A 12-year-old boy, standing at 143 cm, with an innocent and youthful face framed by short hair, wore an expression brimming with excitement as he stepped into the territory of the Azure Sky Sect.

  His name was Devor.

  Devor stood frozen at the edge of a vast field, his heart pounding with a mix of awe and nervous anticipation. His wide eyes swept over the majestic scene before him, drinking in every detail as if trying to etch it into memory. His breath hitched as he took in the view: traditional buildings stood in serene harmony, their rooftops tiled with shimmering bluish-green tiles that glistened like jade under the sun. Dragons and phoenixes, intricately carved into the wooden pillars, exuded a timeless elegance, as if ready to spring to life.

  The soft breeze whispered across the field, carrying the faint scent of plum blossoms and pine trees, their fragrance mingling with the gentle babbling of a nearby stream.

  Devor’s gaze wandered to the disciples of the Sect as they moved gracefully between the buildings, their flowing light blue robes billowing in the breeze like flower petals dancing in midair. Overhead, the sky stretched endlessly, painted in vivid blue hues with thin clouds drifting lazily across. Everything about the scene felt ethereal, as though this world had been crafted solely for the Immortals.

  Devor's lips parted in silent wonder. "This is it," he thought, his excitement tempered by a flicker of apprehension. "The Azure Sky Sect... it's even more magnificent than I imagined."

  Devor’s eyes gleamed with wonder, mirroring the beauty of this new world that was about to become part of his destiny.

  “Little brother, you’ll have plenty of time to admire the Sect later,” a soft yet firm voice called out, breaking the spell of his awe.

  Devor jolted out of his reverie, suddenly aware that he had stopped in his tracks. He turned to see the graceful female cultivator who was guiding him and four other new arrivals into the Azure Sky Sect. She gave him a gentle smile, her tone understanding but lightly chiding.

  The four others, who were around Devor’s age—three girls and one boy—also paused to glance at him, their curiosity evident in their expressions.

  Devor felt heat rise to his cheeks as the others turned to look. He cleared his throat softly, bowing with a respectful nod. “Forgive me, Senior Sister. I was just captivated by the beauty of the Azure Sky Sect,” he said, his voice filled with admiration.

  The female cultivator’s smile deepened, her eyes soft with understanding. “That’s normal. The Sect is full of wonders. Come on, I’ll show you the Spiritual Garden.”

  Devor’s eyes sparkled with excitement, the sting of embarrassment fading as he eagerly nodded and followed the group.

  The group followed the female cultivator, her elegant figure gliding ahead as she led them deeper into the heart of the Sect. Devor glanced at the others, noting their wide-eyed wonder as they took in the sights. Their heads turned with each passing cultivator, captivated by the aura of power and grace surrounding them. Each disciple exuded an aura of power and grace that seemed almost otherworldly.

  After ten minutes of walking through winding paths lined with vibrant flora, the group arrived at the Spiritual Garden of the Azure Sky Sect.

  Devor tilted his head back to take in the breathtaking sight of towering mountains in the distance, their peaks piercing the clouds and dominating the horizon.

  The cultivator leading them gestured for the group to enter the garden. As Devor stepped into the garden, a wave of fresh, floral fragrance enveloped him. He inhaled deeply, feeling an invigorating energy with every breath, as if the air itself was alive with vitality.

  Every breath he took seemed to carry vitality, as though the very air of this garden was imbued with energy. Devor marveled, his thoughts swirling with wonder. "Living here must be like breathing pure life itself... I’d never know sickness again," he mused, the idea filling him with a newfound sense of hope.

  Moments later, a second cultivator approached, her beauty matched by an air of quiet strength. Her steady gaze and composed demeanor exuded authority, leaving no doubt that she commanded respect within the Sect.

  “Thank you for bringing them, Liara,” the new cultivator said, her tone warm but businesslike.

  Liara inclined her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “These recruits have potential, Yulin. With the right training, they could become skilled gardeners.”

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  Yulin’s eyebrow arched slightly, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. “Oh? We’ll see about that.”

  Turning to the five recruits, Yulin’s gaze swept over them, appraising. “Line up,” she instructed. The group shuffled into a line, their movements stiff with nervous anticipation. Devor could feel the tension in the air, his heart pounding in his chest.

  Yulin began questioning them one by one about Spiritual Plants. Despite their youth, they were all mortals—not cultivators. But the Azure Sky Sect didn’t expect mortals to perform miracles. Their purpose here was simple: to care for the Sect’s Spiritual Garden using knowledge rather than cultivation strength.

  While cultivators could tend the garden more efficiently, their time was devoted to higher pursuits. Mortals were brought in to handle these essential, everyday tasks, freeing cultivators to focus on their training.

  Devor stood at the end of the line, his heart pounding as he awaited his turn. He clenched his fists, determination flickering in his gaze.

  Yulin posed different questions to each recruit, carefully assessing their knowledge of Spiritual Plants.

  One by one, the recruits answered, their voices tinged with nervousness. They were clearly afraid of giving the wrong answers, their hesitations betraying their inexperience.

  Yulin nodded occasionally, her expression calm and unreadable, leaving the recruits to wonder—was it approval, or just acknowledgment? The subtle tension in the air grew with each answer.

  Finally, it was Devor’s turn.

  Yulin folded her arms across her chest, her demeanor poised yet authoritative. Her sharp eyes studied him, as if weighing his potential before even hearing his answer.

  "Your turn, little brother," she said with a soft, reassuring smile. Her gentle but firm tone eased Devor’s nerves. "Tell me—do you think Crimson Lotus and Azure Dew Grass affect each other’s growth when planted close together?"

  Devor lowered his head, brows furrowing in concentration. His mind raced through everything he had read, piecing together fragments of knowledge. His eyes lit up as the answer crystallized in his thoughts.

  "Senior Sister," Devor began, his voice steady but growing stronger, "I believe Crimson Lotus and Azure Dew Grass shouldn’t be planted near each other."

  "Crimson Lotus, being a fire-element plant, absorbs large amounts of fire Qi to maximize its growth. Meanwhile, Azure Dew Grass thrives on water-element Qi and requires a delicate balance of Yin energy. If planted in close proximity, the opposing elements would clash, disrupting their growth."

  Yulin’s eyes sparkled, a flicker of intrigue dancing across her face as she listened intently.

  Before she could respond, Devor continued, his tone growing more animated as he delved deeper into his explanation.

  "Furthermore," he continued, "the Crimson Lotus’ hunger for energy would drain the surrounding Qi, leaving the Azure Dew Grass without enough water Qi to grow. On the other hand, the extra water Qi from the Azure Dew Grass could disrupt the Crimson Lotus’ fire energy absorption. In the end, neither plant would thrive."

  Yulin raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration flickering in her eyes. "Oh? That’s quite a thorough explanation," she remarked, her curiosity piqued. "So, in your opinion, are there plants that are better suited to be planted together?"

  Devor nodded without hesitation, a confident smile tugging at his lips as he met her gaze. "Yes, Senior Sister. For example, Golden Sunflower and Silver Moon Vine make an excellent pair. The Golden Sunflower absorbs solar Qi during the day, while the Silver Moon Vine draws lunar Qi at night. Since their energy absorption occurs at different times, they don’t compete for resources. Instead, they complement each other."

  Devor gestured toward a nearby garden plot, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Look over there," he said, his excitement palpable.

  "Another effective combination would be Stardrop Lily and Nebula Fern," he continued. "Stardrop Lily harnesses starlight Qi, while Nebula Fern thrives by absorbing Qi mist from its surroundings. This pairing not only enhances each plant’s growth but also enriches their spiritual essence when harvested."

  Yulin listened closely, her full attention on Devor. His depth of understanding far surpassed her expectations, especially for someone so young—and a mortal, no less, who had yet to step fully into the world of cultivation.

  "Your knowledge of Spiritual Plants is impressive, especially for someone who hasn’t worked in a Spiritual Garden before," Yulin said, her smile softening with genuine appreciation. "Where did you learn all this, little brother?"

  Devor lowered his head, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he shuffled his feet slightly. "Thank you, Senior Sister. I’ve always loved reading about Spiritual Plants. My grandfather is an herbal merchant in our village, and I often ask him to bring me old books about them. I read those books whenever I have spare time."

  Yulin’s smile widened, and she nodded approvingly. "You’ve built a strong foundation, little brother. With proper guidance, you could become an extraordinary gardener—or even a skilled alchemist someday." She turned to address the entire group, her expression composed but encouraging. "Alright, everyone, let’s begin your first training session."

  As she spoke, her gaze briefly returned to Devor, a spark of interest lingering in her eyes. The other recruits exchanged glances, some admiring, others tinged with envy, clearly aware that Devor had set himself apart.

  "And as for you, little brother," Yulin continued, her tone carrying a touch of authority, "I will give you one month to study more comprehensive knowledge about Spiritual Plants." Her smile deepened, carrying a promise of opportunity. "At the end of the month, I’ll assess your progress. If you meet my expectations, you’ll be entrusted with your own garden plot—and your wages will reflect your new responsibility."

  Devor’s face lit up with excitement, and he bowed deeply, his voice brimming with gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Sister! I will do my best and ensure I don’t disappoint you!"

  Inside, Devor’s heart swelled with joy. This was his first step toward carving out his destiny in this new world—and it had begun with success.