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.