After helping his grandfather settle in the city, Devor returned to the Azure Sky Sect and entered its tranquil, expansive Spiritual Garden.

  The garden stretched before him, a sanctuary brimming with life and vibrant spiritual energy. To a cultivator like Devor, it was more than just a beautiful place—it was a wellspring of wisdom and growth.

  That evening, beneath the soft glow of the moon, Devor sat cross-legged in the garden, meditating among the lush, thriving plants. Each day, he tended to the garden with unwavering dedication, nurturing it to its fullest. Tonight, bathed in the moon's gentle light, the plants glowed with a peaceful radiance.

  Delicate pollen, soft and colorful, drifted lazily from their leaves, like a light shower of stardust. It was a sign that the plants had absorbed the full extent of the natural energy, reaching a perfect harmony between life and spiritual power.

  Externally, Devor appeared deep in meditation, his face serene and still. But within, his experience was far from ordinary.

  In the depths of his mind, Devor found himself in an expansive, misty blue realm.

  Here, in the vastness of his mental space, his white robe remained as pristine as it was in the physical world. The space around him stretched endlessly, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The air hummed with a quiet, powerful energy, a presence that filled the infinite expanse.

  Above him hovered a single golden orb, pulsating gently with immense energy. Its light cast faint shadows across the misty expanse, radiating an aura of mystery.

  Surrounding the golden orb were six smaller blue orbs, orbiting it in perfect rhythm. Like celestial bodies, they left shimmering blue trails that wove intricate patterns through the void.

  Devor was using Ultimate Synthesis, his system’s unique ability to refine and push techniques beyond their original limits.

  The golden orb symbolized the core of the cultivation technique he was refining, while the blue orbs acted as amplifiers, channeling energy, insights, and pathways to strengthen it.

  Each orb spun steadily, its light trails intertwining with the golden core. These glowing threads revealed subtle connections—ways for Devor to align the technique with his unique body and mind.

  Elder Sorin’s teachings echoed in his mind.

  Devor knew this principle well: No two cultivators were the same. Body, soul, and mind were all unique, and while techniques could be universally applied, they required personal refinement to reach their true potential.

  But the process was fraught with risk. Rushing the refinement could disrupt the balance of Qi and spiritual energy, leading to irreversible damage—or even death.

  Devor had endured countless failures, yet he remained unshaken, driven by his pursuit of mastery.

  The Ultimate Synthesis ability granted him a unique advantage: the power to simulate and refine techniques within the depths of his consciousness.

  Here, failure held no consequences for his body. He could experiment endlessly—refining, adjusting, and testing without fear of harm.

  This breakthrough had completely transformed his approach to cultivation. What would take others years, Devor could simulate and perfect in mere days.

  As time passed, a white mist began to rise from his body, swirling around him as if alive. Soon, vibrant threads of color—red, green, yellow, blue, and white—wove through the mist, representing the elemental energies he sought to harmonize.

  The colors danced and shifted, merging and separating as Devor absorbed the swirling mist into his body.

  A minute passed. Then two. Then five. Each moment felt longer, the weight of concentration deepening as the energies intertwined.

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  By the tenth minute, Devor’s form began to twist in his mind. His once pristine white robes darkened to a sickly purplish-black, and his body seemed poisoned, cracks forming along his skin like spreading fissures.

  Alarmed, Devor stopped the process, his eyes snapping open to the real world.

  Back in the garden, he exhaled sharply, staring at his trembling hands, which still seemed stained by the lingering image of the purplish-black hue in his mind.

  “Another failure...” Devor muttered, his voice thick with frustration. He clenched his fists, eyes fixed on the peaceful garden—a sharp contrast to the storm within him.

  The failure hit him hard, but he understood the stakes. He was trying to perfect the Essence of Nature Cultivation Technique, a method that absorbed spiritual energy directly from nature and fused it with the cultivator’s body.

  Its potential was immense, but refining it was unlike anything Devor had faced before.

  “How did its creator survive all this?” Devor murmured, awe and determination lacing his words.

  He was refining the technique for himself, not inventing it from scratch. Even with the system’s help, Devor shuddered at how many times he would have perished without it.

  “This technique has several stages: Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Core Formation, and Golden Core.” Devor muttered to himself, brows furrowing. “If Outer Court Disciples are capped at Core Formation, then this technique must be for Inner Court Disciples, right?”

  Devor hadn’t expected to receive a cultivation technique of such value, but he understood why it wasn’t widely sought after. Tending to Spiritual Plants wasn’t exactly glamorous, and Sorin had often voiced his frustration over the lack of disciples willing to take on the task.

  “This technique could take me to the Golden Core Realm,” Devor thought, feeling a flicker of hope. “But without rare treasures or lucky encounters, I might only reach Foundation Building.”

  Even with the system—powerful as it was—Devor couldn’t shake the feeling that his talent was lacking.

  He took a deep breath, clearing his mind, and returned to the real world. His eyes fluttered open, and the stiffness from hours of meditation hit him. He stretched, letting his neck tilt to release the tension in his muscles.

  As his body relaxed, Devor’s focus shifted back to the garden. His sharp gaze swept over the Spiritual Plants, assessing their condition. Moving with practiced ease, he approached a plant whose energy felt stagnant.

  Devor sprinkled a fine, shimmering powder over its leaves, watching as it absorbed the surrounding natural energy. The plant visibly brightened, its spiritual energy surging, a small victory.

  Devor worked tirelessly, inspecting each plant with care. His hands moved with practiced precision, every gesture purposeful, as if each plant were a living part of him.

  There was no room for shortcuts. Every task demanded his full attention. Even when Yulin presented particularly difficult requests, Devor remained committed to doing things properly. The fear of failure—and its consequences—kept him focused.

  Above, hidden in the shadows, a figure watched silently, floating effortlessly in the night.

  The figure was Leifu, the Spiritual Hall Master, known for overseeing the Inner Sect's most precious Spiritual Plants. His youthful appearance belied the centuries of experience he carried.

  “It’s rare for you to show interest in a disciple, Leifu.”

  A calm voice echoed in Leifu’s mind. Startled, he quickly bowed in midair. “Greetings, Sect Master.”

  The voice reverberated softly, but an invisible barrier kept Devor, still absorbed in his work, unaware of the exchange.

  “You seem quite interested in that boy,” the Azure Sky Sect Master said gently, his words a soft presence in Leifu’s mind.

  Leifu straightened, his gaze falling on Devor, who was tending the garden with focused precision, swatting away pests and carefully nurturing each plant.

  “The boy’s no ordinary disciple,” Leifu murmured, his tone thoughtful. “His cultivation may be limited, but his understanding of Spiritual Plants is impressive.”

  “Are you thinking about taking him on as your personal disciple?” the Sect Master asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

  Leifu shook his head, his eyes lingering on Devor. “His Spiritual Root is a roadblock. If he had a three-colored root, I wouldn’t hesitate. But with a five-colored root... his potential is capped.”

  The Sect Master’s voice softened. “Yes, a five-colored Spiritual Root is a major limitation. Even with the Essence of Nature Cultivation Technique, his path will be difficult. But remember, Leifu, cultivation is about defying the heavens. What seems impossible today might change tomorrow.”

  Leifu frowned, weighing the Sect Master’s words. “Do you see something special in him, Sect Master?”

  “No,” the Sect Master replied. “But as you’ve noticed, his dedication to the Spiritual Plants stands out. It takes more than talent to endure such challenges. He may not have the natural gifts, but his determination is relentless.”

  Leifu fell silent and looked back at Devor. The boy moved with purpose, fending off a swarm of spirit-devouring insects. Each strike was deliberate, sparing the delicate plants as he eliminated the pests.

  The Spiritual Hall Master smiled faintly. “Perhaps you’re right, Sect Master. The boy’s resolve could push him past the limits of his Spiritual Root.”

  Devor continued his work in the distance, unaware of the watching eyes above. His hands steady, his focus unwavering, he nurtured life, hoping his own cultivation would one day flourish just as beautifully.