Chapter 614: Seizing Food

Xia Qing cleared her throat and asked calmly, "Third Brother?"

Zhang San spoke a little quickly, "I just confirmed one prominent function of this Yi-synthesized element: it stimulates hormone secretion. How do you feel right now?"

How do you feel?

Xia Qing raised a hand to press her forehead, "Sheep Boss rode a bike all night, and I just had a nightmare. Third Brother, do you have a remedy for the symptoms?"

Hearing that Xia Qing was fine, Zhang San's tone became much more casual, "No. For the next couple of days, try not to come into contact with outsiders, and don't do anything irrational while your emotions are out of control."

Having just done something irrational, Xia Qing immediately responded, "Don't worry, Third Brother. Until the smell's effects wear off, I won't see anyone."

Her idol must have stayed up all night studying the sample and called her the moment he reached a conclusion to warn her. Die-hard devoted fan Xia Qing suppressed her boundless admiration and asked humbly, "Third Brother, would you classify this new element that stimulates hormone secretion as harmful or beneficial?"

Her idol didn't like to hear flattery, so of course a fan should cater to his tastes and give him a chance to show off his expertise, letting him talk to his heart's content.

Zhang San indeed quite liked this question; even his raspy voice carried a hint of pleasure, "Every substance—including Qian-synthesized poison—has two sides. Used correctly, it's beneficial; used incorrectly, it's harmful. This new element doesn't just stimulate adrenaline secretion in humans, it can also stimulate sex hormones and insulin, and it may have similar effects on several other types of hormones. When did you spray the agent?"

Xia Qing answered immediately, "A little after ten last night. I should have topped up the dose after about an hour."

Zhang San asked, "If this Yi-synthesized element can be successfully extracted and applied clinically, it should have positive therapeutic effects on conditions including diabetes, infertility, and stunted growth. How many toon trees of the same kind do you have in your territory?"

Xia Qing answered, "Last spring there were a few saplings under the big toon tree, but I couldn't transplant any of them successfully. There's only this one left now."

"This kind of tree is probably picky about soil. If new shoots still sprout beside the big toon tree this year, don't transplant them—let them grow where they are." Zhang San asked again, "Did the toon tree produce seeds last year?"

Xia Qing paused for two seconds, "It produced quite a lot, but I used them all to sprout Chinese toon seedlings for eating."

Zhang San was silent even longer, then discussed with Xia Qing, "I'd like to collect as much of this gas as possible over the next few days for new drug development research. What do you think?"

Xia Qing didn't agree directly, but first asked how he planned to collect it.

It was good news that the Yi-synthesized element could be used to treat many diseases, but collecting it on a large scale would inevitably make Territory Three the focus of everyone's attention, increasing the risk of the pollution-free spring water being exposed—which was absolutely unacceptable to Xia Qing.

Zhang San had also considered this point, "Just wrap up as many toon buds as you can with packaging bags so the gas can't escape outward."

If that was the case, Xia Qing could still accept it, "Third Brother, what do you think about this…"

After hanging up the phone, Xia Qing couldn't fall back asleep at all. She got up, went to spray the agent once more on the branches at the top of the big toon tree, then began her usual morning chores and training.

When the sun rose and the temperature quickly warmed up, the toon buds that hadn't been sprayed with the agent began releasing Yi-synthesized element again, attracting quite a few evolved toon borer moths.

Xia Qing contacted her idol through the walkie-talkie, "Third Brother, are you there?"

Zhang San's voice carried a strong grumpy-just-woke-up tone, "Speak."

Xia Qing put on a cautious tone and asked, "Third Brother, the toon tree in my territory has sprouted and attracted quite a few flying insects. The insecticide I traded with you isn't working very well. Do you have a more effective insecticide that's harmless to large animals? I'd like to trade for some."

Zhang San yawned, "What kind of insects?"

Xia Qing answered, "They have wings, are about the size of a fingernail. I'm not sure what species—they should be an evolved variety, with very hard shells."

Qi Fu, having heard Xia Qing's description, also spoke up, "They should be toon stink bugs. The toon tree in my territory has sprouted too, and there are these bugs on it. Spraying insecticide can only knock them off the tree, then you have to stomp them one by one. Xia Qing, are there a lot of bugs on your side?"

Xia Qing answered immediately, "Quite a lot. The toon buds are all chewed up. That's why I want to trade with Third Brother for a more effective and safer agent…"

Tang Huai also came online, "Xia Qing, is your Chinese toon a green-light one?"

Xia Qing answered calmly, "It's green-light, which is why I want to avoid spraying chemicals and collect as many toon buds as possible."

Zhang San had said that although this big toon tree had low Qian-element content, its Yi-element content was also low, so it wasn't particularly outstanding. As long as no one discovered it could release Yi-synthesized element, it wouldn't attract too much attention.

Tang Huai asked curiously again, "Do your toon buds taste good?"

Xia Qing answered calmly, "The toon flavor is pretty strong. My sheep especially love eating them."

Tang Huai……

Oh no!!!

Zhang San was indeed furious, "If stinky toon buds attract bugs, just pinch them to death one by one. If you don't want to pinch them, bag them up. Stop bothering me with this kind of trivial crap, or I'll catch that crazy sheep of yours and roast it!"

After Zhang San went offline, the lord channel fell completely silent.

About five minutes later, Tang Huai called Xia Qing and asked cautiously, "Xia Qing, what are you busy with?"

Standing on a stepladder in her airtight protective suit, Xia Qing answered calmly, "Pinching stink bugs and putting bags on."

Tang Huai immediately got excited, "Can you handle it all? I'll come help you with it!"

What would you come here for, to crash into the tree? Xia Qing refused crisply, "No need, I can handle it myself."

Tang Huai had long expected Xia Qing wouldn't let him come, and asked enthusiastically again, "Is Sheep Boss doing better?"

"Much better. I'm busy right now, I'll hang up first." Xia Qing was so busy she didn't have a hand to hang up the phone, quickly bagging the toon buds.

Crouching in Territory Nine, Tang Huai listened curiously for another half minute, found that Xia Qing really was quite busy, and only then hung up.

After bagging a full hundred and fifty bags, Xia Qing finally finished covering all the unsprayed toon buds that were continuously releasing Yi-synthesized element.

Both the bagged toon buds and the sprayed toon buds could no longer release gas outward. Lacking the scent to attract them, no more borer moths came over, and the borer moths resting on the tree were eaten clean by birds and swallows. The big toon tree was temporarily safe.

Xia Qing climbed down the ladder, returned home, had just taken off her airtight protective suit and changed into her regular protective suit, when she heard the surveillance camera in the yard beep once. She had a feeling and looked out through the window.

The scruffy plucked weasel had once again placed the half field chicken that little Bai Mao had left unfinished in front of her security door, then quickly ran into the sheep pen, poking out half a damp little head and peering at her tremulously through the glass.

While Xia Qing silently stared at the weasel, a fiery-red figure suddenly jumped down from the roof, snatched up the half field chicken on the ground, and darted away.

As a nameless fury rose from the bottom of Xia Qing's heart, the plucked weasel also angrily squeaked twice and chased after it.