18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 522

Rosie was the embodiment of diligence, faithfully watering her fledgling garden twice a day. Yet despite her efforts, more than half of the grass and trees withered away within days. The scorching heat and lack of water were concerns, but the real enemy was the soil itself.

Stella was no agro-scientist, yet her optimism remained unshaken. "Don't worry, we've still got half left," she said with a reassuring smile.

The sound of hailstones relentlessly pummeling the RV was like a relentless drumbeat. There was only one home—a precious sanctuary—that Stella cherished dearly, and she swiftly ushered everyone inside Arcadia for shelter.

After a couple of hours, they emerged to find the hail mostly melted away. But the storm took another third of the plant life with it. It wasn't the impact that killed them, but rather their inability to adapt during their transplanting phase, as they faced the relentless assault of extreme weather. Even humans would struggle under such conditions.

Stella brewed some herbal tea, known for its restorative properties. Stubborn as ever, she refused to give up. Once every plant had perished, she planted a fresh batch. This time, she learned from experience. Instead of planting directly into the alkaline soil, she transferred the plants into pots with their original earth, gradually exposing them to the harsh elements and retreating them to Arcadia when the weather turned foul.

After nurturing them for over ten days, she finally planted them, soil and all, back into the ground. This time, half of the plants survived. Their growth was pitiful—a sad, wilted sight that seemed on the brink of giving up the ghost. The dandelion seeds in both patches struggled to sprout, and mysterious deaths were common. Stella's confidence took a hit every day.

Yet Jasper was the picture of patience, poring over books and resources. "Arcadia is home to mulberry trees, cypress, winter squash, and wheat. They're ideal for saline-alkaline soil. We should give them a shot."

The new land's history was a mystery—whether it had been land before or part of the seabed. The soil wasn't saline, and the alkalinity levels seemed manageable. Stella could afford the setbacks thanks to her resources. So, the third planting endeavor began. The survival rate slightly improved, but the struggling plants still caused frustration.

Fortunately, Snowflake and her pups persevered, regaining their vigor despite the initial shock to their systems. On mild mornings and evenings, the canine couple would race across the hilltops with their litter. "Awoooo... woof..."

Stella kept her focus on the plants, and by the time they had stabilized, over a month had passed. At sunset, the two would stroll along the beach. Stella glanced back frequently, pondering, "Has the mountain grown taller?" It felt further from the sea than when they first arrived.

Stella scattered a mix of seeds around the lake: trees, grasses, and even medicinal herbs. Their fate was now in the hands of nature. With high-powered binoculars, they surveyed the endless brown horizon as the wind whipped up the sand around them. They decided not to venture further and returned to camp in the Plunderer.

They had only a few surviving winter squash plants, which they carefully dug up, dirt and all, to replant in various spots. The wheat had been sown generously; despite low survival rates, green sprouts poked through each mound. All the straw from harvested wheat, corn stalks, and potato vines from Arcadia were buried in the soil to compost. With patience and a couple of years, the barren land could become fertile.

Rosie took to farming with unmatched zeal, directing the five dogs, "Cooper, Snowflake, you can't just go anywhere. If you need to go, do it on the compost pile." Fruit peels were no exception; everything was added to the compost. Green sprouts meant roots would stabilize the soil, slowing the evaporation of moisture. The bees buzzed tirelessly, and there were plans to raise chickens, ducks, and geese.

If it were just the three humans and a dog, their stockpiled meat would suffice. But the pups were growing, and Snowflake had a big appetite. All were carnivores with voracious appetites, consuming considerable amounts of meat each day. The affectionate couple seemed ready for a second litter at any moment... Endless breeding would exhaust even mountains of gold and silver. A whole pack of spendthrifts! If only Stella were a vet, she'd consider spaying or neutering them.

Arcadia could produce wheat and corn, so raising poultry was no issue. But Rosie was serious about breeding. "Stella," she said with determination, "when the birds hatch, I can raise maggots for them to eat, so we won't need Arcadia's grain." Goodness, little Rosie had grand ambitions; they had to support her all the way. Curious to see her plan, Stella inquired, "Rosie, how exactly do you intend to raise maggots?"