Chapter 74

"Maturation? Suddenly?"

"It's not exactly sudden. Originally, the maturation cycle of these spirit herbs was six months. They were at least a month away from maturation. But yesterday, these spirit herbs suddenly matured. Moreover, they are full of spirit energy, and in terms of quality, they are even better than the previously matured spirit herbs!"

This was indeed a strange occurrence!

Cultivating spirit herbs is more meticulous than growing ordinary crops, and it is absolutely impossible for them to mature overnight.

However, such a strange event had indeed happened.

A few miles away, in another spirit field, the same batch of spirit herbs was still in the green stage, at least two months away from maturation.

However, these two fields were of the same type and planted at the same time. Even the cultivation methods and procedures were exactly the same.

"Take me to see it." Jiang Chen, who had not seen the scene, did not want to make any hasty conclusions.

Jiang Yu did not lie. When Jiang Chen saw the batch of spirit herbs, they were indeed matured, emitting a rich aura of spirit energy, and their quality was indeed better than the previously matured spirit herbs.

Jiang Chen's brows furrowed again. He was at a loss to explain this.

With his extensive knowledge of spirit herbs from his previous life, he was momentarily at a loss for an answer.

A few miles away, in another spirit field, the same batch of spirit herbs was still in the green stage, at least two months away from maturation.

However, these two fields were of the same type and planted at the same time. Even the cultivation methods and procedures were exactly the same.

"Collect some spirit soil for me, I'll test the soil." Jiang Chen, an expert in spirit herbs, first thought that it might be a problem with the soil.

However, after collecting soil samples from several areas and testing them, he found that there was no significant difference in the soil, which was almost identical.

"Could someone have maliciously applied spirit fertilizer to this area?" Jiang Chen thought of this possibility but quickly ruled it out.

Cultivating spirit herbs has its own rules. Spirit fertilizer can make spirit herbs grow better and shorten the growth cycle, but it is impossible for them to mature overnight.

If one were to make spirit herbs mature overnight, the amount of spirit fertilizer required would be ten or even a hundred times the value of the spirit herbs themselves.

Such a pointless act would never be done by anyone.

"Or perhaps a powerful martial artist passed by, carrying a powerful spirit weapon, and inadvertently leaked spirit energy, benefiting this area of spirit soil?"

This possibility was also extremely slim.

Not to mention whether this secular kingdom could produce such a level of expert. Even if such an expert passed by, the powerful spirit energy would leave traces. It would be impossible for only this area to benefit while other places remained unchanged.

"Or could it be some reclusive expert playing a prank?" Jiang Chen even considered this absurd possibility.

A gentle breeze blew, and Jiang Chen shook his head, dismissing the chaotic speculations from his mind.

"Xiao Yu, what you did was correct. Seal the news for now. Harvest these matured spirit herbs and continue planting to see what happens next. I will stay here for a few days to observe the situation."

Jiang Chen gave his instructions.

Jiang Yu nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Should we ask Lord Hou to come back...?"

Jiang Chen waved his hand, "No need. The capital is in turmoil, and he can't leave now."

Even if Jiang Feng were to come back, he would be at a loss. In the Eastern Kingdom, if Jiang Chen couldn't figure out the reason for the spirit herbs, inviting anyone else would be futile.

Following Jiang Chen's instructions, Jiang Yu had the medicine boys harvest the spirit herbs and began planting in the afternoon.

"Remember, you must not leak any information about what happened in this spirit herb field. Otherwise, you will not be spared by the family law!" Jiang Yu warned sternly.

Fortunately, the medicine gardens were independent of each other, and they did not interfere with each other. The events in this garden would not spread.

And since Jiang Yu had sealed the news in time, the situation had not spread.

After a night, early the next morning, Jiang Chen came to the garden. What he saw was that the seeds planted the previous day had already sprouted, and the seedlings were already two or three inches tall.

This... This was an insane growth rate!

"Brother, this..." Jiang Yu was also stunned by the scene. The medicine boys were at a loss, having dealt with spirit herbs for so long, they were very clear about the cultivation cycle.

This scene was absolutely inconceivable.

"Jiang Yu, seal the news. No one is allowed to approach this garden."

Jiang Chen was also puzzled. The garden seemed magical, with the cultivation cycle greatly shortened, which was a good thing.

However, Jiang Chen had a sense of foreboding, as if a thorn were pricking his back.

After all, in his past and present life, Jiang Chen had seen much and understood the principles of the universe. Such a seemingly miraculous event often harbored hidden dangers!

Jiang Chen was troubled by the unresolved matter.

"Brother, this is not a bad thing, don't worry. Today is sunny and pleasant. Why don't we go to Purple Cloud Peak to enjoy the scenery and the beauty of the Zizheng Department?"

Purple Cloud Peak was not far from the garden, only about ten miles away. Climbing high and looking far could broaden one's horizons and improve one's mood.

Jiang Chen led his subordinates and personal guards, accompanied by Jiang Yu, to climb Purple Cloud Peak. Looking down from a height, the view extended to the horizon, all within the territory of the Zizheng Department.

Jiang Chen's "Heavenly Eye" skill extended his vision for hundreds of miles, boundless and endless.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen's gaze stopped on the garden. From a high vantage point, the garden was shrouded in a faint mist. If not for the distant view, it would be impossible to notice anything unusual up close.

But from a high vantage point, the difference was noticeable.

The entire garden was covered with a faint layer of mist, like fog but not quite, hazy and indescribable.

"Xiao Yu, look at that garden!"

Jiang Yu looked in the direction and also noticed the anomaly, "Brother, what is that? Could it be the legendary spirit energy? Wow, this is too amazing."

"Look closely. Does this mist form any pattern or shape around the garden?"

After a careful look, Jiang Yu was surprised, "Brother, I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out. Now that I look, it does seem like something."

"What?"

"Claws, like the claws of a giant beast. See, the four ridges of spirit soil are like the four sharp claws of a giant beast. The area behind is like the palm, and this part is where the claws connect to the leg. It really does look like it! Wow, the creation is truly amazing!"

Jiang Yu marveled, but he didn't see the increasingly serious expression on Jiang Chen's face.

"Jiang Yu, go down the mountain quickly and destroy the spirit herbs in that garden. Do not plant any more spirit herbs in that garden! Go quickly!"

Jiang Chen's body suddenly sprang up like a bow, standing up.

"Brother, what happened?"

"Don't ask, just do as I say!" Jiang Chen's face was stern as he called his subordinates, "Go down the mountain!"

Jiang Yu had been Jiang Chen's follower since childhood. Now, knowing that Jiang Chen was grooming him, he naturally followed Jiang Chen's instructions without question.

After descending the mountain, Jiang Yu ordered the medicine boys to destroy all the spirit herbs in the garden and repeatedly warned them not to leak any information, or they would face death.

Seeing Jiang Chen's serious and heavy expression, no one dared to ask anything.

Jiang Chen walked around the garden, his frown deepening, as if he was recalling something and verifying it.

After a long time, Jiang Chen walked over to Jiang Yu.

"Xiao Yu, come here. I'll draw a map for you. Follow the distances and proportions on this map, and send people to investigate whether there are spirit fields cultivating spirit herbs in these areas."

Jiang Chen drew on the ground, not a shape but points in different directions.

Then he determined the directions and distances between the points.

"You don't need to go to other places. Choose three locations nearby to investigate. You must return within three days, the faster the better!"

Jiang Chen's tone became increasingly serious.

"Brother, is something big happening?" Jiang Yu felt a sense of urgency from Jiang Chen for the first time.

Even when they captured the traitor Jing Man, Jiang Chen's cousin had been calm and confident.

Today's situation was strange and abnormal.

However, Jiang Yu's greatest strength was following Jiang Chen's instructions. He immediately asked a few elders to personally investigate the directions Jiang Chen had specified.

Two days later, the three elders returned, bringing news that made Jiang Chen even more solemn.

As Jiang Chen had predicted, in the areas he had calculated, there were indeed spirit fields cultivating spirit herbs. Some were within the Eastern Kingdom, while others were in the territories of other countries.

"Brother, what's happening?" Jiang Yu was very curious.

Jiang Chen sighed lightly, "The workings of heaven and earth are predetermined. How could spirit soil appear in this secular kingdom without reason? How could such fertile spirit fields appear? Xiao Yu, if my calculations are correct, this is an ominous sign, a very ominous sign!"

"An ominous sign? Brother, is there something strange about this spirit soil?"

Jiang Chen shook his head, "We can't solve this with our current abilities. To verify my hypothesis, we would need to reach the spirit realm and master the earth-penetrating technique to investigate deep underground. Otherwise, any speculation is just speculation."

Jiang Chen didn't want to explain further. The more he explained, the more uneasy Jiang Yu would become.

"Xiao Yu, that spirit herb garden must not be touched. Fortunately, the ominous sign is only faintly appearing and has not yet reached its peak. I hope my guess is wrong. Otherwise, it will be a great calamity, one that the secular kingdom cannot withstand."

Jiang Chen sighed lightly. He had seen much and had already made some determinations, but he knew he couldn't spread this information, as it could have terrible consequences.

Although he was the son of the Heavenly Emperor in his past life, he was now reborn and no longer had his former identity. In this secular world, he had no room for recklessness.

Every move must be carefully considered to avoid getting himself involved.