Chapter 44: Path Of Advancement
“Do you want to ask about advancement?”
After the morning classes ended, Xilutiya came alone to the study room to inquire with Scholar Heide.
“Yes, Teacher. If I cultivate a First Order Nature plant, can I use it to advance?” the maiden asked curiously.
“Of course. This is the achievement and advancement method that gardeners are most proud of,” Scholar Heide said with a smile, stroking his beard.
“It’s not just advancement. You can also gain part of that plant’s ability. For example, in Viscount Xue Feng’s Mansion, there is a gardener who advanced using ‘Sickle Thorn Vine’. When he grips the rattan whip of the ‘Sickle Thorn Vine’, he can command it like his own arm, and it grows sharp, poisonous thorns.”
“Ordinary First Order adventurers facing him are not necessarily his opponents.”
“Previously, I also saw a gardener who advanced using ‘white narcissus’. Because the white narcissus with condensed Nature has the ability to release cold air, she also gained a similar ability.”
“Most First Order plants are Emerald Honey Nature, which can continue to advance upward. Many plants begin to show different characteristics and have different Nature Powers. In other words, gardeners are not all ‘Emerald Honey’ Nature,” Scholar Heide reminded.
“However, for gardeners, the Emerald Honey Nature class is indeed the most suitable for them.”
“Then, if I use a certain First Order Nature flower or grass when advancing, can I use other plants for the next advancement?” Xilutiya was worried about this. If she had to keep using Swan Orchid to advance, she would waste her Cornflower talent.
“This is not mandatory. It’s just that the ability gained from the previous Fate Card will dissipate and be lost,” Scholar Heide thought for a moment and answered.
“If your ‘ability’ has space available, you can transfer this part of the Nature Ability and turn it into an Ability Card, but compared to the original Fate effect, it will definitely be greatly reduced and weakened.”
“Master-level gardeners have various means to utilize the Extraordinary Plants they cultivate. Don’t worry, your past sweat and effort will not be in vain,” he dispelled the maiden’s doubts.
“I’ve talked for so long.” Scholar Heide picked up the teacup and moistened his throat.
“You must have achieved some results, right, Tiya?”
“It’s almost there, Teacher. I’ll definitely give you a surprise then.” Xilutiya put her hands behind her back and said playfully.
“Hehehe, then I’ll patiently look forward to it.”
“By the way, the one who gave you the seeds and book should be Madam Fran, right?” Scholar Heide remembered something.
“Yes, but I haven’t met her. Sister Mailin got the seeds and book for me instead.”
“Mm. When you succeed in cultivation, you can bring the results to visit that madam. Although she doesn’t like being disturbed by outsiders, for an excellent student like you, she won’t be stingy with rewards.”
“By the way, don’t dress so plainly when you go, hehe.” Scholar Heide’s mouth curved up.
“When you visit, remember to restore your hair to its original beautiful silver-snow sheen, change into a well-fitted and proper dress, dress up as prettily as possible, show your natural liveliness and cuteness, and that madam will definitely like you.”
“Sigh, do I have to do that too?” Xilutiya was puzzled.
“Of course. You wouldn’t think she’s just an ordinary noblewoman, would you? Even Viscount Xue Feng has to greet her in advance when visiting.”
“She’s one of the few Third Order Transcendents in Jiaoshi City, a truly great figure who has condensed the ‘gardener’ class.” At this point, Scholar Heide felt a bit emotional.
He had been stuck at Second Order his whole life, unable to advance further, so he could only envy those lucky ones.
“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Teacher.” The maiden placed the book in front of her and bowed in thanks.
Having such a teacher was truly her fortune.
……
Leaving Scholar Heide’s study room, Xilutiya went to the dining room for a meal.
“Tiya took so long to come. We’re almost done eating.” Komiya greeted her. Indeed, the plates in front of several people were empty.
“I was delayed a bit today.”
She sat down with a plate holding bread and clear water. At this time, Karen, Komiya, Mike, and Lei were all there.
Eating bread with clear water, a little while later, Xilutiya raised her head.
“Why is everyone looking at me?” The others had stopped chatting by now.
“Nothing, just looking at you.” Komiya covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.
“We were just chatting earlier that Tiya eats neither too fast nor too slow, very gracefully, and the others didn’t believe it.”
“This?” Xilutiya slowed her movements.
Actually, she hadn’t noticed this before. Now thinking back, some of her habitual actions in this life were indeed different from her previous life, paying more attention to etiquette and elegance.
Her family background was probably quite good before. But now, she wasn’t in a hurry to recover her memory. Her current life was also very good, wasn’t it?
Just let everything take its natural course. No need to trouble herself.
“I’m done eating.” She put a small piece of bread in her mouth, then drank the clear water from the cup, and the maiden announced softly.
“Good~”
After saying that, the others also picked up their plates and left with her, as if by tacit understanding, making Xilutiya, who was used to being alone, feel a bit happy.
It was probably the joy of being surrounded by everyone, the maiden thought.
This wasn’t bad either.
……
Arriving at the training ground, she helped sort out knowledge for them again. Today, her voice was especially light and cheerful, occasionally carrying the coquettishness unique to maidens, making their attention wander.
“Cough, that’s it for today. Let’s rest for a bit now.” She put down the small wooden club, now aware of the reason for their distraction.
She still couldn’t let loose too much, Xilutiya thought to herself while drinking clear water.
While they sat in the rest area chatting and relaxing, a figure entered the training ground, searching with her gaze, and soon found Xilutiya’s side.
“Why did Valenie come today?” Someone saw the passing figure.
“Doesn’t she always stay by Iona’s side? Iona didn’t come today, but she appeared alone.”
This girl with reddish-brown hair walked straight to the rest area, came in front of the seated Xilutiya, and extended her hand.
“Where’s your recent notebook? Hand it over.” Her voice was arrogant.
“The notebook…” Xilutiya looked away, considering whether to give it to her.
Before she could agree, Mike jumped up from the side and blocked in front of Xilutiya.
“Hey, Miss Valenie, that’s not how you ask for things from people.” He crossed his arms, his height towering over Valenie, pressuring her.
Facing this fierce-eyed boy closing in, Valenie stepped back, then covered her nose with her hand, as if unable to stand the sweat smell on Mike. In fact, Mike’s training hadn’t started today, and he hadn’t sweated.
“Who are you? What right do you have to block me? Don’t you know my identity?” Her father was Knight Leven, a Third Order Transcendent who could easily slay dozens with one sword.
Even Scholar Heide was only Second Order. As the daughter of Knight Leven, she indeed had pride and confidence, believing no one dared offend her.
Hearing this questioning, Mike panicked inwardly. As an adventurer, he knew better than anyone that each order of Transcendent Natures was a huge gap, and offending Valenie would have unpredictable consequences.
“I just can’t stand your behavior. Even borrowing things, at least explain the reason and when you’ll return it.” He took a deep breath and started reasoning.
“Heh, you think you’re worthy of lecturing me?” Valenie flicked her short hair and spoke disdainfully.
She reached out to push aside the blocking Mike, but he didn’t budge. Not just Mike, Lei also walked over now. His massive body merely approaching made Valenie feel the light above her head blocked.
Even without touching, the heat from his body temperature made Valenie step back a few paces, not wanting to get close.
“You too!” She was getting annoyed now.
Seeing the situation turning toward conflict, Xilutiya stood up, went around Mike, and came in front of her.
“This is my notebook. I can lend it to Miss Valenie, but can you tell me what it’s for? I might be able to provide better advice.” She didn’t think Valenie wanted to learn it herself, as the other was usually inattentive in class and had no drive for grades.
“Hmph, hand it over. Why ask so many questions?” Valenie took it and glanced at the others.
Soon, this knight’s daughter left the training ground with the notebook, leaving Xilutiya and the others to discuss the situation.
“You just gave it to her like that? Isn’t that too much of a loss? But avoiding conflict is good,” Komiya thought.
“After all, she’s a noble. We can’t afford to offend her.”
“What does she want the notebook for? She doesn’t study herself,” Mike couldn’t figure it out.
“Probably for Iona’s side,” Xilutiya sat down thoughtfully.
“Iona? Aren’t her grades good?” Karen asked, not understanding.
“Yes, very good, but…” Xilutiya thought about the recent situation.
“Recently, Iona has rarely come to class, probably missing a lot of content. With her pride, she definitely wouldn’t ask other classmates and doesn’t want to lose face in front of Teacher Heide.”
“Forget it. Better not to embarrass that young lady. We’ll just pretend not to know,” she shook her head.
“But Tiya’s notebook.” Komiya was reluctant. She looked at Xilutiya’s notebook every day to supplement her notes.
“It’s fine. I can explain it to you. Actually, I’ve memorized most of what’s in the notebook,” the maiden said with a smile to comfort her.
“All right then. That woman is so mean, hmph!” Komiya said puffed up.
“If I advance to Third Order someday, I’ll come back to slap her face, make her fetch water to apologize, kneel and lick my shoes,” Komiya continued muttering.
“Ah, is Komiya so vengeful?” Xilutiya found it amusing.
“Of course. You have to get revenge to feel happy. Otherwise, holding it in every day would be suffocating,” Komiya stated her life philosophy.
“Exactly, exactly.” Mike raised his hand in agreement.
“Me too.” Lei rumbled in response.
“Some things really need resistance, or the other side will push further,” Karen said, sharing common folk wisdom.
“Alright then. If I have strength someday, I’ll make her apologize and bow her head too,” Xilutiya smiled and agreed with everyone.
“That’s the spirit. Tiya, don’t be too gentle, forgiving everyone. Some guys are just bad,” Komiya gave a thumbs up.
“Alright, let’s end training here today. How about going to my house early? My mother said she’ll prepare a sumptuous dinner tonight and asked me to invite you all,” Komiya raised her hand to suggest again.
“Is there good food?” Mike was tempted.
“I love eating.” Lei answered directly.
“Looks like we have to go tonight.” Karen nodded too.
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
Thus, the previous trio became a quintet, and everyone left the training ground hand in hand, heading to Komiya’s home.
Great thanks to reader 1436508778528444416 for the alliance leader Thanks(ω)
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