Chapter 524: Chapter 10: Nemesis of the Undead Virus 2

As a result, there were no creatures left on the planet for these viruses to infect, so their numbers naturally could not continue to grow.

If not for their ability to extract Undead Energy from corpses and use it to sustain themselves, they would have wiped themselves out long ago.

From the looks of it, Baining could no longer grow through photosynthesis. All its nutrients now came from eating these viral creatures.

As the current apex predator on this planet, it didn’t want to follow the viruses down the same path of self-destruction. So, it restrained its appetite and moved to this spot, far from the main hive of the viral creatures.

"Are you full?"

"I’m okay, I guess. At least I’m not hungry anymore!"

Lin Yu suddenly felt a surge of pity for this mutated great tree, which was planning so meticulously just to prolong its own life.

"Alright, how about I find you some alternative food sources first?"

"Once we find an alternative, you’ll take me to their nest, right?"

"Okay!"

...

When the sunlight tore through the night, the viral creatures scattered throughout the forest also departed for an unknown destination.

The entire forest came back to life, and the plants began a new day under the shining sun.

Lin Yu climbed out of the tightly sealed apparatus and resumed his human form.

"Ugh, the senses of these viruses are such a pain. If you don’t want to fight them, you have to figure out a way to hide."

"Baining, can you let me study your method for sealing your energy signature?"

"Sure. How do you want to study it?"

"Hehe, I’ll get some specialists to study it. And at the same time, we’ll see what else you can eat besides those viruses!"

"Watch this. I’m about to pull some people out of thin air!"

Lin Yu stretched a little and began to summon his subordinates.

The first one summoned was Chenxi.

"My Lord!"

"Chenxi, you’re familiar with the researchers in our territory. Summon some with the right expertise. I need to test what food it can eat and figure out its ability to completely seal its energy signature."

"Yes, My Lord."

After a moment of thought, Chenxi summoned several core researchers of Legendary Heroes rank. These researchers then summoned their own elite (Excellent-rank hero) researchers.

Over 200 researchers soon appeared by Lin Yu’s side.

Watching the group of people that had suddenly materialized, Baining began to tremble with excitement.

In all the years since gaining sentience, this was the first time it had seen so many living creatures.

The researchers split into several teams. One team assisted Lin Yu in studying Baining, while the others dispersed into the forest to collect samples and study the native plants.

This planet was free from animal interference, with only plants growing wild. This made them an exceptionally rare subject for research.

"Baining, try some of this and see if you can stomach it."

At the researchers’ suggestion, Lin Yu used his personal pocket space to bring out some large pieces of research and detection equipment, as well as common fruits, vegetables, and various meats from his territory.

The moment Baining saw the food, it immediately sensed the Spiritual Energy within. It eagerly waved its roots and employed the same method it used on the viral creatures: first sucking them in, then shredding them, and finally, swallowing.

Not long after it ate the food, Baining’s needles flared open, and waves of dense natural energy emanated from its wide-open green flowers.

While emitting this natural energy, Baining’s body was also twitching uncontrollably.

Lin Yu stared nervously at the instrument readings while the surrounding researchers rapidly performed calculations. They concluded that Baining had eaten too much and was now expelling the excess energy.

It was a type of physical rejection, so it wasn’t wise for them to intervene directly. They could only wait for Baining to finish venting the energy on its own.

After a moment, Baining’s voice entered Lin Yu’s mind: "Whoa, that stuff is potent! I only ate a little and I nearly exploded!"

"Baining, try eating just a little bit. If you can eat the food from my territory, you’ll never have to worry about meals again."

"Lin Yu, is this the kind of stuff you guys normally eat?"

"Yeah, we have a lot of this food in my territory."

"You guys are incredible! I couldn’t even handle a little bit. Your digestive systems must be amazing!"

"It’s fine, it’s fine. You get used to it."

At Lin Yu’s suggestion, Baining picked up another small piece of meat and started to eat.

Of all the food it had just tried, it thought the meat was the tastiest.

Besides, compared to fruits and vegetables, the energy in meat was slightly more difficult to absorb, and it offered a wider range of nutrients.

Baining slowly consumed the small piece of meat. Once the shredded pieces entered its root system, they were rapidly broken down and absorbed.

After it had completely consumed the piece of meat, Baining began to twitch again, its needles flaring open once more to release natural energy.

Although the reaction wasn’t as violent as before, Baining still bent its trunk in discomfort.

"Ugh, Lin Yu, your food is delicious, but whenever I eat it, I can’t stop venting! It feels like my body is getting weaker!"

"You rest for a bit. We’ll figure out what’s going on."

"Okay~"

Baining leaned its trunk against a nearby tree and stopped replying. It looked like it had fallen asleep.

"What’s the problem? Can’t it absorb Spiritual Energy?"

"My Lord, Baining can absorb Spiritual Energy. See? It has already converted the Spiritual Energy into the natural energy it needs."

"Based on our observations, we’ve come to a consensus. Baining seems unable to handle such high concentrations of energy."

"It..."

The researchers explained their findings to Lin Yu in detail.

To put it simply, Baining’s current condition was like that of a diabetic; the natural energy was the equivalent of sugar in its system.

The food Lin Yu gave it was rich in Spiritual Energy. When Baining broke down this energy, it produced a massive amount of natural energy.

It was like a diabetic drinking a concentrated sugar solution. Upon absorption, their blood sugar would spike, forcing them to excrete the excess sugar through urination.

Baining lacked the organs to store natural energy, so it could only expel it. In the process, other vital nutrients were also flushed out, which was why it felt so unwell.

’So, in simple terms, it just ate too much!’

"Baining, did you hear that? If you just eat a tiny bit, there shouldn’t be a problem."

"So I should just eat a tiny bit?"

"Let’s try it!"

Baining straightened its trunk and took another small piece of meat.

This time, it used only a secondary root. It didn’t suck on it, but simply tore off a tiny shred of meat and consumed it.

After a moment, Baining’s needles emitted a puff of natural energy, but thankfully, it didn’t involuntarily bloom and vent.

"It worked!"

Baining finally relaxed. The morning’s ordeal had taken a great toll on it, but it had finally figured out a way it could eat.

"But... eating like this is so unsatisfying~"

...

Baining complained to Lin Yu. To survive by eating the meat he provided was like forcing a glutton who could eat dozens of pounds a day to live on a fingernail-sized nutrient paste. It could survive, but it would be miserable.

Lin Yu empathized with Baining’s plight and began consulting with the researchers again.

During their discussion, the researchers discovered another downside to this method of eating.

Namely, if Baining only ate a tiny piece of meat each time, it would get enough energy, but its intake of trace elements would be insufficient. In the long run, this would still negatively affect its health.

In the end, they decided to try giving Baining some water. If it could absorb its missing elements through liquids, that would be a viable solution.

So, Lin Yu again used his pocket space, bringing out water from various rivers in his territory for Baining to absorb.

However, the results were not good.

This was because Spiritual Energy was extremely abundant in Lin Yu’s territory, and it wasn’t just present in the air and food.

Lin Yu had created an artificial Inner Sea in his territory and placed a Deep Sea Spiritual Source within it. The Deep Sea Spiritual Source filled the Inner Sea with Spiritual Energy. Through the water cycle, this energy-rich water spread throughout the entire territory. The concentration of Spiritual Energy in this water was just as high as in anything else.

As a result, after drinking the various waters Lin Yu provided, Baining got "the runs" again. This time, it made no difference how little water it tried to absorb.

Because water is so easily absorbed, this "Spiritual Water" was processed the moment it entered its system. The Spiritual Energy would then degrade into a massive amount of natural energy, forcing its needles open instantly.

Soon, Baining collapsed to the ground, refusing to do anything else. Lin Yu and the researchers squatted nearby, silently wracking their brains for a solution.

Suddenly, an idea struck Lin Yu.

"Have you guys tested our territory’s special water sources before?"

"My Lord, the Mother and Child River Water and the Water of Time are probably unsuitable, right?"

"No, I mean the other one—the water from the River of Souls."

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