Chapter 691: Chapter 428: Solving Agricultural Land Pollution
The No Flower Plant was so called mainly because this plant could not produce complete flowers; at most it would sprout a little bud, which also lasted no more than half a day before disappearing.
However, when Colin came to the experimental area now, he saw several white flowers swaying in the brown flowerpots in front of Shelley, each full and large, which startled him.
The next moment, those white flowers withered instantly, and the green roots beneath immediately desiccated.
"As you see, when the No Flower Plant is planted in polluted soil, it surprisingly blooms into transient, full white flowers before withering," Shelley said, approaching with a hint of surprise on her face.
At first, they had also tried planting many different plants to observe the effects of farmland pollution but had not experimented with the No Flower Plant.
Mainly because at that time Colin had mastered the Radiant Strong Wall, they focused on observing plants actively, and thus they did not continue to try planting more different plants.
Now, when observing different plants for their ability to consume farmland pollution, they started to try planting them one by one and discovered the unusual performance of the No Flower Plant.
"The specific situation probably requires your careful observation," Shelley pondered for a moment, "The previous planting experiments were too hasty. Since the No Flower Plant can undergo such changes, it’s possible that other plants have experienced special changes before completely withering... only they might not be as noticeable as the No Flower Plant, so we have not discovered them."
"There is that possibility." Colin approached the flowerpot, crouched down, and fumbled with the withered No Flower Plant.
To the naked eye, the withered No Flower Plant looked no different from any other withered plant, all black, yellow, shriveled, and lifeless.
Colin did not examine the No Flower Plant first but went to check the contaminated soil in the flowerpot.
About five minutes later, he emerged from his deep research state, took a few deep breaths, and turned to shake his head at Shelley, "In terms of consuming pollution, the No Flower Plant is no different from the previous plants."
A slight disappointment appeared on Shelley’s face, but he quickly adjusted his demeanor, "In any case, the peculiar performance of the No Flower Plant must have its reasons."
"Yes." Colin nodded and once again took a No Flower Plant, planted it in the flowerpot, and then started to observe carefully.
And this observation lasted quite a while.
In an hour and a half, Shelley was standing by nervously, flanked by recently arrived Atbolde and Lillian.
Their expressions were grave, and aside from the sounds of Colin’s research activities, there was complete silence in the entire experimental area.
Another half hour passed, and just as Shelley was about to contact his mentor, Colin finally lifted his head and stepped out of the deep observation state, turning around.
"I think I’ve made a big discovery..." Before Colin could finish, a feeling of weakness in his body and deep fatigue on his soul made him sway and lean on an adjacent lab table for support.
"Colin!"
"Junior!"
Shelley and Lillian hurried over.
"I’m fine..." Colin shook his head, smiling, and then, pressing the center of his forehead, he added, "I just need some rest."
"But before I rest, I have good news for you; I seem to have found a way to solve the farmland pollution."
...
To the south of Neustadt, near the Keg Kingdom.
Councilman Johnson of the Yista School was exploring the hills ahead with his subordinates.
"How about here?" Johnson asked, picking up a handful of soil from the ground.
"We can barely manage to prepare some suitable farmland before the winter wheat planting season," a wizard by his side bent down to examine a handful of soil closely, paused, and added, "However, the soil quality here is poor, and the wheat yield might not be very high."
"Mhm." Johnson nodded slightly and asked, "Have we now checked all the places within the Neustadt territory that could potentially be turned into farmland?"
"Yes, Lord Johnson."
"How does the total yield compare to the original Tilaimei Plain?"
"The Tilaimei Plain has always been renowned for the Golden Barley, and its endless golden wheat sea is famous..."
"Specifically, how much of the Tilaimei Plain’s grain output can be matched?" Johnson interrupted his advisor’s words and asked.
"Perhaps only half... it might be even less, but altogether it should at least reach one-fourth," the advisor wizard stated thoughtfully.
Johnson’s brow frowned slightly and then relaxed, comforting himself inside:
"No matter, although there’s less grain, the earnings from Magic Stones won’t diminish."
The farmlands of the Tilaimei Plain were ruined, and the entire Neustadt, even including Merredith, was in extreme shortage of food.
As long as these new farmlands could be prepared and planted with winter wheat, even if the yield was not as high as the original Tilaimei Plain, he was confident that he could bring the family Magic Stone income next year that would not be inferior to the original profits from the Tilaimei Plain.
After completing the last piece of land inspection, Johnson was the first to submit the specific situation of the farmlands to the Supreme Council.
The other councilmen who took up the task of developing new farmlands also gradually submitted their work.
After reviewing, the Supreme Council only approved Johnson’s proposal.
This result did not surprise him; his family was backed by the Yista School, and they had always been planning to get involved in the grain business of the entire Neustadt.