wan smiled slightly: "That's right, I did come here to save him."
As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed the twins and ran forward. As long as they were within range, Jiang Xiaoshu could release her purification ability to help Cheng Zhen break free from the shackles of the mutated metasequoia roots.
"Jiang Wan!"
"Xiao Wan!"
"expert!"
"Mother!"
Amid everyone's gasps, the mutated dawn redwood angrily unleashed its roots, which lashed out at Jiang Wan. However, just as the roots were about to touch her, they suddenly stopped.
"Wait a minute." The old, weak voice rang out again, this time filled with excitement. "I believe in you."
Jiang Wan stopped not far from Cheng Zhen. At this distance, Jiang Xiaoshu's purification ability could already take effect.
The roots of the dawn redwood trees probed around her, seemingly sensing Jiang Wan's energy, gradually becoming excited, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope for life.
"I can let him go, but you must keep your promise."
As it said this, everyone saw that the tree roots tightly binding Cheng Zhen loosened, but no one doubted Jiang Xiaoshu's ability; they simply assumed that Shuishan really wanted to make a deal with Jiang Wan.
Although it seemed unbelievable, it was all true, just as they had seen with their own eyes.
Jiang Wan also breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't expect that the cypress tree was so sensible and didn't want to expose Jiang Xiaoshu's special ability. That was for the best.
"Okay, I promise you. Whenever I encounter dawn redwoods, I will bring them back for transplantation. When the time is right, I will also propagate the dawn redwoods."
Jiang Wan was serious. Metasequoia is indeed very rare, and the species itself is very valuable. Moreover, it can purify the air, which is extremely necessary in an oxygen-deficient post-apocalyptic world!
Cheng Zhen was suddenly freed, and Yu Fen and the others were about to come forward to pick him up, but they were blocked outside by the mutated roots of the dawn redwood.
It continued to speak only to Jiang Wan: "I know you are special, but how can I trust you?"
To outsiders, this was simply a reference to Jiang Wan's special status as a botanist; only Cheng Zhen seemed to be deep in thought.
Before Jiang Wan could speak, two exclamations came from behind her. The mutated roots of the dawn redwood unexpectedly emerged from the ground and grabbed Yu Yuanping and Jiang.
"There are thirty-two dawn redwood trees on this mountain. I want you to find them all and bring them to a safe place. If you can do it, I will release them. If you can't, I will drink their blood!"
It suddenly burst into laughter: "Hehe, when the time comes, I will use my own power to protect my people!"
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