Soon, with everyone's efforts, the previously empty small banquet hall was completely transformed.
The basic crop area on the left utilized discarded shelves to construct three-tiered vertical planting racks, with plastic pots and modified containers of varying sizes arranged in layers.
The window-side area with relatively better lighting was reserved for leafy vegetables like spinach and bok choy. The dim ambient lighting was more a matter of Professor Ye's personal preference.
The mutation research area on the right was tightly partitioned with thick waterproof fabric, further divided by wooden boards into several smaller sections. Each was labeled accordingly: "Ivy Gourd Experiment Group," "Venus Flytrap Experiment Group," "Thorny Vine Experiment Group," and "Reserved Area." The corresponding planting pots in each section made the entire area appear orderly and systematic.
Han Ning stood in the mutation research area, his gaze sweeping over the plants in the various experiment groups. Following Professor Ye's experimental design, he needed to repeatedly apply [Rapid Growth] and [Nature's Blessing] to these target plants and observe their reactions and developmental trends.
All three crops had seeds that could be cultivated into plants. These seeds had just been treated and planted in the soil, each with different environmental requirements. For instance, the ivy gourd needed sandy soil, feared cold, preferred sunlight, and required little water. The Venus flytrap also needed sunlight but demanded plenty of water. As for the thorny vine, they had chosen the Adamant Vine variety, which was the most adaptable to the current environment.
Given the limitations, the most critical shortage was sunlight. Professor Ye could only pin his hopes on Han Ning's abilities. Meanwhile, the mysterious Seaweed Fruit was placed in an acrylic box by Professor Ye, filled with accumulated water and soil from outside, currently under study.
"Let's begin," Professor Ye said, holding a notepad and pen.
Han Ning focused his mind. A verdant glow emanated from his palms, enveloping the seeds of the ivy gourd, Venus flytrap, and Adamant Vine in turn.
[Rapid Growth (Intermediate) proficiency +1, current 181/200]
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) proficiency +1, current 55/200]
[Rapid Growth (Intermediate) proficiency +1, current 182/200]
[Nature's Blessing (Beginner) proficiency +1, current 56/200]
The emerald radiance swirled, nourishing the plants. Under the dual influence of the skills, the plants sprouted rapidly, breaking through the soil and swaying gently, exuding vibrant vitality.
As the last trace of green light faded.
[Spiritual Power: 20/50]
On the panel, [Rapid Growth]'s proficiency had reached 192/200, just one step away from advancing to the advanced level. [Nature's Blessing] had also improved to 66/200. The continuous use of skills had consumed 30 points of his Spiritual Power. Now, his Spiritual Power was significantly higher than before, and its recovery rate had also increased.
"The effects will take time to observe. You should rest now," Professor Ye said without looking up as he recorded the data.
By afternoon, Han Ning and Snowflake's figures appeared northwest of Azure Cloud Resort.
After resting, Han Ning's Spiritual Power had once again returned to its peak.
Amidst the torrential rain, two figures cut through the water, swimming toward the distant horizon.
The further northwest they went, the deeper the floodwaters became. The surroundings were eerily silent—even the occasional Crocodile Lizards they had seen earlier had vanished without a trace. Only the endless curtain of rain remained.
Han Ning activated his Molten Gold Eyes, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
Maintaining the Gills Technique, he pushed forward nearly six kilometers northwest in one breath.
This location was already two to three kilometers further west than the agricultural college he had previously reached, with water depths approaching about 3.2 meters.
"Is there something over there?"
As Han Ning neared a former pedestrian overpass, his gaze suddenly locked onto the structure, which hadn't yet been fully submerged.
Splashing sounds echoed as over a dozen twisted figures coiled atop the overpass.
Raindrops continuously fell, striking their bodies and splashing into tiny droplets.
Their upper bodies were covered in slippery, pitch-black Scales, their torsos resembling black-scaled serpents, with a pair of similarly scaled, human-like arms.
Most striking were their heads.
Flat as shovels and covered in fine scales, their narrow, vertical pupils glowed with an eerie yellow light. Their noses were sunken, and their mouths split open all the way to their ears, revealing rows of densely interlocking fangs. The arrangement of their features gave them a vaguely simian, grotesque appearance.
Their lower halves consisted of thick, muscular tails covered in even larger scales, lazily slapping the ground as the rain poured down.
"These must be the Black Serpent Monsters that gaunt man mentioned."
A flash of golden flame flickered in Han Ning's eyes as the gill features on his face disappeared, replaced by short, dark golden fur.
Within seconds, he transformed from a human into a half-human, half-tiger Molten Gold Battle Tiger.
Han Ning silently glided through the water, approaching the creatures.
Snowflake, sensing her master's battle intent, followed closely behind.
The distance closed rapidly.
The group of Black Serpent Monsters seemed disturbed by the rippling water below, their grotesque heads swaying in agitation.
"Die!"
Han Ning's Tiger Claw tore through the water, carrying a terrifying gust of wind as it slammed mercilessly into the nearest Black Serpent Monster.
"Hiss?!"
The Black Serpent Monster attempted to open its mouth, a thick, black viscous fluid swirling within.
But before it could spit—
Crack!
Under the sheer force, its dark chest shattered like rotten wood.
The Tiger Claw's momentum didn't falter, sweeping upward.
Splat!
Its entire head exploded like a rotten watermelon.
[Beast Form (Beginner) Proficiency +5, Current: 235/2000]
Without pause, Han Ning raised his muscular tiger leg and swung sideways.
Another Black Serpent Monster nearby was sent flying, its scaled armor shattered, bones broken.
Meanwhile, Snowflake engaged in battle with one of the Black Serpent Monsters.
With a Crocodile Lizard's ferocious charge, she barreled into the group, disrupting their formation.
Then, she opened her maw wide.
Pop!
A tricolored radiance rippled forth, dissolving a Crocodile Lizard's head.
Han Ning followed Snowflake's lead.
His tiger jaws gaped wide as a condensed golden fireball brewed in his throat.
Boom!
A searing golden flame erupted, piercing through three Black Serpent Monsters lined up for an attack, reducing them to charred husks.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The battle erupted in the blink of an eye and ended just as swiftly within mere seconds.
Over a dozen Black Serpent Monsters stood no chance against Han Ning's Shapeshifting prowess—they were torn apart like fragile puppets.
The ground was littered with the corpses of Black Serpent Monsters.
[Druid Growth Progress +180, Current: Lv5, 1251/2000]
[Tri-color Jewel Alligator Lizard, Growth Progress +180, Current Lv4, 240/550]
Fifteen clusters of energy shimmering with faint black mist converged into one and flowed into Han Ning's body.
A warm current surged through him, nourishing his physique.
Han Ning shed his transformation, reverting to human form as he gazed toward the distant northwest.
"Fifteen Black Serpent Monsters only gave 180 progress points, but they're easy to kill—quantity can compensate for quality," he mused silently, feeling the growing power within.
Cultivating plants was important, but enhancing strength and breaking through levels took absolute priority.
Han Ning planned to simultaneously improve his Beast Form proficiency while leveling up.
Relying solely on a Molten Golden Tiger form was too limiting.
At the initial stage, he could only fuse with one Beast Spirit.
Reaching intermediate would allow two additional fusions, totaling three.
Advanced stages imposed no restrictions.
With Professor Ye overseeing the plants, Han Ning simply needed to follow daily instructions—casting Nature's Blessing and accelerating growth—freeing him to focus on monster hunting and leveling.