Chapter 71

"You actually know this?" Cole Turner's fingers trembled as he pointed at the unassuming fern.

Aria Bennett didn't even glance up. "Serrated fern. Crushed leaves can stop bleeding."

Cole, refusing to believe, pointed at seven more plants in rapid succession. Aria identified each effortlessly, even detailing their growth cycles and medicinal uses.

"No way!" Cole grabbed his short hair in frustration. "It took me five years apprenticing under my uncle to learn these!"

Tobias Kane leaned against a tree trunk, chuckling. "Looks like the 'Walking Plant Encyclopedia' title has a new owner."

Aria twirled a leaf between her fingers. "My mom's a horticulturist. I've been identifying plants since I was three."

[Live comments exploded]

[What kind of photographic memory is this?!]

[That soldier's existential crisis face is killing me]

[Is Aria cheating or something?]

Cole suddenly dropped to one knee, clasping his hands dramatically. "Master, accept this humble disciple!"

The group burst into laughter. Damian Cross's eyes gleamed with admiration. "How about Professor Aria gives us a botany lesson?"

"Yes! Way better than textbooks!" Jonah Pierce raised his hand eagerly.

The hike transformed into Aria's showcase. She explained plant characteristics while sprinkling in fascinating trivia—like how certain orchids mimic female bees to trick males into pollination, leaving everyone awestruck.

"Wait!" Cole grabbed her wrist as she reached for a plant. "That's poisonous, right?"

Aria shook the red berries in her palm. "Perfectly safe with mint leaves. Even boosts alertness." She popped one into her mouth.

Cole turned pale, but when Aria remained energetic five minutes later, he surrendered completely.

Botanists in the livestream panicked:

[Some of these remedies aren't even in academic papers!]

[Someone record this—it's priceless field research!]

Three hours later, the other guests were dragging their feet. Caleb Monroe collapsed onto the ground. "I'm done..."

"Let's camp here." Cole checked the map, then smirked. "But dinner's DIY tonight~"

Serena Blake nearly cried. Her blistered feet begged for energy bars.

"We're catching fish," Aria announced.

Kieran Doyle blinked. "Where? This is middle of nowhere."

Aria pointed southeast. "River one kilometer away. Determined by vegetation patterns and slope gradient."

The group: "......"

Is she even human?

Mason Bell timidly raised his hand. "Professor Aria... are you actually a rainforest spirit?"

[We bow to the master] flooded the screen. The director grinned at skyrocketing ratings.

"Coming?" Aria already rolled up her pants. "Fish sleep early."

Damian was first to follow. "Absolutely."

Moonlight silvered Aria's silhouette. Watching her, Cole suddenly saw the familiar jungle through new, wondrous eyes.