I thrived in the primitive tribe

“We don’t put the earthworms directly into the un-tilled soil. The soil in the village has become very compacted because we walk on it so often, which is not good for earthworms to survive. So we have to turn over the compacted soil before we put them in, which is more suitable for the earthworms to live and move around.”

"Then why are we bringing back so many earthworms?" Luo Xue asked.

"Let's dig a hole first and make a home for the earthworms. Then we'll put some food that earthworms like to eat inside, such as some decaying leaves, fruit peels, and so on. This food will provide the earthworms with plenty of nutrition and will also promote their activity in the soil, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter."

At the same time, we can also put some branches and dry grass in the pit for the earthworms to move around in. These branches and grass can provide the earthworms with a sheltered haven, helping them to better move around and forage in the soil.

Once the earthworms adapt to their environment, they produce a lot of earthworm castings, which are the fertilizer we use for planting and are key to making potatoes grow better and more abundantly.

We can collect these earthworm castings regularly, and when we have enough, we can use them as base fertilizer in the soil where we will plant potatoes. This will improve soil fertility, increase the chances of potato survival, and provide strong support for potato growth.

"What is base fertilizer?" someone asked, puzzled.

Seeing the same puzzled look on everyone's faces, Lu Yao thought for a moment and said...

"Base fertilizer is the nutrients added to the soil before planting potatoes to supply them with nutrients. Its main function is to help potatoes grow."

To give an analogy, when we were first born, we weren't as strong as we are now; we grew little by little. So, if we want to grow, we need to eat, right? The base fertilizer is like the food that potatoes need.

"So, earthworm castings are the only suitable base fertilizer?"

"This isn't just me~ Animal excrement, after fermentation and processing, can also be used as base fertilizer. Fruit peels, bones, and vegetable leaves, after certain processing, can also be used as base fertilizer."

What is fermentation?

"Well, this involves some things that you can't understand right now, but it won't hurt to tell you. Before, when you were injured, did you sometimes have a fever? Sometimes, even though the wounds weren't very big, they ended up causing very serious consequences?"

Yes, do you know why?

"In fact, there are many tiny things in the air we live in that we can't see. Don't underestimate these little creatures. Their existence can bring us many benefits, but it can also bring us many harms."

As I mentioned before, fever and ulceration from injuries are caused by some of these tiny organisms. Our wounds are exposed to the air, allowing these invisible creatures to enter our bodies through the wounds, causing a fever response. In fact, the fever is a manifestation of these tiny organisms within our bodies fighting against these foreign invaders.

Seeing everyone's increasingly confused faces, Lu Yao knew she had said too much. The beastmen of today had never seen these things before and would never understand them.

"In general, fermentation is the process by which certain tiny organisms in the air react with these substances."

Although the Great Shaman didn't understand either, she felt that what Lu Yao said was correct. Otherwise, how could some of her tribesmen, whose wounds were not very serious, still return to the embrace of the Beast God in the end? She hadn't found the reason before, but from Lu Yao's words, she seemed to have come to the conclusion that it was probably caused by these tiny creatures in the air.

“Alright, we’ll find out gradually in the future. For now, let’s do as the divine messenger says,” the high shaman said.

"Yes, Great Shaman."

Everyone started working together to dig burrows for the earthworms, right next to the land where they would be planted, so that it would be convenient to fertilize them later.

Actually, there was opposition from the beginning. Excrement is familiar to everyone, and everyone thought that placing a latrine in the tribe would smell terrible. Moreover, some orcs have very sensitive noses, so it would be torture for them.

In response, Lu Yao explained: "Earthworm castings don't smell bad. On the contrary, due to their survival characteristics, earthworm castings have a natural soil fragrance."

"Let's try it out first. If everyone finds the smell of earthworm castings very offensive, we'll move them to a place around the village that won't affect your lives. However, this will make patrolling a bit more difficult, since we used to only patrol the village area. If the earthworms are moved outside, the patrol area will have to be expanded."

After considering multiple factors, we decided to keep the earthworms here and see if it's really as Lu Yao said. If there are any problems, we'll discuss how to deal with them.

And so, the earthworms' new home was thus magnificently situated beside the planting field, like a meticulously prepared little nest, awaiting its inhabitants. After the pit was dug, everyone busied themselves, laying down dead tree branches, fallen leaves, and decaying leaves—all the earthworms' favorite food and habitat. They searched everywhere, generously placing anything they felt the earthworms could eat or that could help them survive into the pit. Then, they carefully took the earthworms out of the wicker baskets, bag by bag. These earthworms looked small and agile, constantly wriggling their bodies in the leaf bags, as if searching for a way out.

Everyone held it gently, afraid that if they used too much force, they might crush the fertilizer expert they had finally found.

When placing the earthworms into their new home in the pit, they gently brushed aside the fallen leaves and leaves, slowly poured the earthworms in, and watched them eagerly burrow into the soil to begin their new life.

Everyone was both nervous and excited throughout the process. When the last bag of earthworms was placed in its new home and the fallen leaves were covered on top, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was finally over.

Everyone stepped back, examining the newly built earthworm nest. They wondered if the worms could survive well here and produce a large amount of manure for the tribe. They hoped that the worms would not disappoint them and would bring surprises to their agricultural endeavors.

With hopeful expectations in their hearts, they smiled at each other, began packing up, said their goodbyes, and returned to their caves. Although this was easier and less strenuous than hunting, it still took a considerable amount of time. From sunrise until sunset, they were all busy, and Lu Yao felt exhausted. Everyone else went back to tidy up as the sun set, preparing to go to the square for lunch.