Chapter 453: Chapter 453

Jing Shu shook the bottle. "How is this different from traditional breeding? How are these moldy algae on the ground any different? Can the moldy algae also be cultivated and expanded to be used as fodder for various fish?"

These moldy algae had proliferated crazily in the second year of the apocalypse after the floods. They were also a food source for red earthworms and second-evolution rotten corpse insects. Unfortunately, they were infected by the Zombie virus. If they could reuse the algae from the stinky ditches everywhere... then I could implement a grand plan I have in mind.

Perhaps my plan on how to save Stone Garden from utter destruction, which I’ve contemplated for over half a year, could also be implemented. Naturally, I want to peacefully live as an emperor at home, but unfortunately, there are always situations beyond my control that require me to step in and solve them.

"Traditional breeding of these algae requires BG-11 medium, temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, and a light intensity of 2,000 LX. It also needs oxygenation with an oxygenation pump. The algae we’re discussing could also be considered an invasive synthetic species... It’s fundamentally different from those moldy algae. Besides, these moldy algae you see have already been invaded and infected by the Zombie virus. If fish and rice were cultivated using these algae, would you dare to eat them?" Wu You’ai adjusted his glasses.

Jing Shu shook her head. She understood now. In the current environment, everything was being contaminated by this Zombie virus. Therefore, animals and plants worldwide were likely infected by this virus. Well, this virus is like a cold or flu—not necessarily fatal, but not mild either. If you neglect it, consuming items infected with the Zombie virus could very well risk infection.

However, as time passed, all species’ immunity to this virus seemed to increase.

Life forms infected by the Zombie virus were easily identifiable: rotting, blackening, greening, molding—essentially like spoiled food that stank yet was still alive, a bacterial colony.

And currently, numerous normal species known to be immune to it also existed, such as Sulfuric Acid Ants, cockroaches, and many other invasive species. After all, they were all invasive species; there was no reason one should be weaker than another. Now, green algae had been added to the list.

Right, rotten corpse insects, too.

In their first year, rotten corpse insects almost went extinct due to maggots. In the second year, they were almost driven to extinction again by red earthworms. But in the endless ocean, they finally realized that lagging behind meant taking a beating! So, after a period of self-reflection, they finally achieved their second evolution.

They evolved from being some of the world’s smallest known insects, growing tens of times larger! They were on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of the reptile hierarchy!

Another reason for their rise was their immunity to the Zombie virus. This, coupled with the abundance of rotting sea life infected with the Zombie virus, provided ample food sources for the rotten corpse insects.

Thus, in less than half a year, they rapidly reproduced in the sea, returned to the land, and were not picky eaters. They consumed everything—moldy algae, wood roots, and rotten trash on the ground.

This was also why Su Long and others, including Jing Shu from her previous lifetime, were bitten all over by rotten corpse insects and paled at the mere mention of them.

Unfortunately, these insects had no natural predators. Eating them was out of the question; they were so bitter it made one doubt life itself. Moreover, eating too many could cause stomach pain and possibly be fatal. It was likely that the parasites that caused widespread panic back then were spread through these rotten corpse insects.

After all, their bodies harbored countless bacteria and viruses. Jing Shu had eaten them a few times out of desperation to survive, but she could never stomach them again, vowing she would rather starve than eat such insects.

The insects that could comfortably feed on Zombie virus-infected bodies—could they be anything but filthy?

As for Domestic Poultry and other species, they too feared rotten corpse insects, avoiding them whenever possible. The tyrant had once said that all living things have value. He had proposed extracting protein from rotten corpse insects to synthesize food, but the attempt ended in failure. The cost of extracting protein from rotten corpse insects was akin to spending millions to produce bills worth a mere 100.

Later, the tyrant tried using rotten corpse insects to feed Domestic Poultry, but it didn’t take long before the poultry fell ill with various diseases, making it clear that occasional consumption was tolerable, but they couldn’t be a regular part of their diet.

Using them to breed maggots or red earthworms... In short, the tyrant had explored many methods back then, but none yielded the desired results. The crucial problem was the inability to implement them on a large scale.

These overabundant rotten corpse insects without natural predators seemed of no current value, yet I think they might possess significant value in the future.

That’s right! Nowadays, if the most abundant rotten corpse insects could continuously provide food for green algae, and in turn, the algae could feed the fish... No, perhaps they could even serve as feed for red earthworms! Jing Shu’s lips curved up faintly. She was thinking about the red earthworms that had been propagating in her space for so long without redisplaying their once terrifying reproductive ability. She always felt something was missing.

This time, I’ve also brought back the original liquid for cell division. Coupled with green algae as feed, it’s now just a matter of seeing if it will work. If it really does...

Looking at Jing Shu’s sparkling eyes, Wu You’ai was somewhat baffled and reminded her, "This algae can only serve as an Assistant; feed some fish, but don’t expect more than that. We have already tried it ourselves."

Jing Shu smiled without saying a word.

"Alright, alright, come sit down and eat! It’s so late, and you’re still discussing such confusing topics."

Dinner was sumptuous. The discussion at the table focused on recent major events: areas that had collapsed, places that had introduced new kinds of snacks, and what counterfeit goods were being sold on the Black Market.

Jing Shu, who usually sought out people to discuss matters with, said little more, only mentioning, "I’m a bit tired today. Let’s talk in detail tomorrow," and deftly changed the subject.

After settling her uncle’s family for the night, everyone managed to fit into the RV. As expected, Jing Shu retired early to the second floor. She anticipated the many tasks awaiting her the next day, especially the experiments with the green algae Wu You’ai had given her.

However, she was repeatedly awoken in the middle of the night by an urgent ringing. Soon, the RV’s lights came on, waking the whole family, followed by panic-stricken voices.

In the darkness, Jing Shu lay in bed with her eyes open, swiftly working the Magic Cube while listening to the voices downstairs. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽

"This, how is this possible? Our house in the West Mountain Old District has completely collapsed! It’s all gone, our only house... Where are we going to live now?" Aunt’s voice was full of despair and panic, and she kept sobbing.

Uncle Su Yiyang paced back and forth. "I told you not to sleep in the house at night, not to sleep in the house! You insisted on staying there with that wretched child! Thank God my younger sister’s family invited us over. You should be thankful it’s just the house that’s gone! If our family of three had died in there, I’d like to see you try to cry then!"

The family was clearly terrified by the close call. Mrs. Jing’s hands trembled slightly. She couldn’t bear to imagine it. Su Meimei had betrayed her and was long lost as family. Her parents were deceased. And now, to think that her only biological brother’s entire family might have perished, leaving no descendants behind!