Apart from Xuewen, the other team members who had previously thought that Su Cheng was arrogant and aloof because of her abilities and being valued by the leader all shut up now that they had benefited from her presence.
Actually, they didn't know why they suddenly felt that Su Cheng was an arrogant person, even though she hadn't done anything wrong...
It was as if they were given a hint, and because of the team's subconscious exclusion, the idea spread like wildfire and quickly escalated.
"Look, that's... Green Vine City?" Xuewen pointed out the car window, her tone very uncertain.
Green Vine City is more dangerous than recorded.
Looking out the car window, what I saw was not city buildings, but a large expanse of green.
The towering billboards were covered in green vines, obscuring the words and images. All visible building surfaces were covered in layers of green leaves.
This city, just like its name suggests, has become a paradise for mutated plants.
A note from the author:
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Chapter 104
"Attention, prepare to get off the vehicle in ten minutes." Li Yuwen's voice came through the communicator.
The truck stopped about 100 meters away from Green Vine City, and the eight people got out of the vehicle one after another.
Although it was still a hundred meters away from entering the city, just looking at that expanse of green was enough to make one feel uneasy, let alone actually entering it.
"According to the weather forecast, today will be sunny, but there is an 80% chance of rain tomorrow. Visibility will be poor after dark, so we need to hurry and evacuate before nightfall."
"Maintain contact during the search, and try not to disturb the mutated plants. Ensure the collector has sufficient reserves before leaving."
Protective clothing and masks can not only block airborne spores to a certain extent, but also prevent plants from detecting human scents such as sweat.
After giving his key reminders, Zhang Yuwen walked ahead, leading the team members behind him into the city.
The green vines that had been twining around the road sign slowly extended after the group had passed by, tightening their grip on their prey.
The vehicles and buildings on the street have been abandoned for a long time, turning into a breeding ground for seedlings.
The area, originally planned as a green belt, now has evenly arranged trees that have grown larger, with branches intertwined and forming a network with varying gaps.
The flowers and plants used for decoration and ornamental purposes are no longer recognizable as their original species; they cover the ground and everything within reach.
The building, in particular, is spectacular, its walls covered with cascading vines.
No one ever imagined that green vines could stretch so long.
Green particles drifted loosely in the air.
Like pollen or dust, they rise and fall, searching for a place to land.
Because plants are ubiquitous, the amount of spores in the air is exceptionally high.
The group couldn't help but slow their breathing, as they could clearly see the spores flying towards the filter of the mask, only to be blocked by the filter element.
At this time, the sun is shining brightly, and the temperature of the mutant plant's hands affects its leaves, causing them to wilt somewhat. If it is not disturbed and is dehydrated, it will not actively entangle people or release a large number of spores.
Zhang Yuwen turned around and gestured, dividing the team into three groups according to the plan, each searching several key areas separately.
Time is tight; searching separately will improve efficiency.
Su Cheng was originally supposed to be with Zhang Yuwen and two other teammates.
But perhaps feeling that Su Cheng's special ability wouldn't be needed this time, Zhang Yuwen put Su Cheng with another team.
Su Cheng had no objection; it was better not to go with Zhang Yuwen, so that they wouldn't have to argue with him about which way to go after the system navigation appeared.
The system detects that navigation will only activate when the target is 500 meters away, and there is currently no activity, indicating that she is still some distance away from the meteorite fragments.
She looked around and chose a direction.
To better trigger the system's navigation, you need to venture deeper into the city.
Xuewen and another teammate behind her exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
"Click, click..."
The shoes made an unavoidable rustling sound as they stepped on the leaves and branches on the ground, in the silence.
After the vegetation covered the road signs and buildings, it was impossible to tell which area they had entered.
The only clue is that it's still in the neighborhood, based on the Xiao He and number of the covered buildings.
As you climb a flight of steps, the surface is covered with a thick layer of moss. It grew during the last rainy season, turning yellowish, yet it tenaciously awaits the next drop of rain.
"Ah..." Xuewen lost her balance for a moment and let out a short, suppressed gasp. As she leaned back, Su Cheng quickly grabbed her.
After regaining her balance, she finally caught her breath and repeatedly expressed her gratitude with hand gestures.
The steps were quite long, so to prevent anyone from slipping again, the three of them helped each other up, slowly climbing the stairs step by step.
With each step they took, more green particles accumulated on their legs.
The slightest noise awakens the dormant spores, which fly toward the sound source but cannot break through the barrier and burrow into their skin.
After passing through moss-covered steps and then through an alley, Liu Yu glanced at Xuewen, who was closely following behind Su Cheng, and couldn't help but pat the two of them on the shoulder.
He pointed to the street on the left, his voice low and soft. "You should go this way."
According to the team leader's area division, they seem to have gone astray; they should head to the left next.
Su Cheng shook her head, looked ahead firmly, and said, "I want to go this way."
Su Cheng insisted on walking ahead, and without waiting for him to say anything more, she took a step forward.
She has already seen the system's navigation.
The red directional arrow points straight ahead, indicating a distance of 500m.
The system was definitely more reliable than Zhang Yuwen's information, so she naturally followed the system's instructions.
Xuewen glanced at Su Cheng, then turned to look at Liu Yu, and after a short hesitation, chose to follow the former.
If something unexpected happens, she feels it might be better to stay behind Su Cheng.
Su Cheng always gave her a strange sense of security.
Liu Yu frowned, deciding to follow the majority; he dared not go to the left alone. Anyway, the whole thing was being recorded by cameras, so even if he went off-plan, he could have a reason to argue his case later.
Because of the grass and branches underfoot, Su Cheng couldn't walk fast even if she knew the direction, and tripping over them wouldn't be a good thing.
As the number indicated by the red arrow decreases.
The three arrived at a pile of broken walls and ruins entangled in vines.
This used to be a crowded residential area.
It collapsed into ruins after the meteorite landed.
The green vines on the broken wall were exceptionally thick and lush, winding around and around, with the outer layer blocking out the sunlight, while the vines growing on the inner layer of the broken wall were exceptionally green and fresh.
Small white buds can also be seen amidst the dense green.
Spores accumulate in broken walls, fractured beams, piles of planks... in every corner, they are everywhere.
"Splash splash splash..."
The vines on the wall twitched.
The spores in the air coalesced into a ball, heading straight for the three people's faces.
"Boom boom boom"
Xuewen and Liu Yu tensed up and instinctively activated the collector.
There are way too many spores in this area!
To prevent the breathing pore filters on the mask from being completely blocked by highly targeted spores, the collector must be used; otherwise, even if spore invasion is prevented, breathing will still be impossible.
The hum of the collector seemed to announce the arrival of the outsiders, attracting more spores closer.
Even the vines lurking on the walls stretched out, seemingly eager yet uncertain whether prey truly existed.
"My collector is almost full! How can there be so much!" Xuewen's voice was strained.
"No, we have to retreat!" Liu Yu was already considering retreating as he faced the spores flying all over the sky.
Su Cheng shook her head. "I need to go inside. The meteorite fragments are inside. You guys go find the others to provide support."
"How did you know?" Liu Yu asked back.
But Su Cheng didn't answer. She drove the collector inside, and Liu Yu, getting no response, pulled Xuewen and turned to leave.
The spores, clustered together, seemed to Perception their distance and attempted to deliver a final blow to the breathing holes on their masks.
But as they approached, blue flames suddenly erupted, turning them into a handful of ashes!
"!"
Xuewen happened to turn around and saw this scene. Even though she had heard about Su Cheng's special ability, she was still speechless with shock when she saw it in person.
Is it really possible for someone to burn spores with their bare hands?!
" Liu Yu, turn around!"
"Why are you looking back? Run!"
Liu Yu dared not delay for the slightest, always feeling that a large swarm of spores must be gathering behind him, chasing after him.
He couldn't control Su Cheng's desire to go further, but he didn't want to take any risks.
Regardless of whether meteorite fragments are actually inside.
The branches underfoot acted like tripping ropes, hindering my run.
Liu Yu was sweating profusely, knowing he couldn't turn back now. He feared that fear would distract him, and if his legs gave way or he fell, it would be all over.
After Su Cheng activated the Fire-Attracting Art to burn the spores chasing the two, the collector on her back showed that it was full.
Blue flames rippled around her like waves.
"Sizzle"
The nearby spores burst open and were completely annihilated!
But like moths drawn to a flame, they emerge again from the flower buds and fly toward the only living organism, unwilling to give up and attempting to parasitize it.
Having no other option, Su Cheng had to set fire to the vines over a large area.
Blue flames cannot ignite vines; they can only burn flower buds that are releasing spores.
She took out a laser cannon from her bag, aimed it at the woven netting around her eyes, and pressed the switch.
Burning smoke rose, emitting a foul odor of rotting flesh, so unpleasant that Su Cheng couldn't help but twitch her nose.
If she hadn't done it herself, she would have thought she was burning rotting animals with a laser!
The layers of rattan mesh overlapped so tightly that a high-temperature laser could not melt them all at once.
Because of her initiative, the flower buds hidden in the knots of the vine roots sprouted out.
The small white flower sprays out a cloud of green particles as it opens.
Su Cheng set the fire on itself, burning the newly grown flower buds and granules together until they were completely consumed, leaving only charred black specks.