Cultivation in the Pirate's World

The sun hung high over Azure Reef as Xiao Yan sat cross-legged in the small boat, examining a cluster of pale, translucent herbs they'd discovered in one of the deeper coral formations. The plants seemed to pulse with vitality, their roots still trailing traces of the mineral-rich water they'd grown in.

"These are remarkable," he murmured, studying the way light passed through the leaves. "The coral's nutrients have altered their properties significantly."

Uta, who sat nearby watching Xiaojin chase particularly colorful fish, turned with interest. "Are they special?"

"More than special," Xiao Yan replied. "These herbs, combined with others we found... they could enhance one's very essence." He didn't mention that in his world, such herbs were crucial components of the Marrow Washing Pill, a powerful aid in cultivation.

Lucky Roux, busy with his endless snacking, looked up. "Enhancement? Like making someone stronger?"

"In a way," Xiao Yan said carefully. "Though the process is... complex."

As the others continued their exploration of a nearby coral formation, Xiao Yan retrieved the spiritual bead he'd received from the island's guardian. Within its space, he'd already established a small garden using soil and spring water from his original island.

However, as he prepared to transfer the herbs into this space, he felt something unusual. The spiritual bead seemed to resonate with his golden core, as if responding to the concentrated qi in his dantian.

"Interesting," he murmured, closing his eyes to examine this phenomenon more closely. The bead's energy signature matched the refined qi of his core perfectly, suggesting...

A splash interrupted his contemplation as Xiaolong surfaced, carrying what appeared to be more specimens in his mouth. The dragon's eyes gleamed with pride at his discovery.

"Well done," Xiao Yan acknowledged, accepting the dripping plants. These too held promise – their properties would complement the others perfectly.

When the others were distracted by a particularly large school of fish that Xiaojin had startled, Xiao Yan took the opportunity to experiment. Instead of storing the bead externally, he carefully guided it toward his dantian, where his golden core resided.

The response was immediate. The bead merged seamlessly with his core, its space becoming more accessible, more intimately connected to his consciousness. The garden within seemed to thrive even more under the direct influence of his refined qi.

"A true masterpiece of craft," he mused. The guardian snake had given him something far more valuable than he'd initially realized.

"Xiao Yan!" Uta's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Look what we found!"

She held up several shells that seemed to capture and reflect light in unusual ways. Beautiful, but his attention was more focused on the bed of herbs growing near where she'd found them.

Throughout the day, they discovered more treasures hidden among the coral – plants that thrived in the unique conditions of the reef. Each finding brought Xiao Yan closer to having all the components he would need.

"The reef provides well," he commented as they loaded the last of their specimens into the boat. Many would go into normal storage, but the most precious specimens would find their way into the garden within his core, where they could be properly nurtured.

Xiaojin landed on the boat's prow, its feathers slightly damp from diving after particularly interesting plants. The phoenix had shown unusual interest in their gathering, perhaps sensing the potential in what they'd found.

"Time to find the captain," Lucky Roux suggested, looking at the sun's position. "Though knowing him, he's probably—"

A distant explosion interrupted him, followed by Shanks' distinctive laughter echoing across the reef.

"—getting into trouble," Lucky Roux finished with a grin.

As they turned their boat toward the sound, Xiao Yan allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. The day's discoveries would prove more valuable than any of them realized. Within the garden space now merged with his core, precious herbs already took root, the first steps toward creating something truly remarkable.

Uta started singing a cheerful melody about their adventures, while Xiaolong provided percussion with carefully controlled thunder. Even Xiao Gui, who had spent most of the day testing whether coral was edible (it wasn't), seemed pleased with their expedition.

The spiritual bead's new location in his dantian felt natural, as if it had always belonged there. Another gift from his mysterious island, proving its value in unexpected ways.

"Shall we see what chaos the captain has managed to find?" he suggested, guiding their boat through the coral passages.

Behind them, the reef's blue waters held their secrets, having provided exactly what was needed – though perhaps not in the way anyone had expected.