Apocalypse: I Can See the HP Bar, Killing Monsters Drops Loot
Chapter 1582 - 664: Fusion of Mutated Plants_2

Chapter 1582: Chapter 664: Fusion of Mutated Plants_2

Some time ago, Han Youlin’s team developed a method to strengthen themselves without undergoing ascension—fusion with mutated plants!

To fuse humans with mutated plants, this doesn’t sound like something legitimate, and in reality, it indeed isn’t. There would be many side effects. However, it undoubtedly boosts combat power!

The enhancement to combat power alone could offset all the side effects.

Initially, Han Youlin and his team hadn’t decided whether to use this method, as it was merely theoretical. Even disregarding those side effects, the fusion process itself posed certain dangers.

But the sudden appearance of disaster-level creatures disrupted their plans and solidified Han Youlin’s wavering resolve—by any means necessary, as long as they could grow stronger, it was worth it!

Thus, Han Youlin gathered a group of individuals, including Tu Li, who were the upper echelon of Red Maple Base and the strongest among them. Enhancing their abilities was naturally the best choice.

Although this method of boosting strength seemed unorthodox, it was costly, and weak individuals couldn’t endure it, so it could only be used by them.

Even though everything was voluntary, it was highly likely that disaster-level creatures were still outside. If they don’t become stronger, they wouldn’t be able to leave the base.

Currently, the only way to enhance their strength was to accumulate crystal cores to ascend to Level 6, which was the most stable method. Yet with their current Level 5 strength, against Sixth Rank Disaster-Level creatures outside, they couldn’t even step out to hunt Fifth-Order Creatures.

Moreover, nobody knew whether those disaster-level creatures might suddenly descend upon Red Maple Base. With the terrifying effects of cataclysmic awakening, the monsters wouldn’t even need to enter. Just hanging around the base’s perimeter could result in countless deaths.

However, if they had Sixth Rank strength, it would be different. They might even be able to encircle and hunt Sixth Rank Disaster-level creatures.

Thus, they had no choice but to opt for this seemingly unreliable method of becoming stronger.

They first selected two people to fuse with mutated plants. Once it was confirmed that there were no issues and their strength had indeed increased significantly, the rest followed suit and continued fusing.

It must be said, the researchers were quite capable, as the fusions with mutated plants went smoothly this time, without any accidents.

Although the process was painful, their combat strength indeed improved greatly, far surpassing their previous level.

However, just as they were preparing to hunt Sixth Rank Disaster-level creatures, an earthquake struck.

In the face of such a natural disaster, their painstakingly enhanced strength seemed utterly laughable. While Wang Tao later proved the disaster to be not an earthquake but the work of a single monster, this Seventh Level Destruction-level monster brought even greater despair!

This almost drove Tu Li and her team into depression.

Later, magma surfaced, the forest ignited, and they were forced to relocate. The group no longer dwelled on their misfortunes. At this point, the benefits of their enhanced abilities began to show, brightening their moods somewhat.

But after successfully evacuating and surviving the initial wave of danger, they discovered changes in their fused mutated plants. These changes left Tu Li visibly upset.

"Originally, I only fused one hand—my right hand transformed into a plant hand, capable of embedding itself into the ground to absorb nutrients, rapidly healing my injuries. But after a night of continuous exertion, my entire forearm turned into plant matter... combat seems to exacerbate the plant transformation..."

At this point, fear flickered in Tu Li’s eyes.

While mere forearm plantification was not terrifying, she feared its continued progression, eventually turning her entirely into a mutated plant!

If such a scenario occurred, would she remain alive or dead? Even if alive, would she still be her?

What frightened Tu Li further was the realization that her strength had grown again—the higher the degree of plantification, the stronger she seemed to become!

This newfound strength was almost addictive. She feared losing control in the future, crazily seeking battles and power until she ended up as a mindless mutated plant!

After hearing Tu Li’s words, Wang Tao was at a loss for what to say.

Their decisions and choices weren’t wrong.

Faced with a crisis, prioritizing strength was naturally the first response. Any side effects could be addressed later; solving the immediate problems was what mattered.

However, as they grew stronger, unforeseen problems disrupted their original plans. Furthermore, the side effects of growing stronger proved severe. If full-body plantification occurred—including the brain—they might no longer be themselves; their true selves would already have perished.

Wang Tao scrutinized Tu Li closely; her blood bar and attributes hadn’t changed. Her plantified right forearm also lacked any blood bar or status indicators.

Wang Tao couldn’t find a solution right away, so he patted Tu Li’s arm in a comforting gesture, saying:

"Don’t worry too much. You can follow me to Changhe Base later, and I’ll have the Hope Research Institute look into it. They should be able to find a solution."

For Wang Tao, these words were merely meant to comfort, but for Tu Li, it seemed like a genuine opportunity.

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Alright, I’m willing to cooperate with your research!"

The others nearby, upon hearing Wang Tao’s intention to take Tu Li away, turned hopeful eyes toward him.

They were in the same situation as Tu Li—plantification was spreading for them as well.

"Rest assured, once we find a solution, we’ll share it with you all, free of charge."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang!"

The crowd expressed their gratitude fervently.

Wang Tao chatted with Tu Li and the others about the specific effects of their plantified bodies and had them demonstrate.

After observing, Wang Tao had to admit—the abilities were genuinely remarkable.

For instance, Tu Li could embed her plantified right hand into the ground to rapidly regenerate HP and mana! The recovery speed rivaled an ordinary healing-type awakener, not to mention regaining mana as well. It was even more practical than having a typical medic. No wonder it boosted her combat power considerably.

In some sense, this was equivalent to an awakening ability, and a passive one that consumed no resources!

Others had fused their legs with mutated plants, which not only significantly enhanced their speed but also enabled rapid burrowing underground. During burrowing, their HP and mana would also recover. Although not as fast as Tu Li’s recovery, it was safer. Once underground, even mutated plants with burrowing abilities might struggle to locate them...

Some had plantified arms, but instead of absorbing nutrients for HP and mana, their plant arms could transform into highly defensive large tendril shields. Other teammates could hide behind these shields to ward off attacks from Sixth Rank Disaster-level threats! The downside was that the shieldbearer would lose HP themselves, but as long as there was a healer in the group, they could withstand numerous attacks...

The abilities they gained from fusion with mutated plants were bizarre but undeniably useful, particularly when they cooperated strategically. Wang Tao had no doubt they could hunt Sixth Rank Disaster-level creatures together.

The concern, however, was that each use of these abilities deepened their plantification. No one knew how much usage would lead to full-body plantification and ultimately death... Hence, they now hesitated to use their abilities, feeling torn.

Qu Shilin also expressed interest in the mutated plant fusion method, likening it to mechanical bodies, except it was biological. Though the strength enhancement surpassed mechanical bodies, the contamination factor was severe... She saw ample room for improvement! She planned to research this thoroughly, hoping to uncover valuable insights...

Curiosity sparked in Wang Tao as he wondered what abilities Han Youlin gained from fusing with mutated plants.

Tu Li clearly knew but didn’t disclose much, instead urging Wang Tao to see for himself, promising he’d be astonished.

Thus, Wang Tao, accompanied by Qu Shilin and others, flew to the core of the group and saw a bizarre red mushroom with numerous legs.

Inside the mushroom, Wang Tao finally found Han Youlin.

At that moment, Han Youlin sat cross-legged inside the mushroom’s interior, eyes closed.

His head had enlarged significantly, with no hair remaining. Instead, numerous green tendrils, each as thick as a pinky, sprouted from his scalp, embedding themselves into the massive red mushroom like a spiderweb. Occasionally, eerie green light pulsated through the tendrils...

"This is..."

Wang Tao didn’t fully comprehend what he was witnessing, but he was undeniably astounded.