Devor ran his fingers over the intricate patterns on the ring, the faint glimmer of determination lighting his eyes. In front of him, a well-worn notebook lay open, its pages filled with neatly written notes—careful observations and insights he'd gathered over the years about cultivating Spiritual Plants.

  "I’ve got a few ideas," he began, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable confidence. He scanned the room, his gaze settling on each person. "But to put them into action, I need to understand the whole team’s needs—especially you, Senior Nyuru, as our Alchemy Master. The plants we grow should benefit everyone. We may also need to adjust our methods to make the best use of the materials we have."

  Versti leaned back, arms crossed, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He nodded slightly, a silent invitation for Devor to keep going. "Go on," he said, his voice warm with genuine interest.

  Devor turned to Nyuru, her calm, commanding presence filling the room. "Senior Nyuru," he said, addressing her directly, "could you tell me more about the Azure Soul Pill and Dragonskin Pill you’ll be making? What are the key ingredients? I want to make sure we’re growing the right plants for the team’s needs."

  Nyuru’s lips curled into a slight smile, her eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. "Of course," she said smoothly. "For the Dragonskin Pill, the main ingredients are Fierce Flame Grass, Ironheart Root, and Crimson Lotus. As for the Azure Soul Pill, it requires Azure Soul Flower, Moonshadow Vine, and Spiritual Essence Crystal."

  Devor nodded thoughtfully, flipping through the pages of his notebook. His fingers brushed over familiar notes as he reviewed his observations on the plants. After a moment, he looked up, his dark eyes now shining with purpose.

  "I’ve been thinking," Devor said, his voice steady. "What if we swapped Fierce Flame Grass for Fire Orchid? Its fire energy is more stable and lasts longer. It might lack the explosive intensity of Fierce Flame Grass, but that stability could be a real advantage. Also, for the Azure Soul Flower, we could use the flowers and leaves for the pill, and process the stems into Spiritual Liquid. It could be really useful for supporting our Array Master."

  Nyuru raised an eyebrow, pausing for a moment to consider his words. Then, her expression softened into a smile of approval. "Fire Orchid, you say?" she mused. "Interesting. Stability over explosiveness… it might just work here. And you’re right about the stems. Extracting Spiritual Liquid from them could boost the efficiency of our formations. What if we added Twilight Berry, too? It could enhance the pill’s spiritual regeneration properties."

  Devor’s face brightened, her suggestion opening up even more possibilities in his mind. "Twilight Berry is a fantastic idea," he said, excitement creeping into his voice. "And for the Moonshadow Vine, I was thinking of Silverleaf Vine as a substitute. Its gentle energy would complement the calming effects of the pill and balance out the other ingredients."

  Nyuru’s smile widened, her eyes lighting up with approval. "Silverleaf Vine is a solid choice. But what do you think of Lunar Dew Leaf? Its refreshing properties could really help enhance focus and clarity—something that might be invaluable in prolonged battles."

  Devor fell quiet, his gaze turning distant as he carefully considered her suggestion. His mind raced through various possibilities, calculating how Lunar Dew Leaf would interact with the other plants in the formula.

  After a long pause, he nodded slowly. "You're right," he said, finally. "Lunar Dew Leaf would fit better. When combined with the other plants, it would create a more balanced blend. If we grow them together in a single ecosystem, the flow of spiritual energy will be smoother, speeding up their growth and maintaining harmony in the garden. Over time, this ecosystem could even support higher-level plants, giving us access to more advanced resources."

  Nyuru’s expression shifted to one of genuine excitement, admiration for Devor shining through. "This could be a real breakthrough," she said, her voice tinged with enthusiasm. "I’ll start testing the pills with the ingredients you suggested, check for effectiveness, and keep an eye out for any side effects. And your garden formation, Devor—it’s going to be essential for keeping us combat-ready during the competition."

  Versti, who had been quietly watching their exchange, finally spoke, his voice full of pride. "This is exactly why I chose you, Devor," he said. "Your ability to think critically and adapt your methods for the team—it's what sets you apart. You’ve proven that you’re more than just support. You’re a crucial part of our success."

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  Devor met Versti’s gaze, a surge of pride and determination rushing through him. He straightened up, his confidence growing with every passing second.

  "Thank you, Senior Versti," Devor said sincerely. "I’ll do everything I can to make sure our team has everything it needs to tackle any challenge."

  Versti nodded, his smile small but filled with quiet approval. "I’m confident you will."

  The conversation between Devor and Nyuru grew more lively, their voices flowing smoothly as they assessed each Spiritual Plant. They debated the benefits, possible drawbacks, and whether each plant could thrive in the tough conditions of the competition’s fragment world.

  Around them, the rest of the team stayed silent, their expressions a mix of surprise and reluctant admiration. No one had expected Devor, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, to display such a deep understanding of Spiritual Plants—especially not one that could hold its own against Nyuru, whose knowledge was legendary.

  Sugu, standing off to the side, watched Devor with a complex expression. He knew Nyuru’s talents—her alchemical skills were unmatched. Yet here was Devor, not only keeping up with her but offering ideas that even she found interesting. Sugu’s earlier dismissal of Devor as an ordinary Spiritual Farmer now felt like a huge mistake.

  When the discussion with Nyuru wrapped up, Devor didn’t stop. He turned to the rest of the team, addressing each of their specific needs with careful attention, leaving no doubt about his thorough understanding and commitment.

  "Your needs are just as important as hers," Devor said, turning his attention to Torni, the Array Master, then to Reeva, the Medical Master, and finally to the Forging Master. His voice was steady, filled with quiet confidence. "If we can cultivate Spiritual Plants that cater to each profession, we’ll have a balanced team. No shortages, no delays."

  Versti, watching silently from his seat in the corner, allowed a small smile to form on his lips. His keen eyes stayed focused on Devor, a flicker of pride gleaming in his gaze.

  "Impressive," Versti thought to himself. "Senior Aoyun underestimated him. Devor's abilities go far beyond what Aoyun described. His potential is limitless."

  Unaware of Versti's thoughts, Devor kept working, his pen moving with precision as he sketched diagrams in his notebook. He mapped out the placement of each Spiritual Plant, planning a self-sustaining, efficient garden.

  Then, without looking up, he asked a surprising question, his voice calm but firm. "What about poison?"

  The room went quiet. Devor lifted his gaze, locking eyes with each of them. "We could grow poisonous Spiritual Plants to reinforce our front line," he suggested.

  Sugu, who had been watching with barely contained frustration, immediately stiffened. His arms crossed tightly over his chest, and a frown darkened his face.

  "What are you trying to say?" Sugu’s voice was sharp, almost accusing. "Do you think we’re so weak that we need poison to take down monsters?"

  Devor raised an eyebrow, surprised by the hostility in Sugu's response. For a moment, irritation flared, but he quickly suppressed it, reminding himself to stay professional for the sake of the team.

  "This isn't about questioning your strength," Devor replied evenly, though a slight sigh betrayed his frustration. "It's about strategy. Poison could help us wear down monsters more quickly and reduce unnecessary risks."

  He shifted his gaze to Torni, the Array Master. "We could set up traps with poison-tipped arrows to weaken the monsters before we engage them directly," he suggested, his tone calm and measured.

  Torni, known for his sharp mind and precision with formations, considered the idea. "That could work," he said thoughtfully. "If we can lure large groups into trap zones and use poison to weaken them, we could save time and energy. It might even give us a big advantage in conserving resources."

  Reeva, the Medical Master, folded her arms, her expression focused. Her dark eyes gleamed with interest as she spoke. "If the competition lasts a year, gaining just ten more meters a day could make a huge difference. Devor’s idea is practical. Poison could buy us valuable time and help avoid unnecessary injuries."

  Her calm, rational take was met with murmurs of agreement. Even the reigning champion of the annual competition gave a small nod, signaling his approval.

  Sugu clenched his jaw, his earlier confidence slipping away. The full weight of the team’s support for Devor made him feel exposed. He had underestimated the Spiritual Farmer, and now the sting of his own arrogance was undeniable. Gritting his teeth, Sugu bit back any further objections and fell into silence.

  Devor, undisturbed by Sugu’s earlier challenge, returned to his notebook, his focus unwavering. His attention remained fixed on the bigger picture—ensuring the team’s success.

  Versti broke the silence with a quiet chuckle, his voice tinged with approval. "Well said. Poison isn't a sign of weakness; it's a tool. And when used wisely, tools can change the course of battle."

  Devor gave a small nod of acknowledgment, then continued. "I’ll set aside a section of the garden for poisonous Spiritual Plants. I’ll make sure they fit in with the other crops, without throwing off the balance of the ecosystem."

  Torni and Reeva exchanged approving glances, their trust in Devor growing with every word. Even Nyuru, who had started off curious but now respected him, couldn’t help but admire his calmness and sharp insight.

  The team’s confidence in Devor solidified. The path ahead remained uncertain, but one thing was clear: Devor’s role as a Spiritual Farmer would be crucial to their success.