Recent

Elder Qiyang was speechless. “Amazing It has been growing here all this time, and nobody noticed it.” “I found them by accident,” Esmund replied. “I need Elder’s help to protect them. Judging by their growth, the tubers should be mature in another fifteen to twenty days. The silver veins on their leaves will fade by then – that’s the sign of full maturity. I estimate at least three tubers, but I could be wrong.” Esmund paused before adding, “I managed to grow some in the garden by artificially modifying the soil state with fertilizers too, but it’s definitely not the same as the natural process. I need to monitor these until they fully mature so I can properly document how to cultivate them.” Elder Qiyang’s expression brightened. “This is an incredible find! The sect, especially our Alchemist Hall, will benefit greatly from this. You’ve made a major contribution, Esmund. I’m proud of you. Muhsan would be proud of you.” Esmund felt a little uncomfortable with the sudden praise. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention. “Just tell me what to do,” Elder Qiyang said enthusiastically. “I’ll help you however I can.” “For now, we just need to make sure nothing and no one interferes with them until they fully mature. A protective formation would be ideal, along with someone keeping watch. Once we harvest them, I’ll document everything, and from there, we can try cultivating them on a larger scale,” Esmund explained. The elder nodded seriously. “These tubers are essential for many pills – detoxification, cultivation stabilization, even lifespan-extending elixirs. I can’t stress enough how important this is. Don’t worry, I’ll make the necessary arrangements.” Without wasting time, he called an errand disciple. “Alert the elders from multiple departments,” he ordered. “Also, summon a few guards to stand by. We can’t risk anything happening to these plants.” Esmund shifted awkwardly. He could feel Elder Qiyang’s newfound admiration for him, and it made him uneasy. He preferred to keep a low profile. “Elder, I need to get back to the herb garden. There are still things I need to do,” he said, hoping to make his exit. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” Elder Qiyang asked. “You could help with the arrangements when the other elders arrive.” Esmund hesitated but eventually nodded. “Alright, I’ll wait.” Satisfied, Elder Qiyang turned to another errand disciple. “Take care of Esmund while I handle things. I won’t be long.” He then called over an alchemist, spoke a few words while occasionally glancing at Esmund and the tubers, then flew off on his magic tool. The cultivator he had spoken to approached Esmund with a friendly smile. “Come with me, junior brother. You can wait in Elder Qiyang’s office.”

Esmund followed him to a small but well-organized study. Shelves filled with books and scrolls lined the walls. The senior cultivator poured him a cup of tea and set out some condiments. “Just wait here. The elder won’t be gone long. If you’re bored, feel free to read anything here. I have some tasks to finish.” “Thank you, senior.” Esmund cupped his hands and gave a slight bow. The senior smiled before leaving the room. Esmund glanced around. “There are a lot of books and pill recipes here.” Sage’s voice came through their connection. “This is one of the rooms we didn’t have access to before. Should we scan everything?” “Absolutely. We can’t waste this opportunity,” Esmund replied without hesitation. Of course, some books and pill formulas were likely protected by the Alchemist Hall. After all, alchemy knowledge was one of the key advantages a sect had over its rivals. The Samang Sect was relatively new by cultivation world standards – only about five hundred years old. In comparison, some sects had existed for millennia. Despite its short history, the Samang Sect had grown rapidly, attracting many disciples, including mortals. Unlike traditional sects, it functioned more like a grand learning institution or a vast corporate entity within the empire. Esmund sipped his tea as Sage silently control the nanobots to scan through the books.
Elder Qiyang turned to the group of elders. “He really managed to cultivate it. Feel it yourselves – there are at least two tubers growing here. And he did this using his own resources. He only got some leftover seeds from our department, yet he achieved all this.” Elder Harum, the Head of the Agricultural Department, walked around the small nursery, carefully examining each plant. After a thorough inspection, he nodded in acknowledgment.

“All of these are rare spirit herbs and plants,” he said. Then, pointing to a plant with a striking red stem, he continued, “That one – you recognize it, don’t you? Fire Heart Grass. It helps combat cold energy and increases fire affinity.” He moved on, gesturing toward another plant nestled under a colorful formation. “And that one I’m fairly certain it will grow into a Ten-Petal Thunder Flower. It enhances the absorption of thunder elemental energy.” Stopping by a potted plant, he touched its leaves, then immediately withdrew his fingers as a faint chill spread through the air. “This is Iceheart Soul Grass. It neutralizes internal heat, calms the mind, and reduces the risk of heart demons.” He pointed toward a transparent glass container housing a plant with three distinct colors. “That inside the clear bottle is the Three-Colored Poisonous Weed – an antidote to various poisons and also a key ingredient in the Seven-Colored Poison Miasma. Isn’t that your favorite, Elder Jarsas?” Elder Harum remarked, his tone laced with amusement. The warlock-like Elder Jarsas chuckled. “Indeed. Quite the rare find.” Elder Harum continued his tour, pointing out more plants. “Thunderparry Wood, Void Flower, Ransik Gourd” One by one, he named them, each met with nods of agreement from the other elders. “Yes, some of them are struggling to grow, but as far as I know, this student is the only person in history to have gotten this far,” Elder Harum stated. “Would it be too much to reward him? He may still be a kid, but he’s achieved more than all of us combined in this field.” “I believe rewarding him with life-preserving treasures isn’t excessive,” Elder Qiyang added. “The student is still a mortal. He has some talent in martial arts, but we can’t depend on that alone. Imagine the benefits he’ll bring to the sect – and to us cultivators. Imagine the loss if – may the almighty forbid – he lost his life due to danger. We must protect him and support his efforts as much as possible.” “This is indeed a significant contribution.” A burly elder, his arms thick with muscle, stepped forward. He was Gradan, head of the Defense Department. “The student deserve to be rewarded. I wish he could cultivate. If he could, I’d personally take him as my disciple. But since he can’t, how about this – I’ll train him in my body-forging arts. What do the other elders think?” Elder Qiyang shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Gradan frowned. “Why not? Didn’t you say he has talent in martial arts?” The other elders turned their gazes toward Elder Qiyang, waiting for his explanation. “The disciple is a loner,” Elder Qiyang said. “What I mean is, he prefers to work without unnecessary interference. I’ve been in touch with him for quite some time and monitored his habits. He’s the type of student who thrives with minimal supervision. I personally approved his special token so he could attend any class he wanted, and I stand by that decision.”

He continued, “He enjoys experimenting like this, and he’s very responsible. Do you all realize that since he arrived, the herb garden’s output has tripled? And despite his focus on research, he has never neglected his martial arts training. I fear that if we control him too much or burden him with rigid schedules, it might overwhelm him and do more harm than good.” Elder Jarsas, adjusting his dark roes, asked, “Then what do Elder Qiyang propose?” “Simple. We protect him, support him, and provide him with the resources he needs,” Elder Qiyang replied. “Life-protecting treasures, guards to ensure his work isn’t disturbed, more contribution points – these things will only help him excel. He built this entire nursery using his own contribution points. If we invest in him, the benefits will come back to the sect tenfold.” “That’s true,” Elder Asaya, head of the Construction Department, chimed in. “We even offered to build his workshop for free since he is Muhsan’s martial disciple, but he refused. He seems to dislike relying on others.” “Then it’s settled,” Elder Qiyang said. “We’ll reward him with life-protecting treasures, more contribution points, and greater freedom. He’s inquisitive, and from what I’ve heard from Muhsan, he loves to read. Let’s lift the library restrictions for him – except for forbidden texts, of course. Let him read whatever he likes.” The elders exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. “Let’s go talk to him and see if there’s anything else he’d like as a reward,” Elder Qiyang said. With that, they left the herb garden and headed toward the Alchemist Department
Esmund set down his cup of tea as the door creaked open. Elder Qiyang entered first, followed by several other elders, their presence filling the small study with an air of authority. Each carried themselves differently – some with the steady composure of scholars, others with the disciplined bearing of warriors. Elder Jarsas’s dark robes billowed as he moved, while Elder Gradan’s sheer bulk made him stand out even among cultivators. Esmund rose and cupped his hands in greeting. “Elders.” Elder Qiyang smiled warmly. “Sit, sit. We have much to discuss.” As Esmund obeyed, the elders took their seats around the room. Elder Qiyang cleared his throat before speaking. “Your work has greatly benefited the sect, Esmund. What you’ve accomplished with these spirit plants is nothing short of remarkable. After much discussion, we’ve decided on a few rewards to aid you and motivate you in your endeavors.” Esmund remained calm, but inwardly, he was wary. He had no desire for responsibilities or restrictions disguised as gifts. Elder Gradan was the first to speak. “I suggested taking you as a disciple and training you personally in body-forging arts, but Elder Qiyang convinced me otherwise.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “So instead, we decided to give you life-preserving treasures.” He reached into his storage ring and retrieved a small, unassuming black bracelet. “This is a Guardian Ironwood Bangle. It’s made from ancient ironwood, reinforced with defensive formations. If you’re struck by a fatal blow, it will release a protective force to shield you. It can withstand a full-powered strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator before breaking.” Esmund accepted the bangle, inspecting its craftsmanship. It was sturdy but not bulky, something he could integrate into his suit later. Elder Jarsas spoke next, his thin fingers producing a small, purple-green pill. “I am not one for flashy gifts, but this is the Thousand Venom Antidote Pill. It neutralizes almost any poison below the Saint Realm and remains active in your system for a full year. Even after it dissolves, it will grant you some resistance to minor toxins.” Esmund nodded. “Thank you, Elder Jarsas.” Elder Harum stepped forward with a wooden box, opening it to reveal a jade-colored seed. “This is the Everlasting Vine Seed. If planted near your residence, it will grow into a protective vine that responds to your spiritual imprint. It can entangle enemies and absorb elemental energy to strengthen itself.” Esmund accepted it thoughtfully. A self-growing defense system was useful, and with some modifications, he might integrate its properties into his suit or weapons. Elder Asaya, the head of the Construction Department, smiled. “You’re resourceful, but you still need materials. We’ll approve a special allocation of high-quality metals, rare herbs, and crafting materials for your experiments.” That caught Esmund’s attention. “I appreciate that, Elder Asaya.” Finally, Elder Qiyang spoke. “We are also lifting your restrictions in the sect library. You may now access all texts except forbidden ones. We know you value knowledge, and this will aid your research.” Esmund’s grip tightened slightly. This was the most valuable reward of all. With unrestricted access, he could study everything from formations to advanced alchemy theories and ancient weapon designs. Elder Qiyang smiled knowingly. “I assume you approve?” Esmund took a deep breath before speaking. “I do. These rewards are generous, and I will make good use of them.” Elder Gradan leaned forward. “One more thing – we’re assigning guards to monitor your research area.” Esmund frowned slightly. “That’s not necessary.” Elder Qiyang raised a hand to calm him. “They won’t interfere. Their only task is to ensure your safety. If you don’t want them near your workshop, they will patrol the outer perimeter. You’ll hardly notice them.” Esmund hesitated but eventually nodded. It was a reasonable compromise. The elders exchanged satisfied glances before Elder Qiyang stood. “Good. Then it’s settled. If you need additional resources, you may request them through me.” With that, the meeting concluded. As the other elders departed, Esmund sat back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the Guardian Ironwood Bangle. After a brief pause, he looked up. “Elder Qiyang, if we want to cultivate the tuber on a larger scale, we’ll need more space. The current herb garden isn’t big enough.” Elder Qiyang nodded. “We’ve already considered that. The sect is located at the empire’s border. To the north lies the Wilderness of Torms, and beyond that, the desert ruins of the Lightning Dragon Kingdom. Our agreement with the empire allows us to expand only in that direction.” “So we need to reclaim the land ourselves?” Esmund asked. “The wilderness and the ruins aren’t owned by any empire. They’re inhabited by magical beasts, so whoever has the means can claim them. That’s our plan.” Esmund’s expression sharpened. “It won’t be easy.” Elder Qiyang smiled faintly. “Indeed. Even within the empire, there are vast undeveloped areas. The empire sees little reason to invest resources into reclaiming land it may not be able to hold. As a result, the wilderness and the ruins remain a free-for-all’ zone. If we move to develop it, it could shift the power balance between sects and might even spark conflict with the current inhabitants.”

Esmund’s eyes narrowed. “Current inhabitants?” Elder Qiyang sighed. “The wilderness is home to aboriginal tribes and powerful spirit beasts. The spirit beasts are the real threat. Most cannot be reasoned with, and they are generally stronger than human cultivators. The empire has no interest in provoking them, but if we take the initiative, they won’t interfere. In fact, it benefits them – our expansion would create a buffer zone between the empire and the magical beasts.” “Like you said, we’ll need to open new territory, but it has to be done carefully. This requires proper planning and the sect leader’s approval. Fortunately, we’ve been preparing for this for quite some time. In five months or less, the sect master will emerge from seclusion, and a final decision will be made. Until then, Elder Harum has arranged a temporary location for planting.” Esmund nodded. “I see. That timeline works for me. It gives me enough time to perfect the cultivation method. I may even be able to experiment with other herbs.” Elder Qiyang smiled. “That would be excellent. Don’t hesitate to ask for support. We won’t be stingy with your rewards.”
Esmund sighed, leaning against the cool stone walls of the underground lab as warm water cascaded over him. He had spent a long time thinking during his shower Having someone watching over his activities wasn’t ideal, but outright refusing the elders’ offer of guards might raise suspicions. He hated being watched, but he couldn’t deny that protection was necessary. His real concern was that the presence of guards might become a problem instead of a solution. If a professional thief were scouting targets, the first place they would investigate would be the one under heavy watch. People rarely pay attention to a random storage room or a secluded workshop, but if it’s guarded, even ordinary sect members might get curious and start poking around. Revealing the success of the Kasan Tuber research had been a strategic move. Now, no one would question him fortifying his workshop with layers of protective formations or even arming it to the teeth. If anything, they would offer assistance. It provided the perfect cover. Protection wasn’t his only concern – money was another issue. He would be working with a massive amount of resources, and he needed a plausible explanation for where those funds were going. He couldn’t just tell people he was making money by selling space pouches. That would invite trouble. Someone, somewhere, would inevitably try to take it from him. By making the herb research public, he had not only secured additional support from the sect but also hidden his other dealings under the guise of legitimate research. Even so, the thought of leaving the sect lingered in his mind. He needed freedom. But right now, it was too early. He wasn’t strong enough, and he still had too many loose ends. His focus needed to be on getting stronger – fast. Advancing his subspace research would give him true security. “It was a good decision,” Sage said, breaking his train of thought. “Now, even if we buy more materials and have more resources, people will assume it’s provided by the sect, for the herb project.” Esmund nodded. “How are we doing with the subspace research?” “It’s working. We’ve successfully bound three Void Stones to a subspace. Using the same method, further binding should be possible – but I stopped the process.” Esmund frowned. “Why? That’s our main priority.” If it was working, they should have kept going. “We’ve already made a critical breakthrough,” Sage explained. “I also tested binding nanobots carrying Void Stone fragments, and it’s far easier than linking space pouch-sized stones. It seems that the smaller the Void Stone, the less it affects the energy balance within subspace. This means we can now connect every nanobot to a subspace, solving the signal transmission delays caused by distance.” Esmund’s eyes lit up. “So, communication will no longer be an issue.” “Exactly. We can link every nanobot and convert a subspace into a communication hub, allowing near-instantaneous data transfer.” “That’s huge,” Esmund muttered. “But there’s a problem,” Sage continued. “These subspaces don’t support intelligent life. The moment a conscious being enters, their brain signals and memory functions get scrambled. Essentially, they die.” Esmund exhaled sharply. “Damn. I forgot about that. We were supposed to test this with a beast pouch.” “Yeah. I was planning to bring it up later, but since we were still refining the standard space pouch – and we didn’t have the funds – I put it on hold. But now, with the 500,000 contribution points you received as a reward, we should have no issue acquiring a beast pouch for examination.” Esmund rubbed his chin. “We also need a proper channel to sell our stuff. We can’t keep operating in secret forever – it’s suffocating. I’ll get you a beast pouch so you can study it. Make it work. In the meantime, I’ll figure out a way to safely sell our creations.” “While you do that, I’ll focus on linking all the nanobots we currently have. We’re close to reaching the quantity needed for full-scale item construction,” Sage said. “Good.” Esmund reached into his space pouch and laid out several magic treasures on the table. “Also, analyze these. I want to understand how they work and see if we can integrate them into our arsenal.” Sage responded instantly, his scanning systems already activating. “On it.” Esmund watched the treasures for a moment before stepping back, exhaling. Things were moving fast. He had the protection, the funds, and now, he had the means to make real progress.