Interstellar Greening Master

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Due to the interception order, the situation in the northern hemisphere became even more tense. However, the only glimmer of hope was that the rainy season was coming to an end, and Cang Zhan Star was about to enter the dry season.

In the high temperature and low rainfall of the dry season, the water levels on Cang Zhan Star would likely decrease rapidly because the extreme weather of the Apocalypse Era wasn’t limited to just the rainy season.

Some smaller fleets, upon receiving the interception order, immediately turned back, preparing to tough it out on the water’s surface for these last twenty-something days, waiting for the water levels to drop so they could find new places to settle.

However, most of the fleets that had migrated had already depleted their supplies during the long journey. If they returned now and stayed on the water’s surface, not to mention the risk of storms, their current supplies would be insufficient to sustain them for that long. Leaving could result in starving to death, and staying could mean getting killed—caught between a rock and a hard place, it was a despairing situation.

The situation for the migrating fleets was extremely passive. For now, all they could do was try their best to remain hidden and avoid detection by the northern hemisphere’s bases.

But this was far from easy. The rise in water levels had made land resources in the northern hemisphere extremely scarce. Almost all land had bases stationed on it. Trying to approach the shore meant being within the sight of the bases in the northern hemisphere. Moreover, looking at the interception list released with the interception order, Zone A and Zone S had auxiliary equipment like detectors and drones.

Of course, there were also a few fleets that had the same idea as Shui Jing Gong, which was to form an alliance. The fleets with this idea were those that had some strength and a certain level of intelligence. They understood that this year’s weather was probably not a coincidence, and regressing might provide temporary relief, but it was by no means a long-term solution.

Therefore, while these fleets carefully avoided the surveillance of the northern hemisphere, they also dispatched small boats to search for traces of other fleets, preparing to form alliances.

The Shui Jing Gong fleet had similar actions. Shui Jing Gong was not lacking in detectors, especially after Xie Feng joined. With detectors and the deployment of small boats, they had enough security to search for other fleets within a certain range.

In addition to this, the people of Shui Jing Gong also gathered together to research suitable landing points. Yes, they had decided to land. After all, if they wanted to form alliances, they needed a strong rear base to stabilize their people.

Combining the recently updated maps and the information they gathered about the mutant creatures, the Shui Jing Gong group finally settled on the largest mountain range in the northern hemisphere as their landing point, the Cangyu Mountains.

The Cangyu Mountains not only boast the third-ranked pristine forest on Cang Zhan Star but also feature vast mountain ranges and abundant wildlife resources. What’s even more crucial is that the longest river on Cang Zhan Star, the Cang River, flows through this region.

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The Shui Jing Gong had migrated from the south, following the course of the Cang River. The Cang River meanders through the Cangyu Mountains, providing convenient transportation for them as they arrive by boat.

After all, the migrating groups consisted of fleets, and these vessels couldn’t be easily abandoned. Unless a base had a spatial folding device, storage of the vessels would pose a significant problem.

Nan Ge’s finger slid across the map, tracing the winding course of the Cang River through the Cangyu Mountains. “The Cangyu Mountains themselves possess abundant species resources, and this place has always been avoided by the northern hemisphere. Numerous mutant creatures inhabit this region, and with this year’s floods, even more of these mutants have flocked here.”

Shu Shuishui attentively studied the map of the Cangyu Mountains on the table. “Let’s first explore the outskirts and gather information. It seems that there’s been a collective outbreak of the mutant creatures, and there appears to be some pattern to it. That means there might be some control over them, increasing the possibility of forming an alliance.”

Gu Langu nodded in agreement. “We can hire gray rats to go and investigate. After all, gray rats are also mutants and easier to communicate with. Of course, we should offer them a reasonable fee since this is a risky job.”

The expressions of Yu Jin and the others shifted as they listened to this discussion. There was something off about Gu Langu’s recent behavior. Though he had become more human-like recently, haggling with gray rats was still quite surprising.

Gu Langu had already calculated what would be a suitable price and was planning to negotiate a share with the gray rats.

“Gu Gu is right. Communication with mutant creatures is easier, so I think I can go in my mouse form. That way, I can grasp the situation firsthand and stand in for our rat friends,” Shu Shuishui said, feeling that he was a supernatural being and could lend his support to the rats.

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“No,” Gu Langu’s mental calculations disappeared instantly, and he reflexively opposed the idea. The fact that neither of the two major bases in the Northern Hemisphere dared to enter the Cangyu Mountains indicated how dangerous the mutant creatures inside were. Gu Langu couldn’t let Shu Shuishui take such a risk.

The others also displayed their disagreement.

“It’s too dangerous, Shui Shui. It’s better for you to wait here.”

“Yes, wait for the gray rats to gather information before making a decision.”

“Indeed, we don’t even know the specifics of these mutant creatures. If they’re in a mindless, berserk state, it’s risky.”

“If you want to get information first-hand, I can go with them.”

“I can go too. Shui Shui, it’s better for you to stay here.”

The group was divided in their analysis and persuasion.

“But didn’t you all agree to let the gray rats investigate?” Shu Shuishui puzzledly touched his head. “I’m a rodent too. Why can they go, and I can’t? They are rodents, I’m a rodent, what’s the difference?”

For a moment, silence descended upon the table as they looked at Shu Shuishui with his innocent and bewildered expression. They didn’t know what to say.

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Yu Jin, with his simpler brain structure, didn’t have as many concerns. He instinctively replied, “You’re Shui Shui, and you’re different from them.”

Shu Shuishui was perplexed. “Why am I different? Is it because I have a name? They have names too. I’m your friend, and they’re your friends too.”

Yu Jin choked up, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. He kept thinking about Shu Shuishui’s words. Indeed, Shui Shui was a friend, but didn’t the others present treat the gray rats differently? Were they not considered friends on the same level?

Shu Shuishui’s words had derailed the thoughts of everyone at the table. They started to reassess their attitudes and recognized that they had been underestimating the gray rats. This realization laid the foundation for what would come next. However, for now, they remained concerned about Shu Shuishui joining the expedition to the Cangyu Mountains.

Gu Langu’s attitude was extremely firm. He insisted that if Shu Shuishui was going, he had to accompany him. Shu Shuishui looked at Gu Langu with a sense of dilemma, thinking that the imposing figure of Gu Langu might be perceived as a threat by the mutant creatures. Gu Langu suggested that he could use a mimicry seal to blend in with Shu Shuishui.

In the end, Shu Shuishui reluctantly agreed to Gu Langu’s proposal. There was no other choice, and if he disagreed, it seemed that Gu Langu wouldn’t even blink his eyes.

After discussing the timing and location of their landing, the fleet wasted no time and immediately set sail along the Cang River towards the Cangyu Mountains. The broad river allowed the fleet to avoid the risk of running aground. Once they reached a calm section of the river, the team consisting of ten gray rats, one dormouse, and a mimicked Gu Langu disembarked from the ship.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, this unique team slowly entered the lush jungle.

The jungle before them was lush and green. Even where the terrain was low and the water had risen, it couldn’t shake the towering giant trees. The green canopy overhead formed a natural emerald sky, occasionally casting down scattered rays of light like precious diamonds, shimmering brightly.

On Cang Zhan Star, such lush jungles were becoming increasingly rare, especially in recent years as the environment deteriorated. A cursory observation of the terrain here and the growth of plants was sufficient to indicate that this place could be considered a feng shui treasure.

Yu Jin scratched his head as he watched the team’s back disappear into the forest. “I can’t help but feel that the boss looks very strange, like he could crush everything with a single step. It’s making me uncomfortable.”

It wasn’t just Yu Jin who felt uncomfortable. Although they knew that Gu Langu occasionally used mimicry seals, most of the time, it happened within their dormitories. However, today, Gu Langu has dressed appropriately, carrying a backpack, leading a fluffy warm brown dormouse, and walking into the jungle, making everyone feel uneasy.

“I hope they don’t get lost,” Liu Du also expressed his concerns.

“Regardless, we can only wait,” the people on the ship anxiously waited.

In the jungle, Gu Langu unexpectedly found himself the slowest member of the group. Occasionally, he had to climb over branches, and when encountering larger puddles, he had to detour or ride on floating leaves to cross them. It felt quite precarious.

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Shu Shuishui quickly noticed the low pressure emanating from Gu Langu. When Gu Langu was blocked by a frog on the path, Shu Shuishui rushed forward, stood in front of Gu Langu, and then swatted the frog away with one paw. “Gu Gu, don’t worry, it’s just a happy little frog, not poisonous.”

Gu Langu: “…” I wasn’t scared, just feeling complicated.

Before Gu Langu could fully adjust to his complicated feelings about being blocked by a frog, Shu Shuishui swiftly picked him up and transferred Gu Langu onto his back.

“I’ll carry Gu Gu, no need to worry. We’ll find the mutant creatures soon,” Shu Shuishui reassured.

Gulan Bone: ?!…ヽ(￣▽￣) What to do if I don’t want to go down anymore with all this fluffiness?

In the end, before Gu Langu could react, Shu Shuishui had already started running swiftly, and the gray rats by his side followed suit. In the blink of an eye, the team had covered more than ten meters, a vast difference from their previous pace.

Gu Langu suddenly realized that he had become a liability. In fact, if he familiarized himself, he could achieve this speed too. However, it seemed that Shu Shuishui was treating him like a little baby and insisted on carrying him for reassurance.

Gu Langu buried his face in Shu Shuishui’s fluffy back and let out a gentle sigh. ‘Shui Shui, you are truly unique, and only with you, I am different. So, after countless cycles, I choose to settle by your side.’

Shu Shuishui, moving swiftly, asked, “What’s wrong? Is Gu Gu feeling dizzy?”

Behind him came a soft chuckle. “No, I’m just very happy.”