The morning air in Jalpura was no longer the same. Ever since the Lunar Sentinel had fully bloomed in Han's field, a strange, sweet fragrance—like a mix of jasmine and cold iron—clung to the village. The soil around Han's plot had turned a rich, dark purple, and the ordinary potatoes were growing at a rate that defied nature.
Han stood at the edge of his field, his arms crossed. He could feel the connection between himself and the land growing stronger. Every time he breathed, he felt the pulse of the Earth-God's legacy beneath his feet.
[System Status: Farm Authority – Level 1 (Growing)]
[Active Aura: Lunar Shield – Protecting the Sentinel from minor pests.]
But Han wasn't looking at his crops. He was looking at the dirt road leading into the village. A cloud of dust was rising in the distance, and the rhythmic sound of horse hooves broke the morning silence. This wasn't a farmer's cart. This was something else.
Three black horses, sleek and expensive, came to a halt in front of Han's humble fence. The riders wore silk robes embroidered with silver thread—the mark of the Iron-Leaf Merchant Guild, the most powerful and ruthless trading house in the province.
The leader, a thin man with sharp, fox-like eyes named Master Lin, looked down at Han with a cold, condescending smile. He didn't even bother to dismount.
"So, the rumors were true," Master Lin whispered, his eyes locked onto the shimmering silver leaves of the Lunar Sentinel. "A lowly peasant in a backwater village actually managed to grow a Spirit-Grade plant."
Han stepped forward, his heart hammering against his ribs, but his voice remained steady. "This land is mine, and these crops are not for sale, Master Lin."
Master Lin laughed, a dry, rasping sound. "Everything has a price, boy. I am offering you five hundred gold coins for this entire plot. That's more money than your family has seen in ten generations. Sign this deed, and you can leave this dirt behind."
He threw a parchment toward Han's feet. Han didn't even look at it. He knew that if he sold this land, he wasn't just selling potatoes; he was selling the legacy his father had protected and the divinity the System had gifted him.
"I said no," Han repeated, his silver eyes flashing with a sudden, hidden intensity.
The air around Han suddenly grew cold. The Lunar Sentinel behind him seemed to respond to his anger, its leaves vibrating with a low, metallic ring. Master Lin's horse recoiled, nearly throwing him off.
Master Lin's smile vanished, replaced by a dark scowl. "You think a bit of luck makes you a master? You have no idea what kind of powers you are playing with. If you won't sell... then the Iron-Leaf Guild will simply wait for you to fail. And when you do, we will take everything."
With a sharp pull on his reins, Master Lin turned his horse and galloped away, his two guards following close behind.
Han watched them disappear, but he knew this was just the beginning. The System's warning from earlier flashed in his mind.
[Quest Update: The Jealous Eye.]
[Warning: The Iron-Leaf Guild has marked your farm. Defenses required.]
"Host," the System's cold voice echoed. "To protect the Lunar Sentinel, you must now unlock the first 'Spirit-Trap'. You need to gather the essence of the nocturnal beasts from the forest tonight".
Han looked at the setting sun. He had saved his crop from the drought, but now he had to protect it from the greed of men. He picked up his rusted shovel, but in his hands, it felt as heavy and powerful as a warrior's spear.
The peace of Jalpura was gone. The war for the Eternal Harvest had begun.
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