Tree of Life

"Fetal movement has ceased, vital signs have vanished!"

"No, no, it's a failure again!"

Lu Zhiyu watched as several newly birthed lives flickered out of existence before him, feeling deeply struck. From a genetic standpoint, there were no issues; the life templates were complete, and the overall framework was sound and logical. Yet, why did it always end in failure?

After Lu Zhiyu began the Longevity Gene Editing Project, he started attempting to create a long-lived, sentient species. Building upon the template of the New Humans, he reloaded specific genetic fragments derived from plants.

The regenerative capabilities and vitality of plants far exceed those of animals. Even if severed into several pieces, as long as there is water and sunlight, they can regrow. Whether underwater or on land, in the depths of winter or the height of summer, even in the desolate reaches of a desert, the shadow of plants can be found. Their lifespans are immense, and more importantly, they can maintain their peak state of life until the very moment of their end!

The lifeform Lu Zhiyu designed inherited these plant-like characteristics: powerful vitality and a lifespan reaching up to a thousand years. Furthermore, their youth could be sustained until the final century of their lives before they began to age!

They did not require massive amounts of food to maintain their life energy; as long as they had sunlight and water, they could survive. This was a perfect organism, perfect to the extreme. Lu Zhiyu considered it his magnum opus, yet it could never be born!

"Could it be the fault of the host?"

Lu Zhiyu suddenly realized he might have entered a blind alley. This creature was different from ordinary animals. Attempting to use the wombs of other animals to gestate a life form with plant-like characteristics was unfeasible; their plant-based nature could not receive the necessary nutrients and vitality within an animal's womb.

Lu Zhiyu immediately shifted his research direction, beginning to design a plant capable of directly gestating this lifeform, allowing this peculiar, long-lived species to be born and grow directly from a plant!

"This idea of mine is a bit insane! Having sentient life grow from a plant!"

Lu Zhiyu stood up immediately, left the fourth-floor laboratory, and headed to the library downstairs to consult materials regarding botany. He needed to properly organize his thoughts.

Inside the Space Castle, many Ant-Men were moving in and out, completing their daily assigned tasks. They never spoke of their own volition, nor did they ask Lu Zhiyu why. As time passed, Lu Zhiyu had come to treat them like robots, almost turning a blind eye to their presence.

"Number 23, help me bring plant specimens 1289, 2358, and 256 to the table in my laboratory. Also, have the kitchen prepare my lunch!"

As Lu Zhiyu entered the library, he spoke immediately to an Ant-Man who was sweeping the floor. The Ant-Man set the broom aside and trotted away.

Lu Zhiyu walked into the library and glanced at the bookshelves containing botanical texts. He reached out a hand, and several books flew off the shelves on their own, landing in his grasp. Lu Zhiyu's current mental power had reached the point where he could interfere with reality and move objects, though this was limited to smaller, lighter items.

The entire library was carpeted and kept spotlessly clean. The wood carvings and the ceiling structure were all made of wood, exuding an artistic flair. Once programmed with specific instructions, the Ant-Men were the best craftsmen and servants, capable of perfectly completing most tasks one desired—provided, of course, that the task didn't require much brainpower.

Lu Zhiyu sat at the central wooden table, which rested on a bear-skin rug. He snapped his fingers, and the lights on the ceiling flickered to life. He opened the books and began to read. As he scanned the large stack of books with a rapid, page-turning motion, the information was continuously ingested by his Wisdom Sub-Brain, organized into the data he required, and presented to him.

"The characteristics of this plant are somewhat similar to the brood nest of the Zerg Race. Perhaps I can draw inspiration from that structure."

Lu Zhiyu tapped his fingers on the tabletop. Within his mind, the Wisdom Sub-Brain continuously provided him with vast amounts of information and data as his consciousness flowed. In a short time, Lu Zhiyu had already designed the entire blueprint for the project.

At this moment, an Ant-Man arrived carrying a tray, placed the food on Lu Zhiyu's table, and then retreated to continue his cleaning duties.

Two weeks later, Lu Zhiyu chose to land on one of the larger continents among the five in the Maria World. Of the five, the largest was the Alan Continent, followed by the one beneath his feet. The other three were either geographically unique, had harsh environments, or were simply too small.

Of course, the ocean was dotted with countless small islands that Lu Zhiyu did not bother to count. However, he had already mapped the entire world of Maria and hung it in his bedroom within the Space Castle. Most places remained unnamed, save for the few continents he had labeled for his own convenience; he intended to leave the naming of the rest of the world to the lifeforms that would eventually inhabit it.

The continent beneath his feet was named the Yala Continent by Lu Zhiyu. It was located in the east of the Maria World, where the sun rose, and the solar exposure and temperature were highly suitable for life. Vast forests grew densely, and wild beasts roamed freely across the land.

Lu Zhiyu chose a plain wetland forest and stepped inside. It was a place of birdsong and fragrant flowers, with dense woods. In this world, it seemed as though winter never arrived—a true paradise for animals.

The moment Lu Zhiyu walked in, he saw various creatures and plants, some he recognized and some he did not. After years of change, most of the plants and seeds he had transplanted had become localized, altering their appearances based on the ecological environment and terrain.

Lu Zhiyu walked into the heart of the plain wetland forest and found a beautiful valley. In the valley lay a mirror-like lake; the ground was covered in green grass, red and yellow flowers were in full bloom, and dandelions scattered their seeds into the wind, filling the sky.

"This is the place!"

Lu Zhiyu nodded, feeling very satisfied with the location he had found. A small sapling appeared in his hand, which he carefully transplanted into the grass deep within the valley.

"This shall be the origin of life for this continent. Your name shall be—the Tree of Life!"