Chapter 292 - 292: Heat Resistance Serum (2)
The gel resisted at first but gradually thinned into a smooth, translucent liquid. She poured it through a fine mesh filter to remove the pulp, making a clear aloe juice.
Now, it was time to make the serum.
The first step was the most crucial, which was to extract the essence of the sunflare fruits.
Because it was a heat-resistant plant, its essence was harder to extract than the buzzbane leaves.
Nanzhi had to raise her input of mental energy to increase the temperature of the fire in the fuel chamber. Any drop in the temperature during the extraction process would result in failure.
It was fortunate that she had upgraded to Tier 4.
Her first and second attempts failed.
On her third try, she was finally successful. As the liquid essence of the sunflare fruits simmered in the cauldron, she added the rest of the ingredients.
The rest of the process was smooth. She only needed to maintain the temperature of the fire.
After two and a half hours of Game Lobby time, she managed to make the first heat-resistance serum.
The system prompt rang in her mind.
[Congratulations on making 3-star Heat-Resistance Serum]
[+350 EXP]
For a 3-star serum recipe, the EXP she received was less than when creating the insect repellent serum. Maybe because the process was easier than the other serum.
But EXP was EXP.
Nanzhi had nothing to complain about.
For the rest of the time, she continuously made serums until her mental energy dropped to 10%. She took a short nap and absorbed spars before resuming.
In addition to the jades she earned while trading with Longmen Base's residents, during their EXP grinding trip, Colonel Tang once again bought a batch of insect repellent serums from her. Now the daily Game Lobby time had exceeded 32 hours.
But when you have many things you want to do, no matter how much time you have, it still feels short.
From the first batch, she successfully made eighty-five heat-resistance serums. While the sun was out, Nanzhi went to test the serum and it was effective. She could barely feel the heat.
Nanzhi returned to the game lobby.
After getting the hang of the process, she was like a tireless and precise manufacturing machine. She concocted batch after batch and only stopped when it was dinner time.
In total, the number of heat-resistance serums she made was around four hundred seventy-eight.
When she joined the others during dinner, their facial expressions were similar to hers. It was as if the six of them had just come home from an overtime job.
It couldn't be helped since everyone was busy.
Except for her, the other five were busy digging an underground shelter and applying insulated paint together with the other survivors.
At least the dinner was rich. It helped the five regain a bit of motivation.
Nanzhi planned to test the heat-resistance serum. She had Weihao contact Colonel Tang and send five serums as freebies using the same method.
Colonel Tang bolted like an arrow to the vending machine.
"Heat-resistance serum? Boy, you're not pulling my leg, are you? Did I hear you right? These are heat-resistance serums?" Colonel Tang's excited voice sounded from the phone.
"En," Weihao answered.
"Ah, you boy, at least say a few more words! You're keeping this old man on edge."
"It's better to experience it yourself," Weihao replied. He hadn't tried it yet, but knowing Nanzhi's talent, this new serum would be something incredible.
After the call, Colonel Tang looked at the sky and hoped the day would come soon.
Because time was of the essence, Nanzhi finished her dinner quickly and resumed making concoctions again.
At around 2 a.m., she and Weihao disguised themselves as Jade Merchants again.
The survivors had long been waiting, and upon seeing their truck, they rushed forward and lined up.
Noon soon came, and when the temperature rose to its peak, Weihao received a call from Colonel Tang.
"Boy, tell me how many more serums that mysterious person has in stock."
Colonel Tang had tested the serum and was amazed by its effects.
It was 63 degrees Celsius outside, but after consuming the serum, the temperature became bearable. Although the effect was only temporary, now that their medicine for heat-related illnesses was running out, this serum had come at the right time.
Nanzhi immediately sold five hundred serums to Colonel Tang.
Thanks to the serum, it reduced the risk of heat stroke for the officers and staff on field duty.
Colonel Tang was not the only one who tried it. Weihao, Bingwen, Feng Ran, Hei Qian, and Baoyin also tried the heat-resistance serum.
They already had heat resistance from the sunflare fruits. With the serum added, the heat felt like a normal temperature.
"What's this? I can barely feel anything!" Baoyin marveled and stayed longer under the noon sun.
The only downside was that they were still vulnerable to other heat-related injuries, like accidentally touching a hot surface. But the five were already more than satisfied.
With the serum, they could do more things during the daytime.
Nanzhi had to stop selling on the fourth day. She spent all her time making serums and sold another batch to Colonel Tang.
At this time, under Weihao's command, the underground shelters in the community center were finally finished. Everyone evacuated underground.
On day five, the temperature rose to 70 degrees.
On the sixth day, the temperature rose to 75 degrees.
Nanzhi tirelessly made heat-resistance serum.
The heat wave reached its peak on the seventh day at 80 degrees Celsius.
The sky above Jade City had turned into a pale, burning white. The sun hung overhead like a merciless eye, pouring down waves of scorching heat.
Even the air distorted.
Heat rippled across the streets, turning the distant buildings into trembling mirages. The concrete roads had grown so hot that faint cracks spread across their surfaces with soft popping sounds.
In some cities, the asphalt roads had softened slightly, releasing a sharp, burnt smell that lingered in the heavy air. Metal structures fared even worse. The guard rails along the streets glowed faintly under the sun, too hot for bare hands to touch.
Rows of trees and the green grass in the children's park that had once stood straight and lush now drooped, turned yellow, wilted, and died.