Read Novel Full Chapter 961 - 360: Black Stone Ant, Mulberry Forest (2)
Chapter 961: Chapter 360: Black Stone Ant, Mulberry Forest (2)
It also provided various hunting teams in Yangshan the opportunity to hunt other creatures in the mountain.
Dong Yan asked, "Isn’t it very dangerous for everyone to enter Lingyun Slope?"
Gao Jie shook her head, "As long as we don’t go to the Mulberry Forest and Fire Bamboo Forest, we won’t encounter these two mutant beasts. Without these two mutant beasts, other mutant beasts don’t pose a threat to our people."
This coincided with Liang Yuan’s speculation.
While they were speaking, the group had already reached a large expanse of mulberry forest of varying heights.
This was a mulberry forest growing along a slope.
Liang Yuan had known mulberry trees since he was young; his family wasn’t well-off, and he often went to pick wild fruits like mulberries with his village friends.
Thus, he was very familiar with mulberry trees, but the mulberry trees before him exceeded his understanding.
The trees in front of him were massive, each as thick as half a person’s size, reaching over ten meters, with lush green leaves and red-purple mulberries hanging on them.
In Liang Yuan’s impression, mulberry trees are generally not very tall and usually bear fruit in the summer.
Of course, older mulberry trees can grow quite tall, but bearing fruit in November seemed unbelievable.
Moreover, these trees were too thick, with trunks half a person’s size; how long would it normally take to grow?
He had climbed Lingyun Slope before but didn’t remember such a large mulberry forest here.
What does this imply?
It implies that this mulberry forest likely started to grow rapidly after the great flood.
Since the great flood, it has only been about half a year, and yet these mulberry trees have already grown to this extent.
If given more time, wouldn’t they occupy the entire Lingyun Slope?
"It seems that not only are animals evolving rapidly, but plants are also continuously expanding their living space."
Liang Yuan marveled inwardly, shifting his gaze from the mulberry trees to the ground.
The ground was full of water and fallen leaves, making it difficult to find any clues.
Liang Yuan was quite surprised and asked, "How does the Black Stone Ant Queen build a nest in such a waterlogged environment?"
It’s known that ants usually build nests on higher ground to avoid being flooded by rain.
Liang Yuan couldn’t fathom how the Black Stone Ants managed to nest underground amidst the great flood when humans had nowhere to run.
"Mr. Liang, it’s not underground, it’s in the trees."
Gao Jie pointed to a large mulberry tree, reminding Liang Yuan.
Following her direction, Liang Yuan saw on a gigantic mulberry tree, numerous black ants the size of fists clinging to the trunk.
The downpour washed over them, yet they remained unmoved, completely unaffected.
These ants had already abandoned the constraints of the soil and turned to the trees for survival.
Liang Yuan scanned across and noticed many ants gnawing on mulberries from the tree. They had evidently made this their home.
"I invited Miss Song here; she said this mulberry forest has significant economic value."
"Mulberries can be picked to make jam, brew fruit wine; the mulberry tree’s bark fibers are soft, suitable as textile materials, papermaking materials, its wood is hard and can be used for furniture, or building houses."
"Dr. Yang also mentioned that the leaves, roots, fruits, and branches of mulberry trees can be used in medicine."
"He added that according to the ’Compendium of Materia Medica’: Mulberry juice can relieve alcohol toxicity, increase water circulation, reduce swelling, nourish Yin and replenish blood, and is used for liver and kidney deficiency, insufficiency of essence and blood, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, insomnia, premature greying of hair, etc."
"Mulberries also have effects like generating fluid, moistening dryness, blackening hair, improving vision, generating fluid in intestines, and have certain cosmetic values."
"Granny Li also mentioned that these mulberry leaves can be used for silkworm farming; we could try weaving silk cloth."
Speaking of this mulberry forest, Gao Jie was full of regrets.
The economic value of this mulberry forest far exceeded expectations, one could almost say every part of the mulberry tree is precious.
Unfortunately, such a valuable place had been occupied by a swarm of Black Stone Ants.
After listening, Liang Yuan understood the importance of this mulberry forest.
"Looks like we must clear these Black Stone Ants."
Thinking this, Liang Yuan asked, "Have you located the nest of the Black Stone Ant Queen?"
Gao Jie nodded, "Gu Feng, the team leader, brings us here to check regularly."
"The worker ants transport food to the Black Stone Ant Queen in swarms daily; we’ve already pinpointed the queen’s location."
"Gu Feng is leading the team?" Liang Yuan was surprised.
Gao Jie nodded, "Gu Feng’s smoke can effectively block the perception of this swarm of Black Stone Ants."
"By the way, Mr. Liang, before mutating, ants transmit signals through contact with antennae, sensing pheromones, sound, and other means."
"Through our exploration and observation over this period, we’ve found that after mutation, ant colonies no longer solely rely on pheromones and sound for signal transmission; they can also transmit signals through Spiritual Power."
"Gu Feng’s smoke has the ability to block Spiritual Power, effectively severing their communication, allowing us to enter the mulberry forest."
"It’s precisely thanks to Gu Feng’s ability that we can get close to this place."
Liang Yuan suddenly realized that the patrol team wasn’t fruitless in exploring the area.
On the contrary, they had made many efforts and obtained much useful information.
Liang Yuan contemplated and said, "I’ll go in first; you and Dong Yan wait outside."
He wanted to test if his Spiritual Power could block the perception of these Black Stone Ants.
After speaking, he swiftly entered the mulberry forest.
As soon as he entered, the ants on the trees immediately raised their heads, sensing his presence.