Chapter 791, Altering Genes?

Translator: Silavin

 

[System, check in and open the Assistance Package.] Su Bai summoned in his mind.

 

This morning routine had become one of his daily rituals. Now he would always open the package in his room first before heading out.

 

<Ding! Congratulations Host, check in successful!>

<Ding! Congratulations Host received Low Grade Assistance: one tin of oolong tea leaves.>

 

Su Bai’s expression showed little fluctuation as he watched the tea leaves materialize in his hand. “Finally something worthwhile.”

 

The main issue was that previous rewards had been rather disappointing. Most items could not be put to practical use.

 

Even now, despite oolong tea leaves being quite ordinary, it was at least something he could use.

 

It was also perfectly timed, as recently all the tea they had been drinking came from leaves dried by the Tribe itself. He had not tasted tea from Earth in quite some time.

 

With this thought, Su Bai changed his clothes and left his room, placing the tin of oolong tea leaves on the table.

 

“Shaman, what is this tin?” Yu Ying examined the tea leaves with particular curiosity.

 

“This is also tea, only it tastes a lot better than what we normally drink.” Su Bai explained.

 

“This is the delicious tea I tasted before, isn’t it?” Yu Ying recalled a previous occasion.

 

Previously, Su Bai had obtained tea from the System. Since Yu Ying had been the one brewing it, she naturally had opportunities to taste it. She could clearly distinguish it from their current tea.

 

“Sort of. After we finish breakfast, you can brew tea with these leaves.” Su Bai said warmly.

 

He was essentially providing relief for his own taste buds, finally escaping those rather bitter tea leaves.

 

“Alright.” Yu Ying responded cheerfully.

 

The two quickly finished breakfast, and Su Bai returned to his position to handle work.

 

Yu Ying brewed two cups of tea and brought them over. Previously, she would only brew one cup.

 

But gradually, Su Bai had asked Yu Ying to brew one for herself as well. Though she had initially declined, eventually she naturally began brewing a cup for herself too.

 

“Shaman, this tea smells truly fragrant.” Yu Ying slowly closed her pink eyes.

 

“Looking at it this way, we absolutely must improve our current tea leaves.” Su Bai suddenly declared.

 

He took a sip of the oolong tea leaves the System had just provided. That mellow, rich sensation was something their current tea simply couldn’t deliver.

 

The tea leaves from the Primitive Era were far too bitter. Though there would be a slight sweetness to them towards the end, very few people could persist for that long. Just the first sip’s taste was enough to discourage most.

 

Tea was an indispensable part of his daily life. Whether busy or idle, he would always brew a cup.

 

Drinking tea benefited the body, and after consuming those greasy foods each day, it helped cleanse the palate.

 

“Shaman, are you referring to the tea leaves we’re currently drying?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe did not cultivate tea specifically. Their current supply came from the Hunting Ground.

 

Su Bai had discovered these tea leaves during a visit to the Hunting Ground, noting their similarity to Earth’s varieties.

 

After drying and brewing them, they had indeed proven to be tea leaves like those on Earth, though the taste differed somewhat.

 

However, the tea plants in the Hunting Ground were enormous. Transplanting them would be extremely troublesome.

 

So he had instructed the Warriors on each hunt to gather large bags to bring back for drying. This proved far more convenient than dedicating effort to cultivating tea plants.

 

“Yes, our current tea leaves don’t suit our palate at all. We must transform them to match our preferences.” Su Bai said seriously.

 

Because the System occasionally provided tea leaves, most of the time he could enjoy decent tea.

 

The more this happened, the more he detested the local tea once the System’s supply ran out.

 

He found the local tea unbearably unpleasant, though others considered it delicious.

 

For instance, Yan Jiao and Cang Shi both found the brewed tea exceptionally satisfying.

 

“Shaman, how will you do this? Do you intend for us to cultivate these tea plants ourselves?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

All the land surrounding the Tribe had been allocated. Not a single plot remained available. Most were dedicated to wheat, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. If they wanted to cultivate tea themselves, they would definitely need to designate a plot specifically for tea cultivation.

 

“Yes, I want to properly improve this batch of tea leaves, see if we can eliminate that bitter taste.” Su Bai nodded.

 

Though this idea seemed rather extreme, he felt it worth attempting. After all, he possessed the Growth Acceleration Skill.

 

Though uncertain whether this Skill could help alter the tea’s genetic structure, he had to try to find out.

 

What if repeated cultivation could create change? The Growth Acceleration Skill had a quota to be used each day anyways. Otherwise, the Skill would just be crafted into Shaman Bone Tablets, so he might as well experiment with his theory.

 

“You’re planning to use Shaman Techniques on them? But that would mean going to the Hunting Ground.” Yu Ying said softly.

 

“I don’t know if it will succeed. I can only try.” Su Bai said calmly.

 

“I think just making them grow larger, then using their seeds for planting, shouldn’t really change anything, right?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

Though Yu Ying didn’t understand this field well, she knew enough to realize that simply accelerating plant growth, then replanting with seeds, wouldn’t fundamentally alter anything.

 

“I know, which is why I’m considering another method, grafting.” Su Bai said seriously.

 

When considering how to alter the tea’s genetic structure, grafting immediately came to mind.

 

On Earth, this method was frequently employed. It utilises two plants’ advantages by grafting one plant’s branch or bud onto another plant.

 

On Earth, grafting was one method of artificial plant propagation. They just needed to attach a branch or bud from one plant onto another plant’s stem or roots.

 

This allowed the two joined parts to grow into a complete specimen. Grafting methods were divided into branch grafting and bud grafting.

 

This method was commonly used by fruit farmers to produce larger, sweeter fruit. Also, to shorten down time it takes to bear fruits.

 

“Shaman, what do you need me to do?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

Yu Ying didn’t understand this unfamiliar term, so she could only see if there was anything she could assist with.

 

“Go notify the Chieftain. Have him assign two Warriors to bring back some tea plants from the Hunting Ground.” Su Bai instructed.

 

“Alright.” Yu Ying nodded.

 

“Make sure they remember, they must uproot the plants completely and bring them back to me.” Su Bai added.

 

“I understand.” Yu Ying turned and departed.