18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 244

While walking with Collin did slow things down, it also brought about some unexpected gains. Jasper gave it some thought and suggested, "We haven't found all the ingredients we need for our medicine yet. We'll have to go back tomorrow."

And so, the group began their ascent up the mountain.

Halfway up the slope, Collin suddenly burst with excitement. "Jasper, this is the Starthorn Leaf you were looking for."

The plant was still a seedling, not even half the size of a palm. It wasn't mature enough to be used in medicine and would need at least six months of careful cultivation. Collin carefully dug it up and handed it over to Jasper, sharing with him the proper way to plant it.

They took breaks when they were tired, and layered their clothes according to the weather changes. It was as if they were participating in a fashion show. The temperature was close to 40 degrees at noon, but it was nearly freezing by nightfall.

The seedling was precious, and Collin was worried that the cold would kill it. He took off his windbreaker, intending to use it to keep the seedling warm. Stella had a better idea, and took out a thermal blanket from her backpack. "Use this," she suggested.

They were valuable assistants to the professor. If they were to fall sick in this place, the chances of successfully developing the anti-smog virus drug would diminish.

Collin thanked them profusely, and the rest of the group helped to wrap the seedling in the thermal blanket.

Time was precious, and no one complained about fatigue. The work didn't even stop when it got cold.

Although it was chilly, the group had been through worse. However, the frequent temperature changes made them uncomfortable, causing headaches and muscle aches that felt like flu symptoms. They quickly made a fire and cooked some food.

Stella and Jasper were fine. Their physical condition was much better than the rest of the group. Cooper and Rosie were doing well, thanks to the thermal clothing that kept them from panting.

"Maybe we should take a break?"

Stella was feeling drowsy due to her internal body clock, and they had been walking for a while.

Collin and the rest didn't object, so everyone began to set up their tents.

Over roasted bread and water, Stella steered the conversation towards lung and liver diseases. "Collin, I have a family member who lived in a city with serious smog issues. As they've aged, their lung and liver functions have deteriorated. Do you know of any medicine that could help?"

"Liver and lung problems can be difficult to deal with..."

Collin provided several remedies, including verified folk recipes that were all helpful for the liver and lungs.

Stella listened carefully and memorized all of the formulas. However, she didn't hear him mention Dragonlily.

In an attempt to steer the conversation, Stella asked, "On this trip, my relative asked me to look for Dragonlily. They said it's a secret folk recipe and very effective. Is it truly beneficial?"

"Dragonlily is indeed effective, but it's very picky about its growing environment. Due to rapid social development and pollution in the past few decades, even artificially cultivated Dragonlily has a low success rate. That's why it's slowly disappearing."

Stella politely asked, "Besides Dragonlily, are there any other rare and highly effective herbs?"

"There's no such thing as a 'miracle drug.' Only by combining different herbs can we maximize their effects."

Stella was aware of this, of course, but Jasper couldn't remember the name of the crucial herb they needed.

Given that there were over 13,000 types of herbs, many of which were rarely used or nearly extinct, even an expert like Collin couldn't accurately guess what they were looking for.

Stella was a bit frustrated. She had been searching all day to no avail. She could only hope for better luck in the future.

As the weather got colder, everyone retreated to their tents to sleep. Despite not being in a rush, Stella still valued efficiency. After a two-hour nap to restore their energy, they packed up their tents and continued their search.

The higher they climbed, the fewer herbs they found. When they reached the top, they saw a lake that had been formed by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. The area was barren and desolate, just a wasteland of dead trees and fallen leaves.

Collin stood on the mountaintop, his heart heavy with sorrow. "How did our homeland become like this?" he lamented.

Everyone felt a sense of sadness, but life had to go on.

Instead of retracing their steps, they chose to descend the mountain via a different path.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, it was noon and the temperature had risen to 40 degreeas once again. They found a shady spot to rest and began to divide the herbs they had

gathered.

Stella was not greedy. She divided the herbs according to the number of people in the group, and she and Jasper received one third.

For herbs that were plentiful, they divided them according to quantity. For those that only had two plants, they split it in half. For those that only had one plant, Stella was willing to let Collin's group have it, but she still wanted to make a good impression. "You guys cultivate it first. When it has grown, you can share some with us."

Stella pulled Jasper aside. "We didn't find the life-saving herb. We'll have to make a trip to Mount Murray."

A trip during the constant daylight period posed less of a risk. If they were to wait until the period of eternal night or smog, it could definitely cost them their lives.

As Jasper hesitated, Stella said, "If you insist on going alone and something happens to you, what will Rosie and I do? I know you want to protect us, but no one can protect anyone else for their entire life in this post-apocalyptic world. Besides, if I come with you, you'll be safer, right?"

Jasper looked worried. "What about Rosie and Cooper?"

"Isn't it more worrying to leave them in Eastwood Eden? We'll bring them along. We'll just need to keep a close eye on them."

After thinking it over, Jasper agreed. He looked at Collin and the others. "We need to pass through Swan Hill on our way to Mount Murray. There are more bandits in this area, and it's not safe for them to carry so many herbs. How about we accompany them part of the way?"

Since Jasper had spoken, Stella found it difficult to refuse. Moreover, the herbs they brought back ultimately benefited the survivors. There might have even been medicine to treat the smog disease.

"Alright."

So, Jasper said to Collin, "We have something to attend to in Swan Hill. It is on our way. Do you mind if we accompany you for a stretch?"

Having barely escaped from the bandits the previous day, Collin's group was worried about how they would return home. When they heard Jasper's offer, they were overjoyed. "Thank you so much. We really appreciate it."

"You guys wait here. We'll go get the car."

Then Jasper and the rest decided to walk to get the car.

After about a ten-minute stroll, Jasper, Rosie, and Cooper stopped for a quick bite on the roadside. Stella came driving around the bend in her car.

With too many people to fit comfortably, the Hummer was packed to the brim. Jasper was at the wheel, Stella held Rosie on the passenger seat, Cooper squeezed beneath the seats, and Collin and the others were squished in the back row.

It was a tricky seating arrangement, but at least it was safe. If they tried to walk back, the path was fraught with danger, and making it back to the research institute in one piece was far from guaranteed.

Mountain Murray wasn't too far from Swan Hill, just about 25 miles. A highway drive would be a breeze, taking no more than half an hour. But the highways were destroyed, forcing them to take the old roads, constantly switching routes.

The Hummer was a sturdy vehicle, but it was undeniably a target. As they drove along, a rock suddenly smacked against the passenger-side window.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.