"You mentioned earlier that this process takes a while, right? Depending on the plants already in place?" Nyuru asked, propping her chin up with her hand. Her eyes glinted with curiosity as she studied him. "What if you used the Blue Star Elixir?"

  Devor looked at her, clearly confused. "Blue Star Elixir? What’s that?" His voice was full of genuine bafflement.

  A brief silence hung in the air. Nyuru blinked, taken aback by his response. The rest of the team, except for Versti, shared a similar look of surprise. How could someone like Devor, a Spiritual Farmer, not know about something so basic?

  "Blue Star Elixir is a rare liquid that boosts the growth of Spiritual Plants," Reeva explained, her voice tinged with disbelief. "It’s rich in nutrients, perfect for Earth-Grade and Sky-Grade Seeds. But it’s extremely expensive, so it's only used in critical situations or high-end projects."

  Devor's eyes widened, his astonishment clear. "Something that valuable?" he murmured, almost to himself. His reaction revealed the gap between his old-school methods and the high-tech resources most cultivators used.

  "It’s standard for most fields," Torni added with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Most of us use it because it works so well."

  Nyuru suddenly froze, as if struck by a thought. She turned to Devor with wide eyes. "Wait... which Spiritual Garden do you work at?"

  Devor blinked, caught off guard by her sudden question. "I work at Spiritual Garden No. 7," he replied, his tone calm and steady.

  Nyuru slapped her palm to her forehead, a look of exasperation crossing her face. "That explains everything! You’re the junior Yulin’s always talking about, aren’t you?"

  Devor tilted his head, clearly puzzled. "Senior Sister Yulin? Yeah, I’ve known her since I joined the sect."

  Nyuru sighed softly and glanced at the others. "Yulin once mentioned a junior at her garden who insisted on sticking to traditional methods. Even after becoming a cultivator, he refused to abandon his old ways, only picking up a few basic techniques to complement his approach."

  Reeva, Torni, and the rest of the team exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from confusion to curiosity.

  Nyuru turned back to Devor, her eyes now full of intrigue. "So, you’re the one Yulin was talking about. No wonder your methods are so unique. You’ve been focusing on natural harmony—something most cultivators overlook."

  Torni raised an eyebrow. "But why? Most cultivators give up traditional methods because they’re so time-consuming. Why stick with them when advanced techniques deliver results so much faster?"

  The team nodded in agreement. While Devor’s success was impressive, it was clear that his approach required an immense amount of patience and a deep, almost instinctive understanding of nature.

  Devor hesitated, his fingers brushing against the worn notebook in his pocket. "It’s not that I’m against modern techniques," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I just... I’ve always felt there’s something deeper about working with nature directly. It’s like listening to a language most people have forgotten."

  A quiet murmur rippled through the room. Even those who had doubted him couldn’t help but feel the weight of his words. His approach, though unconventional, carried a rare depth of understanding that few cultivators possessed.

  "Still," Nyuru said, her tone softer now, "you’re missing out on tools that could make your work even more effective. Combining your methods with cultivator techniques could push your potential even further."

  Devor nodded slowly, her words sparking a fresh determination within him. "You’re right. My knowledge of cultivator arts is limited. If there’s a way to combine these approaches, I want to learn it."

  The team’s respect for Devor grew. It wasn’t often that someone with his expertise would admit their limitations, let alone show such a willingness to learn and improve.

  Versti, who had remained quiet through most of the conversation, finally spoke. His voice, calm and authoritative, broke the silence. "Devor, your methods have already proven themselves. But as Nyuru said, blending them with modern techniques could give us a major edge in the competition. Are you ready to adapt?"

  Devor met Versti’s gaze, his dark eyes steady and filled with resolve. "I am, Captain. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure this team succeeds."

  A faint smile tugged at the corners of Versti’s lips. "Good. Let’s move forward."

  ??????

  For hours, the team worked through strategies, their discussion evolving into a true collaboration. They debated how best to allocate resources, brainstormed ideas for traps, and examined potential obstacles they might face in the fragment world.

  As the conversation progressed, Devor’s confidence grew. He shared ideas that blended his traditional methods with the cultivator techniques Nyuru and Reeva had introduced. His fresh perspective added new energy to the team, and even Torni—who had initially been skeptical—found himself drawn into the discussion.

  By the time the meeting wrapped up, Versti stood, his presence commanding attention. "We’ve laid the foundation for our strategy. Tomorrow, we’ll begin testing these ideas. Prepare yourselves—this competition isn’t just about strength. It’s about adaptability, resilience, and trust. If we work together, we’ll succeed."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  The team dispersed, their spirits lifted. Devor stayed behind for a moment, looking down at the notebook now filled with notes. A quiet smile formed on his face. For the first time, he didn’t just feel like a Spiritual Farmer—he felt like he was part of something much bigger.

  As he stepped out of the room, one thought echoed in his mind: This is only the beginning.

  ??????

  Two Weeks Later

  Devor stood still at the center of a shimmering energy barrier, encasing a small floating island no bigger than fifty square meters. The garden, still perched on the energy-rich Azure Mountain Peak, was shielded by a special formation designed to replicate the harsh spiritual conditions they would face in the upcoming competition.

  In his hand, Devor held his ever-present notebook, its pages filled with notes, diagrams, and calculations. His sharp eyes moved over the spiritual plants, assessing every detail. Each leaf, root, and subtle shift in energy was examined with precision.

  “These plants aren’t up to my standards,” he muttered, his voice steady and determined. With swift, practiced movements, he jotted down his thoughts. “I’ll need to replace them with a different variety. And that section over there... it needs rearranging to improve the harmony.”

  He moved between the rows of plants, his steps deliberate and his posture unwavering.

  Over the past two weeks, Devor had pushed himself harder than ever. His understanding of Spiritual Plants had expanded rapidly, not just through his own experiments but with the help of his teammates. The collaboration had accelerated his growth, forcing him to venture beyond his usual methods.

  "With this approach," he said to himself, crouching down to adjust the position of a plant, "I can plant twenty-three Earth-Grade seeds in a single day. If I fine-tune this process, I could push it to twenty-six."

  He straightened up, a small smile tugging at his lips. His progress was undeniable, but he knew better than to let himself become complacent.

  "Focusing on your strengths isn’t wrong," Devor mused, "but ignoring other aspects can be fatal."

  The thought stayed with him—a lesson learned from watching his team’s varied skills. Strength alone wouldn’t win the competition. It was balance and preparation that would make the difference.

  After another half hour of careful observation, Devor stepped out of the barrier. As he left the formation, the mountain's rich spiritual energy surged through him, revitalizing both body and mind.

  It was time for the weekly strategy meeting.

  ??????

  The meeting room inside the Dragon Palace was breathtaking. The grand structure stood like a fortress, its entrance flanked by twin dragon statues carved from pure jade. The dragons twisted upward, their eyes gleaming as though alive, watching every person who passed.

  Devor walked down the expansive corridor leading to the meeting room, the sound of his steady footsteps echoing off the polished stone floor. Inside, Versti was already seated at the head of a long obsidian table, his presence as commanding as ever. The rest of the team had already gathered, waiting for him.

  Devor bowed respectfully before taking his seat.

  Warm smiles greeted him from most of the team, easing the formality of the moment. Though Devor still wore the light blue robes of an Outer Disciple, his knowledge and growing expertise had earned him the respect of the Inner Disciples, all clad in their deep blue robes.

  Versti flipped open his notebook, its pages filled with detailed lists of everything the team would need for the competition. His voice was calm but commanding as he went through each category: weapons, protective gear, pills, ores, and spiritual seeds.

  "We’ve covered most of the essentials," Versti said, his tone steady. "But we still need an update on the Black Spirit Lotus." He turned his sharp gaze to Devor. "Were you able to cultivate it in time?"

  At the mention of the Black Spirit Lotus, everyone in the room shifted their attention. The rare Earth-Grade Spiritual Plant wasn’t just valuable—it was crucial to their strategy. Its unique properties could lure and neutralize certain monsters on the battlefield, offering them a significant advantage.

  Devor met Versti’s gaze with quiet confidence. "Yes, Captain. I’ve planted six Black Spirit Lotuses in the central area of the garden. Their placement maintains the balance of the formation. Will that be enough?"

  Reeva, the Medical Master, grinned brightly. "More than enough! With these, we can use the poisonous insects they attract to breed faster and create traps. This gives us a major edge against the monsters we’ll face."

  The tension in the room lifted, replaced by a sense of excitement. Their strategy was taking shape, and everyone could feel the momentum building.

  Devor flipped open his notebook, revealing detailed diagrams of his garden’s layout. “I’ve replaced some of the older Spiritual Plants to improve the harmony within the formation,” he explained. “The new plants are better suited to the current conditions, and their energy resonance is much smoother. These changes should stabilize our resources, even if we end up in more difficult terrain.”

  His calm, meticulous explanation held the team’s attention. Even Sugu, who was usually skeptical, gave a silent nod of approval—though he tried to hide it.

  "Devor," Versti said thoughtfully, "can these replacements handle unexpected energy surges? The fragment world is unpredictable, and we can’t afford for the formation to collapse under pressure."

  Devor met Versti’s intense gaze. “Yes, Captain. I planned for that. The plants I’ve selected are highly adaptable, with stronger resistance to fluctuating energy. If an energy surge occurs, they’ll absorb the excess and redistribute it, rather than destabilizing the system.”

  The room fell quiet for a moment as Versti leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Impressive,” he said simply.

  Nyuru, sitting nearby, tapped her fingers on the table. “It’s rare to see a Spiritual Farmer who thinks this far ahead,” she remarked. “Most focus on growth efficiency, not adaptability. You’ve done well, Devor.”

  Devor nodded in appreciation, the praise fueling his growing confidence.

  As the meeting came to a close, Versti rose, his commanding presence filling the room once more.

  "We've made good progress, but the real test is still ahead," he said, his voice steady and firm. "Tomorrow, we'll begin intensive group training to put these plans into action. This competition isn't just about individual talent—it's about how well we can work together as a team."

  The team members stood, their faces set with determination.

  Devor stayed behind for a moment, closing his notebook and slipping it into his robes. A quiet sense of accomplishment washed over him. He had started this journey as a simple Spiritual Farmer, with little knowledge of cultivator arts, but now he stood alongside some of the sect's most skilled disciples, holding his own.

  As he stepped out of the Dragon Palace, the evening sky stretched wide before him, its stars shining more brightly than ever. Devor lifted his gaze, his dark eyes reflecting the starlight.

  "This is just the beginning," he whispered to himself, his resolve solidifying.

  With each step he took, he felt the weight of his responsibilities—but also the excitement of the challenge ahead.