The morning sun crept higher, warming the muddy field where Lin Fan stood, still staring at the glowing sprout. It was real. He wasn't dreaming. The Spirit Farmer System's window floated in the air, its words shining softly, waiting for him to act.
Lin Fan took a shaky breath and reached out to touch the sprout again. The leaves felt cool and smooth, almost like silk. As his fingers brushed them, a gentle warmth spread up his arm and into his chest. He felt stronger, more awake, as if he'd just had a good meal and a long rest.
[Spirit Energy +1]
[Keep tending your Spirit Crop to grow stronger.]
He blinked at the message, then looked at his hands. They still glowed faintly with that soft green light. Lin Fan grinned, a little nervous but mostly excited. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had a chance.
He glanced back at the small house. His mother was still inside, probably resting. He wanted to run in and tell her everything, but he stopped himself. Who would believe such a story? Even he could barely believe it.
Instead, Lin Fan focused on the field. He started pulling weeds around the sprout, careful not to disturb its roots. Every time he cleared a patch of mud, he felt a tiny surge of energy. The work felt easier than usual, and his back didn't ache at all.
As he worked, the system window updated:
[Spirit Farmer System]
[Level 1: Plant, Grow, Cultivate]
[Progress: 30%]
[Task: Harvest your first Spirit Crop.]
Lin Fan wiped sweat from his forehead, though he wasn't nearly as tired as he expected. He looked at the sprout, which seemed to grow a little taller every time he checked. Its leaves shimmered in the sunlight, and the stem was already as thick as his thumb.
He remembered the stories his father used to tell about cultivators who could make plants grow with a wave of their hand, or heal wounds with a single touch. Lin Fan had always thought those were just bedtime tales. Now, he wondered if there was some truth to them after all.
By midday, the sprout had grown into a small tree, its branches spreading wide and its leaves casting cool shadows on the muddy ground. Lin Fan sat down beside it, feeling a strange sense of peace. He closed his eyes and listened to the wind rustling through the leaves.
Suddenly, the tree shook. Lin Fan opened his eyes just in time to see a single golden fruit drop from a branch and land softly in his lap. It was round and warm, glowing with a gentle light.
He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. It smelled sweet, like honey and fresh grass. Lin Fan hesitated for a moment, then took a small bite.
Warmth flooded his body, chasing away every ache and pain. His mind felt clear, sharper than ever before. He finished the fruit in a few bites, savoring every bit.
A new message appeared:
[Congratulations! You have harvested your first Spirit Crop.]
[Reward: Spirit Farmer Level Up! New Skill Unlocked: "Growth Touch."]
Lin Fan stared at the words, hardly daring to believe them. He looked at his hands again. They glowed brighter now, the green light pulsing with every heartbeat.
He reached out and touched a withered rice stalk nearby. Instantly, the stalk straightened, its leaves turning green and healthy. Lin Fan gasped, then laughed out loud. The sound echoed across the empty fields.
He stood up, feeling taller and stronger than ever. He looked at the tree, then at the house where his mother rested. For the first time in a long while, hope filled his heart.
He didn't know what the future would bring, or what other secrets the Spirit Farmer System held. But he knew one thing for sure: he was no longer just a poor farmer. He had a path now, a path that could change everything.
Lin Fan took a deep breath, feeling the sun on his face and the soft earth beneath his feet. He was ready for whatever came next.