That Morning

  In the quietest corner of the Spiritual Garden, Devor sat cross-legged before a simple gravestone nestled into the earth. Though his expression was serene, the sorrow in his eyes revealed the turmoil within.

  "Grandfather," Devor began softly, his voice steady but tinged with nostalgia, "I’m going to compete."

  He traced his fingers along the cool surface of the gravestone, as if drawing comfort from its presence. Memories of his childhood floated to the surface—days spent alongside his grandfather, tending their modest garden, learning the patience and respect that came with nurturing life.

  "Somehow, the sect chose me to join the competition team," he continued, his voice quiet and filled with disbelief. "All I’ve ever done is garden, yet they see something more in me. I can’t help but wonder if you’d be proud or disappointed."

  He paused, his gaze fixed on the gravestone as if expecting a response. The soft rustle of leaves in the breeze was the only answer.

  "You used to say you didn’t want to be a Cultivator because you didn’t want to kill," Devor murmured, lowering his head. "In the Cultivation World, it seems inevitable. Kill or be killed—that’s the reality they teach us."

  A faint, bittersweet smile played on his lips. "It’s been four years since I chose this path. I haven’t taken a life yet. I wonder... If you had walked this path, would you have seen the same possibilities I do? That even Cultivators can make choices, just like mortals?"

  But he knew he was clinging to an illusion, comforting himself with thoughts his grandfather might not have shared.

  After a long, reflective silence, Devor bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the earth three times in solemn respect. Rising slowly, he cast one last glance at the gravestone, the weight in his chest somehow both heavier and lighter at once.

  Turning away, he made his way toward the garden’s entrance, where Yulin waited. Her dark blue robe fluttered gently in the breeze, and her flying sword hovered beside her, catching the morning light with a faint gleam.

  "You’re early," Devor said with a wry smile. "The Sect Master said we could leave in the afternoon. What’s the hurry?"

  Yulin folded her arms, her expression calm yet determined. "Strong seniors will be there. Building connections takes time, and I’m not about to waste this chance."

  Devor chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Fair enough," he said, stepping onto his hovering sword. "Let’s get going, then."

  Yulin smirked as she joined him. "Now you’re talking."

  With a flick of her hand, the sword shot into the sky. The wind roared past them as they soared toward the sect’s main gate, leaving the quiet of the Spiritual Garden—and Devor’s moment of reflection—far behind.

  ??????

  After about ten minutes of flying, the grand gate of the Azure Sky Sect came into view. Towering over fifty feet tall, it was a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons intertwined with blooming lotuses. The cool forest breeze carried the faint scent of spiritual herbs, adding to the gate’s timeless majesty.

  Devor and Yulin descended gracefully, presenting their identity tokens to the gatekeeper—an elder with a thick white beard that made him look like he’d stepped out of an ancient painting. With a simple nod, the elder gestured for the gates to open.

  Beyond the gate, an awe-inspiring sight awaited them: a colossal Immortal Boat floated serenely in the sky. It stretched for hundreds of meters, its immense size and elegant design radiating an undeniable sense of power.

  The boat’s deck was adorned with ornate buildings made of polished wood, accented with gold. At its highest point, the Azure Sky Sect’s banner fluttered proudly in the breeze. At the bow, a massive dragon’s head, carved with intricate detail, seemed poised to roar, its fierce eyes staring into the distance.

  Devor gazed in wonder. "We’re really boarding that?" he muttered, struggling to believe what he was seeing.

  Yulin glanced at him, her smile amused. "You’ve seen flying swords and beasts, but this surprises you?"

  "It’s... different," Devor admitted, his eyes fixed on the massive vessel.

  They approached the grand staircase leading to the Immortal Boat’s main deck. At the base of the stairs stood an elder clad in black and gold robes, his presence commanding attention. After a brief inspection of their identity tokens, he gave a curt nod, allowing them to board.

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  The moment Devor stepped onto the deck, his breath caught. Everything was dazzling. The floor beneath him gleamed, polished to a mirror-like finish, with intricate carvings etched into the wood. Faint streams of spiritual energy flowed through the air, each breath invigorating his body.

  "Over here!" a cheerful voice called, snapping Devor out of his awe.

  He turned to see Torni, the team’s Array Master, waving enthusiastically from across the deck.

  Devor smiled and motioned for Yulin to follow as they made their way toward Torni, who was in the midst of a lively discussion with several members of the Core Formation Team. Among them stood a robust man with a warm, approachable demeanor.

  "This is Hulan, the Spiritual Farmer of the Core Formation team," Torni introduced, grinning broadly.

  Devor extended his hand, and Hulan clasped it firmly, his expression radiating kindness. "Nice to meet you, Devor," Hulan greeted warmly. "Senior Versti’s stories about your achievements really impressed me."

  Devor returned the smile, his tone humble but confident. "The world of Cultivation is full of fascinating paths, Senior. I’m just following one of them."

  Their conversation flowed easily, moving from formalities to shared interests. Hulan, clearly curious, asked, "How much spiritual soil did you bring?"

  Devor hesitated for a moment before answering, "We only brought two sets."

  Hulan’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Only two? You’re cultivating Earth-Grade Spiritual Plants with just that?"

  Devor gave a composed smile. "Yes, we are. My method focuses on creating harmony within the garden. When the balance is right, the plants won’t drain the soil too quickly. Instead, they’ll start replenishing the nutrients over time."

  Hulan paused, clearly intrigued, then nodded slowly. "That’s an interesting approach. If it works as you say, it could revolutionize Spiritual Farming. A method like that would be invaluable for long-term sustainability."

  Yulin, standing just behind Devor, watched the exchange with quiet admiration. She knew how much Devor valued the solitude of his Spiritual Garden, where his connection to nature truly thrived. Seeing him speak so openly and confidently now was a refreshing surprise.

  He had always carried himself with humility, but his words carried undeniable weight.

  "I’d love to hear more about your method," Hulan said earnestly, his eyes gleaming with genuine interest.

  Devor nodded, smiling warmly. "Of course, Senior. I’ve prepared scrolls detailing the method."

  With practiced ease, Devor reached into his robe and pulled out a neatly rolled scroll. Hulan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised, as Devor handed it over without hesitation.

  "Uh… what’s this?" Hulan asked, his tone skeptical as he glanced at the scroll.

  "It’s a written explanation of the process," Devor replied, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Did I… misunderstand something?"

  Hulan sighed, studying Devor with a curious expression. After a moment, he touched his spatial ring and retrieved an old, black-bound book.

  "Take this," Hulan said seriously, handing the book to Devor. "In the Cultivation World, nothing comes for free. Methods like yours are treasures. Don’t give them away so easily."

  Devor hesitated before carefully accepting the book. Nearby, Torni, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, burst out, "This guy’s unbelievable! He’s already giving away his methods on the first day!"

  Hulan shot Devor a meaningful look, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You might be sincere, but not everyone is. This world isn’t kind to the naive."

  Scratching his head awkwardly, Devor smiled faintly. "Senior Hulan isn’t an enemy. We’re all on the same side, right? Besides, I plan to share this method with the sect eventually, so others can benefit from it."

  Hulan blinked, taken aback by Devor’s earnestness. He stared for a moment before letting out a sigh, a newfound respect in his eyes. "What you’re doing could reshape the very foundation of the sect."

  Devor’s faint smile deepened as he opened the black book in his hands. "So, what’s this about?"

  "It’s a record I recovered from ancient ruins," Hulan explained. "It outlines theoretical techniques for hybridizing Spiritual Seeds and Plants. It’s promising, but entirely untested."

  Devor’s eyes widened as he scanned the pages. "This... this could be groundbreaking!"

  "It could," Hulan agreed, his voice steady. "But it will take years of study and experimentation to make it work. Just don’t lose it—I don’t have another copy."

  Devor bowed deeply, gratitude shining on his face. "Thank you, Senior. I’ll make sure to put it to good use."

  Excitement surged within him as ideas began to take root in his mind. Hybridizing seeds and plants—it was such an ambitious concept, yet it aligned perfectly with his vision of a balanced, harmonious garden.

  Hours flew by as Devor and Hulan exchanged insights, their discussion drawing quiet admiration from the other team members. Hulan, once skeptical, now listened with genuine respect, impressed by Devor’s unconventional but effective methods.

  By the time the Sect Master arrived, the deck was buzzing with activity. His imposing presence silenced the crowd instantly, and his voice rang out like a command from the heavens:

  "Set off!"

  The Immortal Boat trembled as ancient formations hummed to life. Its massive frame surged forward, slicing through the clouds with graceful power, leaving the Azure Sky Sect behind.

  Devor stood by the railing, eyes fixed on the endless horizon. The wind tugged at his hair as the majestic vessel carried them toward the unknown. In the distance, the rising sun painted the sky in fiery hues, a perfect symbol for the journey that lay ahead.

  As the boat sailed smoothly, Devor opened his system profile to check his progress.

  [Enlightenment Realm Points: 18]

  The number had gone up. Sharing his method with the team had not only increased his Enlightenment Realm Points but had also deepened his understanding. A faint smile flickered across Devor’s lips as a quiet realization took root.

  "Every time I share something, the points go up," he thought, his gaze dropping to the black book resting in his hands. "The system isn’t just pushing me to learn—it’s driving me to share what I’ve learned with others."

  He closed the profile and shifted his focus back to his teammates, a sharp sense of clarity settling over him. The path ahead was clear now. Teaching wasn’t just about guiding others or offering help—it was the key to something far greater. The system seemed to acknowledge this, rewarding him in ways that hinted at a deeper purpose. Each step brought him closer to an ultimate truth, one that might surpass even the power of Ultimate Synthesis.