The campfire burned for three consecutive nights, and almost all the phototactic flying insects near the Vine Tribe were eradicated.
With the efforts of people and various frogs, most of the wingless insects were also eliminated.
The insect infestation gradually subsided, and the crops in the fields were preserved and continued to grow.
However, Jiang Xuan was well aware that relying on campfires to kill insects was only a temporary solution. For a lasting and effective method, other solutions must be found.
Insecticides were too complex for Jiang Xuan to concoct, so he had to give up on that.
He pondered again and again but couldn't think of a good method.
Until one day, in a patch of grass in the open land, he discovered a dozen or so very peculiar plants.
These plants looked like purple gourds, about half a meter tall, with an overall purplish-red color. Their plump bellies held some kind of liquid, while their tops had very narrow openings. The exterior and leaves were smooth and tough.
Upon approaching, a distinctly sweet fragrance emitted from these plants, attracting many insects to hover nearby.
"Poof!"
When a flying insect passed overhead, the belly of the plant suddenly contracted. The immense pressure instantly sprayed the liquid inside through its narrow top, hitting the flying insect directly.
The liquid was sticky, and once sprayed, the insect's wings became glued, preventing them from flapping. After struggling a few times, it fell to the ground.
The insect struggled a bit on the ground before countless roots emerged, entwining it tighter and tighter until it could no longer move.
The unlucky insect would soon become nourishment for these magical plants, helping them grow even better.
Jiang Xuan observed the entire process of the plant capturing insects in amazement, exclaiming, "What kind of plant is this? It's amazing at catching insects!"
After observing for a while, Jiang Xuan dug up one plant and brought it back to ask Chi Shao.
"This is called Water Arrow Grass."
Chi Shao took a quick glance at the plant and immediately identified it.
Pointing at the plant's belly, Chi Shao explained, "When this plant encounters an insect, its belly contracts and sprays water, shooting the insect down as if with an arrow. That's why we call it Water Arrow Grass."
"Where did you find it?"
Jiang Xuan replied, "Over in some undeveloped wasteland, about a dozen of them were growing. I happened to see it shoot down an insect, so I dug one up."
Chi Shao handed the Water Arrow Grass back to Jiang Xuan, "Water Arrow Grass is a good thing. Dig it up with the roots, dry it, and grind it into powder to treat wounds."
"So it's also an herbal medicine." Jiang Xuan was amazed at this magical plant.
"Many plants are medicinal. Understanding them better can be life-saving in critical times."
"That's what the Hunting Team told me."
Chi Shao's expression dimmed a bit, clearly reminded of the now-destroyed Deer Tribe.
Jiang Xuan patted Chi Shao on the shoulder, his eyes filled with encouragement.
"I'm fine."
Chi Shao smiled at him, her gaze regaining its resolve.
She had strong emotional control and rarely exposed her vulnerabilities in front of others.
"I plan to plant a row of Water Arrow Grass in the middle of each vegetable plot."
Jiang Xuan shared his idea, "I've been thinking it over these past days. To ensure a good harvest of the crops, pest control is essential."
"One way to control pests is to dig more ponds, as many frogs gather by pond sides and can eat a lot of insects."
"Another method is to plant various insect-catching plants like Water Arrow Grass in the fields."
"With these plants, as soon as insects approach the field, they'll be attracted and eaten, allowing our crops to grow safely."
"Besides catching insects, these plants can also serve medicinal purposes. We can harvest them directly when needed, achieving two benefits at once."
Chi Shao's eyes lit up after hearing Jiang Xuan's words.
Jiang Xuan's plan sounded promising, with high feasibility.
Those insect-eating plants usually emitted a strong fragrance to lure insects in, proving more attractive than the crops in the fields.
Using these plants to deal with pests provided a perfect solution to crops being ravaged by insects.
"Sister, can you take me to find more of these insect-eating plants?"
"Of course. There are plenty of such plants in the jungle; we just haven't specifically searched for them before, focusing mainly on hunting."
"Great, then let's go into the mountains tomorrow and bring Shi Qiu along to dig up some insect-eating plants for cultivation."
After discussing their plan to go into the mountains with Chi Shao, Jiang Xuan planted the languishing Water Arrow Grass, which had been uprooted, in a patch of open ground in front of the bamboo house.
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, Jiang Xuan, Chi Shao, and Shi Qiu, equipped with tools, ventured into the vast jungle.
The summer forest was full of vitality, with various plants growing wildly and animals bustling around.
"Goo goo goo..."
A large bird, upon encountering humans, quickly scurried away on its long legs.
This was a flightless bird, known by the tribe as Red-Spotted Bird due to the large red patterns on its feathers.
The Red-Spotted Bird had tiny wings but thick, robust legs, allowing it to run swiftly and nimbly through the forest.
"Red-Spotted Birds are quite suitable for domestication. If the tribe's crops yield a bountiful harvest and we have food surplus, taming Red-Spotted Birds would be a great option."
The Red-Spotted Bird that had run off was unaware that it, along with its kind, had caught Jiang Xuan's attention.
Chi Shao and Shi Qiu cast another glance at the Red-Spotted Bird, intrigued despite their unfamiliarity with domestication.
The tribe preferred interacting with wild beasts and birds over crop farming.
The three proceeded, with Chi Shao deliberately heading to lower, wetter areas.
As they walked, Chi Shao explained to Jiang Xuan, "The wetter the area, the more insects, and consequently more insect-eating plants."
Jiang Xuan nodded, aware that many flying insects' larvae developed in water and only crawled ashore to pupate and grow wings later.
After a long walk, they reached a shallow wild pond.
Chi Shao scanned the area briefly, then focused on a specific plant.
"Found it, Bamboo Tube Grass."
Jiang Xuan followed her gaze and saw a peculiar patch of plants, about twenty to thirty, growing closely together.
This plant was quite unique, growing upright with a leaf at each node, curling into a bamboo tube shape.
The breeze caused the plants to sway, and their bamboo tube-like leaves occasionally collided, making faint sounds.
"No wonder it's called Bamboo Tube Grass."
Jiang Xuan realized the name was quite fitting.
Curiously, he asked, "Can this Bamboo Tube Grass also catch insects?"
"Yes!" Chi Shao pointed to a particular Bamboo Tube Grass plant, "Look."
Jiang Xuan observed a flying insect hovering above the Bamboo Tube Grass.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
The insect gradually neared the Bamboo Tube Grass, eventually entering the "bamboo tube" to greedily suck the sweet nectar secreted on its inner walls.
"Snap!"
Suddenly, a lid formed over the "bamboo tube," trapping the insect inside. By the time it attempted to escape, it was already too late.
Unbeknownst to many, the upper part of the bamboo tube-like leaves of Bamboo Tube Grass had an additional leaf, usually pressed tightly against the "tube" and hard to notice without close inspection.
Once an insect, drawn by the sweet nectar, entered the bamboo tube, the leaf quickly closed, acting as a seamless lid, capturing the insect inside.
Moreover, the Bamboo Tube Grass's leaves continued to curl inward, eventually suffocating the insect, then gradually corroding and dissolving it with its secreted juices, ultimately turning it into nutrients for the plant.
"What an impressive Bamboo Tube Grass!"
Witnessing the Bamboo Tube Grass's insect-capturing in action, Jiang Xuan was amazed and felt enlightened.
Simultaneously, he decided to dig up some of these Bamboo Tube Grasses, like the Water Arrow Grass, to plant in the fields for insect capture and crop protection.