Chapter 1017: Unrivaled Discovery: The Giant Wasp’s Hidden Worth

Now that’s something incredible!

With a Yi Element Content of 9.1, this is the highest value Xia Qing has ever seen in any animal!

But she’s only dealt with a handful of species, so Xia Qing tried to keep her excitement in check. She turned to her idol and asked about the giant wasp from Hill Forty-Nine. “Third Brother, would you say this giant wasp has among the highest Yi Element Content for animals?”

After stepping out for some fresh air, she also discovered Zhang San, a new high-Yi-element specimen, so her mood soared. “Within Huicheng Base, it’s second only to the white ant with a Yi Element Content of 10.18 in Hui One Research Institute. What’s more, the levels and types of radioactive substances in the wasp are lower than in the white ant. If we can breed it, we’ll have the highest-quality high-Yi-element organism in all of Huicheng—the value of that is beyond measure.”

In the three years before the Cataclysm, volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis battered Blue Star. Over half of all nuclear facilities and weapons were destroyed, causing severe nuclear leaks that spread radioactive debris all over the planet through air and water. The amount of radiation inside living creatures on Blue Star multiplied several times compared to before the disaster.

If it weren’t for the Yi Element accelerating biological evolution and forging new metabolic balances, Blue Star’s entire ecosystem would have been wiped out ages ago.

When survivors grade food quality now, the level of radioactive material always comes first. The lower the radioactivity in an ingredient, the higher its quality in their eyes.

Green Lantern food contains extremely low levels of radioactive material. For humans with normal resistance, consuming it won’t cause any significant harm to their bodies.

But when it comes to making high-grade miracle medicines like Evolution Element stim shake, the raw materials have to be purged of any radioactive elements. That’s also the trickiest, most hazardous step in the whole process.

That’s why Zhang San said the giant evolved wasp from Hill Forty-Nine is even more valuable as a high-Yi-element creature than Hui One’s white ant—its worth simply can’t be measured.

Hearing her idol’s explanation, Xia Qing managed to stay composed. “So you use the white ants from Hui One’s lab to make Evolution Element stim shake?”

“All I have now is white ant extract, not the actual ants. And since my partnership with Hui One ended, getting their premium extract is a lot more expensive.” After explaining the current situation, Zhang San motioned for Xia Qing to keep reading the report.

It didn’t take Xia Qing long to spot a second surprise: “The giant wasp doesn’t have any Evolutionary Synthetic Element in its body.”

Zhang San was clearly pleased with her sharp reading skills. “Exactly. That means the way Yi Element creates a magnetic field in this wasp is similar to how aggressive Devastation Evolution plants generate their own: there’s an excess of Devastation or Yi Elements inside, making their fluids circulate too fast, the magnetic field goes up, and the range reaches what A- and B-class Magnetic Sense Evolvers can detect.”

Her idol’s analysis was a real eye-opener for Xia Qing. “Third Brother, does that mean the A- and B-type Magnetic Sense Evolvers sense two main types of magnetic fields? First, those created by synthetic elements—like the Devastation Snake, the Toon Tree in my territory, or the mistletoe and red bean tree on Hill Forty-Eight. Second, those generated by natural creatures with an excess of Devastation or Yi Elements, which ramp up their activity and strengthen their field—most aggressive Devastation Evolution plants, and this giant wasp from Hill Forty-Nine, would fit here.”

Zhang San looked at Xia Qing with growing tenderness. With proper guidance, this kid could turn into an outstanding researcher. “Your deduction is spot on. This giant wasp widens our magnetic research database and carries immense value for study.”

Xia Qing got the message. “Third Brother, for such a wasp with both huge applicational and research value, what are your plans?”

“I called you over today precisely to discuss this with you.”

Zhang San handed a second set of documents to Xia Qing. “I want to conduct an in-depth study on this wasp. Here’s my plan—it lays out all the steps, the risks if we fail, and the rewards if we pull it off. Take a look.”

Since Section Three of Hill Forty-Nine belongs to Xia Qing and both the chestnut grove and the wasps are hers as well, Zhang San needed her consent and cooperation to go ahead.

Xia Qing skimmed through it quickly and couldn’t help looking up to pour out her endless admiration. “You drew up such a detailed study in so little time, and everything’s so clear and easy to follow! Your efficiency is honestly amazing!”

No wonder he stands at the very peak of Blue Star’s brain evolution research!

Zhang San…

Xia Qing knew when to rein it in and got back on track. “I agree with your study plan and will support your research completely.”

Zhang San reminded her again, “If things go south, the wasp population in the chestnut grove will crash, and any survivors won’t be able to clear away insects stuck on the chestnut leaves. That would lead to sickly or even dying chestnut trees.”

Of course Xia Qing had noticed that. “It’d take a few days for the wasp deaths to pile up enough to count as a failed study, right?”

“Five days to half a month,” Zhang San guessed.

Xia Qing didn’t hesitate to suggest a backup plan. “If we fail, let me know straight away—I’ll have an Insect Net set up in the grove within five days to cover the trees the wasps can’t protect. That way, the leaves won’t keep catching bugs.”

It wasn’t going to be that simple though. Zhang San warned, “Even with the nets, some of the trees might still die.”

Xia Qing didn’t miss a beat. “Then I’ll just cover the Yellow-Lamp Chestnut trees and let the rest—Green Lanterns—keep getting help from the surviving wasps. Yes, the chestnut trees matter, but those nuts aren’t irreplaceable. That giant wasp, though, is one of a kind. But…”

She cracked a grin. “Third Brother, if the study fails, would you accept credits instead of the 1,600 jin of Green Lantern Chestnuts I owe you?”

Last year, Xia Qing and her idol struck a deal: she’d trade 2,000 jin of Green Lantern Chestnuts for top-quality rice and wheat seeds from Territory Seven. According to their arrangement, for four years—Cataclysm Year 11 to 14—she’d deliver 400 jin of Green Lantern Chestnuts each year. If the harvest fell short, she could swap in Yellow-Lamp Chestnuts at a rate of 4 to 1.

For this year, Xia Qing planned to hand over 200 jin of Green Lantern Nuts and 600 jin of Yellow-Lamp ones.

But if the research crashed, there’d be fewer chestnuts to harvest, maybe not even enough to fulfill her quota to Territory Seven.

Zhang San shot Xia Qing a helpless glare. Typical farmer-lord—only she could even think about settling old scores smack in the middle of an urgent study.

Face sincere, Xia Qing explained, “Back when I was short on credits and abilities, you still let me buy top-notch stuff from you on credit. That helped me get stronger, healthier and safer. You’ve always had my back, so there’s no way I’ll ever stiff you. I make sure to remember every single thing I owe you—food, resources, whatever. You’ll always get what you’re due.”

That honesty left Zhang San both touched and a bit embarrassed. He really didn’t know how to answer.

Torn between knocking Xia Qing out with some sedative or just kicking her out, Zhang San hesitated for two seconds and went with the latter. “This is a micro-robot. Take it home and figure out how it works. Tomorrow, put it in the rock crevice where the wasp nest is and use it to collect samples on this list. Deliver them to me in the morning.” With her task assigned, he started ushering her out. “Go find Zhang Song for the underwater robot.”

Xia Qing stood to go, but paused for a final question. “Third Brother, can I bring you the samples tomorrow afternoon instead? I need the morning to check a pond on Hill Fifty-Five with the underwater robot and help the Wolf Pack block off an underground stream.”

Zhang San paused a few seconds before reminding Xia Qing, “That evolved wolf is extremely clever. Make sure you give it the right guidance, or it might stray down a dangerous path.”

Xia Qing…