The morning mist curled like silver threads over Chunhe's secluded farm realm, a divine pocket space untouched by time and men. Today wasn't like any other day—it was the day he would sow his most precious seeds yet, collected over years through barter, battles, and blood.
With sleeves rolled up and spiritual energy pulsing faintly through his fingertips, Chunhe gently opened a pouch made of Phoenix Hide and laced with ancient sealing runes. Inside lay the seeds:– Red Ginseng, warm to the touch, beating with life like a second heart– Dragon Tongue Mushrooms, slick and twitching, reacting to the Qi in the air– Nine-Leaf Soul Grass, glowing with Yin Qi, casting a pale light that curled like mist– And the mysterious Celestial Tear Grass, that floated ever so slightly above his palm, crying a single glowing dew drop as it touched the divine soil
As he planted each seed in the quadrant blessed by the Immortal Tree, Chunhe felt the spiritual field respond—the air thickening, birds quieting, and the Divine Trees around him slightly adjusting their roots as if making room for a new generation.
Meanwhile, Flower Demon and the newly arrived Rose Demon drifted near Big F, their voices soft and melodic, speaking ancient lullabies to the saplings. The slaves, though beastfolk and wandering spirits, bowed instinctively. Something sacred was taking place, and even the most rebellious among them dared not speak.
At the edge of the field, Big F, the evolved Flame-Scaled Fish, watched silently, its eyes flickering with a beast's sentience—and something deeper. By the Cold Pond, the toad croaked nervously, and the carps swam in spirals, disturbed by the shifting balance of energy.
Then it happened. As Chunhe finished planting the last Celestial Tear Grass, a faint earthquake rippled beneath the farm—the spatial realm itself howled softly, as if acknowledging the arrival of new life.
Just before Chunhe could stand, one of the seeds vibrated—sending a ripple of warmth through the soil, through the trees, and into his spiritual sea.
Something had already begun to awaken.
Mountains revealed themselves, rising slowly like sleeping giants, pushing through the soil. Far beyond the farmlands, a colossal tree erupted from the ground—so majestic, so alive. Its roots coiled like dragons, its trunk as wide as a fortress, and its thick vines glowed with divine light. It towered over the mountains, and its leaves shimmered with the essence of spring.
At that moment, Chunhe's body erupted in a strand of white flames—his physique burning with purification. As the light engulfed him and stretched toward the newly risen tree, every being in the realm trembled. Even the Divine Beasts dropped to their knees. The farm itself bowed.
He had ascended. He was now at the peak of Body Tempering.
All those years of early morning jogs, weightlifting, stretching, push-ups, pull-ups, squats, taekwondo, muay thai, boxing, shadow sparring, martial arts from movies—and even the random techniques he mimicked from the [Hall of Knowledge]—had finally merged into a singular martial truth.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Ding! [Spatial Spring UPGRADE Detected]– Can be consumed to strengthen the body– Can be used to water crops for 10x growth speed– Can be taken outside
Ding! [Vehicles Detected]– Tractor (Lv.1) – Automatically tills 100 fields per day– Bucket Drones (Lv.1) – Automatically waters 100 fields per day– Water Wheel (Lv.1) – Generates electricity, infinite use– Harrow (Lv.1) – Destroys weeds, levels soil, infinite use– Farm Truck
Ding! [New Task Generated: Realm Steward's Duty]
Due to your actions of bringing back beastfolk and wandering souls, as well as capturing divine-grade livestock, the system has determined this realm to be a developing sanctuary.
⚠ Mandatory Upkeep Tasks Issued:
1. Construct Habitable Zones:– Build 10 multi-apartment lodges with electricity, water, and basic needs– Build 5 spirit mansions for high-sensitivity residents– Construct 1 Main Hall (Farm Command Center)– Construct 1 Infirmary (Healing & Alchemy Center)– Construct 1 Divine Stable for high-level beasts– Build Storage Barns (Minimum capacity: 1000 tons)– Upgrade fields to Standard Medicinal Units with irrigation and array layouts
2. Nurture and Train:– All captured slaves must be fed, healed, and trained– Loyalty must reach 60% or higher within 3 years to prevent rebellion– Assign caretakers (Flower Demon has been assigned automatically as Overseer)– Prepare 30 daily meals infused with spiritual energy, personally cooked by Chunhe
3. Acquire Required Licenses:– Driver License Required: Tractor, Truck– Machinery Handling License: Harrow, Drones– Livestock Management License: Pending
Linking you to [Hall of Knowledge] for purchase and accelerated learning.
Ding! Bonus Mission Unlocked: [Heavenly Sanctuary Path]– Complete all constructions within 900 days– Successfully nurture the first generation of beastfolk and spirit beasts
Reward: Divine Blueprint – Immortal Tea Tree Grove (x1)Reward: Blessing of the Sky Emperor (Crop Growth +500%)
Chunhe's jaw twitched. Even with all his prior lives, this was the first time a system dared to assign him the role of village chief, contractor, tractor driver, and spiritual nanny—all at once.
Flower Demon turned toward him with a confused expression. "…Did you… always want to be a farmer?"
Chunhe let out a long sigh, pulled out a large scroll labeled "Blueprint Mode," and activated the construction map overlay in his mind.
One step at a time.
The first thing he did was assign habitats.
– Beastfolk with high mobility and strength were sent to the temporary lodges near the East Gate.– Spirit beasts with sensitive constitutions were relocated to mist-covered groves behind the Cold Pond.– Divine livestock, including Big F and the Radiant Toad, were secured in the interim Divine Pens.– Wandering souls with sentience were placed under Flower Demon's guidance, assigned basic chores and healing routines.– And as for the rebellious ones? They were placed near the Immortal Tree—where even the most arrogant of beings couldn't act rashly.
Chunhe cracked his knuckles, stretched his neck, and grinned.
The dark clouds that had lingered in the sky weren't storm-born—but summoned by his presence.
Chunhe stood atop a rise near the field, his cloak gently flowing in the windless air. He had worn the system-bestowed Lizard Stone Mask and the Thousand-Scent Cloak since dawn—an oppressive figure in black with no scent, or Qi signature, and no mercy.
He had removed the helmet only once earlier that morning, for a brief moment to breathe the sacred air after planting the Celestial Tear Grass. But now it was back—strapped over his face like a seal of dominion.
The mask screamed faintly with sealed runes.
The moment he placed it back on, the entire atmosphere shifted.
A crack of invisible lightning split the air. The soil beneath the slaves shivered. Beasts whimpered. Spirits went still.
The pressure returned in full force.
Crushing.
Suffocating.
Final.
Even the mighty Flower Demon, attuned to spiritual tides, had to clutch her chest, her breath shortened by the heaviness in the air. A single bead of sweat rolled down her cheek.
And then, he spoke.
"You… insects..."
"You lowly mongrels. Filth who couldn't even hold onto your freedom."
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
Each word struck their minds like nails into wood.
"The world didn't pity you. Your tribes didn't fight for you. You were sold. Traded. Abandoned. And I... I bought you."
He took a single step forward, the ground beneath shaking with invisible force. Several slaves fell to their knees in instinctual fear.
"You think this is cruelty? No. This is my mercy."
He raised his hand, gesturing calmly as if delivering a lecture.
"Work… and perhaps you'll blossom into something of value. Be obedient—kneel when told, eat when allowed, fight when ordered—and you may one day walk freely under heaven again."
"But resist…"
His head tilted ever so slightly. The weight of his presence multiplied.
"And you'll be ground into the very soil beneath your feet. I will plant crops over your bones. Your Qi, your blood, your pathetic life—all will be recycled for my benefit."
"You are not people. You are not even tools. You are resources."
A long silence.
Then… he laughed.
Not the laugh of a madman.
But the refined, slow cackle of someone who had seen life's horrors and decided to become one himself.
The little Rose Demon giggled too, like a child copying her parent. Her petals fluttered like serrated butterflies, soaking in the terror.
"You will not die. Oh no… Death is far too kind. You'll live long. Long enough to regret every lash of your tongue. Long enough to see your children bear chains... unless you serve well."
"Loyalty earns reward. Defiance earns fertilizer."
He stepped down the ridge, slowly descending toward them. Every step was as silent as a ghost, yet as heavy as fate.
Even the Flower Demon—once proud and noble—found herself shivering. The mask… the voice… the scentless cloak… her Qi was sealed, her breath shortened.
It was like staring at a walking abyss.
And the abyss had a will.
The tiny Rose Demon—sitting on his shoulder—burst into shrill laughter, petals fluttering like razors. Her joy was sincere, her madness matching his own. The field echoed with both their insanity.
Even the trees leaned slightly away from them.
The Flower Demon, standing just behind Chunhe, lowered her gaze, heart pounding like a drum in a war ritual. She couldn't decide if she was witnessing a ruler's fall to madness—or his long-awaited return to true form.
The farm had leveled up.
And so had its tyrant.
He was not merely cultivating crops.
He was cultivating fear, order, and power.