Upon their return, James hurriedly headed toward the plantation. The moment he entered the plantation, he realized that all the herbs had withered. Only a single tiny herb remained unperturbed. Though its petals were close to withering, a tiny fruit could be seen in the middle of the flower.

“What’s going on?”

Looking at the withered plants, James asked in confusion, “I only left for a few days. Why have the herbs I planted withered? Could it be that this tiny herb has absorbed all the nutrients from the soil and caused the other plants to wither?”

James hypothesized. Looking at the herb, he suddenly had the urge to absorb the Empyrean Spiritual Energy inside the herb. However, upon seeing the fruit, he dismissed the idea.

He began looking forward to the herb bearing fruit. Once the fruit was ripe, he could cross into the ninth rank after consuming it.

“James.”

A voice came from the courtyard.

James glanced at the herb before standing up and heading toward the wooden hous