In the frigid Siberian winter, surviving the season is a formidable challenge. The most crucial aspect is to store abundant energy reserves within the body, such as fat. For plants, it means reducing internal water content. Bears have significant experience with winter survival; before winter arrives, they consume enough food to build up thick layers of fat. After winter begins, they enter hibernation, minimizing bodily consumption and relying on their stored fat to endure the harsh season.
Many animals in Siberia, however, do not hibernate. To survive the winter, these animals must resort to storing food. Squirrels excel at this, hiding nuts in concealed burrows and living off these provisions throughout the winter.
In Siberia, safe winter survival is impossible without special skills. Lacking sufficient fat or stored provisions means facing either freezing to death or starving when winter descends. Shen Feng never expected that Treants would also learn to store food. When unable to leave the underground, the Treants sustained themselves by preying on marmots that burrowed underground.
Upon realizing this, Shen Feng immediately thought of Xiao Sheng, who waited diligently at the cave entrance every evening. Xiao Sheng was completely unaware of the situation. If he continued to wait, the number of underground Treants would only grow.
Therefore, Shen Feng decided he must inform Xiao Sheng of this news. Otherwise, Xiao Sheng would likely wait for a while longer before launching an attack.
However, after Shen Feng stated his intention, Lu Xian and Qi Lingshan immediately voiced their doubts: "City Lord, if we reveal this information, won't what we're currently doing be exposed?"
Shen Feng's plan to secretly burn the mutated plants was not something he dared to publicize, as it would be akin to betraying a friend. If Shen Feng revealed that the Treants were capturing marmots, it would be like protesting one's innocence too much. Xiao Sheng could simply ask, "How did you know? Did you see it yourself?"
A simple question like that could put Shen Feng in a difficult position, making him appear untrustworthy. Thus, Lu Xian and Qi Lingshan opposed Shen Feng's plan to disclose the information.
Qi Lingshan earnestly added, "City Lord, we've already stored over ten tons of oil. Why not just throw it down and burn the mutated plants now? Why go through all this trouble?"
Shen Feng, however, countered, "We cannot underestimate the mutated plants. Although the original waterfall has ceased flowing, there is still a lake here. With over twenty Treants protecting this place, the variables are too great. If we cannot kill all the Treants in one go, we will never get another chance. Therefore, to be safe, we absolutely need Xiao Sheng to tie up most of the Treants."
After explaining his reasoning, Shen Feng began to consider how to convey this information to Xiao Sheng.
Lu Xian thought carefully and suggested, "I don't think the three of us need to be directly involved. We can just hint at it. Xiao Sheng isn't foolish. If we casually give him a reminder, he will surely understand quickly."
After Lu Xian shared his idea, Shen Feng nodded in agreement, saying, "I was thinking the same, but I have no idea how to execute it."
Lu Xian then proposed, "City Lord, what about Xu Xing? Xu Xing is currently spending a lot of time with Qi Yunfang. If we have Xu Xing handle this, it would distance us from the matter, wouldn't it?"
At Lu Xian's reminder, Shen Feng immediately nodded in realization. After several days of recovery, Xu Xing was now full of vigor. She was a fifth-tier ability user, her strength comprehensively surpassing Meng Weichang's at that time. Moreover, since there was only one cellar, it was inconvenient for her to live with Shen Feng and his group. Under these circumstances, Xu Xing was living with Zhang Zi and Qi Yunfang.
Having Xu Xing handle this matter seemed like a good option. After careful consideration, Shen Feng had a plan. The next step was to figure out how to implement it.
When Shen Feng returned, he gently tapped on the cellar wall. Soon, Xu Xing found an opportunity to come out, and Shen Feng quickly informed her of what had happened. He then asked Xu Xing to find a way to inform Qi Yunfang about the matter, leaving the method of hinting at it to Xu Xing herself. Shen Feng was confident that Xu Xing could complete this task.
Upon receiving the task from Shen Feng, Xu Xing felt troubled. She needed to convey the information about the mutated plants capturing marmots as their food source, but she couldn't say it directly. She had to hint at it indirectly, and Qi Yunfang must not discover that she was doing it intentionally. The difficulty was immense.
Finally, Xu Xing hesitantly returned to the ice house, having devised a plan.
Over the campfire in the ice house, a rack held a roasting wild boar leg. The leg was from a wild boar that ran frequently in the mountains or plains, resulting in lean meat with less visible fat. This constant running kept the muscles firm.
Xu Xing then said, "Sister Qi, I've seen many marmot burrows on the plains. Have you ever eaten marmot?"
Qi Yunfang answered without hesitation, "Of course, I have. In fact, marmots are the most common mutated beasts found around Qiu Ming. They don't attack humans and are herbivores, making them easy to catch. They taste quite good too. What? Have you been in Qiu Ming for so long and never eaten marmot?"
Xu Xing quickly nodded and replied, "Yes, I really haven't had the chance to try marmot. The reason is that I saw a group of people eating raw marmot before, without cooking it, seemingly afraid of suffocating underground."
"That's natural. After all, the air is thin underground, and ventilation is difficult. If you were to live there, it would indeed be easy to suffocate," Qi Yunfang agreed.
Seeing that Qi Yunfang hadn't taken the bait, Xu Xing continued, "Speaking of which, there are many glow fruits and vines in the marmot burrows. The marmots even have lighting underground. It's strange, but their lives seem unaffected."
As Xu Xing spoke, she casually cut off a piece of the roasted boar leg, sprinkled it with salt and pepper, and began to savor the delicious meal.
Qi Yunfang, prompted by Xu Xing's words, suddenly had a thought. The vines and roots of the mutated plants seemed to spread throughout the underground, yet the mutated plants did not prey on marmots. Why was that?
What was initially a minor detail became something Qi Yunfang couldn't stop thinking about. Qi Yunfang knew that mutated plants were not benevolent beings, so there was no such thing as picky eating. Yet, the mutated plants did not hunt marmots; instead, they used glow fruits to illuminate the marmots' burrows. There must be a problem.
"Could it be..." Qi Yunfang felt a bad premonition, thinking to herself, "Could these underground marmots be a reserve food source for critical moments?"
Qi Yunfang knew that Xiao Sheng and his group had been ambushing outside the cave for several days without success. Under these circumstances, everyone believed that the mutated plants could not obtain energy from the outside. However, if the mutated plants could capture marmots for sustenance, it would mean that the underground mutated plants still had a means of replenishing their energy from the outside.
Upon realizing this, Qi Yunfang knew immediately that something was seriously wrong. This matter had to be reported to Xiao Sheng quickly. She stood up and said, "Little sister Xu Xing, I need to go out. You can stay here and continue roasting. Remember to save some for me and don't eat it all."
Xu Xing quickly nodded and replied, "Sister, don't worry. I'll guard the camp. If any mutated beasts dare to approach, we'll have an extra meal tonight."
Qi Yunfang did not suspect Xu Xing because Xu Xing had not mentioned anything about the mutated plants hunting marmots. Qi Yunfang had deduced this herself and was not even sure if it was true.
As Qi Yunfang approached the cave entrance, a robust voice suddenly called out from the darkness: "Mountains block and stones obstruct, yet the great river flows east."
Upon hearing the voice, Qi Yunfang knew it was a coded signal. She immediately replied, "Snow insults and frost deceives, yet plum blossoms still bloom red towards the sun."
Someone then peeked out. Seeing Qi Yunfang appear, Xiao Sheng immediately felt a sense of unease and quickly asked, "Did you discover anything unusual about Shen Feng's actions?"
In Xiao Sheng's view, Qi Yunfang's purpose was to keep an eye on Shen Feng and his group. If Qi Yunfang came at this time, something must have happened at their camp.
However, regarding Xiao Sheng's concern, Qi Yunfang replied, "No, they are still in the cellar roasting potatoes. I came here because I suddenly remembered something important that I must tell you immediately."
"We are in the midst of an ambush. If you alert them, the plan will be completely ruined," Xiao Sheng couldn't help but say.
Xiao Sheng did not believe that Qi Yunfang could have thought of anything important at this moment. Any important matter could wait until he returned.
However, Qi Yunfang then explained her reasoning: the reason the Treants had not emerged in the past few days was that the mutated plants were capable of obtaining energy underground, even while underground.
After hearing Qi Yunfang's response, everyone present felt a sense of dread. If things were as Qi Yunfang described, then their plan to ambush the Treants again would be in vain.
Furthermore, the mutated plants had been recuperating during these past few days and had undoubtedly been greatly replenished.
Following Qi Yunfang's line of thought, Xiao Sheng was stunned. He suddenly realized that this was a problem he had failed to consider. He had previously thought that by delaying, he could continuously deplete the mutated plants' energy. However, it now seemed that the underground mutated plants had no shortage of energy intake.
"Four days. I've wasted four days here. I should have acted immediately after the ambush was successful, but I wasted four precious days," Xiao Sheng thought with gritted teeth. At this moment, he felt like spitting blood. He couldn't believe that he needed Qi Yunfang to remind him of such a crucial matter. He felt utterly incompetent as a commander.
Seeing Xiao Sheng's agitated state, Jin Zijue quickly said, "Don't panic. It's only four days. Things are not yet beyond recovery."
People like Xiao Sheng were easily pleased with minor achievements, and after suffering setbacks, they could easily become disheartened because they valued face too much. If it were something that brought honor, Xiao Sheng would gladly accept it. That's why he became the first place winner at the commendation ceremony, and it made him proud for a long time. Compared to Xiao Sheng's smugness, Jin Zijue, as the second-place winner, was able to maintain a more composed attitude.
Xiao Sheng quickly calmed down. He knew this was a minor mistake, but failing to consider it beforehand was the commander's responsibility.
With this in mind, Xiao Sheng immediately realized that he had to find a way to redeem his honor. He directly focused his gaze on the cave entrance, took a deep breath, and said, "Prepare to attack the mutated plants. Aim for a decisive victory."