They came to an open area where a few newly formed aerial roots hung in mid-air, swaying gently in the breeze.
"Will this spot do? You can clear out all those aerial roots!" Ren Yuanyang asked, pointing to the space before them.
Hua Lingfang nodded. "Of course. Thank you, sir!"
With Hua Lingfang’s confirmation, Ren Yuanyang immediately used the bitter grass to pull over a portion of the enhanced Duckweed, completely covering the area.
"The floor is laid. The rest is up to you."
The surprise on Hua Lingfang’s face was plain to see. He hadn’t expected Ren Yuanyang to actually cover his living area with this extremely buoyant Duckweed. It would make construction so much easier for him.
"Thank you, sir!" Hua Lingfang cupped his fists and bowed to show his gratitude.
Ren Yuanyang helped him up. "This is a basic benefit for base managers. You don’t need to be so formal. By the way, Lu Jiamei and Xin Wan haven’t learned the Five Animals Qigong yet. Please find some time to teach them."
After discovering that the Five Animals Qigong helped increase Mental Energy, Ren Yuanyang had decided that everyone should learn and practice it daily.
It wasn’t enough for him to grow stronger alone. ’If everyone gets stronger, our base will be stronger.’
"Understood. I’ll lead everyone through the full routine every morning!" Hua Lingfang immediately agreed.
"Alright, you can get to it then." Ren Yuanyang had Lu Jiamei leave the toolbox there and turned to head back.
Back in his room, Ren Yuanyang took out his phone and opened the regional channel.
"The Aircraft Carrier Base is pretty great. They have food and work. Everyone should come check it out!"
"There’s food? Enough to get full?"
"Are you dreaming? How could anyone possibly get full in this situation? Even if the aircraft carrier fleet has a ton of food, they have to think about the future. There’s no way they’re giving it all out!"
"Exactly. We’re lucky to have anything to eat at all!"
"The Aircraft Carrier Base is building a farming area outside. I heard they’re mostly planting fast-growing vegetables!"
"How do you farm on the water’s surface? The plants would just fall into the water!"
"I saw them using all sorts of wooden planks, plastic sheets, and wire mesh. As long as you can make something to hold the plants in place, it works!"
"But isn’t there enough light outside? Are they going to use the aircraft carrier’s power for lighting?"
"They set up wind power equipment. As the sea breeze gets stronger, the lights outside can stay on for a while!"
"Man, the aircraft carrier fleet really has all the tools. If they need something, they just build it!"
"No wonder they moved their base. Their new location is closer to a Seventh-level Wind Sea Region, so they can make better use of wind energy!"
"It’s always raining. The crop roots are constantly submerged. Are you sure that’s not a problem?"
"They’ll probably get root rot if they’re always submerged, right?"
"That usually happens because the roots lack oxygen and ventilation. You can increase the dissolved oxygen in the water or raise part of the root system out of the water to ensure aerobic respiration. That would most likely prevent root rot!"
"Dude above knows his stuff. I think you could get a job at the Aircraft Carrier Base managing their farming!"
"I wish! Unfortunately, I’m too far from the Aircraft Carrier Base!"
Reading the discussion in the regional channel, Ren Yuanyang was more convinced than ever of his system’s power.
’No matter the plant, as long as it’s enhanced, it adapts perfectly to growing on water. There’s no need to worry about root rot at all!’
The discussion in the channel continued.
"Shouldn’t the Aircraft Carrier Base be recruiting professionals like that?"
"They probably want to, but their resources are limited. Talented people are scattered all over the place. Are they supposed to go pick them up one by one? That’s completely unrealistic. Fuel alone is a huge problem!"
"You guys actually have the time to care about the Aircraft Carrier Base’s development? Have you even sorted out your own food situation?"
"Of course. There weren’t many fish before, but now there are obviously more. You can catch a few with a single cast of the net. It might not be enough to get full, but at least we won’t starve!"
"You actually have a fishing net!"
"What’s so strange about that? I’ve got a full set of fishing gear!"
"You’re that well-equipped?"
"What good is being well-equipped? The wind and waves are getting stronger and stronger. The rocking is making me sick!"
"Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping as well the last few nights."
"I don’t care about sleep. I just want something to eat!"
"Didn’t someone offer to trade food for plants before? You could just scoop up some seaweed from the ocean!"
"That has to be a gimmick. Who would trade food for inedible seaweed?"
"But didn’t someone on the regional channel ask about that guy trading for food a couple of days ago?"
"It’s all for show. Anyone who believes it is an idiot!"
Reading this, Ren Yuanyang shook his head. ’Now isn’t the right time to advertise our business. It’s up to them whether they believe it or not.’
"Boss, lunch is ready!" Lu Jiamei’s voice called from outside.
Ren Yuanyang called back in acknowledgment, slipped his phone into his pocket, and stood up to head out.
There were still no tables or chairs over by the shipping containers, so they were eating on the military speedboat they had captured from Lvzhi Country.
"The wind outside has really picked up, but it’s not so bad in here. This Banyan Forest is surprisingly good at blocking the wind and calming the waves!"
Ren Yuanyang heard Qin Haonan’s booming voice before he even stepped onto the speedboat.
"The way you say that, it sounds like you doubted the Banyan Forest’s effectiveness," Ren Yuanyang said with a smile as he walked in.
Qin Haonan chuckled. "Well, it’s just that I’ve never seen a forest on the water’s surface before. I don’t know any better, so please don’t mind me!"
Ren Yuanyang shook his head with a smile. "Let’s eat, everyone."
"Boss, what’s the plan for this afternoon?" Qin Haonan asked while eating his porridge.
"This afternoon, I’m going to plant the vegetables we need in the eight small plots we cleared out. I’ll need everyone to help look after them," Ren Yuanyang replied after a moment’s thought. "Once this batch of vegetables is mature, we can improve our meals!"
"That’s great!" Qin Haonan exclaimed excitedly.
"Sir, leave the task of tending to the vegetables to me!" Hua Lingfang immediately volunteered.
After all, he was the most familiar with crops here.
Ren Yuanyang nodded slightly. "I will indeed have to rely on you to look after them. However, if you need anything done, just tell the others what to do."
"That’s right! Just give the word, and I’ll get it done right!" Qin Haonan declared, thumping his chest.
"Understood. The planting areas aren’t very large at the moment, so I should be able to handle it. If I need help, I’ll be sure to let you know," Hua Lingfang replied.
After lunch, Ren Yuanyang took the seedlings he had already sprouted to the planting areas and began to plant them.
Hua Lingfang followed behind the entire time. Seeing Ren Yuanyang casually toss the seedlings into the water, he wanted to stop him several times but held his tongue.
’After all, the plants Ren Yuanyang has are different from ordinary ones!’
As the seedlings fell into the water, they righted themselves and stood up straight, just like fishing bobbers.
At first, the upright seedlings were scattered about, but soon, an underwater force pulled them into neat rows.
Although he had heard all about Ren Yuanyang’s miraculous abilities from Qin Haonan, seeing it with his own eyes still left Hua Lingfang astonished.