Chapter 32: What Happens If You Bless Plants with Nature?

"Tsk..."

Han Ning couldn't help but click his tongue when he saw the consumption of Nature's Blessing. A single activation had drained a full 3 points of his spiritual energy. That was nearly 1.5 times the cost of his Intermediate Vine Technique and about double that of his Intermediate Accelerated Growth.

[Nature's Blessing Proficiency (Primary) +1, Current (1/200)]

"Such a high cost... I hope the results are worth the investment."

Han Ning suppressed his surprise and carefully observed the potato seedling shrouded in green light. The emerald radiance slowly seeped into every leaf and stem of the plant. The leaves became visibly more vibrant and lush, as if washed clean, with the veins appearing slightly more defined. The stem seemed to straighten just a fraction, and the entire plant radiated a newfound vigor.

A few seconds later, the green light faded. Han Ning immediately leaned in for a closer look. The stem... was it slightly thicker? The color hadn't changed much. He reached out and gently touched a leaf, but the texture... it didn't seem to have changed in any particular way. He carefully inspected the soil around the stem and roots as well, finding no abnormal signs.

"It seems... it just became healthier and more energetic?"

He turned his focus to the adjacent tomato seedling. Once again, a rich pillar of emerald light flared up, enveloping the tomato plant.

[Spiritual Energy: 12/25 → 9/25]
[Nature's Blessing (Primary) Proficiency +1, Current 2/200]

The tomato leaves greedily absorbed the energy, turning bright and verdant, and the plant shivered slightly in the still air. The green light dissipated. The result was exactly the same as with the potato seedling. The leaves were greener and the plant was more spirited, but beyond that, no strange mutations had occurred.

"I suppose it's a low-probability event, or perhaps it requires a quantitative change to trigger a qualitative one?"

Two failed attempts did not discourage Han Ning in the slightest. In a survival situation, patience was the one thing he had in abundance. When he first practiced the Vine Technique, didn't he start with nothing but a limp, pathetic little sprout? It had taken hundreds, even thousands of repetitions to achieve the power he had today.

He locked onto the potato seedling once more. Green light flashed.

[Spiritual Energy: 9/25 → 6/25]
[Proficiency +1, 3/200]

The green in the potato leaves deepened. Then, he moved to the tomato.

[Spiritual Energy: 6/25 → 3/25]
[Proficiency +1, 4/200]

Four consecutive uses had consumed a total of 12 points of spiritual energy, raising the proficiency of Nature's Blessing to 4. Still, neither plant showed any exceptional changes. The slight dizziness brought on by the depletion of his spiritual energy made Han Ning shake his head.

Having lent his camping stove to Xu Ming, he made a quick lunch of chocolate, crackers, and milk. After resting for a while, he got up, walked out, and knocked on the door of 801.

"Please, come in."

In the living room, Xu Ming was meticulously wiping down furniture with a dry rag. Xu Yinyin sat quietly on the sofa, nibbling on a small piece of chocolate Han Ning had given her. Hearing footsteps, Xu Ming immediately turned around to greet him: "Boss."

"Hmm, how is the cleaning coming along?" Han Ning nodded, scanning the relatively tidy living room. Xu Ming was efficient; most of the dust and debris on the floor had already been cleared.

"Almost finished, Boss."

Han Ning walked over to Xu Yinyin and crouched down. When the little girl saw him, she blinked and whispered, "Uncle Han."

Han Ning ruffled her hair: "Yinyin, is the chocolate good?"

Xu Yinyin nodded shyly and whispered, "It's good... thank you, Uncle."

Han Ning said nothing more, merely asking casually: "Where is your wife? Isn't she with you?"

Xu Ming’s mood shifted instantly: "She... she went back to her hometown to attend a relative's wedding before the catastrophe happened. She isn't with us."

Han Ning was silent for a moment. He wasn't good at comforting people, so he could only offer a dry: "At least you are all still alive."

"Yes, being alive and being able to protect Yinyin is already enough."

The atmosphere grew heavy. Han Ning sat on the sofa, motioned for Xu Ming to sit, and changed the subject:

"Old Xu, I want to talk to you about something important."

"Could there be any usable boats at Bailu Port? And sailboats... aren't those old antiques from hundreds of years ago? Does anyone still use them?"

Hearing Han Ning ask about his area of expertise, Xu Ming opened up:

"Boss, don't underestimate sailboats. They were never phased out. With the development of technology, materials and designs have undergone a complete revolution."

He paused, gathering his thoughts: "Modern sailboats, especially those mid-to-high-end leisure or ocean-going yachts, are completely different from the old antiques you're imagining."

"The hulls are made of carbon fiber, Kevlar, or high-strength fiberglass. They are light and sturdy, far superior to wood."

"The sails aren't just tattered rags; they are high-tech composite materials that can automatically adjust their angle based on wind speed, making them highly efficient."

"Moreover..." Xu Ming gestured, "Modern sailboats are basically equipped with auxiliary power, like small diesel engines or electric motors, used for entering and leaving ports, during calm winds, or for emergency maneuvers."

"The boats also have water desalination equipment, solar panels, and wind turbines, which can ensure basic power supply and fresh water."

"Navigation features include GPS, radar, and autopilots... Inside the cabin, there are kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, all fully equipped. Some even have a small living room, with decor just as good as an apartment on land."

Han Ning was surprised: "That advanced? How much would such a boat cost? Would Bailu Port even have them?"

Xu Ming nodded firmly: "Definitely! While Bailu Port isn't on the scale of those massive cargo ports, it is positioned as a coastal tourism and yacht marina."

"Many wealthy people, especially those from abroad, as well as the middle and upper classes in our own country who enjoy sailing, often buy small to medium-sized sailboats."

"For them, it's not just a means of transport; it's a mobile home on the sea. During holidays, they take their families and friends out to sea for vacations or to sail around the world."

He made an estimate: "A 40-to-50-foot (about 12-15 meters) monohull or catamaran can cost anywhere from a few million to over ten million. If the interior space is designed reasonably, it can comfortably house five or six people, and even ten if you squeeze a bit."

"The fresh water, food, and equipment stored on board are enough to sustain a voyage for quite some time."

"As for Bailu Port..." Xu Ming said with certainty, "There are definitely specialized yacht docks and berths there."

"In this weather, large cargo ships and passenger liners might not be able to operate, or they might be submerged, but those sailboats moored at the docks, especially the ones with a relatively shallow draft and good build quality, have a high probability of still being there—or perhaps only having their lower cabins flooded."

"As long as the hull isn't completely destroyed, and the masts and rigging—the critical parts—are intact, we have a chance!"

"Oh?"

Han Ning's eyes lit up.