I walked along the familiar dirt path leading back to our home, the late afternoon sun stretching my shadow across the ground.
My steps were unhurried.
That alone felt strange.
In the past, whenever I returned from matters tied to sects or spirit roots, my heart would always feel heavy. There was usually a dull ache lodged in my chest, a quiet frustration I had long grown used to carrying.
With the arrival of the system, that burden had eased somewhat. Yet because of my age and physical condition, I had always felt an urgent need to hurry—to become strong as quickly as possible with the system's help.
But this time, there was none of that.
No anger.
No resentment.
Not even disappointment.
Instead, my mind was unusually clear, my breathing steady, as if a knot that had been tightening around my heart for years had finally loosened.
The reason was simple.
The blue-robed envoy had already solved the hardest problem for me.
I had never been afraid of working hard. Nor was I afraid of being poor. What truly weighed on me was the thought of being weak—completely shut out of the cultivation world, watching opportunities pass by with no way to grasp them.
But the sect-affiliated spiritual farmer token changed everything.
I slipped my hand into my sleeve, fingers brushing against the cool jade hidden there. That faint, solid sensation grounded me.
With that token, I could legally grow high-tier crops for the sect.
With those crops, I could earn contribution points.
And with contribution points, I could obtain resources that ordinary villagers would never even dream of.
More importantly…
Those resources could be turned into rewards through the system.
A quiet warmth spread through my chest.
For the first time since arriving in this cultivation world, I wasn't merely surviving.
I was moving forward.
I didn't realize my pace had quickened until the outline of our courtyard appeared ahead—the worn wooden gate, the familiar roof tiles, the faint smell of earth and smoke drifting in the air.
Home.
I let out a slow breath.
Yes.
This was my true first step into this world.
Grandfather was sitting beneath the old tree when I entered, mending a worn farming tool. He looked up the moment he heard my footsteps.
"You're back," he said, relief flashing across his weathered face. Then his gaze sharpened slightly. "The envoy…?"
"He's leaving this evening," I replied, setting my things aside. "He summoned all of us who awakened spirit roots."
Grandfather's hands paused.
"And?" he asked quietly.
"The other four were accepted into the Sun Moon Spirit Sect as outer disciples."
I saw his shoulders stiffen.
For a brief moment, sorrow flickered in his eyes—not for them, but for me.
He must have already imagined the scene: me returning home empty-handed, forcing a smile, pretending not to care while my heart cracked silently inside my chest.
He opened his mouth to speak.
But before he could say a word, I beat him to it.
"Don't worry about me, Grandfather."
He froze.
I turned to face him fully, smiling—not forced, not brittle, but genuine.
"I'm not someone who'll be left out."
His eyes widened slightly.
"The envoy," I continued calmly, "was astonished by my comprehension talent. He rewarded me with a token."
I took out the jade token and placed it in his palm.
"This is a sect-affiliated spiritual farmer token," I explained. "With it, I can grow crops the sect needs, earn contribution points, and exchange them for resources."
I met his gaze steadily.
"So don't be sad. Be at ease."
For a long moment, Grandfather stared at the token as if he were afraid it would vanish if he blinked.
Then his fingers trembled.
"…Good," he said hoarsely. "Good."
The worry that had weighed on him for days—perhaps even years—finally loosened its grip.
The corner of my heart softened.
Feeling the mood lighten, I clapped my hands together.
"So," I said cheerfully, glancing toward the children peeking from behind the doorframe, "who wants a meat feast?"
"ME! ME! ME!"
Mo Ling shot out like a small cannonball, arms raised high, eyes sparkling. "I want a meat feast! Big Brother Shen, meat feast!"
Behind her, Shen Mo Fan tried to calm his sister while he maintain a serious expression.
But his body betrayed him completely.
A thin line of drool slipped from the corner of his mouth.
He froze.
Silently wiped it away.
Then pretended nothing had happened.
I burst out laughing.
Grandfather stared at me in surprise.
I also realized then—this was new for him.
Before, I had always been quiet around children my age. Reserved. Detached. I spoke mostly with elders, stepping in only when problems arose or help was needed.
But now… I was laughing freely, teasing them, letting myself relax.
If anyone asked why, I wouldn't know how to explain it.
But deep down, I did.
The system had arrived like a lifeboat—just as I was about to sink in this vast cultivation sea.
I headed into the kitchen, pulling out fresh meat from my spirit pouch and started cooking.
The moment the scent spread, the children crowded at the entrance, peeking in with wide eyes.
"Sit down," I said, waving them toward the stools. "No need to stand. Watch if you want."
They hurriedly obeyed, sitting in a neat row like obedient little chicks.
I began cooking.
Fire flared beneath the pan. Meat flew into the air, spinning before landing perfectly back inside. Noodles danced as I tossed them, spiritual energy guiding each movement with effortless precision.
"Waah—!" Mo Ling gasped, eyes shining.
Even Mo Fan was completely mesmerized, his earlier seriousness forgotten.
Seeing their expressions, something warm surged up from my chest.
I laughed—truly laughed—for the first time since coming to this world.
After a while, the dishes were finished.
I began plating them, preparing to carry everything out, but the children immediately jumped up.
"We'll help!"
"Let us carry!"
I relented, but they were persistent so I handed them the lighter dishes while I lifted the heavier ones with strands of spiritual energy forming invisible threads to hold them and I was walking behind them empty handed dishes floating in the air beside me.
We entered the main hall just as Grandfather returned from the backyard.
He stopped mid-step.
His eyes locked onto the sight of me manipulating spiritual energy so naturally.
For a heartbeat, he simply stared.
Then his eyes reddened. Thinking himself sighed.Young Master… your heir more talented than you could ever imagine. If only you were here to see this…
I noticed immediately.
"Grandfather?" I asked softly.
He shook his head, turning away slightly. "It's nothing."
But I knew.
He was proud.
And perhaps, for the first time, truly reassured.
The feast was lively.
Laughter filled the hall as bowls emptied and plates piled up. Even the setting sun seemed reluctant to leave, casting a warm orange glow through the windows.
When we finished, twilight had already arrived.
"I'm going to the farm," I said, standing.
Mo Fan's head snapped up. "I'll come with you!"
I shook my head. "No. Stay home and take care of the house."
He straightened instantly, chest puffed out.
"Don't worry, Big Brother Shen!" he declared solemnly. "I won't let any danger pass! Rest assured!"
I blinked.
Then laughed again.
I reached out and ruffled his hair.
He shrank back slightly, ears turning red, clearly embarrassed—but he didn't pull away.
"Good," I said gently. "I'm counting on you."
With that, I stepped out into the fading light, the warmth of home lingering behind me.
Ahead lay the fields.
And for the first time—
I looked toward the future without fear.