Chapter 129 Experimental Field

Chapter 129: Chapter 128: Experimental Field

"The oppressive aura you’re giving off kind of feels like Mr. Han’s," a vice president clicked his tongue in wonder.

"No, no, no. I’m still lightyears away from being on Mr. Han’s level," Vice President Zhao laughed, shrinking his body back down. He lifted his Water Jet Melon and planted a heavy kiss on its fruit. "Thanks to you, little guy."

"So it seems that when the Energy within an Awakened accumulates to a certain point, a qualitative change occurs," Chairman Wu said thoughtfully.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s keep hunting! I want a qualitative change too," one of them said, while the others looked eager to jump into action.

With the Water Jet Melons cultivated by Han Ning, their hunting efficiency had greatly improved. The Elite Black Snakes and snake swarms that previously required several people working together to barely fend off could now be easily wiped out.

"Kill!" Vice President Zhao picked up his flowerpot and took the lead, marching toward the corpses of the Elite Black Snakes.

***

[Druid growth progress +1, Current Level 7, 1354/4000]

***

[Druid growth progress +22, Current Level 7, 1625/4000]

"Oh? It looks like Chairman Wu’s group has already started their killing spree. Not bad efficiency."

Meanwhile, inside the office building, Han Ning’s expression shifted slightly. He was currently providing Support to Professor Ye in planting rice. Without even needing to step outside, he received a guaranteed share of experience through his Soul Contract with his Animal Companion.

After two days of rapid cultivation, he had used five Energy Crystals to grow another five relatively normally developed Water Jet Melons, along with their corresponding High-Energy Soil, signing contracts with each of them one by one. Because the Awakened at Biyun Resort urgently needed Melons with high destructive power, all five were Water Jet Melons.

Han Ning was currently standing on the second floor of the office building. Below him, the first floor was mostly submerged in floodwater.

At the stairwell, snow cake’s body was half-submerged in the water, the earthy-yellow Crystal Scale on its forehead shimmering with flowing light. The thick mud beneath it seemed to be stirred by an invisible hand, flying out of the water in clumps. As they floated, the soil was extracted from the mud, falling with a soft rustle onto the relatively dry floor of the second story.

Gradually, under snow cake’s manipulation, a space of just over a hundred square meters on the second floor was filled with a thick, roughly one-meter-deep layer of relatively dry soil. The area wasn’t large; it served as a preliminary experimental field. If the environment didn’t permit it, making it too large would just be a waste of effort.

Next, Professor Ye directed several ordinary people to mix in bags of regular compost.

"Spread it evenly and pack it down." Professor Ye’s voice echoed through the empty floor.

A few ordinary people with rolled-up pant legs stood barefoot in the cold, slippery mud, trudging unevenly as they spread and compacted the mixed soil.

Two Awakened who had awakened weak Water Abilities stood near the flooded stairwell, pressing their hands toward the murky water surface. They pushed themselves to mobilize the meager Energy within their bodies. The water surface rippled slightly, and under their control, thin streams of relatively pure water flowed into the spread-out dirt.

Throughout the entire process, Professor Ye constantly checked the soil-to-water mixture ratio. He only signaled for everyone to stop once the soil texture reached a perfect balance between sandy and clay.

"You can start sowing the seeds," he directed.

At Professor Ye’s command, the ordinary people evenly scattered rice seeds from their cloth bags into the moist soil. Most of them were older and had solid farming experience, making them suitable candidates carefully selected by Professor Ye.

Once everyone had finished sowing the seeds, Professor Ye looked at the young man beside him. "Boss, I leave it to you."

Han Ning nodded and walked to the edge of the field. He stretched out both hands, palms facing downward. A soft green light cascaded from his palms and seeped into the soil.

Specks of tender green sprouted from the moist earth at a visible rate. Slender shoots broke through the surface, growing rapidly and unfurling their leaves as they transitioned from pale yellow to emerald green. In just a dozen seconds, the bare mud was covered by a vibrant, lush patch of rice seedlings, which then naturally stopped growing.

The rice seeds stored in the seed bank were, at best, a double-cropping variety. Due to their long growth cycle, a single cast of Rapid Growth couldn’t catalyze them straight to full maturity.

Professor Ye stepped forward, stood in the center of the rice field, and raised his arms. A speck of pure golden light ignited between his palms. The light grew increasingly intense, eventually coalescing into a fist-sized golden sphere hovering an inch above his hands. It radiated a warm glow, illuminating the space like a miniature sun.

"Go!" Professor Ye pushed the dazzling ball of golden light into the air above the rice field. As the golden light cascaded down, every seedling was bathed in a faint golden radiance.

Although Han Ning’s ability nourished the plants—rendering their need for sunlight seemingly less crucial—Professor Ye did this for two reasons: firstly, to train his own abilities, and secondly, to see if these rice seedlings would undergo any special changes under ample illumination.

"Thanks for your hard work, everyone. Go back and rest." Professor Ye withdrew his gaze from the floating golden light above and nodded to the people beside him. He then turned to Han Ning. "Boss, it’s hunting time. I need to head out with Xu Ming. See you later."

"See you." Han Ning waved at him.

Having finished their agricultural tasks, Professor Ye and Xu Ming didn’t skip a beat. Under snow cake’s protection, they immediately headed out to hunt. The others at Biyun Resort were constantly hunting to grow stronger; as Han Ning’s direct subordinates, they couldn’t afford to fall behind. Han Ning didn’t follow them, knowing that snow cake’s protection would be more than enough for the two of them.

***

On the east side of the office building lay a relatively shallow water area. Han Ning waded through the water alone, not stopping until the water level barely reached his calves.

Choosing a spot with shallow floodwater, he lay face down. The freezing water soaked his clothes, bringing a bone-chilling cold, but he seemed completely oblivious to it. He closed his eyes and pressed his cheek against the rough, cold, and wet mud, as if listening to the Earth’s heartbeat. His breathing gradually became long and steady, faintly aligning with the monotonous rhythm of raindrops striking the water’s surface.

His Mental Power flowed outward, releasing the Communication with Nature Skill.

After several days of hard work, his Beast Form Skill had finally broken through to the Middle Level. At the Middle Level, his Beast Form could fuse with two more Beast Spirits. Now that he had the Communication with Nature Skill, he planned to consult nature itself before choosing his new Beast Spirits—seeking to discover which ones would best suit his needs and maximize his combat effectiveness.

His Mental Power continued to radiate outward. After an unknown amount of time, the emotionless, vast will of nature descended into his conscious mind without warning.

Han Ning felt his Spirit elevate infinitely, bringing him back once again to that chaotic void where nothing existed.

"Will of nature, how should I choose my Beast Spirits to maximally complement my combat power?"

Han Ning’s thoughts, like a pebble tossed into a deep pool, conveyed his inquiry to the indifferent and ancient will of nature.