The Legend of Fangren

"Young Immortal, is this all you need?"

It's only in the trial phase right now. The old village chief has only led people to cultivate a small plot of land by the river. If it works, it won't be too late to mobilize the whole village.

Fang Shi replied, "Of course it won't be that fast, but I expect to see initial results in less than half a day. Everyone, go back and have breakfast first, and come back to take a look around noon."

"Alright, fine." The old village chief wasn't in a hurry. This was an unexpected joy; it was a blessing if it happened, but it was fine if it didn't.

After the elderly people left, Fang Shi squatted alone by the river and patted the white sand into the ground a few more times, which caused several more green seedlings to sprout.

This so-called white sand is actually bone meal [item], with functions similar to those in the game. It can accelerate the growth of crops. One pat can create a square-sized area of ​​soil, making it extremely effective at promoting seedling growth, comparable to how Zhang Xianchang could grow grass and trees with a wave of his hand in the past.

It was thanks to this that he was able to produce the experiment as quickly as possible.

"Fangzi, you're here! I've finally found you."

Suddenly, Luo He stepped out from behind, resting his hands on his knees and bending over, saying, "Is this the big deal you were talking about yesterday? It's planting grass?"

Fang Shi retorted, "This isn't just any ordinary grass; one of the plants in it is the kind of 'earthball grass' you ate the other day."

"Wow, I want to eat it."

Fang Shi felt that He Zi had become increasingly greedy lately, so in order to prevent the experiment from being interrupted, he stopped her restless little hand.

"These aren't ripe yet, what are you going to eat? Go, go, go! The others are calling you from behind. If you don't go soon, the thick soup I gave to the elder will be snatched up by everyone else."

"Ah! Right, goodbye Fangzi, I'm leaving." Luohe immediately became alert and ran away in a hurry.

This girl is so easy to fool. I wonder why she came to see him. Given her habits, she probably just came to see him for no reason.

Unfortunately, Fang Shi's attention is now entirely focused on the soil ball grass and the water heart grass.

After all, there are certain risks involved in planting spiritual plants near the village, and he must thoroughly understand the situation before he can feel at ease.

So time quickly came to nearly noon, and the old village chief, without even having lunch, excitedly brought his men back.

"Little Immortal Master, you haven't been here all morning, have you? You must be tired. We brought some fruits and vegetables, as well as venison that the fairies hunted yesterday. Would you like to have some?"

"No need," Fang Shi shook his head and asked, "Old village chief, do you have a pen and paper?"

"Yes, yes," the old village chief immediately sent someone to fetch it.

Once the document arrived, Fang Shi began writing something. The old village chief and the others exchanged bewildered glances, but couldn't help asking, "Young Immortal, what are you writing?"

Fang Shi said, "What I wrote is a prescription on how to care for these soil ball grass and water heart grass."

"Young immortal, why don't you tell us about it first? If we understand, we can teach others as well."

The old village chief was overjoyed, because since the other party had already written down the prescription, it meant that the method was basically feasible.

"Alright."

Fang Shi thought for a moment and decided that it wouldn't hurt to talk about it now. The old village chief was quite prestigious, and this method could only be implemented if it got his approval.

So he briefly explained the relationship between the soil ball grass and the water heart grass.

It turns out that the rainy season is a relatively difficult period in the growth process of sedge. Natural water is abundant, and it is not easy to accumulate nutrients. This environmental factor is even more severe by the river. Fang Shi was worried about what would happen if he planted sedge directly, but in fact, if he planted sedge directly, it probably would not grow at all.

He was able to reach this conclusion because of his observations yesterday.

Just as he had thought, if the water hyacinth was merely exploitative, then the two should not have formed a stable symbiotic relationship.

So yesterday afternoon, he finally figured it out: although water spinach absorbs nutrients from the roots of soil ball grass during the rainy season, it also helps to resist the invasion of other plants.

Once the rainy season is over, the water spinach will quickly wither under the influence of the natural environment and the soil-accumulating power of the root ball grass, leaving only the seeds. The nutrients absorbed during the rainy season are returned to the soil along with the withered stems and leaves, allowing the root ball grass to grow rapidly and reproduce until the next rainy season, when the water spinach will take root and sprout again to begin a new cycle...

Therefore, by the river, the soil ball grass needs the water core grass to survive and grow. The long-term sufficient water in the river will cause the symbiotic relationship between the two to be stuck at the stage where the water core grass is alive. At this stage, the soil ball grass is just a laborer, and most of the nutrients it accumulates are used to benefit the water core grass, while its own growth is extremely slow. In this way, there is no need to worry about the frequent maturation of too many soil ball grasses attracting wild animals.

As a very common aquatic plant, water hyacinth will not attract any wild animals if it grows lushly in one place.

Thus, only during the driest period of the year, when even the water level at the river mouth drops significantly, will the water hyacinth wither and enter the next stage of the symbiotic relationship. Because the previous stage lasted much longer, the nutrients that the water hyacinth eventually returns are extremely abundant, so abundant that the soil ball grass will grow very well in a short period of time.

"After the root ball grass matures, it will produce seeds, and then the tubers will begin to rot, emitting a ripening smell. This smell is most likely to attract wild animals... However, since the ripening time is compressed very quickly, you, old village chief, can mobilize the villagers to carry out a large-scale harvest. As long as these crops are harvested within a few days, there is no need to worry about wild animals being attracted."

There aren't many wild animals near Hekou Village, and the fruit of the earth ball grass is already in the ground, so its fragrance doesn't travel for miles. The planting area is only a small patch along the river, which the whole village can easily harvest. This is much less strenuous than trekking through mountains and rivers to harvest grain.

Furthermore, the earth-ball grass belongs to the first level of the earth element, making it the most suitable food for humans. As long as it is boiled in water for a while, it can be eaten by ordinary people. It is nourishing, filling, and energy-boosting, making it an extremely rare and precious food.

If some of it can be saved during the drought each year, it will be an excellent guarantee for the villagers' livelihood.

"Oh dear! In this way, wouldn't we have gained a 'granary' for free? With these spiritual creatures to eat, we can also supplement the children's nutrition and greatly improve their physical development. How can we worry about the village not having a large population?"

After hearing this, the old village chief and the other old farmers were overjoyed, while Fang Shi continued writing on the side.

What I just said is indeed very good, but it is also the ideal state. There are some aspects that must be paid attention to.

"Old village chief, remember not to bite off more than you can chew. This method is only for reinforcing the riverbank, and the area where grass is planted is only near the river mouth. If you are greedy and plant more, you may bring trouble upon yourself."

The old village chief nodded repeatedly, his smile fading as he said seriously, "Having lived for so many years, I understand the principle that fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Everything should be done in moderation. I will naturally give the villagers many warnings, and we will reinforce the wooden stakes and railings between the village and the river mouth to ensure safety."

Then, Fang Shi handed the paper to the old village chief. The old men exchanged glances and bowed respectfully to him without saying a word.

"Young Immortal, the villagers are deeply grateful for this method you have bestowed upon us."