The sun rose over the valley in waves of golden warmth, mist curling off the Spirit Herb fields like lazy smoke. Tyler stood at the edge of the farm, arms crossed, sipping his morning tea.
Today was going to be big.
Today, Verdant Leaf Sect would meet the world.
The system chimed.
[Quest Active: Establish Trade Connection]
Objective: Host a Spirit Herb Summit to invite nearby villages and small sects.
Rewards:
Access to Rare Resources
Sect Reputation +20
Tyler turned to his disciples, who had gathered after morning meditation. Sparkwind was still buzzing slightly from an accidental Qi discharge, but otherwise, everyone looked ready.
"Alright, Leaflings," Tyler said. "We're throwing a party."
Grubroot looked concerned. "A… party?"
"Technically, a summit," Calmleaf corrected.
"Technically," Tyler agreed. "But let's be real—there's gonna be herb sampling, dumplings, music, maybe a few accidental breakthroughs if someone meditates too hard."
Jun raised his hand shyly. "Should I make extra dumplings?"
"Triple it," Tyler said seriously.
They got to work immediately.
Lian and Calmleaf set up an elegant Spirit Array near the Meditation Garden to create a calming aura. Grubroot and Sparkwind expanded the clearing with Earth Qi and Lightning Qi respectively, leveling the ground and erecting simple but tasteful booths made of Spirit Bamboo.
Willow, their new Outer Disciple, planted fresh blooms around the area, creating paths of glowing herbs that shifted colors based on the time of day.
As the sun climbed higher, invitations crafted from Spirit Leaf Paper were dispatched by sparrow spirits to neighboring villages and minor sects.
By noon, the first guests arrived.
Small groups of cultivators and traders approached cautiously, drawn by the pulsing, gentle energy emanating from the Verdant Leaf Valley.
An old herb merchant from Greenriver Village.
A trio of Qi Healers from Cloudwell Sect.
Even a pair of wandering rogue cultivators looking for work.
Tyler greeted them with the casual air of a host who'd maybe smoked a little too much but somehow still kept everything running smoothly.
"Welcome to Verdant Leaf," he said, passing out cups of Spirit Tea. "Where the grass is greener—literally."
Visitors toured the Spirit Fields, sampled dried buds in the new Drying Shed, flipped through cultivation scrolls in the Archive, and lounged in hammocks by the Meditation Garden.
More importantly, they felt the difference.
The energy here wasn't frantic or combative like most sect grounds.
It was peaceful. Rooted. Growing.
Several merchants pulled Tyler aside.
"This Spirit Herb… it's not just potent," one said, voice low. "It's alive."
Another asked, "Are you selling seeds? Dried leaf? Cultivation manuals?"
Tyler grinned. "All of the above."
By evening, simple trade agreements were signed with wax and Qi seals.
Verdant Leaf would supply Spirit Herb strains, minor healing salves, and cultivation teas.
In exchange, they'd receive Spirit Stones, farming tools, rare seeds, and occasional labor assistance.
[Quest Complete: Trade Connection Established!]
[Rewards Unlocked: Access to Rare Resources, Sect Reputation +20]
[Bonus: Spirit Herb Seed Stock Increased!]
As stars filled the sky, guests and disciples alike gathered around bonfires. Sparkwind played lightning riffs on a half-melted metal pipe, while Lian sang softly in the background.
Tyler leaned back against a tree, dumpling in hand, heart full.
For once, everything felt… right.
Tomorrow, he knew, would bring new challenges.
But tonight, they had grown.
And growth was everything.