Chapter 695: The Bizarre Flower!
Brilliant blue electric light surged in front of Fang Mu, and a cluster of blue-purple ribbons appeared at his feet.
At the center of the ribbon forest, a golden tendril, resembling an orchid leaf, swayed leisurely with the ocean's currents.
Fang Mu summoned the Blue Curse Orchid outright—not only due to his trust in Lian Dai, but also because there was no longer any need to conceal its presence.
Even if news of the Blue Curse Orchid spread and others coveted it, Fang Mu had the strength to protect it.
Lian Dai and her trusted aides gazed, shocked, at the ribbon forest shimmering with lightning at Fang Mu's feet. The lightning illuminated the vast ocean.
The Blue Curse Orchid twisted and killed any Outer Realm creatures that came into contact with it. However, it didn't directly absorb the pollution energy saturating the ocean around it.
In Fang Mu's mind, the voice of the Blue Curse Orchid echoed.
"Master, this place is a paradise for me. Not only is the food abundant, feeding me automatically, but the environment also contains highly concentrated nutrients that could accelerate my growth."
"If I could always grow in such an environment, I wouldn't need to limit my size!"
"The larger I grow, the stronger my combat power in battle will become."
"Master, do you permit me to absorb the nutrients from this environment?!"
If the Blue Curse Orchid were not bound to Fang Mu through a contract—if it were still a free entity—it wouldn't have considered seeking permission.
But now, all of its actions were dictated by Fang Mu. With its intelligence, the Blue Curse Orchid had learned a crucial lesson:
Listening to Fang Mu was essential to reaping the greatest benefits.
If it angered Fang Mu and he decided not to invest resources into nurturing it, then its future would end right there!
"Blue Curse, the energy in this ocean has been prepared just for you. Absorb to your heart's content."
Receiving Fang Mu's reply, the Blue Curse Orchid joyfully waved its ribbon-like tendrils, resembling lotus leaves. The pollution energy in the ocean began converging toward it at an almost frantic rate.
As the pollution energy continued to be refined by the Blue Curse Orchid, its golden tendrils grew noticeably thicker.
Meanwhile, the blue ribbons kept splitting and expanding, increasing the area covered by the ribbon forest.
Lian Dai sensed the pollution energy in the ocean thinning significantly, and her face reflected barely-contained delight.
Lian Dai quickly turned to Fang Mu and asked:
"Little Wood, can this Guardian Beast continuously absorb pollution energy?"
As Lian Dai posed the question, her voice trembled. If this Guardian Beast could persistently absorb pollution energy at its current pace, it would effectively cut off the root cause of the contamination.
While the crisis facing the Han Yang Empire might not be entirely resolved, leveraging those Absorbing Purple Belts obtained through Contract Garden might allow for gradual purification of the empire's pollution.
Fang Mu was thoroughly satisfied with the Blue Curse Orchid's speed in absorbing and transforming pollution energy.
During the active tidal phase, Fang Mu planned to let the Blue Curse Orchid grow outside the dimensional passage. Once the active phase ended, he began contemplating relocating the Blue Curse Orchid to the Dimensional World, cultivating it near the passage within that realm.
"Aunt Dai, this Guardian Beast is still in its growth phase. As its strength continues to develop, its ability to absorb pollution will increase even more."
"Moreover, this Guardian Beast naturally possesses the power to eliminate Outer Realm creatures, which can ease the burden on the patrol squads and give them much-needed rest time."
"The squads would only need to handle those Outer Realm creatures that this Guardian Beast is currently unable to address!"
Lian Dai bowed deeply to Fang Mu, holding onto the crown atop her head and lowering her gaze with utmost reverence.
"On behalf of all the Sea Clan of the Han Yang Empire, I express our gratitude to Master Qixing!"
After delivering her thanks, Lian Dai couldn't help but mutter under her breath:
"The ability of the Han Yang Empire to escape this crisis is entirely thanks to Master Qixing extending his aid. Contract Garden hasn't been of much help!"
"Han Ming has only added trouble for me instead!"
Hearing her words, Fang Mu's expression turned slightly somber. While his assistance to the Han Yang Empire had strengthened the bond between him, the empire, and Lian Dai, he didn't want that closeness to incite hostility between the Han Yang Empire and the humans.
Indeed, Han Ming felt resentful because Lian Dai hadn't chosen to entrust the King-level Exotic Body to him and had thrown some obstacles her way.
Though Han Ming possessed the talent of a Saint Creator, his lack of broader vision was apparent; otherwise, he wouldn't still be targeting the Eternal Mother Yongle at this stage.
Nonetheless, when it came to major issues, Han Ming could still make the right choices.
"Aunt Dai, my master's circumstances are a bit unique. In fact, humans are still actively fighting against pollution as we speak."
"The Federation encircling the Sea of Domains is critically endangered. Even humans are experiencing a shortage of Absorbing Purple Belts, which, truth be told, are also primarily planted in the ocean."
"Contract Garden has seriously been doing its best to help. If it weren't for this Guardian Beast being most effective at targeting the root of the pollution, my master might not have let me plant it in the sea first, but rather prioritized solving the pollution on land."
After listening to Fang Mu's explanation, Lian Dai fell into deep thought. However, no matter how she pondered, her dissatisfaction toward Han Ming refused to fade.
Still, as long as Fang Mu and Master Qixing remained active, Lian Dai had no intention of becoming an enemy to the humans.
Meanwhile, Master Qixing had already started spearheading efforts to develop the Dimensional World.