Chapter 24 Tree Transformation
The name “Tree Transformation” was very simple and straightforward.
The first time they discovered these jelly-like creatures, they were standing by the high wall, watching curiously as humans built the high wall.
These creatures did not pose any harm, they just stayed by the high wall.
These creatures were very interested in everything that was growing taller.
The gradually rising high wall.
The experimental facilities built by people.
The temporary watchtower erected.
They would all gather around and watch as humans completed these tasks.
But what interested them the most was the experimental crops brought by humans.
When humans first arrived in the Theus cell containment area, they used a lot of fertilizers to promote plant growth, because compared to animal experiments, plant experiments were much faster and safer.
Thanks to the advancement of technology, these fertilizers had a significant effect.
This also attracted many Tree Transformations to stay by the farm, watching the plants grow tirelessly.
After seeing the effects of the fertilizers, they began to trade with humans.
Initially, it was various rare materials from the deep containment area, but eventually, they found that humans preferred relics.
So, they found various relics from somewhere and used them to exchange for fertilizers with humans.
After the trade, they would lift the fertilizers with their small bodies and go into the deeper area.
Humans did not guard against them, so they brought people into their tribe like this.
Then, under the surprised eyes of humans, they sprinkled the extremely cherished fertilizers on a visible sapling.
Then they would stand next to the sapling, staring blankly at the tree.
After researchers visited the Tree Transformation tribe many times, they discovered that those saplings were not ordinary saplings, but were actually transformed Tree Transformations.
Humans gradually learned about the habits of the Tree Transformations.
These creatures spent their entire lives preparing to become a tree.
Since their appearance, they have been observing the changes in all aspects of nature, animals, plants, the waxing and waning of the moon…
After understanding the world, they would start preparing, starting with choosing the right time.
Late spring and summer were not suitable for planting trees, as the Tree Transformations probably felt that the temperature during this time would threaten the health of the plants and could lead to the death of the tree.
The Tree Transformations chose to plant in autumn or early spring. During this time, they would find a suitable location.
There needed to be sufficient sunlight and water, close to the Tree Transformation tribe, and not in a too steep place…
After all preparations were made, they would dig a hole, swallow a living creature composed of Theus cells, possibly insects or small reptiles, or plant seeds.
Then they would bury themselves alive.
The Tree Transformations would help each other bury their companions.
The fertilizers obtained from humans were also used to fertilize their companions.
When the sun and moon changed, the saplings would sprout from the ground, and they would tirelessly care for them until the saplings grew into towering trees.
These Tree Transformations who cared for the trees would ultimately choose a suitable season and location to transform themselves into trees.
The principle of how they used Theus cells to turn into trees has not been studied till now.
But some people speculated that they would transmit a certain information to the Theus cells, allowing the Theus cells to replace themselves with a tree.
The record ends here.
Mo Ling only now understood why Captain Su was so concerned about these creatures.
Not being replaced by Theus cells, and even using the ability of Theus cells in reverse, becoming the only exception within the containment area.
“They haven’t appeared in a long time.”
Captain Su said to Li Luo after looking at the data, “In the past, they would appear in groups. Maybe something happened in their tribe.”
Li Luo didn’t hesitate and looked at the location of the Tree Transformation tribe in the data, and then got into the car to go.
“Be careful on the way, don’t provoke any violent creatures. If there is danger, do not rush in, we will follow shortly.”
Captain Su advised Li Luo seriously.
Li Luo nodded, accelerated and drove into the forest.
The creatures in the forest were indeed very irritable, hearing the sound of the car, they rushed over eagerly, but they couldn’t withstand Mo Ling’s teleportation.
As they traveled, they encountered more and more huge trees. Before long, the car stopped in front of a forest full of giant trees.
Mo Ling couldn’t see the tops of those giant trees, but these thick tree trunks that required several people to hug already made him imagine how tall those giant trees were.
Continuing forward, Mo Ling found that there were wooden structures resembling tree houses on top of these tree trunks, but they were very small.
A small staircase extended from the ground to the top of the tree, with sturdy circular vines used as support, and wooden circular stairs intertwined among them.
These buildings were obviously not meant for humans to use, so the only possibility was that they had reached the Tree Transformation tribe.
Sure enough, a jelly-like creature broke into Mo Ling’s field of view.
With a spherical body, a leaf on top of its head, blurred features, and a pointed end extending from each limb, it looked like a walking plump fruit.
It slowly walked down the vine staircase, then walked to Li Luo’s car, staring blankly at the cube on the car.
Then its two short arms suddenly elongated, and it raised its middle finger towards the cube.
Mo Ling was stunned.
What was this creature?
It looked so cute, why was its character so bad?
And why did it gesture towards the cube first, not towards Li Luo?
What happened next disrupted Mo Ling’s thoughts.
The Tree Transformation mumbled a few words in its mouth, sounding like a child’s voice.
Although the language was strange, Mo Ling understood.
The Tree Transformation said –
“Welcome! Friend.”
The scene of raising the middle finger to someone and welcoming them truly made Mo Ling feel strange.
Then, the Tree Transformation raised its middle finger towards Li Luo and said the same thing.
Li Luo had already activated the translator in advance. Seeing this scene, she responded with a confused middle finger.
The Tree Transformation looked very happy when it saw Li Luo raising the middle finger and began speaking again, “Exchange for fertilizer! Exchange for fertilizer!”
Li Luo quickly responded, “No fertilizer.”
After hearing this, the Tree Transformation’s face showed a disappointed expression and muttered to itself, “No tree, no fertilizer.”
No tree?
“Why are there no trees?” Li Luo quickly asked.
“They couldn’t become trees, they turned into something else.”
The Tree Transformation explained sadly.
“Come.”
The Tree Transformation called Li Luo and walked towards a certain direction.
Li Luo followed the Tree Transformation deeper with the car. Various abnormal scenes kept appearing before her eyes.
The tribe was full of vine-made cages, containing all kinds of strange creatures, which were roaring and moving restlessly in the cages.
The types of creatures were completely diverse, just like during the riot at the previous outpost.
The Tree Transformations, who were supposed to be observing nature, were now anxiously walking around the tribe, as if they had forgotten their mission.
A group of Tree Transformations stood around the cages, looking at the imprisoned creatures with concern, feeling helpless.
What happened here?
It wasn’t until Mo Ling and Li Luo understood from the snippets of conversation with the Tree Transformations that they finally learned what had happened in the Tree Transformation tribe.
