Chapter 2 : A Step Closer to the Goal

One month passed so quickly.

With his remarkable performance at the start of the recruitment, Devor now resided in a small bamboo house within the Spiritual Garden, a place that felt quite comfortable for him.

His hut was simple, yet it felt like the right place to absorb peace. Inside the small room, Devor sat quietly, wearing a plain white robe that flowed softly. He was still at the lowest rank in the sect's hierarchy, but he felt much closer to the goal he had always dreamed of.

Both of his hands held a book that seemed simple, yet was filled with invaluable knowledge. He read it attentively, each sentence sinking deep into his mind.

"The knowledge I find in this Sect is far more profound and valuable compared to what I gained in the Village," Devor muttered, exhaling in awe.

The more books he read, the stronger his passion and determination grew. There was a drive flowing from within him—a drive to learn, grow, and evolve.

"Open System," he commanded inwardly.

The system interface appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.

[Name: Devor Li]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 12/65]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

[Spiritual Energy: 2/2]

[Spiritual Root: Five-Color Root]

[Knowledge: 43 Books]

[Enlightenment Realm Points: 12]

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

A digital interface spread out in front of him, invisible to others, only Devor could see it.

"I've been in the Spiritual Garden for a month now, and I've already felt a one-point increase in my spiritual energy!" Devor said, his voice filled with enthusiasm, even though the change was modest. "The cheat I have doesn't immediately bring extraordinary power, but with patience and persistence, I'm sure I can gradually reach it, one step at a time."

With conviction flowing through his words, Devor felt that this journey, though long and full of challenges, was an unavoidable path. He knew that every effort would lead to significant results, even if it took time.

The Five-Color Root was the weakest and most undesirable Spiritual Root. The fewer the colors in a Spiritual Root, the better its quality.

However, there was something even more astonishing that Devor had read in a book—spiritual roots that had no color at all, which were said to be the pinnacle of Spiritual Root quality. It was a distant goal, perhaps even unreachable for most people.

Devor stared blankly ahead, his eyes gazing far into the distance. "But… even if I reach the pinnacle of cultivation, will I be able to return to Earth?" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper, like the breeze. "It's been 12 years since I was born into this world. When I finally return, Earth might feel like a foreign place. There will be no friends, no family I recognize anymore. All of that will just become a distant memory."

His thoughts drifted back to his former life on Earth, a world full of routines that now felt like a dream. He came from the 20th century, a world so different from the one he was in now. Somehow, he had suddenly passed away in his sleep, only to be reborn in this world with a mysterious system.

When the system first appeared, Devor had been confused. What did this system mean? Why did he have it? Those questions haunted him, but after years, he found no answers.

He spent the first three years trying to figure out the origin of the system, but eventually, he gave up. It seemed pointless to keep searching. Instead, he began focusing on his new life in this world, which was far more important.

The system had a unique ability—the ability to integrate all the knowledge he had already absorbed into one cohesive whole. Every book he read, every lesson he learned, could be connected and enhanced through the system.

When Devor studied five books, he used the system to link together key points from those books, creating new knowledge he had never encountered before. It was this advantage that made him stand out so much when he first entered the Sect a month ago.

Without the help of this system, Devor wouldn't have even known if spiritual plants could influence each other just by reading a single book.

"My life on Earth is now a thing of the past," Devor thought softly, though the shadows of those memories still haunted his mind. "In this world, only Grandpa remains as my family." The words left his mouth with a tone of loneliness, even though he was trying hard to accept his new reality.

Over the past month, Devor had studied four books given to him by Senior Sister Yulin. Each book offered a new perspective, and with the help of the system, he connected the knowledge from these books, creating a deeper understanding of the world he now inhabited.

A moment later, the soft sound of footsteps could be heard approaching Devor's small hut.

Instinctively, Devor pushed away the thoughts that were wandering back to Earth, trying to focus. He pretended to be absorbed in reading the book in his hands, hoping his appearance didn't seem distracted.

Not long after, the figure of Senior Sister Yulin appeared at the door, looking at him with a slight smile.

"How is it, little brother Devor? Have you learned everything?" Yulin asked, her voice gentle yet full of concern.

Devor lowered the book he had been holding to the wooden table, then lifted his head to look at Yulin. He felt a bit awkward but tried to maintain a humble posture.

"I wouldn't dare to give a definite answer without trying it out in the field first," Devor replied honestly, his eyes still lowered.

Yulin nodded softly, a small smile still visible on her face. "That's perfectly fine. Even if you fail, it's no problem. You'll still be working here. With a strong knowledge base like yours, there will always be opportunities for you to develop further."

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Devor said, standing up and bowing deeply as a sign of respect.

Yulin smiled faintly. "No need to overdo it. If you progress, the Sect will benefit from having recruited such a promising seed."

With a wider smile, Yulin took a step back and gestured for Devor to follow her. She led him toward one of the garden plots, where the results of Devor's training over the past month would be tested.

Less than five minutes later, they arrived at a garden plot about one hundred meters in size. Various plants grew neatly, creating a peaceful scene.

Yulin gazed at the garden spread out before her. "Examine each of these plants one by one. Share your comments. Is there anything that needs extra care, or perhaps something that is thriving exceptionally well here?"

Devor furrowed his brow, his expression becoming serious. He knew that this task was not just about inspecting the plants—it was a test that would measure the depth of his knowledge so far.

Without saying more, Devor stepped forward, his eyes focused on the garden before him. The cool breeze carrying the soft scent of leaves and earth brushed against his skin, adding to the calm within him.

He stopped in front of the first plant that caught his attention—a Herbal Moonlight Dew, a small plant with light blue leaves that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. This plant was very rare, known for its ability to heal wounds quickly, but it was also highly sensitive to changes in temperature.

Devor leaned closer, his eyes carefully inspecting the leaves and stem of the plant, feeling that the peaceful atmosphere of the garden brought tranquility to his mind.

"This plant is lacking Qi energy," Devor said cautiously as he examined the wilted leaves at the tips. "The leaves aren't emitting enough light. The soil around it is starting to lose its fertility. I suggest adding a small amount of Spirit Moss fertilizer so as not to disrupt its natural energy cycle."

Yulin nodded slowly, her eyes conveying admiration. There was a subtle gleam in her gaze, showing that she was impressed by Devor's ability. "Continue," she said, her voice soft yet full of interest.

Devor moved on to the next plant. In front of him was a Golden Lotus Vine, gracefully creeping and winding tightly around a small bamboo stick supporting it. This plant emitted a strong aura of life, with golden-green leaves that seemed to almost glow.

"This plant is growing very well," Devor said as he observed the shimmering leaves. "However, if left without additional support, the stem might break under the weight of the flowers that are beginning to bloom. I suggest adding an extra support stake."

Yulin squinted and smiled, the smile widening on her face. "Good. You're paying attention to the little details." The praise felt sincere, and her eyes showed a sense of satisfaction. "Next?"

Devor moved on to the next plant. This time, in front of him, was a Crimson Root Ginseng, its leaves a deep green, but its roots were starting to surface. Devor knelt down and touched the soil around it, feeling the firm texture of the earth.

"This is interesting," Devor murmured. "The soil is too compact, causing the roots to rise up in search of air. Loosen the soil around the roots, but be careful not to harm them."

From a distance, Yulin flashed a small grin. "You're quite observant for someone who's only been here for a month with no real experience."

The more Devor displayed his abilities, the more Yulin felt that she had found a truly valuable seed. Her smile grew, and she became increasingly intrigued by Devor's presence.

Devor continued his inspection with a serious demeanor, walking through the garden and examining each plant with full attention.

When he reached the Starshade Lily, a graceful flowering plant with soft purple petals, Devor noticed something was off. The plant was growing too close to others, absorbing unbalanced natural energy.

"This plant needs to be moved," Devor said thoughtfully. "Move one or two of its shoots to another area to better distribute the energy. Right now, too many plants are competing for the limited natural energy."

Yulin nodded quickly, taking note of every word that came from Devor. "Exactly. You have an amazing eye, even for someone who is just a mortal."

Devor paused for a moment in front of the Silverleaf Orchid, a plant with glossy leaves but slightly spotted. He examined it carefully before sighing. "It's been attacked by small insects. I think a solution of Spirit Dew could eradicate the pests without damaging the leaves."

Yulin crossed her arms, listening intently to every analysis Devor provided. Her face remained expressionless, but her eyes reflected sharp attention, showing that she was truly focused on every word Devor spoke.

Devor continued his examination, analyzing each plant one by one. Each of his decisions and explanations only served to further impress Yulin, not just with Devor's knowledge, but also with his meticulous attention to every detail.

When he finally finished with the last plant, Devor stood and turned to face Yulin. "I have finished my inspection, Senior Sister," he said in a quiet but confident voice.

Yulin shifted her gaze to the garden Devor had just inspected. It was a garden maintained by someone, yet it had failed to meet the sect's standards.

A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked back at Devor. "Excellent results," she said with a tone full of appreciation. "Not only did you identify the problems, but you also provided efficient solutions. In just one month, you've proven yourself more than worthy to be here."

Devor immediately bowed deeply, his heart filled with respect. "Thank you for your praise and guidance, Senior Sister."

However, Yulin raised a finger, a sign indicating that she was not yet finished. "This is just the beginning," she said calmly. "This garden is only a small example of your responsibility. Tomorrow, I will take you to a larger spiritual garden. If you can demonstrate your abilities there, then your path to becoming the main garden keeper of the Azure Sky Sect will be wide open."

Devor's eyes sparkled, his enthusiasm reigniting. But he quickly calmed himself, reminding himself how important this opportunity was. "I won't disappoint you, Senior Sister!" he said with determination.

Yulin nodded with a small smile that conveyed her approval. "Good. Now, finish your task here. There is much work awaiting you in the future. I will arrange everything for you soon."

With that, Yulin waved her hand and left with quick steps to register Devor as a Spiritual Farmer in this Spiritual Garden.

Devor turned his gaze back to the garden beside him, his eyes shining with renewed energy. Every small step he took now felt increasingly significant, as if every second that passed brought him closer to the great goal he had dreamed of. Success was no longer just a distant dream, but a reality he could achieve, one step at a time.