The barren land trembled.
Not from danger, but from life stirring for the first time in countless ages.
Tian Yuan stood at the center of the wasteland, his calm golden eyes reflecting the faint glow rising from beneath the cracked earth. The upgraded System hummed in his head like an impatient child.
> "Okay, Boss, are you ready? Because once I activate the Divine Growth Protocol, there's no going back. This land will start breathing again—and trust me, it's gonna be BEAUTIFUL."
Tian Yuan adjusted the hoe on his back. His voice was quiet, steady.
"Do it. But make it slow and stable. Life isn't grown by rushing."
The System snorted dramatically.
> "Right, right, Mister Farmer-Philosopher. You're lucky you're the boss, or I'd make this place sprout flowers overnight just to annoy you. Anyway—initiating Divine Growth Protocol!"
A bright wave of energy spread across the ground, cracks glowing faintly as if remembering what it meant to be alive. The System's voice rose with excitement.
> "And now for the best part—your new companions! You're gonna need guardians if you want to purify this realm, Boss. So, introducing… the Five Divine Beasts!"
---
The Five Divine Beasts Appear
The air rippled, tearing open five shimmering portals of golden light. One by one, colossal figures stepped through, their presence overwhelming yet strangely respectful.
1. Blazetail Phoenix – Crimson feathers shimmered like molten fire, her eyes sharp and intelligent. Flames danced along her wings, but instead of destructive heat, it radiated gentle warmth, purifying the air.
> The Phoenix tilted her head, studying Tian Yuan curiously before bowing slightly—a rare sign of respect from a divine beast.
2. Azureback Ox – A massive blue-scaled ox with calm, ancient eyes. Its very breath seemed to stabilize the ground beneath it.
> The Ox gave a low rumble, settling near Tian Yuan as if it had found its rightful pasture.
3. Silver Fang Wolf – A sleek silver-coated wolf whose aura shifted between feral aggression and loyal protectiveness.
> It sniffed the air, circled Tian Yuan once, then sat beside him like a silent guardian.
4. Verdant Serpent – A long emerald-scaled serpent coiled itself neatly, its body emanating soft green light that seeped into the soil.
> It lowered its head in acknowledgment, its forked tongue flickering almost playfully.
5. Obsidian Tortoise – An enormous black-shelled tortoise carrying faint golden inscriptions along its shell. Its slow movement exuded wisdom, and the air seemed to grow thicker with spiritual energy near it.
The System clapped—well, imaginary clapping.
> "Not bad, huh? Took me forever to convince them to join. Technically, they're here as a loan from the cosmic divine beast registry, but let's just say they 'like your vibe.'"
Tian Yuan nodded slightly, voice even.
"They're not tools; they're living beings. Treat them with respect."
The System chuckled.
> "Boss, you're impossible. You know most people would be bragging right now? But fine, fine—you win. You'll probably have them eating from your hand in a week."
---
The Other Animals
The ground shook again as several smaller animals appeared in flashes of light—ordinary farm creatures, but each carrying faint divine potential.
A plump white chicken with golden-tipped feathers.
A pair of goats with shimmering horns.
Three rabbits whose fur glistened like silver mist.
Even a lazy cow with calm, gentle eyes.
The System spoke smugly.
> "These aren't just dinner ingredients, Boss. With proper care, some of these could evolve into humanoid forms. I mean, imagine your chicken turning into a fiery bird maiden. Pretty neat, huh?"
The Blazetail Phoenix gave a disdainful squawk at that idea.
Tian Yuan crouched, gently patting the soil near the animals. The chickens clucked softly, and even the normally skittish rabbits hopped closer to him.
"Whether they evolve or not doesn't matter. They'll be cared for."
The System sighed dramatically.
> **"You're really making me look bad here. Most gods would be naming these animals 'meat supply one, two, and three.'"
---
The Divine Manor
Suddenly, a column of light shot up behind Tian Yuan, shaping itself into a massive structure. Stone walls rose from the earth, laced with glowing divine runes. White pillars, intricate carvings of life and harvest, and a wide field of divine soil formed around it. At its center stood a large building, grand yet simple, radiating a calm divine presence.
The System puffed proudly.
> "Taa-daa! Your new house—no, divine manor! Don't worry, I kept it practical, but it's built with divine inscriptions to purify qi and protect the land. Oh, and yes, it's ridiculously strong—nobody's breaking in here without your permission."
Tian Yuan studied the structure with his usual calm expression.
"Good. This will be the heart of the realm."
The System smirked in his head.
> "You're welcome. Oh, and I added a bonus—some humanoid puppets to keep things tidy."
---
The Puppets Awaken
The doors of the manor creaked open as several humanoid figures stepped out. They were tall and slender, made of wood and divine metal, glowing faintly with soft blue light.
Each bowed respectfully in unison.
> "Master."
The System grinned.
> "They're not just mindless puppets; I gave them basic personalities. A few might even develop quirks over time. You're welcome again."
Tian Yuan nodded slightly. "As long as they can help maintain order, it's enough."
---
The sun—or what passed for sunlight in this barren world—flickered weakly over the land. But for the first time, something alive moved in it.
Tian Yuan placed his hand on the soil, speaking softly as if to the land itself.
"Let's make this place live again."
The beasts, animals, and even the puppets seemed to react, standing straighter, watching him.
The System muttered quietly, almost in awe.
> "Boss… you're not just building a realm. You're building a home."
End of chapter