Locking the gates did absolutely nothing.
Lin Chen discovered this three hours later when someone politely knocked.
Knock. Knock.
Everyone froze.
Zhao Feng whispered, "Master… the gate is locked."
Lin Chen whispered back, "I'm aware."
The knocking continued.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Very polite.
Very persistent.
Lin Chen rubbed his temples. "Why does that feel worse than an attack?"
---
He opened the gate a crack.
Outside stood a dignified old man with a long beard and a gentle smile.
Behind him stretched a line of wagons.
Each wagon was loaded with—
Fertilizer.
"…Greetings," the old man said warmly. "I am Elder Qiu of the Verdant Pill Pavilion."
Lin Chen blinked.
"…You brought manure."
Elder Qiu smiled proudly. "Premium manure."
Little Green perked up behind the gate.
Lin Chen slammed it shut.
---
> High-Level NPC Detected:
Affiliation: Alchemy Organization
Intent: Friendly (Disturbingly So)
Lin Chen opened the gate again—carefully.
"What do you want?" Lin Chen asked.
Elder Qiu bowed. "We wish to form a long-term partnership."
"For radishes," Lin Chen said flatly.
"For Spirit Agriculture," Elder Qiu corrected politely.
Lin Chen glanced back.
Little Green was vibrating.
---
Negotiations were held in the main hall.
Elder Qiu placed a jade box on the table.
Inside lay several high-grade pills.
"In exchange for a monthly supply of spirit crops," Elder Qiu said, "we offer pills, protection, and silence."
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes.
"Silence?"
Elder Qiu smiled. "The cultivation world talks."
Lin Chen considered.
> System Recommendation:
Accept: Stabilizes Influence
Reject: More Attention
Warning: Attention Escalates Exponentially
Lin Chen sighed.
"…Fine."
---
Agreement reached.
Contract signed.
Little Green stamped it with a leaf.
Lin Chen pretended not to notice.
---
Peace lasted exactly one afternoon.
A scout rushed in.
"Master! Unknown cultivators approaching!"
Lin Chen stood immediately. "How many?"
"…One."
Lin Chen relaxed.
"Only one?"
"Yes," the scout continued, "…but he's carrying a sack."
Lin Chen tensed again.
---
The cultivator arrived at the gate.
A scruffy man with wild eyes and an excited grin.
"I heard the rumors," he said breathlessly. "I want to challenge your radish."
Lin Chen stared.
"…Challenge it to what?"
"A duel," the man said proudly.
Little Green held up a sign from behind the wall:
NO VIOLENCE PLEASE
Lin Chen pointed at the man. "Leave."
The man gasped. "You're protecting it! That means it's strong!"
He dropped into a battle stance.
Thunder rumbled faintly.
Lin Chen snapped.
"That's it."
---
Lin Chen stepped forward and released his aura.
The ground cracked.
The man froze.
> Cultivation Suppression:
Qi Refinement 7 vs. Qi Refinement 3
Result: Overwhelming
The man fell to his knees.
"I-I'm sorry! I just wanted to test myself!"
Lin Chen sighed.
"Go test yourself against a mountain."
The man fled.
---
That evening, Lin Chen updated the sect board.
NEW RULE:
Anyone attempting to duel the radish will be expelled.
Little Green nodded approvingly.
> Cultivation Feedback:
Qi Refinement 7 → Mid 7
Lin Chen smiled tiredly.
Strength through responsibility.
Ridiculous responsibility.
As the moon rose, Elder Qiu departed peacefully.
The gates remained closed.
The radish remained grounded.
And Azure Cloud Sect stood stronger than ever—
Quietly.
For now.
Somewhere beyond the horizon, however—
A major sect read a report titled:
"Confirmed: Azure Cloud Sect Possesses Sentient Agriculture."
And interest began to grow.