Lena’s husband, Rajkica, stood beside his wife, his gaze just as pleading as he looked at the crowd.

The most skilled doctor among the survivors in the academy was Dr. Chen, the school physician.

But if her medical skills were that good, she wouldn’t have been working as a school doctor.

It was an awkward situation.

So... everyone immediately turned their attention to the six new doctors from the Mao Bear Country.

"Put him on the table and let us have a look."

Seeing that someone needed help, the six doctors gestured for the onlookers to step aside, allowing Lena to place the baby on the table.

The conditions were spartan. They could only wash their hands with clean water and disinfect them with alcohol before approaching the infant.

Han Ning didn’t go over to join the commotion. Instead, he sat with his two roommates on a chair in the hallway, murmuring to each other.

"I heard Ivanov Hospital is the best in the entire Mao Bear Country. The doctors there are exceptional. I wonder if they can help us solve our white mist problem."

As the one who had spearheaded the doctors’ rescue, Lin Tianhe wore a look of vicarious pride.

Chen Linyu was clearly less optimistic. "They’re definitely skilled, but I don’t think the baby can be saved. Adults are stronger and can withstand the mist’s corrosion for a short time, but if a child inhales even a tiny bit, their lungs are probably destroyed. Han Ning, did your Yin Yi treat him at all?"

"I treated him when we rescued them yesterday and removed the toxins promptly. As for whether he can be saved... I can’t say for sure."

’The lungs are hidden in the chest, so it’s impossible to see what’s really going on. But judging by how weak the baby looks, it must have had an effect.’

"Han Ning, are you signing up for the expedition?" Lin Tianhe suddenly asked.

Han Ning thought for a moment, then said, "I’ll go. The Soul Beasts near the academy are no longer a threat to Yin Yi, so I should be the most suitable candidate for the expedition. It’s a chance to make Yin Yi stronger, and I can do my part to help."

Lin Tianhe sighed. "It’s a shame my Silver Lotus Wood isn’t strong enough, or I’d go with you."

...

After the three had been chatting idly for over half an hour, the doctors gathered around the desk began to disperse.

Seeing this, Han Ning and his two roommates immediately went closer.

He saw Rajkica standing in silence while Lena’s eyes were red and puffy. He couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong?"

Lena said through her sobs, "The doctors did everything they could... My baby will only live until tomorrow morning, at most..."

"I’m sorry, Lady Lenna," the white-haired Dr. Sumarokov said helplessly. "We lack the proper medicine and equipment here. Even though we’ve identified the problem, we can’t treat him."

"Have you tried having the baby form a contract with a Soul Beast?" Lin Tianhe suddenly interjected.

"A baby forming a contract with a Soul Beast?" The others were stunned.

"Is a newborn baby even conscious? Can it actively form a contract with a Soul Beast?" Han Ning asked doubtfully.

"We won’t know unless we try." Dean Wu, for one, thought Lin Tianhe’s suggestion had merit. He scanned the room, but then his brow furrowed. "But after the great flood, where are we going to find a Silver Lotus Wood for him?"

Never mind the Silver Lotus Wood near the academy; the vast majority of Soul Beasts had been washed away to who-knows-where by the floodwaters.

"What about the Tree Spirits we caught outside the West Gate? They’re being kept in the room next door," Lü Xiuning suggested.

Han Ning immediately shook his head. "No way. Those Tree Spirits are too aggressive. Back then, even Shi Ming and his group had a hell of a time just to form a contract with a Little Tree Spirit. A frail infant would probably be killed instantly."

"Then what do we do...?"

Everyone fell silent...

Another batch of Guardians had since hatched, and although they hadn’t formed contracts yet, they were already spoken for.

Han Ning took a deep breath and spoke up. "I have an idea. Let’s have Lady Lenna try to form a contract with one of the Tree Spirits in that room."

"But isn’t the baby the one who’s hurt?" Lin Tianhe asked, confused.

However, some of the others in the hallway wore thoughtful expressions.

"Lena is his mother, and the baby is still breastfeeding, right?" Han Ning asked.

"Yes, he’s only two months old," Lena replied.

"Forming a contract with a Tree Spirit will strengthen Lena’s body. We can then find some nourishing items to feed the Tree Spirit, which will make Lena stronger and stronger."

Han Ning laid out his idea. "For an infant, breast milk is the best food for replenishing Energy. The milk she produces should become rich in nutrients. We can try this method to slowly help the baby recover his strength and repair the damage to his lungs."

"Has the method for contracting a Soul Beast appeared in your mind?"

Lena nodded. "You mean that strange bit of information? ...It appeared this morning."

Dean Wu made the call immediately. "It’s a viable plan. Let’s try it."

Rajkica and Lena didn’t quite understand what was being said, but they dazedly followed Dean Wu to the door of a room.

Dean Wu gripped the doorknob and spoke with grave sincerity.

"Lena, you need to be careful. The Tree Spirits inside are somewhat aggressive, but they won’t cause you any life-threatening harm. Do your best to build a rapport with one of them, then use the method that appeared in your mind to form a contract. Understand?"

"Mr. Wu, can’t I go in instead of my wife?" Rajkica asked, grabbing Dean Wu’s hand.

"...Mr. Rajkica, are you capable of lactating?" Dean Wu asked, his expression helpless.

"No." Rajkica stammered, taking a step back.

"If you can’t, then it has to be Lady Lenna."

Lena gritted her teeth and nodded firmly. "I’ll do it!"

She handed the baby to Rajkica and, after listening to Dean Wu’s repeated warnings, walked into the Tree Spirit cultivation room, which was filled with dirt.

To improve Lena’s chances of success, the others didn’t crowd around to watch. They closed the door and waited quietly outside.

...

A strange, crackling clamor sounded from behind the door.

After about ten minutes...

There was a knock from inside the room.

Dean Wu opened the door.

Lena walked out, her face covered in red scratches. She was holding a small, dark Tree-man, just over 20 centimeters tall.

The little Tree-man sat quietly in Lena’s arms, just like the baby beside her.

"Dean Wu, I succeeded." Lena gently squeezed one of the little Tree-man’s soft branches, a hearty smile, characteristic of the women of her hardy people, spreading across her face.

The crowd was silent.

"Incredible, just incredible!" Dean Wu couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up. He fumbled inside his coat and pulled out a thumb-sized Green Crystal Stone, handing it to Lena. "This is a Crystal Stone with the same Attributes as a Little Tree Spirit. Feed it to him, then breastfeed your son in a little while. Let’s see if his condition improves."

"It’s all I can do to help."

"Thank you, thank you, Dean Wu. Thank you, everyone." Lena accepted the Crystal Stone, her eyes welling up with tears. She and her husband bowed repeatedly to the crowd before them.