Chapter 5
Under the cover of night, the desolate plains were faintly illuminated by a pale green light field.
Seed 237 was immersed in the expansion of its own light field and the cycle of nutrients, while sprout 12 silently slipped out from between the roots, like a nimble wind, and disappeared into the darkness.
His target is the core area of the three forces—the underground root network of the Tide Lotus Alliance, the Water Vein Forest, and the Shadow Vine Alliance.
Sprout 12 traversed the underground mycelial network, its body trembling slightly, the intelligence seeds stored in its pods shimmering with light. Each time it crossed the root barriers of different forces, it released tiny light waves to evade perception barriers, while simultaneously gathering information on nutrient flow and root activity.
The pool in the Chao Numbeng Lotus Alliance rippled silver under the moonlight.
Sprout 12 burrowed into the hidden mycelium at the base of the water's roots and heard whispers among the water elementals:
"The speed at which the light field is expanding is exceeding expectations. If no intervention is taken, the water flow in the southwest corner will be completely diverted."
Sprout 12 quickly recorded the information into the intelligence seed, and incidentally used the pod to release tiny enzymes to temporarily paralyze the shallow roots at the edge of the pool, leaving no trace.
He gently brushed the lotus leaves, sensing the subtle power balance among the water vein masters, and secretly noted their weaknesses: the water flow controllers relied on the hidden "water source nodes" in the main root, and the slightest interference could disrupt the entire alliance.
Sprout 12, along with the vines extending from the edge of the light field, sneaked into the outer perimeter of Shattered Shell Ridge.
The crustaceans roared in the night, and the roots of the hard-shelled shrubs entangled in the soil, forming a natural barrier.
Sprout 12 cleverly navigated through the roots, using the faint light from its pods to disrupt the shelled beast's senses, and successfully entered the core mineral vein area.
He discovered an astonishing secret: the mineral reserves of Shattered Shell Ridge far exceeded publicly available data, and the shell reinforcement technology was being upgraded—once these minerals were controlled, the entire Shell Clan's defensive capabilities would be greatly enhanced.
Sprout 12 quietly leaves behind tiny intelligence seeds, sealing these messages and sending them back to 237. At the same time, it places tiny "growth markers" in the soil so that seed 237 can sense potential future threats in advance.
The most dangerous target is the Shadow Vine Alliance.
The vine's root system is intricate and contains hidden parasitic spores; if one is not careful, the buds may be captured or have their information stolen.
He carefully navigated along the root system's floating layer, extending his pods into the underground mycelial network to collect samples of parasitic fungi deep within the vine's root system.
Sprout 12 noticed that the vine was secretly trying to establish a pseudo-cooperation of "interconnected root network" at the edge of the light domain, intending to slowly infiltrate the light domain of seed 237 in order to launch a surprise attack in the future.
He quickly sealed this information into the intelligence seed and used the pod to release a weak light wave, temporarily disrupting the parasite's perception and making his tracks undetectable.
As the first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds and fell upon the desolate plains, Sprout 12 gracefully returned to the center of the light domain.
Seed 237 sensed his return, its roots trembling slightly. Sprout 12 placed all the intelligence seeds around 237, causing them to shimmer with a faint light, like stars gathering.
Sprout 12 Low Channel:
"The secrets of the Southwest Pool, the Broken Shell Vein, and the Shadow Vine Root Network have all been uncovered. In the next few days, you need to decide on your next move—defense, expansion, or a proactive attack."
The leaves of Seed 237 unfolded, and the light field rippled slightly in the night, as if sensing an even greater challenge to come.
The Bud Spirit vibrated gently within its body: "Two, three, seven, your mother tree's potential is gradually awakening because of this information."
Sprout 12 rotated its pod, the light spots dancing: "Don't worry, with me here, you will no longer be alone. I can uncover the undercurrents of every power for you."
The green light of the luminous field intertwines with the morning mist, and the plains whisper quietly—the rise of the mother tree is quietly unfolding its roots and vines.
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