Little Seedlings

Chapter 54: Little Seedlings

Although the castle was clean overall, it didn't feel damp. This was mainly due to the efficient use of Water element Magic by Merine, an 8th level Grand Magician with excellent control over Water element Magic. The water only removed the dirt from the castle without leaving much moisture behind. The entire castle seemed as if it had been wiped clean, sparkling as if it hadn't been abandoned for so long.

However, Zhao Hai didn't have time to pay attention to these details. After Merine finished cleaning the castle, Zhao Hai immediately gathered some living materials, such as cornstalks and cooking stoves used by the slaves. After all, they needed to live comfortably.

Once these items were brought in, Zhao Hai left Meg and the others to organize the castle while he and Merine went to the canyon to see if it had also transformed into Black Wasteland.

For the castle's security, Iron Mountain Blockhead had been assigned to monitor Carrion Swamp and report any sounds from there. Although the Magic Beasts and Undead Creatures had retreated for now, they had to be cautious as there was always the possibility of a counterattack.

Green also wanted to see if Zhao Hai's group had obtained a good location. If it hadn't been destroyed, it would serve as an excellent granary.

Merine led the two of them directly to the canyon using Water element Magic. Zhao Hai was anxious because he knew that the canyon might not be as good as the exterior. It was his first time going there, and the canyon could be entirely covered in Black Soil, just like the outside.

As they entered the canyon, Zhao Hai's mind buzzed. Just as he expected, the area had returned to its original state. The land that had been improved had reverted to its original appearance.

After a while, Zhao Hai sighed and carefully observed the land. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that there were no footprints on the ground. In other words, no Magic Beasts had been on this ground. So how did the land turn into its current state?

Zhao Hai was perplexed and looked at the land, and then Green sighed and said, "It seems like this is the place where flying Magic Beasts expelled toxins. The ground here lacks footprints of Magic Beasts, but the mountain walls have many black spots. It appears that these spots shouldn't be caused by flying Magic Beasts."

Upon hearing Green's explanation, Zhao Hai looked at the mountain walls and indeed saw numerous black spots. It seemed that Green was right. Magic Beasts expelled toxins here.

Zhao Hai became frustrated. He found it odd that Magic Beasts in Carrion Swamp chose this place, where flying Magic Beasts and ground-walking Magic Beasts seemed to compete for a restroom.

At that moment, Merine suddenly exclaimed in excitement, "Young Master, come and see this quickly!"

Surprised, Zhao Hai and Green quickly walked over to see what had excited Merine. When they saw what she was pointing at, they were also shocked.

Merine was pointing at something ordinary—little seedlings, baby corn sprouts to be precise.

These little seedlings were nothing special, but one had to remember that the ground had turned into Black Soil. In this situation, it was strange for these little seedlings to grow. How could they thrive in such an environment?

The two of them stared blankly at the little seedlings. Zhao Hai was puzzled and asked, "How can they grow in this changed soil?"

Even Merine and Green couldn't answer that question. They were equally puzzled. Zhao Hai decided to dig around the little seedlings to investigate further. To his surprise, he found that there was a layer of Black Soil on the surface, but the roots of the little seedlings were firmly embedded in good soil. Moreover, they were growing robustly.

Seeing this, Zhao Hai squatted down and patted the soil in his hand. He stood up and said to Green and Merine, "Grandpa Green, Grandma Merine, when we go back to settle down, we should plant on this land. We can use Spatial Water to soak corn seeds and then plant them. Additionally, we can pour Spatial Water on the corn seedlings, which will not only detoxify the water but also improve the soil. We should give it a try. If successful, we can expand our planting area and have a stable source of income."

Merine was taken aback and asked, "Young Master, doesn't Space have a limit of improving ten acres of land per day?"

Zhao Hai smiled and said, "Yes, that's the restriction of Space. However, we're not using Space to improve the land right now. We're using Spatial Water, and there are no limitations on its use in Space. So we can go ahead and expand our planting area. We can treat it as an experiment. We currently have 100,000 jin of corn in hand, which we can use as seeds. Let's give it a try."

Merine couldn't object, and Green added, "Young Master's idea is indeed good. But can we use up all the water in Space?"

Zhao Hai smiled and replied, "It shouldn't be a problem. With so many of us here, the water consumption in Space from our daily activities is already significant. But have you seen the water in Space running low?"

Green thought for a moment and said, "No, it doesn't seem to be in short supply. You're right. This is a good plan. However, I think we should first deliver the radishes to Markey Delphi Trading Company and trade for the things we need. Then we can plant Oil Fruit trees and alfalfa on the mountain. We can gradually change the land on the mountain while pouring Space water on it. This way, we can harvest Oil Fruits even faster. In this case, regardless of whether we get a good harvest with the grains, we'll have a steady income."

After experiencing the recent calamity, Green had stopped calling the Magic Radish by its previous name.

Zhao Hai agreed, saying, "Yes, that's a good plan. But I am a bit worried. If we deliver a large quantity of radishes, what will happen to the people in the castle? I'm concerned that if we leave for a few days and the Magic Beasts attack, they won't be able to defend themselves."

Green chuckled and said, "Young Master, there's no need to worry. We can bring everyone from the castle into Space. Since Space will follow you, when you enter it, the castle and the people inside will be taken into Space. We can keep them safe until we return."

Zhao Hai was momentarily stunned, then he smiled. He had forgotten about this solution. Since he had Space, he could bring everyone with him. Even if it temporarily affected their cultivation time, the safety of the people was paramount.

Merine also agreed, "That's a good idea. We should leave as soon as possible and make sure no one can find us when we're gone."

Green smiled and said, "It won't be that easy. We can lead the people into Space, but if someone inspects the castle, it will be difficult to hide the truth. If we disappear, they won't have a place to find us. Since we'll be away for some time, not only to sell the radishes but also to find more precious seeds, we should proceed with caution."

Merine sighed helplessly. She hadn't anticipated that cleaning the castle too quickly would also cause problems. Zhao Hai smiled and said, "Alright, let's not worry about it. We need to leave as soon as possible, making it impossible for those people to find us."

Green smiled and said, "Young Master, let's leave first. Once we're back, we can immediately set off. We have many tasks ahead of us."

Zhao Hai and Merine nodded in agreement, and the three of them hurried back to the castle. The recent beast disaster had been a catastrophe for them, but it had also presented an opportunity to free themselves from the surveillance of the Great Clans.