Green Liquid

"This liquid not only accelerated growth, but also improved the quality of medicinal herbs..." Jialan rapidly wrote in his experimental notes. "And even after dilution, the effect remained remarkable. That meant the liquid was extremely efficient to use. Most importantly, the herbs it produced had no side effects at all..."

By this point in the experiment, Jialan had already realized the value of the Little Green Bottle. In the present world, high-year medicinal herbs were exceedingly rare. Many precious herbs either grew in dangerous places or required a long time to mature. The liquid in this green bottle could perfectly solve those problems.

If it were used to cultivate high-grade medicinal herbs... Jialan had already begun planning for the future.

However, Jialan quickly calmed down. He realized that the existence of the Little Green Bottle had to be kept strictly secret. If word got out, he could not help but shudder.

For the next period of time, Jialan immersed himself completely in his experiments. He discovered that this liquid had similar effects on all plants. He also tried treating some precious bark suitable for making scrolls with diluted liquid, and found that the treated bark was exceptionally good.

That way, I won't have to rely entirely on Magical Beast Hide... Jialan thought excitedly. Although Magical Beast Hide worked well, it was difficult to obtain and expensive. This treated plant bark, on the other hand, was not only cheap but no less effective.

As the experiments continued, Jialan discovered another astonishing phenomenon: even after the treated plants stopped receiving the liquid, they could continue growing while retaining the properties of high-year plants.

He did not stop experimenting until he had used up all the liquid in the Little Green Bottle.

Jialan sat cross-legged on the small bed in the wooden cabin, closing his eyes and focusing his mind. In his spiritual vision, countless tiny points of light moved along specific paths, forming a complex pattern. This was the meditation pattern formed by the Meditation Method he had obtained from the necromancer, far more refined than ordinary Meditation Methods.

Every point of light represented a thread of spiritual power. They circulated through the pattern, forming a carefully woven net that captured the free-floating ice elements in the air. Jialan could clearly sense that these ice elements were like mischievous little sprites, reluctantly moving toward the Mana Pool under the guidance of his spiritual power.

"Another one got away..." Jialan watched helplessly as an ice element broke free from the restraints of his spiritual power and merged back into the air. This was the most common occurrence during meditation. Most elemental particles were lost during the process of capture and transfer.

By Jialan's estimate, the ice elements he successfully guided into the Mana Pool during each meditation session might not even amount to one percent of those he captured. The efficiency sounded low, but it was already much better than an ordinary Meditation Method.

As meditation continued, the ice elements in the Mana Pool gradually increased. Jialan felt that his Mana Pool was like a huge container filled with tiny ice crystals. The crystals collided with one another, producing crisp sounds.

"It's time to start compressing them." Jialan took a deep breath and began mobilizing his spiritual power.

Compressing elemental particles was the key step in advancing to an intermediate spellcaster. This process required extremely precise control. The slightest mistake could cause the elemental particles to lose control and damage the Mana Pool.

Jialan carefully wrapped a small cluster of ice elements with his spiritual power and began applying pressure. He could feel the ice elements resisting, like a sponge being squeezed.

"Hold on..." Fine beads of sweat formed on Jialan's forehead. Compressing elemental particles not only consumed mana, but also placed a heavy burden on his spiritual power.

As time passed, that cluster of ice elements gradually became denser. Its originally loose structure began arranging itself tightly, while its volume slowly shrank.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck him. Jialan knew this was the signal that he had reached his limit. He quickly stopped compressing and slowly relaxed his spiritual power.

When he opened his eyes, Jialan let out a long breath. Although he still had a long way to go before compressing the entire Mana Pool into a single drop of liquid, he could feel his obvious progress.

"Whew..." Jialan exhaled and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He inspected the Mana Pool and found that the cluster of ice elements had only shrunk a tiny bit. Without close observation, it would have been impossible to notice.

"At this rate," Jialan calculated, "without outside help, it will probably take seven or eight years to compress all the elemental particles in the Mana Pool into a single drop of liquid. This Meditation Method really is different. If I kept using the Meditation Method previously supplied by the military, it might take fifteen years to advance to intermediate rank."

The process of advancing to an intermediate spellcaster sounded simple, but it was actually filled with danger and challenges. Every compression required absolute concentration. The slightest carelessness could ruin everything. Spellcasters were known as the most difficult profession on the entire continent to advance in, and that reputation was not undeserved.

Jialan stood up and stretched his stiff body. He knew this process could not be rushed. What he needed now was patience and perseverance, as well as... some external help.

As he looked at the empty Little Green Bottle, a trace of anticipation flashed through Jialan's eyes.

"Strange," Jialan muttered with a frown. "Today should be my patrol day. Why haven't I received a notice?"

He decided to visit the border garrison and see what was happening. Along the way, he noticed that the soldiers all wore serious expressions, devoid of their usual ease. Even the sounds of drills from the training grounds were more urgent than usual.

When he entered the camp, Jialan found the atmosphere even more tense. Soldiers hurriedly moved supplies while officers gathered together and discussed something in low voices.

"Mage Jialan!" A familiar voice called out. Jialan turned and saw the border garrison's Squad Leader, John Marcus, walking toward him. This young officer usually wore a roguish grin and often declared that he wanted to return home early and become a noble lord, but his brow was now tightly furrowed.

"John," Jialan greeted him. "What happened? Why is the atmosphere so tense?"

John glanced around and lowered his voice. "There might be a war."

"War?" Jialan was startled. "Could it be that the magical beasts are rioting again? Or is it the Aus Empire..."

John shook his head. "I don't know the specifics either. The higher-ups only told us to prepare and remain on standby at all times."

The image of the White Dragon Horse suddenly flashed through Jialan's mind. After hesitating for a moment, he still asked, "Does this have something to do with the Church?"

John looked surprised. "How did you know... No, I'm not sure either. The battalion commander was summoned to a meeting. There may be more news when he returns."

Jialan nodded, but a storm had already risen in his heart. He recalled what he had encountered in the Misty Forest, the military's mysterious operation, and that suffering White Dragon Horse...

"Oh, right," John suddenly said. "Your patrol duty has been temporarily canceled. The higher-ups want the spellcasters to remain at the garrison and stay on standby."

Jialan nodded thoughtfully. He knew this meant the situation might be even more serious than he had imagined. After leaving the camp, he returned to his small wooden cabin and began organizing his magical items. His mind kept replaying all the strange incidents from recent times.