Tao sat cross legged on the wooden floor of his room, the Nurturing Rain Technique scroll spread out before him. He traced a finger along the diagrams, his brow furrowed in concentration.

The technique was simple, almost frustratingly so. Designed for mortal grade plants, it channelled a cultivator’s Qi into a gentle rain that nourished the soil and accelerated growth. Tao could see its limitations immediately. Profound grade plants required far more energy and precision to thrive, their roots thirsting for Qi far richer than the technique could provide.

“This won’t be enough,” Tao muttered, frustration tightening his chest.

Tao closed the scroll with a sigh and stood, his resolve hardening.

“I’ll have to refine it.”

The Verdant Dawn Sect Library, also known as The Jade Slip Pavilion, was a modest structure compared to the grand halls of larger sects, but it was still the heart of knowledge for disciples like Tao. Its wooden shelves were packed with jade slips and scrolls, categorized by discipline: combat techniques, alchemy, spiritual formations, and cultivation methods.

Tao approached the counter where Elder Zhou, the library’s overseer, sat hunched over a scroll. The elder’s sharp eyes flicked up as Tao bowed respectfully.

“I need access to nurturing techniques,” Tao said.

Zhou snorted. “Do you think the sect hands out its secrets like roasted chestnuts? Most of the advanced nurturing techniques are restricted. Only low-grade methods are available to inner disciples.”

“I only need the basics,” Tao replied quickly. “Something to cross reference with.”

Zhou waved a hand toward a corner of the library. “Beginner Section. Don’t waste my time with questions you could answer yourself.”

Tao suppressed a sigh and bowed again. “Thank you, Elder.”

The Beginner Section was dusty and dimly lit, its scrolls and jade slips clearly neglected by most disciples. Tao scanned the shelves, his fingers brushing against the worn edges of scrolls until he found a small cluster labelled Nurturing Techniques.

He pulled out three:

1. Qi Dew Technique – A basic method to condense Qi into dew droplets for mortal grade plants.

2. Root Binding Method – A technique to stabilize a plant’s spiritual roots during growth.

3. Cycle of Nourishment – A low grade method that combined Qi with water to create a nutrient rich solution.

Tao carried the scrolls to a nearby table, spreading them out alongside his Nurturing Rain Technique. He studied each one meticulously, comparing diagrams and annotations, his mind racing with possibilities.

The Cycle of Nourishment caught his attention. Its process of infusing Qi into water aligned closely with the principles of the Nurturing Rain Technique, but it required a more controlled flow of energy. Tao’s thoughts turned to the jade mountain within his dantian. Its Qi was rich and dense but harnessing it for such delicate work would be a challenge.

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Tao headed to the Herb Pavilion, where Elder Hua oversaw the distribution of seeds and materials. The air was thick with the scent of fresh soil and drying herbs, and the shelves were lined with small jars containing neatly labelled seeds.

Elder Hua glanced up as Tao approached. “What are you after?”

“I need seeds to practice nurturing techniques,” Tao said, keeping his tone neutral.

Hua raised an eyebrow. “Practice? You’re not planning to waste resources, are you?”

Tao shook his head. “Just low-grade seeds. Something I can afford.”

Hua gestured to a section of mortal grade seeds. “Take your pick. They won’t cost you much.”

Tao scanned the jars, selecting three types:

1. Greenleaf Grass – A hardy plant often used for basic alchemical preparations.

2. Duskbell Flowers – Known for their rapid growth and vibrant blooms.

3. Stonevine Shoots – Resilient but slow growing, ideal for testing Qi flow over time.

The total cost was 15 sect points. He winced at the expense but handed over his token.

“Don’t waste them,” Hua warned as she handed him the seeds.

“I won’t,” Tao promised.

Tao spent the next two days experimenting in the herb gardens, using mortal grade seeds and the faint glow of lanterns to guide his work after sunset. His first attempts were disastrous.

The modified technique required him to split his Qi into two streams—one to sustain the rain and another to enrich it with the energy Profound grade plants demanded. But his control wavered. The rain came out too weak, its droplets evaporating before they reached the soil.

On the third attempt, Tao overcompensated, channelling too much Qi at once. The rain turned into a torrential downpour, drowning the fragile seedlings and washing away the nutrient rich soil.

“Damn it!” Tao cursed, his chest heaving as he slumped to the ground. His Qi reserves were nearly depleted, his body trembling with exhaustion.

Jian, who had been passing by, stopped and watched silently for a moment before approaching. “You’re trying to refine a technique?”

Tao nodded, too frustrated to speak.

Jian crouched beside him, his expression calm. “You’re pushing too hard. Techniques like this require patience. You’re trying to force it.”

Tao exhaled slowly, his anger cooling. “You’re right. But I don’t have time to waste. If I can’t make this work, I’ll never be able to grow higher grade plants.”

Jian stood, his gaze steady. “Then focus on control. Start small and build up. And stop exhausting yourself—you won’t succeed if you burn out.”

On the fifth day, Tao knelt before a single pot containing a sprouting Stonevine Shoot. He closed his eyes, centring his thoughts. The jade mountain in his dantian thrummed faintly, its energy a steady presence.

Tao visualized the rain, its droplets infused with a balanced stream of Qi. He directed his energy carefully, splitting it into two flows—one to sustain the rain and another to enrich it.

The first droplet fell, shimmering faintly as it soaked into the soil. Then another, and another, until a gentle rain bathed the Stonevine Shoot. The plant’s leaves quivered, their edges glowing faintly as they absorbed the energy.

Tao held the technique for several minutes, his breath steady despite the strain. When he finally released the flow, he slumped back, his chest heaving.

The Stonevine Shoot had grown visibly, its tendrils stronger and its leaves brighter. Tao stared at it, a grin spreading across his face.

“It worked,” he whispered.

As Tao sat beside his plot, the glow of the plants casting soft light over his face, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. It had been exhausting, but the technique was finally refined. Tao decided to name the newly combined technique the Nurturing Cycle Technique.