The atmosphere in the grand arena had shifted completely. Devor’s challengers, once brimming with arrogance and confidence, now stood frozen, caught between shock and awe. What he had just accomplished was nothing short of extraordinary—it was almost miraculous. Even with the best tools and the perfect conditions, replicating his feat would be nearly impossible. Yet, despite having limited resources and facing immense challenges, Devor had done it.

  It wasn’t just his mastery of Spiritual Plant cultivation that set him apart. It was something deeper—an innate connection to the plants themselves. He didn’t just grow them; he understood them—their rhythms, their needs, their essence.

  A heavy silence settled over the arena as the weight of this realization hit. Then, breaking the stillness, an Outer Disciple slowly stepped forward. His movements were deliberate, his gaze unwavering as he made his way to the center of the field. With a deep bow and a respectful gesture toward Devor, he turned and made his way back to his seat.

  That one simple act ignited something.

  One by one, the other challengers followed suit, each offering their own bow of respect. The fiery determination that had once blazed in their eyes was now replaced by humility. They had entered the arena with the intent to prove their superiority, but now they saw the vast gulf between their abilities and Devor’s.

  For what felt like an eternity—but was only ten minutes—the arena was filled with bowed heads and resigned sighs. Even the disciples who had reached the Core Formation Realm, the pride of their divisions, quietly conceded defeat. Devor’s achievement was something that could not be matched by sheer force or raw energy. It required precision, patience, and an almost intuitive understanding of Spiritual Plants.

  The silence shifted into murmurs, then erupted into cheers as Devor’s name echoed through the colosseum. What had started as whispers of doubt and mockery had transformed into a loud, unified chorus of admiration.

  Amidst the rising noise, Forly’s voice rang out, full of enthusiasm. He jumped to his feet, waving excitedly. "I knew you’d do it, Devor! Show them what you’re made of!"

  Devor stood alone in the center of the arena, letting the growing noise wash over him. His emotions were a mix of disbelief and quiet pride. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined a moment like this—standing at the center of the sect’s admiration, with thousands chanting his name.

  Above him, Versti gave a faint smile. His posture radiated calm authority, but the satisfaction in his expression was clear. He raised his hands, and the crowd immediately fell silent, their cheers fading into a hushed stillness.

  "With this demonstration, I officially declare Devor Li as the final member of my team, taking the role of our Spiritual Farmer." His voice was calm, but it carried easily across the vast arena.

  The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers rolling like thunder.

  In the VIP stands, Yulin and Liara clapped with enthusiasm, their faces glowing with pride.

  Yulin wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye, her heart swelling with emotion. She remembered Devor’s journey—from a humble apprentice, tasked with the most menial chores, to a cultivator now standing shoulder to shoulder with the sect’s finest.

  Through it all, Devor had stayed true to his principles. He never sought shortcuts or compromised his beliefs. His cultivation, his approach to Spiritual Farming, and his view of balance within ecosystems—all reflected the core of who he was.

  The arena seemed to tremble with the force of the cheers, as if the colosseum itself was celebrating Devor’s triumph.

  Then, from high above, a figure descended with effortless grace. The Sect Master’s mere presence demanded respect, and the arena quickly fell silent in awe. Hovering above the central field, his light blue robes, adorned with a brilliant white dragon, sparkled under the sunlight. His crystalline eyes swept over the crowd, finally settling on Devor.

  To the Sect Master, Devor was no longer just another disciple. He was a rare talent, one whose brilliance would only grow with time.

  "Disciples of the Azure Sky Sect," the Sect Master’s voice rang out, deep and commanding, like a rolling wave. "The team selections for the upcoming Heavenly Troop Tournament are now complete."

  The crowd's excitement surged once more. Even those not chosen couldn’t help but feel the anticipation building for what was to come.

  The Sect Master’s gaze shifted to the assembled teams. "Team Captains and members, make your way to Azure Mountain Peak. There, you will train, strategize, and prepare for the challenges ahead. Remember, this is not just a competition. It is a test of your unity, strategy, and perseverance. Your performance will reflect the honor and strength of the Azure Sky Sect."

  Two more Captains, representing the Golden Core and Core Formation divisions, stepped forward. Their teams lined up beside Versti’s, creating an impressive display of discipline and strength.

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  “Thank you, Sect Master!” the disciples said in unison, bowing deeply.

  The Sect Master raised his hand, signaling for silence once more. “This competition will be broadcast live for all to see.” His smile held meaning as it swept across the arena. “Pay close attention, for these battles will teach you lessons no manual or lecture ever could. The strategies, decisions, and teamwork you’ll witness will shape your understanding of cultivation in ways you can’t yet imagine.”

  The disciples erupted into cheers again, their excitement for the tournament growing by the second.

  Devor, standing with his new team, exhaled slowly. The weight of the moment settled on him, but he felt ready. His name, once doubted, was now spoken with respect. As the cheers roared around him, Devor couldn’t help but think about the road ahead—the challenges, the battles, and the growth that awaited him.

  With a simple wave of his hand, the Sect Master’s figure shimmered and vanished, leaving behind an aura that felt almost divine, lingering in the air like a faint whisper. The grand arena fell silent, the echoes of his presence still resonating in the hearts of everyone who had witnessed his departure.

  Without hesitation, the Captains led their newly formed teams toward Azure Mountain Peak, one of the nine towering pillar mountains of the Azure Sky Sect.

  Versti placed a steady, reassuring hand on Devor’s shoulder, a subtle warmth flowing through him that helped steady the younger disciple’s nerves. “Stay close,” he said, his voice calm but firm. With a burst of energy, Versti shot into the sky, Devor following closely behind on his flying sword.

  The rest of the team rose in unison, their swords cutting through the clouds like streaks of light in the vast, twilight sky. From below, the sight was breathtaking—a synchronized display of power and grace that left the audience in awe.

  At the edge of the arena, Yulin stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the shrinking figures disappearing into the distance. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “He’s come so far,” she whispered, her voice a fragile mix of pride and emotion.

  Just a year ago, Devor had been a shadow of his former self—stripped of his reputation and responsibilities. Yet, he had risen from the ashes and transformed into someone entirely new—a cultivator with unshakable determination. Yulin’s heart swelled with pride, but there was a bittersweet ache too, knowing this was only the beginning of a much more dangerous journey.

  ??????

  Two hours later, Versti and his team gathered in a grand training hall at the summit of Azure Mountain Peak. The chamber buzzed with natural energy, the air thick with spiritual Qi that hummed with the essence of creation itself.

  Devor stood still, letting the energy wash over him. It was a sensation unlike anything he’d ever experienced—potent and soothing at once, sharpening his senses and invigorating his spirit.

  Versti stood at the center of the hall, his presence both commanding and approachable. His expression was serious, his sharp eyes scanning each team member as if measuring their resolve.

  “This competition will take place in a fragment world,” Versti began, his voice steady but heavy with meaning. “Once we enter, each team will be positioned on the outskirts of the central region. To win, we’ll need to fight our way through countless dangers and carve a path to the core, where the victory flag awaits.”

  Devor listened closely, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves.

  “This won’t be a simple journey,” Versti continued. “The fragment world is vast, dangerous, and designed to test every aspect of our abilities. With the obstacles ahead, it could take us up to a year to reach the core.”

  A heavy silence settled over the room as the weight of Versti’s words sank in. The team exchanged uncertain glances, but Versti pressed on without hesitation.

  “That’s why we have to operate as one, a single, cohesive unit. Every role on this team is vital—every member indispensable. You must support each other, combining your strengths and covering each other’s weaknesses. Teamwork is our key to success.”

  Devor felt the responsibility of his role sink in. As the team’s Spiritual Farmer, it was his job to provide the resources they would rely on—plants for alchemy, forging, and survival. It was a crucial position, one often overlooked by most cultivators, but he knew it would be essential to their success.

  Devor didn’t underestimate the weight of his responsibility. He knew better than anyone that a failure in his role could mean the difference between life and death for his team.

  Versti’s sharp gaze landed on him, his expression softening just a fraction. “Devor,” he said, his voice calm but direct. “You’re in charge of managing our raw resources. Is there anything you’d like to share about the types of Spiritual Plants you plan to cultivate on this journey?”

  The sudden focus on him made Devor’s pulse quicken. All eyes were on him now, including Versti’s—a leader whose quiet intensity always demanded the best. The pressure was overwhelming, but Devor knew this was his moment. This was where he could shine.

  Taking a steadying breath, Devor lifted his head, meeting the gazes of his teammates. His dark eyes gleamed with determination, and the weight of doubt lifted as he stepped into his expertise.

  “I’ve already begun drafting plans for a self-sustaining cultivation system,” Devor said, his voice steady and confident. “The key will be creating portable spiritual fields—spaces where plants can thrive in harmony, maximizing yield while minimizing energy use. I’ll focus on versatile Earth-Grade Spiritual Plants, ones that can serve multiple purposes—medicine, nourishment, and even energy restoration.”

  The team listened intently, their initial skepticism giving way to curiosity. Even Versti tilted his head slightly, intrigued by Devor’s newfound confidence.

  "I’ll also include plants that improve the environment itself," Devor said, his tone confident yet focused. "These will increase the spiritual energy in the Spiritual Garden, keeping our raw resources stable. If we manage it properly, this setup will give us a solid edge over the other teams."

  There was a brief silence after his words, but it wasn’t empty. It was the kind of silence that crackled with anticipation.

  “Impressive,” Versti said at last, his faint smile returning. “I chose you for a reason, Devor. Glad to see I wasn’t mistaken.”

  Devor felt a rush of pride but quickly tempered it. There was no room for arrogance—only the drive to prepare.

  “Let’s not waste any more time,” Versti said firmly, his gaze sweeping over the rest of the team. “We head to the fragment world in one month. Until then, we train, we plan, and we push ourselves to be our best. Let’s start by sorting out our roles. Devor, you’ll take the lead as our Spiritual Farmer—let’s hear your thoughts.”

  The team’s eyes shifted to Devor, each member watching him intently, waiting for him to share his thoughts.