114 Agricultural Plan!

Ore is a natural aggregation of minerals formed through various geological processes, possessing a definite structure and chemical composition. It is classified as inorganic and unrelated to biological processes.

Bioenergy, on the other hand, is energy obtained from living organisms or biological activities. This energy typically originates from the growth and metabolism of organisms.

“To put it simply, iron ore is classified as ore, while coal is considered bioenergy,” explained Nie Xiaoxing. Coal forms when plants are buried underground and gradually transformed into coal under high temperature and pressure. Its energy source traces back to solar energy.

“In other words, Nie Xiaoyue previously thought that the crystal core belonged to some elemental ore, but now the mystery is solved: it is a type of bioenergy,” Xue Feng finally understood. This also explains why the crystal core can generate electricity and enhance supernatural abilities. The crystal core itself is an energy carrier.

Because such a thing had never existed before and the crystal core does not burn under flame or through ordinary ignition methods typical of bioenergy, Nie Xiaoyue had not considered this perspective. But now, knowing that mutants can absorb the crystal core, Nie Xiaoyue suddenly realized its new applications.

“I’ve never seen you take this so seriously, sister,” Nie Xiaoxing couldn’t help but say. She had a feeling her sister was about to make a significant discovery.

“Do you think she won’t notice what we’re doing right now?” Xue Feng smiled.

“Probably not. When she gets serious, she isn’t disturbed by the outside world. Back when she was studying, she could focus and read all night long,” Nie Xiaoxing recalled how focused Nie Xiaoyue was when studying. It was this concentration that allowed Nie Xiaoyue to earn her doctorate in her twenties. Had the apocalypse not occurred, her future would have been very promising.

“What if we do this right in front of her…” Xue Feng chuckled and suddenly wrapped his arms around Nie Xiaoyue from behind, leaning close.

“Hey!” Nie Xiaoxing’s face instantly flushed as red as an apple. Fortunately, Xue Feng only pressed close for a moment without further action. Since Nie Xiaoyue’s research was critical at this moment, he chose not to disturb her. He merely kissed Nie Xiaoxing’s fair neck a few times before stepping away.

Left alone, Nie Xiaoxing blushed deeply, her body tinged with a slight warmth.

After leaving the laboratory, Xue Feng came to a farmland. This area had originally been a grassy patch inside the community, but all the grass had been uprooted.

Rows of wooden stakes were planted in the ground, turning the area into vegetable plots. A woman was directing some elderly, weak, and disabled people as they worked. It was none other than Song Yan, the wife of Tang Qiqiang.

“Sir!” Upon seeing Xue Feng arrive, Song Yan immediately lowered her head humbly. She knew very well that their present safety and livelihood were entirely thanks to Xue Feng’s protection.

“How come the vegetables here are growing well, but over there they’ve just sprouted?” Xue Feng noticed a clear difference in growth between the east and west sides of the farmland. The eastern vegetables had grown over ten centimeters tall, lush and green, while those on the western side had barely broken the soil.

“The ones over there have been fertilized, but these haven’t. We only found a small amount of fertilizer in the property’s warehouse,” Song Yan explained softly, still bowing her head.

Realizing the importance of fertilizer, Xue Feng nodded to himself. He had overlooked this critical factor. None of the supplies he had gathered included fertilizer, so he now knew he must search for some.

“Since fertilizer is lacking, why haven’t you requested it?” Xue Feng asked. In the base, everyone could submit reasonable proposals, but only to their superiors. Since Song Yan knew of the shortage, she should inform Gu Xiaoqian, who could then notify him to include fertilizer among the base’s needed resources.

“I... haven’t gotten around to it yet. Everyone’s been so busy these past few days,” Song Yan whispered, especially after yesterday’s zombie onslaught left everyone shaken. She dared not speak up over such a small matter.

“Heh, if you have something to say, just say it. In my base, as long as you work hard and diligently, no one will blame you. If anyone gives you trouble, just tell me!” Xue Feng smiled warmly. Song Yan was in charge of planting, an important position even if the current scale was small, limited to simple vegetables. In the future, the base would surely cultivate more crops, making her role even more vital.

“Yes, understood, sir!”

Song Yan had not expected Xue Feng to be so kind-hearted. She looked up to study him — a handsome young man. Though she had been at the base for several days, this was her first conversation with him.

“These are potato seeds. Find a place to plant them,” Xue Feng said, producing a bag out of thin air and placing it on the ground.

Potato seeds! Song Yan was surprised; with some agricultural knowledge, she knew potato seeds were rare. She hadn’t expected Xue Feng to acquire them.

“These potato seeds are special—they mature in just one month. Remember to harvest them then,” Xue Feng added.

“Yes!” Song Yan nodded eagerly.

“You’re a level C personnel now, right?” Xue Feng asked, still keeping track of everyone’s ranks within the base.

“That’s right, thank you, sir!” Song Yan was deeply grateful. Without Xue Feng’s intervention, she would remain an ordinary level E member.

“Work hard. The agricultural supervisor will be very important in the future. You’ll definitely become level A,” Xue Feng smiled.

Level A! Hearing this, Song Yan’s eyes brightened. She envied those level A members, like An Xiaowei, who not only ate well every day but lived in villas with hot water flowing from taps and the finest cosmetics and skincare products on their washstands—luxuries that ordinary people couldn’t afford before the apocalypse.

These goods were all gathered by Xue Feng from outside and casually given to An Xiaowei and others. What Song Yan did not know was that these cosmetics were not standard benefits for level A members but special rewards reserved for Xue Feng’s own women. To receive such gifts, one had to become his woman. Still, this did not diminish Song Yan’s admiration deep in her heart.