Evening.
At the edge of the camp, Lin Qianyi and Zhou Hong returned fully loaded.
Around the stove where soup was cooking, Lin Qianyi began explaining the situation to everyone.
"So, in the very center, it looked like a meteor crater at least 300 meters in diameter. Below the sinkhole is a lake, roughly estimated to be over 50 meters deep. The ground beneath is covered in glowing green ferns… I think I understand why the fish were there. They were likely attracted by those special bioluminescent ferns. But what I'm curious about is why don't they eat them? They just keep circling around…"
As Lin Qianyi described the scene, He Yanghui's face showed confusion. Clearly, he had never heard of such a strange phenomenon before.
What Lin Qianyi didn't notice was that Su Mandong's expression shifted several times as he described the ferns she seemed like she wanted to speak but held back.
Later that night, after dinner, Lin Qianyi went to the seashore to enjoy the cool breeze.
This was the only time of day when things cooled down a bit.
Out of the corner of his eye, Lin Qianyi noticed someone approaching. He turned and asked, "Sister Su, you're here for the breeze too?"
"Can you describe in detail what those glowing ferns looked like? It's very important!" Su Mandong said seriously.
"Huh?"
Lin Qianyi was slightly surprised why was she suddenly so interested in a strange plant?
"I'll just draw it for you."
He began sketching in the sand on the beach.
Though his drawing skills were minimal, his precision and control were enough to ensure that the basic lines and structure were accurate.
Soon, a remarkably lifelike depiction of the glowing fern appeared in the sand.
Of course, the one in the sand didn't glow.
"That's it! That's exactly it!!" Su Mandong's eyes were filled with shock. She asked, "Are you sure it glowed like it was breathing?"
"Yep. Saw it with my own eyes. Brother Zhou saw it too," Lin Qianyi replied. "Is it special?"
Su Mandong looked at him, hesitating. After a brief pause, she said, "You know about the Poseidon Corporation, right?"
"I've heard of it," Lin Qianyi replied.
He actually didn't know much about the company, but thanks to the implanted knowledge from the main god, he had some relevant memories.
In those memories, Poseidon was a multinational corporation selling cosmetic and medical beauty products.
Since Su Mandong had introduced herself as someone working externally for Poseidon, what was she getting at?
"Poseidon appears to sell beauty products on the surface, but in reality, medical beauty is only a part of our business," Su Mandong said. "Our true industry… is evolutionary fluid."
Lin Qianyi's gaze sharpened slightly. He had a feeling he finally understood the purpose of that mysterious card.
"Evolutionary fluid?" Lin Qianyi asked, confused.
"The Poseidon Evolutionary Fluid," Su Mandong explained. "Back in the mid-20th century, the founder of Poseidon discovered a special type of fern growing on a meteorite. Its natural radiation had the ability to stimulate biological evolution. The founder named its extract 'Poseidon's Power.' After refining it, they created what we call the Poseidon Evolutionary Fluid. It can significantly extend human life. For athletes and soldiers, it has other effects. After using it, the human body can break its natural limits. Many world records have already been broken by Poseidon insiders and our partners. The facial serums we sell publicly? Just diluted evolutionary fluid…"
Lin Qianyi seemed to grasp what she was saying. "So the plant we found… is the grass used to make Posiedon potion?"
"Very likely. It has extremely strict growing conditions only remnants of meteorites from the original impact on Planet Ming can support its growth. Even today, we still can't cultivate Sea God Grass at scale," Su Mandong said. "I was headed to the Marlyo Nation to negotiate the acquisition of a known Sea God Grass site."
"This place?" Lin Qianyi asked.
"No, this is clearly a different growth zone," Su Mandong replied.
"Well, I get that it's valuable. But we're stuck here. And it doesn't exactly convert to cash right now," Lin Qianyi shrugged.
"No, no you don't get it. This stuff isn't something you just sell. Because of its rarity, even with my position, I only receive one vial of the fluid per year," Su Mandong said, her eyes shining with excitement. "But I know a simplified formula. The evolutionary fluid is basically made by neutralizing its toxicity with alkaline materials. Theoretically, if you mix the extract 3:7 with wood ash, you can make basic pills. The effects might be weaker, but given the amount you described, we might easily achieve the same longevity as the founder of Poseidon himself. I met him not long ago he's over 140 years old but looks like he's in his twenties, and his body is healthier than any professional athlete…"
Su Mandong was 28 now. She had already started noticing signs of aging.
Humans peak around 25. After that, it's all decline.
She had long stopped caring about money she had plenty. So why remain loyal to Poseidon?
More money? More power? Prestige?
No. Just for one vial of the evolutionary fluid each year.
Now, she had a chance to directly obtain that immortality. Even stranded on a desert island, she couldn't hide her excitement.
She told Lin Qianyi all this in hopes of persuading him to help collect the resources.
She couldn't do it alone.
Besides, she thought they could be partners. Deep partners.
Though Lin Qianyi was young, he was smart, composed, healthy, and… handsome.
She still had time to mold him from the ground up. Their future together would be promising.
And Lin Qianyi was indeed tempted.
He wanted to collect extra plant seeds and was genuinely curious about the plant's properties.
"Harvesting that Sea God Grass from the top of the sinkhole won't be easy. But we can reach the lake in the middle. It's less than five kilometers away, round trip in half a day, easily," Lin Qianyi said.
"Be careful when collecting it. Don't damage it. Best to take it from the roots. Its sap is highly corrosive direct contact will severely damage biological cells," Su Mandong warned.
Lin Qianyi suddenly understood That's why the fish only circled but never ate it!
So mixing with alkaline ash is to neutralize the acid?
There was probably more to it, but now wasn't the time to dig deeper.
"I can't do it alone. We'd better bring Brother Zhou. But what's our excuse? Collecting food wouldn't justify this kind of risk. If we start making Poseidon pills, they'll notice something's up," Lin Qianyi mused. "You can't keep fire hidden under paper."
At that moment, he stopped pretending to be a naive young man and shifted to a more strategic mindset.
"You mean… bring them in too?" Su Mandong asked.
"There's no way we can use up all that Sea God Grass growing across 300 meters of land," Lin Qianyi said.
"Nowhere close…" Su Mandong agreed.
"Then we need more partners. They're all competent just need an opportunity. And we're not going to find anyone else right now," Lin Qianyi said with a smile.
Zhou Hong lacked initiative, but he was honest and had a criminal record easy to handle.
Rena was still a naive little girl. She'd be a good partner with just a bit of guidance.
He Yanghui had some experience, but he had a family. That made him cautious and discreet.
Su Mandong herself was calculating and capable, but that made her the most stable because mutual benefit was all that mattered.
There was no way the two of them could keep this secret alone. Collaboration was the only path to maximize the gains.
As Su Mandong looked at Lin Qianyi's smile, she realized she'd been short-sighted.
The enormous potential profits had clouded her judgment.
Lin Qianyi was right they needed unity to control the benefits steadily.
"You really don't seem like you're seventeen," Su Mandong said, gently brushing his cheek.
"If you did this online, people would cancel you," Lin Qianyi said with a smile, catching her hand.
"Cancel me?"
Su Mandong didn't understand the term.
Lin Qianyi recalled some of the general knowledge in his memory and quickly caught on.
This world's information tech wasn't advanced enough for everyone to be online. There was a network, but it was limited. Personal online devices were rare, and they only recently had portable communication tools.
"It means people would criticize you publicly online," he explained.
"They can't criticize me now," Su Mandong said assertively, cupping his face. "What if I just take advantage of you?"
She bit her lip and leaned in but Lin Qianyi turned his head, letting her kiss land on his cheek.
"Not willing?" Su Mandong asked, dissatisfied.
"I don't like being passive," Lin Qianyi said, eyes narrowing.
Then he leaned down and kissed her.
Su Mandong's eyes widened, then slowly closed.
After a while, they pulled apart.
"Not going further?" Su Mandong asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Her eyes were sultry, and Lin Qianyi's heart stirred.
His young body was, after all, hormonally charged.
"No rush," Lin Qianyi replied.
"Scared, little virgin?" Su Mandong teased.
"What do you think?" Lin Qianyi smirked.
In his previous life, he'd lived to 29. He wasn't some shut-in he'd dated multiple women.
He just knew exactly when it was time for what.
And now wasn't the time for indulgence.
A person who can't control their desires… is doomed to fall because of them.