Chapter 25 Chapter 25 The empire is rooted in the depths of the ocean,
Dust Star has four continents and three oceans. Unlike the federal government on land, the marine orcs have formed a unique imperial government based on these three oceans.
The empire was rooted deep in the ocean and practiced royal rule. The king combined economic, political, military, religious and cultural powers and had absolute authority.
Furthermore, the Marine Orcs, in addition to controlling the Federation's economic lifeline, also possess considerable military might. In addition to a variety of well-equipped marine warships, they are also able to exploit natural phenomena such as ocean tides, undercurrents, and even tsunamis and storm surges for strategic planning.
Therefore, even the powerful Federation had to show some courtesy to them.
Mermaids are distinct from other marine creatures. Their skin is lightly pearlescent, their pupils are vibrant, their hair is richly colored, and their temperament is elegant and distinguished.
They probably had never been to the Xisha area and did not have a deep understanding of the area, so they just disguised themselves as ordinary marine orcs.
They might not know that even ordinary marine orcs rarely appear in the Xisha region. Marine orcs are generally less resistant to pollution than land-based orcs. And the Xisha region, as a severely polluted area, has long been a blacklisted area for marine orcs, a place they dare not easily set foot in.
He Yang originally had no intention of meeting them in person. He arranged for Gu Yu to be there because he was afraid that if they took any action without authorization, something uncontrollable would happen.
But after knowing that the other party was a mermaid and an imperial minister, Heyang immediately changed his mind.
As Hou Sen had said, something must have happened in the ocean. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such great lengths and rushed to the Xisha Islands. And even if they concealed their identities, the Xisha Islands couldn't afford to cause any unpleasantness. After all, the power and influence they represent cannot be underestimated.
At this time, Yarlin and his companions were suffering from the severe torture of the environment.
Although I made some preparations before coming here, only after experiencing it myself can I understand why I didn’t see any sea orcs along the way.
Only when you are actually there will you realize that all the data and textual descriptions cannot fully describe the actual situation here. The actual situation is far worse than they imagined.
They had only been here for half a day, and their original mild cough had become even worse. Everyone felt as if a feather was tickling their throat, bringing waves of itchiness.
Their lungs seemed to be constantly under some kind of pressure, making it difficult for them to breathe. To make matters worse, their pupils were red from coughing and the excessive amount of pollutants in the air. Everyone's eyes were red.
At this time, they were already in the reception room of the Xisha District Military Headquarters. Who could have imagined that even the military headquarters would be so harsh.
"Sir, we must leave the Xisha area by tomorrow at the latest." If they stayed any longer, they would be forced to return to their animal form.
Yarlin nodded. This kind of environment was a huge torture for the marine orcs.
Before arriving, they had reviewed the detailed profile of the Xisha District Chief. It's fair to say that the Xisha District has faced extreme backwardness and poverty for hundreds of years, with numerous cases of past chiefs engaging in excessive greed and amassing wealth. However, the current chief has diligently and steadily consolidated the once fragmented Xisha District into a powerful force.
When Heyang pushed the door open, he saw several people who were not in good condition.
They were indoors, also fully armed, but the multiple-layer filter masks didn't seem to be of much use.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
After a quick self-introduction, Yarlin coughed violently through his filter mask, as if coughing his lungs out. Then, he smiled and said, "Sorry, the environment here is a bit difficult for us to adapt to."
A mermaid behind him couldn't stand it any longer and asked anxiously, "Isn't there any purification equipment here?"
He Yang explained gently, "The conditions in the Xisha area are harsh and resources are limited, so purification resources can only be given priority to seriously injured soldiers."
Everyone was already accustomed to this kind of environment, so they hadn't expected it to have such a significant impact on them. However, the Xisha region hadn't hosted marine orcs in years. Fortunately, these individuals were surprisingly easier to communicate with than expected.
She pushed a few bottles of water over. "Drink some water to moisten your throat first, maybe it will feel better."
Several people looked at each other in bewilderment. They were all wearing filter masks, which made them uncomfortable. If they took them off...
Tsuruo smiled slightly, "Try it? This is a new drink developed in Gaojiang District. It is said to have a purifying effect."
After hearing this, several people took off their masks and started drinking one bottle each.
The first sip was a refreshing taste, accompanied by a unique aroma. The turbid air in my chest seemed to be swept away, and even the foreign body sensation in my throat disappeared instantly.
A bottle of water was quickly finished, and several people were immediately surprised, "Inside..."
It looks like ordinary water and tastes like it, but it has such a great purification effect!
"It's a new product that Gaojiang District will be launching soon." Heyang was in a good mood.
When Mu Yan brought it, he said it was water from mint grown indoors in a lemongrass garden, and it had excellent purifying properties. She hadn't had time to try it yet. But if even the mermaids thought it was a good thing, then there would be no problem if they brought it to market.
After feeling relaxed both physically and mentally, Yarlin stopped talking nonsense.
He directly displayed the tracker data. The coordinates and peak fluctuations on the screen clearly pointed to a location in the Xisha area. "I believe you already know why we are here. We are in the Xisha area because we have discovered something unusual here."
The area where the peak is located is Lu Chuan's home.
"Yarlin, in the name of the empire, with sincerity and highest respect, I hereby request an audience with the master of plant therapy." Yalin said to Heyang in a gentle yet dignified tone.
He Yang looked at the picture, his expression unchanged. Instead, he asked, "May I ask if something happened in the ocean that has you rushing to the Xisha area so eagerly?"
Upon hearing this, Yarlin's eyes dimmed slightly, then regained their composure. He glanced at the people behind him.
Several people quickly retreated and stood guard at the door.
Since we want to discuss cooperation, we must show sincerity.
Yaerlin took a deep breath, collected his thoughts, and then slowly spoke, "To be honest, the ocean is indeed not calm. It is precisely because of a series of unprecedented abnormal phenomena that we rushed to the Xisha area in such a hurry."
"In recent years, the seabed has experienced frequent geological changes. Cracks and collapses have appeared in some previously stable seabed areas, causing pollutants to spread further into the deep sea through these cracks, directly destroying the deep ocean ecosystem. Many deep-sea creatures have become horrifically deformed and their behavior has become extremely ferocious. Some have even become pollutants."
He Yang was suddenly a little shocked. She had never heard of this news. "You mean, there are also deformed beastmen appearing in the sea?"
Yarlin nodded. "Not only that, after being exposed to the pollution, the marine orcs developed symptoms such as skin ulcers and organ failure. Even those with strong mental strength were not immune."
She had originally thought that only the situation on land had worsened, but she hadn't expected that even the seabed hadn't been spared, and that this had actually been going on for several years. He Yang continued to ask, "Does the Federation know about this?"
"Of course, we haven't announced this to the public. You should know that if this news were released, it would definitely exacerbate public panic. So, I hope you can keep our conversation today confidential."
Tsuruo nodded in understanding, but his heart sank again.
For centuries, land-dwelling orcs have viewed the ocean as their best escape route. Current technology also allows them to breathe naturally underwater, so the idea of "living underwater" has long been a comfort to many land-dwelling orcs. But if everyone discovered that even the seabed was no longer peaceful, the impact and consequences would be incalculable.
"The triggering of the Green Singing Stone couldn't have been an accident. The last plant therapist who could trigger it this way was two hundred years ago. Land plants are far less effective than ocean plants at purifying marine orcs. With the talent that plant therapist has demonstrated, she can definitely grow ocean plants. Therefore, on behalf of the empire, I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to meet with that plant therapist."
"Lord Yarlin, you should know that there haven't been any pure humans in the Xisha District for many years. As the district chief, I have never personally seen any pure humans in the Xisha District."
Yaerlin pursed his lips slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing across his eyes. If the Xisha region refused to negotiate peacefully, then the empire would have no choice but to -
But the next second, He Yang smiled lightly, his eyes twinkling, "But if you need marine plants, Xisha District can give you some help."
*
After Ye Ning finished sprouting in the morning, she took a comfortable nap at noon and then went to the growth room.
Several of the ten plants she had planted earlier had already bloomed.
The Lala grass is small to begin with, and the flower buds that emerge are even smaller than a fingernail, but the researchers gathered around the newly emerged flower buds as if they were admiring the most precious works of art in the world.
They had been observing here for several hours. Even for lunch, they just went out to drink some nutrient solution and then ran back quickly.
Although everyone worked so tirelessly, there was only surprise, admiration and awe in their eyes, without a trace of fatigue or slackness.
The nearby camera had already been set up in the optimal observation position, recording the entire process from last night until now. Within the lens, time seemed to be infinitely stretched, recording every second of the plants' changes in detail.
Although there was no sound of any conversation, one could clearly feel the indescribable excitement and joy that permeated the air.
Ye Ning was also infected by their emotions. She walked over and stood in one of the empty seats. She said expectantly, "It looks like it will bloom soon."
The researchers around were so focused that they didn't even notice she was coming until she appeared.
When they saw it was her, they were all surprised.
In the morning, she followed Hou Sen and they didn't dare to get close to her, but now, she was standing next to them!
One person quickly said, "According to the growth rate we recorded, it will bloom in ten minutes."
Ye Ning nodded, "Then let's wait for it to bloom together."
She also sat on the floor with everyone.
Her movements were natural and fluid, without a trace of arrogance or aloofness. Such a distinguished, pure human being, unexpectedly sat with them in such a humble manner, even sitting on the floor like them! Furthermore, Professor Hou was not present, and this instantly filled the researchers present with an indescribable sense of warmth and closeness.
Everyone was curious about her, but Hou Sen had already told everyone everything in the morning, so no one dared to ask too much.
Ye Ning is very small, but she has developed some baby fat on her face over the past few years.
Her eyes are large and bright, like a clear spring, and when she smiles, it seems as if stars are dancing in them. Her soft, naturally curly hair is delicate and lovely on her head.
Such a well-behaved and cute pure human sat naturally beside them, making the researchers around them unable to help but want to look at her.
After Ye Ning noticed their gaze, she smiled at them again.
The pollution level in the growing room was extremely low. After Ye Ning sat next to them, the pollution level in the space was almost reduced to 0.
With her approaching, everyone could clearly feel that the speed of flowering seemed to have accelerated again.
Ye Ning held her chin and looked at it attentively.
A seed, from germination to flowering and fruiting, and then to the spread of seeds and the birth of a new generation of life, thus completing the life cycle given to it by nature.
Sometimes I think about how life is truly a miraculous thing. The words "just a plant" have taken on a whole new meaning in this world.
A few minutes later, a researcher whispered excitedly, "It's about to bloom."
The surface of the flower bud was covered with a layer of fine hairs. As soon as the researcher finished speaking, the flower bud seemed to have sensed some kind of call and slowly opened its petals.
The bud began to crack slightly at the tip, then gradually widened, spreading outwards one petal at a time. When the last petal fully unfolded, the bud finally blossomed into a full-blown flower. It had only a single ring of seven or eight petals, tightly clustered around the pistil. A faint fragrance emanated from the center of the pistil. The slender filaments were covered in hairs or scales, and the tops held the eye-catching yellow anthers.
This is where the flowers produce pollen. Although they are very small, they appear plump and round, with smooth and elastic outer walls. Anyone who sees them can tell that these flowers are growing very healthily.
When the flower matures, the anthers will automatically open and release the pollen inside.
"This is the first time in my life that I've seen a plant bloom..." a researcher nearby murmured to himself, his voice full of amazement.
"Yes, I've only seen it in the literature before. I never thought that I would be able to witness such a miracle with my own eyes in my lifetime."
"I have to thank Master Ye Ning for this."
Everyone looked at the flowers that had fully bloomed, their hearts filled with awe for life and infinite gratitude to Ye Ning.
Seeing that they were talking about her, Ye Ning smiled and said, "This is also the first time I've seen plants blooming here. Once we successfully cultivate a variety of plants, we'll be able to enjoy a variety of flowers."
At first she thought it was strange that people called her "sister", but they kept insisting, and after hearing it a few times, she gradually got used to it.
Everyone nodded excitedly. Making hundreds of seeds germinate at once and making plants bloom in just a few days, what else could she not do!
Ye Ning looked at the small flowers and asked, "Can we pollinate them next?"
A researcher said excitedly: "It looks like it's in good condition, but we don't have any experience in pollinating plants ourselves."
Ye Ning: "It's okay, we will grow a lot of plants soon and we will have many opportunities to practice."
Yes, yes, yes. This promise made every researcher present feel excited.
The researcher turned around and pulled out a complete set of pollination tools. These tools were specifically requested by Hou Sen from the warehouse. When they were rummaging through them, they didn't think much of them, thinking they were completely unnecessary. But they didn't expect that they would come in handy once they arrived in the Xisha Islands.
It was the first time for them to try it out. Not only the researchers themselves, but everyone else as well held their breath and dared not even make a sound.
They placed a piece of white cloth around the flower and covered it with a transparent cover to ensure that no pollen would be blown away before carefully reaching their hands in.
His movements were gentle and precise, and he paid close attention to every detail. He gently brushed the extremely fine pollination brush over the stamens, fearing that any carelessness would damage the flowers or affect the success rate of pollination.
The pollen quickly adhered to the bristles, and the rest that fell off was also collected by them.
After completing the pollen collection, he quickly moved the pollination brush to the pistil of another flower and gently applied the pollen to the stigma of the pistil.
Until the entire pollination process was over, he maintained a high level of concentration and did not dare to relax at all.
When it was finally over, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Some of the excess pollen will be preserved as samples, while some will be used for further research. Pollen itself is genetically diverse; even at the same locus, different pollen can carry different genes. This means that different pollen can produce different genetic combinations.
Therefore, some seeds are of better quality, some are of lower quality, and some may even produce certain genetic mutations. However, not all mutations are bad. Finding the right gene combination can actually be more beneficial to plant reproduction and growth.
The plants provided by Ye Ning are not only of various types, but also can perfectly present each growth stage, which directly opens a new door for the entire scientific research team to study and explore plants.
The research that had been shelved due to the lack of advanced plants has now been fully launched and is progressing smoothly.
[Congratulations, you have successfully completed the limited-time mission 'Ecological Launch'.]
[Quest Reward: Rare Plant Seed: Welwitschia*1, Plant Care Guide*1.]
Welwitschia?
Ye Ning quickly clicked on the detailed introduction.
Welwitschia: A rare plant found in the desert, its seeds are extremely difficult to germinate, but once they do, they can live for hundreds to thousands of years. Welwitschia has only two leaves throughout its life, remaining evergreen year-round. Its unique root system stabilizes sand and soil, giving it exceptional vitality and adaptability...
Ye Ning's eyes suddenly lit up. "Can this plant be left in the desert and grow?"
The little mushroom nodded and said, "Okay, but if there are monsters, they will eat it."
"It's okay, we can plant it nearby first."
There are many places covered with yellow sand in the urban area, including the place where they are. There are many abandoned buildings around, but the yellow sand can still be seen with the naked eye.
The reason why the growing room can grow so fast is because it consumes a huge amount of resources, but she certainly cannot rely solely on the growing room to grow plants.
Her ultimate goal is to find a way to plant plants in the wild so that they can grow naturally in the wild.
And that plant care guide.
【Plant Care Guide: After use, you can check the plant status in detail (3/3). 】
There was a trial function below. When Ye Ning clicked on it, she immediately saw hundreds of green dots light up before her eyes. Then an arrow indicated that she should move the manual to a green dot.
Ye Ning randomly picked a green dot closest to her.
【Ice Terrace Grass:
Health: 100% (healthy)
Moisture status: 100% (sufficient water)
Nutritional status: 100% (adequate nutrition)
Pest control: 0% (no pests)
Light satisfaction: 90% (moderate light)
Temperature suitability: 100% (within the optimal growth temperature range)]
Ye Ning:!!!
She thought it was a maintenance guide that she had to read and study carefully, but she didn't expect that the system would give her the status directly!
She walked up to the plant and examined it carefully. To be honest, the difference was so subtle that she couldn't feel it.
There was a researcher nearby, and when he saw her squatting there checking the plants, he immediately came over.
The researcher asked softly, "Is there something wrong with this plant?"
Ye Ning pointed to the ice plant in the corner and said, "It doesn't seem to get enough light."
The researcher immediately checked the data and status, and found that the plant did lack a little light because it was planted in a corner, but that little data was negligible.
While manually adjusting the light source, the researcher couldn't help but marvel in her heart. Even the detection system didn't notice the details, but she saw it at a glance. It was indeed a top-level talent!
【Light satisfaction: 100% (sufficient light)】
After the researcher made the adjustments, the data changed immediately.
It’s a pity that such a good user manual only has three chances to be used.
However, this should only be the reward for the primary task. When her level is increased and the task becomes more difficult, the rewards will definitely become richer.
The next second, Ye Ning received a new task.
Congratulations! The "Newbie Ecological Restoration Challenge" themed event has officially begun.
The end of the world has come, but life and hope endure. The Source of Life System is willing to work hand in hand with you to protect the spark of life and create a beautiful ecological future.
【Task 1: Basic Environmental Assessment】
Task Description: Please observe the environment within a 1m*1m outdoor planting area, record key information, and conduct a basic environmental assessment.
[Task Rewards: Primary Soil Conditioner*1, Basic Pest Control Equipment*1.]
System interface, and then an environmental assessment interface appeared.
The assessment mainly involves light, soil, water source, climate, etc., but each of these aspects has many different sub-details. For example, light includes the light intensity, light quality, direction, uniformity, etc. every hour of the day.
Ye Ning looked at the evaluation interface, thought for a moment, and then closed it. This task couldn't be completed in a hurry, so she decided to go grow some food first.
The researcher who had turned the soil before felt that the effect would be better after turning the soil, so he simply took a shovel and turned the soil in the entire planting room.
Some people wanted to help him, but they felt that turning the soil with other tools didn't seem to be very effective, so in the end they let him turn all the soil by himself, including her piece.
Ye Ning spent an entire afternoon planting the food she wanted to eat.
She actually didn't have to do it herself, but since they were all things she wanted to eat, she still grew them herself.
The piece of land that Hou Sen specially arranged for her was not small, it was 6 square meters in size, enough for her to grow a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Watermelon, strawberry, tomato, potato, sweet potato, cabbage... Ye Ning planted some of the free seeds given by the system, and even specially marked a piece of banana in the corner.
Of all the fruits and vegetables, watermelon should be the first to be eaten. Generally speaking, it takes about 80 to 100 days from sowing to harvesting watermelon. However, with the favorable environment here, and her supernatural powers working hard, she should be able to eat it soon. However, it certainly won't grow as fast as grass or mint.
In fact, such a variety of plants shouldn't be planted in the same field, as different plants have different growth requirements and cycles, but Ye Ning didn't care. Professional matters should be left to professionals. With so many researchers here, there will always be someone to help her take care of it.
After Ye Ning finished watering, she looked at the seeds that had begun to sprout and clapped her hands in satisfaction.
However, although the Xisha District and Gaojiang District were very satisfied, the people in the Dongxing District were extremely uncomfortable.
Because Gaojiang District suddenly released all the equipment and products that were originally planned to be released next year, the year after, or even the year after that!
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