Chapter 35 – The Strange Tree 奇怪的树

On the sixth day after Lin Yuan entered the Agricultural Research Institute, due to his outstanding performance with his wood-based supernatural ability, he was assigned to an important experimental area to assist with some plant-related research work. This area was different from the ordinary farmland construction area. It seemed to be heavily guarded, and there were restrictions on the movement of personnel. Lin Yuan vaguely felt that there might be important secrets hidden here.

While sorting out the experimental data, he heard two researchers talking.

"Can that tree's fruit really do that?"

"The current experiment is indeed effective. For those who have just been infected and turned into zombies, after being injected with the extracted liquid, they can basically return to a human state."

"I hope this experiment will be successful. If it can make the infected recover, it will truly be a turning point for the future of humanity."

Lin Yuan was shocked. "It can turn zombies back into humans?"

He suppressed his inner excitement and continued to listen.

"However, the fruit yield is low, and the tree itself... is kind of strange."

"Yes, the growth of the tree seems to have some kind of will. The experimenters said that they can even hear the sounds it makes, as if it's communicating with people."

Lin Yuan took a deep breath. "A tree that can communicate with people? Could the mission given by the Jiuchong Ring be related to this thing?"

That night, when Lin Yuan returned to the dormitory temporarily assigned to him, he couldn't wait to ask the Jiuchong Ring, "Is that tree that can communicate related to the mission you gave me?"

The voice of the Jiuchong Ring sounded calmly, "The host has finally caught on. This tree is not an ordinary plant. It has strong spirituality and unique life energy. If you get near it, I can copy its traits and greatly enhance your wood-type supernatural power.

Lin Yuan frowned. "Boost my wood-based supernatural ability? Are you sure it's not because you need something yourself?"

The voice of the Jiuchong Ring carried a hint of impatience. "Host, stop questioning me all the time. I'm just taking advantage of the situation. Your supernatural ability is already rare. And don't you think that the growth rate of your wood-based supernatural ability is a bit too slow now?"

Lin Yuan reluctantly admitted, "That's true. My wood-based ability can control plants, but it's not powerful enough, whether in attack or other aspects. Compared with other supernatural beings, I'm really at a disadvantage."

The Jiuchong Ring snorted coldly. "So, don't waste this opportunity. This tree is an extremely rare existence."

Lin Yuan decided to take action. However, the problem was that the tree was placed deep inside the laboratory, and entering and exiting that area required high-level permissions. He was just an ordinary helper and had no way of getting close to it easily.

"It seems I have to find a way to sneak in," Lin Yuan muttered to himself.

In the following few days, on the one hand, he used his wood-based supernatural ability to perform even more outstandingly in his work at the research institute, and on the other hand, he secretly observed the security arrangements of the laboratory and the patterns of the people entering and leaving. He found that several senior researchers went into the lab daily to experiment on that tree.

One day, a researcher had to withdraw from the work due to physical discomfort during the experiment. Lin Yuan took the opportunity to volunteer, "I have a certain understanding of plants. Maybe I can help and temporarily participate in the experiment instead of him."

The person in charge's gaze fell on Lin Yuan. After thinking for a while, he finally nodded. "Alright, but you must strictly follow the instructions, not touch the experimental items casually, and especially not approach the tree body without permission."

Lin Yuan was overjoyed secretly and quickly replied, "Got it. I'll surely follow the rules strictly."

When Lin Yuan entered the laboratory for the first time, he was shocked by the scene in front of him. It was a huge tree that was entirely green, with a faint glow flowing. The trunk exuded a unique breath of life, and the leaves seemed to be swaying gently, as if welcoming his arrival.

"This is the spiritual tree..." Lin Yuan murmured in a low voice, feeling that the fluctuations of his wood-based supernatural ability began to become intense.

"It seems to sense me." Lin Yuan cautiously released a bit of his wood-based power, and the tree branches actually inched closer to him slowly, as if it's responding.

The voice of the Jiuchong Ring suddenly sounded, "Host, this tree is very friendly to you. Keep getting closer, but don't reveal your intentions."

Lin Yuan tried to suppress his inner excitement and carefully followed the researcher's instructions to assist with the experiment, but his attention was always focused on that tree.

A few days later, Lin Yuan finally found an opportunity to be in contact with the tree alone. During the experimenters' break, he went up to the tree trunk and whispered, "Can you really understand me?"

The branches of the tree swayed gently, as if in response.

Lin Yuan thought to himself, "This looks a bit like the World Tree in the game I played when I was a child. I'll just call you the World Tree."

At this moment, the Jiuchong Ring said coldly, "Host, start. Release your wood-based supernatural ability and establish a deeper connection with it. I will complete the remaining copying work."

According to the instructions of the Jiuchong Ring, Lin Yuan released his wood-based energy and established a subtle connection with the World Tree. He felt a massive, warm life force surging into his body, and meanwhile, the Jiuchong Ring started working.

After more than ten seconds, "Host, the copying is complete." The voice of the Jiuchong Ring carried a hint of satisfaction. "Some of the abilities of this World Tree have been integrated into your wood-based supernatural ability. Next, your ability will have a qualitative leap."

Just as Lin Yuan was about to heave a sigh of relief, he suddenly heard a rapid alarm sound coming from outside.

"What's going on?" Lin Yuan was startled.

The Jiuchong Ring reminded, "Be careful. The group of zombies outside is approaching the research institute. You have to leave here right away. Otherwise, you'll be those monsters' prey before you can even enjoy your enhanced ability.

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林远进入农业研究所的第6天,因其木系异能出色的表现,被分配到了一处重要的实验区,协助一些植物相关的研究工作.这个区域与普通农田建设不同,看起来戒备森严,人员流动也有限.林远隐约觉得,这里可能藏着重要的秘密.

在整理实验数据时,他听到两名研究员的对话.

"那颗树的果实,真的可以做到吗?"

"目前实验的确有效.刚感染成丧尸,用提取的液体注射后,基本能恢复成人类状态."

"希望这次实验能够成功,如果能让感染者恢复,那对于人类的未来,真的是个转机."

林远心头一震:"能让丧尸恢复成人类?"

他按耐住内心的激动,继续听下去.

"不过,果实的产量有限,而且那颗树本身... 有点奇怪."

"对,树的成长似乎有某种意志,实验人员说,甚至可以听到它发出的声音,仿佛在和人沟通."

林远深吸了一口气:"一棵能和人沟通的树?九重戒的任务,该不会和这东西有关系吧?"

当天晚上,林远回到临时分配给他的宿舍,迫不及待地问九重戒道:"那棵能沟通的树,是不是和你给我的任务有关?"

九重戒的声音淡淡响起:"宿主终于开窍了.这颗树并非普通植物,它拥有强大的灵性和特殊的生命能量.如果你能靠近它,我可以将其特性复制下来,顺便为你的木系异能提供巨大的提升."

林远皱眉:"提升我的木系异能?你确定不是因为你自己需要什么吧?"

九重戒的声音带着一丝不耐:"宿主,别总是质疑我.我只不过是顺水推舟罢了.你的异能本就稀有.而且你不觉得,现在的你,木系异能的成长速度有点过慢吗?"

林远不情愿地承认:"这倒是真的.我这木系异能虽然可以操控植物,但无论是攻击力还是其他能力,都不够强,和其他异能者比起来,实在是太被动了."

九重戒冷哼一声:"所以,别浪费这个机会.这颗树是极为罕见的存在."

林远决定行动,但问题在于,这颗树被安置在实验室的深处,进出那里需要高级权限.他只是个普通帮工,根本不可能轻易接近.

"看来得想办法混进去." 林远喃喃自语.

接下来的几天,他一边利用自己的木系异能,在研究所的工作中表现得更加突出,一边暗中观察实验室的布防和进出人员的规律.他发现,每天都有几名高级研究员进入实验室,为那颗树进行 "交流" 和实验.

某天,一个研究员正好在实验过程中因身体不适被迫退出工作.林远趁机自荐:"我对植物有一定的了解,也许可以帮忙代替他暂时参与实验."

负责人的目光落在林远身上,思考了一下,最终点了点头:"好吧,但你必须严格听从指令,不得随意触碰实验物品,更不许擅自靠近树体."

林远心中暗喜,连忙应承:"明白,我一定严格遵守.

林远第一次进入实验室,就被眼前的景象震撼了.那是一颗通体翠绿,光芒微微流转的大树,树干上散发着一股独特的生命气息,树叶仿佛在轻轻摇曳,像是在欢迎他的到来.

"这就是那棵灵性之树..." 林远低声喃喃,感到自己木系异能的波动开始变得剧烈.

"它似乎能感知到我的存在." 林远试探性地释放出一点木系异能,树的枝条竟然缓缓地朝他靠近了一些,仿佛在回应.

九重戒的声音突然响起:"宿主,这棵树对你很友好.继续靠近,但别暴露你的意图."

林远试图压抑内心的激动,小心翼翼地遵循研究员的指令协助实验,但他的注意力始终集中在那颗树上.

几天后,林远终于找到一个单独与树接触的机会.在实验员们休息的间隙,他靠近了树干,轻声道:"你...真的能听懂我说的话吗?"

树的枝条轻轻晃动了一下,像是回应.

林远心里想:"这模样有点像我小时候玩游戏里的那棵世界树呢,就叫你世界树好了."

九重戒在此时冷冷道:"宿主,开始吧.释放你的木系异能,与它建立更深的联系,我会完成剩下的复制工作."

林远按照九重戒的指示,释放出了自己的木系能量,与世界树建立起了一个微妙的连接.他感觉到一种庞大的,温暖的生命力量涌入自己的体内,同时九重戒也开始运作.

10几秒后, "宿主,复制完成." 九重戒的声音中带着一丝满意,"这棵世界树的部份能力已经融入你的木系异能中,接下来,你的能力会有质的飞跃."

林远刚想松口气,却突然听到外面传来急促的警报声.

"发生什么了?" 林远心中一惊.

九重戒提醒道:"小心,外面的丧尸群正在逼近研究所.你必须尽快离开这里,否则你还没来得及享受能力的提升,就会成为那些怪物的猎物."