CHAPTER 81 - UPGRADED VERSION OF PLANT FUSION

As the intense heat in Han Wu’s body gradually subsided, his mind was flooded with a multitude of system messages.

[Befriended Defender Squad’s Gunslinger Jessica Smith. Unlocking Jessica’s shop. +50,000 points]

[Befriended Defender Squad’s Megahammer Johnson. Unlocking Johnson’s shop. +50,000 points]

[Befriended Defender Squad’s Knight Hank. Unlocking Hank’s shop. +50,000 points]

The three system messages that Han Wu received indicated that his display of power had left a significant impression on the Defender Squad, and as a result, he had earned their friendship.

Also, Han Wu noticed that he had received a substantial reward of 23,000 points for defeating the Rank 6 Giant Zombie. This was a considerable gain for him, particularly when considering that a Rank 4 seed in the Points Shop was just 3,000 points!

The Origin of Mutation chuckled again, its voice laced with amusement. “So, Vessel, how does it feel now that the Gene Lock is unlocked?”

“Hell yeah, it’s absolutely amazing!”

Activating the Gene Lock and using a Rank 4 Blazing Sunflower seed had given him the temporary might to defeat even a Rank 6 Giant Zombie. What if he used a Rank 5 or even a Rank 6 seed?

“Alright there, Vessel, don’t get ahead of yourself,” the Origin of Mutation cautioned, dousing Han Wu’s excitement with a bucket of cold water. “While the Gene Lock possesses significant power, your physical body is still too weak to handle its rapid, successive use.”

Han Wu nodded in understanding. It seemed logical that a powerful technique like the Gene Lock would come with certain limitations. His own skill, Sacrifice, was incredibly powerful, but could only be used once per day. If not for that restriction, with his extraordinary luck, Han Wu would’ve been incredibly wealthy by now.

“With your body’s current capabilities, you can activate the Gene Lock only once every ten days,” the Origin of Mutation stated matter-of-factly.

Han Wu’s eyebrows shot up.

“Wait a minute,” he asked, “what happens if I try to use it more than once within those ten days?”

“Oh, your genes’ll just undergo permanent mutation, and whatever temporary mutation you trigger will become a permanent part of you. What’s the matter? Feeling a bit adventurous?”

The Origin of Mutation chuckled with amusement, but Han Wu shook his head firmly. His life was too important to throw away on some reckless experiment. The fact that he could use the Gene Lock once every ten days was already a massive increase in his strength!

Just as Han Wu was about to press the Origin of Mutation for more details about the newly unlocked Gene Lock, the members of the Defender Squad gathered around him, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.

His voice laced with worry, Captain Dirt asked, “Han Wu, are you alright? We witnessed that intense light radiating from your body!”

Jessica chuckled, her eyes sparkling with newfound interest.

“Handsome young man,” she said, her voice laced with playful seduction, “your display of power just now has completely won me over! You certainly have what it takes to be my lover. So, how about we spend a wonderful night together?”

Still gripping his lance firmly, Knight Hank said kindly, “Listen, if you’re feeling completely drained, don’t hesitate to go back and rest tonight. We’ve pretty much cleared out the zombies. We can take care of whatever Rank 5s are left.”

“Hank, don’t try to hog all the points. I’m perfectly capable of fighting alongside you tonight,” Johnson grumbled, not wanting to be left out.

Han Wu felt a surge of warmth at the Defender Squad’s concern for him. However, their words rang true. The sheer exhaustion from unleashing the Gene Lock had finally overwhelmed him, and he knew he could no longer continue fighting.

Rather than heading back to town to rest immediately, Han Wu decided to sit back and watch as the Defender Squad dealt with the remaining zombies. He figured he could use the time to observe their fighting styles and simultaneously browse through the new shops that he had recently unlocked.

Noticing his Friend Points gradually increasing, Han Wu decided to make some purchases. He had 80 points with Captain Dirt, which allowed him to select from six unique items in his shop. After carefully weighing his options, Han Wu decided to buy the Rank 5 Death Lily seed, which cost him 65 Friend Points.

With Jessica, having 75 Friend Points and five available items, Han Wu purchased the Instant Kick for 70 Friend Points. For Johnson, with 70 Friend Points and four options, he chose an excellent warhammer that was also a Divine weapon, costing 65 Friend Points.

And with Knight Hank, Han Wu also had 70 Friend Points and four items to choose from. His attention was immediately drawn to the Plant Fusion Technique, the very skill he had witnessed the Defender Squad using in combat earlier. Without any further thought, he purchased it for 70 Friend Points.

Having depleted the majority of his accumulated Friend Points, the personal shops of Captain Dirt, Jessica, Johnson, and Hank had temporarily become inaccessible to him. Furthermore, their interactions with him were not as openly friendly as they had been previously.

Han Wu, however, was not bothered by this development. He was confident that by continuing to perform well in his duties with the Defender Squad, he would quickly earn back the 60 Friend Points necessary to regain access to the personal shops. Once they were unlocked, he was confident he could gather enough points to purchase many more items.

Han Wu was really interested in the Plant Fusion Technique he just bought and immediately started going through the manual. As he studied the contents, he came to understand the underlying principles and fundamental workings of the technique. Just as he was about to delve deeper into his research, the Origin of Mutation interrupted his thoughts.

“I must admit, I initially thought this would be some extraordinary technique,” the Origin of Mutation said, its voice laced with disappointment, “but it’s nothing more than a crude method for one life form to graft itself onto another. Wait a minute... this is completely worthless! The strongest plant you can even graft onto yourself is only Rank 5!”

Han Wu frowned, a wave of annoyance washing over him. He had just spent 70 hard-earned Friend Points on this technique, only to be immediately berated by the Origin of Mutation for buying what it considered utter trash.

The Origin of Mutation’s tone shifted to one of smug confidence. “Well, well, are we perhaps a little upset? Do you think I’m trying to mislead you? Well, what if I told you I could enhance this technique?”

Han Wu, however, remained unconvinced.

“Fine,” he replied with a shrug, “go ahead and try if you think you can manage it.”

With a sly tone, the Origin of Mutation finally revealed its true intention. “Fine, have it your way. However, if I succeed in enhancing this technique, you will have to give me one Divine Essence.”

It had been plotting to get its hands on a Divine Essence all this time!

The Origin of Mutation had previously extracted eight precious units of Divine Essence from him by revealing a deceptively easy way to improve his core race from the Common rank to the Elite rank on the fundamental level. Feeling that he had been ripped off, Han Wu was determined not to fall for any more of its schemes. The Origin of Mutation now had to come up with a new approach to swindle Han Wu out of his Divine Essence.

Han Wu considered the offer. He realized that if the Origin of Mutation could indeed enhance the Plant Fusion Technique, he too would ultimately benefit from the improved skill. Additionally, he reasoned that if the Origin of Mutation used the Divine Essence to enhance itself, those improvements would likely extend to him as well, given their symbiotic relationship. Either way, it was a win-win for him.

Han Wu agreed, but he told the Origin of Mutation straight up that he’d only pay the Divine Essence after it actually improved the technique. The Origin of Mutation just laughed to itself when it sensed what Han Wu was thinking.

Does this simpleton really think he can outsmart me?

After their deal was struck, the Origin of Mutation went silent, presumably to focus on altering the technique. However, its silence only lasted for a brief five minutes before its mocking voice echoed in Han Wu’s mind once more.

“Vessel,” it taunted, “just a friendly reminder that you now owe me one Divine Essence!”

It then transmitted the details of the modified technique directly into Han Wu’s mind. Han Wu immediately checked the data and was taken aback to realize that the Origin of Mutation had actually been telling the truth.

Examining the details of the modified technique, Han Wu discovered that he could now fuse with three different plants simultaneously. More significantly, the rank limit had been raised, allowing him to fuse with a Rank 6 plant! The enhanced Plant Fusion Technique was not simply three times stronger; its power had increased exponentially. The possibility of a fusion involving one Rank 6 plant and two Rank 5 plants was something virtually unheard of.

Filled with anticipation, Han Wu was eager to find three suitable plants to test out his newly enhanced Plant Fusion Technique.

Given that darkness is the attribute most aligned with my abilities, the Rank 5 Death Lily should be the most compatible choice. It’s definitely going to be the first plant I merge with!

Han Wu spent the remainder of the night engrossed in studying the process of fusing with the Rank 5 Death Lily using the modified Plant Fusion Technique.