Keqing's sharp, eagle-like purple eyes, which seemed capable of piercing human hearts, swept across the pile of charred insect corpses and wreckage in a fraction of a second. There was no surprise—only cold confirmation. Then, her gaze acted like a physical probe, instantly locking onto the tall, emerald-green, and vibrantly alive abnormal plants in the experimental plot. Finally, that intensely penetrating sight pinned itself firmly onto the slightly plump young man standing by the edge of the field, dressed in mud-spattered coarse cloth and appearing rather stiff at the moment.
"Limeng?" Her cold, clear voice was not loud, yet it carried a strange, penetrating quality that cleanly cut through the sound of the wind and the panting of the crowd. Every word fell like an ice bead striking a jade plate. Her tone was less of a question and more of an unquestionable roll-call of confirmation.
Limeng's heart gave a violent leap, as if gripped tightly by those invisible eagle talons! It was here! Facing the pressure of the Liyue Qixing was far more stressful than debugging his most complex server clusters. He forced himself to suppress the absolute calmness that belonged to "Engineer Limeng" when facing technical challenges, and struggled to summon the awkwardness and reverence that the original owner's memories dictated a young agricultural researcher should feel when facing senior leadership.
Subconsciously, he lowered his head slightly, dodging that overly sharp purple gaze that seemed to see right through his soul. His body tensed uncontrollably, and his hands rubbed unconsciously against his rough trousers—trying to brush away a nonexistent layer of dirt—before he responded with a cautiousness and stiffness that carried a trace of deliberate, awkward imitation: "I... I am, Lord Keqing." His voice was dry, even carrying a trace of an imperceptible tremor.
Keqing's gaze lingered on him for a full three breaths. That sharp look felt like a bone-scraping blade, seemingly capturing his momentary stiffness, his deliberate lack of familiarity, and a certain out-of-place "core" hidden beneath his coarse garments. But she did not probe deeper. Right now, the value of this field outweighed everything else.
She stepped forward, the purple hem of her dress embroidered with intricate Electro patterns brushing against the charred insect corpses on the ground, producing a soft yet heart-tightening "swish" sound. She walked straight toward the miraculous cornfield, stopping beside a particularly stout corn stalk that stood like a squad leader among guards. Without hesitation, she reached out a finger encased in a half-finger black glove, the pad of her finger gently brushing against the smooth, resilient leaf whose edges even carried a hint of sharpness.
From her fingertips came a surging vitality that was on the verge of bursting forth, alongside an indescribable toughness of texture. Her gaze remained locked on the ears of corn tightly wrapped in green bracts, heavy and cast as if from gold.
"This variety?" Her voice was as direct and all-business as ever, completely free of fluff, cutting straight to the point with the efficiency characteristic of the Yuheng: "Yield? Resistance limit?"
The pressure was like a mountain! Limeng took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs as he forced himself to enter the zone. Reporting technical parameters? He was an expert at this! His past life experience in presenting proposals to clients was instantly activated. He pointed toward the vibrant experimental field, trying to avoid obscure terminology and explaining it in terms Teyvat residents could intuitively understand:
"Tentatively named Chisui Double-Resistant No. 3, it is still in the strict experimental validation stage." He emphasized its experimental nature, leaving himself some room: "As you can see, it possesses extremely strong species-specific pest resistance, showing near-immunity to common destructive pests like borers. Additionally, its resistance to harsh weather—especially strong winds and heavy rain—is exceptionally prominent, a trait we call 'lodging resistance'." He paused, his gaze acting like the most precise scanner as he rapidly swept across the plant density, height, and ear volume of the entire experimental plot. His brain whirred at high speed, performing deductions and calculations based on the knowledge in his past life's agronomy database.
"As for the yield..." His tone carried the conviction of a technician: "Based on the planting area, current plant density, and average growth of this experimental plot, the fresh weight of a single mature ear is conservatively estimated to be three to five times that of the ordinary corn varieties currently promoted within the Serenitea Pot. The plumpness of the kernels is extremely high, and the shelling rate is projected to far exceed the average. Converted down, this tiny patch of experimental field..." He gestured with a mud-stained hand at the area of less than half a mu, "...will yield a final grain harvest sufficient to rival the output of several mu of ordinary fields outside!"
"Hiss—!"
"Three... five times?"
"A tiny patch rivals several mu?! Heavens..."
"This... how is this possible?!"
An irrepressible wave of sharp gasps and incredulous low murmurs instantly erupted all around. Multiplied yields? A tiny patch rivaling several mu? This was simply divine grain straight out of mythology! But the small mountain of charred insect corpses before their eyes, the rows upon rows of undamaged, towering emerald plants, and those heavy, sweet-scented ears of corn radiating the fragrance of life... iron-clad facts left them no room for disbelief! The shock in the survivors' eyes was rapidly replaced by a frenzy-like ecstasy! Low discussions burst forth like a long-repressed flood! Many trembled all over, their gazes toward the field and Limeng filled with awe and burning anticipation.
Deep within Keqing's purple pupils, that trace of imperceptible shock finally transformed into a tangible, razor-sharp light! She spun around abruptly, facing the chaotic crowd and the standby Millelith. The fragments of Electro elemental energy lingering around her suddenly flared, emitting a low hum that formed an invisible barrier of coercion, instantly silencing the noisy clamor!
Her voice suddenly rose—clear, cold, and carrying the unquestionable decisiveness of the Yuheng, exploding like a thunderclap across the landing zone:
"Millelith, hear my command! Immediately organize reliable personnel to harvest! Target: all mature ears of corn in the experimental plot! Requirements: precise movements, handle with care! Not a single grain must be left behind! If there is any damage, you will be dealt with by military law!"
"Understood!!" The chests of the surrounding Millelith soldiers heaved as they roared in unison, the shockwave of sound making the air tremble. With Lady Keqing herself setting the tone, this was a strategic resource, a spark of hope! Orders were like mountains; the soldiers no longer held a shred of hesitation in their eyes, possessing only ironclad will and a sense of mission as they efficiently sprang into action like an extension of their own limbs.
"Where is the head of the Containment and Resettlement Department? Register this experimental plot immediately! Designate it as a Serenitea Pot Tier 1 Strategic Resource Protection Zone! Anyone trespassing will be dealt with for endangering public safety and shaking the foundations within the Pot! Set up a cordon and maintain round-the-clock patrols!"
"Secretary Ganyu!" Her gaze accurately locked onto the blue figure hurrying over from afar. "Bring your team here! I want the most precise data on yield per mu, single-ear weight, kernel count, and kernel plumpness analysis! The margin of error must be kept to an absolute minimum!"
Finally, her gaze—like two condensed flashes of purple lightning—pinned itself firmly onto Limeng once more. This time, that solemnity practically took on a physical weight, pressing down hard enough to make Limeng's breath hitch slightly:
"Mr. Limeng!" Keqing's voice was resolute and decisive. "Seeds! Every single seed of Chisui Double-Resistant No. 3 in your hands must be kept absolutely safe and reserved! This is the first ray of light for the survival of hundreds of thousands of souls within the Serenitea Pot! It is a spark of hope heavier than Mora, heavier than swords! Failure is not an option!"