**Chapter 4: The Tournament of Seeds—A Vegetarian's Unorthodox Path**
Morning sunlight spilled across the stone courtyards, waking Rajesh with a gentle warmth. The outer sect buzzed with excitement—today marked the start of the Tournament of Seeds, where new disciples would test their skills and ingenuity before elders and peers.
Rajesh rolled out of his bunk, slipping into his newly issued uniform. His thoughts lingered on last night's gentle laughter with Meiyu. He shook his head, grinning—it was time to focus, but that fluttering feeling in his chest made him press his palm softly to his heart.
Stepping outside, he was greeted by the savory scents of breakfast preparations and Meiyu herself waiting nearby. She handed him a wooden charm. "For luck and protection," she said with a shy smile, "and because you're the only one who can make cultivation food taste like home."
Rajesh tucked the charm into his sleeve, warmth blossoming in his chest. "Let's both do our best today."
They made their way to the Grand Arena, a massive stone ring encircled by eager spectators and formidable elders. Flags snapped in the breeze, each bearing the golden emblem of the sect.
As matches began, Rajesh watched as disciples clashed with dazzling flashes of power. Fierce attacks flew, but few paid heed to subtlety or defense.
Rajesh's first match arrived. His opponent, a brash youth wielding a heavy saber, sneered. "Prepare to be humiliated, outsider!"
Rajesh bowed. When the signal sounded, the youth lunged. But rather than force on force, Rajesh side-stepped, evading with calm poise. Each movement drew on spiritual energy, cultivated that morning with pure, plant-based elixirs.
When the saber finally found its mark, Rajesh simply parried with a palm infused with gentle—but potent—energy. The crowd gasped as the attack faded into nothing, absorbed and redirected by his cycle of qi.
Even the elders leaned forward in interest. "A gentle path, unusual for a novice," one murmured.
Suddenly, Rajesh drew a handful of spiritual herbs from his sleeve, creating a blinding, fragrant mist. The other disciple staggered, dizzy from the aroma of spiritual basil and ginseng—the gentle vegetarian concoction temporarily dulling his aggression. With a swift, controlled movement, Rajesh tapped the youth's shoulder, signaling victory.
The crowd erupted in applause and laughter as the defeated disciple grinned sheepishly. "You fight like no one I've ever met," he admitted.
Round after round, Rajesh progressed—not with brute force, but with clever use of alchemical arrays, spiritual food boosts, and nimble defense. His reputation spread: the Indian cultivator with a mysterious shop system, whose fighting style mixed scholar's finesse with chef's creativity.
By the day's end, Rajesh sat among the day's highest-ranked newcomers—his shop points increased, friendships growing, and elders looking on with new respect.
As dusk fell, the disciples celebrated by the riverside. Rajesh prepared a festal vegetarian feast, inviting Meiyu and his fellow contestants. The aromas of cumin, coriander, and cardamom filled the air, drawing smiles and laughter. Meiyu, her eyes shining in the firelight, sat close by, sharing stories and secret dreams.
That night, as Rajesh returned to his room, a new System message blinked before his eyes:
> **System Reward:**
> Tournament Stage 1 Complete.
> Spiritual Contribution Greatly Increased.
> New Feature Unlocked: "Home Dimension—Initiate Construction."
Rajesh exhaled, gazing at the stars. He had made his mark—not through violence, but with wisdom and spirit, earning respect and new beginnings.
Tomorrow, he would awaken the Home Dimension—his soul-linked sanctuary—and take the first true step into the mysteries of his Divine Shop.
> **End of Chapter 4.**
>
> ✅ Tournament Progressed
> ✅ Shop Points Won & Feature Unlocked
> ✅ Relationships Deepened—A Festival by the River
>
> *Next: Rajesh awakens the Home Dimension—creating a haven for companions, exploring its mysteries, and preparing for world-hopping trials. Romance and adventure intertwine as the journey truly begins.*