Morning in Tian Yuan's realm arrived like a breath, not a sunrise.
Light didn't rise from a horizon it seeped from the soil, from the leaves, from the rivers themselves. Everything awakened together, as if the land remembered how to live.
Yun Qian stood at the edge of a field.
Not a battlefield.
A field.
Rows of divine crops stretched endlessly before him each plant glowing faintly, their leaves humming with life. The air carried the scent of herbs and wet earth, grounding in a way no divine palace had ever been.
He exhaled slowly.
So this is how he lives.
No throne.
No army formations.
No banners.
Just soil and quiet purpose.
Behind him, the System popped into existence floating upside down, arms folded like an overly proud instructor.
[Good morning, temporary resident!]
Yun Qian turned, startled.
You are…?
[I am the Supreme, All-Knowing, Absolutely Handsome System overseeing this realm.]
A pause.
[…You may call me System.]
Yun Qian blinked.
Right.
The System circled him once, scanning.
[Status: Injured. Spirit stable. Ego surprisingly intact.]
[Conclusion: You are ready.]
Ready for what?
The System grinned.
[Your first mission.]
A golden panel appeared before him.
[Realm Task Beginner Tier]
Objective: Assist in cultivating Sunroot Herbs
Description: Loosen soil, remove corrupted residue, guide root qi flow
Reward: Minor Spiritual Recovery + Soil Resonance Insight
Yun Qian stared at it.
You want me to farm?
The System nodded enthusiastically.
[Correct!]
[You have been approved for Basic Existence Rehabilitation Program.]
I was a Realm Lord.
[And now you are unemployed.]
Silence.
The System coughed.
[Correction: You are currently between realms.]
Yun Qian looked down at the field again.
The soil shimmered faintly.
Alive.
Waiting.
He hesitated.
Then slowly
He stepped forward.
Show me how.
Learning the Soil
It was harder than battle.
That was the first thing he realized.
There were no enemies to strike.
No clear victory.
No roar of power.
Only patience.
The System hovered beside him, narrating far too cheerfully.
[Step one: Don't stab the ground like you're executing an enemy.]
Yun Qian paused mid-motion.
I wasn't
[You were absolutely about to stab the ground.]
He sighed.
Then what do I do?
The System pointed.
[Feel it.]
Yun Qian frowned.
Feel the soil?
[Yes. Not with your hands. With your intent.]
He hesitated then crouched, placing his palm gently against the earth.
For a moment nothing happened.
Then
A faint pulse.
Soft.
Warm.
Alive.
His breath caught.
It wasn't qi like he knew.
It wasn't power.
It was
Life.
Unstructured.
Unforced.
Growing because it wanted to grow.
It responds.
[Of course it does.]
[This is not land that obeys. This is land that cooperates.]
Yun Qian closed his eyes.
Slowly carefully he adjusted his energy.
Not pushing.
Not commanding.
Guiding.
The soil shifted beneath his hand.
Roots loosened.
A faint black residue remnants of old corruption surfaced and dissolved into light.
The System clapped.
[Look at you! Not destroying things for once!]
Yun Qian ignored it.
But for the first time
A faint sense of peace settled in his chest.
A Watchful Dragon
High above, the Golden Dragon observed.
Its massive form coiled around a mountain, eyes glowing softly.
He learns quickly, it rumbled.
One of the Seven-Star Generals stood nearby, arms folded.
He listens, the general corrected.
That is rarer.
The dragon exhaled slowly, golden mist drifting through the sky.
He carries loss. But not decay.
The general nodded.
Then he may yet stand again.
They fell silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
As all guardians do.
The Realm Spirit's Curiosity
At the edge of the field, the Realm Spirit peeked from behind a tree.
Her glowing eyes followed Yun Qian's movements carefully.
He is different from the others.
The System floated beside her.
[He used to be important.]
She tilted her head.
He still is.
The System blinked.
[…Fair point.]
She stepped closer barefoot, light barely touching the ground.
Yun Qian noticed her presence and straightened immediately, bowing.
Spirit.
She shook her head gently.
"I am only a part of this place.
She watched him for a moment.
Why do you choose to return when staying here would be easier?
Yun Qian didn't answer immediately.
He looked at his hands still covered in soil.
Because they are still waiting.
The Realm Spirit's eyes softened.
Even if they blame you?
He nodded.
Even then.
A quiet wind passed through the field.
The plants shimmered faintly.
As if they understood.
Elsewhere The Mortal Realm
The sky darkened slightly above the disciples' village.
Not ominous.
But heavy.
Ling Yue paused mid-construction again.
Wu Renshu frowned.
It's stronger now.
She nodded.
Something is gathering.
Elder Bai stepped forward, expression serious.
The heavens are shifting. This is not ordinary.
Across the village, disciples felt it too a pressure building far beyond their reach.
Not from their master.
But from something responding to him.
Rumors had already begun spreading across neighboring sects:
A hidden realm.
Pure qi.
Unclaimed.
Too perfect.
Too tempting.
And now
People were moving.
Not just observers.
But seekers.
Hunters.
And worse
Ambitious gods.
Back in the Divine Realm
Yun Qian stood at the end of the field.
The Sunroot Herbs glowed brightly now stronger, purer, alive.
The System floated beside him, nodding approvingly.
[Task Complete.]
[Reward: Minor Spiritual Recovery Granted.]
A warm energy spread through his body.
Not overwhelming.
Not explosive.
But steady.
Grounded.
Like roots digging deeper into soil.
Yun Qian exhaled slowly.
"This power"
[It's not power.]
The System corrected gently.
[It's stability.]
He nodded.
"I understand."
For the first time since losing his realm…
He did not feel like he was drowning.
He felt like
He was standing.
Above Tian Yuan
On the distant terrace, Tian Yuan watched.
Silent.
Unmoving.
The wind passed through his robes.
The realm pulsed softly beneath his feet.
The System's voice echoed faintly from afar.
The Golden Dragon's presence stood firm.
The Realm Spirit wandered curiously.
And the man who arrived as an intruder…
was learning how to grow.
Tian Yuan closed his eyes.
Not in meditation.
But in quiet acknowledgment.
Good.
Far beyond his realm
The heavens stirred.
Forces gathered.
Eyes turned.
But within his domain
Everything continued.
Slowly.
Naturally.
Unstoppably.
End of Chapter 87
Hello everyone,
I'm really sorry for the sudden silence and delay. I recently lost my stepmother, and it has been a very difficult time for me and my family.
If you're able and willing to support me during this period, I would truly appreciate any help. Your kindness, no matter how small, means a lot right now.
Account Number: 1503293821Account Name: Kanoba Abduljelil
Thank you so much for your understanding, support, and prayers. I'm deeply grateful.