Lin Chen had negotiated before.
With merchants.
With elders.
With Heaven's inspectors.
But this?
This was his first time negotiating with the ground.
He placed both palms on the soil, took a steady breath, and spoke clearly.
"Azure Cloud Sect acknowledges prior occupancy," Lin Chen said. "But we're not here to steal."
The disciples stared.
Zhao Feng whispered, "Master… is he bargaining with soil?"
Su Ming replied solemnly, "Senior Brother, please show respect."
---
The earth responded.
Not with words—
—but memory.
Images flooded Lin Chen's mind.
A vast land, untamed.
Roots spreading like veins beneath the world.
Civilizations rising, falling—never noticing what sustained them.
"…We fed the heavens before cultivators named it cultivation…"
Lin Chen's breath caught.
"So you're not a beast," he murmured. "You're… infrastructure."
The ground pulsed.
Approval.
> Hidden Entity Identified:
Ancient Spirit Root Network
Function: World Stabilization
State: Exhausted
Emotion Detected: Annoyed
Lin Chen winced.
"…Relatable."
---
The voice returned—clearer now.
"…Your crops drank deeply. Your structures listened. Your radish—"
The ground hesitated.
"…Is offensive."
Little Green stiffened.
A sign popped up instantly:
I APOLOGIZE TO THE PLANET
Lin Chen bit his lip to stop laughing.
---
"You're waking up because we're improving the land," Lin Chen said slowly.
"But you're also strained."
A deeper pulse answered.
Yes.
The ancient network was not angry.
It was tired.
---
Lin Chen straightened.
"Then let's make a deal."
The disciples gasped.
The pavilion leaned in.
The radish froze dramatically.
---
"We maintain balance," Lin Chen said.
"No reckless ascensions. No uncontrolled growth."
The soil listened.
"We strengthen the land responsibly—help it recover."
The pulse slowed.
"And in return," Lin Chen finished, "you recognize Azure Cloud Sect as a steward."
Silence stretched.
Then—
A deep, grounding warmth spread outward.
> Ancient Accord Formed (Proto-State):
Role Assigned: Land Steward (Minor)
Benefits:
– Enhanced stability
– Controlled growth
– Reduced heavenly suspicion
Responsibility: High
Lin Chen exhaled hard.
"I just signed a contract with the planet."
Zhao Feng whispered, awestruck, "Master… you outranked Heaven."
Lin Chen shook his head. "No. I took on maintenance."
---
Little Green cautiously approached the soil.
A sign appeared:
FRIENDS?
The ground pulsed—once.
A single root surfaced gently and patted the radish.
Little Green froze.
Then bowed deeply.
Lin Chen pointed. "No worship."
The root retreated apologetically.
---
The system chimed, softer than ever.
> Unique Dao Path Unlocked:
Dao of Living Foundations
Description: Cultivation through stewardship, balance, and sustained growth
Compatibility: Extremely High
Lin Chen closed his eyes.
"…Of course it is."
---
That night, the sect slept soundly.
No tremors.
No glowing.
No whispering dirt.
Heaven watched—but did not intervene.
Below, ancient roots rested.
And Lin Chen realized something profound:
Azure Cloud Sect was no longer just growing upward.
It was growing deep.
And for the first time—
The world itself had agreed to let them.