Chapter 18: When the Seed Sprouts, the World Cracks
The golden seed rested in Li Yuan's palm, glowing faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat. The villagers—now fully awake after centuries of stasis—watched him in silence, some kneeling unconsciously. The air itself felt alive, thick with spiritual energy that made even the weakest cultivators tremble.
The old man who had challenged him moments ago now stood quietly, leaning on his staff, his sharp eyes softened by awe.
The Seed's Whisper
As Li Yuan knelt, pressing the seed gently into the soil, a familiar hum vibrated through his soul. His golden eyes glowed faintly, his white hair fluttering even in still air. He spoke softly, as though whispering to a child:
"Grow strong… but not for war. Grow to protect."
The soil shivered.
Roots sprouted instantly, weaving upward, curling into a humanoid shape—a Seedbud, but unlike any other he had created before. Its bark shimmered gold and emerald, its eyes opening with a slow, deliberate blink.
The villagers gasped.
But something was… different.
Unlike the others, this Seedbud tilted its head, glancing around at the villagers with curiosity. Then it spoke—not with words, but with a soft, echoing thought that everyone felt in their minds:
"Why… protect?"
Li Yuan's brows lifted slightly, his calm demeanor unchanged.
"Because life is worth it," he answered gently, his voice carrying warmth. "That's all you need to know."
The Seedbud lowered its head as though thinking. Then it knelt before him, its glowing eyes softening, almost humanlike.
For a brief moment, there was peace.
The Cracking Sky
But then—someone whispered.
"Xiao Tianmie…"
A single villager, trembling with reverence, had spoken his forbidden name aloud.
The world answered instantly.
The sky split like glass, cracks spreading outward in jagged patterns. Through the rifts, threads of crimson light pulsed, leaking an oppressive aura. The villagers fell to their knees, clutching their chests, struggling to breathe.
Li Yuan closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.
"I told you not to call me that…"
The new Seedbud shifted, almost instinctively moving closer to protect him.
The Harrower Moves
Far away, in the Looming Chambers, the cracks appeared like blazing wounds across the threads of fate. Watchers scrambled, their voices panicked.
But The Harrower simply opened his eyes.
For the first time in centuries, he rose to his feet.
His presence bent the chamber walls, threads snapping as his aura flared. He stepped forward, each footfall echoing like thunder.
"The seed has sprouted," he murmured, voice calm but heavy with intent. "And he walks too close to who he was."
A Watcher dared to speak.
"Will you… harvest him now?"
The Harrower's crimson gaze turned slightly, cold and merciless.
"No. I will prune him."
And with that, he vanished, leaving only distorted space behind.
The First Strike
Back in the village, the cracks widened, and a single crimson thread shot through the sky, piercing the ground just meters from Li Yuan. Dust and soil exploded.
The villagers screamed, rushing for shelter. The old man braced himself, his staff glowing faintly, but even he trembled.
Li Yuan, however, simply stood.
The golden-eyed Seedbud stepped forward instinctively, its bark hardening, leaves bristling like weapons.
Then… silence.
A distorted voice filled the air.
"You plant where you shouldn't, Farmer."
The space in front of Li Yuan twisted, and slowly, The Harrower stepped through the rift. His masked face glowed faintly red, his presence heavy enough to make the ground crack beneath him.
Li Yuan looked up, his calm expression unchanged.
"And you prune where you shouldn't."
For the first time, The Harrower tilted his head slightly—as though amused.
The air between them tightened, their auras pressing against each other like two storms colliding.
The villagers could barely breathe.
And then—The Harrower moved.
End of Chapter 18