Children who ingest ability potions cannot directly gain abilities. Extraterrestrial elements combine with the nervous system, so to wield an ability, the nervous system must first be fully developed. This is why Wang Xiqiang was unable to use his ability before.
While awakening an ability is a good thing, as it means becoming a true ability user from now on, material-type ability users are considered powerful. For instance, controlling earth or rock can alter terrain in battle, making such abilities quite formidable. However, if the controlled substance is urea, it’s truly laughable. When others wield abilities that can change the world, and yours is reduced to controlling something filthy, isn't that incredibly pathetic?
Just imagine the scene: when others command flames and water, appearing magnificent, Wang Xiqiang holds small white beads, which upon closer inspection, turn out to be urea. Wouldn't such a spectacle make people burst into laughter?
Besides the sheer disgust, there's another issue that constrains Wang Xiqiang's ability: the environment. In every battle, one can't always be near a restroom, can they? Or must soldiers urinate during combat to harm the enemy?
Therefore, Wang Xiqiang has no desire for his current ability and looks very wronged. If he had known he would control such an ability after becoming an ability user, he would never have wanted to be one.
Shen Feng pondered for a moment and said, "For now, you should quickly wipe up the water stains in the corner. I'll take you to the laboratory later, and the professor can research these abilities. If it really is controlling urea, it's fine. You can work in a fertilizer plant from now on. Don't underestimate this job; farming also requires fertilizer, and you can utilize your abilities in this area."
With no other choice, Wang Xiqiang used a mop to clean the water stains in the corner and obediently followed Shen Feng to the laboratory. Upon arriving, Shen Feng explained the situation. Professor Niu, along with a group of elderly men, was discussing and analyzing this unheard-of ability.
There was nothing good to drink in the laboratory. Someone brought sugar water, dissolving white sugar in hot water. Wang Xiqiang sat aside, absentmindedly watching the professors discuss. There was no smile on his face; indeed, anyone in his situation would likely not be smiling.
Wang Xiqiang stirred the white sugar in his cup with a spoon, hoping it would dissolve faster. However, the dissolution rate was too slow. Wang Xiqiang could only indulge in his thoughts, wondering, "Is my fate truly this miserable? Will I end up as a fertilizer plant director? Others fight on the battlefield, but I can't; I can only stay in a fertilizer plant. The disparity in life is too great."
However, at this moment, Professor Niu noticed Wang Xiqiang's small actions and immediately sensed something was amiss. The white sugar in the cup showed no signs of dissolving. Upon discovering this, Professor Niu formed his own hypothesis.
"Could it be that this child's ability is not actually controlling urea? But some other ability?" Professor Niu had a new guess.
Then, Professor Niu instructed the young people in the laboratory, "Go find a cup of salt water and a cup of glucose water. Quickly."
After Professor Niu gave these instructions, everyone else was bewildered, completely failing to understand the meaning. However, his subordinates complied, bringing the salt water and glucose water. The professor placed both solutions in front of Wang Xiqiang and said, "Stir these two solutions."
Wang Xiqiang didn't understand why. Firstly, if you want to drink water, can't you stir it yourself? Secondly, even if I need to stir it for you, everything has already dissolved. What's the point of stirring now?
Although he didn't know why, Wang Xiqiang complied. It wouldn't hurt him to do it. After stirring the solutions with a spoon, something strange happened. Crystallization began in the solutions. Originally, both solutions were free of any impurities, but now they were filled with white crystals.
Seeing this, Shen Feng was also confused and asked with a frown, "What does this mean? Is Wang Xiqiang's ability to control salt?"
Professor Niu said solemnly, "If I'm not mistaken, this is not a material-type ability, but a natural-type ability. This ability should be crystallization!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiqiang's spirits immediately lifted. As long as his ability wasn't controlling urea, everything else was manageable.
"Professor, are you saying my ability is crystallization? What will be its use in the future?" Wang Xiqiang quickly inquired, wanting to know the future applications of his ability.
However, regarding this question, the professor replied helplessly, "I really don't know what use this ability has. You will have to explore it yourself in the future. However, I recommend you study diligently, especially in physics and chemistry. With relevant knowledge, you might find a way to learn how to use your ability."
"Did you hear that? You need to study hard from now on. Now that you know what your ability is, just study well," Shen Feng told Wang Xiqiang.
Wang Xiqiang, however, said with a苦瓜脸 (bitter face), "Master, I want to go to the battlefield. I don't want to continue studying. Studying is useless anyway. I can learn to use my ability on the battlefield too. If that's the case, why should I study?"
Shen Feng couldn't help but shake his head and said, "How many books have you read? You already think studying is useless. Then you'll have even less capability in the future. Go study obediently. The current situation is not so dire that you, an underage child, need to go to the battlefield. You should continue your studies. When you grow up, you will inevitably be needed on the battlefield."
With that said, Wang Xiqiang could only reluctantly give up. Avoiding studying was impossible.
This year is also the time to select students to become personal disciples, and the assessment time coincides with the final exams. Currently, the students of Yuzhou know that the results of this exam are related to their destiny, so they are all giving their best. It would be best to get first place, but if not, getting into the top one hundred would also lead to a promising future.
At this time, Shen Feng no longer lacked ability potions. Therefore, in addition to choosing intelligent orphans to become his children, he also rewarded his subordinates, especially those who followed him from the beginning. They had worked hard even without great merit, and giving them some ability potions could provide some comfort.
This year's climate is abnormal. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, there has been no rain for an entire summer. Without rain, crops grow slowly, and in some areas, there have been complete crop failures. Famine is showing signs of expansion.
Shen Feng is very helpless about this situation. Yuzhou's current grain reserves are just enough. Although farming is also being developed in the southern mountainous areas, it is slow to yield results in a short period. The land in the mountains has been abandoned for three to four years, and hastily cultivated land is unlikely to become fertile soil. Yuzhou's fertilizer production is also relatively low. Without fertilizer, modern agriculture would be significantly impacted.
"Famine is famine, but I can't manage so many things. As long as Yuzhou is safe," Shen Feng thought to himself.
By autumn, Yuzhou will also need to go to war. To ensure the smooth progress of the autumn harvest, the mutated birds in the forest must be cleared out in a timely manner. Otherwise, once the mutated birds become a significant force, and the autumn harvest is affected, Yuzhou will also face famine.
Shen Feng has been guarding Yuzhou, while the task of clearing out the mutated birds has been entrusted to Guo Pinming. Guo Pinming has always been loyal to Shen Feng, so entrusting this matter to him, Shen Feng believes he can complete the task.
Little Long in the hospital has also woken up. After consuming Shen Feng's evolution crystal, he slept in the hospital for three months. During this period, he survived solely on glucose and saline solution for his body's energy needs. Upon waking, Du Fansheng wanted to see his parents, and only when Shen Feng appeared before him did he stop crying.
"Little Long, don't cry. Daddy is here. Look here, Daddy is right here," Shen Feng rushed to the hospital and was finally relieved to see his son safe and sound.
If Little Long had truly met with an accident, Shen Feng would not have known how to face Du Xinsi, especially since he had promised her he would take good care of their child when she fell into a deep sleep. Fortunately, Little Long has now safely awakened.
Du Fansheng still wanted to see his mother, but Shen Feng refused again. After crying for a while, he finally accepted the fact that his mother was not around.
The situation has changed too quickly. The once peaceful China was suddenly rocked by shocking news: mutated birds in the north are gathering, seemingly preparing to attack cities?
This is a fact discovered by satellites. Compared to last year, there are many fewer mutated birds this year because more than half of them have been infected with a virus and died tragically. However, even with the reduction, the number of mutated birds is still considerable. What's more serious is that the mutated birds and mutated beasts have joined forces.
Satellites have discovered that in addition to the gathering of mutated birds, mutated beasts in the depths of the mountains have also gathered. Once winter arrives and there is no food in the mountains, the mutated beasts will descend. This usually happens in winter, but for some reason, the mutated beasts have gathered early this year, seemingly in response to the mutated birds.
Upon discovering this situation, Yan Jing immediately notified various regions, requiring soldiers from all areas to come to Yan Jing to defend the city. Yan Jing is currently the largest city in the north and the capital. If it is breached by mutated birds and mutated beasts, the outcome will inevitably be widespread chaos.
However, the mobilization of soldiers by headquarters this time has not been smooth. The Southeast has refused to send troops, and Dian Province is currently mocking the forces of Myanmar, having no time to support Yan Jing. Yuzhou pretends not to hear, and only soldiers from the north have gathered.
Meanwhile, in Rongcheng, Shen Yu, who has been longing for Xiao Sheng, has not seen him return. They had originally agreed that as soon as Xiao Sheng returned safely, they would get married next. However, Xiao Sheng is currently busy with the reconstruction of the Ability Administration Bureau and has no time to get married.
Helplessly, Xiao Sheng called Shen Yu: "Xiao Yu, you know that I'm too busy right now. The north is in a turbulent period, and Yan Jing is of critical importance. If Yan Jing is in trouble, it will inevitably lead to chaos throughout the land. Therefore, the marriage must be postponed."
Shen Yu is very understanding of this matter, as she knows Xiao Sheng's difficulties. The situation in Yan Jing is currently critical, with mutated birds gathered and capable of attacking the city at any moment. At this time, Xiao Sheng must prioritize national affairs.
Therefore, Shen Yu said gently on the phone, "It's okay. External matters are more important right now. You should handle those first. Anyway, we are ability users, and we have long lives, so we have plenty of time to be together."
Xiao Sheng was deeply moved and quickly said, "I promise, as soon as this war is over, I will come back and marry you."
The marriage had actually been decided earlier, but there had never been time to arrange it due to the overwhelming number of trivial matters that forced Xiao Sheng to postpone it repeatedly. Shen Yu's understanding made Xiao Sheng feel greatly encouraged.