99: Explosive form

Using their portable equipment and remotely transmitted data, the researchers performed an urgent analysis of the collected spores and environmental samples.

Soon, the preliminary report was compiled and sent to the field commander—Lu Jianchuan, clad in the silver skeleton armor.

"silver skeleton, the analysis results are in," came the research expert's voice over the comms channel, heavy with gravity.

"Based on genetic sequence comparisons and reverse inference from environmental mutagenesis models, we can confirm that the precursor to these fungi was the common Shiny Crumblecap."

Lu Jianchuan listened quietly, the azure light from the visor on his faceplate steady.

"Its evo factor concentration isn't high, but it was activated under specific environmental radiation stimuli, causing a fundamental and extremely dangerous mutation in its reproductive mechanism," the expert continued, explaining rapidly.

"It highly specialized and mineralized its own fruiting body, internally synthesizing spores and high-energy biofuel. The trigger condition is most likely physical contact or specific bioelectrical signals.

Once triggered, it directly kills organisms within range using the shockwave and crystal shrapnel from the explosion. Its core purpose is to use the explosion to disperse spores as aerosols onto the corpses of the organisms it killed, thereby obtaining the fungal bed needed for germination."

He paused, his tone growing even more serious. "Most critically, our database and ecological model assessments show that the evolutionary direction of this 'Bursting Crystal Umbrella' poses an extremely high, uncontrollable, and destructive risk to the existing ecological balance and human society.

Its very existence is to transform active life zones into pure death-spore gardens. According to Article 7, Paragraph 3 of the 'Abnormal Creature Disposal Regulations,' we assess that this species 'does not fit' to exist in the current environment and must be eradicated to eliminate future trouble."

The conclusion was clear and cold.

"Understood," Lu Jianchuan responded in a deep voice. He understood the meaning of this "does not fit"—this wasn't simply eliminating a threat, but correcting a misguided evolutionary path that could cause an ecological-level disaster.

"We will take the spore samples back to the lab for sealed research, but the The Mother of the fungal colony here must be immediately neutralized and cleaned," the expert added finally.

silver skeleton gave a slight nod, his gaze turning towards the still-writhing, ominously glowing fungal carpet and the Bursting Crystal Umbrellas within that seemed poised to strike. He raised his arm, the energy circuits on his armor glowing faintly.

"Execute cleanup protocol. All personnel, prepare for demolition and high-temperature incineration procedures."

The tactical squad's high-temperature flamethrowers were already at work, licking at the glowing fungal carpet with ghostly blue flames. The pungent smell of burning protein filled the air. The cleanup proceeded methodically, but not quickly.

Lu Jianchuan stood at his guard post, his silver-white armor reflecting cold light in the firelight.

His eyes swept over the crystal clusters curling and bursting in the flames, but his mind uncontrollably flashed back to fragments of the battle in the Botanical Garden—the dark red pipes coiling over his body's surface, the thrusters erupting with furious roars, the destructive power almost tearing his body apart.

That form... if it could be controlled... Once the thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed. He knew the conventional cleanup was safer, but a certain impulse deep within him, or perhaps a desire to master that power, was driving him.

But, how to do it?

The first transformation happened naturally, like water flowing in its course. The second rampage was fueled by burning rage. Now, he was clear-headed, calm, even somewhat deliberate, and instead didn't know where to start. He tried, like the first time, to concentrate his will and "think" about transforming, but the armband showed no reaction.

He then tried to recreate the anger from that time in his mind, but only felt emptiness and artifice, utterly unable to stir that torrent of scorching power.

No, the feeling was wrong.

He stopped, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down. He recalled the bodily memory from the rampage—not the emotion, but the "trajectory" of that power flowing through him. It seemed to originate from deep within his abdomen, surging along specific pathways towards his limbs, finally erupting from those vents.

Not by "thinking," nor by "rage," but by... guiding? Like guiding bioelectricity?

Adopting a trial-and-error mindset, he once again sank his focus. This time, he didn't "command." Instead, he immersed his consciousness into his body, like an internal observer, patiently and carefully "sensing" that latent power. He imagined himself as a conduit, carefully connecting to that scorching source.

At first, there was only silence. Just as he was almost ready to give up, thinking he was being fanciful—

A faint, almost imperceptible warmth suddenly emanated from deep within his abdomen, like a spark flashing!

His spirit lifted. Immediately concentrating all his consciousness, he nurtured that wisp of warmth like a fragile flame, guiding it slowly forward along the remembered trajectory of the power's surge.

The process was extremely mentally taxing, far more difficult than guiding bioelectricity. That power seemed inherently wild and unruly, extremely reluctant to be controlled with such precision.

But he didn't give up. His will, like the toughest reins, gradually combed and guided it.

As he persisted, that wisp of warmth gradually grew clearer, hotter, beginning to transform into a tangible, feasible warm current.

Just then—

The jewel in the center of his left wrist's armband, which had been steadily emitting a crimson light, began to contract and condense its glow inward. Its color shifted from crimson to a brighter, more active orange-red, like iron being thrust into a forge!

"Humm—!"

A hum deeper and more resonant than during the activation of the First Form, vibrating like an engine warming up, came from deep within him!

Across the surface of his silver-white bio-armor, dark red structures resembling reinforced muscle fibers and embedded pipes, as if injected with life, rapidly and orderly proliferated, extended, and covered him!

Critical areas like the shoulder armor, spine, outer forearms, and soles of his feet bulged with sharply designed bio-pulse nozzles, sporting a dull metallic sheen and high-temperature ceramic texture.

The entire process lacked the ferocity and violence of the first time. Instead, it possessed a sense of precision, efficiency, and powerful beauty. The moment the light in his helmet's visor completely shifted from azure to blazing white, the new stance—the stable, controllable Second Form: Blaze Form—was declared complete!

"silver skeleton, you are...?" The research expert nearby, keenly noticing the significant and distinct change in his form, exclaimed in surprise and doubt.

Through the armor, Lu Jianchuan's voice carried a hint of post-experiment fatigue and barely suppressed excitement as he responded, "A form... more suited for 'cleanup.'"

He said no more, raising his right arm and aiming his fist at an area not yet covered by the flamethrowers, where the fungal carpet was particularly dense. With a slight thought, the propulsion pipes in his forearm lit up with an orange-red glow, as violent energy gathered and was tamed within.

Boom—!

A condensed, blindingly white-hot high-temperature jet, like a precisely controlled lance of flame, surged forth, accurately covering the target area. Where the flames passed, the fungal carpet and crystal mushrooms were instantly vaporized, leaving not even residue. The cleanup efficiency far surpassed conventional equipment, demonstrating destructive precision.