"Professor."
Zero's electronic synthesized voice rang out. "Radiation levels have been measured for all samples."
"The data has been compiled."
As the voice fell silent, a holographic chart slowly materialized before Lü Yongchang and Mao Zhengzhi.
As they studied the data in the chart, the confusion on Lü Yongchang's and Mao Zhengzhi's faces deepened.
According to the research robots' measurements, the broad leaves contained the least radiation.
The bark came next.
The trunks had slightly higher concentrations.
All of this fell within their expectations. In fact, they could foresee that the radiation levels in the roots of these giant trees might far exceed those in any other area.
What they had not expected, however, was that the fungal organisms growing at the bases of the giant trees were highly radioactive!
Their radiation levels were over a hundred times those of the leaves and dozens of times those of the trunks!
"That's strange..."
Mao Zhengzhi frowned deeply and murmured to himself, "With the canopy blocking it, these fungi shouldn't be exposed to radiation."
"Even if they can absorb radioactive substances from the trunks, their radiation levels shouldn't exceed those of the trunks themselves..."
Lü Yongchang said nothing. He merely propped his chin on his hand and stared at the vividly colored fungal organism with its enormous cap in the Holographic Image.
After a long while of contemplation, he spoke.
"Zero, take samples and compare the giant trees and fungi at the cellular level."
Mao Zhengzhi turned to look at Lü Yongchang in surprise.
"Professor?"
"What are you..."
Lü Yongchang chuckled. "It's just a hypothesis."
"In the footage the Probe sent back, all these fungi were growing around the bases of the trunks."
"There was no sign of any fungi growing in the surface soil."
"What does that suggest to you?"
Mao