Chapter 17: Visiting Scholar Heide
Xilutiya’s life began to become exceptionally regular.
In the morning, she focused on practicing the Dew Prayer Method, then read the books Mailin found for her. In the afternoon, she practiced swordsmanship and the Breathing Technique, and during this time, she also watered the newly planted Swan Orchids in the yard.
In this way, she gradually settled down, and everything was progressing in an orderly manner.
……
More than a week later, Xilutiya finally completed her study of the Dew Prayer Method.
【Dew Prayer Method Lv.1】（Emerald Honey）: Gather the morning mist in the dawn light, transform emerald dew into water. （Emerald Dew Water can promote plant growth, as well as nurture plants）
Now she had also entered the entry level, she breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the one-third bottle of Emerald Dew Water still remaining in her hand.
If she hadn’t learned the Dew Prayer Method by the time this bottle was used up, she wouldn’t have the money to buy a second bottle.
Now she should be able to be self-sufficient, and perhaps even have extra Emerald Dew Water to sell to the Gardener Guild.
Just as Xilutiya decided to rest and relax for a day, Winnie’s notice also arrived.
In the afternoon, Talil led Xilutiya walking on the streets of the West City District, then pointed to a mansion in the distance and told the maiden.
“Do you see that place, Tiya?”
“That is Scholar Heide’s home. Sister said she had already arranged it with Scholar Heide a few days ago. Today, you just need to go meet Scholar Heide. He will probably give you a simple assessment. If you pass, you can then study under Scholar Heide.”
“I understand.” She took a deep breath, adjusting the slight nervousness in her heart.
Logically speaking, her current knowledge surpassed most people her age, so she shouldn’t be afraid of the assessment. But no matter what, this was Xilutiya’s most crucial assessment at present, just like her first interview right after graduation back then.
“Let’s go.” After adjusting her mindset and breathing, the maiden walked toward the mansion.
She knocked on the door, was led by the servant, walked across the grassland in the front yard, and Xilutiya arrived at the side hall of the mansion to wait.
Today, she was wearing that plain white dress, her soft hair also tied neatly with a cornflower hairband, showing the maiden’s serenity and beauty. Merely standing there, she was like a beautiful painting.
Soon, Scholar Heide and the old servant came to the side hall together. Today, he was wearing a scholar’s robe, giving a sense of formality and kindness.
Upon seeing Xilutiya, he slightly raised his round reading glasses, then sat on a separate sofa.
“Sit down, child.” He gestured with his hand, letting Xilutiya also sit.
“This is our first meeting. What is your name?”
“My name is Xilutiya.” The maiden curtsied with dignified poise, then sat down, her actions and temperament nearly perfect.
“Xilutiya…” Scholar Heide murmured the name, as if searching for related information in his memory.
“A very good child.” He nodded slightly, revealing a kind smile.
“Lessons will start from next Monday, five days a week thereafter. If you encounter any difficulties, you can also talk to me.”
Huh? The maiden was a bit surprised. Wasn’t there supposed to be a test?
“We still have plenty of time today, so let’s chat idly about your recent situation.” Scholar Heide let the maiden not hurry to leave.
“Winnie told me that you forgot many things from your past and want to recover through cultivating transcendent natures. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Hehe, no need to be too restrained. Let’s continue. If it’s amnesia due to nature power, it’s most likely influenced by Mist Shadow or Nightmare natures.” He recalled what he had learned in this lifetime.
“To recover, the most suitable for you should be cultivating Brilliant Moon nature power, but the Brilliant Moon nature…” He paused for a moment.
“Taking this path will be quite troublesome to learn.” He remarked thoughtfully.
“Why is that?” Xilutiya tilted her head slightly in curiosity.
“The nature powers that ordinary people contact the most are Castle and Blood Law, followed by Beast Fangs and Emerald Honey ones.”
“These nature powers are all nature powers with physical embodiments, so they are relatively simple to contact and sense, and easy to cultivate.”
“The three moon attribute natures are different. These three lean toward the mental level, that is, insubstantial, ethereal, dream-like existences. Among them, Mist Shadow still has traces to follow, while Brilliant Moon is like the bright moon hanging high in the night sky, distant and hard to touch.”
“Resources related to Brilliant Moon nature are scarce, leading to transcendents mainly using Brilliant Moon nature being exceptionally rare.”
“But Brilliant Moon is still revered by people. It is one of the top three natures among the many natures.”
“Looking at you, you probably don’t know about the top three natures. This is actually a classification within transcendents, not that these three are absolutely powerful, but compared to other nature powers of the same rank, they are often more comprehensive and dominant.”
“Blazing Sun, Brilliant Moon, Dragon Eye—these three are the top three natures.”
“In the Regas Kingdom, transcendents skilled in Brilliant Moon nature power can be counted on one hand. If you want to take this path, you need very high talent.” Although this maiden appeared to have excellent temperament, no one could guarantee she also had exceptional talent in cultivating transcendent nature power.
“If it’s really not feasible, you can also try cultivating the Emerald Honey nature path…”
“Emerald Honey cannot directly reach Brilliant Moon, but Silver Moon Orchid, which contains Brilliant Moon nature power, can be nurtured. If you truly become a master in the related field, you can obtain high-rank Brilliant Moon nature power through this indirect method, then find a skilled apothecary to brew a potion for you, recreating your past memories.”
“Thank you, Teacher.”
The maiden bowed in thanks, feeling respect for this old man. No wonder he was the acknowledged master scholar of Jiaoshi City; he so easily sorted out the problems she would face.
“Alright, let’s not talk about things that are too distant today.” He waved his hand, letting the maiden sit down again.
“What abilities and skills do you know now? Perhaps I can help you organize and guide you.”
“I currently know the Breathing Technique and the Dew Prayer Method.” The maiden spoke of her experiences learning during this period.
“How long did it take you to learn the Dew Prayer Method?”
“One week’s time.” Hearing this, Scholar Heide nodded, his expression showing considerable appreciation.
“Learning this must have cost quite a bit of money. I recall that cultivating the Dew Prayer Method has always been a luxurious matter, so there are very few professional gardeners in Jiaoshi City.”
“That… isn’t Emerald Dew Water available for purchase at the Gardener Guild?” Xilutiya asked hesitantly.
“Ah, that Emerald Dew Water is for hastening flowers and grass, generally diluted? For cultivation, it won’t work because the nature power is too weak.” Scholar Heide shook his head.
“Generally, Emerald Dew Water with over 70% concentration is needed, but that kind of Emerald Dew Water requires advancing the Dew Prayer Method to the second stage to condense, and the price is also quite expensive.”
Is that so? Xilutiya recalled her recent study of the Dew Prayer Method. Indeed, in the early stage, sensing that faint Emerald Honey nature was very laborious. She spent quite some time gradually familiarizing herself with that feeling before condensing the first drop of Emerald Dew Water.
“It seems you also met a benefactor who sponsored the Emerald Dew Water you needed in the early stage.” Scholar Heide stroked his beard. It was actually easy to understand; looking at this maiden’s appearance and personality, anyone with eyes could see she was promising material and wouldn’t be too stingy.
“I have quite a few books related to gardening here. In the future, when you have time, you can borrow and read them.” In this world, books are exceptionally expensive. Being able to borrow books is, in a sense, obtaining a large amount of wealth for free.
“Thank you, Scholar Heide.”
“No, you should call me Teacher now.”
“Sorry, thank you, Teacher Heide.” The maiden bowed in thanks, and the old man opposite also smiled.
Afterward, the two chatted about the recent situation in Jiaoshi City. Scholar Heide occasionally asked Xilutiya’s views on some matters, as well as on economy, customs, and even minor management issues. With this maiden’s responses, Scholar Heide’s expression became increasingly satisfied, and their pleasant conversation continued until dusk.
“Oh, is it dinner time already?” Scholar Heide looked up and saw the colorful clouds outside the window.
“Manson, prepare dinner, make it as sumptuous as possible to entertain Tiya.”
“Yes, Lord.” This old servant left the room upon hearing, and began preparations.
In the time after, Scholar Heide let the maiden stroll and rest in the yard, no need to continue chatting idly with him.
After leaving the side hall, Xilutiya met Talil, who had been waiting for her for a long time.
“Tiya, what did Lord Heide say? You two talked for so long, almost the entire morning and afternoon, won’t your mouth get dry?” She grabbed the maiden’s shoulders, eyes full of curiosity.
“There was probably tea water, but that’s not important.” The two then strolled in the yard, looking at the flowers planted here.
……
“Sister used to study here too. Occasionally when I came to find her, I could see quite a few students her age.”
“Where are those students now?” The maiden was very curious at this moment.
“They… some are working in the city like my sister, others continued their studies and went to other cities for further training.”
“Anyway, to become a scholar, you need to learn many things, and have recommendations and approval from three formal scholars. That’s what I heard from sister.”
“Her grades at the time were mid-tier among her peers. Becoming a scholar like Grandpa Heide was a slim hope, so she didn’t continue further studies.”
“But sister said there were also a few younger classmates who were still on the path of learning and went to other places.”
……
At night, Xilutiya and Talil sat at the dining table, having dinner with Scholar Heide. Today’s delicacy was Honey Wine Stewed Wild Boar Meat, with black bread and dipping sauce as staples.
A rare delicacy. If Xilutiya and Talil ate out by themselves, it would probably cost 2 silver coins.
After the meal, the two bid farewell to Scholar Heide, and the maiden also prepared for her future study and life.
