After unlocking the first Flower Spirit slot, it seemed even the Evil Flower itself had undergone subtle changes. The explanation for the Flower Language ability had also become more detailed.
But...
Was that explanation really necessary?
Li Chengyi raised his hand, ready to try a new flower.
Beside the red peony grew a cluster of small blue blossoms. Their petals resembled knotted silk scarves—blue outside, pale yellow inside, with hints of purple in the center.
"Blue Iris: Also known as Blue Butterfly or Flat Bamboo Flower. Hardy and cold-resistant. Blooms April to May. Medicinal uses include dispelling wind and dampness, detoxification, anti-inflammation, and blood activation."
"Flower Language: Secret Admiration. (When someone you admire is nearby, wearing the Flower Scale Armor grants a 200% bonus.)
Note:
If the admired is female, bonus: endurance.
If male, bonus: muscle mass and strength.
If other genders, bonus: stamina regeneration.
"Flower Scale Armor: No available Flower Spirit slot. Please unlock."
"..."
Li Chengyi twitched.
The ability was powerful—very powerful.
But... not exactly suitable for the average person.
He let go and reached for another flower nearby—a tightly packed cluster of white blooms. Each flower had four petals in a cross shape, with a yellow-black center. Every three flowers grew side by side, like triplets basking in the sun.
"Unnamed Flower: Blooms April to May. Thrives in bright sunlight. Long root system with medicinal tubers. Used to calm pregnancy symptoms, boost energy, and reduce dampness."
"Flower Language: Wound Healing. (Can rapidly heal minor physical injuries and has a soothing effect on mental trauma.)"
Still, no change to the armor. The Flower Spirit slot was full.
But wait…
Even without prior knowledge of this flower, he still received its Flower Language info. That gave him an idea.
"So if I go out into nature—once the second Flower Spirit slot is unlocked—I might find even stronger abilities in undiscovered, unnamed flowers."
Of course, that was a long-term goal. He hadn't even finished testing the city's artificial blooms yet.
Street corners, riversides, overgrown lots—who knew what hidden gems were waiting?
But first—
What exactly does it mean to 'fully develop' the first Flower Spirit slot?
Li's eyes landed on the Evil Flower ring on the back of his right hand.
The grid cell for the wisteria was glowing faintly.
A stream of data entered his mind: details about the wisteria's properties. One note stood out:
"Evolution attempts: 2"
Evolution requires other subspecies of wisteria. The criteria are very specific. Pure luck won't cut it. I'll need to visit a botanical garden—or a large flower shop.
He made a mental note.
Botanical gardens offered diversity. Flower shops were the backup. After all, wisteria wasn't exactly a best-seller.
Ideally, he'd grow them himself. Buy seeds, plant them at home.
But that would take too long.
Frowning, he pulled out his phone and opened the biggest shopping app—QuickChoice.
After closing several pop-up ads, he typed "wisteria" in the search bar.
Tap.
Results flooded in:
"Wisteria saplings, guaranteed survival."
"Live-leaf potted wisteria, ships now."
"Wisteria seeds, buy 2 get 1 free, wall-climbing, all-season bloom."
Page after page of vendors.
Still broke…
If he had more money, he could just buy blooming plants in bulk. Or rent space and start a mini flower farm.
Just as he began searching for rare wisteria variants—
Ring.
An unknown number popped up.
The screen turned red with a warning:"This number has been marked by 367 users as a scam. Proceed with caution."
He was about to reject it when the red suddenly turned green:
"Secure call. Beware of scams."
Click.
The call answered by itself.
"Hello? Can you hear me?" a voice crackled through—Sindra.
Li's pulse spiked. He looked around, then brought the phone to his ear, shielding it with his hand.
"I can hear you," he whispered.
"Could you not act so suspicious?" Sindra said, amused. "Relax, be natural."
"I look that suspicious?"
"Extremely. Anyway, come to this address. Someone will meet you at the lobby. Everything you want to know is there."
"What address?"
"776 Weisikonjie Street. New Century Building. Ask for Hongjin Biopharmaceuticals at the lobby."
"A legit company? That area's a business district, isn't it?" Li asked. He recalled nearly landing an interview there recently. Not many companies accepted someone with a degree in plant maintenance.
"Exactly. Bustling area, very safe. Or so they say." Sindra chuckled cryptically.
Click.
The call ended.
Li slipped his phone away and exhaled deeply.
Time to go learn everything about the Dead Zones.
Whatever Sindra's intentions, he clearly had insider knowledge and the tech to back it up.
And if it was a trap, surely no one would try anything... in the middle of a city's busiest business district.
He took the bus.
The scenery transitioned from sleepy suburbs to traffic-choked downtown. Honking cars, crowded sidewalks, people going about their day.
Li found a seat near the back. Hard blue plastic, full of holes—cool but uncomfortable.
He leaned back and stretched, sore muscles still complaining from the previous day.
Turning his head, he watched the scenery roll by.
Gray-and-white apartment towers. Evergreen trees. People riding bikes. Life, as normal as ever.
A soft announcement played:"Entering roundabout in 450 meters."
Li glanced around the bus.
No driver—autonomous vehicle. The faint scent of disinfectant hung in the air.
Most passengers stared at their phones.
But a few... acted oddly.
They leaned back comfortably, waving fingers in the air like they were interacting with something invisible.
Then he saw it: the thin, tinted AR glasses on their faces.
So that's what augmented reality looks like in action...
No wonder this world seemed both advanced and oddly mundane.
Soon, the bus climbed a ramp, entering the overpass.
Scenery faded behind metallic soundproofing walls.
Feeling the drowsiness return, Li activated a vibration alarm on his phone, closed his eyes, and let himself drift.
Minutes passed.
Buzz.
He woke with a jolt. The bus door opened. He stepped out.
Behind him, a group of old men shoved onto the bus, arguing over who would pay the fare.
"Let me pay!""Why you? It's my turn!""Just shut up and let me—fine, next time's yours, alright?"
Their lively bickering eased some of Li's tension.
He looked up.
"Weisikonjie Road · Xichuan Intersection", read the station sign. A digital board looped upcoming bus routes.
Across the crosswalk, a silver tower loomed, its rooftop adorned with huge red letters:
"New Century Leisure Plaza."
"Well, it sure is eye-catching..."
This building was one of the oldest city landmarks, known since Li's childhood.
Time for answers.
He stepped onto the crosswalk and blended into the crowd, heading straight for the tower.
[🧠 Interactive Ending – Curious Reader Style]A pharmaceutical company… a man with secrets… and the truth behind the Dead Zones?💬 What do you think Li will discover inside?Add this story to your library to uncover the truth—one chapter at a time.