I created an extraordinary era

Chapter 715 Golden Harvest No. 1

After helping Huang Jinzhe and the others complete the ignition work, Xia Yuan did not stay long.

Once a research fanatic like Huang Jinzhe obtains key data, his mind is completely consumed by research and follow-up plans.

He couldn't wait for Xia Yuan to leave so he could lead his team to dive headfirst into the massive amounts of data and subsequent research and development.

Therefore, Xia Yuan wisely left the underground base with Xie Xuan.

After leaving the base, Xia Yuan originally planned to go straight back, but Xie Xuan stopped him and took him to the biotechnology research base to see the latest research results.

After passing through several heavily guarded isolation zones, the two arrived at a huge ecological park full of vitality and energy fluctuations.

This is completely different from the extreme industrial and energy-focused style of previous fusion labs.

The air here is humid and filled with the fragrance of various exotic plants.

Looking around, all you see are plants radiating immense vitality.

A middle-aged female researcher in a white lab coat, with a gentle demeanor, was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Xia Yuan and Xie Xuan, she immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed:

“Yuanzu, Minister Xie. I am Lin Jing, the head of the Biotechnology Department.”

This person entered the Origin Academy in the eighth year of the Extraordinary Era, and can be considered one of the earliest extraordinary individuals.

However, she entered the Origin Academy through scientific research selection, so she entered the Academy of Sciences of the Origin Academy.

Therefore, Lin Jing's strength is currently only at the seventh level of the Transcendent Realm.

Although Lin Jing's physical abilities are not strong, her research in biotechnology is exceptional.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to serve as the head of the Biotechnology Department!

Xie Xuan smiled and said:

"Lin Jing, please introduce your 'hybrid spiritual plant' project to Yuan Zu."

Lin Jing's eyes immediately lit up with a passion no less than Huang Jinzhe's, and she led the two towards an experimental field:

"Yuanzu, please look this way."

"These are some of our most successful hybrid plant varieties to date."

She pointed to a plant about half a person's height, with pale golden rice ears, plump grains, and a faint energy fluctuation, and said:

"This is 'Golden Spike No. 1'. We used high-yield rice as the parent plant and fused it with a gentle spiritual plant gene that has a strong affinity for energy sources."

"It not only retains the high-yield characteristics of rice, but its fruit, which I call 'spirit rice,' can subtly nourish the body and slowly improve physical condition when consumed over a long period of time, with particularly significant effects on ordinary people."

Xia Yuan carefully observed these plants. He could clearly perceive that there was indeed a very gentle and stable life force inside these plants, which was perfectly combined with their own growth and metabolism.

This is different from forcibly injecting energy; it is an optimization and enhancement at the level of life.

Then, Lin Jing pointed to a patch of vines beside her that shimmered like sapphires:

"These are 'Blue Crystal Grapes,' which have an excellent taste and certain calming and refreshing effects."

"Although the effect is not as good as mental potions, it can still be of great help to ordinary people."

"And over there, there are the 'Crimson Flame Pepper' and the 'Thick Earth Potato'."

Lin Jing knew them all like the back of her hand.

"Through gene editing and special hybridization techniques, we have successfully transferred some of the beneficial characteristics of spiritual plants to high-yield crops, thereby cultivating new spiritual plants."

"The only pity is that these artificially synthesized spiritual plants are limited by their inherent conditions, making it very difficult for them to break through the constraints of the life level."

"Currently, the highest energy level of 'Golden Spike No. 1' and 'Blue Crystal Grape' is roughly equivalent to that of a first-level spiritual plant."

"Any higher up, the plant itself will collapse because it cannot withstand the purer source energy."

Lin Jing's tone carried a hint of undisguised regret.

Although there are now many artificially synthesized spiritual plants, most of these spiritual plants do not even reach the level of a first-level spiritual plant.

For example, 'Golden Harvest No. 1'.

Despite the long cultivation process in the biotechnology laboratory, nearly 80% of the 'Golden Spike No. 1' plants still fail to meet the standards for first-class spiritual plants.

This level of spiritual rice is only somewhat useful to ordinary people.

Only 20% of the 'Golden Spike No. 1' reached the level of a first-class spiritual plant.

Unfortunately, with our current level of technology and capabilities, this is the limit we can achieve!
"It doesn't matter!"

Xia Yuan smiled and waved his hand.

"Being able to artificially synthesize spiritual plants is already a huge breakthrough."

He wasn't exaggerating.

In the past, spiritual plants were cultivated from existing plants in nature.

But here's the thing.

Even if many plants become spiritual plants, they don't have much effect.

Only plants with special effects, such as dragon blood tree, wintergreen grass, and purple cloud flower, will have greater value after transforming into spiritual plants.

However, to date, the number of such plants is extremely small.

Fewer than 20 kinds of useful spiritual plants have been discovered on the entire planet Earth.

For example, the amethyst moss used to develop high-level mental potions was discovered on Mars.

Lin Jing's team, however, achieved their goal by integrating the characteristics of different spiritual plants and combining them with high-yield crops to cultivate spiritual plants with special effects.

Although only low-level spiritual plants can be cultivated at this stage, the significance of this is actually very important.

To put it simply, the production volume alone represents a huge improvement.

Although the value of Ziyun flower used to develop the original medicine is higher than that of Jinsui No. 1 Lingmi, the problem is that it cannot be mass-produced at all.

Even the lowest grade, first-class Purple Cloud Flower, has an extremely limited yield.

On the one hand, it requires a high level of energy, and on the other hand, it is difficult to cultivate.

This is why the price of extraordinary potions has never decreased.

A bottle of Level 1 Origin Potion costs 2 contribution points, and its value, if converted to Kyushu Coins, would start at 4 million.

But under normal circumstances, it's impossible to buy one for 400 million.

For example, the student named Chen Jing from No. 7 Middle School, her parents spent a total of six million yuan to buy her a bottle of the original medicine.

This is only because of connections; otherwise, the price would be even higher.

In this situation, more than 99% of people are unlikely to use the original medicine.

Even the lowest-grade, first-level primordial medicine is far beyond the tolerance of ordinary people.

While the Golden Harvest No. 1 Spirit Rice in front of us is not as effective as the original medicine, it has the advantage of high yield.

Once it's widely adopted...

Even the lowest grade of spirit rice can benefit countless ordinary people.

This will greatly increase the probability of ordinary people becoming extraordinary.

What is the cost of this spiritual plant, "Golden Ear No. 1"?

Xia Yuan asked the most crucial question.

Lin Jing immediately replied:

“If it is just the ‘Golden Harvest No. 1’ that has not yet been upgraded, then the cost is not high and the requirement for source energy concentration is relatively low.”

“Under normal circumstances, one source crystal can sustain the growth of one acre of ‘Golden Ear No. 1’.”

"As for the output, it can reach 500 kilograms."

"All things considered, the cost per acre is about 13-15 contribution points."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yuan immediately calculated the approximate price.

If calculated in Kyushu currency, the cost of one kilogram of spirit rice is approximately 6.

Although the price is still very high, it is already dozens or even hundreds of times cheaper than the original potion.

At least for some ordinary people, there is an opportunity to buy it.

Of course, even if you could buy it, you could probably only buy about one pound a year.

Putting aside any other difficulties in planting.

Although 'Golden Harvest No. 1' is of a relatively low level, it still falls under the category of spiritual plants.

Therefore, energy is indispensable.

One source crystal is indeed very little for one acre of land.

But what if it's a million acres?
That would be extremely exaggerated.

"How many of these 'Golden Spike No. 1' varieties have been planted so far?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Jing blurted out.

"We have planted nearly a thousand acres so far!" The reason for planting only a thousand acres is that the Institute of Biotechnology does not have enough energy and funds are also limited.

The 'Golden Harvest No. 1' project alone, covering 1,000 acres, has received approximately 13,000 contribution points, which constitutes a significant portion of their research funding.

However, in another month, we will be able to harvest 500,000 kilograms of spirit rice.

And these spiritual rice varieties have no trouble finding a market.

Even though they had already set the price at 25 kilograms per contribution point, many superhumans still pre-ordered!

Although for those with extraordinary abilities, spirit rice has no effect on cultivation.

But it can replenish their energy and stamina.

Currently, most superhumans still eat ordinary food, which often requires a very large amount of food.

If we could switch to Lingmi (a type of rice), only a small amount would be needed to meet our daily energy needs, which would be a huge convenience.

Xia Yuan nodded slightly; this situation was within his expectations.

He was the same when he first became a superhuman; he needed to eat a lot of food every day just to fill his stomach.

Especially during cultivation, physical strength is consumed even faster.

Not everyone can use the original medicine indefinitely.

Most extraordinary individuals at the Body Tempering Realm only use the precious resource of Origin Elixir when breaking through to the next level.

Most of the time, no one is willing to use it as a resource for daily spiritual practice.

After all, they only earn around one hundred contribution points a year, and after spending money on purchasing source crystals for cultivation, they don't have much left.

Many people can't even guarantee that they can cultivate with source crystals continuously.

Under such circumstances, how could anyone possibly be willing to buy the original medicine?

But if it's spirit rice, then it's different!

One contribution point equals twenty-five kilograms; I'll probably buy a little bit.

However, with only 500,000 kilograms of spirit rice available now, it's likely that low-level extraordinary beings won't even get a share.

As for ordinary people, there's no need to even think about it.

Just then, Xie Xuan said with a smile:

“Currently, ‘Golden Harvest No. 1’ is still in the experimental stage. The People’s Federation has passed a resolution to expand it to 100,000 mu within the next five to ten years.”

One hundred thousand mu is already an extremely large number.

The cultivation of so many 'Golden Spike No. 1' seeds accounts for almost one-tenth of the annual source crystal quota.

Of course, not all 'Golden Harvest No. 1' varieties are planted by the People's Federation.

In the future, a considerable number of major forces and large groups will participate in the planting.

However, the sales channels and prices can only be uniformly determined by the People's Federation.

Xia Yuan nodded.

If it covers 100,000 mu, the annual output will reach 50 million kilograms.

Although it's still a drop in the ocean compared to the vast human population, it can at least provide spiritual rice for millions of people.

"Minister Xie, from now on, let's price a portion of this spirit rice in Kyushu currency!"

Although the cultivation of 'Golden Ear No. 1' spirit rice uses source crystals, its value cannot be measured in money.

But if it can only be bought with contribution points, then ordinary people will have no chance to buy spirit rice.

Upon hearing Xia Yuan's suggestion, Xie Xuan smiled and said:

"We have already discussed the issue you raised, and we now have a concrete solution."

In fact, the People's Federation had already discussed this issue six months ago.

There was even quite a bit of debate at the time.

If we use Kyushu currency for pricing, what should the price be?
If the price is set too low, it will be snapped up instantly by a few wealthy people, and may even lead to black market speculation, leaving ordinary people who really need it unable to buy it.

Setting the price too high negates the meaning of universal benefit.

This is a very real problem.

When a resource possesses the attributes of both a necessity for survival and a strategic resource, its allocation mechanism becomes extremely complex.

After discussion, the SUPP ultimately adopted a combination of a dual-track system and a quota system.

Two-thirds of the Spirit Rice is purchased using Contribution Points, and one-third is purchased using Kyushu Coins.

Whether using contribution points or Kyushu coins, there are limits on the amount that can be used.

A citizen identity information system will be used, and the price of Lingmi purchased by each person each year will be distributed in tiers.

The price increases tenfold for each tier above the tier.

Finally, high-performing groups will have priority purchasing rights and additional quotas.

For example, outstanding students and researchers.

"I was overthinking it!"

After listening, Xia Yuan smiled and nodded.

Also.

Xie Xuan and other high-ranking members of the association must have considered this issue.

Given the extremely low production of Lingmi rice, it's impossible to leave it unrestricted.

……

After observing the cultivation of spiritual plants, Xia Yuan and Lin Jing led Xia Yuan and Lin Jing to the monster breeding base.

The monsters here are more like monsters than monsters.

Rather, they are animals that have been carefully selected and domesticated.

The monsters here are mostly domestic fowl and livestock.

They are kept in huge ecological cabins that simulate a natural environment, and their bodies contain relatively pure source energy and life essence.

However, apart from having a slightly stronger life energy, it has almost no intelligence.

Its strength is also extremely weak; it is probably no match for even a level 5 martial artist.

These edible monsters are far less valuable than the artificially synthesized spiritual plants we just saw.

There's no way around it, the cost is just too high!
Therefore, the direction of the Institute of Biotechnology has also changed. They have begun to select monsters that are easy to reproduce and let them reproduce naturally in a fixed area.

The number of monsters in several regions on Earth is now extremely large.

The total is over ten thousand.

Of course, nine out of ten of these demonic beasts are at the early stage of Body Tempering Realm.

Most of them are herbivorous or omnivorous species with strong reproductive capabilities and relatively mild temperaments, such as rabbits, sheep, and deer.

This method is called semi-wild free-range farming.

Compared to intensive farming in a completely artificial environment, the cost has been reduced by more than 70%.

As for the completely wild ones, it's similar to the way we used to raise monsters.

Those monsters were no longer meant for consumption.

After all, wild monsters improve their strength much faster than artificially bred ones.

Many powerful monsters possess intelligence comparable to that of a seven- or eight-year-old human.

Even more powerful are demonic beasts like Da Bai, whose strength has reached the ninth level of the Transcendent Realm.

In the northern part of the present-day Northern Ice Plains, Da Bai has already established his own territory of monsters.

Of course, this is mainly due to Xia Yuan's continuous input of source crystals.

Half a day later.

After reviewing the various achievements of the Institute of Biotechnology, Xia Yuan was quite satisfied.

The human race is developing at a faster pace than he imagined.

"By the way, your thousand acres of 'Golden Ear No. 1' grapes and those grapes will ripen in another month, right?"

"Yes, the progenitor!"

Lin Jing was stunned, not knowing what Yuan Zu meant.

"Then sell them all to me when they're ripe!"

"And those bred demonic beasts, keep them all for me, hmm, I need to study them carefully!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)