area51novel Page 191
Page 191
"Okay, lead the way."
Chapter 219 Pressure-resistant Diving Suit
Feilong turned around and gave a few instructions to Deputy Chief Qian at the high ground outpost.
He then led Han Ning back to the Iron Tiger gathering area.
Inside a two-story wooden house in the Iron Tiger settlement area.
A fire was burning in the hearth inside, and the warmth dispelled the chill from our bodies.
Feilong sat opposite Han Ning and Yu Na.
He waved his hand, and Chen Hu immediately brought in several heavy leather suitcases and a bulging thick cloth bag.
"Chief Han, this is what we agreed upon."
Feilong opened the suitcase lid himself.
In an instant, halos of earthy yellow, dark blue, and fiery red intertwined, illuminating the not-so-bright room.
Han Ning looked closely.
Three hundred black-stone monster crystals, each the size of a pigeon egg and radiating pure energy fluctuations, were neatly arranged on the lining of the box.
In another, smaller box next to it were ten fist-sized, large black stone-grade crystals, each brimming with energy.
Each of these crystals contains at least 300 points of growth potential.
Chen Hu untied the thick cloth bag, and a mixture of earthy smell, fresh grass and wood fragrance, and a faintly sweet and fishy aroma filled the air.
Inside were other materials provided by Feilong, more than twice the quantity of those from a few days ago.
"Three hundred black stone crystals, ten large black stone crystals, and these materials. Chief Han, please accept them." Feilong's voice was very solemn.
"Chief Flying Dragon, you've put in a lot of effort." Han Ning turned his gaze away from the crystal and nodded approvingly to the Flying Dragon.
Seeing that Han Ning was willing to accept it.
Feilong breathed a sigh of relief, a genuine smile appearing on his face, before he said seriously:
"As per our previous agreement, the total share of assistance from Chief Han this time... has been increased to twenty percent!"
This share far exceeded the initial promised 8%, almost splitting the profits equally with Tiehu.
It should be noted that Iron Tiger's own share was originally only 40%, with the bulk going to that highland outpost that did nothing.
"hiss……"
Chen Hu, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but gasp, but didn't raise any objections.
Han Ning was clearly satisfied with the result, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"The dragon leader is straightforward."
He did not refuse; the compensation was commensurate with the abilities he had demonstrated and the risks he had taken.
"So, when do we set off to explore the ruins?"
Han Ning asked the crucial question.
Feilong's excitement subsided slightly, replaced by a hint of helplessness:
"The exact timing depends on the arrangements made by the highland outpost. They are quite strong, and we have been following their lead from the beginning. However, as Deputy Leader Qian mentioned before, the preparation period will not exceed ten days."
He held up the walkie-talkie-like communication device, a gift from the atomic fission program, and said:
"Chief Han, rest assured, I will notify you through this channel as soon as I have any definite news. For the next ten days, Chief Han and your companions can rest and recuperate in Iron Tiger, or you can return to Pan Shi. You can take the crystals and materials with you at any time."
"Within the next 10 days, the leaders of our three settlements will likely hold several meetings related to the exploration. Leader Han, please keep your communication device accessible."
Han Ning did not stay long in the Iron Tigers' gathering area.
The environment here is far worse than the caves they lived in.
It was cold enough, but there was also a faint, persistent stench in the air.
Clearly, even a medium-sized Iron Tiger would struggle to handle the daily garbage, excrement, and sanitation issues of the survivors within the settlement.
After exchanging a few words, Han Ning bid farewell to Feilong and returned to the gathering area.
When the boxes of crystals emitting various colored halos were placed on the open ground in the center of the cave, they immediately attracted a lot of onlookers.
Three hundred black stone-grade crystals, each the size of a walnut and pure in energy, were piled up with all sorts of materials, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd.
"Three hundred... Tiehu and his group are really generous. No wonder it's a large gathering area."
Some survivors, unaware of the inside story and only knowing that Han Ning had gone to help Tie Hu, gathered around the crystal, marveling at it.
Chairman Wu, Professor Ye, Vice Chairman Zhao, and other core members also gathered around, their eyes equally filled with surprise.
These materials represent a significant resource reserve for the cluster area.
While everyone's attention was on the crystal, Han Ning called Chairman Wu, Vice Chairman Zhao, Lin Qianqian, and a few others aside.
"We won the duel, and Feilong has paid the reward. The exploration of the merman ruins is basically settled," Han Ning said succinctly.
Chairman Wu frowned slightly: "Boss, you mentioned before that the ruins are underwater? How deep exactly?"
"The location is on the outskirts of the old town northwest of the ruins of Bailu City. It should be submerged by water now. The exact depth is unknown, but since it is a ruin and in an area submerged by floods, it probably can't be shallow." Han Ning recalled the information provided by Feilong.
"Deep water area..."
Chairman Wu pondered for a moment,
"If it's a deep-water environment, we might be able to try modifying our rune leather armor. The transparent gel extracted from the Feather Fruit not only purifies the water but also has a good resistance to water pressure. Although we haven't studied its limits in depth yet, it's entirely feasible to conduct preliminary diving suit modification experiments. However, sealing and pressure resistance are the key factors."
“If the exploration involves sending out a large number of people, I think it is necessary to prepare a diving suit for each person.”
Upon hearing this, Han Ning said, "You should prepare in advance, just in case. Even if you don't need it now, you'll definitely need it later."
"Okay, I'll take people to the materials warehouse right away and start designing immediately." Chairman Wu immediately perked up and beckoned Professor Ye and several key members of the study group to head towards the warehouse.
On the other side, on the rocky slope outside the cave, after several days of hard work and fervor, the new home of the four bee tribes has been completely completed.
The barren, rocky slopes that had been washed away by hail and frozen bare are now completely transformed, their appearance drastically different from before.
The cave walls carved by the treasure-hunting bees are inlaid in the cliff face in a staggered manner. Each cave entrance is inlaid with a transparent ice crystal barrier built by the crystal bees with icy blue energy. It can not only resist hail and cold wind, but also allow the sunlight to pass through, shimmering with a cool luster.
The heavy rocks and mineral-rich soil transported by the rock bee swarm were firmly bound together by the golden adhesive secreted by the treasure-hunting worker bees, forming sturdy and thick fortress bases that leaned against cliffs. The huge entrances faced the human cave settlements below, facilitating communication between them.
In just a few days, the gentle slope that was once covered by ice and snow has been covered by a thick layer of green grass and is full of life.
Further out, a row of tall trees was planted to block the cold winds blowing from afar.
The tall trees blocked most of the cold wind, and the interior was full of life.
Above the vast expanse of green grass, various flowers of different shapes and sizes grow.
The four bee colonies each occupied their own territory, busily flitting about on the meadow filled with colorful magical flowers.
Chapter 220 New Skill, Spore Symbiosis
For example, near the habitat of the treasure-hunting bees, there are patches of bright yellow flowers that bloom like sunflowers.
These flowers are also larger than ordinary flowers, and their height is similar to that of a small tree.
Many treasure-hunting bees swarmed around the flowers, collecting nectar.
As for the crystal bees where the blue crystal is located, the cultivated bees are completely different from the treasure-hunting bees; they are patches of ice-blue flowers that exude a chill.
In short, the properties of extraordinary flowers are basically compatible with those of bees.
When the little bee patrolling outside saw Han Ning, it made a short "coo" sound, and several worker bees immediately flew over carrying a piece of orange-yellow honeycomb the size of a washbasin.
The surface of the honeycomb is covered with fine beeswax, flowing with an amber-like luster.
"Gurgle~" Little Eight gestured for Han Ning to try some; it was their newly brewed honey.
Han Ning rubbed some honey between his fingertips; its warm, sticky texture carried a fresh, herbal scent. He put it in his mouth and tasted it.
The texture is smooth and creamy, with a subtle sweetness. It's not too sweet; the honey melts in your mouth and goes down your throat, instantly transforming into a gentle warm current that spreads throughout your body.
Druid growth progress +7
It was known before that the honey made by the treasure-hunting bees could accelerate the recovery of spiritual energy and enhance physical fitness.
So Han Ning wasn't surprised.
"It tastes good. Are you settling into your new home?" He licked the remaining honey from his fingertips and looked at Xiao Ba.
"Coo coo, coo coo meow~"
Little Eight's chubby body drew an 8 shape in the air.
It indicates that these plants are thriving because they are irrigated with water mixed with the life-giving spring.
The tribespeople love this place.
"I'm glad you're satisfied." Han Ning stroked the fluffy fur on Xiao Ba's body.
He felt much more comfortable communicating with these simple bees than with people from other communities.
At least the bees don't have any wicked thoughts.
Considering that I just obtained 10 large black stone-grade crystals.
After wandering around for a while, Han Ning returned to his resting place and picked up a yellowish-brown crystal in his palm.
laugh!
Golden sparks spilled from between his fingers, instantly enveloping the crystal.
The violent earth energy was forcibly extracted and purified, transforming into a rich warm current that entered the body.
Han Ning's back straightened slightly, and the muscles under his skin undulated and pulsated as if he were breathing.
The crystal dimmed and cracked at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning into a rustling of grayish-white powder.
[Druid growth progress +341, current Lv10 (19282/20000)]
Without the slightest hesitation, the second azure water-based crystal was picked up.
As the sparks scorched the crystal, the frozen glacier inside began to melt, and the cold, pure energy flow and the warm earth-elemental energy flow surged and intertwined within the body, bringing a strange feeling of expansion.