Chapter 56: Promotion To Emerald Honey
Two days later than expected, Madam Fran returned to the mansion.
Sitting at the table, she picked up the gilded teacup with one hand, slowly blew on it, sipped the rich black tea, and listened to the maiden standing before her report on recent events.
This mysterious and powerful noblewoman had flowing golden hair and an elegant, luxurious temperament, completely unlike someone who would appear in a remote place like Jiaoshi City.
After listening to Xilutiya’s report, she nodded slightly in approval.
“The flower field is very well tended, as expected of the child I chose.”
“This way, I can be much more at ease from now on.”
“Regarding the advancement knowledge, choices, and precautions you’re eager to know, I can explain them to you in detail.”
She set down the teacup, had Xilutiya come to her side, then lightly pressed her right hand on the back of Xilutiya’s hand, motioning her to sit.
“How much do you currently know about advancement things?” she asked first.
“I’ve roughly heard about four advancement methods.” Xilutiya recounted the content taught by Scholar Heide.
“Mm, Scholar Heide is correct; those are indeed the most suitable four methods you can choose currently.” She emphasized the word “currently.”
“The condensation of First Order Nature actually has few requirements; as long as the ability strength meets the standard, or with external nourishment, the fate can advance.”
“However, reaching Second Order or Third Order can’t be so casual, especially for certain classes that require specific ability card combinations.” She explained slowly.
“Since you’ve already learned Dew Prayer Method, advance with ‘Dew Prayer Method’ first, then I’ll teach you Branch Combing Method later, and use the combination of ‘Branch Combing Method’ and ‘Dew Prayer Method’ to transform the fate into【 Gardener Apprentice】.”
“When you transform the fate card into【 Gardener Apprentice】, you can integrate the abilities of ‘Branch Combing Method’ and ‘Dew Prayer Method’ into the fate card’s effects, thereby freeing up two【 Ability Card】 slots to learn other things additionally.”
“Ah, abilities can be fused too?” Xilutiya was hearing about this for the first time.
“Of course, otherwise, do you think just three abilities could support a high-position strong person?” Madam Fran teased, looking at Xilutiya’s cute surprised expression.
“However.” Her expression turned serious.
“Not all Transcendents do this, because fusing different abilities requires exponentially higher talent aptitude and control; if one’s mastery is mediocre, don’t attempt it.”
“I have very high expectations for you, Tiya.”
“Yes, thank you, Madam.” Xilutiya thanked her again.
“Alright, since you’re mostly prepared, advance tonight; I’ll watch over you during the process to prevent accidents.”
“Yes, Madam.” Fortunately, she didn’t use Swan Orchid to advance; though that would grant Swan Orchid’s ability additionally, it would prevent condensing a fate class like【 Gardener Apprentice】.
……
At night, Xilutiya knelt on the carpet in her bedroom, hands clasped at her chest, eyes closed as she finely perceived; with her mental focus, the ‘Emerald Honey’ nature power overflowing from【 Dew Prayer Method】 gradually flowed toward the central fate plate, to the【 Sleeping Girl】 with silver wisteria frame.
These minute ‘Emerald Honey’ natures continuously inputted into the【 Sleeping Girl】 card, making the colors in the illustration gradually more vivid, especially the cornflowers by the maiden’s side in the background, which went from sparse to numerous, with leaves from thin to lush.
Accumulating bit by bit, faint wandering fluorescence also emerged on the maiden, floating by her side and then vanishing.
In the dead of night, when the lonely bell chime rang in the mansion, the【 Sleeping Girl】 on Xilutiya’s fate plate also reached a critical point.
As if a slight tremor, emerald-colored vines wrapped and covered along the card’s frame, then the entire fate card transformed into【 Girl in the Sea of Flowers】（ First Order · Emerald Honey）
In the card illustration, the silver-haired maiden lay quietly in the cornflower sea of flowers, the dense flowers and grass obscuring much of the distant sky, with only faint, imperceptible meteors occasionally flickering through the gaps in the flower bush.
Name: Xilutiya · ※※※※
Race: Human（※※※）
Status: Healthy（No Anomalies）
Talent: Star【 Unknown Grade】, Cornflower’s Affection【 Rare Grade, Upgradable】
Fate Card:【 Girl in the Sea of Flowers】（ First Order · Emerald Honey）
‘The maiden sleeping unawakened in the sea of flowers has unimaginable potential; now she has discovered part of the flowers’ secrets’
–
Effect【 Discernment Eyes Lv.3】: From special talent and physique, you can discern colors and partial essences of things that ordinary people cannot perceive.（ When you advance the fate card’s tier, this ability will also gain synchronous improvement）-
Effect【 Natural Perception Lv.2】: After immersion in Dew Prayer Method, your perception of all natural things is more delicate and sensitive; even without Emerald Pupil Potion, you can still sense plants’ partial states.（ Current effect is roughly half of ‘Emerald Pupil’）
Ability Card:【 Breathing Technique Lv.3】【 Dew Prayer Method Lv.3】【 Empty Slot】
Skills:『 Basic Sword Technique Lv.4』『 Military Sword Technique Lv.4』『 Basic Archery Lv.3』『 Basic Spear Technique Lv.4』『 Secret History Knowledge Lv.5』『 Gardening Technique Lv.4』
——
Exhaling, taking small deep breaths, Xilutiya opened her eyes, blinked a bit, then stood up.
Though advancement didn’t directly improve physical qualities like ‘Blood Law’, she gained other benefits, advancing further on the gardener’s path.
Reviewing her post-advancement information again, the maiden moved in the darkness, fingertips brushing the chair before her; now, even without eyes, she could clearly perceive its texture, wooden fibers, and hidden structure.
She also heard a bit of the faint wind by her ear and the scenes on the distant street.
Also, she blinked her eyes slightly; the originally dim world regained color in her vision, becoming clear—though not as distinct as under light, it was absolutely sufficient.
Discernment Eyes rose to Lv.3, and she gained Natural Perception Lv.2; these were the greatest gains from this advancement. Additionally, she felt a faint fullness of power in her body, as if it could additionally promote and guide plants—this was probably the general effect and ability of ‘Emerald Honey’ nature.
But it was already night, so she could only test tomorrow.
After checking, she spun lightly on the soft carpet a few times, then put on slippers with happy, lighthearted emotions.
She wondered if Madam Fran was asleep; she had said she would watch over her to prevent accidents.
Xilutiya lit the room’s candle lamp, took it in hand, pushed the door, and went out.
The night corridor was still lit, and in the backyard flower field, many sunflowers emitted yellowish halos in the night, dyeing the night; this scenery made the mansion beautiful and pleasant even late at night, not dark.
Holding the candle lamp to the bright and splendid first floor living room, Madam Fran was still sitting there; she wasn’t surprised by Xilutiya’s appearance but nodded approvingly.
“Come here, little Tiya.”
“Since you’ve successfully advanced, you can now count as my formal student.” She beckoned to the maiden descending the stairs.
“Come, this set of clothes is for you; you can wear it at home or when receiving guests.” She patted the sofa beside her, where a neatly folded dress lay—pale yellow base with pure white accents, style similar to Madam Fran’s usual attire, luxurious and bright, but looking younger, with white bows adding cuteness.
“Besides this set, there are three others, four sets total; the reason it took extra time this time was entrusting an old friend to tailor them for you.”
“No matter what, since you’re my student, treat you like a daughter; you must dress beautifully.” She clapped lightly, having Xilutiya collect the exquisite, luxurious dress.
“This is the key to the underground storage room; Lining has one too. You can go down alone later to look; the things inside can be used freely, just don’t waste them.”
“Yes.” She took the golden key, its end shaped like blooming flower petals, exceptionally pretty.
“Alright, it’s not early today; go sleep soon, and remember to change into the clothes tomorrow for me to see.”
“Yes.”
Hugging the dress, Xilutiya returned to her bedroom with some anticipation and relief.
But falling asleep tonight would probably be difficult.
