Having witnessed the plants sown by Fu Zhu complete their first growth stage in just a few short minutes, the agricultural professors, initially so confident in their knowledge, didn't dare speak loudly anymore. Their eyes remained glued to the crops, unblinking, terrified of missing a single moment of growth even by blinking.
One of the professors even pulled out a timer, watching the seconds tick by while staring intently at the plants.
Xing, who had been holding her baseball bat aloft the whole time, felt her arm starting to ache. Seeing the three professors staring without blinking, she couldn't help scratching her head.
"Don't your eyes get dry?"
One of the professors, hearing her words, couldn't help but retort loudly.
"We might be witnessing a miracle right now, and you're asking if our eyes are dry?!"
"Exactly! Little girl, do you understand the sheer value of plants like these that should only exist in fantasies?!"
A vein throbbed on Xing's temple. She glared unhappily at the three professors. "Can I give them a whack?"
"That won't do, Xing. I'm still waiting to see the looks on their faces later," Fu Zhu replied.
As the seconds ticked by, the time drew closer and closer to the eight minutes Fu Zhu had mentioned earlier. Everyone, except for the Fu Zhu siblings, held their breath, staring fixedly at the three plants.
"Three, two, one... It grew! It really grew!"
Almost the instant the countdown finished, the potato, carrot, and wheat plants, which were still in their growth phase just moments ago, instantly reached full maturity!
The three agricultural professors approached the three mature plants with trembling hands. Seeing the bountiful produce bursting forth from the soil, tears of excitement uncontrollably streamed down their faces (flowing from the corners of their eyes, not mouths).
"A miracle! This is simply a miracle!"
One agricultural professor excitedly turned to Fu Zhu, first bowing respectfully, before inquiring with utmost reverence, "Venerable Senior, may I ask how many times per year these improved crops of yours can be sown?"
"How many times?" Fu Zhu wiggled his fingers, finding it seemingly difficult to calculate, and replied casually, "How many times you plant depends entirely on how fast you harvest. As soon as the ground is clear, you can plant again immediately."
"What?!" The professor was stunned, then quickly asked another crucial question, "Then how much fertility will this consume? How many years can the land sustain this?"
"They aren't picky. As long as it's dirt, they can grow. They don't consume nutrients from the soil. Of course, if you have very fertile land, they will simply grow faster."
Hearing Fu Zhu's words, the three agricultural professors trembled with excitement. No one present understood better than them the immense impact these miraculous crops would have on Belobog!
They performed a quick mental calculation. Within a year... no, half a year!
Within half a year, the yield from these crops would be enough for all citizens of Belobog to eat until they burst, with plenty to spare!
Having personally witnessed this miracle, the three agricultural professors now looked at Xing, who was holding her baseball bat threateningly over their Great Guardian, and found her much more agreeable.
Now, she looked more like a Grey Knight protecting Lady Cocolia! Not some wanted criminal!
After the initial burst of excitement, the three professors managed to suppress their remaining agitation and looked towards Fu Zhu once more. However, before they could stammer out their third question, Fu Zhu raised his hand to stop them.
Fu Zhu knew exactly what they wanted to ask. Having just asked about the crops' soil requirements, the next questions would inevitably concern water, temperature, and the like.
"Let me just say it directly. These potatoes, carrots, and wheat only need arable land. It doesn't matter what's next to that land – whether it's lava or ice, they will grow.
The only factor that can limit their growth is light level. Water is also optional. Well, any other questions?"
Three distinct gulping sounds echoed in the spacious hall. The three agricultural professors shook their heads in perfect unison.
Seeing this, Fu Zhu stood up from his block-chair, snapped his fingers towards Cocolia, and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Well? Cocolia, are you still going to cling to your previous ideas?"
Cocolia opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to retort, but found herself completely unable to form any rebuttal.
The three agricultural professors, right in front of Cocolia, dropped to their knees, crying tears of joy.
"Great Guardian, Belobog is saved!"
"These two are practically the saviors of Belobog! Lady Cocolia, could there have been some misunderstanding about them before? They cannot possibly be vicious criminals; they should be treated as honored guests!"
Cocolia looked at the expressions on her three subordinates' faces. Even if she were a complete fool, she could see that their current thoughts were absolutely genuine. And in agriculture, they were Belobog's top scholars; no one understood farming better than them.
Besides, even if Cocolia wasn't an expert in agriculture, a simple calculation based on Fu Zhu's claims made it clear: these potatoes, carrots, and wheat could truly solve Belobog's food crisis.
'Cocolia, don't be deceived by them! This is just an illusion!'
The Stellaron was panicking now. It had initially only been wary of its own kind (Xing), never expecting the real threat to be an ordinary human!
Hearing the Stellaron's words, Cocolia gritted her teeth, looking hesitantly towards Fu Zhu.
"But what about the extreme cold..."
Hearing her ask this, a smile spread across Fu Zhu's face. This problem was even easier to solve.
"As the Great Guardian, you should know about the Underworld, right? And the Furnace Core device? That thing is responsible for heating the entire Underworld. And I happen to have something that can replace Geomarrow, providing unlimited energy. You only need to send someone to investigate to verify this. I have no reason to lie to you."
'Cocolia, don't believe him! This is all...'
Shut up!
'You... telling me to shut up?! Have you forgotten our cooperation? Don't you want that new world anymore?!'
Shut up! I only bet on you because I saw you as the last straw! But now, I see a light more real than the ethereal future you promised!
The Stellaron immediately fell silent, offering no further rebuttal or commentary.
Once the Stellaron had completely subsided, Cocolia let out a long sigh of relief. She then looked up, smiling at Bronya, whose eyes below were filled with anticipation.
"Bronya, hear my order! Immediately revoke all wanted notices against the Nameless. Treat them with the honors befitting state guests. Seeing them is akin to seeing the Great Guardian!"
"Yes! Mother! No, Great Guardian!"