Chapter 79 Jade Potatoes

Chapter 79: Chapter 78: Jade Potatoes

Early the next morning, having eaten their fill of breakfast and enjoyed a good night’s sleep, everyone’s Spirits were exceptionally high.

As the leader, Han Ning stood in the living room of the suite, assigning everyone’s tasks for the day.

"Old Xu, go to the temporary docking area today and inspect all the key components of the *Wind Chaser*," Han Ning said. "Find any potential hazards and areas that need fixing. Repair what needs to be repaired, and if you need anything, let me know.

"During the day, I’ll help you look after Yinyin, and later we’ll go over and help you move supplies."

"Understood, Boss!" Old Xu replied.

Han Ning continued, "Also, while you’re working over there, keep an eye out for people from other fleets.

"If you meet anyone with shipbuilding experience, you can try to approach them. Feel them out and see what kind of character they have.

"If their character is fine and they’re interested in joining us—or willing to provide technical guidance—report back to me immediately.

"And finally... Yu Na, I’ll have to trouble you to protect Old Xu’s safety."

Yu Na gave a soft "Mm" of agreement and said no more. She was already used to following Han Ning’s arrangements. Most importantly, following Han Ning meant having meat to eat and the opportunity to grow stronger.

"As for Professor Ye and Teacher Su, we will continue researching the crops."

With their tasks clearly divided, everyone immediately sprang into action.

Knowing that Han Ning was taking care of Xu Yinyin, Xu Ming felt much more at ease. He waded through the water with Yu Na, heading toward the *Wind Chaser* moored in the deep-water zone.

Inside the suite, Professor Ye held a pen and paper, waiting for Han Ning to use his Skills so she could record the relevant data. Su Mingke acted as her assistant.

Han Ning walked over to the small planting area that Professor Ye had reorganized, just as he always did. He first cast [Rapid Growth] on several ordinary sample crops one by one. There was nothing much to say about these ordinary crops; some were already mature, while others were nearing maturity.

[Rapid Growth (Middle Level) Skill Level +3, Current: 179/200]

Next, he walked over to the experimental potato seedling that had repeatedly been subjected to Natural Blessing. Professor Ye had isolated this seedling, transferring it into a relatively large, elevated children’s bathtub.

Han Ning reached out his hand, and a gentle emerald light diffused from his palm. The soft halo of Natural Blessing enveloped the potato seedling, nourishing its roots, stems, and leaves.

[Natural Blessing (Basic Level) Skill Level +1, Current: 52/200]

At that moment, Professor Ye, who had been observing silently from the side, suddenly spoke up. "Boss, wait a moment."

Ever since hearing Xu Ming call Han Ning "Boss" during their hotpot dinner last night, Professor Ye had adopted the title as well.

Han Ning stopped what he was doing.

Professor Ye approached and pointed to the root area of the potato seedling. "Your Energy... seems too evenly distributed.

"According to plant physiology, for tuber crops like potatoes, the core areas for Energy accumulation and expansion lie in the underground stolons and the tubers themselves.

"Perhaps... you could try guiding and Gathering more of the Natural Energy into the roots and stems beneath the soil?" Professor Ye weighed her words carefully. "Just like irrigation, you have to pour the water onto the roots, not the leaves."

Hearing this, Han Ning looked thoughtful. Previously, when casting [Natural Blessing], he had indeed spread the Energy evenly over the entire plant, bathing the leaves and stems equally.

Professor Ye’s words gave him a new perspective. "I’ll give it a try."

Han Ning cast [Natural Blessing] once more. This time, he tried to guide the Natural Energy, brimming with Life Force, through the gaps in the soil and directly toward the potato seedling’s root system.

The emerald light glowed faintly on the surface of the soil before seeping downward, as if being absorbed.

[Natural Blessing (Basic Level) Skill Level +1, Current: 53/200]

Once, twice... Han Ning repeatedly cast Natural Blessing, focusing the Energy on the potato tubers time and time again.

Suddenly, a mutation occurred.

HUM!

The previously unremarkable potato seedling trembled violently. Immediately after, a strong suction force emanated from beneath the soil. The Natural Blessing Energy was frantically drawn away.

At the same time, the leaves of the potato seedling turned a lush, dripping emerald green at a visible rate. They even began to emit a faint, warm glow, reminiscent of smooth jade.

"Huh?" The three of them widened their eyes simultaneously.

The once somewhat moist soil in the bathtub was turning a pale, ashy gray at an astonishing speed. All of its moisture and nutrients were being rapidly depleted.

"Energy, it needs more Energy and nutrients!" Drawing on her rich experience, Professor Ye reacted instantly, speaking at a rapid-fire pace. "Quick, take out some of the semi-fermented organic fertilizer from our compost bin yesterday, mix it with ordinary soil, and replace this batch right away!"

Han Ning rushed to the compost bin and threw open the lid. After a night of microbial action, the mixture inside was no longer in a raw state. Its color had darkened, and its texture had become somewhat looser. Although it was only a semi-finished product, the nutrients it contained far exceeded those of ordinary soil.

Using an entrenching tool, he scooped out several large spoonfuls of dark brown organic fertilizer, then poured out some relatively clean soil from a bag and mixed them evenly. He then dug away the old, thoroughly hardened soil surrounding the glowing potato seedling.

As the old soil was stripped away, the tangled white root system below was revealed. Surprisingly, those roots were also shimmering with a faint jade-colored luster.

Han Ning filled in the new soil, covering the roots. The instant the new soil made contact—

HUM!

The light from the potato seedling intensified. The entire plant seemed to transform into a soft jade lamp.

CRACK! CRACKLE!

The soil shuddered. The large plastic basin containing it suddenly sprouted spiderweb-like cracks across its surface.

"Are they coming out?" Su Mingke asked in amazement.

POP POP POP POP!

The bathtub was squeezed by the expanding potato seedling, and its bottom and sides violently burst open. Over a dozen perfectly round tubers, far exceeding the size of normal potatoes, forcefully squeezed their way out of the soil clump and rolled onto the balcony floor. Every single one of these potatoes was the size of one and a half adult fists!

Their skin was no longer the common earthy yellow or brown, but instead displayed a warm, yellow-jade hue. The skin was smooth, with almost no visible eyes.

A strange, refreshing aroma—a blend of fresh earth and the faint, sweet scent of starch—filled the air.

"Are... are these the mutated potatoes?" Han Ning crouched down and picked up one of the Jade Potatoes.

It felt slightly heavy in his hand, cool to the touch, and possessed a certain firmness. It felt less like he was holding a soft, starchy tuber and more like a piece of jade fat brimming with Life Force. It seemed as though the interior of the potato harbored a surging, abundant Energy.

"Let’s test the effects."

Holding a Jade Potato, Han Ning walked into the living room and carefully peeled off a small patch of skin with a knife. Beneath the skin lay an incredibly pure, firm flesh with a pale yellow tint.

"This potato doesn’t look as dangerous as the Red Mist Tomato. It should be safe to eat, right?"

Learning from his previous experience, Han Ning sliced off only a tiny sliver and placed it into his mouth.

The texture of the uncooked Jade Potato was highly unique. It was entirely unlike the powdery softness of a normal potato. Instead, it was exceptionally crisp and refreshing, slightly sweet, with almost no trace of starchy grittiness.