By sunset, Lin Chen realized one thing.
Having a sentient radish was not a small problem.
It was a management problem.
The Spirit Radish—now unofficially named Little Green by popular vote (Lin Chen voted against it and still lost)—was everywhere.
Everywhere.
Su Ming practiced sword forms.
Little Green practiced next to him.
Badly.
Thump. Thump.
It mimicked slashing motions with its root-arms, nearly toppling over each time.
"Senior Brother," Li Yue whispered nervously, "the radish is learning faster than Zhao Feng did."
Zhao Feng crossed his arms. "I had a learning curve."
The radish nodded sympathetically at him.
Zhao Feng felt personally attacked.
---
Lin Chen sat on his Sect Master Throne, staring at the system panel like it had personally betrayed him.
> Sect Status Update:
Disciples: 6
Mascots: 1
Authority: Questioned
Vegetables: Unionizing (Potential)
"…Unionizing?" Lin Chen muttered.
> System Clarification:
Spirit Crop Awareness Increasing
Lin Chen closed the panel.
"No. Absolutely not."
---
Things escalated during dinner.
Li Yue placed bowls of spirit rice on the table.
Little Green climbed onto a stool and stared at the food.
Then it stared at Lin Chen.
Then it pushed its empty bowl forward.
Tap.
"…It wants dinner," Zhao Feng said weakly.
Lin Chen stared back at the radish.
"You are," Lin Chen said carefully, "food-adjacent."
Little Green tilted its leafy head.
Then—
It slid a second glowing bead across the table.
> Vegetable Essence (Low Grade) x1
Lin Chen paused.
"…It's paying again."
Su Ming nodded solemnly. "Master, it understands contribution."
Zhao Feng whispered, "Master… it's more reliable than me."
Lin Chen waved his hand. "Everyone eats."
The radish cheered.
Which sounded like a very enthusiastic rustling.
---
Later that night, Lin Chen caught Zhao Feng kneeling in front of Little Green.
"What are you doing?" Lin Chen asked.
Zhao Feng jumped. "M-Master! I was just asking it for cultivation advice!"
The radish struck a profound pose.
Lin Chen rubbed his face.
"This is getting out of control."
> Sect Myth Expansion:
Spirit Radish Sage (Unofficial Title)
Propagation Rate: Concerning
---
The next morning, visitors arrived.
Two wandering cultivators stood at the gate, whispering excitedly.
"I heard this sect has a spirit beast elder."
"Yes, yes! A green one!"
Lin Chen stepped forward calmly.
"We do not," he said firmly.
Behind him, Little Green waved.
Both cultivators bowed deeply.
"Senior Radish!"
Lin Chen closed his eyes.
---
The system chimed.
> Unexpected Benefit Triggered:
Sect Fame Spike (Absurd Category)
Result: Increased Recruitment Curiosity
Side Effect: Reputation Permanently Altered
Lin Chen sighed deeply.
"So be it."
He looked down at Little Green.
"Listen carefully," Lin Chen said. "You are not an elder."
The radish nodded.
"You are not a disciple."
The radish nodded again.
"You are not allowed to teach cultivation."
The radish paused.
Then nodded very slowly.
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes. "You're lying."
The radish bowed apologetically.
---
That afternoon, Lin Chen felt another familiar warmth.
> Sect Resonance Feedback:
Cultivation Progress: Qi Refinement Peak 5 → 6
He froze.
"…I'm breaking through because of a radish."
Su Ming smiled proudly. "Master, the sect prospers in many forms."
Zhao Feng raised his hand. "Does this mean… if we grow cucumbers, we'll reach Core Formation?"
Lin Chen stood up abruptly.
"No."
He pointed at the farm.
"We draw the line at sentient cucumbers."
Little Green saluted.
The wind rustled.
The disciples laughed.
And somewhere in the cultivation world, rumors spread:
Azure Cloud Sect was powerful.
Azure Cloud Sect was strange.
And Azure Cloud Sect—
Had a radish that might one day demand a seat at the council.