Chapter 198
Chen Mo's fingertips tapped rapidly on the temperature control panel of the constant-temperature planting shed, and the number on the screen slowly dropped from 42℃ to 28℃.
The real-time temperature outside the greenhouse has exceeded 65℃, but the thermometer inside the greenhouse remains steadily within the range suitable for crop growth. The heat-resistant glass on the roof reflects the glaring sunlight, and the ventilation fans on the greenhouse walls rotate slowly, blowing out a slightly humid breeze that contrasts sharply with the heat wave outside.
"Technician Chen, are these heat-resistant rice seeds soaked yet? If we delay sowing any longer, we won't be able to harvest the first crop!"
Planter Sister Li ran over carrying a plastic basket full of rice seeds. The rice seeds in the basket were plump, with a light brown sheen on the outer shell. They were "High Temperature No. 1" rice seeds specially allocated by the base from the Agricultural Research Institute. They can germinate in environments above 40℃ and have a maturity period 20 days shorter than ordinary rice seeds.
Chen Mo nodded and pointed to the constant temperature soaking pool next to him: "It's soaked. The water temperature is controlled at 32℃. I added a germination agent. It can be sown into the seedling trays tomorrow."
He lifted the pond cover, and the rice seeds in the water had already sprouted tiny tips. "The temperature control system of this shed is modified with heat-resistant manganese crystal chips provided by 'I am the God of Wealth'. It can automatically adjust the temperature and humidity. Even if the outside temperature reaches 70℃, the inside temperature can be kept stable at 25-30℃, which is enough for the rice seeds to grow."
Sister Li squatted down and carefully scooped the rice seeds into the seedling tray. The nutrient soil at the bottom of the tray was a special soil mixed with humus and heat-resistant powder, which could lock in moisture and prevent evaporation: "The drought-resistant spinach that we tried planting before has already sprouted. We tested it yesterday, and the taste is no different from ordinary spinach. Once this batch of rice seeds matures, the base's grain reserves can last for two more months."
She looked up at the heat-resistant glass on the roof of the greenhouse. "Thanks to the base for building these ten planting greenhouses before the polar day, otherwise relying solely on transporting grain from outside would not be enough."
Outside the planting shed, the base's engineering team was busy around a large drilling rig—its body was made of silver-gray manganese crystal alloy, resistant to high temperatures and direct sunlight, and its drill bit was a specially made third-order manganese crystal drill bit, capable of penetrating hard rock layers. Team leader Zhao Gang, wearing heat-resistant gloves, was watching the drilling rig's depth gauge: "Team Leader Wang! We've drilled to 150 meters, encountered rock strata, and the drill bit speed has decreased!"
Base Commander Wang Peng strode over, holding a portable geological detector in his hand: "Switch to high frequency mode, use the heat-resistant properties of the manganese crystal drill bit, and increase the rotation speed to 2000 rpm. I just measured it, this rock layer is not thick, and we can reach the aquifer by drilling another 5 meters."
Zhao Gang nodded and pressed the red button on the control lever. The drilling rig emitted a muffled roar, and fine rock chips splashed up from the drill bit. Although the temperature was high, the heat-resistant coating on the machine body ensured that the operator did not have to worry about getting burned.
"Water is flowing out!" Three minutes later, the team member in charge of observation suddenly shouted, and the water level gauge on the instrument panel jumped to "50L/minute" instantly. Clear groundwater flowed out through the pipe and into the stainless steel water storage tank next to it.
Wang Peng quickly took out a water quality tester and collected a water sample—the screen soon displayed "pH 7.2, no heavy metals, safe for direct consumption".
He breathed a sigh of relief: "Great! First, supply water to the planting sheds, then distribute it to the residential areas. Once the water tanks are full, send it to the underground reservoir to ensure that every area has a continuous water supply."
At a residential water supply point not far from the drilling area, Lin Xi, a third-tier water-elemental user, stood beside a huge stainless steel water tank, her arms outstretched, a pale blue aura of her ability enveloping the tank.
Her special ability allows her to condense moisture in the air into water and purify sewage. At this moment, she is further purifying the tap water in the tank while replenishing the water volume.
"Sister Lin, the water tanks in the residential area are almost empty!" The soldier in charge of delivering water ran over, holding a water supply record sheet in his hand.
Lin Xi nodded, her supernatural light intensified, and the water level in the tank rose at a visible speed: "Tell the residents that each person is limited to 20 liters per day, with priority given to the elderly and children. I just replenished 1,000 liters in the planting area, which should be enough for them for a day."
She wiped the sweat from her forehead. The heat-resistant headband on her forehead was issued by the base and could absorb sweat and cool her down. "With my superpower, I can process 5,000 liters of water a day. With the water from the well, it should be enough to last until the polar day is over."
Next to the water supply point, residents were queuing up to collect water, each holding a special water bucket provided by the base, with the words "Nancheng Official Base" printed on the bucket.
Grandpa Zhang took the water from the soldier and thanked Lin Xi, saying, "Miss Lin, thank you so much. Otherwise, in this weather, we wouldn't even have a sip of cold water." Lin Xi smiled and said, "It's what I should do. The base still has water reserves, so don't panic."
When Wang Peng inspected the water supply point and saw the residents queuing in an orderly manner, he felt more at ease. Before the polar day began, the base had made preparations in advance: it ordered 500 square meters of heat-resistant glass from the "I am the God of Wealth" online store to build a planting shed, transferred 3 manganese crystal drilling machines, and also gathered 8 water-powered individuals from the base to form a water supply team. Now it seems that these measures have worked.
"Lin Xi, what other supplies do you need? Do you still have any heat-resistant gel?" Wang Peng asked.
Lin Xi shook her head: "That's enough. I just received 10 yesterday. It's just that the energy consumption is a bit high, so I need to rest from time to time." Wang Peng nodded: "I've already asked the logistics team to prepare some high-energy nutritional supplements, which will be delivered to you later to replenish your strength."
By the way, 'I am the God of Wealth' just sent a message saying they'll be restocking a batch of heat-resistant fragments today, which can enhance the heat resistance of ability users. Go and grab some to try it out.
Lin Xi's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great! The heat-resistant agent we used before only provided temporary relief. If the fragments can enhance heat resistance, I can handle more water." Wang Peng nodded with a smile, then turned to the logistics team member next to him: "Is there enough germination agent in the planting shed? If not, get some from the backup warehouse. Don't delay the sowing."
The team member quickly replied, "That's enough. There are still 200 kilograms left, enough to sow the remaining rice seeds in the three greenhouses."
The sun was still hanging in the sky, showing no sign of setting, but everything at the Nancheng official base was in perfect order: in the planting shed, Sister Li and her team members were busy sowing seeds, and seedling trays were neatly arranged on the shelves;
In the drilling area, Zhao Gang's engineering team is drilling the second well to ensure a stable water supply.
At the water supply point, Linxi's supernatural light flashed continuously, and the residents collected water in an orderly manner, their previous panic gone.
Standing atop the base's watchtower, Wang Peng surveyed the scene, then pulled out his communicator to report to his superiors: "Everything is normal at the South City Base. Ten planting sheds have been completed, two wells have been drilled, and the daily water supply is 120 tons. The water-elemental users are functioning normally, and the residents are in stable condition. Once the heat-resistant fragments for 'I Am the God of Wealth' arrive, they will further enhance the endurance of the ability users."
The reply came from the other end of the communicator: "Okay, keep it up. Other official bases are also implementing this plan. Make sure that the supply of food and water is not interrupted during the polar day."
Wang Peng hung up the communicator and looked at the ruins in the distance—where many small-scale farmers were still struggling against the heat. He said to his adjutant, "Once the second well produces water, send a water truck team to deliver some water to the nearby small-scale farmers' settlements. Help as many as you can."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com