In Hinata's courtyard, the stone table was filled with exquisite snacks: cookies, tricolor dango, honey cakes, and several glasses of chilled, freshly squeezed mixed fruit juice.
Hanabi's eyes sparkled as she looked from one thing to another. Her little face was filled with the longing to "eat it all," but she was very well-behaved and didn't immediately reach for anything, looking at her sister first instead.
"Go ahead and eat, it's all for you." Hinata smiled and ruffled her sister's hair.
Hanabi cheered immediately, reaching out to grab the tricolor dango closest to her. She took a big bite, devouring half of it, and chewed contentedly with puffed-out cheeks, saying vaguely.
"Mmm... so good!"
"Slow down, no one is going to take it from you." Hinata handed her the fruit juice.
Hanabi took the cup and gulped down a few mouthfuls, then set her sights on the honey cake.
She was very focused and enjoyed eating, squinting her eyes from time to time because of the deliciousness.
"Sister, this is for you!" Hanabi used a fork to laboriously stab a piece and held it out to Hinata's mouth.
Hinata was stunned for a moment, then smiled and opened her mouth to take it.
The two sisters enjoyed a leisurely afternoon tea time in the pavilion just like this.
Most of the snacks ended up in Hanabi's stomach, while Hinata only ate a small amount.
Finally, Hanabi patted her slightly bulging little belly with satisfaction, let out a small burp, and covered her mouth in embarrassment.
"Are you full?" Hinata asked with a smile.
"Mhm! So full!" Hanabi nodded vigorously, then looked at Hinata expectantly. "Sister, you said you were going to teach me a new skill!"
"Alright, let's begin then." Hinata tidied up, had Hanabi sit cross-legged, and sat down opposite her.
"Hanabi, do you remember when I helped you before, you felt a warm little ball inside your belly that could spin on its own?"
"I remember!" Hanabi nodded immediately, her little hand unconsciously pressing against her abdomen.
"Next, you can try to absorb energy."
Hinata began to explain in the simplest way. "This thing is called Spiritual Power. It is somewhat similar to the Chakra you usually Cultivate, but it is fundamentally different. Your Byakugan can see the flow of Chakra, but Spiritual Energy requires a more special method to capture."
Hanabi didn't quite understand, but she listened very seriously.
Next, Hinata taught her the basic method of drawing in Qi, guiding Hanabi step by step.
Hanabi began to try. Half a quarter of an hour later, Hanabi opened her eyes.
Hanabi couldn't help but let out a low cry, opening her eyes with a face full of surprise.
"Sister! I think I felt it! It's really there!"
"Mhm, this is just the first step, keep it up."
"Oh..." Hanabi nodded, then asked curiously, "I feel like Sister is so amazing, you must absorb a lot of Spiritual Energy, right?"
Hinata smiled without answering directly, instead saying, "Mhm, but for Hanabi right now, building a solid foundation is the most important thing. Remember, Cultivating is not a competition. Don't compare yourself to others, especially don't compare yourself to me. You need to follow your own pace and steady your progress."
"Mhm! I know!" Hanabi answered obediently.
The instruction lasted about an hour. Hinata saw that fine sweat had already seeped out on Hanabi's forehead, and her little face was slightly flushed due to concentration and energy circulation, knowing that she had reached the limit for a beginner.
"Alright, let's stop here for today. Rest a bit before practicing again. Just Cultivate according to this method every day." Hinata announced the end of the lesson.
"Mhm! I will practice every day!" Although Hanabi was a bit tired, her spirit was very excited. She felt as if she had pushed open the door to a new world.
Hinata let Hanabi rest on the soft cushion, then got up and returned to the workshop. Her Clones were still working in an orderly manner; the Artifact Refining area had produced another batch of weapons, along with some Medicinal Pills.
She checked the progress and expressed satisfaction.
Immediately, her consciousness sank into the System space. Looking at the dazzling array of goods with astonishing price tags, Hinata took a deep breath.
First, her gaze locked onto the [Spiritual Field], looking at its description.
[After redemption, it exists within the System space. It can automatically absorb and convert energy, simulating an environment for Spiritual Plants to grow. Price: 50,000 points]
Hinata thought for a moment. Using herbs with Spiritual Power for Alchemy would yield twice the result with half the effort; ordinary herbs were still too weak.
"Redeem."
A flash of light passed, and a Spiritual Field appeared in the space, containing vitality within.
Hinata nodded with satisfaction; she would slowly plant some things later.
Next was the Formation.
Her gaze fell on the [Five Elements Celestial Star Formation].
[This Formation integrates offense and defense, and possesses various functions such as concealment, gathering Spiritual Energy, early warning, trapping enemies, and killing. It is based on the power of the Five Elements, supplemented by the power of the Celestial Stars. Price: 30,000 points]
"Redeem!"
A palm-sized, dark-colored Formation Plate, neither gold nor wood, engraved with star and Five Elements runes, with an illusory gem embedded in the center, fell into her hand.
These two items cost 80,000 points.
Adding the few thousand spent earlier on redeeming basic Cultivation Technique and other odds and ends for Hanabi, these points were spent without any effort at all.
[Remaining points: 205,250]
Holding the newly redeemed treasures, Hinata walked out of the small room. She first came to the center of the courtyard, and according to the guidance of the Formation Plate, buried it three zhang deep underground, activating it with her own pure Spiritual Power.
In an instant, an invisible wave spread from the center of the courtyard. Formation Flags manifested from Spiritual Power were inserted everywhere, then quietly vanished.
The exterior of the courtyard had not changed at all, but Hinata could clearly feel that a powerful force, seamless and held in reserve, had completely enveloped this place.
Unless she gave permission, or someone broke through with power exceeding the limit of this Formation, no one could intrude or spy on it without being detected. The concentration of Spiritual Energy within the courtyard also began to rise extremely slowly.
Hinata clapped her hands, very satisfied.
Next, she returned to the workshop, took some herbs, and planted them in the Spiritual Field. The sense of barrenness inside the System space began to slowly improve.
"Sustainable development base +1."
The improvement of strength, the consolidation of the foundation, teaching Hanabi—everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.
She glanced in the direction of the pavilion. Hanabi had already fallen asleep hugging her Tonton doll. She must have been a bit tired; after all, Cultivating with Five Elements Spiritual Roots must be exhausting.
Hinata smiled gently, walked over, and gently carried Hanabi back to the bed in her room, tucking her in.
Standing by the window, Hinata's gaze seemed to pierce through the barrier of Konoha and the distant mountains.
Hanabi's path to immortality has already begun. I look forward to her roaming the world with me in the future.
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