I Can Add Passives to Plants: Chapter 29

"There's a Magic-shroom here too?"

"You're curious? Makes sense, it is gold quality. It's just..."

Zhao Lei leaned over for a look, his tone carrying an air of I'll explain it to you so you don't take the wrong path.

"This mushroom is something my dad mentioned. It's a rare type the First Federation discarded. There's something wrong with it—it moves around. Plant it in the front row, and it'll wander to the back; plant it in the middle, and it'll run off to the side. Its attack methods are unstable too. The higher-ups have basically sentenced the Magic-shroom to death. It's labeled gold quality, but in actual use, it's not as reliable as a Repeater."

Lin Yue crouched down, his gaze level with the Magic-shroom as it paced from the left side of the cultivation platform to the right.

It looked like an old top hat walking around. It wasn't aggressive at all, only carrying a lazy, aimless sense of ease.

When it reached the edge of the cultivation platform, it paused. Its cap tilted slightly, as though it were "looking" at Lin Yue crouching in front of it, before it continued shuffling along and turned back in the other direction.

"Where did Dave get this Magic-shroom?"

"Yeah, look at it moving nonstop!" Zhao Lei pointed at the pacing mushroom.

"The First Federation bought it from Dave, then cultivated several generations of it themselves. But the original plant was like this, and its descendants weren't any better. So it was eventually classified as an 'ornamental plant,' not part of the combat lineup."

"Can I take it?"

Zhao Lei opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. Finally, he looked at Lin Yue with an expression that said Did you not understand what I said? "Bro Hao, let me explain one more time... This Magic-shroom performs terribly in actual combat. The gold-quality label was slapped on by Dave. In practice, it's not even as good as the ordinary Peashooter in your backyard. Why not look at something else? There's an Ice-shroom variant over there—"

"This one."

"I want this Magic-shroom."

Lin Yue was absolutely certain.

Zhao Lei fell silent for three seconds. He looked down at the Magic-shroom still slowly shuffling about, then at the expression on Lin Yue's face that clearly said I've made up my mind. He reached out and pressed the extraction button on the side of the cultivation platform. "Bro Hao... Fine. Your call."

The transparent cover of the cultivation platform slowly slid open. A gentle current of air lifted the Magic-shroom into the air and carried it toward an empty flowerpot on the other side.

Its cap continued turning slowly in midair, as though it had finally found a human willing to take it away and was carefully studying Lin Yue in front of it.

When Lin Yue took the flowerpot, the Magic-shroom's cap tilted slightly toward him by half an inch.

It was a curious gaze, like a little thing that didn't quite fit in examining its new owner's hand.

"Just don't regret it," Zhao Lei muttered from the side.

Lin Yue lowered his head to look at the gray-black Magic-shroom in the pot, its cap edge slowly wriggling.

This was the legendary Trailblazing War God. The First Federation had probably misjudged it this time.

The Magic-shroom's special ability depended on an energy supply.

He recalled the emerald-green Energy Pea that had been stuffed into his mouth while he was hospitalized—the concentrated life energy that had forcibly dragged him back from brief blood loss and unconsciousness.

Only Energy Peas could activate the Magic-shroom's true mechanism. Hat Trick was the Magic-shroom's exclusive special ability, capable of even going toe-to-toe with the Zombie King.

"No regrets."

Lin Yue held the flowerpot steadily. The Magic-shroom's cap made a small turn above the edge of his palm, as though searching for a comfortable direction.

"By the way..." As Lin Yue walked out of Mushroom Garden, he turned to Zhao Lei and asked, "How much are Energy Peas being cultivated at the research institute?"

Zhao Lei was startled by the abrupt question. "Energy Peas? They're military logistics supplies. My dad never told me the conditions for getting them."

"Mm." Lin Yue glanced down at the Magic-shroom, which had turned its cap toward him. The corner of his lips lifted slightly, and he offered no further explanation.

"I suggest you raise one too. Just say Bai Qingfeng's intel mentioned it. Make it a surprise."

Zhao Lei—no, could this little mushroom really have something special about it?

If Dad asked later why two were missing, he'd just say he wanted mushroom stir-fry with pork.

(Magic-shroom: The Zombie King can take turns being king.)

Chapter 46: Underwater World

One week later... backyard.

The moment Lin Yue stepped onto the lawn, he heard a muffled gurgle—that jagged-toothed mouth had already split open and swallowed him whole.

"Wait—"

Before he could finish, a damp breath carrying the scent of plants rushed over him.

With a pfft, Chomper spat him out. Lin Yue was flung from the flower bud in an arc through the air before crashing heavily onto the lawn.

He was sticky all over, with a few blades of grass stuck to his cheeks.

"Chomper..." Lin Yue sat up and wiped the moisture from his face, his voice carrying helpless amusement.

"I've said 'spit me out' nearly eighty times. Can't you find another way to greet me?"

Chomper shook its leaves, making gurgling noises like a child delighted by a successful prank.

Nearby, Puff-shroom huddled by the edge of its flowerpot. Its tiny cap trembled slightly, its gaze full of envy—it wanted to have such close interactions with Lin Yue too.

Noticing Puff-shroom's expression, Lin Yue reached out and gently tapped its cap.

After all, in the incident with the Black Olive Zombie, Puff-shroom had been the biggest winner.

It had gained its third evolution.

Evolution 3: Longing to become a hero... In desperate situations, Puff-shroom will become a hero—other plants can be planted in the same row, and Puff-shroom will protect them.

Though this ability hadn't triggered once over the past week, judging from the description, its effect should be quite good.

Moreover, this ability suited Puff-shroom perfectly. It would erupt when faced with desperate circumstances, then evolve after surviving them.

A perfect golden loop, that was what it was.

And the new member, Magic-shroom, was currently resting quietly in the fifth row, fifth column.

Lin Yue had yet to decide on a passive for Magic-shroom. At first, he had wanted to make its luck the same as Marigold's.

That way, its lower limit would be higher when using its skills.

But Lin Yue wanted its upper limit to be higher.

Chomper let out an unhappy puff of air, its leaves rustling loudly.

"All right, all right, you're useful too." Lin Yue stood up with a smile and shook the grass clippings from his body. "But seriously, can you change your approach? Like... shaking your leaves?"

Chomper tilted its head, seemingly considering it seriously, then suddenly opened its mouth wide again.

"Stop! Forget I said anything!"

Just then, familiar footsteps sounded from the garden entrance.

Bai Qingfeng walked in with light steps, wearing a pale blue dress and carrying a small paper bag.

"Huh? Why are you all wet again?" Bai Qingfeng only noticed Lin Yue's bedraggled state when she got close. She froze for a moment, then couldn't help laughing. "Did Chomper bully you again?"

"This is... unique love." Lin Yue spread his hands helplessly.

Bai Qingfeng set the paper bag on the stone table nearby, then suddenly leaped at him. Her arms wrapped around Lin Yue's neck, and her entire body hung from him.

The hem of her dress fluttered gently, bringing a breeze scented with laundry detergent.

"...You've really stopped being shy." Bai Qingfeng's sudden enthusiasm knocked Lin Yue half a step backward, but he still steadily supported her waist.

"We already got our marriage certificate." Bai Qingfeng buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder, her voice muffled and slightly coquettish. "What's the problem?"

Bai Qingfeng now lived in Lin Yue's home...

(Luo Chen: Grinding his teeth... The sibling relationship had just improved, and then his little sister ran away!!!)

(Of course, Lin Yue's parents had also left enough betrothal gifts for the orphanage, all Ice-shooters and Wall-nuts personally cultivated by them. At the very least, they could improve the new arrivals' chances of surviving the beginner stage.)

A sticky sensation seeped through the thin fabric. Bai Qingfeng stiffened, abruptly released him, and backed away two steps. Her little face scrunched up. "Ew? Sticky? Chomper, bad!"

Lin Yue pointed at Chomper, which was smugly swaying nearby.

Bai Qingfeng glared at Chomper. It immediately pulled in its leaves and looked around innocently.

Then she turned back to Lin Yue, her eyes sparkling as she lowered her voice. "Forget it, forget it. I have something important to tell you—I have some special intel~"

"Let's hear it."

Bai Qingfeng leaned even closer, practically pressing against Lin Yue's ear. "Tomorrow is the fifth day of the fifth month. The Plant Garden System will open a limited-time event. Normally, Tier One players don't get a chance, but this intel says Tier One can enter too. It's called Underwater World."

As she spoke, the corners of her lips curled upward with a little smugness that said See how impressive I am?

Lin Yue noticed that the tips of her ears had turned slightly red. Clearly, this distance made her nervous too, but she stubbornly refused to back away.

Lin Yue had actually seen it on his system panel long ago, but seeing her like this, he simply played along and nodded. "Oh? That impressive?"

"Of course." Bai Qingfeng took half a step back and put her hands on her hips. "The source is confidential, but it's absolutely reliable."

What she didn't know was that Lin Yue's Plant Garden System panel had displayed a notification a week ago—

After all, he had logged in with a prestigious ID card.

[Ding, a reminder for our distinguished player—the Dragon Boat Festival event will go live tomorrow—Underwater World]

[Dave invented the dragon boat, but his hands-on skills weren't great, so he invented a submarine instead. This is a wonderful journey... Once players obtain a submarine, please take care to protect it]

[Protect your submarine under the sea for 7 days]

The rewards page had also been unlocked long ago: Dave's Plantation, where Seafood Rice Dumplings could be exchanged for special plants he had cultivated, along with the login bonus, "Oxygen Algae."

As for how to obtain Seafood Rice Dumplings, it was based on the number of Zombies defeated underwater multiplied by the player's survival days, with a maximum of seven survival days.

Lin Yue recalled Underwater World from Plants vs. Zombies 2—a five-chili-difficulty stage with only six rows and four columns available for planting.

Zombies attacking from both sides, neutral but unfriendly marine creatures, and that hellish conveyor-belt mode that made it hard to breathe.

(Marine creatures: I said I was neutral. Do you believe me?)

Fortunately, the event description stated that Dave would provide seeds, which could be instantly matured by consuming sunlight.

"Underwater World is dangerous," Bai Qingfeng said seriously. "The intel says the first two days are relatively safe, but neutral creatures will start appearing on the third day. I suggest we stay only for the first two days, get enough benefits, then leave."

"All right. I'll see how things go then."

Bai Qingfeng secretly used her talent to confirm it once more—Lin Yue would leave Underwater World on the sixth day and wouldn't be hurt—only then did she finally relax and take Lin Yue's arm again.

"Remember to go to the guild tomorrow. The teacher will take us in together."

"Oh, right. My brother recruited a lot more people for our residential community. They're all from our No. 2 High School."

(Those who survived were all elites.)

The next morning, a half-awake Lin Yue was dragged out of bed by Bai Qingfeng.

"Get up! We're going to be late."

Li Xue and Lin Xiaotian stood nearby, both wearing broad, knowing smiles.

(Li Xue: Didn't he say he wasn't interested in women before?)

(Lin Xiaotian: As expected of my son!)

In the classroom, a middle-aged man stood in the middle of a crowd, constantly being questioned.

"Teacher... why did you suddenly call all of us to school?"

"+1!"

"+10086!"

This middle-aged man was Lin Yue's new homeroom teacher, Wang Yihang.

Wang Yihang stood at the podium, surrounded by the chattering students below. A helpless smile hung on his face as his right hand kept pressing downward. "One at a time, one at a time."

By the time Lin Yue and Bai Qingfeng pushed open the door and entered, the classroom was almost full.

Several girls in the front row were chirping around Luo Chen—after all, Luo Chen was the manager of the entire Happy Residential Community, and at school, he was recognized as both a top student and a heartthrob.

Especially after learning that Happy Residential Community had defeated the Black Football Zombie, they admired its manager even more.

(Lin Yue: That brat's stealing my spotlight!)

"Over here!"

Zhao Lei stood by the window in the back row, waving frantically. He had deliberately left two seats empty beside him.

Chapter 47: Entering Underwater World