Lin Chen did not sleep well.
Every time he closed his eyes, he dreamed of flying ships, greedy young masters, and a radish wearing a crown.
When morning came, he stood up with bloodshot eyes and made a decision.
"We are upgrading security."
The disciples nodded solemnly.
Little Green held up a sign:
AGREED
Lin Chen paused. "…You don't get a vote."
The radish flipped the sign:
NOTED
---
An emergency Sect Defense Meeting was called.
Lin Chen drew lines on the ground with a stick.
"This is our sect," he said. "This is the farm. This—" he stabbed the dirt "—is where people keep trying to steal you."
Little Green leaned in, studying the diagram seriously.
Zhao Feng raised a hand. "Master… should we just hide the radish?"
Lin Chen considered.
Little Green slowly backed away toward the soil.
"…No," Lin Chen said. "If we hide you, people will assume you're even more valuable."
The radish stopped backing up and nodded in relief.
---
> New Sect Feature Available:
Defensive Specialization
– Formation Upgrade
– Territory Suppression
– Psychological Deterrence (???)
Lin Chen squinted. "Explain the last one."
> System:
Psychological Deterrence:
Make intruders regret their life choices
Lin Chen smiled.
"I like it."
---
By noon, new warning signs were erected around the farm.
NO TRESPASSING
NO HARVESTING
NO CHALLENGING THE RADISH
SERIOUSLY, STOP ASKING
Little Green proudly watered them.
---
To further prevent theft, Lin Chen announced a new role.
"Little Green," he said solemnly, "you are now—"
The disciples leaned forward.
"—Azure Cloud Sect Symbol of Non-Negotiable Property."
The radish blinked.
Then held up a sign:
LONG TITLE
Zhao Feng clapped anyway.
---
That afternoon, Lin Chen felt another surge.
> Cultivation Progress:
Qi Refinement Late 7 → Peak 7
Lin Chen exhaled.
"…I'm getting stronger faster every time someone threatens the radish."
Su Ming nodded. "Master's Dao is clearly Defensive Farming."
Lin Chen ignored him.
---
Unfortunately, deterrence attracted different problems.
A group of scholars arrived.
Actual scholars.
Robes. Books. No weapons.
"We seek knowledge," their leader said excitedly.
"Specifically—how did a root vegetable nearly ascend?"
Lin Chen stared.
"…Why does everyone phrase it like that?"
Little Green held up a sign:
IT WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING
---
Lin Chen allowed them a short visit.
Very short.
The scholars scribbled furiously.
One whispered, "This will change cultivation theory forever."
Lin Chen snapped, "No publishing without permission!"
The scholar nodded rapidly. "Of course! Of course!"
He titled his notes anyway:
'On the Radical Potential of Root-Based Enlightenment'
Lin Chen confiscated it.
---
That night, Lin Chen called Little Green aside.
They sat under the moonlight.
"Listen," Lin Chen said quietly. "You're important to the sect."
Little Green nodded.
"But you're also attracting danger."
The radish looked down.
"…So," Lin Chen continued, "we need rules."
He handed over a small list.
RADISH RULES:
1. No glowing after sunset
2. No leaving the farm
3. No waving at strangers
4. Absolutely no ascension attempts
Little Green read carefully.
Then held up a sign:
WHAT ABOUT HOPPING
Lin Chen stared.
"…You were hopping?"
The radish looked innocent.
"Rule five," Lin Chen sighed. "No hopping."
Little Green nodded solemnly.
---
As Lin Chen walked away, the system chimed softly.
> Sect Stability Increased:
Leader Authority: Strengthened
Unique Path Confirmed:
The Dao of Cultivated Responsibility
Lin Chen smiled faintly.
"Ridiculous," he said.
Behind him, Little Green planted itself firmly in the soil.
A small sign popped up:
I WILL BE GOOD
The wind passed gently through Azure Cloud Sect.
For once, nothing exploded.
No one broke through.
No thunder fell.
It was peaceful.
Which, of course—
Meant it wouldn't last.