15

Chapter 15 - The Path of Perfection

Devor pressed on with his explanation, his voice steady but tinged with a quiet excitement. He delved deeper into the intricate nature of his body's unique composition and how he had meticulously adapted the Essence of Nature Technique to harmonize with his Spiritual Root. His words painted a vivid picture of a cultivator who not only practiced cultivation but had an intimate understanding of his very essence.

As he spoke, Master Nie felt a storm brewing within him, a tumultuous mix of doubt and unease.

"Does this boy truly intend to perfect the entire Technique?"

This wasn't about tweaking a foundation or making minor adjustments. Devor was aiming for a level of mastery that would seamlessly align the Technique with his core being—a feat that even seasoned Foundation Building cultivators approached with the utmost caution.

For most, perfecting their Techniques came after years of practice, guided by life experiences and hard-won breakthroughs. But Devor, still in the Qi Refining stage, dared to aim for perfection now? It seemed reckless—almost suicidal.

Yet, as Devor continued, the depth of his understanding and the precision of his reasoning silenced any immediate doubts. He wasn't just throwing out theories or guesses; he methodically dissected past failures and explained the logic behind every adjustment. Master Nie could see that these weren't random modifications. Devor had already made significant progress, refining crucial aspects of the Technique with a clarity that was hard to dismiss.

As Devor concluded his explanation, he bowed deeply. "Master Nie, I respectfully seek your guidance. Please, help me improve."

Master Nie's expression shifted back to its usual calm, authoritative demeanor, though the turmoil inside him was far from settled.

With a thoughtful nod, he began to provide feedback, carefully analyzing each point Devor had raised. His insights grew increasingly detailed as he balanced praise for Devor's progress with cautionary advice about potential pitfalls in his adjustments.

Devor listened with rapt attention, occasionally nodding in agreement, furrowing his brow in thought, and asking follow-up questions to clarify his understanding.

Before long, their interaction transformed. What began as a formal lecture evolved into a dynamic Dao Discussion.

Despite his extensive experience, Master Nie found himself genuinely challenged. The singular nature of Devor's Spiritual Root and the precision of his modifications made it impossible to offer standard guidance.

Devor had an unparalleled grasp of his own limitations and potential. For Master Nie, it was reminiscent of the time he crafted a custom Cultivation Technique for a particularly gifted disciple. Even then, it had been a painstaking process to account for the disciple's unique constitution.

Now, advising Devor required a similar level of critical thought. Master Nie had to meticulously deconstruct the Technique, examining it piece by piece, all while considering Devor's exceptional circumstances.

Time slipped away unnoticed as their conversation delved deeper into increasingly profound topics. Hours passed, yet neither of them paid it any mind. Devor absorbed every word, his understanding growing rapidly, like a small fish suddenly cast into a vast, endless ocean.

By the time they wrapped up, the twilight sky had draped the Sect in shades of red and gold. Devor's eyes sparkled with excitement, and his heart swelled with gratitude.

"Master Nie, I can't thank you enough for your guidance," Devor said, bowing deeply.

Master Nie offered a faint smile, though the weariness in his eyes was unmistakable. "You're ambitious, Devor. But remember—perfection is a dangerous road."

Acknowledging the time Master Nie had spent, Devor insisted on paying for the extra hours. Master Nie didn't refuse, though inwardly, he felt the contribution points were hardly sufficient compensation for the mental toll the discussion had taken.

At the reception desk, Devor settled the remainder of his fee, leaving only a small reserve of Contribution Points in his account. Despite the steep expense, he felt no regret—only a deep sense of satisfaction.

As he left the Cultivation Hall, his heart light with accomplishment, Master Nie watched him from a third-floor window.

The faint smile on Master Nie's face gradually faded, replaced by an expression of pure exhaustion.

"Monster," Master Nie muttered bitterly, rubbing his temples. "Does that child truly grasp Technique creation to such an extent?"

He let out a long sigh. "I truly underestimated him. The topics he raised alone were worth far more than what he paid."

Master Nie stared out at the horizon, replaying every detail of their conversation. The mental strain of dissecting Devor's Technique and mentally simulating his adjustments had left him thoroughly exhausted.

"I could have turned him away," he muttered, though he knew he never would. There was something about Devor's relentless determination—a spark that drew him in.

"Leifu mentioned there's a reason none of the higher-ranked masters have taken Devor as a disciple," Master Nie murmured. "Now I see why. If we interfere, we might end up stifling his potential. That boy... he's forging a path that's uniquely his, one we can't meddle with."

Master Nie's thoughts aligned with Leifu's philosophy. By carving his own path, Devor had the potential to achieve something extraordinary—something that could shake the very heavens.

"The Sect has found a rare gem," Master Nie said quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Let's see how far you can go, Devor Li."

As the sky darkened and stars began to appear, Master Nie remained by the window, his gaze distant.

In his heart, a rare excitement stirred. Devor's journey was unpredictable, but it was that very unpredictability that made it so thrilling to witness.

Cultivation is a battle against fate, Master Nie thought. And Devor Li is a cultivator who will defy it at every turn.

❄️❄️❄️

With his heart brimming with excitement, Devor returned to his Spiritual Garden.

The familiar scent of earth and vibrant plants greeted him as he dove back into his daily tasks. By evening, the Apprentices had gathered around, eager to learn from him about Spiritual Plant care. Each question they asked and every answer he provided only deepened their respect for him. Yet, despite their attention, Devor's thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Later that night, he sat cross-legged in the quiet of the garden, the soft glow of the plants lighting up his surroundings like scattered stars. Taking a deep breath, he whispered inwardly, "Open Profile."

[Name: Devor Li]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 15/125]

[Cultivation: Stage-5 Qi Refining Realm]

[Spiritual Energy: 675/675]

[Spiritual Root: Five-Color Root]

[Knowledge: 124 Books]

[Enlightenment Realm Points: 16]

[Abilities: Ultimate Synthesis, Attribute Analyzer, Ultimate Comprehension (Lv2)]

Devor blinked in surprise.

"Ultimate Comprehension is at Level 2? When did that happen?" he murmured, confusion flickering across his face. "The system didn't even notify me about this."

As usual, his system remained silent and cryptic. Despite its power, it never explained its features or provided any guidance. Devor had figured out how to activate Ultimate Synthesis and Attribute Analyzer through trial and error, but Ultimate Comprehension? That ability remained as mysterious as ever.

From the name alone, Devor suspected that Ultimate Comprehension enhanced his understanding of cultivation and abstract concepts. However, he couldn't command it to activate, nor could he clearly define its effects. Unlike his other abilities, Ultimate Comprehension had a level attached to it—a curious anomaly that caught his attention.

"Could it be tied to my own efforts, rather than the system itself?" he wondered aloud.

Devor considered the possibility that Ultimate Comprehension was passively supporting his cultivation, its growth linked to his diligence and enlightenment. But without any solid proof, he could do little more than put the thought aside for the time being.

Shaking his head, he dismissed the distraction and straightened his posture. Closing his eyes, he returned to his meditation.

This time, he focused entirely on refining the Qi Refining portion of the Essence of Nature Technique. He had learned from Master Nie to abandon the flawed idea of trying to perfect the entire Technique across all realms at once. Instead, he would build his foundation step by step, creating a solid base to build upon.

Master Nie's analogy about constructing a building, with each floor adding stability to the next, still echoed in his mind, guiding his steady progress.

❄️❄️❄️

Each day passed in a tranquil routine. Devor tended to the Spiritual Plants, mentored his Apprentices, and immersed himself in meditation. Although he had originally planned to study combat techniques, his fascination with unlocking the mysteries of cultivation consumed all his attention.

Two peaceful months slipped by like a gentle breeze.

One crisp morning, Devor sat at the heart of the Spiritual Garden, lost in meditation.

The plants around him seemed to respond to his calm energy, their soft glows pulsing in time with his breathing. The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted, however, by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Devor opened his eyes to see Forly standing a respectful distance away. The young man bowed deeply before speaking.

"Greetings, Senior Devor," Forly said with a humble tone. "A mortal stands outside the Sect entrance, claiming to be a member of your family."

Devor's brow furrowed at the unexpected news.

"My family?" he repeated, the disbelief clear in his voice.

The words felt strange to him. Aside from his grandfather, whom he had buried months ago, Devor had no family in this world.

His thoughts raced, filled with questions. "Could this be a trick? Or maybe someone from my grandfather's past?"

Devor stood slowly, brushing off his robes. His calm demeanor concealed the unease simmering beneath the surface.

"Did they give a name?" he asked, his voice steady but edged with curiosity.

Forly shook his head. "They wouldn't say much. Just that they're your kin and insisted on speaking with you directly."

Devor nodded, his mind working. "Alright. I'll handle this myself."

With a soft sigh, he turned and began walking toward the entrance of the Azure Sky Sect, his mind swirling with possibilities.