Shadows of the Deep Space-Chapter 116: Seeds (Second Update)

As he stepped out of the tunnel, the fresh air rushed towards him, instantly invigorating his tired spirit—it felt like breathing pure oxygen.

At the same time, the surroundings underwent a dramatic transformation, revealing seemingly endless plantation fields at a glance.

Each field was planted with different crops, and many students in school uniforms were diligently working in the fields.

Even the wide roads on both sides were lined with fruit trees; not an inch of land was wasted.

The whole plantation looked like a paradise; Su Ming and the others were somewhat dazzled for a moment, as if they had arrived on an undeveloped, suitable planet.

"All right, we’re here! You can take off your backpacks now."

Mia then jumped down from Su Ming’s backpack and cheerfully said.

Upon hearing Mia’s words, Rhein and the others took off their backpacks and sat down on the ground, gasping for breath.

"I’m exhausted."

"It feels like I’ve lost half my life."

...

Su Ming also took off his backpack and sat on the ground, gasping for air.

At that moment, an amiable old man with a plain dress and a work badge around his neck that read "Plantation Director · Bao Yue" walked over from a distance.

Seeing Bao Yue approaching, Mia immediately went up to greet him fervently.

"Teacher Bao, here are the seeds you requested."

"Thank you for your hard work,"

Bao Yue kindly replied.

"It’s no trouble at all, no trouble."

Mia cheerfully responded.

Rhein and the others, overhearing the conversation between Mia and Bao Yue, raised their heads disdainfully.

Of course, she wasn’t tired; they were the ones carrying the stuff while she rode on the squad leader’s back. How ridiculous.

"Here is your reward."

Bao Yue then pulled out a thick envelope and handed it to Mia.

"Haha, I won’t be polite then."

Mia’s eyes lit up upon seeing the envelope, and she laughed from ear to ear as she took it, making no effort to hide counting the money inside right in front of everyone.

Bao Yue seemed to be used to such behavior as he asked with a smile.

"Mia, teacher, I don’t quite understand why you didn’t use a vehicle and insisted on having it carried here instead?"

"Oh, these seeds are so precious; of course, the best and safest method of transportation is required. Let me tell you, human labor is quite expensive these days. It’s only because we’re old friends that I didn’t raise the price on you."

Mia seriously bluffed.

"Haha, well, thank you then,"

Bao Yue laughed and responded.

Su Ming and the others watched quietly.

...

Soon after Mia finished her dealings with Bao Yue, she walked back cheerfully clapping her hands and shouted to everyone.

"Thank you all for your hard work, everyone get up!"

"Huh? We haven’t even rested for a bit yet,"

Zhang Yi and others complained while catching their breath.

"Yeah, what’s the point of us carrying all these things to the plantation?"

Mandy and others were also very puzzled.

"What do you mean ’what’s the point of carrying these things?’ Do you know what you were carrying?"

Mia coughed and asked with a very serious expression.

"What are you carrying on your backs?"

Everyone looked at Mia, puzzled.

"You are carrying the precious first-generation and second-generation seeds."

"What are first-generation and second-generation seeds?"

"You don’t even know this? Let me explain simply. The crops grown from first-generation seeds can reproduce, but their yield and survival rate are low. As for second-generation seeds, they are improved from the first-generation seeds. Although their yield and survival rate are increased, the resulting crops cannot reproduce. The vegetables and fruits you usually eat are products of the second-generation seeds."

Mia spoke to everyone.

"Ah! Why can’t plants reproduce indefinitely?"

"Right?"

...

Everyone asked, confused.

"Of course plants can reproduce indefinitely, but those that can are called mother plants, and the seeds are called origin seeds. However, both of these are monopolized by Vox Biotechnology Interstellar Group Company! By the way, if you want to make money, I can teach you a little trick."

Mia suddenly became enthusiastic and spoke to everyone.

"What trick?"

Everyone looked at Mia with curiosity.

"The third planet, every ten years, experiences a temperature reversal. It either goes from scorching heat to harsh winter or from harsh winter to scorching heat! But regardless of the condition, there will always be a short time when the surface temperature returns to normal. During this period, the earth rejuvenates, and you can search for plants on the surface, many of which are valuable mother plants."

Mia explained to Su Ming and others.

"Really? Then why haven’t we seen any mother plants on the market?"

Angel asked curiously.

Mia, upon hearing Angel’s question, immediately frowned and said,

"Isn’t it because the Vox Biotechnology Interstellar Group Company is exceptionally despicable. Every time the earth rejuvenates, they hire a large number of people to scour the surface, taking any plant they find! They also offer high prices to buy mother plants collected by individuals, and if they refuse, they try every means to destroy the mother plants in the hands of these individuals, to ensure their monopoly."

"Are they that audacious? Doesn’t anyone manage or resist?"

"How could there be no management or resistance? This plantation at the Imperial Court Academy is resisting Vox Biotechnology Interstellar Group Company, and you should thank this plantation, otherwise how could you afford a meal for 10 Federation coins? You know, outside commercial streets charge 5000 Federation coins, a 500 times price difference."

"Mm-hmm."

Su Ming and others, hearing about this price difference, felt very fortunate that the Imperial Court Academy wasn’t deceived by this company.

"Alright, enough talk. You’ve rested enough, now it’s time to head back!"

Mia checked the time and shouted to everyone.

"Okay."

Su Ming and the others reluctantly stood up and began to trudge back.

"Quickly, quickly! Don’t dawdle, the old sweepers in the academy have more energy and vitality than you! And this is only the first day, we have to continue tomorroW." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Mia urged Su Ming and the others with zeal.

Su Ming sighed softly and began to lead the group back at a faster pace.

....

In the evening.

Su Ming took a quick shower and lay down on his bed.

Before he could relax, he immediately smelled a stench of sweat.

Su Ming helplessly looked at the other bunks, seeing Shi Wushan and the others lying like dead fish, continuously groaning.

"Ah!"

Su Ming quietly got up from the bed, went to the window to open it for ventilation, then returned and lay down.

"Do you think that Teacher Mia is really training us?"

Shi Wushan could not help but complain.

At that moment, Zhang Yi, lying on the bunk above Shi Wushan, spoke irritably.

"Training my ass, I’ve seen other classes in training, either on the training grounds or in the classrooms taking lessons! Who else is dragged off to do hard labor like us? I suspect Teacher Mia is using us as free labor to make money."