Chapter 8: Fungus Elixir

Chapter 8: Fungus Elixir

Main Research Institute of the Canglan Star Region's Central Planet

Critical Care Unit

Inside a room designed to shield mental energy, crafted from special metal, high-precision medical devices not for public sale were operating diligently.

On the central main monitor, it displayed:

“Heart Rate: 42 per minute

Mental Domain Attenuation Value: 91 (in red)”

In the center of the room was a fully transparent elliptical treatment device, inside which lay a person with long silver hair.

His face was serene, with an extremely slow breathing rate, radiating an unnatural stillness.

Hilmeth Razel, who led the Canglan Star Region to victory in the Astral Rune War a week ago, was currently in a critical coma.

“The general's Mental Domain Attenuation Value has decreased!”

The red-haired officer exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy.

In his excitement, he tried to clap his hands but forgot his left hand was in a cylindrical regeneration tank for limb regeneration.

“Ouch… ouch ouch.”

Qin Yan’s face paled as the intense pain made him fall silent.

Qin Yan, an S-rank Spirit Warrior and Lieutenant General, was one of the Canglan Star Region's top combatants.

“Is there still hope for the general?”

Qin Yan asked the team of experts, his eyes filled with hope.

“The decrease in the general's Mental Domain Attenuation Value could indicate recovery, or it might mean there is no further room for decline, leading to the drop.”

“Damn it! No more negative talk.”

"Are you really capable of saving him? Do you even know how to do it?

Lieutenant General Qin, watch your words. Although we are indeed very interested in the General's body, a living General is far more valuable to the Canglan Star Region."

The expert team members made no secret of their true intentions and were very direct.

"If something happens to General Hilmeth, the Canglan Star Region would likely be annexed by other star regions within a month. We all want the General to live and thrive."

Qin Yan snorted. "Then why... why hasn't the General woken up yet? He's so capable, how can he still be unconscious after so long?"

"The alien race, Sila, used unknown Spirit Runes to damage the General's spiritual realm and soul. We lack understanding in this area and require time to conduct research.

Lieutenant General Qin, your reconstruction brace is about to slip off. We suggest you lie back on the sickbed now and stop causing us extra work."

Qin Yan, his face pale with pain, adjusted the cylindrical tube wrapped around his left hand. "Got it."

With that, he left Hilmeth's treatment room, glancing back frequently.

Hilmeth was the pillar of the elite fighters in the Canglan Star Region and was undeniably their leader.

Facing the constantly evolving alien star regions, as long as Hilmeth stood before them, leading the charge, even if the Canglan Star Region's overall combat strength was inferior, they would fear nothing and press forward bravely.

If something happened to Hilmeth... the top combat forces of the Canglan Star Region would disintegrate.

General Hilmeth must not fail.

After sleeping to restore his magic, Cang Cheng still felt somewhat drowsy and lethargic. Realizing he hadn't visited Luo Ri Star before, he decided to go for a walk with Philip.

*

Naturally, Hilmeth accompanied him.

Unlike the main planet and other highly developed economic planets, Luo Ri Star had a retro and natural appearance. Dark gravel streets crisscrossed, facilitating transportation across the planet.

On both sides of the road stood one- or two-story rectangular houses made of metal composite panels, and the dark red roofs bore marks of weathering. Unknown vines and plants grew wildly throughout the visible landscape."

While they spread recklessly, they avoided human settlements, selecting open squares to embellish the landscape with greenery.

On most planets in the Canglan Star Region, rocks are no longer used for paving. Instead, they typically use silver-white metal materials that can effectively prevent damage to the ground from flying vehicles.

However, Luo Ri Star lacked the funds to pave roads like that, so they opted for the least expensive paving method. Luckily, no one on Luo Ri used flying vehicles, eliminating the risk of damage to the stone roads.

The rectangular houses on Luo Ri Star were also standard template houses that had been discarded by other planets. Older model template houses were not as advanced as the newer ones, but they came fully furnished with both soft and hard fittings, making them fairly decent homes for the residents of Luo Ri Star.

Plants and animals were rarely seen on other planets. Most interstellar flora and fauna had mutated and become somewhat aggressive. To ensure urban safety, most planets prohibited non-human life forms within city limits.

However, the plants in Luo Ri’s urban areas were non-aggressive, and Luo Ri lacked the resources to remove the mutated plants. As a result, residents allowed the mutated plants to grow freely.

Philip explained, "Luo Ri is divided into three regions: the central district, the outer district, and the unknown regions.

The central district, centered on the Central Mansion, spans approximately 0.4 million square kilometers. Most of the residents live here. The central district is patrolled by five security robots to ensure safety.

The outer district extends from beyond the city walls to the Luo Ri protective wall, covering approximately 0.8 million square kilometers. Though many once lived in the outer district, the insufficient patrol robots prompted residents to gradually move back to the central district.

Beyond the protective wall lie the unknown regions, currently unexplored due to limited capabilities."

Cang Cheng walked on the even road, observing his surroundings. He had expected the border planet to be quite dilapidated, but it seemed to be faring well.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, it was abruptly shattered by what he saw.

"Kid, hand over your valuables!"

"Your clothes look pretty good too—they could fetch a few star coins. Strip him!"

Two fierce-looking young men easily lifted a child who appeared to be about 7 or 8 years old off the ground.

"Let me go! Let go!"

The child struggled desperately, but the gap in strength was too great.

"If you behave, you won't suffer. We just need some money for food. If you don't behave, we have ways to make you behave properly."

One of the thugs took out a steel rod as thick as an arm and tapped it against his palm, making a dull 'thud' sound.

If that steel rod hit the child, the child's bones would surely break.

Cang Cheng felt angry at the sight.

Without hesitation, he took out a Wind Blade rune he had just made and infused it with a hint of magical energy.

The Wind Blade suddenly appeared, following a swirling path, and in an instant, it cut off the two thugs' arms holding the child.

Blood gushed out as the hands were severed from their bodies.

Seeing this, the child quickly escaped their grasp and ran to Cang Cheng, clinging to his leg, peering out with a small head.

The child glared at the two thugs with his green eyes, furious, then looked up at Cang Cheng, wide-eyed.

As soon as the child saw Cang Cheng's face, he was stunned, eyes wide and heart racing.

His expression was one of awe.

This big brother is so handsome...

Cang Cheng's appearance was already top-tier in the interstellar world, which led to his nickname 'useless flower vase.'

Ever since the forbidden spell mage Cang Cheng had come into his own, it was like a gem covered in dirt had been polished, radiating a captivating charm from within.

Cang Cheng patted the child's head. "Are you alright?"

The child took a moment to react before snapping out of it.

He immediately shook his head. "I-I'm fine."

Cang Cheng took two steps forward, his gaze cold and devoid of warmth as it fell upon the two thugs.

Both of their four wrists had been sliced, revealing neat cross-sections, and blood flowed uncontrollably.

They wailed in agony, rolling on the ground.

"Ah! It hurts... It hurts so much..."

"Help..."

The thugs had no mood to think about what had just injured them, or who the person before them was.

They were in such excruciating pain, they felt they were dying!

Help!

Cang Cheng showed no mercy, his voice cold.

"Philip, what punishment should these two receive according to the laws of the Canglan Star Region?"

The ever-competent Philip replied, "Those who endanger public safety can face up to ten years in prison."

Cang Cheng was unsatisfied with this outcome. "They almost injured me. Given that they endangered the planetary governor’s life, they should face harsher penalties."

Philip smiled. "Certainly. According to the law, harming the planetary governor can result in a fifty-year sentence."

Cang Cheng remained unsatisfied.

If this were in the Siaxi Continent, as a lord and a master of forbidden spells, he could have used a fireball spell to roast the troublemakers, then use a healing spell to keep them alive, only to roast them again, heal, and repeat until they drew their last breath.

Unfortunately, now in the Canglan Star Region, he was no longer the renowned forbidden spell caster.

He couldn't do that.

Cang Cheng said, "Let’s proceed with that. As for their injuries, as long as they survive, it’s fine."

Philip nodded. "Understood. The patrol robots will arrive in 30 minutes."

"Will it really take that long?"

"Luo Ri lacks the resources to deploy a police force and relies on only five outdated patrol robots working around the clock. Please bear with us, sir."

No police forces?

Just 5 old robots?

Is the security this poor?

No wonder people dare to rob in broad daylight...

Ah... That's right, many residents of Luo Ri Star are reportedly former convicts...

……

Hmm……

It feels so dangerous here...

Cang Cheng: [Mo, the security on Luo Ri Star is terrible, really scary...]

Hilmeth glanced at the two thugs lying in their own blood and then looked back at Cang Cheng, who was unharmed and calm.

Scary, huh?

He had considered Cang Cheng overly kind just yesterday, but today, seeing him ruthlessly cut off the arms of the thugs without hesitation, Hilmeth suddenly felt that perhaps he had misjudged Cang Cheng.

Hilmeth went silent.

Cang Cheng casually remarked: [Should I hire more Spirit Warriors for protection? It’s a bit unsafe around here.]

Hilmeth wanted to say, 'Do what you want.'

However, given their contractual relationship, Hilmeth still offered a very candid opinion.

[The monthly fee for a B-rank Spirit Warrior starts at 5 million Star Coins.]

Cang Cheng immediately gave up on the idea of hiring Spirit Warriors.

He had some money, but he needed it to improve his quality of life and develop his planet.

Spirit Warriors are not only expensive but also not particularly strong—yesterday, one was taken down by a Wind Blade rune. He might as well save more Spirit Runes for his own protection!

Cang Cheng: [Never mind, it's too expensive, I can't afford it.]

30 minutes later, two patrol robots finally arrived and took away the two hoodlums who had already passed out from losing too much blood.

The robots thoroughly cleaned the bloodstains off the ground, leaving the rocky path spotless again.

With the troublemakers gone, the child, who had been clinging to Cang Cheng’s leg, looked up with curious green eyes.

"Are you... the new governor?"

Cang Cheng nodded. "Yes, I'm the new planetary governor, Cang Cheng. Sorry about that. I hope you weren't too frightened."

The child shook his head. "It's okay. If they tried to take off my clothes, I’d make mushrooms grow all over them."

The child took out a purple vial bubbling in his hand and held it out to Cang Cheng.

"See, this is the mushroom serum my brother gave me. When a living thing touches it, their body becomes a petri dish, using all its energy to grow mushrooms.

The mushrooms are edible and taste pretty good."

"That’s some powerful stuff," Cang Cheng praised, staring at the bubbling purple vial.

You can actually eat those mushrooms...

His curiosity was piqued.

"I’m giving this to you."

After handing the mushroom serum to Cang Cheng, the child pulled out another vial and placed it in his hand.

"This is an enhanced healing potion my brother made. It can strengthen a person’s body. I heard you’re not feeling well, so I wanted to give this to you."

Cang Cheng smiled, his eyes crinkling into a warm arc. "Alright, I'll take it. What's your name?"

The child, momentarily mesmerized by Cang Cheng’s smile, introduced himself earnestly, "My name is Mu Mu. Mu like water-wood, and Mu like tree."

Cang Cheng tousled Mu Mu’s hair.

"Mu Mu, go home now! Try to go out with an adult next time."

Mu Mu nodded and released the legs he had been hugging, reluctantly leaving.

Only after Mu Mu’s figure disappeared did Cang Cheng take out the two vials he had been given.

One was bubbling with purple, while the other was a clear, light green.

"Mu Mu’s brother seems to be an interesting alchemist..."

At least, this mushroom potion is quite interesting.

Cang Cheng suddenly wondered: "Mo, what do you think? Can alchemists produce food? Mu Mu just said this purple potion can grow delicious mushrooms."

Faced with Cang Cheng’s outlandish idea, Hilmeth hesitated before responding.

Most alchemists in the Canglan Star Region primarily make healing potions, mental energy restoratives, and calming potions.

Potions made by machines lack spiritual energy, making them largely ineffective for Awakened individuals, thus highlighting the necessity of alchemists.

But now... Cang Cheng wants those seen as doctors to grow food instead?

Hilmeth didn’t fully grasp Cang Cheng’s idea but still provided an objective answer.

Hilmeth: "Theoretically, it’s possible."

Upon hearing the answer, Cang Cheng’s face lit up with a smile. "That’s great then."

It seems his food supply is largely secured.