The next morning, after breakfast.
Having eaten their fill and slept soundly, everyone was in high spirits.
As the leader, Han Ning stood in the suite's living room, assigning the day's tasks.
"Lao Xu, today you'll go to the temporary berth area and inspect all the critical parts of the Wind Chaser. Identify any potential issues and areas that need repair. Fix what you can, and let me know if you need anything."
"I'll keep an eye on Yinyin during the day. Later, we'll come help you move supplies."
"Understood, Boss!"
Han Ning continued, "Also, while you're working there, keep an eye out for people from other fleets."
"If you come across anyone with shipbuilding experience, try to engage with them. Gauge their character and see if they might be interested in joining us or providing technical guidance. Report back to me if you find someone promising."
"Yu Na, I'll leave Lao Xu's safety in your hands."
Yu Na gave a quiet "Mm" in response. She had grown accustomed to following Han Ning's arrangements.
Most importantly, sticking with Han Ning meant good food and opportunities to grow stronger.
"As for Professor Ye and Teacher Su, we'll continue our research on the crops."
With their roles clearly defined, everyone sprang into action.
With Han Ning taking care of Xu Yinyin, Xu Ming felt much more at ease. He and Yu Na waded through the water toward the Wind Chaser, anchored in the deeper area. Meanwhile, Professor Ye, armed with pen and paper, waited for Han Ning to use his skills so he could record the data.
Su Mingke assisted as usual.
Han Ning, as he always did, headed to the small planting area that Professor Ye had reorganized.
First, he cast [Rapid Growth] on several ordinary crops serving as samples.
These ordinary crops were nothing special—some were already mature, while others were close to it.
[Rapid Growth (Intermediate) Proficiency +3, Current: 179/200]
Next, he approached the experimental potato sprout that had been repeatedly blessed with Nature's Blessing.
This sprout had been transferred by Professor Ye into a relatively large, elevated children's bathtub.
Han Ning extended his hand, a gentle emerald glow emanating from his palm.
The soft radiance of Nature's Blessing enveloped the potato sprout, nourishing its roots, stems, and leaves.
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) Proficiency +1, Current: 52/200]
Just then, Professor Ye, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke up.
"Boss, hold on a moment."
Ever since hearing Xu Ming call Han Ning "Boss" during last night's hotpot dinner, Professor Ye had adopted the term as well.
Han Ning paused.
Professor Ye stepped closer and pointed to the root area of the potato sprout. "Your Energy—it seems too evenly distributed."
"According to plant physiology, for tuber crops like potatoes, the core areas where energy accumulates and swells are the underground stolons and the tubers themselves."
"Perhaps you could try channeling more of Nature's Energy to concentrate on the root system beneath the soil?"
Professor Ye chose his words carefully. "It's like watering—you pour it at the roots, not the leaves."
Han Ning fell into thought upon hearing this.
. The Jade Potato
When he had previously cast [Nature's Blessing], he had indeed spread the Energy evenly across the entire plant, covering both leaves and stems—every part receiving its share.
Professor Ye's words gave him a new idea.
"Let me try."
Han Ning cast [Nature's Blessing] again.
This time, he attempted to channel the vibrant natural Energy through the gaps in the soil, directing it toward the roots of the potato sprout.
An emerald glow shimmered faintly on the soil's surface before being absorbed, seeping downward.
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) Proficiency +1. Current: 53/200]
Once, twice—
After repeatedly casting [Nature's Blessing] and focusing the Energy on the potato tuber multiple times—
A sudden mutation occurred.
Hum!
The previously ordinary potato sprout trembled violently.
Then, an intense suction force surged from beneath the soil.
The Energy of [Nature's Blessing] was being frantically drawn in.
At the same time, the leaves of the potato sprout turned an even deeper shade of emerald, almost glowing with a soft, jade-like radiance.
"Huh?" All three of them widened their eyes in unison.
The once-moist soil in the basin was rapidly turning pale and lifeless.
All moisture and nutrients were being extracted at an alarming rate.
"Energy—it needs more Energy and nutrients."
Professor Ye, with her wealth of experience, reacted immediately, speaking rapidly,
"Quick, get some of the half-fermented organic fertilizer from yesterday's compost bin, mix it with regular soil, and replace the old soil—hurry!"
Han Ning rushed to the compost bin and lifted the lid.
The mixture inside, after a night of microbial activity, was no longer raw material.
It had darkened in color and loosened in texture—though still a semi-finished product, its nutrient content far surpassed that of ordinary soil.
Using a military shovel, he scooped out several large spoonfuls of the dark-brown compost, then poured in some relatively clean soil from a bag, mixing them thoroughly. He then dug out the hardened old soil around the glowing potato sprout.
As the old soil was removed, a tangled mass of white roots was revealed beneath.
Surprisingly, those roots also shimmered faintly with a jade-like glow.
Han Ning filled in the new soil, covering the roots.
The moment the new soil settled—
The potato sprout's glow intensified.
The entire plant seemed to transform into a softly glowing jade lantern.
Crack! Crack!
The soil trembled.
The large plastic basin holding it suddenly developed spiderweb-like fissures across its surface.
"Is it coming out?" Su Mingke gasped in astonishment.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
The basin split apart under the pressure of the expanding potato plant.
Over a dozen plump tubers, far larger than ordinary potatoes, forcefully pushed their way out of the soil and tumbled onto the balcony floor.
Each of these potatoes was the size of one and a half adult fists!
Their skins were no longer the usual earthy yellow or brown but instead bore a warm, jade-like hue.
Smooth to the touch, with barely any visible eyes—a strange, fresh scent of earth and faint starchy sweetness filled the air.
"This... this is the mutated potato?" Han Ning crouched down and picked up one of the Jade Potatoes.
It felt slightly heavy in his hand, cool and firm, with a resilient texture—as if he were holding not a soft tuber but a piece of jade infused with vitality.
It seemed as though the potato's interior brimmed with surging Energy.
"Let's test its effects."
Han Ning held a Jade Potato in his hand and walked to the living room, carefully shaving off a small piece of its skin with a knife.
Beneath the skin was an exceptionally pure, firm flesh with a faint yellowish hue.
"This potato doesn't seem as dangerous as the Crimson Mist Tomato. It should be safe to eat, right?"
Learning from his last experience, Han Ning only cut off a tiny crumb and placed it in his mouth.
The raw Jade Potato had a unique texture.
Unlike the usual soft and starchy consistency of ordinary potatoes, it was remarkably crisp and refreshing, slightly sweet, with almost no grainy starchiness.