The early morning mist still clung to the edges of Green Reed Garden when Ash woke to the faint chirping of sparrows and the distant sound of water trickling through stone channels. The world outside his window was quiet, peaceful in a way that felt both grounding and strange after days of intense concentration on skill crafting.
Ash stretched, feeling the subtle warmth still lingering in his limbs from the "Scented Step" skill he'd been honing. The faint scent of wild ginger and shadeleaf still clung to his clothes—his unofficial badge of progress, if only to himself.
A Slow Start
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. He wasn't in a rush. No world-ending crisis, no urgent battles. Just the slow, steady pulse of daily life and a system that hummed quietly but powerfully beside him.
[System Panel Activated]Welcome back, Ash.Current Active Skill: Scented Step (Stable)Skill Stability: 65%Effectiveness: 62%Duration: 17 minutesSide Effects: Mild herbal aroma persists
Ash chuckled to himself. "Not exactly the scent of danger," he muttered. "More like walking through a spice market."
He tapped the panel, scrolling through his skill blueprints. There were several in various stages of completion. Some barely more than rough ideas, others more detailed, layered with potential.
The Art of Experimentation
"Today, let's see how far 'Scented Step' can really go," Ash said aloud, though he knew Lin was probably still asleep.
Skill crafting wasn't magic. It was meticulous, like mixing a potion or tuning a fine instrument. The system gave him the tools—the energy manipulation, the framework—but the rest was up to him. His thoughts, his logic, and most importantly, his trial and error.
He stood and walked outside, barefoot, feeling the soft earth and cool grass beneath his feet. The system allowed him to monitor his internal Qi flow, how it interacted with the environment and the skill's parameters.
Walking the Line
Ash activated "Scented Step" and took a careful step forward. The faint scent masked his movement perfectly to his own senses—but what about others?
He closed his eyes, focused on the soundscape.
Birds chirped, leaves rustled, a squirrel scampered across a nearby branch. No one seemed to notice him.
He grinned. "Okay, maybe this one works."
He started a slow jog, testing the limits of the skill's duration and stability. As he moved, the scent of wild ginger and herbs trailed just enough to be natural but never sharp enough to draw attention.
Unexpected Company
Suddenly, a voice broke through the morning calm.
"Impressive, Ash."
He froze, blinking.
There, leaning against the stone wall with an amused smile, was Mei—ever-curious, always ready to poke and prod.
"I thought you'd be off in the fields, not sneaking around like a cat," she teased.
Ash rolled his eyes, feeling the familiar flush of embarrassment mixed with a hint of pride. "Not sneaking. Testing."
Mei's eyes sparkled. "Let me see."
Before he could protest, she moved closer, her gaze sharp as she tried to detect any sign of his presence.
A Lesson in Subtlety
"You're almost there," Mei said thoughtfully. "But I can still faintly smell the herbs. Could be better."
Ash nodded, grateful for the honest critique.
"Maybe tone down the intensity, but extend the duration? Or play with the scent's composition? Add a dash of earthiness to mask the spice?"
He frowned thoughtfully. "That makes sense. I'll try mixing in Silverroot and Cloudvine next."
Mei smiled, clearly entertained by his quiet intensity. "You take this seriously."
Ash shrugged, grinning. "If it works, it works. I don't need flashy explosions. I just want to not get caught."
The System's Edge
Back inside, Ash pulled out a small notebook, jotting down observations and notes from the morning's experiments.
The system's panel hovered nearby, silently updating data and offering suggestions based on his inputs.
Suggested Modification:Add Earth Essence to "Scented Step" to reduce herbal intensity and increase blending with natural surroundings.Risk: Potential side effect - slight delay in skill activation.
Ash's mind buzzed with possibilities—and restrictions. The system was powerful, but it required balance and smart decisions. The thrill wasn't just in creating a skill; it was in crafting it right.
A Quiet Conversation
Later that afternoon, Lin Wuyi joined him by the garden well, carrying a basket of freshly harvested herbs.
"Trying to outdo me with your 'sneaky footwork'?" she teased.
Ash shook his head with a smirk. "Just keeping my options open."
Lin crouched beside him, pulling out a leaf and handing it over.
"Try this. It's called Moonshade Leaf. Helps with calming Qi spikes. Might smooth out the activation delay."
Ash accepted it gratefully.
The World Outside Ash's Door
Beyond the quiet garden, the sect buzzed with its own rhythms.
There were tournaments, friendly rivalries, and occasional whispers of distant sect politics.
Ash was careful to keep mostly to himself—reclusive, silent, not because he feared the world, but because he preferred to watch and learn quietly.
Still, others were beginning to notice his unique approach.
Evening Reflections
As the sun dipped low, casting long shadows, Ash sat on the wooden porch, a simple meal before him—root stew simmered with herbs he'd gathered himself.
His body felt stronger—not just from the Qi circulating steadily, but from the tangible nourishment of the earth itself.
The system glowed softly in the fading light, a silent promise of endless possibilities.
Ash smiled, a flicker of humor in his eyes.
"Slow and steady... let's see how far this skill orchard can grow."
End of Chapter 15