Chapter 123: Heading To The Golden Plain
Florera said she could teach Xilutiya “Aromatherapy,” which made the maiden somewhat tempted, but she currently had only one remaining 【Ability Slot】. If she learned “Aromatherapy” and then wanted to learn others, it wouldn’t work.
That said, Xilutiya quickly thought of another solution: learn it first, then forget the ability after learning it. If needed later, she could relearn it anytime.
The last time she fell into the Shadow World, it was a similar situation. The “Flower Blooming Technique” was twisted, eroded, and shattered, but afterward she quickly relearned it without taking much time.
However, this method might only work for her. Others either lacked the time and energy to learn multiple abilities, or even if they relearned, they wouldn’t be as fast as her.
“Then thank you, Florera.” After deciding, Xilutiya expressed thanks.
Afterward, the two went to dine together, then returned to discuss learning “Aromatherapy.”
“Aromatherapy is a secret art unique to my homeland. Few people on the Fourth Continent should know it,” Florera introduced.
“This is an ability that uses the fragrance of aromatic plants to soothe mental fatigue and tension, with additional detoxifying and healing effects.”
“Compared to other treatment abilities, its effect is somewhat weaker, but the advantage is that it can be used over a large area, covering an entire area, and the effect is gentle with few side effects.”
After a simple introduction, Florera took out a small bottle of Aromatic Essential Oil and handed it to Xilutiya to look at.
“This is the essential Aromatic Essential Oil needed to perform ‘Aromatherapy.’ You can prepare it yourself later, just like the Flower Blooming Technique. The specific effect of Aromatherapy depends on the various Aromatic Essential Oils you use.”
【Aromatic Essential Oil（Clove）】（First Order·Emerald Honey）: The fragrance can soothe mental fatigue and bring Peace to the mind.
She uncorked the bottle, and a faint glow flowed in her eyes. A gentle breeze carrying fragrance blew toward the entire room.
Invisible floral scent spread, instantly clearing Xilutiya’s mind somewhat after browsing stalls all day, and the original fatigue on her body was also alleviated a bit.
Just like how the “Flower Blooming Technique” amplifies the effects of flowers, “Aromatherapy” also amplifies the originally weak effects of Aromatic Essential Oil, increasing them several times.
This actually shared some similarities with the “Flower Blooming Technique,” the maiden thought, but the Flower Blooming Technique could drive flower effects over a wider range, while the Essential Oil needed for Aromatherapy could also obtain higher quality and effects through Alchemy refining methods.
The two still had many differences in certain aspects.
In the following days, Xilutiya followed Florera to learn “Aromatherapy,” then returned to practice on her own.
Around the sixth day, she felt she had preliminarily mastered this ability and could condense it into an Ability Card and embed it into the Fate Plate at any time. But after Madam Fran’s previous experience, she became a bit more cautious to avoid standing out too much.
“How long did it take you to learn it back then, Florera?” Xilutiya inquired while the two ate dinner together.
“It took me about a month or so. Mother said I learned very quickly,” Florera happily recounted.
“I see. I have some insights now too, but I’m still a little short of fully mastering it.” It was indeed only “a little” time away.
“No rush, Tiya. It’s still nearly a month until the Woodland, so you’ll definitely learn it,” Florera nodded.
After preliminarily mastering it, Xilutiya no longer needed to follow Florera every day to learn. The two shifted their attention to other things.
One day, Aideqin found Xilutiya.
“The Camel Building is about to arrive at the Merchant Capital Union. Xilutiya, do you have any things you need to purchase? You can make a list for me, and I’ll report it together with the others to Teacher then.”
“Purchasing things…” She thought about it and didn’t seem to need anything special.
“I don’t lack Daily Necessities at the moment. As for others, I don’t know if Senior has any suggestions.”
Aideqin picked up the Teacup and boldly drank half of the Tea Water, then spoke.
“If there’s nothing particularly needed, then buy some Seeds. I remember you’re on the Gardener path.”
“It’s troublesome to suddenly decide what Seeds to buy. Give me 50 Gold Coins, and I’ll have the local Gardener Guild prepare a full set of local Seeds for you directly.”
“Okay, then thank you, Senior.” Xilutiya returned to her Room, took out 50 Gold Coins, and handed them to Aideqin.
Seeing her decide so straightforwardly, Aideqin was in a good mood. He disliked girls who hesitated, asked left and right, and kept going back and forth.
“I’ve received the Gold Coins. About Half a Month later, the unified purchases will be complete, and they’ll be delivered to you.” After speaking, he finished the remaining half cup of Tea Water, stood up again, and left to notify the next Student.
Three days later, this mountain-like mysterious camel stopped, and Xilutiya could finally see the scenery outside the window clearly.
They were now stopped at a mountain city by Meteor Lake. The vast Meteor Lake had deep blue waters stretching for thousands of miles, with no end in sight for the moment. The hills by the lake undulated, and a city was built halfway up the mountain in a semicircular crescent shape. Downward toward the water-mountain junction, there was a Port with many “great ships” docked inside. People came and went from time to time, transporting Goods.
To reduce unnecessary trouble and prevent Students from getting lost or being hard to manage, the Students inside the Camel Building couldn’t go out now and could only wait inside. Moreover, only Students who obtained the Badge could specify purchase items.
Ten days later, the first batch of daily necessities was delivered. The Dining Room and Shop inside the Camel Building had fresh Ingredients and Goods, and many Students began browsing the Shop to buy Daily Necessities.
Afterward, new Goods were supplemented every three days, until twenty days later.
“Yes, put these three boxes in the Warehouse first.” A Camel Building staff member directed, having three 2m x 2m large boxes transported onto the Camel Building and placed in the lower-level Warehouse.
He flipped through the Booklet in his hand, ticked off one line, then took out a paper strip, stuck it on the box, with “Student ‘Xilutiya’; Layer 3 Room 22” written on it.
“This one’s ready.” Then he waved, having another box sent over.
This box contained a huge Glass tank, inside which several orange-to-blue gradient Great Fish with iridescent Scales swam continuously.
“Bluefin Silver Spear Fish. These big shots’ requests are really odd, but it’s prepared.” He ticked off another line in the Booklet.
Inside the Camel Building, many Students were summoned and gathered in the central Hall of several floors, including the one Xilutiya was on.
At the final stop, she finally saw all the Badge-holding Students on her floor.
A total of 19 people, each with distinct styles.
Among them were the familiar Elf maiden Florera, the blue windcoat Young Man Aideqin who guided her, and many others she hadn’t seen before. Nearly half were Noble-born, wearing Formal Dresses or elaborate beautiful garments, while the other half wore relatively plain clothing.
Some were wrapped in black long robes, some wore masks, some donned Armor with face coverings, some wore loose Flax clothes and carried crude Curved Sabers, some covered their faces with veils exposing a long leg adorned with a golden Ring binding the thigh curve, and some wore Fur short jackets like mountain wildfolk, which was astonishing.
After waiting a few minutes, the black-clothed middle-aged man Xilutiya had seen briefly when she first entered the Camel Building appeared again. He held a Thick-shelled Book under his arm, opened it, and the Paper Pages flipped rapidly, verifying and matching the faces of each Student in the Hall.
“No need for much idle talk. Tomorrow, the Camel Building we’re in will depart for the Woodland,” he said, his gaze sweeping over everyone to confirm they were all listening attentively.
“Secluded Forest is a general term. In fact, we have many bases in the Shadow World, and these bases are also built mutually by various organizations in the Woodland.”
“Organizations that contribute more naturally have more permissions and Resources in that base, and different organizational styles also cause differences in the base’s style.”
After speaking, he opened the end of the Book, and a Paper Page floated out, quickly enlarging like a movie screen in mid-air, showing a vague outline of the Southern Continent, though the background was gray.
On this gray Shadow Continent, dots of various sizes were marked, each with small text explanations behind.
“Students heading to the Woodland will be assigned to different bases. For fairness, as the most Excellent members, you cannot choose the same base and must be separated.”
“If all geniuses went to the same base, firstly resources wouldn’t suffice, and secondly it would be unfair to other organizations, because the Woodland’s operation requires joint efforts from many organizations and cannot overly favor one side.” After a simple explanation, seeing no doubts among the present Students, he nodded and continued.
“I will recommend suitable bases based on your different strengths, for you to choose.” After speaking, his finger swiped over the Book again, and Paper Pages floated up, flying to each Student.
“Classmate Xilutiya, you excel in gardening, with 【Emerald Honey】 Nature, possessing ‘Flower Blooming Technique,’ ‘Breathing Technique,’ and other abilities. Recommended bases for you are as follows—”
【Demon Blood Forest】
Dangerous Border base, frequently invaded by Twisted Monsters.
Hundreds of years ago, “Blood Thorn Garden” sent personnel here to plant large numbers of Demon Blood Magic Trees, which can strangle intruding forest Monsters and absorb their flesh and blood to condense “Blood Red Fruit.” “Wildfire Sect” members are often stationed here, excelling in killing techniques of “Blood Law” Nature, along with Beast Tamer school “Fangs Forest Garden,” who are adept at nurturing powerful beasts to assist in combat.
If going to this base, you can access secret art Inheritances from “Blood Thorn Garden（Blood Law·Emerald Honey）,” “Wildfire Sect（Blood Law·Beast Fangs）,” “Fangs Forest Garden（Beast Fangs·Emerald Honey）”—these three organizations. Due to the base’s danger, annual supplies are doubled, and it’s easy to earn high Points returns.
——
【Golden Plain】
Stable plain hinterland, rarely attacked by Twisted Monsters. It’s a major grain source for the Woodland, and “Golden Wheat” is also planted here for metal refining.
Organizations stationed here include “Four Seasons Alliance,” “Forging Gold Hammer,” “Holy White Knights Hall.” The “Four Seasons Alliance” branch here excels in nurturing Grain Crops and exotic metal products. “Forging Gold Hammer” craftsmen forge many Weapons and Armor here. Many Young Knight Attendants of “Holy White Knights Hall” also train here. It’s a top-ten Population base, with many small organizations also stationed here.
If going to this base, you can access secret art Inheritances from “Four Seasons Alliance（Blazing Sun·Emerald Honey）,” “Forging Gold Hammer（Golden Steam·Castle）,” “Holy White Knights Hall（Castle·Blazing Sun）.” Due to its core hinterland location with stable environment and excessive residents, annual supplies are reduced by 30%.
——
【Glow Mushroom Cavern】
Remote underground cavern, often encountering tricky Monsters. Various fluorescent Mushrooms and fungi are everywhere, and it also produces Gemstones and some metals.
Many “Nightmare Tea Party” members are stationed here, collecting local fungi as Magic Potion materials to prepare Potions and temper bizarre abilities. “White Bone Cemetery” raises many Bone creatures in the cavern for mining ores. Alchemy school “Rainbow Glazed Bottle” also has many members permanently stationed here, using local products to make Alchemy Crafted Items.
If going to this base, you can access secret art Inheritances from “Nightmare Tea Party（Mist Shadow·Nightmare）,” “White Bone Cemetery（Death Ash·Snail Fish）,” “Rainbow Glazed Bottle（Brilliant Moon·Golden Steam）.” Due to its underground location and poor environment, annual supplies increase by 50%.
——
At “First Order,” Students cannot change bases. Upon entering Second Order, you can spend Points to change bases.
Her gaze swept over these three choices, and Xilutiya gradually formed an idea in her mind. She decided to go to 【Golden Plain】 first in the early stage, learn there for a while, gain Experience, accumulate Strength, and then go to the other two places after reaching Second Order.
After all, Madam Fran had joined an peripheral organization of the “Four Seasons Alliance,” so it wouldn’t make sense if she didn’t go take a look.
