Zhang had not understood what "over a hundred bucks per liter of air" meant, but now he realized that the air in the shop was indeed exceptionally fresh.
Every breath felt incredibly comfortable.
"Th-this... is all thanks to these plants?"
Zhang gaped in disbelief.
"Plants can improve air quality, sure, but this efficiency is way too outrageous!"
The shop windows were open, which meant that even in a non-enclosed environment, these plants purified the air as effectively as air purifiers!
Most importantly, he could not feel any airflow at all!
If all plants were this effective, wouldn't the air purifier manufacturers that had recently become so popular have to declare bankruptcy on the spot?
"These are special varieties I developed. They're still in the experimental stage and production is limited, so I'm only displaying them in the shop as potted plants for sale."
Oaks pointed at the rows of seemingly ordinary plants on the shelves.
"Although they look no different from common indoor plants, their air purification efficiency is dozens of times higher.
That applies not only to the absorption of particulate pollutants such as PM2.5, but also to formaldehyde purification and oxygen regeneration."
"So even though this is only a small plant shop, it's gained a bit of a reputation in certain circles over the past year or so."
Zhang was already trembling—the customers who came to buy potted plants had no idea what kind of monumental scientific achievement they were purchasing!
"Ah, it's getting late..."
Rubbing his stomach, Oaks realized it was already five o'clock. After all that had happened, he had not even eaten lunch.
Besides, Goose was moving in today, so he still needed to buy canned food and freeze-dried food.
As for cat litter...
Were you insulting a Flerken's intelligence?
"Come on. Let's go to Eighth Avenue. The nearest Chinatown is there. It's my birthday today, so I'm treating you to Chinese food."
"Your birthday... is today?"
"What?"
"...Nothing."
Zhang swallowed.
September 22, the final day of Virgo.
They said children born on this day had especially severe obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
A week passed, and Zhang's study abroad life entered a new chapter.
"Meeting Dr. Lin was the greatest stroke of luck in my entire study abroad experience!
Dr. Lin is a true genius. Not only is his scientific research ability incredible, but he's also humorous, approachable, and easygoing. Well, and he's much more handsome than I am!"
After posting a photo of himself with Oaks on social media, Zhang unsurprisingly received a flood of likes and comments from his parents, relatives, senior students, junior students, and even professors.
What an absurdly lucky start. It was enough to make people green with envy!
"Zhang, I'm heading out. I'll leave the shop to you."
Oaks's voice came from downstairs. Zhang hurriedly closed his laptop—it had been bought at an educational discount. As a scientist, Oaks's personal computer was obviously not something Zhang could casually use.
The laptop could serve both for watching the shop and attending school, and its specifications, condition, and price were all just right.
The new laptop and phone had cost Zhang two months' salary in advance.
When Zhang learned that he could receive an advance on his wages, he grinned like an idiot, practically bubbling with delight.
"Don't worry, Mr. Oaks!"
Zhang carried his laptop downstairs. Oaks was dressed casually in a hoodie and was saying goodbye to Goose.
"Mr. Oaks, aren't you bringing any luggage?"
"It's only preliminary preparation. I already shipped the instruments, tools, and supplies I'll need in advance."
Oaks adjusted his sunglasses, quietly gave Goose a few instructions, then straightened up and nodded.
"Then I'll see you in a week."
"Yes, Mr. Oaks. Have a safe trip."
Zhang picked up Goose—he was no longer afraid of her at all, and had even advanced to become her designated litter scooper—
Except Goose was so intelligent that she used the toilet here even more skillfully than Zhang did, making his title as litter scooper somewhat undeserved.
Oaks waved, opened the door, and walked outside. After looking around, he headed toward a deserted alleyway.
A moment later, a small bird shot into the sky and pierced the clouds.
A Swift—the fastest-flying bird currently on Earth—was the aerial form Oaks had chosen.
Its average flight speed was 170 kilometers per hour, while its maximum speed could reach 352 kilometers per hour, practically as fast as an arrow.
And with such a tiny body, even the most sophisticated military radar could not detect it.
If he merely transformed into a Swift, then naturally his speed would be limited to the upper limit achievable by the animal itself.
But Oaks's Swift Form was clearly not that simple.
A hazy emerald glow enveloped the tiny bird. With a beat of his wings, Oaks's speed suddenly surged.
A small sonic boom rang out. In the next instant, Oaks's flight speed had astonishingly exceeded the speed of sound!
Of course, his defenses were very weak in this state. If he crashed into something, well... that would be embarrassing.
"This is the unscientific side of magic..."
In an instant, Oaks was already above the ocean.
"Target: the Amazon Rainforest!"
As a Druid, there was arguably no place on Earth that filled Oaks with more longing than the Amazon Rainforest.
Although the depths of the Amazon Rainforest were an extremely dangerous forbidden zone for humans, for Oaks, who possessed the Wild Heart and an affinity for nature, it could be considered his home ground.
Back when his flight speed had not yet reached supersonic levels a few years ago, Oaks had already visited several times. Some of the special tropical plants in his shop had also been brought back from here.
As the world's largest tropical rainforest, known as the Lungs of the Earth, the Amazon Rainforest played an important role in Earth's Biosphere.
And as a training ground for a Druid...
It was undoubtedly the most suitable place on Earth.
The rainforest was filled with danger. Strange plants, fierce beasts, bizarre insects, and countless threats of every kind meant that even the most elite modern expedition teams could not guarantee their safety here.
So if he conducted some large-scale magical experiments here, he would not have to worry about being discovered at all.
Dropping from high altitude and becoming a boxed corpse... no, transforming into Cheetah Form. Though it was not as suited to the rainforest environment as a jaguar, it was no great issue.
He traveled along the Amazon River, taking in the vast rainforest while using Nature Magic to sense its boundless natural aura.
Over the next few days, Oaks would continue deepening his connection with this immense rainforest and further improving his mastery of Nature Magic.
Within this rainforest, Oaks would receive a powerful natural boost, and this was also an extremely important reason why he intended to devote himself to environmental protection.
The richer and more complete the ecosystem, the stronger Oaks became.
Riding the world's desire for environmental protection, once Oaks's mastery of Nature Magic allowed him to draw upon the power of Earth's Biosphere, he would have the foundation to advance toward becoming a cosmic-level powerhouse...
"Hm?"
His train of thought abruptly broke off. Oaks froze and stopped.
Cheetah Form possessed a special sensory ability—detecting humanoid creatures.
And the saying, "The forest is my domain," was not much of an exaggeration for a Druid.
Now, within Oaks's senses enhanced several hundredfold, there was a human in the distance!
"So deep in? How could that be?"
This was already deep within the rainforest. Who would be bold enough to come here alone?
"Whoosh—"
His figure vanished. Oaks activated Stealth and slowly approached the target.
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