Countless hair-thin, seaweed-like roots erupted in frenzied growth from the withered stem of the fruit.
They multiplied at a visible pace—
In the blink of an eye, dense, dark green seaweed had covered a one-meter radius around the workbench, forming a thick algae carpet.
The entire area was filled with a damp, humid scent.
Han Ning immediately recalled his battle with the Fishman Leader when he saw this.
Back then, the enemy had also swung its staff, releasing seaweed that spread like fishing nets.
The only question was how it controlled the seaweed to actively lash out at others.
"Just as I thought."
Professor Ye nodded slightly as he observed the wildly growing seaweed.
"My earlier hypothesis was correct!"
"This fruit isn't just purifying the polluted water."
He pointed at the dark green algae carpet.
"It's absorbing and converting external energy, then transforming the surrounding aquatic environment."
"Or rather, it's not purification—just reshaping the environment into one it finds comfortable before reproducing."
"So—" Han Ning mused, "It's like an environmental modifier?"
"You could say that." Professor Ye agreed.
"Whether it's Black Tide Energy or other pollutants, within its range of influence, everything is forcibly converted into energy that suits them."
"Right now, I still don't know if this modified environment has any benefits for us. Even the 'purified' water—we don't know if it's harmful to humans. More research is needed."
At this, Professor Ye frowned.
"I'm not an Awakened, so many of my studies are limited. I can only rely on secondhand accounts from Awakened, which may not be accurate."
He figured all this out in just two days? Han Ning was increasingly convinced that bringing Professor Ye here had been the right decision.
"Professor Ye, you're invaluable," he praised sincerely. "I'll find a way to make you an Awakened. Even now, your contributions far outweigh many of them."
After their discussion, the long night stretched on, and the group chatted a while longer in the suite.
Xu Yinyin was remarkably fearless.
While others shied away from Snowflake's now-ferocious appearance, the little girl clambered onto its head like a monkey, clinging to its icy Scales and whispering into its ear.
"Snowflake, Snowflake, the shiny scales on your head are so pretty!" Xu Yinyin blinked eagerly.
"Grooowl—" Snowflake rumbled helplessly, its yellow vertical pupils filled with resignation.
Its master had ordered it not to harm the little creature.
So it stiffened its neck, enduring as Yinyin climbed all over its massive body—tugging at the small bone spurs on its back and stroking the serrated teeth on its tail.
Xu Ming watched in horror and quickly scolded, "Yinyin, get down now!"
Han Ning also admonished, "Yinyin, Snowflake is our companion and won't hurt you. But you must remember, the monsters outside aren't as gentle as Snowflake. They're dangerous and will attack if they see you approaching, understand?"
Startled by her father and Uncle Han's serious tones, Xu Yinyin obediently slid off Snowflake's back and whispered:
"Understood... Yinyin just thinks Snowflake is so cute."
C—cute?
Han Ning, Professor Ye, Xu Ming, and Yu Na couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their eyes upon hearing this.
Snowflake's current form was about as far from cute as one could imagine. After chatting for an hour or two as night deepened, the group dispersed to rest.
In such an environment, nights felt particularly long and dull.
No internet, no entertainment facilities.
The only remotely interesting activities left were either solo flights, duo queues, or team queues.
Han Ning sprawled out on the reasonably comfortable bed.
Closing his eyes, he began attempting the newly unlocked [Communicate with Nature] skill.
Communicating with nature didn't mean conversing with a self-aware entity, but rather posing inquiries to the Will of Nature that formed this world's fundamental rules.
The Will of Nature was like a vast, boundless ocean—whether it would respond, and what it might respond with, remained profoundly mysterious.
Han Ning focused his mind, channeling the Spiritual Power within him.
He raised his right index finger, its tip glowing with an emerald light.
The finger traced slow patterns in the air, leaving behind luminous trails like fireflies.
Gradually, an intricate sigil took shape beneath his fingertip.
When the final stroke was completed,
The entire sigil pulsed like breathing, transforming into a soft halo that enveloped Han Ning completely.
Instantly, Han Ning's skin, hair, even his eyelashes seemed bathed in gentle green light.
He felt his consciousness expanding infinitely, stretching outward.
A faint connection formed with the earth beneath him, with the endless rain outside the window, with some grand and ancient rhythm of this world.
In this out-of-body state, Han Ning concentrated his Mental Power and posed his first question to the boundless Will of Nature:
"How can I help Professor Ye and Xu Ming become Awakened?"
The thought dropped like a stone into the ocean's depths.
No echo returned.
Only the monotonous sound of torrential rain washing over the world outside.
The Will of Nature was vast and indifferent—his question too "human," like asking the ocean how to build a ship.
Han Ning wasn't discouraged.
He immediately adjusted his strategy, simplifying the question.
"How can ordinary people obtain power beyond the mundane?"
Again, the thought was sent forth.
Again, it sank without trace.
Han Ning's brow furrowed slightly.
"Become stronger?"
This time, he sensed the intangible connection ripple faintly—still no clear response.
Han Ning pondered, images of his own growth process surfacing in his mind.
Setting aside strength gained from slaying monsters, he focused purely on his progression: from an ordinary person who could only release a few fragile Vines, to summoning dozens of thick ones, and finally conjuring an entire sea of trees.
Interspersed were memories of his body growing increasingly robust.
But the actual process of becoming stronger remained unclear.
Finally, Han Ning asked the Will of Nature how to progress from the first stage to the last.
The moment this thought was sent,
The emerald light particles surrounding Han Ning suddenly trembled violently,
His mind seemed to be gently stirred by an invisible force.
Fragmented, blurry images flashed before his eyes.
A vague figure curled up in a cold corner, trembling violently, face contorted with absolute terror.
Before him, something utterly horrifying seemed to be approaching.
Just as the fear peaked, something inside the figure cracked with an audible "snap," and a faint, newborn surge of power erupted from his body.
The scene shifted.
Amidst the ruins of devastation, one figure desperately shielded a smaller one behind them.