Chapter 2: The First Harvest

In the days that followed her rebirth, Mei Lan threw herself into her new life with a quiet, unbreakable determination. Every morning before dawn, she entered her cultivation space and experimented with planting and nurturing various seeds, testing the limits of her new abilities.

The space was truly remarkable. Within it, Mei Lan could adjust the sunlight and control the flow of qi that the plants absorbed. As she carefully tended to the herbs, flowers, and crops, she felt a steady rhythm form between herself and the soil. This was more than farming; it was a form of meditation, a connection that went beyond mere cultivation.

One morning, after planting a rare Cloud Dew Herb known for its ability to enhance qi flow, Mei Lan noticed something peculiar. In her previous life, even the healthiest Cloud Dew took nearly a month to grow. Yet here, in her cultivation space, the herb sprouted fully in just one hour. As she marveled at the lush, silver-streaked leaves, a thought struck her.

"If I can grow a herb like this at such speed, I could refine potions that would take most cultivators years to acquire," she whispered, feeling the first thrill of true power.

But the joy of her cultivation space also came with the weight of caution. Mei Lan knew she had to be discreet. Though her rebirth had given her a second chance, her cultivation level remained low. Any sign of her newfound abilities would draw envy and danger from others in the sect. Until she was strong enough to protect herself, secrecy was her greatest shield.

As days passed, she began cultivating rare herbs and experimenting with small elixirs. Her space allowed her to try different soil types, light settings, and water conditions. Some herbs enhanced strength, while others sharpened focus or boosted inner qi circulation. Each success filled her with confidence, but she also learned from her mistakes, like when an overgrown Spirit Ginseng exploded in her face, filling the air with a strange, metallic scent.

Yet Mei Lan never complained. Every failure was a lesson, every success a step forward.

One evening, after a long day of work, she returned to the outer world, her body fatigued but her spirit alive. A rare gathering of disciples was taking place that night at the sect's main hall, and Mei Lan knew she had to attend, if only to avoid suspicion.

As she entered the hall, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. "Mei Lan! Late again, as usual." It was Ming Tao, one of the sect's elite disciples and, in her last life, her most persistent tormentor. His mocking tone and smug smile were as grating as ever, but Mei Lan forced herself to remain calm.

In her past life, she would have wilted under his sneers. But now, with her secret and newfound strength, she looked him in the eye. "I was busy," she replied simply, keeping her tone neutral.

Ming Tao laughed. "Busy? With what? Growing weeds? You're barely strong enough to cultivate a pebble!" His followers snickered, enjoying the show. But Mei Lan only gave him a small smile.

"Perhaps weeds can be useful," she replied quietly, "if one knows what to do with them."

Her words earned her a puzzled look, but she moved past him before he could respond. She found a spot near the back, silently observing the other disciples as they discussed their cultivation achievements and upcoming sect missions. It didn't escape her notice that the sect had assigned most of the challenging missions to lower-level disciples—like her. It was a thinly veiled attempt to keep the weaker members occupied or eliminate them without much consequence.

But this time, Mei Lan had a plan.

Once the gathering ended, she slipped back to her modest quarters. In her last life, she had struggled with the missions the sect gave her, barely surviving each one. But now, with her cultivation space, she could grow and refine the herbs she needed for strength and resilience. She would face the trials, but she would be ready.

That night, she entered her space again, her mind racing with the herbs and potions she needed to create. She tended to a row of Iron Root Grass—a plant known for its strengthening properties, often brewed into teas for endurance. Mei Lan carefully uprooted the mature plants and prepared to refine them. With this potion, she would be able to enhance her physical strength for several hours—enough to endure any physical trials the sect threw at her.

As she worked, a deep sense of satisfaction settled over her. She was no longer a powerless pawn; she was becoming a force in her own right.

The next day, she was called to the sect's mission office, where she was handed a scroll detailing her next assignment. Her task was to gather medicinal roots from the Jade Serpent Woods, a forest known for its treacherous terrain and venomous beasts.

In the past, the thought would have terrified her. But now, Mei Lan only smiled as she tucked the mission scroll into her robe.

She would not go unprepared.