The air in the barren land was still, heavy, almost suffocating.
Tian Yuan stood at the center of his new divine manor, hands resting calmly on the wooden hoe strapped to his back. The animals grazed lazily in the nearby field, and the divine beasts positioned themselves like sentinels, watching the empty horizon.
The System's voice suddenly chimed in his head, excited as ever.
> [Ding! New Mission Generated!]
[Mission: Purge the Blackroot Infestation]
Description: The eastern section of the land is infected with Blackroots—corrupted parasitic vines that feed on spiritual energy. Uproot them and replace with Purging Trees to cleanse the soil.
Reward: +1% realm purification, 3 Spirit Growth Seeds, and a chance for beast evolution.
Tian Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Blackroots?"
The System hummed dramatically.
> "Yep. Nasty things. They'll fight back, by the way. Oh, and if you don't get rid of them, this whole area will stay as dead as my old system personality."
Tian Yuan started walking toward the east, each step calm and steady.
"Then we remove them. Roots that poison the soil have no place here."
The System laughed.
> "Boss, you sound like a philosopher gardener. Alright, let's get moving—I'll mark the area."
A glowing map appeared in his mind, leading him eastward.
---
The Infested Land
The eastern wasteland looked different from the rest—darker, twisted. Thick black vines crawled under the soil, their thorned tendrils occasionally breaking the surface like serpents searching for prey. The air smelled foul, almost acidic.
The Silver Fang Wolf growled, stepping forward cautiously, while the Verdant Serpent hissed in irritation.
The System whispered, almost teasing.
> "So… want me to tell you how dangerous these things are, or should I keep quiet so you can be surprised?"
Tian Yuan crouched, pressing his hand lightly to the soil. His golden eyes narrowed.
"No need. They're alive… and angry."
As if on cue, the ground trembled.
---
The Blackroot Attack
Without warning, black tendrils shot out from the ground, whipping toward him with frightening speed. The Silver Fang Wolf lunged instantly, its silver claws glowing as it tore through two of the vines. The Verdant Serpent coiled and lashed, slicing others cleanly with razor-sharp scales.
The Blazetail Phoenix shrieked overhead, releasing a wave of purifying flames that burned away clusters of roots. The flames didn't scorch the soil; instead, they left behind faint green sprouts, a sign of purification.
But the Blackroots were relentless. More vines shot out, faster, trying to wrap around Tian Yuan himself.
The System yelped.
> "Uh, Boss, you might want to MOVE. These things don't care that you're the strongest person here!"
Tian Yuan remained still, his expression calm, almost meditative.
"A farmer removes weeds from the root."
His golden qi flared softly—not violent, not explosive, but steady, sinking into the soil like rain after drought. The vines hesitated, almost as if they felt something greater pressing against them.
Then he moved.
With one smooth motion, he swung his hoe. Golden light arced across the ground, cutting through several roots at once. The soil trembled, rejecting the infestation.
The Azureback Ox stomped heavily, sending a wave of stabilizing energy through the land. The Obsidian Tortoise glowed faintly, its inscriptions radiating a barrier that trapped the roots in one place.
Finally, Tian Yuan thrust his hoe into the ground, channeling qi deep into the earth.
"Return to soil."
A surge of divine energy rippled outward. The Blackroots screeched—a horrifying sound—and then crumbled into ash, sinking back into the ground.
The land exhaled, as if relieved.
---
Planting the Purging Trees
The System's voice returned, this time softer, almost impressed.
> "Mission complete… Wow, Boss, you make farming look like some grand heroic art."
Tian Yuan ignored the comment, opening his palm as the System materialized glowing green seeds.
> [You have received: Purging Tree Seeds x5]
The Farmer in him smiled faintly.
He knelt, carefully digging five holes with his hoe, planting each seed gently into the newly cleansed soil. The divine beasts watched silently as he patted the earth, his movements deliberate and reverent.
One by one, tiny sprouts pushed through the dirt, glowing faintly with greenish-gold light. Their roots stretched deep, purifying the soil around them. The air grew fresher, lighter.
The System beeped happily.
> [Realm Purification: +1%.]
[Additional Reward Unlocked: Spirit Growth Seeds x3.]
---
The First Signs of Evolution
As Tian Yuan stood, something unexpected happened. One of the plump white chickens that had followed him out into the field suddenly glowed faintly. Its golden-tipped feathers shimmered, and its body grew slightly larger.
The System gasped.
> "No way! Did you just trigger a natural evolution this early? That's insane, Boss. Normally, animals need decades before they show changes!"
The chicken clucked proudly, almost strutting. The Blazetail Phoenix gave it a side-eye, unimpressed.
Tian Yuan crouched, gently patting the chicken's head.
"Good. Grow at your own pace. No rush."
The chicken puffed its chest, as if it understood.
---
A New Beginning
As the sun dipped lower, the land felt different—just slightly, but enough to notice. The once-dead soil now pulsed faintly with life.
The System spoke quietly, almost reverent.
> "You really are different, Boss. Most gods take, you… give. No wonder even beasts respect you."
Tian Yuan looked at the newly planted Purging Trees, their leaves shimmering in the wind.
"A farmer doesn't force growth. He guides it."
The System sighed dramatically.
> "Yep, you're definitely gonna make me sentimental. Anyway, get ready—I'll have a new mission for you tomorrow. This place isn't gonna purify itself."
Tian Yuan nodded, gazing at the horizon. The land still had a long way to go, but for the first time, it felt like it had hope.
(END OF CHAPTER)