After Devor wrapped up the issues in the Spiritual Garden, the Golden Core team followed suit three days later to tackle their own set of challenges. Five days after that, the Core Formation team arrived, and a week later, the Foundation Building team finished their work in the garden.

  Under Versti’s leadership, the Azure Sky team moved forward with steady determination. Versti carefully calculated the number of monsters they needed to face each day, making sure every step was precise and every battle executed with efficiency.

  Their progress was dictated by a monster quota tied to each distance: for every 50 meters they advanced, 20 monsters would appear. To cover a daily distance of 500 meters, they had to defeat 200 monsters. But if they pushed an extra 50 meters, the monster count surged—50 more would emerge. And if they dared to push 100 meters beyond their quota, they’d face an additional 100 monsters, stretching their resources thin.

  To deal with these challenges, the team came up with intricate strategies using trap formations. They’d lure monsters into a ten-meter radius, and once at least 50 had gathered, they’d trigger the traps to wipe them out. The area ahead would temporarily clear, allowing the team to advance.

  Reeva, using Devor’s cultivated poisonous plants, bred venomous insects that became essential to the team’s combat strength. Guyin, the Forging Master, took powders from the rare plants and infused them into their weapons, giving them devastating properties that were especially effective against undead-type monsters.

  Nyuru took charge of crafting pills that kept the team at their best, ensuring they stayed in peak condition despite the relentless challenges. Meanwhile, Manty used his sharp tactical instincts to scout the best spots for traps and lures. Working alongside Torni, whose expertise in formations was unmatched, they set up traps that wiped out thousands of monsters.

  On the front lines, Dnitz, Sugu, and Qiun formed an unbreakable vanguard. Their coordination and resilience grew sharper with every battle. Devor, while mostly focused on cultivating resources, didn’t shy away from the fight, occasionally joining in with his bow and arrows.

  Each battle forged stronger bonds among the team. Even Sugu, who had once looked down on Devor, began to see him as an essential part of the group.

  Days blurred into weeks, and weeks stretched into months. Each day was a cycle of combat and preparation that never seemed to end. The food pills they ate, once bearable, now felt like a dull necessity, leaving them yearning for a proper meal. But in this isolated, harsh world, such luxuries were out of reach.

  One day, Devor returned to the group, cradling six freshly harvested black plants in his arms. The rare find sent a ripple of excitement through the team.

  Manty and Qiun captured a few monsters alive, while Reeva used the black plants to refine a specialized poison. After countless trials, she succeeded in creating a toxin that cut the team’s effort in killing monsters by at least 15%. Reeva was optimistic, noting that as Devor continued to cultivate more diverse plants, the potency of their poisons would only improve.

  Six grueling months passed in what felt like a blur. Their bodies were battered by exhaustion, but their spirits never wavered. This competition demanded more than just skill—it demanded everything they had, day in and day out.

  ??????

  On the floating island, Devor sat cross-legged in the heart of the Spiritual Garden. His body hummed with energy as he absorbed the golden mist that swirled around him.

  Whooooshhh!

  A powerful gust of wind shot outward from him, rattling the delicate balance of the garden. Nyuru, who had been tending to the nearby plants, quickly raised an energy shield to protect the fragile vegetation from the blast.

  The golden mist surged toward Devor, as if drawn to him by some unseen force. His aura flared, intense and magnetic, pulling the garden’s essence into his very being.

  Thirty minutes passed before the storm of energy finally began to settle. Slowly, Devor opened his eyes, a faint golden glow flickering within them before fading.

  "Stage-9 Qi Refining..." he whispered, his voice low but steady. His fists clenched, trembling—not from weakness, but from an ironclad determination.

  After months of relentless effort, he had finally reached the peak of the Qi Refining Realm.

  After descending from the floating island, the remaining members of the Azure Sky team greeted Devor with heartfelt congratulations for reaching the peak of the Qi Refining Realm. Devor bowed modestly, grateful for their praise, but his joy was short-lived. While his breakthrough was a significant achievement, it felt small compared to the monumental task that still lay ahead.

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  Thanks to their steady supply of resources, the Azure Sky team had maintained a consistent pace. But as they neared the central area, the monsters they faced grew more terrifying with each encounter. It was hard to tell if the creatures were truly stronger, or if their bodies—worn down by months of relentless combat—were starting to falter.

  The battles had drained them, not just physically, but mentally. The ultimate prize of the competition seemed almost irrelevant now. What mattered more was the brutal realization that this experience was not just a test of skill, but a harsh training ground that was shaping their cultivation foundations and forging them into something much stronger.

  Every now and then, Liuning’s voice echoed across the small world, announcing the hidden achievements of various teams. Despite their strong start, Azure Sky had only secured two hidden achievements early in the competition. But now, they had just added three more to their total!

  ??????

  Three months passed in what felt like a blur. The final stage of the competition loomed ahead, the central area now visible in the distance like a beacon of both hope and danger. The victory flag was within reach, but the monsters guarding this final stretch had become overwhelmingly powerful. Advancing their daily quota of 500 meters now felt like an impossible task.

  Other teams began to crumble under the relentless pressure. One by one, participants fell, overwhelmed by the monstrous hordes. Azure Sky wasn’t immune to tragedy—Manty and Sugu, trapped and surrounded during an ambush, had been unable to escape.

  Versti gritted his teeth in frustration and unleashed a mysterious seal. Protective runes enveloped Manty and Sugu, saving their lives, but at a steep cost—they were ejected from the small world, disqualified from the competition.

  Now, only seven members remained. The team stood in a quiet, solemn circle, their faces heavy with sorrow and confusion.

  In the distance, flashes of battle lit up the horizon like fleeting stars. Other teams were locked in desperate struggles, some already pushing through the final stretch.

  As dawn broke over the small world, its golden light cast long shadows across the team. The usual camaraderie was replaced with a grim seriousness, the air thick with tension.

  “We have to fly,” Qiun said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence. His expression was unwavering, his determination clear. “We’re running out of time. If we don’t take the risk now, we’ll lose any chance of winning.”

  Torni frowned, skepticism written all over his face. “Fly? And what about the hundreds of winged monsters that will swarm us? Flying doesn’t guarantee survival, let alone victory.”

  Before anyone could respond, a thunderous explosion echoed from the distance, shaking the ground beneath them. The team turned, their eyes locking on a battle unfolding in the skies above.

  Several teams shot toward the central area, moving at incredible speed, but their path was anything but clear. Winged monsters materialized from the empty sky, attacking with relentless fury.

  The Azure Sky team stood in stunned silence as they watched members of the other teams hurl themselves into the fray, sacrificing their lives to clear a path for their comrades.

  The sight was horrifying, but it also reignited their resolve. If victory required risk, they would face it without hesitation.

  Devor lowered his head, his brows drawn in deep thought. After a long pause, he spoke. "What if we use the Heavenly White Lotus? Could it give us the edge we need to reach the central area?"

  Nyuru turned to him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "The Heavenly White Lotus?" she repeated, her voice thick with shock. "Devor, that’s a Sky-Grade Spiritual Plant. We planted it only two months ago—it’s nowhere near mature!"

  Devor’s gaze was unwavering, his voice calm but firm. "I can try to accelerate its growth," he said. "But it won’t be easy. To force the Lotus to mature, we’ll have to sacrifice other plants to gather enough energy to nourish it."

  The team fell silent, the weight of his words settling over them.

  Versti stepped forward, his piercing gaze fixed on Devor. "How confident are you that this will work?"

  Devor hesitated, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “Honestly? I’m not sure. This is my first time working with a Sky-Grade plant, let alone trying to accelerate its growth. It’s a gamble, no doubt about it.”

  The team exchanged uneasy glances. Doubt and anxiety hung in the air, but no one dismissed Devor’s idea outright.

  Finally, Nyuru spoke, her voice quiet but firm. “If we go through with this, the cost will be huge. Not just for the plants, but for you, Devor. Speeding up a Sky-Grade plant’s growth could drain your Spiritual Essence entirely. Are you prepared for that?”

  Devor didn’t flinch. “I am,” he said firmly. “It’s risky for me, but it also helps my cultivation. So in the end, it’s worth it.”

  A heavy silence fell over them, the weight of the decision pressing on each member. The tension was palpable as they each wrestled with their fears and doubts.

  At last, Versti’s voice broke through, decisive and commanding. “We’ll do it.” His gaze swept over the team, his tone final. “This is our best shot. Devor, prepare the garden. Nyuru, help him. The rest of you, step in if he needs anything.”

  The team moved with newfound purpose, their earlier hesitation replaced by determination. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they would see this gamble through.

  As Devor made his way to the floating island to prepare the Heavenly White Lotus, a wave of pressure settled over him. The weight of the plan rested entirely on his shoulders, but he refused to let that stop him.

  For nearly a year, they had fought side by side, overcoming every challenge the competition had thrown at them. Now, with victory finally within reach, Devor was more determined than ever not to let his team down.

  The golden mist of the floating garden swirled around him as he knelt before the Lotus. With focused hands, he began the delicate process of channeling energy into the plant, fully aware that their future depended on its bloom.