Chapter 1592: Seven-Day Cicada
Although Xu Huo had said he didn’t need Chi Xian’s help, since the man had already come this far, it was impossible not to go down and take a look.
After recording the fungal growth conditions on the corpses, Xu Huo walked along the stone steps toward the deep underground cave.
Chi Xian hadn’t left, and Xu Huo had expected he would definitely come again. Besides, even if he didn’t come down now, he would come back to check later, so it was better to deal with it together.
“Old Xu?” Chi Xian called out from outside the cave. “Is it dangerous down there?”
“There are poisonous insects,” Xu Huo warned.
Before long, Chi Xian entered. He had extensive knowledge of fungi and knew exactly which ones could be touched and which couldn’t. Once inside, he took out a recorder and began filming the brilliantly colored fungal clusters nonstop.
“As expected, only naturally grown fungi can create such spectacular beauty,” he said. “Many people use fungi to create paintings, but how could human intervention ever match this kind of beauty?”
Xu Huo looked up and glanced around. “It is indeed very beautiful.”
After Chi Xian had taken enough footage and collected some fungal samples, he walked over to Xu Huo and asked what he was doing.
He was a smart man and didn’t need much explanation. After watching for a while, he said, “Your fungus probably won’t live very long.”
“How can you tell?” Xu Huo asked humbly.
“I see that your fungus doesn’t eat other fungi—it only eats this kind of cicada fungus growing on the stones. Cicada fungus is a very special type. It’s considered a poisonous fungus, but the difference from other toxic fungi is that any person or animal infected by it usually only lives for seven days—the same length of time the fungus survives.”
“Many fungi can reproduce inside the human body and continue until the host dies. Cicada fungus is different. Its reproduction comes at the cost of its own life. After the previous generation of fungal colonies dies, the spores nurtured within them begin to grow. Although the spores generally multiply exponentially, since they can only live for seven days, no matter how many there are, they can’t form a lasting threat.”
“The cicada fungus here is the most I’ve ever seen.”
Chi Xian then turned his gaze to the bones nearby. “Could it be because there are so many human bones here? That doesn’t seem right…”
“Speaking of which, why are there so many shoulder blades here? Is that how Butterfly Bone Town got its name?”
“I’m not sure about that either,” Xu Huo said. “Besides, there’s not a single person left in Butterfly Bone Town now.”
“It doesn’t really matter,” Chi Xian said indifferently. “Although these people’s methods are crude, it’s entirely possible that quite a few unlucky souls have died here.”
“And it’s not all cannibal players. There are plenty of small-sized xenomorphs in the rainforest. The locals aren’t afraid of fungi, so why would they resort to eating people?”
“It might not be for survival,” Xu Huo said. “When players die here, killing more of them yields some items.”
“That’s true.” Chi Xian thought for a moment and laughed again. “Before coming to Zone 013, I thought the people here were all pitiful souls. I never expected them to pick up guns and become hunters instead.”
Xu Huo didn’t respond. Instead, he bottled another batch of fungal hyphae.
“You said earlier that people or things infected by cicada fungus only have a seven-day lifespan. That should make it a toxic fungus, no?”
He had said “considered” earlier.
“That’s the amazing part. It can’t cure poison, but it can extend the life of someone on the verge of death from poisoning to seven days.” Chi Xian glanced at the fungal hyphae spreading across the ground. “Otherwise, it couldn’t sustain your fungus.”
Xu Huo nodded. “My fungus is indeed a detoxifying fungus. It grows slowly, and I’ve been looking for a way to cultivate it.”
Chi Xian made an “I understand” expression and added, “Although this fungus is remarkable, it can’t fully detoxify, and not every poison it encounters can extend life by seven days. Its value is only so-so.”
“Hasn’t anyone studied it?” Xu Huo asked curiously. “Logically, this kind of fungus should be extremely valuable.”
“Precisely because there’s no conclusive result that they had to give up,” Chi Xian said matter-of-factly. “I once read a document that summarized this strange characteristic of cicada fungus. The gist was that its vitality is extremely tenacious.”
“If a person is simultaneously infected with multiple toxic fungi, the cicada fungus will use the other toxic fungi as nutrients to survive for seven days. Anyone infected with toxic fungi who doesn’t die on the spot will experience some relief due to the reduction of toxins in their body.”
“But when the cicada fungus dies en masse, it releases a large amount of toxins, instantly dragging the host down with it.”
“Your fungus being able to use cicada fungus as a nutrient is quite rare. However, cicada fungus has strong vitality and may not be fully absorbed. When the cicada fungus dies, your fungus will probably die too.”
Xu Huo nodded.
According to his explanation, this batch of King Fungus hyphae that had absorbed the cicada fungus could only survive for a maximum of seven days.
“Is there an antidote for cicada fungus poison?”
“Since your fungus has eaten it, the remaining poison shouldn’t be too severe. A general B-grade antidote specifically for fungi should work.”
Chi Xian wasn’t very interested in the King Fungus. After finishing this topic, he shifted his attention to the swarming poisonous insects.
Xu Huo had also gained something. If cicada fungus alone could feed the King Fungus hyphae, then cultivating them in the future would be much more convenient. A little side effect was nothing.
Opening his personal panel, he supplemented the information for the Special Defense Department and checked the data on cicada fungus. It matched what Chi Xian had said.
Over there, Chi Xian had already caught many poisonous insects and found several rare fungi deep underground, carefully storing them in containers. Then he suggested going to Stone Medicine Island.
“I suspect that the Midsummer Night Star River that Mr. Mo is looking for is no simple thing. Besides, I’ve never seen a fungus like Midsummer Night before. It would be a great opportunity to broaden my horizons.”
“Do you have a grudge against them?” Xu Huo glanced at him. Earlier, Chi Xian had avoided them like the plague, and now he was actively seeking them out.
Chi Xian laughed instead. “Aren’t you curious about what Midsummer Night Star River is?”
Xu Huo showed little interest. “Judging by their attitude, it’s probably a vendetta. Midsummer Night Star River might be a player’s nickname.”
Seeing that he couldn’t convince Xu Huo, Chi Xian didn’t press. “Think it over. You’ve come all this way—it’s not easy.”
He then left the cave without mentioning where he was going.
Xu Huo didn’t mind. He stayed in the cave for a full three days until he had collected enough fungal hyphae for the Special Defense Department.
Three days without much rest would leave even a player mentally drained, so after coming out of the underground cave, he planned to find a place to sleep well.
Unexpectedly, Chi Xian hadn’t left yet. He teleported over using an item, holding prey he had just hunted in the forest—five plump mutant rabbits.
The rabbits looked rather grotesque, their fur almost entirely replaced by fungi.
Chi Xian greeted Xu Huo. “These fungi aren’t highly toxic—they won’t kill you. Plus, a few of them have a natural fragrance. Animals infected by them taste especially delicious.”
As he spoke, he began skinning them. The small knife made a light cut on the rabbit’s head, and his five fingers slipped into the opening. With a flex and stretch, he loosened the skin, then flipped it over and pulled downward, easily peeling off the entire rabbit pelt.
(Chapter End)