At the entrance of the Repositioning Pagoda stood the same two martial-robed guards, their robes adorned with the insignia of the city guard, twin sabers crisscrossing. Their expressions, like before, flickered repeatedly as cultivators approached the pagoda.
When a man in his mid-thirties, sporting messy brown hair, walked past the two guards. Their expressions remained impassive, their rugged faces betraying no hint of contempt. While a cultivator at the 5th Stage of the Neophyte Realm at his age wasn't extraordinary, it suggested that he was no ordinary individual.
Myriads of cultivators traveled through the Repositioning Pagoda each day, so it wasn't surprising that they didn't recognize him from several days ago.
Of course, 'him' was referring to Laine. After an entire day straight, he broke through to the 5th Stage of the Neophyte Realm.
The 4th Stage demanded far more aura than the 3rd. This was because of what a cultivator needed to strengthen in this phase: bones and joints. At this stage, the bones become denser and harder to break, while the joints grow more flexible and durable. It wasn't just about toughness—it was about enduring the impact without cracking and moving without strain. Once a cultivator reached this level, their body's foundation became solid, giving them greater physical stability and longevity in battle.
He could feel his newfound strength, but he kept in mind he was still nothing more than a slightly bigger ant now. Especially when he headed north out of the Stone Hut Layer of Cloudveil City and into the Cedar Haven Layer. His cultivation was wholly average here. Here, within the Cedar Haven Layer, was the destination he had just entered: the Repositioning Pagoda.
Laine made his way to the center of the room and stood before the polished, Black Ironwood counter. The same female attendant stood with a surprisingly pleasant expression when compared to the last time he came here.
"I'd like a slip for the Faded Meadow Highlands," Laine said, pulling out a spirit stone. As he extended his hand, he hesitated, casting a forlorn look at the stone before reluctantly handing it over.
The attendant smiled warmly. "Certainly," she replied, handing him a jade slip in return. "Have a nice day and safe travels."
Laine gave her a polite nod and walked away, stunned. Did reaching the 5th Stage of the Neophyte Realm really warrant such kindness and respect? He could only shake his head in disbelief as he stepped onto the repositioning array, the thought lingering in his mind.
♦ ♦ ♦
As soon as Laine vanished, a well-dressed man with neatly combed white hair descended the winding stairs that led to the second floor.
He glanced at the female attendant behind the counter and said, "Good work. See? Didn't I tell you the customers are much happier when they're greeted with a smile instead of indifference?"
The attendant bowed slightly. "Yes, sir. There's no doubt your choice was the correct one."
♦ ♦ ♦
Laine stepped out of the repositioning array outpost. The guards stationed there gave him a quick glance before returning to their match of Go.
This trip had to be a success. He couldn't afford a failure, as he had zero spirit stones to his name. In order for him to break through to the 5th Stage, he had to use up five more spirit stones than he had planned.
On his way to the Repositioning Pagoda, he had to make a stop at the Housing Atrium to pay his monthly living fees, which totaled four spirit stones. This had left him with a single spirit stone, which had just been used to travel here.
The Faded Meadow Highlands, a vast, decaying land, blanketed with blue skies and sunshine.
Laine trekked forward for several miles, leaving behind the dirt path that led to the outpost, and onto land covered in lifeless grass. This stretch of land led up a hill, which Laine quickly reached the top of.
As far as the eye could see, a vast expanse of rolling hills stretched out, dotted with sparse, dying pine forests. The once-vibrant grasses had faded to a dull green, while the towering pines, now withered, stood like hollow sentinels, their brittle branches sagging with needles that clung like dried husks.
Strong winds blew past him, swirling dust and dead leaves into the air. A faint, dry breeze passed through the pines, carrying the thick, unmistakable scent of decay right to his nostrils.
"What happened here?"
Calla's voice rang out in his mind.
Laine brushed away a shriveled leaf stuck in his hair. "No one knows, or at least I don't. Wait, how much can you see from inside there?"
"More than you, I suppose. Was this place always in such a wretched state?"
He wasn't sure if she was exaggerating, but he still answered the question. "I heard about this place from my parents when I was a child. They told me its original name was the Meadow Highlands, which isn't surprising. Anyway, 3000 years ago, the 'Great Decay' began. From then to now, it has slowly drained this region of vitality. Many cultivators have supposedly come here, but none could uncover what the cause was."
Calla took a moment to respond. "I've seen a place similar to this long ago."
Laine walked down the hill toward the withered flatlands that separated the countless hills.
"You've been here before?"
"No, this is the first time I've been on this continent. There's an object, or a place hidden away, stripping life away at an incredibly slow pace."
"Well, we're not here to solve that mystery. We're here for these."
"So many!" Calla blurted out.
Laine stood on the flatland and looked at the ground beneath him. Under the blades of brown grass were countless seeds the size of a small pearl. These seeds aren't hard to miss because of their vibrant, almost luminous, green hue.
He pulled out a cloth sac and kneeled down onto the stiff earth. "I told you we had a limitless supply of Sunsprout Seeds." He reached out and held one in between his fingers. The Sunsprout Seed was warm to the touch, as if holding the sun's energy within its smooth, somewhat effulgent form.
"You were right. I'm still not used to how many things have changed in the past 20 thousand years."
"Don't worry about it. I'll be with you every step of the way as you do."
"…"
"Did I say too much?"
"No… I am sorry, but I need to rest now."
"Calla…" muttered Laine as he continued to fill the sac with Sunsprout Seeds.
Worry settled within his heart and mind. The amount of rest she needed each day was growing faster than he originally thought it would. He had to believe in her plan to make a large amount of spirit stones.
Faded Meadow Highlands, or more specifically, the Sunsprout Seeds, were the first step of this plan.
The next pill Calla had planned for him to make was the Aura Resurgence Pellet. Composed of three ingredients, with Sunsprout Seeds being the easiest to acquire. Unfortunately, she informed him he had to reach the 6th Stage of the Neophyte Realm in order to attempt making it. By coming here, he planned to gather a large quantity while also hunting some weak demonic beasts in order to earn more spirit stones.
Several minutes later, Laine had gotten up and moved a few meters away before once again kneeling and picking Sunsprout Seeds.
He hadn't given it much thought, but how were these Sunsprout Seeds able to hold on to their vitality in these the decaying lands? But then he remembered a piece of text he had read long ago.
The answer hung high above as it shone down. That's right, as long as the sun continued to light the land, so would the Sunsprout Seeds thrive.
Cawrr!
Laine turned, and when he looked to the sky, his skin blanched.