Chapter 25: Getting Smarter

Zhao Hai and Melin stared blankly at the valley. After coming out of the cave, they entered this valley. The area of the valley was not very large, only about a thousand acres, and the soil was also black, just like the black soil on the Black Soil Wasteland.

In the middle of the valley, there was a pond about ten meters in diameter, with clear water. On the opposite side of the cave entrance where Zhao Hai and the others came out, there was another cave entrance, which was smaller than the one they were in. It was clear that this cave entrance was also a mine tunnel.

Seeing these mine tunnels, Zhao Hai couldn't help but admire the dwarves. They had actually dug out such a large mountain and built so many mine tunnels. What a massive project! It was hard to imagine how they managed to do it.

Zhao Hai looked around and nodded, saying, "This is really nice. Mu Tou, you did a good job. Tell me, how did you find the cave entrance to get in here?"

Mu Tou chuckled and said, "Young Master, when I first saw this valley, I jumped down from the cliff and found these two cave entrances. The other cave entrance was full of water and had no way out. This cave entrance had a way out, so I walked from inside to outside."

Zhao Hai nodded, understanding what Mu Tou meant. This guy walked from inside the cave to outside, which is why he could find the cave entrance leading outside.

Melin also examined the black soil. As Mu Tou said, this place was really suitable. Although it would take some time to improve the soil, this valley was perfect for planting. It was hard for ordinary people to discover.

Melin walked around the cave. The cave was an irregular circle, with no large rocks inside. Apart from the black soil, there was only the pond, which was a good place for farming.

Zhao Hai also examined the area, nodding as he looked around. He was very satisfied with this place. Not only could it be used for farming, but the pond also made irrigation much easier. Even if the water in the pond was not enough, there were two mountain lakes in the caves on both sides, which had plenty of water.

Seeing Zhao Hai nod, Mu Tou knew he was satisfied. He quickly said, "Young Master, have you noticed anything different here?"

Zhao Hai was taken aback, looked around, and didn't see anything different. He shook his head and said, "There's nothing different."

Mu Tou smiled and said, "Young Master, haven't you felt it? The temperature in this valley is higher than on the mountain. Look at the grass growing on the cliff walls; it's longer than the grass outside. It's spring now, and although the wild grass has grown, it's not very tall. When we came here, we found it hard to walk because the ground was covered with dry grass, which was tough and tripped us. However, the grass on the cliff walls here is new and has grown so long that many have already produced seeds. This means that this valley has not been affected by cold winds and has maintained this temperature. If that's the case, we can farm here all year round. It's really a good place."

Zhao Hai looked in the direction Mu Tou pointed and indeed saw a lot of wild grass growing on the cliff walls. The wild grass here was different from the grass outside. The grass outside looked green, but when you got closer, you could see that the green was from new grass growing under the dead grass, and it wasn't very tall. However, the wild grass here was much longer.

Zhao Hai nodded, feeling curious. This valley was on the mountain, and the soil should be similar to the soil on the mountain, not the black soil from the Black Soil Wasteland. He didn't know why the soil in this valley was the same as the black soil on the Black Soil Wasteland.

At this moment, Melin's voice suddenly came, "Well said. I didn't expect you, Mu Tou, to observe so carefully. When did you become so smart?"

Melin's words made Zhao Hai and Mu Tou pause. Zhao Hai felt strange because, in his memory, Mu Tou was not that smart. He was not only not smart but also a bit silly, and he couldn't even speak clearly. How could he observe so carefully and speak so logically?

Mu Tou was also puzzled. He didn't know what had happened. Since he entered Zhao Hai's strange space, it seemed like he had suddenly become more perceptive and thoughtful.

However, Mu Tou didn't have many opportunities to show his abilities. He always followed Zhao Hai and did what Zhao Hai said, so Melin and the others didn't notice anything unusual about Mu Tou. It was only when Mu Tou spoke today that Melin noticed his difference.

Melin had just said it casually and didn't take it to heart. Seeing that the two didn't respond, she continued, "Young Master, this is really a good place. I also feel that it maintains this temperature all year round, and the water elements in the air are very active. It's a great place. As long as we improve the soil, this will be the best farmland."

Zhao Hai nodded and said to Melin, "Grandma Melin, why is the soil in this valley also black soil? According to the mountain, the soil should be the same as the soil on the mountain. If it were the same, we could save a lot of trouble."

Melin smiled and said, "Young Master, don't be greedy. Finding such a place is already very good. You can gradually improve it. As long as you find the place, there's no need to worry."

Zhao Hai smiled and said, "Grandma Melin is right. I was a bit greedy. This is really a good place. However, there's still one problem. This valley is about a thousand acres, and we don't have any farming beasts. If we want to plant, we can only rely on human labor, which will require a lot of people. Since this place is far from the castle, it will take a lot of time to get here, and we will waste a lot of time on the road. It will be difficult to plant all the land here."

Melin smiled and said, "Young Master, how could you forget? There's a mountain lake in this mountain. If this mountain lake is connected to the one behind our castle, we can take a boat. This will save time and keep it more secret."

Zhao Hai was taken aback. He hadn't thought of that. If they took the water route, it would indeed be much faster and more secretive.

Zhao Hai nodded and said, "That's a good idea. I'll improve ten acres of land today." With that, he focused his mind, and the space entrance appeared again. The ten acres of land in front of Zhao Hai were quickly improved.

Although Melin and Mu Tou had seen Zhao Hai improve the land before, they were still excited. Zhao Hai's ability was absolutely unique on the continent. Although it couldn't be used to kill, it was what they needed the most.

After improving the ten acres of land, Zhao Hai sighed with relief and turned to Melin, saying, "Grandma Melin, let's go back. It's a pity we don't have a boat. If we had a boat, we could take the water route back and see if it leads directly to the back of the castle."

Melin chuckled and said, "Young Master, how could you forget? I'm a water mage. I can take two or three people across the water without a boat. Don't worry, we'll take the water route back."

Zhao Hai was taken aback but then nodded. To be honest, although he had been on the Ark Continent for a few days, he still wasn't used to the various wonders here. He often confused it with Earth. Something like using magic to move on water was impossible on Earth but possible here.

Zhao Hai nodded, looked at the land, and turned to Melin, smiling, "Grandma Melin, let's go back. I'm worried that Meg and Stone might be too busy at home."

Melin looked at the area and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's go back." With that, the three turned and walked back to the cave they came from.

The three entered the cave, and Melin cast a lighting spell to lead the way. Zhao Hai and Mu Tou followed behind. This time, the three walked directly toward the direction of the water sound.

After about fifteen minutes, Melin saw the mountain lake. The lake was really large, and except for the sides blocked by the mountains, the light from the spell couldn't see the end of the lake.

Zhao Hai stood next to Melin. Their current position was about three meters above the lake, and there was a gentle slope leading down. The slope was very gentle, and it seemed to have been used by the dwarves to transport ore.

The ground was all made of stone, but because it was close to the water, it was covered with moss and was slippery.

Zhao Hai looked at the lake and sighed, "Who would have thought that in the Black Soil Wasteland, there would be such a fertile place? If we can figure out why there are no fish in this lake, we can raise fish here on a large scale."

Melin nodded and said, "Yes, this lake is so large that we can raise a lot of fish. In the future, this can become a major source of income for our Buda family."

Zhao Hai nodded and turned to Melin, saying, "Grandma Melin, let's go back. By the way, if there are any beasts in the water, will we be safe crossing the water?"

Melin smiled confidently and said, "Young Master, don't worry. We'll be fine." With that, she led the way to the lake, and Zhao Hai carefully followed behind. Mu Tou walked next to Zhao Hai, holding his arm. Although the ground was slippery, Mu Tou walked as steady as a mountain.