Visiting Scholar Haide

Xilutaiya's life began to settle into an exceptionally steady routine. In the mornings, she focused her energy on practicing the Dew Prayer Method before diving into the books Mailin had found for her. Her afternoons were spent practicing swordsmanship and training with the Breathing Method, during which she also tended to the newly planted Swan Orchids in the yard, giving them water. Just like that, she slowly settled in, and everything moved forward in an orderly fashion. ... A little over a week later, Xilutaiya finally mastered the Dew Prayer Method. [Dew Prayer Method Lv. 1] (Emerald Honey): Gathers morning mist at dawn, turning emerald dew into water. (Emerald Dew Water accelerates plant growth and aids in plant cultivation.) Now she had finally gotten her foot in the door. She breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at the bottle of Emerald Dew Water in her hand, which was down to its final third. If she hadn't managed to learn the Dew Prayer Method before finishing this bottle, she wouldn't have had the money to buy a second. Now she should be self-sufficient, and perhaps she might even have surplus Emerald Dew Water to sell to the Gardener Guild. Just as Xilutaiya decided to take a full day to rest and relax, Wenni's message arrived. That afternoon, Taliel guided Xilutaiya along the streets of the West City District, pointing toward a distant manor to show the girl. "Do you see that place, Tiya?" "That's Scholar Haide's home. My sister said she already spoke with him a few days ago, so today you just need to go meet him. He'll probably give you a brief assessment. If you pass, you can start studying under him." "I understand." She took a deep breath, calming the slight nervousness in her heart. Logically speaking, her current store of knowledge surpassed that of most peers her age, so she had no reason to fear a test. Even so, this was the most critical evaluation Xilutaiya had faced so far—much like going to her very first interview right after graduation back then. "Let's go." Having steadied her mind and her breathing, the girl walked toward the manor. She knocked, was guided inside by a servant across the lawn of the front courtyard, and arrived at the manor's side hall to wait. Today, she wore her plain white dress, her smooth hair tied back with a cornflower ribbon, radiating a quiet, gentle grace. Merely standing there, she resembled a lovely portrait. Before long, Scholar Haide entered the side hall accompanied by an elderly servant. He wore a scholar's robe today, lending him an air both formal and kindly. Upon seeing Xilutaiya, he nudged up his round spectacles and took a seat on an armchair. "Sit, child." He raised a hand, gesturing for Xilutaiya to sit as well. "This is our first time meeting. What is your name?" "My name is Xilutaiya." The girl bowed with dignified poise and took her seat, her demeanor and posture nearly immaculate. "Xilutaiya..." Scholar Haide murmured the name under his breath, seemingly searching through his memory for any relevant information. "A very fine child." He nodded slightly, a benevolent smile appearing on his face. "Lectures will begin next Monday, five days a week thereafter. If you encounter any difficulties, you may always speak to me." *Huh?* The girl was somewhat caught off guard. Hadn't they said there would be an assessment? "We still have plenty of time today, so let's chat about your current situation for a while." Scholar Haide motioned that there was no need for her to rush off. "Wenni told me you've forgotten many things from your past and wish to recover them by cultivating supernatural attributes. Is that correct?" "Yes." "Haha, no need to be so formal. Let us continue. If amnesia was brought about by attribute power, it is most likely the work of the Mist Shadow or Nightmare attributes." He drew upon a lifetime of learning. "To recover, the most suitable path for you would be cultivating the power of the Radiant Moon attribute. However, the Radiant Moon attribute..." He paused for a moment. "Choosing that path makes studying rather troublesome," he remarked with heartfelt sigh. "Why is that?" Xilutaiya tilted her head in curiosity. "The attribute powers ordinary people encounter most frequently are Castle and Blood Law, followed by Beast Fang and Emerald Honey." "These attribute powers are all carried by physical forms, making them relatively simple to come into contact with and sense, and thus easier to cultivate." "The three lunar attributes are different. Those three lean toward the spiritual realm—that is, intangible, ethereal, dreamlike existences. Among them, Mist Shadow at least leaves traces one can follow, whereas Radiant Moon is like the bright moon hung high in the night sky, distant and difficult to touch." "Resources related to the Radiant Moon attribute are scarce, which means Beyonders centered on the Radiant Moon attribute are exceptionally rare as well." "Yet Radiant Moon remains widely revered, ranking among the Three Higher Attributes above all others." "Judging by your expression, you must not be familiar with the Three Higher Attributes. That is actually an internal classification among Beyonders. It doesn't mean those three are purely and absolutely invincible, but rather that compared to other attribute powers of the same rank, they are generally more well-rounded and potent." "Blazing Sun, Radiant Moon, and Dragon Eye—these three are the Three Higher Attributes." "In the Raygas Principality, Beyonders proficient in Radiant Moon power can be counted on one hand. If you wish to walk this path, you will need extraordinary talent." Even though the young girl possessed an exceptional bearing, no one could guarantee she would display equal brilliance in cultivating supernatural attribute powers. "If that road truly proves impassable, you could also attempt the path of the Emerald Honey attribute..." "Emerald Honey cannot lead directly to Radiant Moon. However, the Silver Moon Orchid, which embodies the power of the Radiant Moon attribute, can indeed be cultivated. If you truly become a master in that field, you could take this roundabout path to obtain high-grade Radiant Moon power. Then, by finding a master apothecary to brew a potion for you, your past memories could be restored." "Thank you, Teacher." The girl bowed in gratitude, a deep respect welling within her for the old man. No wonder he was a recognized master scholar throughout Burnt Stone City; he had unraveled and clarified the challenge before her with such effortless ease. "Well then, let us not speak further of matters so far down the road today." He waved his hand, bidding the girl sit once more. "What abilities and techniques do you currently possess? Perhaps I can help you organize and refine them." "At present, I know the Breathing Method and the Dew Prayer Method," the girl answered, recounting her recent studies. "How long did it take you to learn the Dew Prayer Method?" "One week." Hearing this, Scholar Haide nodded, his expression filled with clear admiration. "Learning that must have cost quite a sum. As I recall, cultivating the Dew Prayer Method has always been a luxury, which is why professional gardeners are so few in Burnt Stone City." "Um... can't Emerald Dew Water be bought at the Gardener Guild?" Xilutaiya asked hesitantly. "Ah, that Emerald Dew Water is used for forcing flowers and herbs to mature. It's usually diluted, making it useless for cultivation because its attribute power is far too faint." Scholar Haide shook his head. "Typically, one needs Emerald Dew Water of at least seventy percent concentration. But dew of that purity can only be condensed once the Dew Prayer Method advances to the second tier, and the price is quite steep." *Was that how it worked?* Xilutaiya recalled her recent practice with the Dew Prayer Method. It was true that in the beginning, sensing that faint trace of the Emerald Honey attribute had been exceedingly arduous. She had spent a considerable amount of time simply getting accustomed to the sensation before she managed to condense her very first drop of Emerald Dew Water. "It seems you encountered a benefactor who sponsored the Emerald Dew Water you needed for your early steps." Scholar Haide stroked his beard. It made sense; considering this girl's appearance and character, anyone with a discerning eye would recognize her as fine raw material and wouldn't be overly stingy. "I also have quite a few horticulture books here. In the future, when you have free time, you may borrow and read through them." In this world, books were exceptionally valuable; being permitted to borrow them was, in a sense, receiving a vast fortune for free. "Thank you, Scholar Haide." "No, you should call me Teacher now." "Pardon me. Thank you, Teacher Haide." The girl bowed in thanks, and the elderly man smiled in return. Afterward, the two of them chatted about recent happenings in Burnt Stone City. Scholar Haide occasionally asked for Xilutaiya's thoughts on various matters, posing small questions regarding the economy, customs, and even administrative affairs. With each of the girl's answers, Scholar Haide's expression grew increasingly pleased, and their conversation flowed freely until evening began to fall. "Oh, is it dinner time already?" Scholar Haide looked up and saw the rosy clouds outside the window. "Manson, prepare dinner. Make it as lavish as possible to treat Tiya." "Yes, Master." Hearing the order, the old servant left the room to begin preparations. Scholar Haide then told the girl to take a stroll in the courtyard to rest for a while, rather than keeping him company in idle conversation. Leaving the side hall, Xilutaiya found Taliel, who had been waiting for her elsewhere for quite some time. "Tiya, what did Lord Haide say? You two chatted for so long—practically talking all afternoon! Doesn't your throat feel dry?" She grabbed the girl's shoulders, her eyes brimming with curiosity. "There was tea, perhaps, but that's beside the point." The two of them then strolled through the courtyard, admiring the flowers planted there. ... "My sister used to study here too. Occasionally, when I came to visit her, I'd see plenty of students around her age." "Where are those students now?" the girl asked, genuinely curious. "Those students... some work in the city like my sister, while others continued their studies and went to further their education in other cities." "In any case, becoming a scholar requires learning a tremendous amount, along with recommendations and recognition from three formal scholars. That's what I heard from my sister." "Her grades were only middle-of-the-pack among her peers back then. The hope of becoming a scholar like Grandpa Haide was slim, so she didn't pursue further studies." "Still, my sister said a few of the younger classmates are still walking the path of scholarship and have traveled to other places." ... That night, Xilutaiya and Taliel sat at the dining table, sharing dinner with Scholar Haide. Today's delicacy was wild boar stewed in mead, served with black bread and dipping sauce as the staple. It was a rare treat; had Xilutaiya and Taliel eaten such a meal outside on their own, it likely would have cost two silver coins. After finishing dinner, the two bade farewell to Scholar Haide, and the girl began preparing for the student life that lay ahead.