In the tranquil expanse of the Spiritual Garden, Devor stood across from a fellow Sect disciple, engaged in one of their frequent dealings.

  The disciple, a strikingly beautiful woman clad in a deep blue robe, wore the unmistakable emblem of her rank as an Inner Disciple.

  This was Monny—a name that had barely registered with Devor when he first saw her over a year ago. Now, she was a familiar presence, a regular customer whose beauty had only deepened over time. The once-innocent features he remembered had evolved into a serene confidence, befitting her elevated status.

  Over the last four months, Devor and Monny had met more than half a dozen times, each encounter gradually strengthening their acquaintance.

  "Your requests are as peculiar as ever—and just as hard to get," Monny remarked, a hint of weariness softening her otherwise sharp tone. "If it weren’t for Senior Yanyue’s help, I doubt I could’ve managed it."

  "I appreciate your effort," Devor said, offering a genuine smile. "The items I need are rare around here and usually have to be brought in from farther afield."

  Monny folded her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. "You’re an odd one, Devor. Why not trade in Cultivation Pills or Sect Contribution Points like everyone else? It’d make your life a lot simpler."

  Devor chuckled softly, though a shadow of guilt flickered in his gaze. "Senior Wulin has my Contribution Points tied up for the next year. For now, all I need are Seed Earth-Grade Spiritual Plants."

  Monny raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Let me guess—you struck some kind of deal with Senior Wulin?"

  Devor nodded, looking a bit sheepish. "Yeah, he made me an offer I couldn’t turn down. Most of my harvest for the next year is already spoken for."

  Monny sighed, shaking her head as she muttered something under her breath. "You’re in high demand, huh?"

  It was true. Devor’s reputation for cultivating top-quality Spiritual Plants had spread quickly among the Sect’s disciples. He had six regular customers vying for his limited stock, and there would have been more if he could meet the demand.

  "Your yields are impressive," Monny said, her frustration giving way to curiosity. "I asked my teacher why your plants are so much better than others. She said it’s because you create an ecosystem around them, where each plant supports the others’ growth."

  Devor gave a slight nod, his expression calm. "That’s right. It’s a method I’ve developed over time. It helps me understand the plants better and meet their needs more naturally."

  While most disciples relied on specialized Techniques or Formations to manage their crops, Devor took a different route. By fostering an interconnected ecosystem, he not only boosted his yields but also sharpened his sensitivity to the plants' spiritual energy.

  "You’d make a great Alchemist," Monny mused, her tone thoughtful. "With your understanding of Spiritual Plants, your success rate in making Pills would be incredible. Why haven’t you taken any Alchemy classes?"

  Devor shook his head gently. "I’ve thought about it, but not yet. Taking on another discipline would slow my progress in what I’ve already committed to. Right now, my focus is on perfecting my Gardener Skill."

  To most, Devor was just a skilled gardener. But the reality was far more complex. Perfecting his Essence of Nature Cultivation Technique demanded nearly all his energy and focus. Adding another responsibility risked spreading himself too thin.

  "I see," Monny said with an approving nod. "It’s smart to stay focused. Everyone’s path is different, and just because one way works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s the right path for you."

  Devor smiled faintly. "Exactly."

  They shared a brief moment of mutual understanding before exchanging a few more words and parting ways.

  "If you get more stock, let me know," Monny said, glancing back at him as she walked away.

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  "I will," Devor replied sincerely.

  Monny was more than just a customer; as an Inner Disciple, her influence was significant. Maintaining a good relationship with her was an opportunity Devor couldn’t afford to overlook.

  With a soft nod, Monny snapped her fingers, summoning a sleek flying sword from her Spatial Ring.

  Devor watched, wide-eyed, as she effortlessly stepped onto the sword. In an instant, she soared into the sky, the blade cutting through the air like a streaking comet.

  "Monny’s reached the Foundation Building Realm?" Devor murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief. "In just a year?"

  To wield a flying sword required Foundation Building-level cultivation. While it wasn’t unheard of for a Qi Refining cultivator to manage it, such instances were rare and demanded extraordinary talent.

  "If she’s still in the Qi Refining Realm, her strength must already rival that of Foundation Building cultivators," Devor thought, his eyes lingering on the fading streak of light in the sky.

  "No wonder I couldn’t gauge her cultivation level with the Attribute Analyzer when we met four months ago," he muttered, shaking his head with a quiet sigh.

  Being an Inner Disciple wasn’t just a rank—it was a testament to potential that far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.

  Clutching the Earth-Grade Seed in his hand, Devor turned and made his way back to his Spiritual Field, intent on refining his formation to create the perfect environment for the Sky-Grade Seed.

  ??????

  The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the field, its light filtering softly through the energy barrier before him. Devor stood still, the Earth-Grade Seed cradled in his palm, his gaze fixed on the formation he had painstakingly refined over the past weeks.

  A six-meter-wide circle shimmered faintly with a blue hue, its protective barrier radiating a steady, calming energy. Inside, Yellow-Grade and Earth-Grade Spiritual Plants were carefully arranged to form a balanced, harmonious ecosystem.

  Devor took a deep breath, the soft hum of energy resonating in his senses. "Alright," he murmured, glancing at the small notebook in his hand filled with meticulous notes on plant placements, energy levels, and formation adjustments. "Let’s see if this ecosystem holds up."

  He moved around the formation, carefully inspecting each plant. The Yellow-Grade plants steadily absorbed the ambient energy, while the Earth-Grade plants radiated a more grounded, stabilizing force. Together, they formed a delicate balance, creating an environment that mimicked the natural habitat needed for a Sky-Grade Spiritual Seed.

  After a few moments, the formation began to show promising signs.

  The energy barrier pulsed softly, its flow stable and contained. The plants inside responded positively, their leaves glowing brighter as they absorbed the enriched Qi. One Yellow-Grade plant in particular emitted a vibrant green glow, a clear sign that the environment was thriving.

  Devor reached into his pouch and pulled out the Earth-Grade Seed Monny had given him. Unlike the rare and precious Sky-Grade Seeds, this Earth-Grade Seed was perfect for testing the formation's stability.

  He stepped into the center of the formation, where the energy was most concentrated, and knelt by the prepared soil. Carefully, he dug a small hole, gently placing the glowing seed inside. Once it was covered, he pressed his palm against the earth.

  "Let’s see how you adapt," he whispered, channeling a small stream of energy into the soil to help the seed integrate with its new environment.

  The energy within the barrier began to shift, flowing toward the seed like a river converging into a calm lake. The seed responded, its faint glow intensifying as it absorbed the surrounding energy.

  Devor took a step back, watching as the formation came to life. The seed became the focal point, drawing in energy and radiating it outward in a steady, rhythmic pulse. The nearby Yellow-Grade plants glowed brighter, while the Earth-Grade plants extended their roots deeper into the soil, anchoring themselves more firmly within the energy flow.

  "Stable," Devor murmured, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "The seed is absorbing energy smoothly, and the surrounding plants are thriving alongside it."

  He walked around the formation, carefully observing the spiral-like energy flow within the barrier. This spiraling motion—one of his core theories—allowed the energy to circulate naturally, mimicking the currents of a flowing stream.

  "The spiral pattern speeds up adaptation," he muttered, jotting down notes in his notebook. "This will be essential when planting the Sky-Grade Seed."

  After a few minutes, a soft green aura began to radiate from the Earth-Grade Seed, signaling that it had successfully taken root. The surrounding plants responded in kind, their leaves swaying gently as if breathing in sync with the seed.

  Devor sat at the edge of the formation, opening his notebook to record his observations. He carefully noted the seed’s activation time, the energy flow pattern, and the plants’ responses—every detail vital for his future work.

  "If this formation holds steady for a week, I'll know it's ready for the Sky-Grade Seed," Devor said, exhaling deeply. A wave of relief washed over him, and for the first time in weeks, he allowed himself a moment to savor the taste of success.

  Just as he closed his notebook, a soft breeze brushed against his face.

  To anyone else, it might have seemed ordinary—a gentle caress of nature. But Devor, attuned to the flow of energy and the subtle whispers of the Spiritual Field, sensed something was off.

  The breeze carried a faint, unfamiliar scent. It wasn’t the natural fragrance of the plants or the earthy aroma of the soil. It was sharp, almost acrid, and it pointed toward one of the Sect’s Spiritual Fields under his care.

  Devor’s brows knitted together. "This... Something's wrong with the Spiritual Plant over there."

  Without hesitation, he stood and turned toward the source of the disturbance, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to investigate.