Chapter 82: No Longer Adding People

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: No Longer Adding People

The Asparagus Chrysanthemum had a Yi Element content of one part per ten thousand, and the Evolved Perilla had 1.5 parts per ten thousand. Both were within the normal range. But the spinach root’s Yi Element content was a staggering six parts per ten thousand!

Xiaqing muttered, "Brother Luo, is this detector working right? How could it possibly reach six parts per ten thousand for no reason..."

Luo Pei once again confirmed the Laboratory door was shut tight, then asked Xiaqing in a low voice, "What plant is this root from?"

"A spinach root," Xiaqing explained. "Last night, the spinach seeds in my territory ripened, so I pulled up all the spinach plants and took them home to eat. I didn’t expect that in just one night, the wounds on my body from the lashes of the Qiang Evolution potato vine would heal by sixty percent. I thought it might be because of the spinach, so I went to the field, dug up this broken piece of root, and brought it here to get it tested."

If Zhang San hadn’t been so particular about the spinach leaves, and if her and Sheep Leader’s injuries hadn’t almost completely healed overnight, Xiaqing would never have thought to test the Yi Element content of the Green Light Spinach.

Luo Pei turned off the detector, his face growing stern. He was so serious he could have rivaled Tan Junjie. "Who have you traded the spinach with?"

Xiaqing replied, "Only Zhang San from Land No. 7. The other Lords wanted spinach seeds, but I haven’t had a chance to trade with them yet. The Harmful Element content of the spinach is 3.8 parts per thousand, which is a point higher than the Perilla in my territory. That’s why I used the spinach to trade with them. I never expected its Yi Element content to be so high."

"Don’t trade the spinach seeds with anyone else," Luo Pei said. He then asked, "Xiaqing, do you know what a plant with a Yi Element content of six parts per ten thousand can be used for?"

Of course, Xiaqing knew this. "Special Level Nutrient Liquid!"

Just yesterday, Xiaqing was thinking about trading her spring water for Special Level Nutrient Liquid. She never imagined the spinach in her own territory could be used to make it. No wonder her and Sheep Leader’s wounds recovered so quickly. After eating so much spinach rich in Yi Elements, how could they not?

’How many milliliters of Special Level Nutrient Liquid could have been made from all those spinach plants?’

Xiaqing... felt a visceral pang of regret.

Luo Pei nodded. "The higher the Yi Element content in Green Light animals and plants, the more effective the resulting nutrient liquid. If the Yi Element content is below five parts per ten thousand, the sap from Green Light plants and blood from Green Light animals can be used to make General Nutrition Liquid. Special Level Nutrient Liquid requires a main ingredient—plant or animal liquids—with a Yi Element content exceeding five parts per ten thousand. And if the content exceeds ten parts per ten thousand, it can be used to make Yi Element Stimulating Liquid."

What?!

Xiaqing was so excited her hair felt like it was standing on end. ’If my spinach’s Yi Element content was just four points higher, it could be used to make the life-saving Yi Liquid?!’

Luo Pei was also a little vexed. "Because none of the Green Light plants discovered in the wild Evolution Forest have a Yi Element content exceeding five parts per ten thousand, it was an oversight on my part. It didn’t occur to me to remind you to test the Yi Element content of the Green Light plants in your territory."

Xiaqing quickly waved her hands. "How could I blame you for this, Brother Luo? I didn’t think of it myself either."

"This is a great thing." Luo Pei was happy for Xiaqing. "The Green Light plants and animals used to make Special Level Nutrient Liquid and Yi Element Stimulating Liquid are all meticulously cultivated by the bases. The Green Light plant with the highest Yi Element value—eleven parts per ten thousand—cultivated by the main research institute at Hui Yi Base One, seems to be spinach as well. The Fiery Fire Team poached a lot of talent from various bases, used plenty of spring water, and spent more than four years of hard work just to raise the Yi Element content of the Green Light plants on their mountain to nine parts per ten thousand. Your starting point is much higher than hers."

After speaking, Luo Pei couldn’t help but feel vexed again. "How could I have forgotten? The quality of your spring water is even better than the Fiery Fire Team’s. Of course it’s possible for a plant with high Yi Element content to appear in your territory!"

Hui Yi Base One was the strongest among Hui City’s ten bases, representing the core strength of Hui City Base. That was why the Hui Yi Research Institute was known as the "Main Institute." Naturally, the Main Institute’s capabilities were also the strongest among Hui City’s ten bases.

Xiaqing had no desire to compare herself to them. She only wanted to do her best to grow stronger day by day, to rely on her own power to live a good life and just keep surviving.

She quickly calmed down and replied to Luo Pei with a smile, "They have both the manpower and the technology. I’m just one person, so I’m in no position to compare myself to them. I can only take things slow. Brother Luo, Zhang San is probably a pharmacist. He’s traded for spinach leaves with me several times, so he must have already discovered the spinach’s Yi Element content. Do you know Zhang San’s background?"

Seeing Xiaqing calm down so quickly and already considering how to deal with the potential risks, Luo Pei was even more pleased with his student. "Rest assured, Zhang San isn’t a bad person. Even if he knows, he won’t spread it around. That guy has a bad temper, so don’t go asking about his identity. You’ll have to wait for him to tell you himself, otherwise it won’t do you any good."

Xiaqing nodded. "Brother Luo, can the Green Dragon Team produce Special Level Nutrient Liquid?"

Luo Pei nodded. "We can. I’ll gather information on how to increase the Yi Element content of Green Light plants and send it to you as soon as possible. You can keep this Yi Element Detector; consider it our down payment for your spinach. When you run out of Testing Reagent, just ask Ah Jin for more."

"Thanks, Brother Luo," Xiaqing accepted. She wanted to ask if she could just request more from him directly when she ran out. It was much easier to deal with Brother Luo than with Yang Jin. That guy was deviously clever and even used honey traps.

’But the three leaders of the Green Dragon Team must have their own division of labor. I can’t go breaking their rules.’

Finally, Luo Pei asked Xiaqing, "Do you want to add a few more people to your territory?"

Xiaqing shook her head. "I still prefer living alone. It’s more freeing."

Xiaqing had lived in a crowded Safe Zone for ten years, and she had grown to fear and detest the packed conditions. Now, it was just her and Sheep Leader in her territory, with Hu Zifeng’s team and the Danger Investigation Team ready to provide backup at a moment’s notice. This was the situation Xiaqing was most satisfied with, and she didn’t want to add a single person.

After ten years of the Natural Disaster, Xiaqing had seen through the complexities of human nature. She couldn’t bring herself to completely trust anyone, let alone allow someone to stay in her territory long-term.

’If I’m all alone, when will I ever be able to raise the spinach’s Yi Element content?’

’It’ll get done when it gets done.’

’Compared to bringing a bunch of people into my territory to research how to grow spinach, I think living comfortably and freely with Sheep Leader is more important. Yi Element Stimulating Liquid is crucial, but it’s not like I can’t buy it.’

’Zhang San must have some.’

Luo Pei was only making a suggestion. Since Xiaqing didn’t want to add anyone, he didn’t press the issue, only offering a tactful reminder, "When Zhang San comes to you about the spinach, you’d best not show him all your cards. Everyone has desires, and human nature can’t withstand the test of temptation. In a bit, drive the micro-tiller out and clear the Injurious Grass near this village. We’ll use the noise from the tiller to restore the basement to its original state. There’s going to be a lot of commotion in No.1 and Second Territory over the next few days, but it definitely won’t spill over into your territory. Just keep a close eye on Sheep Leader."

At the basement exit, Wei Chengdong meticulously sprayed Xiaqing with Deodorant several times, then reminded her in a low voice, "Your health is more important than anything. Don’t push yourself too hard."

’Looks like everyone heard the conversation on the Lord channel. They all think I’m just putting on a brave face. That makes things easier—I have the perfect excuse!’

Xiaqing drove the micro-tiller out of the garage, attached the front-mounted weeder with its four wheels, and, with Sheep Leader in tow, went full throttle to start cutting down the Injurious Grass.

After the roar of the micro-tiller started up in the Third Territory, Tang Huai—who was enduring his lash wounds in the Second Territory and relying on his hearing to track Evolutionary Rats—yelled in exasperation, "This is so damn annoying!"