The formation of Cordyceps sinensis begins in the summer when fungal spores enter the surface of the larvae. The spores germinate into hyphae inside the larvae, absorb their nutrients, and occupy their soft tissues.
As the larvae die, the mycelium fills their bodies and forms a hard 'sclerotia', the winter worm, while the outside still retains the shape of the worm.
In the spring and summer of the following year, the sclerotia will germinate from the head of the larvae to produce fruiting bodies, summer grass. When the summer grass is formed, ascospores will be produced, which will start a new round of transmission, infect the larvae, and form a life cycle.
Ellie was extremely excited. She took a deep breath and said:
"The silkworm pupae we brought back are most likely still in the parasitic stage of spores. The silk glands and silk proteins I found inside them are most likely incomplete sclerotia."
With a professional like Ellie around, even a poor student like Meng Xiaodao can understand.
"Teacher Ai, I understand the winter worms, but what does this have to do with the mycelium in the car?" Meng Xiaodao raised his hand.
Ellie pursed her lips, her eyes filled with the madness of an academic fanatic who has found the truth. "Of course it's related. I've always wondered why the moss on that hilltop grows on its own. It's not moss that grows, but hyphae!"
"This area has its own symbiotic relationship, and the connection between these two is the mycelium. However, the reproduction of mycelium requires nutrients, and human bones, blood and flesh are a great tonic."
Ellie muttered to herself, "But the human body should also be a substitute for the 'winter worm'. Is it because the people in the car were already dead at that time? Or does the parasite need to be in its juvenile stage, or is the human body not suitable for the spores to parasitize?"
"Judging from the marks left on the car, those people must have been completely wrapped and entangled by mycelium, forming a cocoon. The cocoon may have secreted acidic substances that completely corroded human bones and flesh. Therefore, there is no trace of clothing left on the car. They must have been corroded together. The acidic substances cannot leave the cocoon, but human sweat, urine and other substances can seep out, so human-shaped traces are left behind..."
Teacher Ai realized it and fell into a state of madness.
No one dared to disturb.
Meng Xiaodao and Qi Hao both stood a little further away silently. They felt that Teacher Ai in this state was not easy to deal with.
Sun Annie said, "I understand what Researcher Ai said. It means that the ground beneath our feet is covered with mycelium. Whether it's humans or other creatures, they may become food for the mycelium."
"But what does this have to do with us going in circles?"
"Maybe there is a connection." Chu Han said, "Maybe we are not going in circles, but 'it' is moving with us."
Sun Anni: "...it?"
Meng Xiaodao and Qi Hao shuddered and subconsciously linked their arms. "Doctor Chu, are we going to start talking about metaphysics? No, metaphysics is my specialty. You still have to stick to science!"
Yang Benxin was helpless. As a Taoist priest, he actually also believed in science.
Shi Man glanced at the two underachieving students and said, "Allie just said so much, but you missed the point. The 'it' Chu Han mentioned is the area covered with mycelium right here beneath our feet."
Seeing that the two still had blank eyes, as if the knowledge had passed through their brains without leaving any trace, Chu Han explained, "Researcher Ai just said that this area has its own symbiotic body and biological connections. You can imagine that we are on the back of a giant organism."
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