frightfiction Chapter 540 Copper Solution Protection
Chapter 540 Copper Solution Protection
The strangler fig branches pruned during the first round of harvesting fell to the ground and were covered by more dodder, creating one pale yellow bump after another on the originally relatively flat vegetation.
This did not affect Bai Mengyan's aerial maneuvers. The first round was just a small-scale trimming. This time, it was still from the area visible above her head within the fire circle, but this time the trimming was more thorough.
The difference is that the first pruning may only cut off the scattered veins and fine branches, with the cut surface mostly within 5 centimeters in diameter. Only in a few particularly complex areas will the thicker parts be cut off directly.
For branches with a cut surface larger than 5 cm, it is necessary not only to use the undiluted copper solution inhibitor, but also to ensure that the cut surface and the branches outside the cut surface are also sprayed together. Uneven spraying or insufficient amount may trigger its instinctive "resistance".
When dealing with these "sensitive" main branches, it is essential to precisely control the cleanliness of the cuts and the timing of spraying inhibitors.
If the surrounding branches are not properly treated while the inhibitor is being sprayed, it can easily expose you to danger.
The people on the ground had an easier time dealing with the situation than Bai Mengyan. They mostly dealt with the entanglements that hung down from the tree canopy and followed the aerial roots of the mutated banyan tree to the ground.
But it's different when she touches the lower canopy. The layers are interconnected, and it would be difficult to handle if she didn't have the spatial ability bonus.
The second round was more difficult than the first, and they took longer this time, with the action lasting 5 minutes.
When everyone returned to the fire circle, even the rabbits who were observing couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for them.
Although the tasks of the teammates on the ground were easier than Bai Mengyan's, the fallen branches that Bai Mengyan cut off were all absorbed and wrapped by the dodder, which created an obstacle for the teammates on the ground.
You might have nothing behind you right in front of you, but as you turn to leave after dealing with the situation, several bumps suddenly appear behind you.
Moreover, while they were processing the plants, fast-growing dodder vines would climb up their leather boots and trouser legs and wrap around them.
So far, no evidence has been found that the dodder can pierce their clothes and penetrate their skin, but given the dodder's activity level, it is still necessary to take precautions. In between cleaning the strangler figs, clean up the dodder that has gotten entangled on them.
Apart from Bai Mengyan, several teammates on the ground were out of breath, including veteran members with amazing stamina like Su Jiancheng and Xue Bao.
Seeing this situation, Bai Mengyan felt that the delay was too long and was not good for them.
Perhaps Leng Yuexiu was intentionally training them, but the fact that Leng Yuexiu was always tied to the core of the other party was always unsettling.
She pondered for a moment before speaking, "Without Leng's wind-attribute ability, we can't yet determine whether the air quality here is harmful. I know that the soft vegetation covered with dodder makes it difficult to move around. You guys rest for now, I'm unaffected and can continue."
Clearly, Su Jiancheng underestimated these annoying dodder vines. Unlike bean sprouts, which are delicate and collapse when stepped on, some of them are very resilient and wrap around her like ropes, which is quite irritating.
This is why Bai Mengyan had dealt with most of the strangler figs in the canopy beforehand. When they were on the ground, they only needed to deal with the dodder and the strangler figs entwined on the aerial roots connecting the canopy and the ground. Otherwise, they would be noticed by more and more strangler figs, which would be more troublesome.
Bai Mengyan made this suggestion, but Su Jiancheng strongly disagreed.
"No, you'll be an obvious target if you act alone. If we're on the ground, it'll be like sending jamming messages."
"You're going to push even closer to the three-meter restricted area? That's too risky. Two minutes, then continue. Can't you even wait two minutes?"
Bai Mengyan had no choice but to give up, "Then I'll clean up these unsightly things on the ground."
Su Jiancheng looked around to observe the surroundings, and using the map markings on her wristband, pointed out a place to Bai Mengyan.
"Try to pile them up in that direction so as not to hinder our evacuation."
Bai Mengyan glanced at the location of the open space, then at the raised mounds of grass on the ground in front of her that offered no foothold, and quickly began to clear them away.
A spatial blade moved with incredible agility in her hands. The neatly arranged dodder vines were completely unimpeded by the spatial blade, and were sliced apart one by one.
Some neatly cut dodder vines were collected by Bai Mengyan using her spatial abilities and placed on the open ground within the fire circle.
After sweeping away the dodder, the strangler fig segments and the dried zombie corpses were revealed underneath.
They look completely different from when they were first cut. The cut surface is covered with dense holes, and there are some light pink marks around the holes. I don't know what those are.
Since the cut-off strangler fig segments are useless and have lost their connection with the main branches, and are not afraid of further expansion and growth, the cut surfaces were not treated with copper solution inhibitors at all.
Although it is unknown whether the copper solution inhibitor has any effect on dodder, it seems to facilitate the dodder's absorption of nutrients from the strangler fig segment.
Apart from the dense holes on the cut surface of the strangler fig, it looked as if the cut surface had been exposed to air for several days, completely shriveled and faded in color.
After Bai Mengyan cleared away the dodder seeds, the others naturally saw what these things looked like after being covered by the dodder seeds, and everyone's expression was somewhat unnatural.
Bai Mengyan didn't say anything, but used her spatial abilities to move all the broken branches and dried corpses to the open space over there.
When she had mostly cleared everything away, the open space in front of her became much neater, at least there was a place to walk on.
Bai Mengyan couldn't help but speak up, "These dodders are too active. Before you go out of the circle, spray copper solution inhibitor on your shoes and pants, at least up to your waist. I can't be sure if it will work, but at least it will be a layer of protection."
Su Jiancheng slapped her forehead, "There are too many things to do, I forgot about this. The copper solution that Xiao Cheng and the others made has a very high concentration. It can even suppress strangler figs, let alone these dodders."
Bai Mengyan was still confused. They were clearly not the same species or category, so how could they be confused?
She only mentioned it to see if it would work, but she never expected Su Jiancheng to be so certain about the inhibitory effect of copper solution on dodder.
Seeing that she didn't quite understand, Su Jiancheng continued to explain, "Do you know Bordeaux mixture? It's widely used in agricultural pest control. Bordeaux mixture is made by mixing copper sulfate, quicklime, and water in a certain ratio. When sprayed on areas covered by dodder, it can kill the inner diameter stems within 7 days, precisely destroying the haustoria of the parasitic roots."
"Our prepared copper solution is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, do you understand?"
After Su Jiancheng's explanation, the other teammates who were unfamiliar with the plant's habits and characteristics suddenly understood.
Su Jiancheng smiled and said, "I have to say that the little princess's divergent thinking is very useful. I would have overlooked it if I hadn't mentioned it. For protection and treatment of dodder, a diluted copper solution is sufficient."