The winter’s breath clawed at my cheeks the moment I stepped outside, biting through the heavy layers of the Iron Boar cloak and bracers crafted by Wang Jun. The thick, insulated leather felt sturdy, a shield against the season’s fury, but their weight was something I was still getting used to.

The wind howled, its sharpness carrying an unnatural chill. By all rights, the worst of winter should have been behind us. Instead, it clung tighter, thickening the air and layering the landscape in snow so deep my boots sank with every step. It wasn’t just the cold it was the weight of it, pressing down on everything like a silent warning.

I paused at the edge of my porch, scanning the village. Gentle Wind Village had weathered the month well, all things considered. The preparations were coming along steadily, with new structures rising on foundations Li Wei had designed and laid before the first heavy snow. The extra supplies and seeds sent by Feng Wu’s sect were a blessing, easing the strain of rebuilding after Narrow Stone Peak. Still, their absence lingered in my mind, a shadow that refused to leave.

The Heavenly Flame Mantra had been another focus of my days. Training in its movements, channeling qi through my palms, and being forbidden from utilizing the Rooted Banyan Stance or the Bamboo Reprisal Counter made it difficult. Yet, there were victories, small sparks of progress that kept me going, like the moment I first felt the searing heat manifest without trembling, steady and controlled, instead of a fleeting flicker of warmth.

Heavenly Flame Mantra (Level 1):

A martial style that channels the essence of fire into the cultivator’s attacks. The Heavenly Flame Mantra infuses the cultivator''s strikes with searing heat, generating flames that radiate outward from their body. Each movement embodies the principles of fire: aggressive, adaptable, and consuming.

Next Stage: Radiant Flame Mantra

Requirements:

Heavenly Flame Mantra Proficiency - Level 10

Inflict at least 50 successful strikes using flame-imbued techniques.

Sustain the mantra for a total of 30 hours.

I trusted Elder Ming''s guidance, and only ever practiced my techniques separately. In time, I''d become proficient enough to use them both.

I tightened the cloak around me and trudged toward the greenhouse. Its structure stood resilient against the frost, its translucent walls glowing faintly with the life it sheltered. Inside, the temperature was warm and welcoming, a contrast to the icy world outside.

My gaze wandered over rows of vibrant plants, their colors defying the season. Deep greens, fiery reds, and bright yellows filled the space due to the hybrids I had cultivated. Leaves twisted into unfamiliar shapes, stems bore unexpected fruits... And vegetables.

And at the very edge of the greenhouse stood the Golden Bamboo, a single stalk rising above the rest, its golden sheen shimmering under the filtered light. It was taller than I remembered, its growth almost unnatural in its speed. The thought brought a small smile to my face.

The memory of that quest resurfaced; how I had struggled to figure out how to elicit its growth.

My initial attempts had been met with frustration, thinking the lack of sunlight was the problem. But then I realized yang energy wasn’t limited to the sun. Not for me, at least.

By infusing it with the essence of plants like Sunfire Blade Grass and ginseng, I had found a way to nourish the bamboo despite the winter''s efforts. The technique wasn’t perfect, but it worked, and the quest rewarded me with a Technique Token for my efforts.

The bamboo’s rapid growth under essence infusion hinted at the potential I hadn’t yet fully explored. Each day it stretched taller, its presence commanding attention like a beacon amidst the other hybrids. The process of sustaining its growth had become a delicate dance, feeding it just enough energy to thrive without overwhelming its natural balance.

Despite the harshness of the season, it thrived.

And soon, I''d be able to harvest it.

My footsteps carried me further into the greenhouse, each step a reminder of how much had changed. With every sprouting hybrid, every repaired fence, and every snow-dusted roof standing firm, hope felt less like an illusion and more like a certainty.

But winter wasn’t done with us yet. The chill outside had grown sharper, and the snow deeper. Something in the air felt wrong, as though the season itself had turned hostile. For now, though, the garden was thriving, and the village was safe.

And yet, as I stood amidst the thriving life of my greenhouse, a thought lingered. Would it be enough? Would I be enough when the next storm came?

HEAVENLY INTERFACE: KAI LIU

PERK(S):

Interface Manipulator - Allows manipulation of the Heavenly Interface and access to special features.

Dao Pioneer - Grants a unique status softens the rigid thresholds that usually constrain skill acquisition and evolution, allowing for more fluid and spontaneous development of skills and cultivation techniques.

Race: Human

Vitality: Sufficient

PRIMARY

Affinity - Wood and Fire

Cultivation Rank: Qi Initiation - Rank 1

QI: Qi Initiation Stage - Rank 5 (...)

MIND: Qi Initiation Stage - Rank 2 (...)

I pressed my palm against the Sunfire Blade Grass, channeling a controlled stream of qi to extract its essence. The grass wilted instantly, its energy flowing into my palms. With practiced precision, I guided the glowing energy into the seeds, watching as they absorbed the infusion. A faint red hue spread across their surfaces, a sign of success.

Quest: Mastery of Spiritual Plant Cultivation

- Cultivate and grow fifty viable and different plant hybrids. (49/50)

“I’ll call it Heavenly Flame Rice,” I said, stepping back to admire the result. “If it works the way I hope, it could grow earlier in the season, even in cold climates. Maybe even enhance cattle feed. And if I''m lucky, it''ll give it a nourishing effect, like a minor pill.”

Tianyi’s brow furrowed slightly. “What happens if you do this to all the seeds? Will it work for everyone?”

“That’s the tricky part,” I admitted. I grimaced upon remembering the drawback of the infusion skill. “These hybrids can’t reproduce hybrids. The seeds from this rice won’t carry the same traits; they’ll revert or be weaker. So, the only way to scale this is for me to create more manually.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That seems... inefficient.”

“It is,” I agreed with a sigh. “But even if it’s not a farming revolution, it’s still useful. Small-scale production can make a difference. I’ll take what I can get.”

I carefully returned the infused seeds to the jar, sealing it tightly before bringing it with me. Tianyi’s gaze lingered on the jar, her expression contemplative.

“Take care of the house,” I said, turning to her with a small smile. “I’m heading out to check on the village.”

She bowed, clasping her hands together in a respectful gesture. “I will guard it well. And if the snow demons come, I will call for Windy.”

“Perfect plan,” I said with a chuckle as I pulled on my cloak and braced myself for the cold once more.

The village bustled with activity despite the thick snow that blanketed every surface. The crunch of my boots accompanied the muffled hammering of wood and the rhythmic calls of workers coordinating their efforts. As I made my way toward the construction site, I couldn’t help but marvel at the scene.

The artisans brought in by the Verdant Lotus Sect were working closely with Li Wei, and the sight was nothing short of comical. The boy, barely into his teenage years, stood amid seasoned carpenters and builders, pointing at various sections of the half-built courtyard. His voice carried above the din, issuing instructions that the artisans followed without hesitation.

I stopped a few paces away, leaning against a snow-dusted post to watch. My chest swelled with a smug satisfaction. Feng Wu had doubted my words when I’d spoken of Li Wei’s genius. He thought I was exaggerating. But now, seeing how the artisans treated the boy as an equal—no, as a peer—it was clear just how wrong Feng Wu had been.

The courtyard house itself was impressive. Positioned away from the village square, it was large enough to accommodate two dozen people, with training grounds integrated into the layout. Its rapid construction over the past few weeks was proof of the combined efforts of the Verdant Lotus artisans and the villagers, who’d thrown themselves into the work with gusto.

I tipped my head toward Li Wei, who caught my eye mid-instruction. He nodded and waved before returning to his task. Shaking my head with a grin of my own, I moved on, heading toward the Soaring Swallow Tea House.

The tea house had become the temporary home of the second-class disciples from the Verdant Lotus Sect while the courtyard was being built. It stood at the edge of the square, its windows glowing warmly against the winter’s stark white backdrop. As I stepped inside, the scent of tea and freshly baked pastries enveloped me, a welcome contrast to the cold.

Inside, Lan-Yin was a blur of motion, darting between the kitchen and dining area with an energy that defied her condition. Despite the faint bump visible beneath her robes, she moved with athletic grace, balancing trays laden with steaming cups and plates. Her parents, seated near the back, wore identical expressions of exasperation as they watched her flit about. No doubt they had tried to convince her to rest, but Lan-Yin was nothing if not stubborn.

Even the disciples, seated in groups around low tables, seemed impressed by her nimbleness. Their surprise was evident in their occasional glances and murmured comments. And yet, I knew this was only part of her routine. She still attended Elder Ming’s morning practice sessions, though she’d wisely refrained from sparring.

“Lan-Yin!” I called out, stepping further into the room. The disciples turned toward me, offering respectful nods and greetings.

“Good morning, Kai,” one of them, Jian Feng, said with a small bow.

“Morning, everyone,” I replied, nodding in return. Though I wasn’t as close to these disciples as I was with Feng Wu or even Lan Sheng, I’d come to appreciate their dedication. Within days of their arrival, they’d established patrol schedules and taken their duties seriously. It was comforting to know they had the village’s safety in mind.

Lan-Yin approached, her expression harried but bright. “What can I get you?” she asked, balancing a tray in one hand while reaching for a tea towel with the other.

I reached into my cloak and pulled out the jar of Heavenly Flame Rice, handing it to her. “This is for you,” I said. “A gift. It’s a hybrid rice I just cultivated. Prepare it when you get a chance, and let me know what you think. If it’s good, I’ll grow more for the disciples.”

Lan-Yin’s eyes widened slightly as she took the jar, holding it up to inspect the faint red hue of the grains. “You’re spoiling me, Kai,” she said with a small laugh. “I’ll make sure it’s done right, but you’ll have to wait a few days. Husking it will take some time.”

“No rush,” I said, smiling. “I’m curious about how it turns out. If it’s good enough, it might even make its way into your tea house’s menu.”

She laughed again, the sound light and genuine, before tucking the jar under her arm and disappearing into the kitchen. I watched her go, marveling at her determination despite everything. Lan-Yin never let anything slow her down—not her condition, not the added workload, not even the cold.

As I lingered in the tea house, the Verdant Lotus disciples relaxed around their tables, their conversation dipping in and out of patrol schedules, cultivation techniques, and everything in between. I caught Jian Feng’s eye and approached his table, drawing their attention with a casual wave.

“You all seem settled,” I said, pulling up a chair and sitting across from him. The other disciples nodded politely, their postures straightening as if they anticipated some kind of formal conversation.

“It’s a peaceful village,” Jian Feng replied. “A good place to train in. Gathering energy is quite easy here.”

“Glad to hear it.” I let a pause hang in the air, then leaned forward, my tone light. “Speaking of training, have you considered engaging in some friendly sparring with the villagers? Or maybe teaching the more able-bodied adults a few exercises?”

The disciples exchanged quick glances, and one of them, a sharp-eyed woman named Mei Rong, spoke up. “Feng Wu mentioned something similar before we left. We can’t teach sect techniques, of course, but basic drills and self-defense? That’s within reason.”

Jian Feng nodded in agreement. “If it helps strengthen the village, we’re happy to assist. Just let us know how you’d like to organize it.”

“Oh, I’ve got an idea,” I said, my grin turning mischievous. “In fact, we''ve got something to show you all that might help with your efforts.”