So, what should I do now?
Evolve?
It seems that's not within my control either. Having turned into a plant, should I just wait and see what happens?
Then, fight zombies?
But there have to be zombies for that...
In a seemingly endless darkness where time lost its meaning, he felt as if he were floating in the universe with nothing to do but think. So, he began to ponder.
Who am I? Where am I? Where am I going?
Why does the world exist, what is the value of life, what is the meaning of living... and what kind of messed-up thing has that idiotic Raven done behind my back again?
If a ship is continuously refitted with new parts during a long voyage until every original part is replaced, what should I have for dinner tonight?
If there's a group of endlessly screaming brats tied to the left track ahead of a train, and a middle-aged man picking his feet and talking loudly on his phone tied to the right track, how can I make the train drift and run over both sides?
If the Ranch Owner and the people of Green Day fell into the water at the same time, how could I devise a way to throw the Raven in as well?
Among these inevitably unsolvable conundrums, Huai Shi embarked on a seemingly endless journey of thought.
The initial anger and fear gave way to pointless resistance and repulsion, then clumsy struggling with illusory hopes, until eventually, amidst numbness, he completely sank into the darkness.
In absolute darkness, this state seemed to stretch on for an eternity.
Huai Shi forgot where he was going, forgot where he was, and even forgot who he was.
He really felt as if he had become a tree.
He felt his roots growing, slowly yet relentlessly, delving deep into the soil. Numerous twisted branches sprouted from his now formless arms, filling every inch of the cellar, weaving through earth and stones.
He was growing. Silently, he grew.
Slowly but determinedly, he extended towards the surface. When the first tender bud broke through the soil, Huai Shi felt the faint warmth of sunlight upon him.
For some reason, he suddenly felt a sincere joy.
It was the sweet happiness of a life realizing its own existence. Even if the world was so cruel, even if insects gnawed at its limbs, still, it was alive, stubbornly growing, embracing the sunlight.
Synthesizing chlorophyll sure is joyful.
He bathed in sunlight, truly feeling this way.
As for Huai Shi... Who is Huai Shi?
Who cares.
Growth is joyful~
As long as it's joyful, that's all that matters.
Thus, ignoring the alternation of dawn and dusk, day and night, he immersed himself in this joy of growth, spreading countless roots from the nine layers of earth beneath him.
His roots pushed aside soil, broke through concealed layers, delved into subterranean rivers, probed into lairs, and anchored themselves amidst the cold concrete and steel of the city.
Unknowingly, his root system had spread like a vast net for hundreds of kilometers. It undulated underground, connecting to the integrated root network of countless trees beneath Qingshiu Mountain. It merged with the myriad mosses in the dark sewers beneath Xinhai, and from these points, it further connected with innumerable flourishing flowers, grasses, and trees.
Countless lives merged into one, truly United as One.
Tiny trembles wove into a surging pulse. The delicate shifts of uncared-for plants, when layered, formed a deep roar that seemed to cover the entire mortal world.
It was a murmur no one could hear, whispers unknown to all, songs unheeded by anyone—like the deep aftertones of a cello, echoing in his ears.
For a moment, Huai Shi heard the sound of his Soul shattering, just like a seed germinating.
Amidst the long wait and nurturing, the miracle of the Yin Soul emerged naturally, like water finding its course. This miracle, one that serves death, embraced the vastness of life before it, joyously merging to become one with them.
A radiant light, forged from death, shone out from his lignified shell, flowing through every note of that unheard song.
In that instant, Huai Shi finally broke free from the physical manifestation of roots and husk. He shattered the chains, and his Soul was set free. Like the wind, it nimbly leaped among the countless flora, traversing every place.
He felt wild animals walking and the wind caressing beneath his shade. He heard the mating calls and playful sounds of feral cats. He sensed the flowers and grasses swaying under the starry sky.
He saw the turbulent stream of people, the hasty passers-by after work, the children loitering at street corners, the old people watering plants, and the laughter echoing on the green fields.
Then, Huai Shi caught sight of the slender figure of the Teenage Girl.
It was Fu Yi.
A streak of lightning suddenly flashed through Huai Shi's mind, as if recalling something.
From within a potted plant in the corner of her bedroom, Huai Shi stared in astonishment at the Teenage Girl. Her back was to him as she loudly responded to her mother before shutting the door.
His consciousness, aghast, strained to move forward. The potted plant it inhabited struggled to shift an inch, as if trying to find the best viewing position.
Huai Shi stared intently, holding his breath.
In that moment, an invisible force suddenly erupted, yanking at his Soul—backwards!