A Dendro Vision's talent was the manipulation of plant life. Just as Pyro could burn and Hydro could heal, a Dendro user could accelerate growth. For someone like Baizhu, who was obsessed with life and death, plants were an open book.
Baizhu followed Su Han into the tropical zone of the grotto-heaven. The artificial sun blazed overhead, mimicking the climate of Sumeru.
"Truly an adeptal creation," Baizhu marveled, adjusting his glasses. "To create a pocket dimension with its own climate... fascinating. If I'm not mistaken, the plants you wish to cultivate require a tropical environment?"
"As expected of a professional," Su Han said, handing him the seeds and saplings from the One Piece world. "These are Cola trees. They produce the raw material for a beverage that could revolutionize our economy."
Baizhu examined the seeds with a critical eye. "Interesting structure."
He knelt, planting the saplings one by one. As his Dendro Vision glowed with a vibrant green light, the earth seemed to hum with life.
"Water, please," he requested.
"Let me." Mona stepped forward, her finger tracing a sigil in the air. A gentle mist of Hydro energy descended, moistening the soil without drowning the roots.
Under the combined influence of Dendro and Hydro, the saplings began to writhe and grow at a visible rate. In minutes, they were three meters tall, their branches heavy with fruit.
"So fast!" Shenhe exclaimed. "Will there be side effects?"
"No," Baizhu explained, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "The power of Dendro is the power of life itself. I merely accelerated their natural cycle. However... this consumes a significant amount of my own energy."
"You're basically a human fertilizer machine," Mona teased.
Baizhu chuckled. "An apt, if crude, description. But rest assured, I will ensure a steady supply."
Su Han nodded with satisfaction. "With this, the Cola production line is secured. Mr. Baizhu, I'll have to trouble you further. The medical texts from the other worlds... they are yours to study."
At the mention of the medical texts, Baizhu's eyes burned with a fervor that bordered on obsession. The knowledge from Chopper (a reindeer who cured everything) and Law (the Surgeon of Death) was a treasure trove beyond measure. He had joined Liyue's official medical department not for Mora, but for this.
"I will not rest until I have mastered them," Baizhu vowed, retreating into a side room to study, ignoring his fatigue.
Meanwhile, outside the greenhouse, a commotion broke out.
"Hey! Qiqi! Don't run! Let me try this new talisman! It's Maoshan Daoist Arts! It's perfectly safe!"
"Danger... run... escape..."
Hu Tao was chasing Qiqi, holding a stack of yellow paper talismans. The little zombie, terrified, fled with surprising speed.
Seeing Su Han, Qiqi's eyes lit up. She sprinted over and hid behind him, trembling.
"Help... Hu Tao... scary..."
Su Han sighed and caught the approaching Hu Tao. "Tao-tao, didn't we agree not to bury her?"
"Phew... she's fast! And yes, we agreed not to bury her!" Hu Tao wiped the sweat from her forehead, her expression earnest. "I'm not trying to prank her! I've been studying the Mr. Vampire arts. I think her current talismans are limiting her intelligence. If I can replace them with these Soul-Calming Talismans, maybe... maybe she can regain her full consciousness!"
Su Han paused. He looked at Hu Tao, realizing she was serious. She wasn't trying to bully Qiqi; she was trying to save her friend from her eternal, muddled state.
"Is that true?" Su Han asked.
"I don't know for sure," Hu Tao admitted. "But Qiqi is strong. If she could control her own body instead of relying on Adeptal orders... she would be just as lively as us."
Su Han nodded slowly. "It's a risk. We shouldn't try it blindly. Let's go to Jueyun Karst. Cloud Retainer was one of the adepti who sealed Qiqi. She might have insights."
"Okay! Let's go!" Hu Tao agreed immediately.
Su Han summoned the white cranes. The three of them—Su Han, Hu Tao, and a clinging Qiqi—flew towards Jueyun Karst.
On the way, Qiqi fell asleep in Su Han's arms. Unlike a cold corpse, her body felt like cool jade. Su Han's Pure Yang energy seemed to comfort her, warming her cold form.
An hour later, they arrived at Mt. Aocang.
But before they could land, the sound of explosions echoed through the mountains.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"Hahahaha! So fun! Da Bai, Er Bai... drop the bombs!"
"Rapid flight mode!"
"Today's bomb is the Cluster Type!"
Hu Tao's mouth twitched. "That... that sounds like Klee."
Su Han facepalmed. "She really is walking the path of an explosion demon, isn't she?"
A breeze swept past, and Cloud Retainer appeared before them, looking both exasperated and proud.
"You've returned," the adeptus said. "And you've brought the little zombie. Good. This One has been expecting you."