"In the future, your Wood Spirit Clan will be responsible for all planting-related matters within the Huaxia Empire," Lin Qian explained, seeing the confused expressions on the faces of the Wood Spirit Clan members. "The Agricultural Department will oversee all planting operations for the entire empire. This includes not only spiritual herbs but also spiritual trees and grains. You will contribute to these efforts."
Hearing Lin Qian's explanation, the members of the Wood Spirit Clan finally understood, their confusion lifting.
Mu Liangxing, Mu Houde's son, nodded in relief and responded to Lin Qian, "Your Majesty, this is something our clan is quite familiar with. We've done this often in the past and are well-versed in these tasks."
After Mu Liangxing spoke, the other elders of the Wood Spirit Clan also nodded in agreement. Back on the Western Continent, they were controlled by other races and forced to plant spiritual herbs and trees, ensuring good harvests. Repeating such tasks in the Huaxia Empire wouldn't be a problem.
However, after listening to their responses, Lin Qian shook his head repeatedly. "No, I don't just want you to grow spiritual herbs and trees as you've done in the past. I want you to fully utilize your clan's innate talent and become the botanists of the empire."
Lin Qian's words left them all looking at each other in confusion, unable to grasp the meaning of the term "botanist."
Utilize their talents? Wasn't growing spiritual herbs and trees exactly what they had been doing to use their talents?
Seeing the lingering confusion on their faces, Mu Houde couldn't help but step forward and explain, "His Majesty mentioned that our Wood Spirit Clan's talents are strong enough to cultivate new types of herbs using existing ones."
Cultivate new species?
Upon hearing Mu Houde's explanation, the gathered members of the Wood Spirit Clan were all taken aback, clearly shocked by this notion.
For so long, their role had been to cultivate existing spiritual herbs and trees. Could they truly create new types? They were filled with doubt, wondering how such an extraordinary feat could be possible, given that their innate talent had always been considered inferior.
Lin Qian noticed the lack of confidence in their eyes and couldn't help but shake his head. "Do you doubt yourselves without even trying? You haven't even begun, yet you're already convinced you can't do it?"
"Since your clan possesses such a talent, it undoubtedly holds immense value. Don't belittle yourselves."
"I believe in you, and I know you can achieve this."
Lin Qian's words left the Wood Spirit Clan in stunned silence, unable to speak for a long time.
"Don't underestimate your potential..." Mu Houde murmured softly to himself, as though trying to etch Lin Qian's words into his very soul.
"Your Majesty's words will benefit our entire clan for generations to come," Mu Houde finally said, rising and bowing deeply. "You haven't taken us in just to be beasts of burden, tasked only with growing spiritual herbs and trees. Instead, you're providing us with a new path, one that leads to greater heights."
"To serve a ruler like Your Majesty is the greatest honor for the Wood Spirit Clan. I, Mu Houde, vow to lead my people to fulfill Your Majesty's expectations and not let you down."
Mu Houde's voice carried a deep resolve, and his son, Mu Liangxing, along with the other Wood Spirit Clan elders, were similarly inspired. They all stood and bowed to Lin Qian.
"I, too, hope that your clan can break free from its limitations and fully unleash your talent," Lin Qian said with a smile as he stood up. "Now, there's another matter to discuss: the Agricultural Valley I'll be placing under your care."
"In this Agricultural Valley, plants like spiritual herbs and trees will grow at an accelerated rate, often ten times faster than in the outside world. The valley also contains diverse environments—extreme heat, bitter cold, humidity—allowing plants that require different climates to thrive."
"The Wood Spirit Clan will join the Agricultural Department and manage the valley. While continuing to plant spiritual herbs and trees, you'll also be tasked with creating new plant varieties through techniques like hybridization and grafting. I'll provide you with some ideas to study in detail." At this, Lin Qian felt a deep sense of gratitude.
As a player who had spent immense amounts of money in the game, Lin Qian had access to a vast amount of data and autonomy. In his past life, during moments of boredom, he had downloaded a wealth of publicly available knowledge into his game account's storage space.
Now, the Heavenly Engineering Department of the Huaxia Empire housed a large collection of knowledge from his past life. Although genetic technology was too advanced for the Wood Spirit Clan to tackle just yet, Lin Qian planned to start them off with simpler tasks.
With spiritual energy and the unique abilities of the various races in this world, many things that were impossible in the past could now become reality.
The special environment of the Agricultural Valley left the members of the Wood Spirit Clan awestruck. As a race that prided itself on cultivating spiritual plants, their obsession with fertile lands mirrored Lin Qian's passion for nurturing growth.
Although they remained silent, Lin Qian could tell from their expressions just how eager they were to see the Agricultural Valley.
"Once Mu Houde has fully recovered tomorrow, I'll take you to see the valley in person," Lin Qian said with a smile, acknowledging their impatience and signaling that they could leave.
The Wood Spirit Clan members bowed and took their leave, their faces alight with excitement they could hardly contain.
After they departed, Lin Qian waved his hand, and a map of the Huaxia Empire's vast territories appeared before him.
He carefully considered where to construct the Agricultural Valley, knowing he could purchase and build it at any time from the shop system, but the location required careful thought.
After a while, Lin Qian decided on a location. Tomorrow, he would show it to the Wood Spirit Clan.
Just then, a message arrived. As Lin Qian opened it, his expression changed dramatically.
The message was from Zhuge Ming: "Your Majesty, the situation with the Supreme Emperor has changed. His body is now surrounded by a strange force, making it impossible to approach. The diagnostic plate has shattered!"
"Father?" Lin Qian's eyes widened in shock. Without hesitation, his soul energy erupted, and he shot into the sky, rushing toward New Qin City at breakneck speed.