Joo-won's jaw dropped as he took in the breathtaking scenery. Amidst the otherworldly beauty, a shimmering lotus caught his eye.

"No way," he breathed. "Is that... the Bewitching Mandragora?"

Hanjjokkom's laughter bubbled up beside him. "That old thing? Just a pesky weed we've been meaning to uproot."

Joo-won blinked, dumbfounded. The stuff of legends, growing like a common dandelion? He pinched himself, half-convinced he was dreaming.

Glancing at his pint-sized guide, Joo-won realized he'd been too awestruck to even ask its name. "Um, I probably should have asked earlier, but... what should I call you?"

"Hanjjokkom," the dokkaebi replied with a tiny bow. Despite its cuddly appearance, Joo-won sensed a well of ancient wisdom behind those button eyes.

"So," Joo-won ventured, "what's next on the cosmic syllabus?"

Hanjjokkom's voice took on a teacher's tone. "First up, cultivating that seed. It's not rocket science, but pay attention. You'll need to activate it with your blood, find a nice toxic spot to plant it, and give it a little blood-based TLC every ten months. Oh, and whatever you do, don't eat the fruit yourself. Trust me, you wouldn't like the results."

As Hanjjokkom went into the finer points of magical gardening, Joo-won's mind wandered. What if his father was worrying? What if the clan needed him?

Hanjjokkom, seemingly reading his thoughts, cut in. "Time's different here, kid. You could spend years learning and it'd be like a long nap back home."

Relief washed over Joo-won. "Seriously? This place is insane... in the best way."

The dokkaebi's eyes twinkled. "The Tower chose you for a reason. Learn well, use it wisely, and your clan will thank you. But heads up – mastering even the basics? We're talking years. Throw in some alchemy lessons, and you might be here a while."

Joo-won squared his shoulders, a determined glint in his eye. "I've got a clan to save and all the time in the world to learn how."

...

As the years flowed by like water, Joo-won found himself learning a world he never knew existed. The Tower of Myriad Immortals became his playground, each day bringing new wonders to explore.

Under Hanjjokkom's watchful eye, Joo-won's fingers danced through soil rich with possibilities. He coaxed life from seeds that glowed with inner light – the Vessel of Spiritual Energy Lotus unfurling its petals like a cosmic flower, the Soul Flower whispering secrets of the spirit realm, and the gnarled roots of the Thousand-Year Dragon stretching towards eternity.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"It's not just about sticking them in the ground and hoping for the best," Hanjjokkom would chide, hovering over Joo-won's shoulder. "Feel the pulse of the earth, the rhythm of the sun. Every plant has its own song – you just need to learn how to listen."

Joo-won absorbed it all like a sponge.

He learned to read the whispers of the wind, to sense the currents of energy flowing beneath his feet. Even the simplest act of arranging pots became an intricate dance, each plant placed with purpose to amplify the others' power.

But the Tower held more than just botanical marvels.

Joo-won's eyes widened as he encountered beings straight out of legend – the sinuous grace of the Heaven-devouring Serpent, the cunning gaze of the Illusion Fox Spirit, the Crimson-Eyed Wolf. Each creature held its own role in the grand fabric of cultivation, a delicate balance that left Joo-won in awe.

And then there were the insects – tiny marvels that held the key to it all. The Golden Cicada's song that could coax even the most stubborn bud to bloom, the Jade Butterfly's wings scattering life-giving pollen, the Seven-Colored Light Beetle painting the world in hues of magic with every step.

Before Joo-won knew it, a decade had slipped by.

Yet when he caught his reflection, he saw the same face that had entered the Tower all those years ago. Time, it seemed, had different rules here.

But while his outward appearance remained unchanged, Joo-won felt the difference in his very bones. Gone was the hopeless boy waiting for the end. In his place stood a young man brimming with purpose, his eyes alight with the knowledge of countless lifetimes.

As he gazed out over the Tower's endless wonders, Joo-won's thoughts turned to home. To the poisoned land that had driven him here, to the clan that waited unknowing. A smile tugged at his lips.

"Just you wait," he whispered, his voice filled with newfound confidence. "I'm coming back, and I'm bringing a whole new world with me."

As Joo-won stood at the threshold of the Tower, a decade's worth of knowledge humming in his veins, Hanjjokkom's final words rang in his ears.

"Remember, kid," the dokkaebi's voice was uncharacteristically serious, "what you've learned here? It's not just cool party tricks. We're talking universe-altering stuff. Guard it well."

Joo-won nodded, his expression solemn. "I won't let you down. This knowledge... it's not just mine. It belongs to the future."

"Exactly," Hanjjokkom's eyes gleamed. "One slip-up, and we're talking cosmic chaos. No pressure or anything."

"Right," Joo-won swallowed hard. "No pressure at all."

As he turned to leave, Hanjjokkom's voice softened. "Hey, you've got this. Now go out there and show 'em what you've learned. And I'll wait for your return"

With a final nod, Joo-won stepped out into the world beyond the Tower. His hands clutched a pouch that felt impossibly light for the treasures it held – ten seeds, each a miracle in its own right. SkyBlossom, Shadowflower, Essence Seed... names that would have meant nothing to him a decade ago, now thrummed with potential.

And then there was the bucket. Simple-looking, but filled with water that sparkled like liquid starlight. The Eternal Star Spring – Joo-won could feel the raw power emanating from it.

Hanjjokkom's words echoed in his mind: "Star essence, kid. This stuff could bring back the dead... plant-wise, anyway. Use it smart."

Joo-won took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. The clan, the poisoned land, the secrets of the cosmos – it all came down to this moment.

"Alright," he muttered, squaring his shoulders. "Time to save the world. No big deal."

With one last glance at the tower that had been his home for the past couple of years, Joo-won set off towards his destiny, armed with nothing but seeds, star water, and a whole lot of determination.