Round 2 with the plant Zombie

The scene outside the teaching building was eerily silent. The ground was littered with unconscious first-tier zombies, remnants of the battle against the second-tier plant mutant. Yang Fan surveyed the area and turned to the girls.

"While they're out cold, go ahead and collect their crystal cores," he instructed.

Just as they were about to begin, a zombie staggered toward them. Yue's eyes widened in shock.

"It's him… How did he turn into a zombie?" she muttered.

The infected figure was none other than Mu Tian. His skin had darkened, his veins pulsed with an unnatural energy, and his eyes glowed with a sinister red hue. Yang Fan immediately stepped forward, shielding the girls.

"Be careful! Something's not right!" he warned.

Before they could react, Mu Tian let out an inhuman shriek. His body convulsed, and the red veins bulged even more. In an instant, his human-like form completely collapsed, transforming into something grotesque—a second-order mutant leprechaun spore. His skin hardened into a fleshy, plant-like texture, and multiple red tendrils extended from his back, swaying eerily like vines searching for prey.

Suddenly, a thick red root shot up from the ground, aiming directly at Yue.

"Watch out!" Yang Fan shouted, grabbing Yue by the waist and leaping away. The root barely missed them but managed to graze his shoulder, leaving a shallow wound.

"Yang Fan!" Yue gasped in concern.

He gritted his teeth. "The attack range of this plant is limited. As long as we keep a safe distance, the vines won't be able to reach us."

But just as he finished speaking, two more roots burst from the ground, heading straight for Mu Yi, who was standing alone.

Mu Yi's breath hitched. "Ugh! It's so fast!"

Before she could move, the roots coiled around her, binding her legs, waist, and arms. The tendrils tightened, lifting her into the air. The vines slithered dangerously close to her skirt, sending a shudder through her body. Tears welled up in her eyes as panic set in.

Yang Fan didn't hesitate. "Don't move! This is the spore of the second-order Demon Flower!" He dashed forward, swinging his axe. With a powerful slash, he severed the roots holding Mu Yi, and she tumbled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Can you move? Go to the side and hide, don't mess up!"

Mu Yi nodded shakily. "I-I'll be fine. I'll stay out of the way."

Suddenly, Mu Tian's zombie form lurched forward and spewed a cloud of purple mist into the air.

"Hold your breath!" Yang Fan shouted. "It's poison!"

The thick haze stung his eyes, forcing him to shut them. He felt his lungs tighten, and for a moment, he thought he might pass out. Desperately, he covered his face with his ring-bearing hand. A faint glow emitted from the ring, purifying the toxins.

'Good thing I have the ring's purification ability… otherwise, I'd be in serious trouble.'

As soon as he could see again, Yue's voice rang out in warning. "Behind you!"

Yang Fan reacted instinctively, jumping high into the air as a root lunged toward his back. While midair, he twisted his body, flipping 180 degrees before bringing his axe down on the attacking root. With a clean chop, he severed it.

A bright flash caught his eye as a large white crystal and a smaller gray one dropped from the destroyed root.

'Unexpected… so this is where it was hiding,' he thought, quickly grabbing them.

Yue crouched beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder as she curiously examined the crystal in his palm.

"What's this white one?" she asked.

"The core of the second-order Demon Flower. It looks like Mu Tian hadn't devoured it yet," he explained.

"Devour?" Yan Yue asked, still catching her breath. "These cores… they're meant to be eaten?"

Yang Fan nodded. "That's right. Mutants evolve by devouring crystal cores from humans or other mutants."

Before they could continue, something red sprouted from the ground where the Demon Flower had been defeated. Mu Yi pointed at it. "Be careful! The spore is growing again!"

Yang Fan observed it closely, then smirked. "No, this isn't a spore. It's the essence left behind by the Demon Flower."

Yue knelt beside it, tilting her head. "The essence? What are you doing?"

Without answering, Yang Fan plucked the essence and stored it away. "You'll understand later," he said simply.

Yue sighed but didn't press him further. "So… where to now?"

"We're heading back to the bathhouse," he replied.

"To see the trader?" Yue guessed.

Yang Fan smirked. "Clever."

Back at the Female Bathhouse

Inside the dimly lit bathhouse, Yang Fan approached the gray-robed trader. He mentally calculated his remaining resources.

'A white crystal is worth 1,000 gray crystals… but after getting the craftsman card, I'll have nothing left.'

Taking out a crystal, he activated the transaction. The robotic voice rang out: "Transaction begins."

He swiftly selected his purchases: "One craftsman card, two first-order evolution potions, and a gun."

-1,000 gray crystals. Balance: 116 gray crystals.

Yang Fan sighed. "Back to being broke overnight."

The items materialized before him. He grabbed them and returned to the girls. Handing each of them a vial, he said, "These are evolution potions. Drink up."

Yue hesitated as he also handed her the gun. "You're giving this to me?"

"You need protection," Yang Fan said.

"But don't you need a weapon for yourself?" she asked.

He smirked, holding up a small card with the word "Craftsman" written on it. "I have this."