Emerald Green and Crimson

Lichens were composite organisms formed by the symbiosis of algae and fungi.

Because fungi and algae had long been closely intertwined, they had developed unique properties and appearances in terms of form, structure, physiology, and genetics.

Meng Chao was familiar with hundreds of organisms in the lichen division, yet he had never seen such a strange lichen.

It grew at an astonishing speed.

Just now, Meng Chao had scraped hard against the trunk, removing a centimeter-thick layer of lichen and exposing the pitch-black wood beneath.

Yet only seconds later, the lichens on both sides wriggled over to cover it again. They even secreted an inky green fluid that visibly wrapped the trunk back up.

It was as though Meng Chao had thrust his fingers into a green ocean. No matter how fiercely he stirred, he could never tear a crack through the sea.

Meng Chao narrowed his eyes, about to activate the ultra-microscopic observation ability in his eyes.

Suddenly, pain pricked his fingertips. The lichen stuck to his fingers hissed as though boiling.

Meng Chao raised his fingers and examined his fingertips carefully.

When he increased his vision's magnification several hundredfold, he saw that the lichen he had scraped off was still highly active. Fine green tendrils, thin as hairs, stretched out from within it. Like vibrant young shoots, they sniffed and stabbed about, trying to tear open his skin and burrow into his warm flesh.

Meng Chao had Spiritual Energy protecting his body, and his flesh was as hard as steel and iron. Naturally, he had no fear of the "lichen's" invasion.

But ordinary people, or ignorant beasts, might not be so fortunate.

What exactly would happen if this small clump of lichen burrowed into a body?

Meng Chao thought of footage filmed by the "Piranha" squad.

Inside one