Ch 43: Interplanetary Planting Master

Awakening

Across the distant light years, Lu Li was unaware that his commander had extorted a sum of money from Zhuang Wei to build up his savings. He was diligently working towards returning to the Federation.

After a morning of exploration, the sentinels had completed their search of the unknown starship and found a strange star map. The star map did not correspond with any known explored regions of the Federation, making the idea of using it to return home seem like a fool’s dream. Although this outcome was disappointing, there was still some good news. Liao Kai had discovered some small gadgets within the starship, which he believed could be used to expedite the repair of the Iris.

“It’s not too bad; we haven’t come away empty-handed,” Lu Li remarked.

Shen Shen spread his hands, “For now, we can only place our hopes of returning to the Federation on Reno.”

Wei Na thoughtfully glanced at Su He in the distance and said, “At our current pace, repairing the starship will still take some time. Leaving here isn’t that urgent.”

Lu Li agreed with Wei Na’s sentiment, “Now that this planet poses no significant danger, everyone can consider this place a vacation spot and take the opportunity to rest.”

The poor Iris crew usually found themselves busy earning credits even during their downtime, making such stress-free rest opportunities rare.

“What about the people in the lower deck? Are we just going to keep them locked up?” Shen Shen inquired.

Lu Li pondered briefly, “Give them two options: either stay on this planet as pioneers or be sent to Broke Star to face the Dark Beasts when we return to the Federation.”

No one could have predicted the vast energy sea discovered on this planet. Although the Iris had previously restricted the lower deck residents’ activities, they hadn’t completely concealed the news about the energy stones. Now that time couldn’t be turned back and they weren’t executioners capable of silencing witnesses, the best way to keep this planet’s secret was to leave all the lower deck residents here.

His suggestion was reasonable, and Shen Shen replied nonchalantly, “No problem. I’m quite good at handling such ultimatums.”

Lu Li chuckled softly, reminding him, “Don’t go overboard, just scare them a little.”

“Understood.”

After discussing these matters, Lu Li went to find Su He. Reno showed no signs of waking up yet, and Su He was sitting nearby, happily teasing the green lifeforms. He had marked some energy stones and was tossing them into the distance. The surrounding lifeforms would then wave their tentacles like performing tricks, trying hard to catch the stones mid-air. Su He was having a great time, and the lifeforms seemed to be enjoying it too.

Lu Li smiled wryly, “Having fun?”

Su He laughed and nodded, “Finished your discussions?”

“Yes,” Lu Li said, pulling Su He up, “There’s nothing more to do here. We need to return to the seaside. The food and water are there; no matter how many energy stones there are here, they can’t be eaten.”

Talking about food made Su He realize how hungry he was, having spent the entire morning reveling in the feeling of sudden wealth. He helped Lu Li move Reno to the damaged starship since the Iris was now so full of energy stones that there was barely any room left to stand. The injured lifeform followed Su He closely, its tentacles gently tugging at his clothes. Su He felt a pang of sympathy and allowed it to follow.

After settling Reno, Su He directed the lifeforms to carry both starships swiftly towards the seaside. The dry desert wind gradually turned into the salty sea breeze, and the glittering, gem-like sea appeared in the distance. The bodies piled on the shore had disappeared, the bloodstains seeped into the sand, and the ocean had returned to its original, pristine beauty.

Two starships are docked by the seaside, with life forms scattered sparsely across the desert. Green tendrils sway gently in the air, appearing delicate and harmless.

Dong Ming’s mouth twitches. “I was deceived by these life forms looking harmless.”

Everyone laughed as they recalled how Dong Ming had been fooled initially.

To celebrate the discovery of the Energy Sea, the lunch on the Iris was quite lavish. Chen Hongliang not only stewed meat but also grilled several large fish. Su He ate to his heart’s content. After the meal, Chen Hongliang brought out two large bowls of apples, all grown using the formation Su He had set up. The formation had been moved to the dining room, and Chen Hongliang took care of watering, sowing, and harvesting. Su He had given Chen Hongliang all the seeds he had, plus some extra that Chen Hongliang had kept. The harvest was abundant.

Lu Li handed a large apple to Su He and mentioned the plan to leave the residents of the lower cabin on this planet to pioneer it.

Su He was surprised. “That’s possible?”

“Yes,” Lu Li replied. “Strictly speaking, the residents of Broken Star do not belong to the Federation and are not protected by its laws.” This implied that the people from the lower cabin were considered Federation blacklisted, and their disappearance would go unnoticed.

Su He realized he was also a Federation blacklisted individual and asked Lu Li, “What are the requirements to join the Federation?”

Lu Li smiled warmly and ruffled Su He’s hair. “You don’t need to worry about that. When we return to the Federation, just have Shen Shen help you register.”

Su He nodded and then thought of another question. “Are there any regulations for privately discovered energy planets? Do they get a reward or do you have to buy them?”

“Federation law states that whoever discovers it owns it,” Lu Li explained. “In other words, planets discovered by Federation citizens in interstellar exploration, such as energy planets or habitable planets, are considered personal property of the discoverer. However, the Federation government has the right to first cooperate on developing the planet.”

“Really?” Su He was quite shocked.

Lu Li smiled slightly. “Laws are one thing; actual practice is another. In reality, very few discoverers are foolish enough to claim a planet entirely for themselves. Most discoverers sell the planet’s coordinates to the Federation government or various legions, exchanging them for a fortune they can spend their whole lives on and promises of protection. The remaining few either have the support of the Federation or a legion behind them or end up disappearing somewhere in the universe.”

Su He looked understanding and said, “So, it’s not that easy. What about us?”

Lu Li raised an eyebrow. “You’re the discoverer, and the Iris belongs to the Seventh Legion. Isn’t that enough cooperation?”
Su He’s eyes widened in surprise, and Lu Li laughed, adding seriously, “The coordinates of this planet won’t be reported to the Federation; it will be our private property.” With Li Zhengdao backing him, Lu Li acted with confidence. Moreover, this planet was unique and didn’t follow the usual procedures for planets.

The term “private property” dazzled Su He, and he nodded enthusiastically, agreeing with Lu Li’s decision. He daydreamed, “If we can keep it as private property, we could find a few more planets occupied by dark beasts and send these life forms there. After a few years, we might discover more energy planets.” Compared to Ma Yun, they were on the path to becoming the richest people in the universe.

Lu Li laughed heartily. “Wealth should be proportional to one’s strength. The Iris isn’t strong enough yet. What you’re suggesting would attract too much attention and could lead to trouble.”

Su He replied, “I was just saying. I’m not foolish.”

He had a look of irritation mixed with extreme vitality. Lu Li felt a stir in his heart and reached out to hold his hand. The touch seemed to create a mysterious connection between them, and Su He could almost hear Lu Li’s heartbeat, syncing with his own, creating a sense of intimacy.

This was a unique understanding between a Sentinel and a Guide. If Su He knew more about Guide knowledge, he would recognize this as a signal, a bodily indication that both were ready for a bond.

Su He’s face flushed, and he looked at Lu Li in bewilderment. Lu Li, with a gentle gaze, raised a hand to ruffle Su He’s hair and asked, “Are you tired? If so, should we go back and rest?”

“I’m not tired,” Su He said, feeling more excited. He shook his head and added, “By the way, you mentioned setting up formations by the seaside. I have some free time this afternoon and want to give it a try.”

After setting up formations for Reno in the morning, Su He had some insights that he needed to validate through practice. On Earth, spiritual stones were scarce, and Su He had only theoretical knowledge of formations. His sect’s few spiritual stones were treasured by the old master and not given to Su He. Now, with an abundance of spiritual stones, Su He was eager to experiment.

He directed Lu Li to gather some energy stones, preferably small ones, as he needed to control the energy. After Lu Li brought a bunch of thumb-sized energy stones, Su He placed one every few steps in the sand. After burying about a hundred stones, Su He stopped, reaching his limit.

Lu Li could only accompany Su He and ask, “Do you need a break?”

Su He shook his head and, with a more serious attitude than in the morning, performed hand gestures to set the formation. A soft energy emanated from his fingertips, flowing around the energy stones at his feet in a unique rhythm. Pure energy overflowed from the stones, swirling in the air and enveloping the next stone. It was like an energy relay, with each buried stone lighting up, nearly a hundred streams of energy colliding and merging in the air before exploding into the barren sand below. The yellow sand seemed to come to life, the energy pulsating from beneath, creating a miracle. Fertile soil spread from Su He’s feet, covering the entire area around the energy stones.

“Done,” Su He sighed with relief.

Lu Li crouched down, placing his hand in the soil to sense it. The energy cycle extended a meter into the sand.

Su He explained, “The sand has no energy. The energy from the stones only sustains a meter of depth. However, this formation can continuously absorb ambient energy to replenish itself. As long as the formation remains intact, it will create a stable energy field, and over time, the sand below will be nourished.”

Lu Li praised, “An extremely ingenious energy cycle. The Federation’s top ecological pods can achieve this effect but require extensive technological support.”

Su He smiled, “Maybe I’m mastering a form of civilization power even more advanced than Federation technology.”

Lu Li thought of the building they had dismantled and smiled, nodding.

Encouraged, Su He spent the entire afternoon setting up the formation, converting dozens of acres of sand into fertile land. The Sentinels on the Iris watched in amazement, unable to believe their eyes. Chen Hongliang excitedly rushed out of the Iris, scattering seeds behind Su He. Fresh green sprouts soon emerged from the soil, showcasing vibrant and flourishing beauty.

If the discovery of the Energy Sea in the morning had brought excitement to the Sentinels, this transformation brought awe. It was hard to compare which was more thrilling, but life was always more awe-inspiring than wealth.

Invisible energy surrounded the seaside, with dozens of formations responding to each other. In the other starship, Reno shook his leaves and slowly woke up.

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