Chapter 547: Environmental Transformation Project
Chapter 547: Environmental Transformation Project
Are there trees in the Desolate Land?
Of course there are, at least according to Lindsey, who has seen 'quite a few' during his journey.
From the moment he entered this world and traveled to its borders, he estimates he's seen several dozen trees in total.
However, when it comes to forested areas large enough for people to utilize the wood for production and daily life, not a single trace has been found.
Among the four present, Vivian and Iron Jade have a rather limited understanding of wood, almost equating it to shrubs. They primarily use it for kindling, cooking, and warmth, with only a superficial knowledge of it as a building material.
Only Hammer truly understands Lindsey's temporary dilemma.
Seeing the young lord's furrowed brow, Hammer speaks up to comfort him:
"Lord Lindsey, there's no need to worry."
"Everyone in the Desolate Land is used to it. For village buildings, we usually substitute with stones."
Lindsey shakes his head slightly:
"It's not a matter of substitution."
"My skills are quite flexible in some aspects, but in others, they're rigid. If I need wood, I must have wood..."
As he speaks, Lindsey's voice trails off.
His journey has filled his bag with a variety of items, a chaotic assortment.
Even if there are some effective tools that could solve the problem, he might not recall them in time.
But now, an item he hasn't used in a while resurfaces in his mind, perhaps the key to breaking the stalemate.
"Lord Lindsey?"
Lindsey's silence and contemplation cause Hammer to speak up again, a hint of urgency in his voice:
"It's really no problem!"
"The people of the Desolate Land view wood differently than someone like you. You don't need to..."
"I have an idea," Lindsey interrupts Hammer.
Finally, he flips his palm, and a tiny seed appears in his hand.
[Magical Seed/Material: Banyan Seed]
[After planting, an extremely vigorous banyan tree will grow, altering and optimizing the soil and water conditions of its location. It can also be used as a material to craft other items.]
[A high-level magical seed, of considerable value.]
This seed was obtained after defeating the Tree Mother.
Lindsey had acquired three seeds at the time, using one for item synthesis and trading another for a healing method.
And now, he has the opportunity to utilize the last remaining seed on this unique land.
Before using it, Lindsey recalls the Tree Mother's exaggerated size.
The banyan forest extended across an entire mountain range, with its main body blocking out the sun.
This seed will likely not reach that scale.
But being a product of the Sixth Stage, its effects won't be too far off if planted.
"Iron Jade, Hammer, gather everyone else."
"The commotion might be a bit loud, so we shouldn't cause any accidents in the camp because of this."
Hearing the order, Hammer and Iron Jade immediately call for the others.
Vivian curiously eyes the seed in Lindsey's hand:
"Mr. Lindsey, what are you holding?"
Lindsey smiles at her:
"This is a seed."
"For the Desolate Land, it might be the most precious thing right now."
Vivian ponders:
"The most precious thing... hope..."
Before long, the refugees clearing the ruins are gathered.
They had just been treated to a memorable feast by Lindsey.
Even though their work is suddenly interrupted, the refugees show no resentment in their eyes, only curiosity about Lindsey's intentions.
Action: Lindsey takes a step forward, his deep voice resonating through the dry air:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we all know how harsh the Desolate Land is to survive in!"
"So, I plan to make some environmental improvements to the area around our camp. No matter what happens next, everyone, please rest assured that there will be no danger!"
As Lindsey's words fall, the crowd around him erupts into lively discussion.
They couldn't imagine how such a lifeless environment could be improved.
"Improve the environment?"
"Could it be like the legends of the Ascended, bringing down a heavy rain?"
"Can food grow from the ground?"
Amidst the simple discussions, Lindsey digs into the soil and buries a Banyan Seed.
A rumbling sound fills the air.
After a few seconds, the earth begins to tremble.
The seed, buried beneath the soil, seems to respond to some mysterious call. Its shell cracks open, pushing aside the surrounding dirt, and a hint of verdant green emerges from the earth's crevices.
The indomitable life begins to grow, and with it, the bud of hope revives.
Visible green threads spread out, penetrating the soil, piercing through rocks, and reaching deep into the earth's embrace, forming a verdant web of life.
Especially in the City Hall that Lindsey had just constructed, the main trunk of the banyan forest intertwines with the building, making it seem like a magical structure growing amidst the trees.
The people within the visible range of the territory are also in a state of confusion.
"What is this?"
"This is the power of the Awakened!!!"
"This power..."
Since their birth, they have never seen anything like this.
Their understanding of trees is limited to the withered, stunted, and solitary trees struggling to survive in the Desolate Land.
But now, within just a short span of over ten minutes, a once barren land has miraculously transformed into a lush banyan forest. The surrounding air roots sway like an old man's beard in the wind, and the interplay of light and shadow within the forest creates a sense of an independent world.
However, the true wonder of the banyan seed lies not just in its growth.
Its most significant power lies in the description—
"Improving and optimizing the local environment and soil conditions."
Beyond the Desolate Land, it remains a desolate place.
The air is dry, and the wind carries sand, stinging their skin.
But at this very moment, within the range covered by the banyan forest, the vitality of the earth is gradually awakening under the tree's power. The dry soil is transforming, its color shifting towards brown, and even the air carries a refreshing moisture.
The people in the Desolate Land cannot comprehend the scene before their eyes.
Only their bodies' instincts give them a sense of how comfortable it feels.
"Lord..."
"Long live the Lord!"
Just as they had cheered for Lindsey's skills earlier, the crowd now erupts into applause.
However, Lindsey has become immune to such praise, merely smiling slightly.
Then, he walks to the side and breaks off a branch from the banyan tree.
Although the growth of the tree is imperceptible to the naked eye, he can sense the immense vitality flowing within it. The branch he breaks should regrow within a month or two.
Just as described in the seed's attributes, the banyan forest is vibrant and grows at an incredibly fast rate.
"The wood supply is now secured."
Lindsey turns to the still-cheering crowd.
Without a word, he rummages through his bag and quickly crafts a batch of axes.
"Alright, everyone, stop cheering."
"A group of you who were clearing the ruins, follow me to cut down some trees."
"Be careful not to damage the roots!"
(End of Chapter)
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