Nan Tingjian vanished into the night, leaving his squad behind. Two members lay critically injured, their bodies broken and frail without their abilities. If not for the Man-Eater Flower's severe wounds, they never would have survived its energy backlash. The remaining two tended to their comrades, rifling through packs for supplies and medicine. Fortunately, their powers had returned, and their injuries began to mend—bones realigned with minimal effort. The shorter member winced, confusion etched on his face: "What just happened?" They had been so focused on capturing the flower, they never saw it coming.
And yet… no one had ever heard of a power that could temporarily nullify abilities—whether from（mutated plants）,（zombies）,or humans. The squad exchanged worried glances, the weight of unexplained danger pressing down on them. Nan Tingjian had fled the scene unscathed, his distance saving him from the fallout. The Man-Eater Flower's escape made future captures uncertain, but one thing was clear: if Nan Tingjian couldn't track it down tonight, the mission was over.
Back in the ruins, Qian Hui pressed on through the darkness, Soft Vine's tendrils guiding him toward the flower's fading scent. The boy's heart raced as he neared the edge of a dense forest, its canopy swallowing the moonlight. A warning from the game flashed: "Geological disaster imminent. Seek shelter." Earthquakes shook the ground, sending debris raining down. Qian Hui sprinted clear, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"This way!" Chili urged, nudging his hand toward the forest. Qian Hui hesitated—nighttime treks were treacherous, and his zombified features made him a target. But the flower's presence called to him, and he pressed on.
Inside the forest, the darkness was absolute. Branches scratched his face, and his knees buckled from exhaustion. He paused to rest, pulling out healing potions and the most expensive（all-purpose medicine）available. Chili sniffed the air, detecting no immediate threats. "We're safe for now," it whispered, curling back into Qian Hui's pocket.
Hours passed, and dawn finally broke. Qian Hui's eyes adjusted to the filtered sunlight, revealing a small lake glistening with（lotus flowers）. The game chimed: "New Unaffiliated Mutant Plant Discovered: Potato"—a round, shadowy figure with a penchant for mischief. Qian Hui tossed it a（cracker）, which it snatched and scampered off with, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.
As the sun rose, Qian Hui's hope dimmed. He circled the area, calling out for（xiaozi）,but only silence answered. Fatigue weighed him down, and he collapsed against a tree, munching on stale（crackers）. Just as despair crept in, a familiar pattern caught his eye—a cluster of（mushroom-shaped marks）on a tree trunk. His heart leapt—this was the marker of（xiaofeng）, the flower's closest friend.
"(xiaifeng)!xiaozi!" he called, fingers trembling. A low growl rumbled from the tree hollow. Qian Hui's breath caught as a pair of eyes glinted in the darkness. "Xiaozi!" he repeated, and the Man-Eater Flower erupted from its hiding place, crashing into his arms.
"whir..." it wailed, tears of relief streaming down its petals. Qian Hui clutched it close, inspecting its injuries—deep gashes and green ichor seeping from its stem. He administered potions frantically, the game rewarding him with loyalty boosts and（credits）. The flower's exhaustion was palpable, but it managed a weak smile as it nuzzled his palm.
"I thought you forgot...." Qian Hui whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. The flower's tendrils tightened around him, a silent promise of loyalty. As they rested,（Chili）emerged from his pocket, eyeing the Man-Eater Flower with a mix of awe and trepidation. The flower's presence had neutralized any threat from other（mutated plants）, but Qian Hui couldn't shake the feeling that danger lurked nearby.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the edge of the forest—Nan Tingjian. Qian Hui's heart leapt into his throat. "It's him!" he gasped, bolting with the flower in tow. The Man-Eater Flower's roar echoed behind him, a warning to the man who had once called himself its friend.