Poseidon in Arknights

"Won't this hardened, sticky substance covering the entire plant affect their respiration or something like that?"

“That’s part of the plant’s uniqueness.” The perfumer looked a little embarrassed when he heard Muirsey’s question. “According to our research, they hardly respire, and based on changes in soil nutrients, they don’t even need much nutrition.”

When the perfumer said this, she wasn't very confident, because it didn't sound right at all. She was completely baffled when she realized this.

After all, this doesn't make any sense at all; it doesn't conform to their botanical understanding. But after many experiments, it seems to be true.

After the result was confirmed, they were even more confused. After all, the growth of the crystal orchid was real, but the amount of nutrients they consumed did not match the amount of growth at all.

“…Is that so?” Muirse’s lips twitched, and her eyes turned to Yuuzuki, who was pretending to whistle, again. “These plants are really amazing.”

"Take your time looking, there's more." Xi Yue chuckled twice. When she was looking for the plants she needed, she didn't care much about how they grew; she only cared about whether they could survive in this place.

After all, medicinal efficacy is a basic requirement. Xi Yue also needs the plants to have strong medicinal efficacy. Rapid growth is to ensure the supply of medicinal efficacy, and they are also required to survive on this land. If we ask them to do anything more, it would be asking too much of the plants.

After much deliberation, I only selected a few types of plants, as they all grow quickly enough and have potent medicinal effects.

The most important thing is that they can ensure their survival on this Terra land, with each plant having a compatibility rate of over 70%.

“It seems I’ve indeed gained a lot today.” Muirsey looked up at the many nurseries around her. “Of course, I may also have a lot of questions.”

Chapter 214: Tour Completed

“I think these plants will satisfy Miss Muelseth’s thirst for knowledge.” The perfumer smiled, not understanding why Muelseth had turned around and looked at Xiyue.

“Some of them are indeed very strange, but we just need to use them. There are many things in nature that we can’t understand, and there are more than just one or two.”

“I know,” Muirsey smiled. “But it would be best if we could understand it. Hmm, are there any other things to be aware of?”

"Not yet, its survival rate is almost 100%." ​​The perfumer shook his head. "The only growing condition is that it needs to get enough sunlight."

"However, judging from several simulated planting experiments, it seems that whether or not the crystal orchid needs to be exposed to sunlight is not a big problem. If nothing unexpected happens, its survival rate can reach almost 100%."

"An unexpected event?" Muels raised an eyebrow. "You just said they require almost no growing conditions. With a survival rate of nearly 100%, what unexpected event could possibly occur?"

Celsius touched the crystal orchid he was touching, as if he had figured something out: "Oh, is it this hard layer on their bodies?"

Logically speaking, a plant would not engage in self-destructive behavior; growth and development are the instincts of any life form, including plants.

However, the Indian orchid secretes a sticky substance that envelops the entire plant and transforms it into a hard crystal. There must be a reason for this.

For example, their plants are very fragile during growth and will have problems when exposed to the external environment, so they have evolved this ability to protect themselves.

Just like some trees, after being injured, will deform the injured area or secrete resin to protect that injured area.

Or perhaps the hardening sap of the crystal orchid is also for this reason. If that's the case, then Muirsey roughly understands what the perfumer meant by the unexpected situation.

"It seems Miss Muelseth has already guessed it." The perfumer looked at Muelseth with a look of sudden realization, indicating that Muelseth had probably already deduced the reason.

"Some of the ghost orchids may not have their entire plant covered by the finishing process due to various reasons. Although those parts of the ghost orchid will grow larger during the growth process, there have been individual cases of death among these individuals."

"I see." Muirsey nodded, then looked up at the other nurseries. "It's getting late, shall we look at something else?"

“That’s natural.” The perfumer nodded. “Now let’s take a look at the Jade Bone Bamboo on the left.”

——————Rhodes Island · Accommodation Area · Corridor——————

"There are so many amazing plants!" Muirsey stretched, the perfumer had been talking about the numerous plants in the greenhouse from afternoon until evening.

They were so engrossed in their work that they didn't even prepare dinner. They didn't mind, though, as they would cook for themselves later anyway.

The perfumer seemed to be having such a great time that he wasn't planning on going to eat.

“I know you have a lot of questions.” Xi Yue smiled. “Have dinner first, and I’ll answer them for you slowly. You can also prepare a small notebook and ask me questions one by one.”

"The notebook might not be enough," Muels chuckled, poking Yuuki's cheek with her finger. "Yuuki, where did you get all these plants?"

"Judging from their thoughts, they don't seem to be plants from this continent at all."

“That’s not true.” Xi Yue pushed open the door. “But since things have come to this, let’s eat first. I think…”

Xi Yue looked into the room and saw Hong, who seemed to have fallen asleep while waiting: "Look, Hong has fallen asleep while waiting."

Hearing Xiyue's voice, Hong looked up and rubbed her eyes: "Mom, you're back?"

"That's right, we're back." Yuzuki walked into the room and patted Hong's head. "How are you? Are you hungry?"

"I'm hungry." Hong rubbed against Xiyue's hand. "I've been waiting for so long."

"Sorry, Kurenai." Yuzuki touched Kurenai, but then looked around curiously. "Speaking of which, where are Sora and Croissant? Didn't I invite them to eat too?"

"Why aren't you here? Did you get impatient and go eat?"

“No, that’s not it.” Hong shook her head. “Sora and Croissant are next door. It seems they got bored waiting for their mother. Sora suggested going to see a movie, but I wanted to take a nap, so they went back to the room next door.”

"Oh, I'm sorry." Yu Yue patted Hong's head, water swirling around her body and quickly transforming into a house apron. "I'll go cook now, it'll be ready soon."

"Please wait a moment. Oh, by the way, Hong, please call the two of them back. I'll be right back."

--------------

"You guys got back really late today." Kong picked up his chopsticks and shoveled rice into his bowl. "By the way, has the matter at the botanical garden been resolved?"

"Hmm, no, it shouldn't be that quick to solve it, or rather, do you have an idea?"

“No.” Muirsay shook her head. “I’m just going to take a look today. I didn’t even bring any equipment with me. You could say I have no clue what to do.”

As she spoke, Muels also looked at Xi Yue beside her: "Because the plants that Xi Yue brought over are not things that should exist on this land at all."

"Did Yuuki make some unusual modifications to those plants?" Croissant, who had finished testing early and was already dominating the TV next week, guessed after hearing Muirsey's words.

"So, it's like those Frankenstein monsters in horror movies doing random, pointless modifications to plants?"

“First of all, horror movies don’t exist.” Muirsays shook his head. “Secondly, it would be better if it were just some random, non-existent modifications like those Frankenstein’s monsters.”

"At least it shows that it was originally the same plants, just with a little something added."

"So, does that mean it's a plant I've never seen before?" Kong tilted his head. "Hmm, could it just be some rare plants?"

Although they knew that Yuuki had provided Rhodes Island with a prescription and some plants, they had no interest in that, so they didn't ask any further questions.

As for Kong, she only knows a little about decorative plants; when it comes to scientific research, she's completely clueless.

But since everyone's talking about this now, I might as well chime in.

"If that's all there is to it, then so be it." Muirsey shook her head with a hint of melancholy. "Someone keeps saying they'll give an explanation, but they haven't said a word yet."

"Alright, alright, sigh, really." Xi Yue shook her head helplessly. "You guessed right, they are indeed not plants native to this continent."

“As expected.” Muels nodded knowingly. “Then what kind of prehistoric plants are they? Did you preserve them, Xiyue?”

"Was their original civilization some kind of magical civilization like those in novels?" Merces' eyes revealed a hint of excitement. As the ocean of this planet, Yuugetsu must know a great deal.

Muirsey was already well aware that an earlier civilization existed on this land, although current research suggests that Fangtu was clearly a technologically advanced civilization.

But this planet has such a long history, perhaps there was an even earlier magical civilization, who knows? Muirsey's performance was full of thirst for knowledge.

The information Muels had gleaned from a group of plants this afternoon—words like magic, druids, spiritual power, and elemental energy—constantly piqued his curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

However, the Western Regions had been suppressing his appetite all along. It wasn't because Xi Yue seemed to have some reservations, and he himself was no match for Xi Yue. Muerses probably had already taken Xi Yue to a small dark room and questioned her one by one.

Even when faced with Muirsey's somewhat intense gaze, Yuuki simply ate her food quietly, calmly tapping the plate in front of her.

“Alright…” Muels understood Xiyue’s actions. Let’s not talk about business at the dinner table. We’ll talk about it after we finish eating.

--------------

"We've finished eating~" Kong waved to the two people inside the room from the doorway. "You two can talk about your business. If you need anything, we'll watch a movie next door. Just call us anytime."

While Croissant is hard to say, Sora definitely wants to stay here, but it's obvious that Muirsey and Yuzuki want to discuss official business.

And it's the kind of situation where you absolutely can't get a word in edgewise, not even a single word.

If I stayed any longer, I would just be a spoilsport, and all I would be doing would be sitting here, bored and just watching them talk.

After all, they are discussing very rigorous academic issues, while he is watching TV, which would be more than just a spoilsport.

This person is clearly here to cause trouble. To be honest, if someone was watching a movie or TV show with the sound on next to me while I was practicing singing, I would probably just throw that person out.

So I should just take Hesong with me and not be the one who spoils the mood and gets thrown out.

While you were fasting, as you left, Kusou looked at Red, who was sitting in a chair playing with her tail: "Oh, by the way, Red, do you want to come over too?"

"Huh?" Hong heard someone call her and looked up at the door. "What's wrong? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Come on, come on." Kong Chaohong waved her hand. "Xi Yue and Miss Muerses are about to talk, so it's best if we don't disturb them."

"Oh." Hong nodded, seemingly understanding, then looked at Xiyue beside her, her eyes asking whether she should follow Sora out as she had suggested.

"Whatever." Yuuki patted her red head. "But if you plan to stay, you'll need to be quiet later."

“Okay, Mom.” Hong nodded, then glanced at the empty space behind her. After thinking for a moment, she turned to Xiyue and asked, “If I stay here, Mom, can you stick your tail out so I can touch it?”

"I promise I'll be quiet and won't say a word." Hong even pulled her tail and wagged it in front of Xiyue. "And when we chat later, Mom can hold Hong in her arms and pet her."

"Alright, things will get serious soon." Yu Yue looked at Hong, who was acting cute, and scratched her head helplessly. "Mommy and O might not have time to pet you then."

"But if you just want to touch Mommy's tail, then I'll wait until tonight if I remember~"

"Okay~" Hong nodded happily immediately, and I followed Kong out of the room without looking back.

"Miss Yuuki is truly adept at dealing with Hong." Muels said, looking at the door that Hong had closed. "As for just now, I had a feeling that it was like a boss making empty promises to an employee."

"Really?" Xi Yue shrugged. "Hong is always easy to coax, and I never break my promise. If I say I'll give it to Hong, I will let her touch it."

“Then I, Yuuki, will keep my promise~” Muels moved closer and sat down next to Yuuki. “Shouldn’t you also fulfill your promise to me?”

"Okay, okay, I know, I know." Yu Yue smiled at Muirsey, who practically had "Tell me everything" written all over her face.

"But you seem to know a lot of things. Why don't you make a list? For example, what do you want to know right now?"

“Hmm…” Muels stroked his chin and asked, “Those plants have never appeared in our civilization, at least not so far?”

"Did they come from an earlier time?"

"I guess so." Xi Yue nodded. "Those plants didn't come from this land; I carefully selected and took them out."

Xi Yue did not explain the system to Muersais, since Muersais had already come up with a reasonably plausible explanation in his own mind.

So we might as well go along with Muirsey's guess, since no one is going to betray Yuuki at this time.

"Hmm, I knew it..." After getting the answer she wanted, Muirsey nodded with a smile. She was about to ask more questions, but then she didn't know what to ask next.

"Forget it, I really want to think about it some more, but it seems like my major isn't in this area."

Or rather, Rhine Lab's main research focus is not on this area, and Muirsey only knows about it.

"Let's get back to the main topic then." Muels composed himself. "Xi Yue, you should know why some plants experience problems adapting to new environments, right?"