The morning after the cataclysmic battle, a heavy, almost ethereal silence lay over Li Tian's farm. The fog had finally retreated, revealing the full extent of the devastation, yet also the resilience of the land.
Twisted metal husks, remnants of the Iron Covenant's failed invasion, lay scattered across the fields – silent, stark monuments to their hard-won victory. The air still carried the faint, acrid scent of ozone and burnt circuits. Beneath it, the vibrant, fresh aroma of the spiritual crops, somehow invigorated by the massive energy fluxes, was already beginning to assert itself.
"This is it," Li Tian stated, his voice quiet but resolute, his gaze sweeping over the wreckage. His HP was a steady 100/100, spiritual energy 20/22, the farm working in harmonious recovery. "Every piece of metal, every scrap of technology. Nothing goes to waste."
His companions, still weary but filled with a profound sense of shared triumph, nodded. Their HP and spiritual energy reserves were likewise nearly full, a testament to the Farm Level 2's incredible regenerative capabilities and the post-battle rewards.
"Prometheus," Li Tian thought, addressing the being residing in the system, "guide us. What's the most efficient way to salvage this?"
"Li Tian," Prometheus replied, its voice clear in his mind, "we prioritize the Purge Unit Core. Its unique energy signature and material composition are anomalous. Then, focus on intact power conduits, sensor arrays, and communication modules from the smaller units. Kael, your material assessment capabilities will be invaluable here."
Kael immediately began moving, his eyes scanning the various wrecks. "The density of these alloys… the Purge Unit's plating is particularly fascinating. It seems to have self-repairing nanites, though largely inert now. We can extract basic components, but the true value lies in the purified spiritual metals Grandma Mei Lin can assist with."
His HP was 100/100, Spiritual Energy 20/20.
Xiaoli, meanwhile, gravitated towards the smaller infantry bots, her elemental senses tingling. "These smaller units have a lot of embedded energy cells," she noted, carefully prying open a panel with a burst of controlled heat. "They're still warm, almost humming with residual power." Her HP was 100/100, Spiritual Energy 20/20.
Jax, ever eager for action, began tackling the largest fragments, grunting as he used his enhanced strength to flip over sections of mech plating. "Think we can turn some of this into a bigger lightning rod, Li Tian Ge?" he joked, then sobered, "Or maybe… some proper armor. This stuff is tough." His HP was 100/100, Spiritual Energy 20/20.
Lira moved with ethereal grace, her presence almost blending with the lingering mist she still commanded. She drifted through the debris, her hands outstretched, searching for anything intact. "Some of their communication arrays seem resilient," she murmured, pulling a small, intact device from a shattered cockpit. "Perhaps we can intercept their signals, or at least understand their frequencies." Her HP was 100/100, Spiritual Energy 20/20.
Grandma Mei Lin, her form a serene presence amidst the wreckage, began her work at the colossal remains of Specimen 47. She pressed her gnarled hands onto a particularly massive section of the Purge Unit's chassis.
A low, resonant hum emanated from her. The black, lifeless metal beneath her touch began to subtly shift, its surface shimmering with a faint, coppery glow. Impurities, like dark, viscous oil, seeped from the metal, forming small, bubbling puddles on the ground before dissolving into nothingness.
What remained was a section of metal now gleaming with an otherworldly purity, radiating a faint, warm spiritual aura. It was no longer just tech; it was transformed material.
"The process requires patience and understanding of the metal's essence," Grandma Mei Lin instructed Kael, her voice soft but authoritative. "Each impurity has its own frequency. One must resonate with the earth, and with the spirit of the metal, to coax them out."
Kael watched, mesmerized. He had never seen such a profound application of elemental affinity. His own nascent Forging skill hummed in response, eager to learn. He began to gather the purified chunks Grandma produced, his mental panel providing basic data on their new properties.
For the next two days, the farm was a hive of activity. Li Tian, guided by Prometheus, systematically scanned every salvageable piece. He learned about the Covenant's modular assembly, their reliance on standardized energy cells, and the surprising vulnerability of their internal control systems to concentrated spiritual interference. He felt the new Spiritual Integration Protocol (Tech) subtly activating, allowing him to perceive the faint spiritual echoes within the Covenant's circuits.
"Li Tian, this combat processor," Prometheus announced, a series of complex diagrams flashing in Li Tian's vision, "it's designed for rapid target acquisition. Its core programming is surprisingly robust for its size."
[NEW BLUEPRINT ACQUIRED: HYDROPONIC POD (BASIC).]
"Li Tian, this blueprint is derived from the climate regulation systems within the Covenant's skirmisher mechs," Prometheus explained. "With minor modification, it can be repurposed into advanced hydroponic growing pods, greatly increasing the efficiency of spiritual crop cultivation within contained environments. This will be invaluable for cultivating those higher-grade crops you're now capable of planting! It allows for precise control over spiritual energy distribution to roots."
[NEW BLUEPRINT ACQUIRED: BASIC WEAPON SET (LEVEL 1).]
"This blueprint, Li Tian, allows for the forging of basic spiritual weaponry," Prometheus continued. "Such as Spiritual Daggers and Energy Fists. It's derived from the combat parameters of standard Covenant infantry weaponry. Not powerful by advanced cultivation standards, but a crucial foundational step for armed combat for your companions. These weapons, once imbued with spiritual energy, will be far more effective than conventional armaments against Covenant tech."
Li Tian's eyes lit up. Hydroponic pods would revolutionize their farming, allowing them to grow Grade 3 crops more efficiently and protect them from environmental fluctuations. And basic weapons? That was a direct response to their need for better self-defense against future threats.
"Kael!" Li Tian messaged, projecting the blueprints directly to his companion's panel. "New forging blueprints! Hydroponic pods for the farm, and basic weapon sets. The spiritual metals Grandma Mei Lin is purifying will be perfect for these."
Kael's eyes gleamed as he received the schematics. "Excellent. The metal from Specimen 47 will be ideal for the weapon sets. Its anti-spiritual properties, when purified, will make for incredibly resilient blades and fists, once spiritually charged. And the hydroponic pods… this will allow us to cultivate even more efficiently. I can begin assembling the basic farming tools you require for the 'Culinary Awakening' quest immediately."
Under Kael's steady hand, guided by the newly acquired blueprints and the pristine spiritual metals purified by Grandma Mei Lin, the first creations began to take shape. His Forging (Level 1) skill allowed him to subtly manipulate the materials, shaping the molten metal with spiritual energy, cooling and hardening it with precision.
He started with the Level 1 Farming Tools Li Tian needed for his quest: a sturdy, spiritual hoe whose blade hummed with a faint earth energy, and a resilient, spiritually reinforced trowel. These were basic, but imbued with a nascent spiritual presence that made them far more efficient than any mundane tool.
Then, Kael turned his attention to the weapons. He meticulously shaped a shimmering, compact dagger, its edge keen and its hilt designed for spiritual channeling. He also crafted a pair of Energy Fists for Jax – gauntlets that, when spiritually charged, would amplify his kinetic attacks. He worked tirelessly, driven by a quiet but profound sense of purpose.
"The resonance of the metal is strong," Grandma Mei Lin observed one evening as Kael hammered a new blade, sparks flying in the dim light of the makeshift forge. "You understand the flow, Kael. You listen to the metal's song. That is the true path of a spiritual smith."
Meanwhile, the companions' spiritual plants bloomed in glorious abundance. The entire farm, now a Level 2 spiritual node, pulsed with a vibrant, invigorating aura that seemed to hum with life.
Xiaoli's Spirit-Blossoms unfurled into iridescent wonders, their dual hues of fire and ice captivating, radiating potent spiritual energy that felt warm and chilling simultaneously.
Lira's Moonpetal Lotuses in the back field swayed gently, their ethereal glow almost palpable, hinting at unseen properties, their leaves like polished jade under the moonlight.
Jax's Sun-Wheat, though planted with a slightly heavy hand, grew remarkably sturdy, its golden grains plump with stored solar spiritual energy, ready for harvest.
Kael's own Verdant Sprouts were now miniature, robust trees, their leaves a deep, vibrant green, radiating a comforting, earthy aura that grounded the spiritual energies of the farm.
The sight of the flourishing crops, contrasting with the still-visible scars of battle, was a powerful symbol of their resilience and growth. The promise of Grade 2 crops, now fully mature and ready for the Culinary Awakening quest, brought a fresh wave of excitement.
Far away, in the gleaming, oppressive spire that served as the Iron Covenant's regional headquarters in New Shanghai, the mood was anything but triumphant. In a stark, metallic office, bathed in the cold, sterile glow of a holographic tactical display, two figures fumed, their anger a palpable force in the chillingly pristine room.
Bai Jin, the regional commander of the Weng faction—the local governing body that managed New Shanghai on behalf of the Iron Covenant—slammed a fist onto his desk with a resonant CLANG. His face, usually a mask of rigid discipline, was contorted with barely suppressed fury, a vein throbbing visibly on his temple. "A Purge Unit! An A-level Purge Unit! Annihilated by… by farmers?! This is an insult to the Covenant! A direct challenge to my authority! The very notion is preposterous!" His voice, usually a calm baritone, was now a harsh rasp.
The holographic display, centered on a small, unassuming farm district, showed the eerie calm of the area, marred only by residual energy signatures that Bai Jin's instruments struggled to comprehend. The red 'neutralized' icon over Specimen 47, a stark, undeniable blot on his pristine tactical map, burned like a brand.
Around him, a cadre of his most trusted officers, Captain Meng, Chief Engineer Liao, and Sergeant Rix, stood in rigid silence, their faces grim. They had never seen their commander so agitated.
Across from him, Chen Wei, the Weng faction's chief of military intelligence, a lean man with a perpetually calculating expression, merely steepled his fingers, his gaze unblinking as he reviewed incoming data streams. "Commander Bai, the data is undeniable. Specimen 47 was dispatched to neutralize the anomaly. It failed. Its final energy signature suggests a massive counter-force, an 'Earth-Metal' type spiritual manipulation."
"Our sensors recorded energy fluctuations consistent with advanced spiritual defenses, far beyond anything previously observed in this sector. And the other units… they reported extreme disorientation from a 'fog' element, concentrated elemental attacks that bypassed our standard kinetic shields, and what appears to be highly coordinated guerrilla tactics from… cultivators." Chen Wei's voice was calm, almost unnervingly so, a stark contrast to Bai Jin's fury.
"Guerrilla tactics from cultivators?!" Bai Jin sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "They are relics! Weaklings! Their spiritual energy was supposed to be gone! A forgotten myth! This 'anomaly' must be eradicated. The entire district will be purged if necessary! We cannot allow this seed of rebellion to take root in my sector! The shame it brings upon the Weng faction is intolerable!" He paced restlessly, his heavy boots echoing on the polished floor.
"Commander," Chen Wei interrupted smoothly, his eyes narrowing as he reviewed new data. "Our long-range scans indicate the anomaly is not diminishing. In fact, it has… intensified. The spiritual signature of that specific farm has elevated. It's now registering as a Level 2 spiritual node. And new spiritual blueprints are emerging from the region, suggesting active material manipulation and even… basic weapon construction."
Bai Jin slammed his fist again, rattling the holographic table. "Level 2?! How?! What are they doing out there?! First, a Purge Unit, then a farm that levels up like some ancient myth?! This is beyond standard protocol! Captain meng!"
Captain meng, a burly, scarred officer, snapped to attention. "Sir!"
"Deploy a full armored division!" Bai Jin commanded, his voice rising. "No, not just units. We need to send in our best. The Black Iron Guard. Their specialized anti-cultivator training will be crucial. We need to identify these 'cultivators,' capture the 'Earth-Metal' individual—she is a critical asset for analysis—and dissect this anomaly before it becomes a full-blown spiritual resurgence! This 'backwater district' will become a grave for any who defy the Iron Covenant!"
"Commander," Chen Wei interjected, his voice firm, his logic cutting through Bai Jin's rage. "A direct, overwhelming military deployment carries significant risk. This 'Earth-Metal' individual demonstrated defensive capabilities that rendered an A-level Purge Unit inert. She is not to be underestimated."
"A direct assault may only confirm their capabilities to other dormant spiritual nodes, and potentially draw the attention of the true Covenant High Command, away from our current resource acquisition projects. We need a more… surgical approach."
Bai Jin paused, his eyes narrowing at Chen Wei. "Surgical? What do you propose, Chen Wei? More of your 'intelligence gathering' that leads to our top-tier assets being destroyed?"
"My intelligence, Commander, has now given us a deeper understanding of the anomaly's nature," Chen Wei countered, unfazed. "They are not just powerful; they are growing. The rapid development of their spiritual node, the acquisition of forging skills, the emergence of basic weaponry… they are evolving. This is not a simple rebellion. This is a potential spiritual resurgence. We must not just destroy them; we must understand them, then dismantle them from within."
He pointed to a smaller section of the holographic map, displaying a network of covert observation posts and intelligence assets. "We intensify surveillance. We identify their weaknesses, their vulnerabilities. We deploy specialized infiltration units. Perhaps we can turn one against another, or isolate their key assets."
"We cannot risk a public, drawn-out conflict that might inspire others. We must make this defiance vanish as if it never existed, a silent, efficient eradication. Their very existence is a danger to the Covenant's narrative of spiritual energy suppression."
Bai Jin stared at the map, then at Chen Wei, his fury slowly giving way to a cold, calculating resolve. The implications of a spiritual resurgence were indeed too great. The Weng faction, tasked with maintaining order and resource extraction, now faced a challenge that threatened to unravel their very control over New Shanghai, and potentially bring down the full wrath of the higher echelons of the Iron Covenant.
"Very well, Chen Wei," Bai Jin finally conceded, his voice low and dangerous. "Prepare your infiltration teams. But make no mistake: if your 'surgical approach' fails, I will sanction a full-scale orbital bombardment, regardless of the consequences. This anomaly will be eliminated. New Shanghai will remain a compliant province. And anyone who stands with these… cultivators… will be crushed. Utterly."
The chill in the room deepened. The Weng faction had turned its full, malevolent attention towards the burgeoning spiritual node, its anger now refined into a cold, lethal strategy. The farm, once merely a backwater agricultural district, was now squarely in the crosshairs of a ruthless, calculating enemy.
The true war, Li Tian knew instinctively, was only just beginning.