novelapdf Chapter 3: Harvest Growth!
Chapter 3: Harvest Growth!
After dividing the area, he still sprinkles the bait evenly and uses his "Little Cloud Rain" technique when feeding the animals each day, but he will intentionally or unintentionally linger a little longer at the edge of the isolation zone.
He even tried to sink his mind into his sea of consciousness as he approached that body of water, attempting to touch the golden ancient tree mark.
The mark remained silent, only emitting a brilliant divine light, but when he focused his mind on it, he seemed to be able to sense a very faint, almost imperceptible life force.
Like a gentle spring breeze, it slowly and naturally spreads out and blends into the surrounding environment.
He couldn't precisely control the destination of this special energy, so he could only try to let it diffuse in the waters near the quarantine zone so that the divided crystal shrimp could absorb it.
Time flies, and two decades have passed. The shrimp fry have reached their four-month maturity, and Yang Changsheng has begun a new season of fishing.
Swish!
Using a low-grade, inferior fishing net, he first fished in the ordinary waters outside the quarantine zone.
The yield and quality of crystal shrimp are almost the same as last season, with an average weight of about 1.2 taels each. The total yield is estimated to be around 1,200 catties, which is in line with expectations.
Then, with a mix of trepidation and anticipation, he began catching the crystal shrimp in the quarantine area, and then carefully removed the small mesh netting used for isolation and brought it into the cabin.
The results were quite obvious!
Increased production can be achieved primarily through subtle mental guidance and physical isolation.
"call!"
He let out a soft breath, quickly calmed down, put the shrimp back in the tank, and smiled faintly.
The isolated crystal shrimp were significantly larger on average than the control group, with more translucent and shiny shells, full of vitality, and struggling more fiercely.
Yang Changsheng specially selected several to weigh, and the average weight of a single one was astonishingly one tael and five mace to six mace!
Although it's only a mere three or four qian of weight gain, in the massive aquaculture industry, this is already a considerable improvement.
Moreover, the crystal shrimp in the quarantine area are almost free of diseased, weak, or deformed individuals, and have a higher survival rate.
"As expected..." Yang Changsheng looked at the exceptionally strong crystal shrimp in his palm, his heart filled with turbulent emotions and an indescribable sense of surprise.
The faint life force emanating from the ancient tree imprint does indeed have a beneficial effect on the crystal shrimp! The effect isn't earth-shattering, but it's real and controllable.
The last harvest season of the year has ended.
The final count showed that the total yield for this season reached over 1,300 jin, which was significantly higher than both the previous season and expectations.
The small portion of the quarantine zone contributed nearly 30% more than the average output.
"Splash—"
On the emerald green water, a large ship could be seen sailing in the distance; it was the Lu family cultivators who were in charge of the outer waters.
"In the Yisi District, the 9527 water area, the total output of crystal shrimp is 1,320 catties, with an average weight of 1.3 taels."
"Hmm, not bad, Yang Changsheng, your harvest has improved this season."
The steward scanned the area with his divine sense, then with a wave of his hand, his magical power surged, causing the water tank to land on the large ship. After the inspection was completed, he expressed his approval of Yang Changsheng's output.
"It seems your efforts this year have paid off, and your breeding skills have improved. As per the rules, you will be rewarded for any excess production beyond the standard. This time, your total compensation is sixty-three spirit pearls."
He took out his storage bag and gave the Lu family the agreed-upon compensation for aquatic product farming, down to the last penny, without any deductions.
Yang Changsheng's salary for the first quarter was 52 spirit pearls, and for the second quarter it was 63 spirit pearls.
Converted to spirit stones, it's equivalent to one spirit stone plus fifteen spirit pearls, which is considered a slightly above-average income in the outer waters.
"It's all thanks to the Lu family's cultivation; I've just been working diligently."
Yang Changsheng humbly agreed, neither arrogant nor humble, but he knew in his heart that this improvement was still far, far away from his goal of becoming a senior fisherman.
The core area of the advanced fishermen's farm raises first-tier high-grade spirit beasts. Their value, the skills required, and the profits they bring are far superior to his five acres of inferior crystal shrimp.
That's a full thirty-five spirit stones a year. If you work hard for eighty years and reach the perfect ninth level of Qi Refining, you can buy a Foundation Establishment Pill, break through the bottleneck, and become a high-ranking ancestor.
"The vitality is effective, but too weak and too small. Moreover, we must find a safer and more discreet way to utilize it, and we must not leave any trace of human intervention."
After seeing the steward off, Yang Changsheng returned to the small boat, sat cross-legged, but did not immediately begin cultivating.
He gazed at the shimmering water and fell into deep thought.
The mark of the golden ancient tree brings not only long lifespan and immortality, but also seems to hold the secrets to life itself.
How can one transform this special ability into a solid foundation for cultivation and status, protecting oneself without revealing its true potential?
Yang Changsheng never thought of lying down in his previous life; he was just oppressed by the heavy burden of life, without hope, and blindly surviving.
Having the chance to defy fate in this lifetime, I will naturally seize it firmly.
Currently, the first step in laying the foundation for immortality has been taken, but the road ahead is long, and every step must be taken with utmost care and caution.
After each quarter's fishing season, the waters are left idle for two months to allow them to recover their vitality and fertility.
He didn't wander around randomly, but stopped in his designated area.
Time flowed by, and the days passed slowly in peaceful cultivation and study of magic.
Two months later, they received shrimp fry and feed from the manager again and began a new round of aquaculture.
Later, Yang Changsheng conducted even more covert experiments using the ancient tree's vitality on a small scale.
Instead of setting up obvious barriers, he tried to sit quietly for a moment at a specific spot on the ship's side after his last daily cloud and rain ritual.
Use your mind to communicate with the ancient tree's imprint, allowing that barely perceptible life energy to naturally merge into a fixed body of water below.
Although the effect was not as obvious as in the previous centralized quarantine area, over time, the overall condition of the crystal shrimp in that area still maintained a better trend than other areas.
His cultivation level steadily improved through his daily four hours of unwavering practice, and his magical power at the first level of Qi Refining gradually became abundant.
……
However, the tranquility of Bishui Lake was shattered by a sudden natural disaster.
"boom!"
It was midsummer, a time when the lake should have been shimmering and beautiful, but the sky suddenly darkened, the air was thick and stormy, and heavy leaden clouds seemed to press down on the lake.
"Waaaaah!"
A terrifying gale suddenly arose, whistling like the howl of a vengeful ghost.
In an instant, the calm lake surface became turbulent, with waves several meters high crashing against the lake shore and the boats moored by fishermen and farmers.
"boom!"
The thunder was deafening, and lightning flashed. Then, raindrops the size of soybeans poured down like a celestial river overflowing its banks, so dense that it was impossible to open one's eyes. The world was a vast expanse of white water.