Yet even with dozens of deadly plants keeping it company and feeding it a steady supply of chaotic effluvia, his precious plant was still wilting. And Alex feared he understood why.
With his first ring, thanks to the ball of crackling Dark Qi he had been able to generate alongside a divine artifact, it had all the sacred energy of Heaven and Earth it needed to survive.
But this strange, beautiful artifact, a true World Seed that hinted at potential that still filled Alex with awe to contemplate, followed different rules.
Most particularly, the background spiritual energy was strictly mortal level, and he was, for the moment, unable to bend reality like a god to forge spinning balls of Dark Qi to feed his silverbell blossom unlimited power.
Of course, there was another way he could increase the odds of survival for his most priceless plant so necessary for forging nearly all cultivation potions, and it was a price he would no longer hesitate in paying. His garden, rough in build as it still was, was nonetheless ready for the next step in his world building transformation.
You have opened your World Seed Menu. You have highlighted Eternal Garden tab! You have chosen to increase your garden’s Spiritual Resonance!
Alex fought against his reluctance to commit precious resources a part of him was eager to use on himself, deciding it was finally time to put one of his ultimate prizes in play. A prize he noted that his interface tab had avoided mentioning at all.
Note: Your interface is now highlighting Rank 1 Silver Soul Stone! Rank 1 Silver Soul Stone will raise your garden to Rank 15! Maximum Spiritual Resonance is Silver. Maximum Karmic Resilience is Silver!
Alex took a deep, shuddering breath, his heart hammering as he dared select not Silver, but his precious, priceless Gold pearl that might help him ascend.
Yet in terms of advancing in Rank as a Bronze, it was no more potent than a Rank 7 Silver. Yet if he were to instead use it on the garden...
Note: your interface is now highlighting Rank 1 Gold Soul Stone! Rank 1 Gold Soul Stone will raise your garden to Rank 22! Maximum Spiritual Resonance will be Gold. Maximum Karmic Resilience will be Gold!
Alex spent long breathless moments, hovering over his sense of that priceless Gold Soul Stone. For a single brief moment, he gazed upon the Divine Spirit Stone reserving 20 points of his 140 Qi Pool and giving his interface such a wonderful pearly gates hue, before quickly turning away.
Bronze, Silver, or Gold. All of them had their advantages. Any of them would be incredibly useful to him in the right circumstances, and he could find such wonderful uses for them right now.
But he just might need that Gold to help himself ascend, and he couldn’t deny the lesson he had learned, coming to Master Yan’s aid, just days ago, when all hope seemed lost.
As much as he hungered for his own advancement, he was all too aware of just how precious those Soul Stones were.
You have selected Rank 1 Silver Soul Stone!
Congratulations! You now have a Rank 15 Eternal Garden!
You have elected to give said garden Silver Spiritual Resonance! Silver Soul Stone transcends Bronze cultivation limitations! Any cultivator of Silver or lower rank will enjoy ideal cultivation potential in any area dominated by your Eternal Garden! Your garden now has a diameter of 32 miles! Your World Seed now has a Silver Aura with basic structural integrity, and a diameter of 32 miles!
And Alex was knocked off his feet as the world seemed to explode underneath him, his garden suddenly expanding in all directions as his tiny World Seed grew to an impressive thirty-two miles in diameter.
And suddenly he had a horizon, gazing upon vast tracts of land sparsely covered in conifers, numerous saplings, and an incredible bounty of lush green botanicals and brilliantly blooming flowers.
For all that the land looked a bit ragged, as if new growths were sprouting up amongst the remains of croplands long since destroyed by flash floods and the like, it was still a breathtaking sight.
Alex’s heart raced as he finally took in the significance of what he had just accomplished, the gift his patron god had given him.
He had in his possession a World Seed, and he had just brought it to true, unquestionable life with plants that were very real, the sun above radiating pure heavenly energy as much as sunlight, the power of a Silver aura now truly in effect.
He couldn’t help but laugh for sheer joy, taking in the rich spiritual energy all around him with each breath, delighting in the world, tiny as it was, that he himself had just forged into being.
Then he frowned as he felt a strange pressure in his mind, a momentary dizziness overcoming him. He stumbled to one knee, heart skipping a beat. Was this what a stroke felt like? Were the gods laughing at him even now, a world away, as he finally fell to something so stupid as trying to create a miniature realm of his own when he was only a Bronze… but no. It was nothing like that at all.
The itch was a tingle of possibility, the potential for new growth.
It seemed that the power locked within that spirit beast stone had been shifted from his Eternal Garden to his Palatial Manor, his modest home study transformed into a grand university-sized library as fast as he could imagine it, the odd pressure in his mind easing the moment it snapped into existence. Or perhaps, much like his Eternal Garden, had always been there, just as it was.
His eyes widened as the true significance of what had just happened finally sunk in. He wasted no time, quickly accessing his World Seed tabs and visualizing the path he’d want any excess flow to take in developing both a pristine alchemical laboratory, and what he hoped to accomplish with the Chamber of Doors.
His plans for the laboratory were simple enough. He needed access to all the elements and the ability to manipulate them just as he could in his first divine ring, so as to maximize the potential of his somewhat-limited Alchemy skill. The Chamber of Doors, on the other hand, required quite a bit of thought, in light of its incredible potential. Potential he didn’t want to mess up, playing the fool before he had fully considered all the possibilities.
Backup measures now in place, though he had no intention of putting points into either at the moment, he turned his gaze to the modest two-tiered pagoda that was capable of blossoming into so much more, and did his best to focus his waning energies on making the smartest choices he possibly could before he finally surrendered to sleep, feeling so much like the late-night gamer he had been a lifetime ago, determined to put the finishing touches on his build before finally calling it a night.
And the options before him were astounding.
For a handful of points, he could forge into being a grand dining hall capable of feeding the most luxurious meals imaginable, like what one would find in Michelin star restaurants, to a thousand men each and every day. They might not be able to take any of it with them, but they would never go hungry for so long as they were willing to eat under his roof. Of course, to secure any bonuses, he would need additional points and Bronze Rank to grant +1 to alertness and all saving throws, and one free cultivation hour per day. Silver Rank would grant each imbiber a flat +1 to all stat and skill checks, their mind and body truly in harmony that day, as well as granting all those able to harness spiritual energy two free cultivation hours. Additional ranks required one to have achieved Gold, Jade, or Divine Ranks, and ultimately led to sixteen hours of free daily cultivation, significant bonuses, and golden apples so filled with spiritual energy that they could reverse aging itself.
The potential was absolutely incredible.
So too with possible sleeping arrangements. Of course one could hunker down and power nap anywhere, including in his magnificent garden outside, but a single point would buy him a bedroom that would allow Alex eight hours of blissful rest uninterrupted by tossing, turning, irritable bladder or worry, and each additional point would allow him to give that gift to tenfold more friends or followers, his manor magically growing in size to a palace that would do any king proud. And perhaps just as important, each of those master suites we
re also equipped with toilets and hot tubs, complete with spongy leaves, and perfumed balls of soap. And, most remarkable of all, the linen closet in each bedroom would summon a servant who would flawlessly clean and mend any attire placed within.
Alex couldn’t help but be filled with delight upon sensing the synergisms within his palatial manor. For each bedroom would be connected to a modest-sized reading room, thanks to his greater library synergy, with clear-paned windows giving a picturesque view of the gardens beyond. And once he chose the dining arrangements, all his rooms would suddenly be equipped with golden servitor bells that could be rung to summon refreshments at will.
The ability to luxuriate in hot soapy baths and change into perfectly clean attire before taking one’s ease in a study with whatever books had caught one’s interest in the library magically appearing on the book case, and a delicious dinner just a single bell-pull away... it was the height of luxury, and an absolute steal at a single point. And he would be able to similarly care for ten-fold more people for every additional point he invested in sleeping arrangements, so long as his purchased dining hall perks could handle an identical load of guests.
But even the second tier in sleeping quarters that actually gave bonuses to alertness required Bronze or better. And a +1 to all skill checks the next day would require a rank of Silver. On the other hand, it seemed time really was fluid, at least in relation to the realm beyond this World Seed. Because for an additional one or two points, he could shave two or four hours off the cost of a good night’s sleep, his body fully refreshed in half the time it would take a sleeping mortal, with no additional cultivation breakthroughs needed beyond Silver.
Of course his cultivation path and Eternal Fox technique gave him some shortcuts already, but sleep so naturally in tune with his biorhythms that he didn’t have to worry that perhaps he was straining himself in unexpected ways, messing with sleep cycles that had evolved their function over countless millions of years, while giving him alertness and skill bonuses besides, was nothing to sneeze at.
And for a final additional point requiring no significant cultivation base at all, he, or any sleeping guest, could lose themselves in countless worlds of wonder, dreaming endlessly of whatever they wished, their body’s needs fulfilled with even the most basic dining hall purchases, allowing them all to embrace a sleeping paradise they never had to leave.
Alex quirked a smile at the notification, having no doubt that vice of a boon was one that WiFu’s clan had insisted upon. One delectable carrot to distract the Silver Fox’s most annoying pawn, who had somehow managed to survive all their hurled sticks. Whether with honey or vinegar, Alex knew those gods would be happy with anything that got him permanently out of their hair.
Alex chuckled softly.
Fat chance of that ever happening.
Then he shook his head free of all distraction, focusing on what truly mattered, and knowing that he’d end up using yet another priceless Silver Soul Stone.
He could only hope that investing not just one but two Silver Soul Stones into his divine ring would more than pay for itself in the long run, next taking a careful study of all the ways he could improve his library.
At first, he felt nothing but frustration, feeling so limited with the tier limitations in place, refusing to waste Divine or Gold Soul Stones, priceless as those were, on what was, for now, a storage ring and a way to shelter himself from the madness of the outer world, and little more.
Then he blinked, his heart racing as he carefully took in the message flashing in his mind’s eye while studying the library’s options.
Absolutely free of any and all restrictions, so long as he had the points to pay for his prizes.
Thanks to WiFu, he already had not one, but three Divine tomes stored in his library.
Tomes he himself had forged into being.
Tomes that superseded all limitations that would normally affect this single element of his palace.
Alex flashed the gleeful smile of a gamer who had just found the ultimate hack to their game, eager to exploit it for maximum advantage before any moderator or force could take that edge away.
He didn’t hesitate for even a second, pulling up his interface and making his choices.
You have invested 1 Rank 7 Silver Soul Stone into your Eternal Palace! You now have 21 Ranks (+2 free library ranks: gift of your patron) to invest in your Eternal Palace! 2 Basic Ranks have been shifted to Chamber of Doors! (You may now forge three stationary doors between this ring’s realm and any two locations you have physically been to that you alone may make use of. Further Ranks will increase this number. Additional Ranks can also be used to modify the properties of said doors.)
2 Points (Free) – You have unlocked a hidden boon from your patron! Your library is now a magnificent multistory affair stocked with every book you have ever read, and the potential to store countless additional volumes! (Save for manuals you yourself forge into being, all volumes exist solely in this dimensional plane.)
1 additional point spent. You can claim for your library any mundane tome you have ever touched! Your Library has just quintupled in size!
But that wasn’t all he could do with his library, he thought, investing ten more points for powers that should have been utterly beyond him.
2 additional points spent. Your library benefits from the Imprint boon! You may now claim for your library any cultivation manual of Bronze or Silver that you so much as run your finger across, its Qi resonance instantly mirrored within your Eternal Palace! Note: these tomes cannot be taken out of your Eternal Palace, though their secrets may be studied and copied by yourself or worthy disciples.
3 additional points spent! You possess 3 Divine tomes you yourself forged into being! Imprint perk limitations have been transcended! Imprint power now works on all tomes of Gold, Jade, and Divine Rank! Any tome you can touch, you can claim a perfect copy of!
2 additional points spent! Your library now has the Spirit Forger perk! You now have significant bonuses to forging any work of fact, fiction, or cultivation manual of Silver or lower! All resources are automatically provided! You have +2 to all rolls to forge pristine copies of your work and +2 to all rolls to save versus failure (and a damaged foundation)!
3 additional points spent! You possess 3 Divine Tomes you yourself forged into being! Spirit Forger perk limitations have been transcended! You may now forge into being any cultivation manual of Divine Rank or lower! All resources are automatically provided! You now have +5 to all rolls to forge pristine copies of your work and save versus catastrophic failure (and absolute destruction)!
You have spent 5 points securing Silver dining facilities capable of feeding you and up to 100 of your closest friends the finest meals to be found on Earth, the Golden Realms, or any other mortal realm! Any savory or sweet treat you’ve ever seen in the finest restaurants or the busiest night markets will be prepared for your pleasure in mere minutes! Enjoy the most glorious and exquisite meals you can imagine, so perfectly-made that they would make a Michelin star restaurateur green with envy! You will enjoy a +1 bonus to all skill rolls and stat checks for a full 24 hours after eating food so infused with spiritual essence, it’s as if you benefited from two free hours of daily cultivation!
You have spent 5 points securing Silver sleeping quarters for you and up to 100 of your closest friends! With baths, saunas, and steam rooms all attached to your bedroom, in addition to wardrobes that will automatically mend and clean all armaments and attire and the most comfortable beds to be found anywhere, you and your guests will enjoy amenities that would make even Yidushian nobles jealous!
No matter your mental state, the moment your head hits the pillow, all worries will melt away! The moment you wish it, you will fall into perfect sleep and will wake up utterly refreshed with +1 to all alertness checks and +1 to all skill checks the next day! You enjoy the equivalent of two free hours of cultivation in your sleep, and you require two hours less sleep than normal!
Any inju
ries or illnesses heal at four-fold the normal rate, and guests enjoy a +4 to all Vitality checks to recover from all ailments of all origins. (And nighttime stamina checks!)
Library synergism detected! Your bedrooms have studies with magical quills, unlimited blank tomes, and sheets of vellum! A perfect copy of whatever tome you desire to read or study that your library contains will be brought to you with a single ring of the crystal bell provided!
Dining Room synergism detected! Your room’s luxurious study can have whatever meal you dream up delivered to you with a single ring of the silver bell provided!
Garden synergism detected! Each bedroom overlooks the endless vistas of your garden! Each room has an enclosed patio with a hammock you may rest upon for full benefits. You may open the windows at any time, should you wish to savor the nighttime sounds and scents of your garden! (Note: opening the windows will effectively alter the spiritual energy of your room to that of your garden. Your garden enjoys Silver-ranked spiritual energy. No hostile beings are permitted within your sanctuaries without your express consent.)
Note. Cost of Endless Dream has just been reduced to zero! A new free perk is available! You have declined the perks of Endless Dream and Midnight Mistress for all your rooms for zero cost! You may claim these free perks at any time. Your patron’s siblings certainly hope you will!
You have invested 21 + 2 free points into your Divine Palace. Congratulations on forging your masterpiece! Significant experience (or Grand beast cores or Gold or better Soul Stones) will be needed to facilitate further improvements!
Alex took a deep breath, opening his eyes, stunned by the magnificent palace now before him. It was an awe-inspiring profusion of grand golden domes, soaring pagodas, and sparkling minarets; a fusion of half a dozen architectural styles that somehow melded perfectly together into one glorious unified whole.
Alex fell to his knees, truly shaken to realize this priceless wonder was well and truly his.
Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior Redeemed: A LitRPG/Wuxian Novel - Book 5 Page 40
