Chapter 281 - 277: Don’t Come Over Here!
“As I thought, the Soul Eating Insects and the Dream Vine have completely merged together. It’s exactly as I predicted.”
Bai Qi was analyzing the data displayed on the device, his head slightly nodding in affirmation. He then turned towards Beta and asked, “Beta, how about you? Is there any problem with its spirit?”
Woof woof!
(There are no issues. The spirit is very strong, however, there’s only one consciousness, which appears to be recently formed.)
“That explains it.”
A gleam flashed across Bai Qi’s eyes. An insect vying for the body, a plant invading the soul, both nurtured by the core of the Knowledge Ancient Tree. Due to some coincidences, they had evolved into a unique life form.
Could this be an unprecedented occurrence within the Federation?
This rare being absolutely had to remain by his side!
An intimidating aura abruptly emanated from Bai Qi, instantly startling the Dream Vine that had undergone countless tests. It instinctively took a step back.
This human is terrifying!
“Insect Grass, come here for a moment.”
Just as the Insect Grass was planning to slip away, Bai Qi summoned it. Although the Insect Grass was unwilling, it obediently moved to Bai Qi’s side, knowing the intent gazes of both Gamma and Alpha surrounding it.
The Insect Grass definitely had every reason to assume that, if it refused Bai Qi’s invitation, it would instantly be sliced into pieces and then cooked by those two.
“Honored hero, what are your commands?”
Bai Qi placed his hand on the Insect Grass’ head and said, “Don’t resist, 1 want to check your data.”
“Understood.”
The Insect Grass nodded, standing still and daring not to move an inch. Bai Qi successfully obtained the Insect Grass’ data.
[Name]: ???
[Nature]: Insect System? Plant Attribute? (Symbiotic)
[Bloodline Level]: High-grade Lord
[Growth Level]: Third Stage, Second Level
[Skills]: Soul Eating (Super Level – Perfect), Parasitism (High Level – Perfect), Dream Creation (Super Level – Perfect), Entering Dreams (High Level – Perfect), Hypnotic Pollen (Mid-level – Perfect), Paralysis (Mid-level – Perfect)
[Skill Brief]: Soul Eating
[Skill Level]: Super Level
[Skill Brief]: Super Energy Aptitude. Exclusive skill of the Soul Eating Insect. It can devour an enemy’s soul by consuming the enemy’s brain or other central control systems. Paired with Parasitism, it can fully control the enemy’s body without any noticeable changes from before its death.
[Skill Brief]: Parasitism
[Skill Level]: High Level
[Skill Brief]: Insect System. The skill used by the Soul Eating Insect to control its host. It allows the parasite to completely fuse with the body of the host, replacing the functions of the host’s brain.
[Skill Name]: Dream Creation
[Skill Level]: Super Level
[Skill Brief]: Super Energy Aptitude. It is the exclusive skill of the Dream Vine. Can guide targets into a sleep state through spirit power or pollen, and create a realistic dream. If it is a pleasant dream, it can have a relaxing and even rejuvenating effect on one’s spirit. If it is a nightmare, it can cause damage to an enemy’s soul.
[Skill Name]: Entering Dreams
[Skill Level]: High Level
[Skill Brief]: Super Energy Aptitude. After creating the dreamland, the Dream Vine can transfer its consciousness or another person’s consciousness into the dreamland and manipulate the direction of the dream, doubling the effectiveness of the dream. However, it also exposes oneself to enemies.
[Skill Name]: Hypnotic Pollen
[Skill Level]: Mid-level
[Skill Brief]: Plant Attribute. This is an important medium for the Dream Vine to induce hypnosis and even dream entry. Other than inhalation, if it comes into contact with the skin, it can induce deep sleep.
[Skill Name]: Paralysis
[Skill Level]: Mid-level
[Skill Brief]: Insect System. A commonly used skill, secreted toxins paralyze the enemy’s nerves, subtly damaging the enemy’s body tissues.
Unsurprisingly, the race of the Insect Grass showed up as question marks. Clearly, the Evolution Egg had never encountered such an extraordinary situation before. The four perfectly mastered skills were also within Bai Qi’s expectations.
Having the ability to influence so many ferocious beasts at the same time, Bai Qi wouldn’t believe it if someone told him that the Insect Grass was not proficient in those skills.
Moreover, after reviewing all the skills of the Insect Grass, Bai Qi finally understood the creation process of this strange creature.
The Soul Eating Insect consumed the soul, while the Dream Vine was able to transfer its own consciousness into the dreamland. As a result, the consciousness of both got entangled together. Both were annihilated, and under the nourishment of the Knowledge Ancient Tree, a new consciousness was formed. It was that simple.
In a way, this creature was quite similar to Husky. But while Husky was a body with two consciousnesses, the Insect Grass was two bodies and souls merged to form a single consciousness.
However, the growth level of this creature was surprisingly lower than what Bai Qi had anticipated.
To affect such a wide area, it must have been a high-level, after all, it swallowed the core of a Knowledge Ancient Tree.
“I think the reason it was able to influence such a large area is probably due to its fusion process with the Knowledge Ancient Tree Core. It caused energy leakage during the fusion process, and by the time it finished fusion, the energy would have been mostly exhausted,” Schuck speculated, giving a reasonable explanation. Bai Qi couldn’t think of any other reason, so he accepted this one. After all, it was already rare for two pets to fuse together, asking for both to be high-level would be too much.
“However, it does surprisingly meet my current needs…” Bai Qi looked at the Bug Grass with a smile.
The ability to create dreams was precisely for enhancing spiritual power, wasn’t it? With this living dream-making machine here, he wouldn’t need to buy any Phantom Spirit Potion anymore.
Initially, Bai Qi had planned to contract a Dream Vine, but most of the Dream Vines had limited growth potential, they didn’t like to fight and spend most of their time in deep sleep. The contract wouldn’t have been of much use. Hence, Bai Qi gave up on them.
However, he now had this possible one-of-a-kind symbiotic species in front of him, he couldn’t afford to miss it.
“Bug Grass, would you like to be my pet and join us as a companion?” Bai Qi asked.
Bai Qi’s question apparently surprised the Bug Grass. Seeing the “predatory” look from Bai Qi’s four pets, it made up its mind immediately.
“It’s an honor for me to be your pet, hero. I hope you won’t find me useless.” “Useless? No, you’ll definitely be useful.”
Bai Qi smiled, “Was that dream you just created took a peek at my consciousness?”
Upon hearing Bai Qi’s question, Bug Grass apologized instantly, “Please don’t get me wrong, hero. I just surfaced your fear out without peeking into your memories.”
“So if I were to give you more detailed content or let go of my memories… could you create a more realistic dream?”
Pausing momentarily, the Bug Grass replied, “In theory, yes. But I no longer have the power of the Knowledge Ancient Tree core to support me, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to create a large-scale dream as before.”
“That’s fine, a small dream will do.”
Bai Qi held the Bug Grass, whispering instructions to it. The Bug Grass hesitated for a moment but eventually followed Bai Qi’s instructions and initiated a dream.
“Hmm, it’s really realistic.”
Seeing the familiar high-rise buildings around him, Bai Qi nodded in satisfaction. He roamed around with a nostalgic feeling until the dream collapsed, and he was forcefully ejected from the dream.
Bai Qi gazed at the familiar surroundings in a daze, it took him a while to emerge from the dream. After a quiet reflection, he confirmed that his spiritual power had indeed increased, much more effective than the effects of the Phantom Spirit Potion.
“Congratulations, you’ve passed the trial and became a full-time employee.”
Bai Qi smiled to Bug Grass, “Let’s follow the convention and give you a name. Your race name is Dream-eating Vine, and your name is…Epsilon!”
“Epsilon? But I prefer an oriental name…”
Under the gaze of four pets, Bug Grass’s voice grew softer and softer. Eventually, it chose to accept the odd name.
Wisdom of the times is wisdom, yielding is strength.
Seeing the Bug Grass accepting the name, Bai Qi nodded adequately.
The progress of the Golden Egg was already at 99 percent. With the Evolution Egg and Green Dragon’s Scales, attaining full physical condition was just a matter of time. With bug grass at hand, advancing spiritual power now will only progress faster. The rise to the fifth stage was a foregone conclusion.
After signing the contract with the bug grass and quickly raising its level, the efficiency of enhancing his pets’ abilities would once again increase, creating a virtuous cycle.
But how would his pets react in the dream, and if a battle took place in the dream, could it enhance the mastery of their skills?
He would try it later, if it worked, he wouldn’t have to worry about finding a suitable training ground for the time being.
“Alright, Epsilon, you rest here for a while; I’ll go report the mission.”
Bai Qi put down the Bug Grass, then turned to Gamma cautiously, “Gamma, it’s now part of our team. Don’t stew it!”
Squelch squelch.
(“Alright, Gamma won’t stew it.”)
“Boiling, frying, roasting, or grilling, anything to eat, you must not do. Get along well with Epsilon.”
Bai Qi wisely blocked all of Gamma’s choices, saying to Schuck and Beta, “Don’t consider him as research material and dissect him. If I come back to find any damage, rest assured I’ll deal with it.”
“Beast Master, you can go with a peaceful mind. I won’t do anything to it.”
Schuck nodded seriously, and Beta did the same.
“That’s good, Delta, let’s hurry up and come back.”
Bai Qi nodded satisfiedly upon seeing this and left the secret realm with Delta, heading straight for the association.
He had completed the mission but kept the culprit for himself. He needed to at least explain to President Qin, otherwise, he will be in trouble if his points got deducted.
Awooo?
(Did the human leave?)
“He’s gone.”
Schuck nodded, and then the Two Headed-dog turned its dangerous eyes towards Bug Grass.
The Beast Master only said not to see any injury, so it’ll be fine to repair it after slicing, right? As for the treatment, with Gamma here, it’s easy.
Squelch squelch?
(Can Gamma slice a bit to taste, then heal him again, just like picking a fruit?)
Inspired by Schuck, Gamma’s mind suddenly diverged and unquestionably considered Bug Grass as a renewable fruit tree.
Targeted by the two pets and their dangerous gaze, the colorful vines of Bug Grass lost their color in fear. It backed away shakily towards a corner, issuing a harsh scream.
“Don’t come over!”