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Chapter 8 - The Gardeners Path

  A year had passed in the blink of an eye—swift, yet leaving deep marks on everything it touched.

  Devor stood at the edge of the Spiritual Garden, where the earthy aroma of damp soil mixed with the soft hum of spiritual energy in the air. His eyes rested on a nearby pond, its surface reflecting a distorted image of himself.

  The face staring back wasn’t the boy he once knew. The roundness of youth had faded, replaced by sharper, more defined features. His eyes held a quiet depth, the kind that comes from weathering life’s storms. Subtle lines etched across his face hinted at the weight of the responsibilities he had borne over the past year.

  His hair, now long and neatly tied into a simple ponytail, danced gently in the morning breeze. The plain white robes he used to wear were gone, replaced by a light blue cloak adorned with intricate symbols—a dragon entwined with a hexagonal leaf. The embroidery shimmered softly, as if imbued with spiritual energy. This cloak was more than just clothing; it was a symbol of his status, marking him as a true disciple of the Azure Sky Sect.

  Devor hadn’t earned this recognition through natural talent or noble birth. His rise had come from relentless hard work and unwavering dedication. From an overlooked gardener, he had become one of the garden’s most respected caretakers.

  He inhaled deeply, letting the garden’s peace wash over him. The changes weren’t just skin-deep; they reached into the very core of his being.

  Now, Devor’s role had expanded beyond his own labor. He led a team of assistants, each one entrusted with the care of the sprawling Spiritual Garden under his watchful guidance.

  Not far off, a group of mortals and cultivators were busily tending to rows of spiritual plants, their hands moving with practiced care. Among them was Forly, one of the four who had entered the Azure Sky Sect alongside Devor years ago.

  Dressed in plain white robes without any distinguishing symbols, Forly approached Devor with measured steps. Though they were close in age, his demeanor reflected the growing divide in their ranks.

  "Greetings, Senior Devor," Forly said, offering a respectful bow.

  Devor turned, his expression softening into a calm smile. "How’s everything going? No major problems, I hope?"

  Forly straightened, his face serious. "The Spiritual Plants were all checked this morning. Most are flourishing under your care, Senior. However, thirteen of them need your personal attention to address some specific issues."

  Devor nodded, considering the report. "Good work. Gather the others. We’ll take a look at those plants together."

  Forly’s eyes lit up with gratitude as he bowed again, deeper this time. "Thank you, Senior!"

  Within minutes, nine assistants had assembled before Devor, standing in orderly rows. The group consisted of four women and five men. Six had reached the Qi Refining stage, while the other three were mortals, some as young as thirteen. Despite their varying levels of cultivation, they all watched Devor with respect and eager anticipation.

  "Forly," Devor said, motioning towards him, "lead the way."

  The group followed as Forly led them along the garden’s winding paths. Towering rows of Spiritual Plants lined the way, their leaves glistening like living gemstones. A soft, radiant glow emanated from them, filling the air with warmth and a sense of peace—a clear sign of the garden’s thriving life force.

  Devor walked with steady purpose, his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes occasionally flicked to his assistants. Some carried themselves with quiet confidence, while others—especially the younger ones—seemed nervous, their eyes darting around as if unsure of their place in this serene yet powerful space.

  They soon reached the first plant in need of attention. Its green leaves were tinged with yellow, and it swayed weakly in the breeze. The stem drooped slightly, giving the plant a fatigued appearance.

  Forly pointed to it. "Senior Devor, this is one of the thirteen plants that needs care."

  Devor stepped closer, kneeling beside the plant. His fingers gently brushed along the stem, noting the roughness that shouldn’t have been there. He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in the faint, earthy scent of the leaves.

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  After a brief pause, he stood and turned to address the group.

  “This plant is suffering from spiritual exhaustion,” he explained, his tone calm but firm. “The yellowing leaves and drooping stem are signs of an imbalance in the soil’s nutrients. It happens when the spiritual energy it absorbs doesn’t match its growth needs.”

  The group listened intently, some hurriedly jotting down notes in small notebooks, their pens scratching softly against the paper.

  A young cultivator named Liyu raised her hand tentatively. “Senior, how do we fix it?”

  Devor gave her a reassuring smile, his calm presence putting the group at ease. "The first step is to treat the soil. Mix Spirit Nurture Powder and Rejuvenation Powder in a one-to-three ratio. This blend will replenish the spiritual energy around the roots."

  He gestured toward the plant, his voice steady but encouraging. "Also, make sure to prune the damaged leaves. That way, the plant can focus its energy on the healthier parts, speeding up its recovery."

  The assistants nodded, absorbing his instructions. Some memorized his words, while others quickly scribbled notes. Forly, with more experience, began gathering the necessary tools to implement Devor’s guidance.

  The group soon moved on to the next plant—a Spirit Moon Flower. Normally, its petals glowed with a soft silver light, but now they were dull and lifeless.

  Devor knelt beside it, gently brushing his fingers over the petals’ surface.

  "This one’s suffering from a low-energy pest infestation," he said, pointing to the faint bite marks on the petals. "We’ll need to spray it with Clearwind Leaf Extract diluted in purified water. This solution will drive the pests away without harming the flower’s delicate structure."

  As they followed Devor from plant to plant, the session evolved into more than just maintenance. Each issue became a learning moment, with Devor turning every challenge into an opportunity to teach, not merely instruct.

  He didn’t just give orders—he explained the reasoning behind each solution with patient clarity. Devor made sure everyone, from the experienced cultivators to the youngest mortals, understood the intricacies of nurturing Spiritual Plants.

  By the time they had tended to all thirteen plants, the group gathered in a semi-circle around Devor, their faces reflecting a newfound appreciation for their work.

  Devor straightened, his hands resting behind his back. "Remember," he said, his voice a balance of authority and warmth, "caring for Spiritual Plants isn’t about mindlessly following instructions. You need to understand each plant’s nature, listen to what they need, and adapt accordingly. Every plant is unique, just like each cultivator’s path."

  The group nodded eagerly, their respect for Devor deepening with every word. This wasn’t just another routine task—it had become a transformative lesson, strengthening their bond with the garden and the sect.

  Forly, standing among them, felt a swell of pride. To him, Devor wasn’t just a senior; he was a true mentor, guiding them with wisdom and care.

  After confirming that all the plants were stable, Devor invited the group to sit in a line. "Now," he said, "feel free to ask any questions about the issues we encountered today or anything else you’d like clarified."

  One by one, they shared their thoughts and questions. Devor answered each with patience, drawing on his personal experience to offer clear, thoughtful explanations. He stressed the importance of careful observation—using sight, smell, and touch to understand a plant’s condition.

  While many cultivators relied heavily on Spiritual Sense, Devor’s methods were grounded in practical techniques that even mortals could use. He taught them how to connect with the garden in a hands-on way, emphasizing that Spiritual Sense, though invaluable for higher-grade plants, wasn’t always necessary—especially for the Yellow-Grade plants they worked with.

  The Q&A session lasted about half an hour. When it was over, Devor dismissed the group. As they dispersed, their faces lit up with enthusiasm, eager to put their newfound knowledge into practice.

  Devor watched them go, a faint smile playing on his lips. For the first time that day, he felt a deep sense of peace—not from cultivation, but from the simple joy of sharing knowledge.

  As the garden returned to its serene quiet, Devor murmured, "Open Profile."

  [ Name: Devor Li ]

  [ Gender: Male ]

  [ Age: 15/125 ]

  [ Cultivation: Stage-5 Qi Refining Realm ]

  [ Spiritual Energy: 673/673 ]

  [ Spiritual Root: Five-Color Root ]

  [ Knowledge: 124 Books ]

  [ Enlightenment Realm (Points): 16/100 (to access) ]

  [ Abilities: Ultimate Synthesis, Attribute Analyzer, Ultimate Comprehension (Lv1) ]

  Devor’s gaze lingered on one detail—his Enlightenment Realm Points, now showing 16.

  "The points usually go up by one each year," he murmured. "But after I taught them, another point appeared..."

  His brow furrowed, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Could sharing knowledge with others somehow influence the system?

  Devor exhaled softly, his thoughts turning to the system’s mysterious mechanics. To unlock the Enlightenment Realm through Ultimate Synthesis, he needed 100 points.

  “At this rate, it’ll take decades to gather enough,” he thought, sighing inwardly. Yet, the unexpected increase gave him a glimmer of hope. Maybe teaching others was a way to speed up the process.

  His thoughts drifted to the Sky-Grade Spiritual Plant promised by Elder Sorin. The reward was extraordinary—practically priceless. But it also came with immense pressure.

  "Can I really handle it?" Devor whispered, his eyes scanning the vibrant garden around him.

  Sky-Grade plants were a world apart from the Yellow-Grade ones he tended daily. Their delicate nature and immense spiritual energy required a level of expertise he wasn’t sure he had yet.

  Still, a faint smile tugged at his lips. Challenge bred growth. Whether he succeeded or failed, he would face the task with the same perseverance that had brought him this far.

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