Art of Creation [Eco-Cultivation Prototype]

The agreements between Devor and Juyin had proven to be immensely beneficial.

Among them, one of the most valuable was Juyin's assistance in evaluating the quality of the harvested plants from the Venom Garden.

This process had provided Devor with crucial insights—not only into how his plants evolved but also into a fundamental flaw he hadn't considered before.

Evolution, while beneficial, was not inherently predictable.

If the plants evolved without control, relying solely on random mutations, their effects could vary wildly—potentially rendering entire harvests useless.

This was not acceptable.

The Venom Garden's evolutionary process couldn't be stopped, even if he wanted to.

But guiding its direction?

That was within his reach.

At the same time, Devor had requested something far more valuable from Juyin—an original cultivation method known as the Demon Root Scripture.

This technique allowed its user to form a bond with a Spiritual Tree, using its power as their own.

However, Juyin had only given him a simplified version, containing only the necessary sections to establish a connection and draw upon the tree's strength.

When Juyin handed over the technique, he issued a firm warning. "Don't be reckless in cultivating this. The method you currently use is fundamentally opposed to it. If you attempt both without caution, you'll only weaken your foundation."

Devor bowed respectfully. "I will be careful, Senior."

But in truth, he had no intention of cultivating the technique outright.

He didn't need the Demon Root Scripture itself.

What he needed was the knowledge within it—the intricate understanding of how Spiritual Trees functioned on a deeper level.

His plan was simple.

Extract the most valuable aspects, integrate them into his own cultivation method, and create something entirely new.

But there was another thought lurking in the back of his mind.

Within his system, there existed a book—

The Art of Creation.

A scripture that provided profound enlightenment regarding his own Dao.

If he could refine his cultivation technique using this Art as a foundation, what kind of breakthrough would he achieve?

The question intrigued him.

But testing it would have to wait.

The sect had resources he needed. His private cultivation chamber, his research materials, and more importantly—his isolation barriers.

For now, there was one final task he needed to complete before returning.

Once the primary Spiritual Plant reached full maturity, the Venom Garden's support system would weaken.

Devor had anticipated this issue.

His solution? Controlled isolation.

Within select patches of soil, he created small formation barriers, isolating clusters of newly planted crops from the harmonic resonance of the others.

This had two effects:

Slower growth – The plants within these formations would take longer to mature, preventing them from evolving all at once.

Energy redistribution – When the first batch of crops reached full maturity, he would deactivate the formations, allowing the new plants to seamlessly integrate into the Venom Domain's energy cycle.

Of course, this method had its flaws.

There was still a risk that unexpected mutations could disrupt the balance, or that the resonance between plants would weaken over time.

But at the very least, it would buy him time.

And when the next generation of crops reached the same level as their predecessors, the Venom Domain would stabilize once more.

Devor dedicated four days to reinforcing the four key elemental structures of the garden surrounding the Venom Spiritual Tree, ensuring they wouldn't collapse during the relocation process.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

During those four days, he also spent considerable time communicating with the tree itself.

The Venom Spiritual Tree had begun developing a voice—though for now, it could only speak for one minute a day before its energy became strained.

Each day, Devor would listen carefully to its fragmented thoughts, its developing sense of identity.

The first time it spoke, its voice had been slow, uncertain, and childlike—almost like a newborn attempting to understand itself.

After Devor explained his plan to the Venom Spiritual Tree, the following exchange took place.

"…Devor…stronger. I…stronger too?"

Devor had smiled at that.

"Of course," he had replied. "We'll both grow stronger. Together."

The idea of bringing the Venom Spiritual Tree back with him filled Devor with excitement.

On the surface, it wasn't particularly unique among Spiritual Trees.

But Devor didn't care about that.

His obsession with the natural world drove him to unravel its untapped potential.

In a way, the Venom Spiritual Tree was just like him.

It had been born with limitations, confined by its natural restrictions.

But that didn't mean it couldn't evolve.

It would be difficult.

But that was exactly why he wanted to try.

For Devor, challenges weren't obstacles—they were opportunities.

And he had every intention of seeing just how far this tree could go.

❄️❄️❄️

For the next two days, Devor traveled back to the Azure Sky Sect under the escort of his Sect Master, Zinqi.

Upon arrival, he found himself swept into various administrative matters, handling his affairs that had piled up in his absence.

By the time he stepped out of the massive administrative hall, he exhaled deeply—a long-held breath of relief.

"A year has passed, but it feels like nothing has really changed, huh?" he mused, gazing over the familiar mountain peaks.

The Azure Sky Sect remained as it always had—grand, disciplined, and unshaken.

Yet, beneath the surface, he could feel something shifting.

Dressed in light blue Taoist robes embroidered with golden thread, Devor stood out among the disciples, his presence immediately recognizable.

As he made his way through the sect grounds, many Outer Disciples and few Inner Disciples paused, clasping their fists in greeting.

"Senior Brother Devor!"

"Welcome back, Devor!"

Devor, ever mindful of etiquette, returned each greeting with a polite nod.

His status as the sect's sole Divine Disciple commanded immense respect, even among those who had once doubted his qualifications.

Two years ago, he had begun teaching a specialized class on Spiritual Plants—a decision that had only strengthened his influence.

Many of those who had once dismissed Spiritual Farming as a lowly trade now sought his guidance.

Devor's personal residence lay in the western sector of the sect, atop a serene hill designated solely for his teachings and research.

As he approached the base of the hill, a stationed guard moved to stop him out of habit—only to freeze upon recognizing him.

A heartbeat later, the guard quickly stepped aside, bowing deeply.

"Welcome home, Fellow Taoist."

Devor acknowledged the greeting before ascending the stone-carved steps that wound up the hill.

With each step, the scent of Spiritual Plants grew richer, filling the air with an almost hypnotic tranquility.

Upon reaching the summit, he was greeted by an expansive view of cultivated gardens, each meticulously arranged in ten-meter plots.

And this was just one section—there were four others spread across the hilltop, forming a carefully designed ecosystem.

Beyond the gardens stood his wooden residence, constructed from spirit wood that pulsed faintly with lingering energy.

In the front yard, a lone figure lounged with casual elegance, reclining on a woven mat beneath a blossoming tree.

Yulin.

Her sleeves draped lazily over her arms as she plucked fresh grapes and strawberries from a tray, nibbling idly.

Sensing his presence, she sat up in one fluid motion, smoothing out her robes before adjusting her aura—an instinctive reaction, like sharpening a blade.

Then, she flashed him a bright, teasing smile. "Welcome back."

Devor studied her for a moment.

Something about her had changed.

Her energy—once volatile, like an unsheathed blade—had become sharper and more controlled.

"Sister Yulin," he mused, tilting his head slightly. "You've improved a lot, haven't you?"

Yulin smirked.

"Don't worry." She stretched leisurely before crossing her arms. "Sooner or later, I'll be the second Divine Disciple of this sect."

Devor chuckled. "I'll be looking forward to that day."

And he meant it.

He had no doubt Yulin could reach the Divine Disciple level.

After all, she had never even formally trained under the sect's Flying Sword instructors—she had taught herself.

However, when it came to other disciplines—such as Spiritual Farming or Alchemy—she still sought guidance.

Not long after Devor's arrival, the disciples tending to the gardens quickly noticed his presence.

They immediately stopped what they were doing and approached him with disciplined steps.

At the front of the group stood Forly—a Nameless Disciple who had once served under Devor in the past.

Forly and the others lined up and bowed deeply.

"Welcome back, Senior."

Devor gave them an apologetic smile. "Thank you. I should have brought something back from the outside world for you all."

Forly and the others shook their heads. They weren't expecting gifts—they were simply relieved to see Devor return.

Still, Devor reached into his sleeve and retrieved four jade tokens, handing them out. "These will grant you access to the first section of my book within the sect archives."

Forly's eyes widened in recognition.

"The Art of Creation?" he asked excitedly.

Devor raised a brow. "Oh? You've already heard of it?"

Forly grinned. "Many of the seniors have read it. They say it offers invaluable insight into Spiritual Plants. Even Senior Nyuru personally recommended it."

Devor's eyes flickered. "Nyuru?"

That was unexpected.

Devor didn't ask Nyuru to recommend his book directly—she did so of her own will.

And thanks to her status as a Genius Disciple in Alchemy within the sect, his book gained more credibility in the eyes of the public, especially those hesitant to buy it.

If even she had acknowledged the book's value…

Then its impact was greater than he anticipated.

As the disciples returned to their work, Devor and Yulin sat together in the front yard, their conversation drifting toward more serious matters.

Yulin leaned against the wooden railing, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"Some people know what's going on," she mused. "Yet they choose to do nothing and simply accept it."

She flicked a grape into her mouth, chewing slowly before adding,

"But there are still some who aren't afraid of you." She glanced at him. "They've been digging for information. Are you sure you don't want to deal with them more… harshly?"

Devor didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he lifted his right hand, staring at his open palm.

His fingers curled slowly, until his hand formed a tight fist.

"If that's the path they've chosen…" He inhaled deeply. "…Then I'll simply give them what they're asking for."

His voice was quiet.

But beneath those words lay something undeniable.

A shift.

Perhaps it was time for him to stop playing by his own rules.

Perhaps it was time for him to embrace the brutal reality of the cultivation world—

And reshape it on his own terms.