By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 262 Botanist: Is This Reasonable? [Two-in-One]

The desolate mountains and wilderness were sparsely populated, and as far as the eye could see, everything was covered with vegetation.

As altitude increases, it becomes increasingly difficult for vegetation to grow into towering trees, but the situation is somewhat complicated here.

Bomi is known as the "Jiangnan of Tibet," and its altitude is relatively lower compared to other plateau regions.

On the other hand, the more important reason is that the warm and humid air currents from the Indian Ocean penetrate deep into the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, bringing abundant rainfall. At the same time, the region is rich in glacial meltwater, which has created a unique high-altitude humid climate.

Therefore, the vegetation here is very lush, and with such lush vegetation, all sorts of rare and precious plants also grow here.

Yuan Ke is a renowned botanist in China and the academic leader of several plant research projects.

This trip was very fruitful, yielding information about the world-renowned endangered natural anti-cancer plant, the yew, and the national second-class protected plant, the *Cymbidium goeringii*.

However, this trip also had some regrets.

While climbing a ridge, he discovered through binoculars a species of lady's slipper orchid that resembled a Bomi lady's slipper orchid but was different from the varieties he had seen before... It seemed to be a completely new species that had never been discovered before.

If it can be verified, it will have enormous scientific research value.

On the one hand, it can increase the list of discovered rare plant species, and on the other hand, it provides certain research value for the climate change and plant growth variation caused by glacial melting in recent years.

Of course, there is also a wealth of deeper value, but the more so, the more regrettable it becomes.

When he got closer, he realized that it was a high place with cliffs on three sides.

They either had to go around to get there from another location and then back down, or they had to find a way to climb up a cliff tens of meters high.

Both methods were too difficult for a researcher like him.

As a researcher, it's impossible to come here alone.

Yuan Ke also had a local guide, who was a staff member of the local forestry bureau.

However, their trip lasted less than two days before the guide caught a cold and developed a fever, and was currently at the campsite.

He had to plead with the guide for quite a while before he was allowed to act alone for a short time.

At this point, after leaving the glacial valley, there are two directions: one is to return to one's own camp and find the guide to return home.

But his gaze drifted in another direction...

Huh, someone's here?

……

Seeing living people in such a desolate place is a very reassuring and comforting thing, making people feel that there are indeed human traces in the wilderness.

Both Yuan Ke and Liu Li had this experience, but for Li Younan, this sense of security was not so obvious.

Because even if he walked all the way here, it wouldn't be much different from strolling through his own garden.

The other person was a middle-aged man wearing glasses. He looked rather scholarly and seemed to exercise regularly. He was not thin and appeared to be around 40 years old. Although he was past his prime, he still gave off a very energetic vibe.

After the other party explained that they were a plant researcher, Li Younan thought that perhaps because they often traveled around, they were somewhat different from researchers who stayed in the laboratory most of the time.

Yuan Ke's gaze, however, fell upon the owl that Li Younan and Liu Li had brought.

Unlike Li Younan and Liu Li, Tuantuan tensed up immediately upon seeing Yuan Ke. Her feathers bristled, making her look like a fluffy ball, and she stared at Yuan Ke warily before Li Younan tapped her on the head.

Immediately, the owl lost its temper and turned away angrily.

Yuan Ke was dumbfounded when she saw this.

After a moment, he asked, "This...this is a eagle owl?"

"Hmm, do you also study this type of bird?"

"Hehe, our circle is interconnected in many ways, and I also know quite a few well-known zoologists in China."

Yuan Ke observed carefully and found that the owl's wing fracture was very obvious, but the way the deck was fixed was very professional, which surprised even Yuan Ke, a researcher who occasionally participates in the rescue of wild animals.

It's important to understand that most people wouldn't have such skillful techniques unless they regularly rescue wild animals, especially since the techniques can vary greatly depending on the species, such as birds or felines.

What he didn't know was that Li Younan possessed butchering skills, which gave him an intimate knowledge of the anatomy of any animal. He was the best butcher, but equally, he was also an excellent veterinarian when it came to rescuing these animals.

If necessary, with his knowledge of plants, he can easily find medicinal plants in the wild and become a truly professional veterinarian with just a little tinkering.

Yuan Ke's attention naturally fell on the owl. However, Liu Li noticed that the other party kept looking at her owl and began to have doubts. She explained, "We, we found this injured owl."

Yuan Ke was somewhat surprised. He looked at Liu Li and then realized what Liu Li was worried about. He laughed and said, "Don't worry, don't worry, I haven't misunderstood anything."

"Do you often rescue wild animals?" Yuan Ke asked, focusing her gaze on Li Younan.

Li Younan thought for a moment: "I wouldn't say it's frequent. I once made a tiny, insignificant contribution to controlling the bison population and adjusting the food chain system in the grizzly bear's area in Canada."

Yuan Ke was immediately filled with respect, never expecting that this person was not only a colleague, but also a colleague with overseas experience.

He excitedly took out his business card and handed it to Li Younan: "If there are any research projects in the future, we can discuss them and form an expedition team together."

When Liu Li heard Li Younan talking nonsense with a straight face, her eyes widened. She wanted to laugh but dared not, so she could only force herself to hold it in and reached out to pat Tuantuan's head.

But as soon as she touched the feather, she suddenly remembered that Li Younan had repeatedly emphasized not to touch Tuantuan casually, and her heart skipped a beat.

Fortunately, the owl didn't peck at her or scratch her with its claws.

Liu Li grew a little bolder, but she felt guilty for disobeying him. She secretly glanced at Li Younan and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he wasn't paying attention to them.

She carefully observed Tuan Tuan's claws, which were surprisingly large, with long hooks that gleamed coldly.

Liu Li muttered softly, "Tuantuan, you can't bully me, okay? I'm the one who named you..."

Li Younan blinked and silently accepted the business card.

"What are your plans for the future?"

“We plan to visit the glaciers over there. Oh, we’re just here for a simple trip. I’m a professional traveler.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ke enthusiastically said, "I just came down from the glacial valley, let me be your guide."

"Uh...this..."

"It's alright, it's alright, don't be so polite. There's a bit of a difficult road to walk up there. Since it's your first time here, I can help you avoid taking many detours."

"Uh, well... okay then."

Li Younan felt somewhat helpless, but it wasn't easy for her to refuse.

The three of them then headed towards the glacial valley.

Along the way, they naturally encountered many plants, and Liu Li looked around with great curiosity.

As before, Li Younan casually introduced some common plants to Liu Li: "This thing is called a walnut tree. It is a tree species that has both economic and ecological benefits. Its fruit is edible, and its wood is very suitable for making farm tools or carving."

What is that very tall tree over there?

Li Younan merely raised his eyes and casually said, "XZ Redwood. This tree can grow up to 40 meters tall and is a relatively rare deciduous conifer in this primeval forest. This tree is mainly distributed near the treeline at altitudes above 3500 meters. It is extremely cold-resistant and can even take root on rocky slopes, so you can see that there are no other tree species around it."

"What about this?"

"This is called Rhodiola rosea. We're almost in the meadow area. It's one of the few plants that can grow on the edge of a primeval forest. It's the native shrub of Rhodiola rosea, which helps alleviate altitude sickness in snowy areas."

Li Younan glanced at them and casually described the characteristics of the plants. This was just a habit, because he and Liu Li had always interacted in this way.

Meanwhile, Yuan Ke gradually fell silent, because even a professional botanist like him could not possibly know every plant in detail and describe the habits of each one so precisely.

At this moment, Li Younan seemed to realize something and turned to Yuan Ke, saying, "Oh, Teacher Yuan, if I said anything wrong, please criticize and correct me."

Yuan Ke then came to his senses and coughed, "I didn't expect that Teacher Li would have such a deep understanding of plants."

……

The altitude increases significantly from here on out.

Liu Li gently rubbed her temples: "Li Younan, my head feels a little sore... Did I get sick last night?"

Li Younan reached out and touched Liuli's forehead with the back of his hand, then shook his head: "There shouldn't be any problem, you're just a little short of breath."

"Huh? Am I short of oxygen?"

Li Younan smiled – this girl was being protected too well by him; when she was living in the RV, she was basically in an oxygen chamber.

This adventure, though not actually at a high altitude in the forest, really started to get quite challenging.

Li Younan took the oxygen concentrator out of his backpack and held it in his hand. Then he turned it on and, without saying a word, inserted the tube into Liu Li's nose: "If you can't hold on anymore, or if the road ahead becomes difficult, we can go back. Don't force yourself."

This scene shocked Yuan Ke once again... Ah, no, isn't a portable oxygen concentrator weighing several kilograms meant to be used in a car?
They brought it out looking so fresh and clean?
Is this reasonable?

In high-altitude areas like this, the lighter the load, the better, right?
His gaze lingered on Li Younan's bulging, heavy backpack for a while, then he looked at his own small, portable backpack and fell silent.

He was exhausted after walking for so long, but Li Younan seemed completely unaffected, as if he were taking a stroll in a garden, without even breaking a sweat.

Is this reasonable?

Liu Li was filming Li Younan with a camera, panting as she filmed.

Continuing upwards, we finally reached the edge of the glacier.

This is a very touching scene.

The glacier in sight is a giant sapphire frozen by time, its surface covered with snow that never melts.

The ice layer was not a flat sheet, but was covered with cracks of varying depths, with a deep blue hue emanating from the depths of the cracks.

The wind, carrying the unique chill of the glacier and a faint trace of ice crystals, swept over us. In the distance, the glacier tongue stretched down from the mountainside, and the melting ice water at its edges gathered into small streams.

In fact, if Li Younan had come here alone, he might have chosen to go further in.

He remembered the adventurer who had tragically died in a place like this.

Continuing deeper into the glacier, you'll see many sights that are like a new world; this is a truly unexplored and breathtakingly beautiful secret realm.

However, because Liu Li was with him, Li Younan thought it would be enough to stop there.

He was certainly very confident in himself, but with Liu Li by his side, things would become a bit more complicated.

Liu Li isn't the kind of girl who would cause trouble for others, but we also have to objectively acknowledge that her physical condition isn't that good.

However, the two still walked around the edge of the glacier wearing crampons until they were blocked by an ice wall several meters high.

Yuan Ke failed to keep up during this process.

He didn't have crampons, and since he studied plants, he naturally wouldn't wander onto the glacier. So he waited for Li Younan and the others at the edge of the glacier. The scenery there was magnificent, and Li Younan took several nice photos of Liu Li with his camera.

During this time, the owl Tuan Tuan looked at the two of them with a blank expression, and no longer showed any of its initial panic and desire to escape. Even when Li Younan opened the cage, it just stood there quietly, tilting its head to look at them.

Logically speaking, owls are highly nearsighted during the day and can't see things very clearly. In their field of vision, they probably just see two figures moving around. Only when you get close will they take a good look at the two people.

Liu Li couldn't resist patting the owl's head again.

However, this time it took place under Li Younan's watchful eye.

The eagle owl's feathers are fluffy and soft, and its head is round, making it very comfortable to touch.

Of course, Li Younan was prepared to beat up the eagle owl at any moment... as long as it dared to show any intention of pecking Liu Li.

After Liu Li happily finished stroking the eagle owl's feathers, it turned its head with incredible agility and winked at Li Younan.

Li Younan slowly lowered his raised hand to his head, gently scratched it, and said in an annoyed tone, "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a handsome guy scratch his head before?"

It took two full days of trekking to get here, but the actual time spent here to explore and stay didn't seem to be as much as I had imagined.

Nevertheless, Liu Li was still very happy about the trip.

When we came down from the glacier, Yuan Ke was still waiting there.

Upon seeing Li Younan and Liu Li come down, they warmly greeted them.

Li Younan said, "Thank you for coming up with us."

Although it was somewhat unnecessary for Yuan Ke to accompany them up, Li Younan naturally had to express his gratitude politely since the other party meant well.

Yuan Ke shook his head, showing a good sense of self-awareness: "I can tell you're someone who often goes on long hikes. Whether it's physical strength or wilderness knowledge, I think you're quite rich, even more so than my guide. It's the same whether I'm here or not, hahaha."

Yuan Ke's way of speaking made Li Younan feel more favorably toward her, and she changed the subject to other topics: "It's quite troublesome to conduct research on plants or animals in such a high-altitude, deep forest."

"That's right. So even with today's advanced technology, there are still many plants or animals that we haven't discovered."

He then sighed with some emotion, "I just found what might be a new species of plant on that ridge, but unfortunately, it's inaccessible. I was thinking maybe I could go back to the county town and bring back some professional equipment."

Li Younan raised an eyebrow slightly: "What kind of place?"

“Oh, it’s on a cliff with three sides.” He pointed to a hillside not far away. “You can see it with binoculars if you climb up that hillside.”

Li Younan squinted and thought for a moment, then said, "Take me there and have a look."

Yuan Ke assumed that Li Younan was also a botanical enthusiast, since what ordinary, respectable person would know so much about those strange and unusual plants? That's why he showed such a strong interest.

In a sense, Li Younan was a kindred spirit to him.

Upon hearing Li Younan's suggestion, Yuan Ke immediately agreed and led Li Younan and Liu Li toward the hillside.

After reaching the top of the hill, Yuan Ke handed his high-powered binoculars to Li Younan and pointed him in the right direction.

Li Younan looked up through his binoculars and indeed saw a plant on the cliff. His eyes flickered, and he slowly lowered the binoculars, but shook his head: "It is indeed a precious plant, but it is not a new species. It is the already discovered Bomi Cypripedium.

Yuan Ke frowned immediately.

What excited him so much was that he felt he had discovered a new variety, but Li Younan was so certain that it was just an ordinary Bomi Cypripedium.

Although the Bourmi Cypripedium is already an extremely rare species, the fact that it has been discovered before diminishes the excitement considerably.

Yuan Ke hesitated for a moment before saying, "No way, I see that it doesn't have the spiral curls on both sides, and the swollen lip is also different from the usual Bourmi Cypripedium."

Li Younan smiled and didn't argue: "What you see through the telescope will be a bit distorted. How about we go up and take a look, and you'll see."

Yuan Ke immediately shook his head: "We can't get to that place."

Li Younan simply said calmly, "It's quite easy to get on board."

Liu Li asked curiously, "What kind of plant is that? Is it very precious?"

Li Younan nodded: "The Bomi Cypripedium must rely on a symbiotic relationship with specific fungi to germinate and grow, and it also needs specific insects for pollination, so its numbers are extremely rare."

Seeing that Li Younan casually mentioned the precious properties of the Bomi Cypripedium, Yuan Ke felt a mix of emotions.

On the one hand, he thought Li Younan was very professional, but on the other hand, he was still a little unwilling to give up—it was clearly a new variety that had not been discovered.

Li Younan looked at Yuan Ke: "It won't take long, let's go take a look."

However, Yuan Ke still had reservations about the idea of ​​"going over to take a look".

He felt that it was impossible to climb up that place, but seeing Li Younan's insistence, he knew very well that people who could achieve certain results in a field were often stubborn, confident, or even arrogant. He knew that persuasion was unlikely to work, and that people would only believe it after seeing the reality. Even he himself was like that.

Therefore, he stopped stopping Li Younan.

Soon, the three of them arrived at the foot of the cliff that Yuan Ke had mentioned.

The almost vertical mountain wall is twenty or thirty meters high, and there is no way to climb it.

Yuan Ke smiled helplessly, with an expression that said, "See? I told you so."

He checked the time and figured it was about time to go down. The guide must be getting impatient by now, so he prepared to speak.

However, at that moment, Li Younan began to take off his backpack.

He took off his backpack and showed it to Liu Li, then did a few simple warm-up exercises.

This scene left Yuan Ke speechless, her expression blank for a moment.
Wait, what is this guy doing?

Is he really planning to climb up there? This place is over 3500 meters above sea level, and he's facing an almost sheer cliff!

Is this reasonable?

At this moment, Li Younan put on a pair of gloves.

For him, the small cliff in front of him was not challenging at all, after all, his rock climbing skills had reached an exaggerated level three.

Theoretically speaking, if there is any mountain in the world that one person can climb, then he can definitely climb it; however, the mountain that he can climb may not be climbed by anyone else.

Liu Li said with some concern, "Be careful."

Li Younan calmly shrugged: "Don't worry, there won't be any problems."

Yuan Ke hurriedly said nervously, "Teacher Li, you...you...you're not going to climb up there with your bare hands, are you?"

"It won't take more than a few minutes."

That's not what I meant!

"Teacher Yuan, could you please move aside?"

"Uh……"

While Yuan Ke's brain was still malfunctioning, Li Younan took a running start and leaped up the cliff face.

When Yuan Ke and Liu Li came to their senses again, Li Younan was already three or four meters high, with one hand gripping a protruding rock, his whole body hanging on the cliff face.

Next, Li Younan climbed up with ease, just like a monkey.

He didn't climb step by step; with a gentle pull, he could leap a distance upwards.

For climbers of Li Younan's caliber, climbing slower doesn't necessarily mean greater safety. On the contrary, planning a route and climbing up in one go saves energy and allows them to use explosive power to quickly reach a safer place.

Yuan Ke craned her neck and soon saw Li Younan's figure disappear into the stone wall.

Huh? Is this reasonable?

A short while later, Li Younan's voice came from above: "I've arrived."

At this moment, Li Younan had already arrived in front of the plant.

The unique flower, with its swollen lip, resembles a delicate pale yellow slipper, adorned with purplish-brown markings, and its petals spiraling on both sides.

Li Younan sighed softly.

He hoped he had misjudged, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a Bomi Cypripedium that had already been discovered.

Li Younan did not collect any samples; he simply took a few photos with his camera and then went downstairs.

After showing the photo to Yuan Ke, Yuan Ke's last glimmer of hope vanished. He looked at Li Younan with a complicated expression, but in any case, he was very grateful to Li Younan.

He quickly adjusted his mindset and exclaimed, "Discovering a new species isn't such an easy thing!"

Li Younan smiled and said, "That's why it's so surprising when a new variety is actually discovered."

Next came the return journey.

On their return journey, Li Younan and Yuan Ke naturally exchanged some thoughts about plants.

The more they talked, the more Yuan Ke was shocked by Li Younan's unfathomable knowledge, and some of his knowledge even reached areas where he was blind.

He could hardly believe that someone without formal training could have such profound knowledge of botany.

He exclaimed, "To be honest, Professor Li, your level is more than enough to make you a professor at our university."

Li Younan laughed heartily: "Compared to attending classes, I still prefer to wander around outside."

Yuan Ke said with deep emotion and seriousness, "You are not an ordinary traveler, you are a true traveler!"

While the two were chatting, Liu Li couldn't get a word in edgewise, so she shrank back and teased the owl.

Li Younan glanced at Liu Li, then suddenly remembered something and said to Yuan Ke, "By the way, Teacher Yuan, are you familiar with the forestry bureau staff here?"

"What's wrong with this?"

Li Younan pointed to the owl and said, "I want to adopt this owl, but the procedures are quite difficult to complete."

At that moment, Yuan Ke understood what Li Younan meant.

Clearly, Li Younan distrusts the local animal protection agencies.

It makes sense, considering Li Younan's extensive knowledge and practical skills; the owl would be better able to be rescued if it stayed by his side.

Yuan Ke greatly admires that a traveler, despite having limited energy, is still willing to contribute his efforts to protecting wild animals.

Before Li Younan could continue, he nodded and said, "I understand what you mean. I can help coordinate this and help you get the legal adoption documents."

Li Younan blinked. Was it really that easy?

(End of this chapter)