Once, I wanted to be a good person

Thinking this, Fang Ze retracted his thoughts, then turned off the desk lamp and deactivated the disguise of the Late-Night Investigation Room.

Just as he had verified before.

Aside from the few bloodstains left by his spear thrusts, all other Traces had vanished with the turning off of the desk lamp.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He approached the desk with a sense of anticipation.

In front of Fang Ze was a crystal glowing with light.

The crystal had six edges and appeared hexahedral, emitting a captivating glow under the dim light.

Fang Ze carefully walked over, confirmed there was no danger, then lightly touched the crystal and patiently waited for the "Appraisal" of the investigation room.

Suddenly, the information about the crystal entered Fang Ze's mind.

After carefully studying the information in his mind, Fang Ze's mouth slowly opened wide, his face filled with surprise and disbelief.

After a moment, he couldn't help but mutter, "Hit the jackpot! Really hit the jackpot!"

"Special Gain: Awakening Crystal (Shepherd Tree People)"

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"The method of creating Awakening Crystals has almost been lost over the long course of time; nowadays, very few people possess the knowledge."

"Each Awakening Crystal has its corresponding Awakening Ability from the moment of its creation. It can only be activated by inserting it into the corpse of a compatible Awakener."

"Within 12 hours after an Awakener's death, placing the corresponding Awakening Crystal inside the corpse will resonate with the remaining World's Laws of the Awakener, absorb the surrounding Soul Fragments, consume the nutrients of the corpse, and grow into a new Extraordinary Being."

"This Extraordinary Being will possess about 20%-80% of the strength of the Awakener, depending on the time of the Awakener's death, their condition before death, and the completeness of the corpse. It can inherit relatively simple Martial Skills from the Awakener, is protected by the Law, and can utilize the corresponding Awakening Ability."

After carefully reading the crystal's information, Fang Ze knew he had scored an incredible deal!

Moreover, from that information, he also learned.

The reason this gain was so substantial was because he had almost entirely emptied the most valuable information from an Awakener at one go.

Speaking bluntly, Zheng Shu really didn't have anything left now, completely turning into dregs.

Due to the immense gains from the investigation and considering that Zheng Shu was originally a powerful Awakener, coupled with the disparity in their strengths.

That's why there was such an enormous gain this time!

And once this gain was realized, it not only meant that Fang Ze would immediately have a powerful fighter at his disposal, empowering him to protect himself for a short period and handle the Miaomiao incident.

Moreover, it could also mean that his Stick One, Stick Two... could continue to accompany him in another form!

After all... just because it absorbs surrounding Soul Fragments doesn't mean it has to be the original Awakener's Soul Fragments.

Couldn't he first get rid of the "dregs" and then use it at the graves of Stick One, Stick Two?

Surely the Soul Fragments don't float away with the corpse, right?

Thinking this, Fang Ze could no longer suppress the excitement inside him. He quickly grabbed the crystal, sat in the chair, and then fell into a deep sleep....

.......

Half an hour later, Fang Ze, now fully healed, arrived at the burial site of the ranger with his spear.

After digging the ranger out from the ground, Fang Ze checked him.

Just as he had anticipated, the ranger's body had only the holes he had made with his spear in the Late-Night Investigation Room, while all other injuries, whether from frying or cutting, had not transferred to the real world.

Looking at the dying ranger, Fang Ze also thought a lot.

Even though he knew that killing the ranger would alert the organization to the ranger's failure, and they would send pursuers again.

But with an increase in strength right before his eyes, could he afford to let this opportunity slip because of a threat?

It was better to hope for the enemy to be slow in their response rather than not to strengthen his own side quickly; that was the true strategy!

Thinking this, and looking at the enemy who had caused him to nearly perish, who had wanted to kill him multiple times in the Late-Night Investigation Room.

Fang Ze did not hesitate, raised his spear, and thrust savagely into the opponent's head and heart, twisting it!

The destruction of the heart and head ensured Fang Ze could feel the life fading from the body before him.

Clearly, even a high-ranking Awakener from the Plant Series couldn't survive with both vital parts destroyed.

At this moment, he couldn't afford to delay.

Not minding the dirt, he carried the corpse, holding his spear and the Awakening Crystal, and rushed to where he had fought during the day.

Minutes later, he arrived at the graves of Stick One and Stick Two. Fang Ze put down Zheng Shu's corpse and picked up the Awakening Crystal.

Then, following the method recorded in the information, he placed the crystal in front of the graves and began to silently chant the Soul Gathering incantation.

Two minutes later, as the entire crystal began to glow brightly, Fang Ze picked up the crystal without hesitation, then stuffed it into Zheng Shu's mouth.

He then took out a dagger, pricked a wound on his finger, and dripped blood into it.

Suddenly, the crystal shone intensely, then turned into a liquid and slowly seeped into the corpse through the mouth.

Visibly, the body underwent significant changes. Its muscles slowly turned into plant fibers, its severed limbs began to regrow, and its body started to swell....

Fang Ze watched these changes intently, feeling a bit nervous.

He didn't know how long it had been, but when the body's changes finally ceased, what appeared before Fang Ze was a giant Tree Person about two and a half meters tall.

Its entire body was made of wood, its limbs were composed of vines, and on its head grew lush green leaves, resembling hair.

Looking at that bizarre creature, Fang Ze felt a bit nervous.

After a moment, the creature's eyes slowly opened.

Those eyes were pure and clear, filled with confusion.

It looked around bewilderedly before its gaze fell upon Fang Ze.

It hesitated for a moment and then spoke with a buzzing voice, stumbling over the words, "Master... Master?"

Hearing this address from the Treant before him, Fang Ze couldn't help but exclaim with surprise, "Stick One? Stick Two?"

"Are you Stick One or Stick Two?"

Upon hearing Fang Ze's question, the Treant before him paused, its gaze filled with confusion.

It muttered, "Stick One... Stick Two?"

After a moment, its gaze cleared up, then it looked at Fang Ze and said, "Master... I am both Stick One and Stick Two."

........

Half an hour later, Fang Ze had roughly figured out everything.

Actually... both Stick One and Stick Two had already died before.

But their Soul Fragments still existed nearby and would gradually disappear over time...

The Awakening Crystal had recalled their Soul Fragments, reforged them, allowing them a different form of rebirth.

This new life, although it had parts of Stick One and Stick Two's memories and souls, was also a completely new life.

To put it more directly, it was more like an extension of Stick One and Stick Two's lives...

Though it didn't revive Stick One and Stick Two, it allowed their lives to continue in another form, somewhat alleviating the guilt and self-blame in Fang Ze's heart.

He patted the newly born Treant's arm and then said, "Since your life comes from Stick One and Stick Two, from now on, shall we call you 'One Two Three'?"

"Treant One Two Three."

Hearing Fang Ze's words, Treant One Two Three solemnly nodded its head.

Its character was a bit like Stick One, clearly more intelligent but still not very fond of talking. The occasional naive action, however, was quite reminiscent of Stick Two.

Looking at it, Fang Ze felt as if he were seeing the two companions who had accompanied him before.

It was a truly peculiar feeling. Some lives end in death, some in rebirth; death and rebirth, the intertwining cycle of nature. Life continues on generation after generation...

Though he no longer had Stick One and Stick Two, he now had a new companion: One Two Three...

Taking One Two Three to the graves of Stick One and Stick Two, they bowed deeply and he added a handful of soil to the small graves, then Fang Ze and his new companion set out back towards the cave.

Along the way, One Two Three also demonstrated the abilities it had inherited from Zheng Shu.

There were three abilities.

The first was like Zheng Shu's, capable of revitalizing the plants around it, manipulating or transforming them into Giant Tree Persons, and then commanding the Giant Tree People in battle. However, unlike Zheng Shu who could control forty or fifty at once, it could only handle three.

The second was, after the death of a Giant Tree Person, condensing Treant Essence. But unlike Zheng Shu's efficiency of obtaining one gram from 200 Giant Tree People, it needed to activate 300 to obtain one gram.

The third was an innate ability from its birth; in the absence of trees nearby, it could also transform into a Giant Tree Person itself, thus enlarging its form and enhancing its strength.

And on the road, Fang Ze roughly tested its strength.

Strong!

Very strong!

It not only had Law Protection but also, because of its plant body, was exceptionally tough.

Kicking it felt like kicking an iron board.

Even piercing with an iron spear felt as though it couldn't breach its defenses.

Apart from its astounding defensive power, its attack power was also impressive—punching out, it could shatter boulders and break trees.

However, because it wasn't made of flesh and blood, Fang Ze couldn't precisely define its strength.

He could only roughly estimate: perhaps its comprehensive strength was about the same as that of an Awakener who had just entered the high tier?

After all, although it didn't have Zheng Shu's terrifying ability to combat in groups, it might be stronger than Zheng Shu in small-scale battles...

At least... it was definitely much stronger than Fang Ze...

......

Back in the cave, the slight advantage of Treant One Two Three's higher intelligence became apparent.

Without Fang Ze's command, it used its abilities to make the weeds and vines outside wildly grow, not only cleaning up the interior of the cave for Fang Ze but even constructing a vine mattress for him.

And whether it inherited the memory of Stick One, knowing Fang Ze wanted a pillow, on the vine mattress, it considerately prepared a simple pillow wrapped in various grasses.

When Fang Ze lay down, he felt incredibly comfortable.

The only thing he wanted to complain about was: surely this fellow wasn't mocking him with a "Grass Bag," right?!

And while he had these complaints, he had finished receiving all the gains from this battle and investigation.

So, lying on the vine bed, Fang Ze began to ponder on how he should deal with the organization's pursuit and the investigative matters concerning Miaomiao...