Devor stood in the heart of the dense forest, surrounded by his team in a tight semicircle. Their eyes were locked on him, the silence thick with anticipation. Floating just in front of him was a small island, no bigger than a meter across, drifting gently in the air. His eyes were closed, every ounce of his concentration focused on the delicate flow of Spiritual Sense he directed toward the island.

  A heavy stillness hung over the group, the only sound the occasional rustling of leaves stirred by the wind. They waited, the weight of their hopes resting on Devor’s success.

  After what felt like an eternity, he exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. "It’s going well," he said, his voice calm, yet carrying an unmistakable authority. "The balance is perfect. We’ll be able to harvest the crops in five days."

  Nyuru stepped forward, a wide grin spreading across her face as she gave Devor an enthusiastic pat on the shoulder. "Nice job, Devor!"

  Devor managed a faint smile in return, though the exhaustion was clear on his face. Still, there was a quiet sense of satisfaction in his eyes. What he didn’t realize was that he had pushed himself to the brink. The shimmering golden energy flowing over the garden was proof of the remarkable harmony he’d achieved—much more than anyone had expected.

  The team collectively let out a breath they hadn’t realized they were holding, the tension of the last ten grueling days easing at last. Relief spread across their faces as they saw the end in sight. But underneath it all, there was still the weight of fatigue, and a subtle unease lingered. No one spoke of their lingering doubts, each of them unwilling to disrupt the fragile balance they’d worked so hard to create.

  At the front, Versti stood tall, his gaze sharp and commanding. “Remember,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, “no matter what happens, we trust each other. Even if doubt starts creeping in, we stand together.”

  He turned to Manty, the team’s scout, who had positioned himself a little ahead. “What’s the situation up ahead?”

  Manty didn’t hesitate. His voice was calm but alert. “There’s movement about a hundred meters out. At least a few dozen monsters gathering.”

  Versti nodded, then turned to Torni. “How’s the trap coming along?”

  Torni, known for his precision with traps, grinned confidently. “It’s ready. Once we draw them in, we’ll take out at least thirty with the first blast.”

  Versti paused for a moment, then gave his orders. “Sugu, Dnitz, Qiun—you’re with Manty. Draw them into the trap.”

  The team members nodded, but Sugu couldn’t help himself. “Too bad we didn’t beat the Purple Moon team to that hidden achievement for slaying 2,500 monsters,” he said with a smirk.

  The mention of the achievement hung heavily in the air, a reminder of how fierce the competition had become.

  Without another word, Manty led the group forward, slipping into the shadows as they moved toward the cluster of monsters. Their task was clear: draw the creatures’ attention and lead them straight into the trap.

  Devor walked behind the group, each step weighed down by guilt. He sighed softly, muttering to himself, “I’m sorry for holding everyone back.”

  Nyuru, walking beside him, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’ve done your best,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. She knew how much the role of a Spiritual Farmer demanded, especially in the early stages. Without his efforts, the garden—and all their progress—would have been impossible.

  The rest of the team remained quiet but nodded in silent agreement. They understood this was a team effort, and no one carried the burden alone.

  A few minutes later, Sugu, Dnitz, and Qiun emerged from the shadows, leading a flood of monsters. The creatures surged forward like a dark wave, their glowing eyes burning with primal fury.

  At the front, Torni stood ready, his hands moving in a blur as he quickly wove complex seals. Above them, Versti hovered, his sharp eyes fixed on the oncoming horde.

  “Now!” Versti’s voice rang out, commanding and urgent.

  Torni gritted his teeth, pouring everything he had into the formation. Sweat dripped down his face, but his focus remained unshaken.

  A low hum filled the air—

  The formation activated, a brilliant burst of light tearing through the battlefield. Energy surged from the ground in a blinding explosion.

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  Boom!

  The explosion tore through the cluster of monsters, the shockwave rippling through the air. The deafening blast sent debris flying and waves of heat rushing across the forest floor.

  As the light faded, the remaining monsters staggered, stunned and vulnerable. Sugu and the others didn’t waste a moment, charging forward to finish them off with ruthless precision.

  Behind them, Nyuru, Reeva, Torni, and Guyin—a master forger of weapons—moved through the battlefield, dispatching the stragglers with deadly efficiency. Devor stayed at the rear, gripping his sword tightly. Though his combat skills didn’t match the others, he remained alert, ready to defend himself if needed.

  Under Versti’s sharp command, the battle was over in under ten minutes. Without a word of celebration, the team quickly regrouped and pushed forward another hundred meters, their spirits unwavering and their resolve stronger than ever.

  In the distance, a beam of black light shot up into the sky, piercing the darkness like it was breaking through the clouds. A glowing purple formation circled the beam, marking their destination.

  Versti took the lead, guiding the team forward another hundred meters before signaling for a short rest. They seized the opportunity to catch their breath, easing the tension that had been building with every step.

  One by one, the monsters they encountered fell, quickly taken down with speed and precision. Although the path ahead was growing safer, each step drained their energy further.

  Four hours had passed, and the team had pushed forward nearly five hundred meters. Fatigue was written on their faces, but no one dared suggest stopping. Their goal was in sight, and they refused to give in to exhaustion.

  Finally, Versti ordered a brief pause to recover and sent Manty ahead to scout the road. Manty had barely taken ten steps when the ground beneath them suddenly trembled. Before anyone could react, monsters erupted from the earth, as though they'd been waiting for the right moment to strike.

  A moment of shock rippled through the team, but it quickly turned into grim determination. Without a word, they sprang into action. Weapons gleamed in the fading light as they met the oncoming wave of monsters.

  The battle was intense, each swing of a blade and burst of energy draining the last of their strength. Despite their exhaustion, they fought relentlessly, cutting down monsters one by one. When the final creature fell, they stood amidst the chaos, gasping for breath, nearly spent.

  Versti surveyed the group, his eyes sharp as he took in their condition. “Has anyone seen anything like this before?” he asked, his voice calm but probing.

  The team shook their heads. None of them had ever faced monsters rising from the ground like this.

  Versti's expression darkened. “So… this means each team can only safely progress about five hundred meters? Pushing further triggers even deadlier challenges?” His tone was heavy, filled with a seriousness that weighed on everyone.

  Qiun, a seasoned champion from the sect’s annual competition, sank to the ground, frustration clear on his face. “First, the Spiritual Garden, and now this? It’s like we’re being tested at every turn,” he muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness.

  The mood grew heavier. After the delays caused by the Spiritual Garden, this new challenge only made their progress more grueling. Every step forward felt like it came at a price.

  “We’ll take a short break,” Versti said, his voice calm but thoughtful. “Nyuru, get the pills ready. Guyin, check everyone’s weapons. Reeva, tend to the injured—Manty first. I’ve got a plan, but I’ll need Manty’s help to make it work.”

  The team quickly fell into their usual routine, moving with practiced precision. Devor sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes locked on the small floating island hovering before him. The energy within it flowed sluggishly, but with remarkable calm, he focused on the delicate vibrations pulsing through the tiny plants.

  In its current state, the island couldn’t support planting or harvesting. Devor knew he’d need to restore it to its full size eventually, but for now, his priority was maintaining its fragile balance.

  Time passed slowly, the forest bathed in the soft, orange glow of dusk as evening settled in. The calm was shattered by Liuning’s voice cutting through the air, his words stopping the team mid-task.

  "Congratulations to Team Azure Sky for unlocking a hidden achievement! You’re the first team to fully stabilize your Spiritual Garden and secure a reliable source of basic resources! To the other teams, there are still hidden achievements to be claimed—keep pushing, don’t give up!" Liuning's excited voice echoed across the sky.

  A stunned silence fell over the group. All eyes shifted to Devor, who sat cross-legged, his expression calm. But there was a flicker of something beneath the surface—a mix of pride and apprehension. They had done something remarkable, yet Devor knew the toughest challenges still lay ahead.

  Nyuru, ever composed, had expected this outcome, while Versti had always trusted Devor’s abilities. But for the rest of the team, the announcement sparked a new wave of admiration. Their gazes softened, filled with respect they hadn’t shown before.

  “Wait... is that really true?” Dnitz asked, disbelief clear on his face.

  Qiun, his sharp gaze fixed on Devor, quickly pieced things together. “So... all the other teams are facing the same challenges, but we’re not only keeping up—we’ve pulled ahead. Our preparations have put us in the lead.”

  Even Sugu, who had openly doubted Devor in the past, now studied him with a more thoughtful expression. Though a hint of hesitation remained, it was clear: their team had claimed first place in the Spiritual Farmer category. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Devor had exceeded even the expectations of the most seasoned Spiritual Farmers.

  The announcement didn’t just bring joy—it strengthened the bond between the team. For the first time, they truly believed in each other. Their trust in Devor’s skills, paired with Versti’s leadership, made them feel like an unstoppable force. Together, they had overcome every challenge so far, and together, they would face whatever came next.

  As they took a moment to reflect on the two major achievements they’d secured, it became clear just how crucial Devor’s role had been. Without his tireless effort and ingenuity, none of this would have been possible. Their confidence in him soared, solidifying his place as the heart of their team.