The rhythmic thud-thud of Li Xuan's hoe against the stubborn earth became the anthem of the Falling Leaf Sect. Days blurred into a grueling cycle of physical labor, interrupted only by hurried meals and dedicated cultivation sessions. The sun beat down relentlessly, baking the soil, and Li Xuan's clothes, already stained with grime and sweat, became a permanent second skin of dust and dried mud. He was exhausted, aching in places he didn't know existed, but a fierce determination kept him going.
His cultivation, while slower than Qing'er's, was making steady progress. He was now at Body Tempering Realm (Stage 1 - 85% progress). He could feel a subtle toughening of his skin, a faint increase in his endurance. He no longer tired as quickly as he had on the first day, a testament to the internal changes Qi was bringing to his body.
Qing'er, meanwhile, was a revelation. Her progress was astonishing, consistently reaching new milestones. She was now at Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2 - 40% progress), and a visible aura of vitality surrounded her whenever she concentrated. She moved with a newfound agility, her small frame surprisingly strong. She worked tirelessly with the rake, breaking up clods, smoothing the soil, and meticulously removing every stubborn weed and stone. Her injured arm, thanks to the Verdant Qi Pill and her vigorous cultivation, was almost fully healed, moving without visible pain.
"Sect Leader Li Xuan," she said one afternoon, her voice surprisingly strong despite the work, "this soil is getting soft."
Li Xuan wiped sweat from his eyes. She was right. The patch of land, once a dense tangle of weeds and compacted earth, was slowly transforming into a promising, dark-brown field. They had toiled for what felt like endless hours, pushing their limits.
He checked the System's progress bar mentally.
[Objective: Clear and Cultivate 25 sq meters of Farmland.]
[Progress: 24/25 sq meters.]
"Almost there, Qing'er!" he exclaimed, a surge of renewed energy coursing through him. "Just a little more!" He redoubled his efforts, swinging the hoe with renewed vigor.
With a final, desperate heave, he turned over a large clod of earth. The shovel scraped against the cleared ground. The air shimmered with a familiar blue glow, and a triumphant chime echoed in his mind.
[Objective: Clear and Cultivate 25 sq meters of Farmland Complete!]
[Reward: 5 Sect Points, Basic Seed Pack (Common Grade) acquired!]
Li Xuan let out a whoop of triumph, dropping the hoe and raising his arms to the sky. "We did it, Qing'er! We got the seeds!"
Qing'er, her face beaming, dropped her rake and clapped her hands, a rare, genuine laugh bubbling out of her. The sound was like music in the desolate sect grounds.
Li Xuan immediately checked his Sect Inventory. There it was: a small, sturdy-looking pouch labeled Basic Seed Pack (Common Grade). He willed it to appear. It materialized in his hand, feeling surprisingly heavy, filled with tiny, dark seeds. He opened it, revealing a mix of different seeds – some round, some elongated, some tiny, like dust. The Basic Farming & Gathering Manual instantly provided him with identification: common grains, a few hardy root vegetables, and some leafy greens. Nothing fancy, but enough to start a sustainable farm.
"Now we can plant!" Li Xuan declared, a vision of rows of healthy crops filling his mind. He then checked his Sect Points: 5. Not enough for the Basic Wood Axe (20 points) or the Basic Pickaxe (20 points), but enough for something else.
He mentally brought up the Sect Store. His eyes immediately went to the Basic Fire Starting Kit (3 Sect Points) and the Basic Water Purification Kit (5 Sect Points). He still had a bit of purified water left from the System, but the Fire Starting Kit would save him so much time and frustration.
"System," he thought, "Purchase Basic Fire Starting Kit."
[Confirm purchase: Basic Fire Starting Kit (3 Sect Points)?]
[Current Sect Points: 5. Remaining Sect Points: 2.]
"Confirm," Li Xuan thought.
A small, sleek metal box, containing flint and steel and some compressed tinder, materialized in his hand. It felt sturdy and efficient. No more rubbing sticks together for hours!
"Look, Qing'er!" he said, holding up the kit. "No more smoke inhalation!"
Qing'er giggled, her smile radiant. For the first time since he'd arrived, the heavy atmosphere of the dying sect felt a little lighter, filled with a nascent sense of hope.
They spent the rest of the day carefully planting the seeds. Li Xuan, guided by the Basic Farming & Gathering Manual, explained proper spacing, depth, and watering techniques. Qing'er, meticulous and eager to learn, followed his instructions diligently. They used water from the stream, carried in the empty water bottles.
As twilight began to descend, they stood admiring their handiwork: a small, neatly tilled plot, with rows of carefully planted seeds. It was a humble beginning, but it was theirs.
That night, back in the vault, after a more easily started fire warmed their simple meal of System bread and remaining badger meat (now cooked with ease), Li Xuan began to ponder their next steps. He still had 2 Sect Points. He could save them for the Basic Water Purification Kit (5 points), or for something else entirely.
He looked at the objective to Gather 10 kg of Processed Wild Game Meat. He still had about 4 kg of raw badger meat left. If he could find and process more, he'd get 10 Sect Points and the Basic Tanning Manual. That would give him enough points for the Qi Condensation Breakthrough Pill! The thought made his blood quicken.
"Qing'er," he said, looking at the girl who was now quietly meditating, her subtle Qi circulation more pronounced. "Tomorrow, we'll check our traps, and then we'll start thinking about how to get more meat. We need those points."
He hadn't set any traps yet, but the Basic Farming & Gathering Manual also included rudimentary trapping instructions. He would try to build some tomorrow. He was no longer just a gamer; he was becoming a multi-talented sect leader, farmer, hunter, and potential forger. The comedic element was still there, but beneath it, a subtle shift was occurring. He was adapting. He was learning. And the Falling Leaf Sect, once dead, was slowly, painstakingly, beginning to breathe again.