On the first day of the battle, Devor had been forced to stop. His body, bruised and battered, and his spiritual energy nearly spent, just couldn’t keep up. The wolf's vicious attacks and his own reckless overuse of power had left him exhausted.

  Aoyun, ever the opportunist, wasted no time pointing it out.

  "Each training session costs one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone," he said, his tone as blunt as ever, void of any sympathy.

  Devor clenched his teeth and handed over the stone, frustration simmering beneath the surface. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could afford this, but there was no choice. If he wanted to survive in Beastbound Hollow—and get stronger—he had to pay the price.

  Over the next few days, Devor meditated in solitude, his mind focused on the gaps in his skills. The harsh difference between controlled training and the chaos of real combat became impossible to ignore.

  When practicing alone, the Dancing Fire Sword Technique drained about 250 units of spiritual energy. The technique, a graceful series of ten fluid strikes, was meant to flow together like a dance.

  But against the wolf, it had consumed nearly 350 units. His lack of control and impatience had left him barely able to land a single strike; the rest of his moves had fallen apart like a crumbling tower.

  "Reckless use of techniques will only make things worse," Devor muttered, frustration thick in his voice. He had treated his techniques like secret weapons, but hadn’t yet understood their true demands or his own limitations.

  Even Ultimate Synthesis, the ability that was supposed to enhance his techniques, ended up being more of a burden than a blessing. While it boosted his power, it drained his energy at an alarming rate, making it harder to maintain control. Devor came to a hard realization: without a solid foundation, aiming for perfection was pointless.

  For the next two weeks, Devor immersed himself in grueling training. Every week, Aoyun set up a new Spiritual Beast for him to face. Despite his body still healing from previous battles, Devor fought with relentless determination.

  Slowly but surely, he started to find the rhythm of combat. His movements became more intentional, his strikes sharper. He learned to conserve his energy, waiting for the right moments to strike instead of rushing in. In the chaos of battle, he began to appreciate the importance of patience and control.

  One day, Yulin came to visit him. She froze at the sight of the deep scars on his face and wrists, her eyes wide with shock.

  "Devor," she said, her voice heavy with concern as she handed him a small jar of medicinal salve. "You’re pushing yourself too hard."

  Devor briefly explained his training regimen, the constant battles with Spiritual Beasts, and the lessons he had learned along the way. Yulin listened quietly, but her expression grew more troubled with every word.

  "Fighting beasts sharpens your sword, Devor," she said after a long pause, her tone soft but firm. "But don’t forget—fighting cultivators is a whole different game. They think, strategize, and adapt in ways no beast ever could."

  Her words hit home. Devor nodded, his expression thoughtful. Maybe it was time to ask Aoyun for a sparring session, though he’d insist Aoyun hold back. He had no desire to face his senior at full strength—he wasn’t looking to get himself killed.

  Before leaving, Yulin flashed him a parting smile. "Remember, Devor," she said softly, "your strength is useless if you can’t use it to protect yourself—and those who matter to you."

  After her visit, Devor reassessed his training. He decided to focus on the basics of swordsmanship, putting advanced techniques on hold for the time being.

  Each basic strike, now infused with just a small amount of spiritual energy, only drained 5 to 10 units. As Devor continued practicing, he noticed his energy consumption steadily dropping, while the force of his strikes remained just as strong.

  His Body Refining Technique also became noticeably easier. According to the manual, this meant his physical strength had significantly improved, making the process less painful. His once lean frame had turned into a solid, muscular build, which allowed for smoother movements and more explosive power.

  At the same time, his cultivation progressed at a steady pace. The Essence of Nature Cultivation Technique, which he had carefully modified to suit his needs, was working well. But deep down, Devor felt it was time for a change.

  "This technique has evolved far beyond its original form," Devor mused quietly to himself. "It’s no longer serving its original purpose."

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  After much thought, Devor finally settled on a new name for his technique: the Five-Dragon Cultivation Technique.

  Though it had no real connection to dragons, the name carried a sense of grandeur and power. It felt right, especially since the Azure Sky Sect’s symbol was a dragon.

  Still, Devor knew the technique was uniquely his. It was designed for his body, his five-colored Spiritual Root, and his special connection to the elements. Sharing it with anyone else wasn’t just impractical—it could be dangerous.

  Devor gazed at the soft glow of his spiritual garden, the plants swaying gently as though reacting to his thoughts.

  "Two months of nonstop training, and I’ve finally reached this point," he murmured to himself. He had repaid his debt to Wulin, and Yulin, Liara, and the others had been compensated for the chaos he had caused. Even Aoyun had warmed to him, thanks to the generous thirty percent cut of the profits from his garden’s harvest.

  But Devor knew this was just the start. His wounds, scars, and the progress he’d made were all reminders of how much further he had to go.

  Though his enemies still roamed freely, Devor consciously set aside thoughts of revenge. For now, his focus was on his own growth.

  In the quiet solitude of his small garden, Devor spent countless hours tending to the Yellow-Grade Spiritual Plants that flourished under his care. Yet, as he surveyed the vibrant greenery, a thought kept nagging at him.

  "What if I replaced them all with Earth-Grade Seeds?" he murmured, stroking his chin. The idea was tempting. Earth-Grade Spiritual Plants had far more potential than the Yellow-Grade ones, but he knew the risks were enormous.

  Unlike the Inner Disciples and sect leaders, who cultivated in areas blessed with formations that amplified the natural energy of heaven and earth, Devor’s garden lacked such luxuries. The spiritual soil in his cave was limited, and the plants already fought for the scant natural energy available. Introducing Earth-Grade plants all at once could spell disaster. The soil could wither, and the fragile balance he’d worked so hard to establish would collapse.

  Standing at the edge of his garden, Devor watched the faint spiritual aura rising from the plants. The formation barrier protecting the garden had allowed the plants to create their own ecosystem, supporting each other while enriching the soil. It was a delicate harmony he wasn’t about to risk.

  "I can’t replace them all at once," he finally decided, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But if I take it slow, swapping them out one by one, it might just work."

  ??????

  Devor picked a small corner of the garden to start his experiment. The plants in this area were thriving on their own, and the soil was richer, more fertile. It was the perfect place to begin.

  For several days, Devor immersed himself in books and notes, studying the specifics of various Earth-Grade Seeds. Each one had its own set of requirements—soil moisture, sunlight intensity, and the amount of spiritual energy it consumed. Choosing the wrong seed could throw his entire garden out of balance.

  After much consideration, he settled on the Evergreen Lumina, an Earth-Grade Seed known for its adaptability in environments with moderate spiritual energy. The Evergreen Lumina not only absorbed energy efficiently but also returned a portion of it to the soil, promoting sustainability. It was the perfect choice for his delicate garden.

  The process began with great care. Devor carefully uprooted the Yellow-Grade Spiritual Plants in the chosen area, making sure their roots stayed intact and the soil structure remained undisturbed. Then, he prepared small, precise holes in the soil, each just the right size for the Evergreen Lumina seeds.

  Before planting, Devor created a special mixture: enriched spiritual soil, blended with rare mineral powder and water infused with natural energy. This would help the seeds adjust to their new environment. He poured the mixture into each hole, then gently placed the seeds inside and covered them with soil.

  But planting alone wasn’t enough. Using the Five-Dragon Cultivation Technique, Devor channeled the energy around the garden. He guided the elements of earth and water, creating a stable, nourishing environment for the Evergreen Lumina seeds to take root. To maintain balance, he planted a few Yellow-Grade Spiritual Plants around the new seeds. These would act as regulators, absorbing excess energy and releasing elements that would support the growth of the Earth-Grade plants.

  Every morning, Devor inspected the seeds, making adjustments to the energy flows whenever necessary. He kept the soil consistently moist and ensured that the sunlight entering the garden was just the right amount—not too harsh, not too dim. Each small change was carefully noted in his journal.

  After several weeks of diligent care, the first signs of success appeared. One of the Evergreen Lumina seeds finally sprouted, its bright green leaves shimmering with a soft, spiritual glow. Devor knelt beside it, a proud smile spreading across his face as he observed its vitality. The plant’s presence began to influence the surrounding area—the nearby Yellow-Grade Spiritual Plants looked healthier, their leaves more vibrant, and the soil seemed to pulse with renewed energy.

  "This is just the beginning," Devor whispered, his eyes alight with determination.

  Encouraged by his success, he expanded the experiment to other sections of the garden, carefully replacing more Yellow-Grade Plants with Earth-Grade Seeds. Each new addition taught him more about the delicate balance between spiritual energy and nature, each step further refining his understanding.

  As he worked, Devor couldn’t help but marvel at how much he had learned. His once-limited knowledge of Spiritual Farming had deepened, and his skills had reached new heights. He was no longer just tending to plants—he was becoming the architect of a thriving ecosystem, weaving the elements together in perfect harmony.

  Months of hard work began to show results. Devor’s garden was now a mix of flourishing Yellow-Grade and thriving Earth-Grade Spiritual Plants. The energy radiating from the garden felt denser, purer, and more balanced.

  But Devor wasn’t one to grow complacent. "There’s still so much more to learn," he thought, gazing at the lush greenery before him. His journey as a Spiritual Farmer was far from over. Every step he took brought him closer to mastering an art that was uniquely his.

  With each success, Devor’s confidence grew—but so did his humility. He understood now that true strength wasn’t just about power; it was about the wisdom to nurture and protect what mattered most.