Cannon fodder in the Interstellar

Who were they? In a place like this, with the current situation, why be afraid of something strange? They’d deal with whatever they encountered. The Adam team was open-minded and had no objections to continuing deeper into the forest.

However, the Adam team wasn’t arrogant. They slowed their pace compared to earlier and became more vigilant, carefully observing their surroundings.

After walking a few hundred meters further, everyone became more convinced that Ruo Manni’s observations were correct; there really were no animals in the forest, not even small insects.

Ruo Manni also hadn’t discovered anything, but as the team moved deeper, she felt increasingly oppressed. When they reached an area filled with chestnut trees, Ruo Manni suddenly sensed something. She immediately shouted, “Wait.”

The Adam team quickly assumed a defensive stance. Hebrew Adam scanned the surroundings warily but saw nothing.

He turned back to Ruo Manni and asked, “What did you find?”

“I just felt a brief, faint fluctuation of mental energy nearby, as if some creature was hiding in the forest and observing us. But when I used telekinesis to scan the area, I didn’t detect any mutated beasts within a thousand meters,” Ruo Manni said uncertainly.

The mental energy fluctuation appeared only for a moment, and Ruo Manni couldn’t pinpoint its exact location in time. However, she was sure that her perception was correct; it was indeed a fluctuation of mental energy, which she was familiar with.

In this deep forest, Ruo Manni’s words were quite alarming, and the Adam team’s expressions changed slightly. Regardless of what it was, if it could hide so well and remain calm, it was certainly not easy to deal with. Could it be setting a trap, waiting for them to walk into it?

“In the forest… could it be a mutated tree?” Hebrew Adam pondered for a moment and suggested a possibility.

“Quite possibly,” Ruo Manni’s eyes lit up. How had she not thought of that?

She realized her own lack of experience and her reliance on the common knowledge of Earth’s forests. They hadn’t yet learned about mutated trees in Xuan Gu, so her information on this topic was limited to what she had seen online.

In her memory, mutated trees in this world are normal trees that have mutated after developing a core. Because this core resembles the human brain, mutated trees develop a certain level of intelligence, which is related to their rank.

In short, mutated trees are no longer the same as ordinary trees; they are somewhat like the “spirits” in Earth’s novels.

After a tree mutates, it seems to develop in two main ways: one is by consuming its own kind to grow stronger, and the other is by consuming other creatures to enhance itself.

Mutated trees are extremely rare and require specific conditions to form. Therefore, relying on consuming their own kind to grow is nearly impossible. As a result, the majority of mutated trees in the entire Gumera domain grow by consuming beasts or humans.

Although the internal structure of a mutated tree changes, its external appearance remains quite similar to ordinary trees. Therefore, mutated trees often disguise themselves as normal trees. Only botanists can distinguish the subtle differences, and typically, humans cannot tell the difference unless the tree is feeding.

“You said you sensed a weak mental energy fluctuation?” Hebrew Adam asked in a low voice, his expression serious.

Ruo Manni nodded, “Although it’s very weak, I’m sure it’s correct.”

Hebrew Adam’s expression darkened even further, “Among all mutated trees, those with a mental energy core are the most terrifying. Higher-level ones can create illusions, making creatures unknowingly walk into their trap, leading to their deaths without them realizing.”

“This is why there are no small animals in this forest—they’ve all become nutrients for the mutated tree with the mental energy core,” Ruo Manni immediately identified the key evidence.

The Adam team was horrified. They clearly had more experience than Ruo Manni: “So, there really is a mutated tree with a mental energy core here. This is too terrifying. Should we report it to the instructors?”

In fact, not only was the Adam team shocked, but the instructors were also alarmed.

“What’s going on? There’s actually a mutated tree with a mental energy core here? Fidler, didn’t you come here last month for an inspection?” Instructor Dudley asked urgently.

“Yes, but we didn’t find anything unusual,” Fidler replied solemnly.

“Let’s wait and see. This is only Ruo Manni’s perception. Let’s confirm it before making any decisions,” the head instructor said calmly. “Have the airship move closer to ensure we can act quickly if needed.”

Instructor Dudley took a moment to calm himself. His concern had caused him to lose his composure. With everyone present, it was unlikely that any harm would come to the students.

“We can’t be sure yet. Let’s wait and see. Actually, the instructors would find out about this even without our report, and they wouldn’t let us get into danger,” Hebrew Adam said.

Hearing their leader, the Adam team remembered his special status. Even if their leader’s status were ordinary, the instructors wouldn’t let them fend for themselves; there would surely be strong protective measures in place.

“Standing here won’t solve anything. Let’s keep moving,” Hebrew Adam said, drawing his Tang sword from behind.

“Given the special circumstances, we shouldn’t stick together. Everyone, spread out a bit to avoid being taken out in one sweep. Su Forty-Three, protect Ruo Manni. Ruo Manni, keep alert for any mental energy fluctuations and immediately warn us if you detect anything,” Hebrew Adam ordered.

The Adam team complied, each member cautiously drawing their weapons and spreading out. Except for Su Forty-Three, who stayed close to Ruo Manni, the others spaced themselves about three meters apart and proceeded slowly into the forest.

This time, Hebrew Adam took the lead in the middle, a strategic position that allowed him to quickly support each team member.

“Ah!” Sheila suddenly cried out. The team turned to see that she had been ensnared by a tree branch and was being lifted into the air. Despite her cry, she was already using her long sword to slash at the branch that had wrapped around her waist.

Tino Venamoinen and Tamaki Kazia were about to move forward to help her when the branches in front of them also began to move. Moreover, Ruo Manni noticed that the trees around them seemed to come alive, with countless branches extending toward them.

The Adam team realized that this entire area was made up of mutated trees, which was terrifying since mutated trees usually grow individually.

Su Forty-Three used his long sword to create a web of blades in the air, severing the branches that were reaching out toward him and Ruo Manni. Hebrew Adam was even more effective, with his blade cutting through branches with precision.

Su Forty-Three provided thorough protection, and Ruo Manni was not harmed at all. She focused intently on sensing the situation, noting that these mutated trees did not exhibit any mental energy fluctuations during their attacks.

However, since all the trees in this area were mutated, cutting off a few branches was merely a minor inconvenience for them. The mutated trees quickly adapted; as soon as the blades came near, the branches retracted swiftly, so the Adam team was only managing to remove some bark and leaves.