Chương 10

It wasn't unheard of for a crafted utility construct to suddenly develop a degree of awareness in Seed of Ascension. The phenomenon occurred most often among Puppet Masters. After pouring enough care, effort, or passion into a particular construct, they could sometimes awaken the faintest spark of intelligence within it. If nurtured properly, such constructs could possess considerable potential.

More importantly, when a construct created by one's own hands awakened on its own, there was never any question about its loyalty. I'm not a Puppet Master, but having a little straw servant that can understand instructions would make managing spirit fields much easier. With that thought, Elara crouched and examined the little straw servant more closely. It imitated her by tilting its head. Unfortunately, her original craftsmanship had been rather crude, so the movement came out stiff and awkward.

"Since you're the first construct I've made to awaken, I'll call you Prim." Elara had no idea whether it could understand a sentence that complicated. She went back inside and retrieved some of the Grassweaving Art materials she had purchased earlier that afternoon, intending to improve Prim's body. Now that her Grassweaving Art had reached Level Two, she could give its limbs a much wider and smoother range of motion. After a lengthy series of adjustments, the straw servant looked far better made than before.

Even its hollow eyes seemed to hold a little more life.

"Don't be discouraged, Prim. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to a spirit field large enough to keep you busy." Elara rubbed its head, closed the door behind her, and soon fell into a deep sleep. Only after she had been inside for quite some time did Prim finally process what she had said and slowly nod.... Early the next morning, Elara opened her door and found Prim leaning against the pillar beside it.

"Come with me." The command was simple enough for even a newly woven straw servant to understand. Prim immediately stood and followed close behind her. They made their way through the streets toward the cultivator market. Prim attracted little attention along the way. Grassweaving Art was a common skill among Spirit Gardeners, many of whom wove several straw servants in advance and brought them directly to the spirit fields outside the city rather than making new ones whenever they were needed.

Most people regarded the constructs as nothing more than tools. Seeing one walking behind a Spirit Gardener was hardly worth a second glance. Elara had already changed into her Dawnmere Trading House apprentice uniform by the time she entered the store. Several clerks were busy inside, including Henry. He noticed her and immediately came over.

"You're already wearing the uniform? I thought it would be another week or two before you started. Did Master Cedric give you permission to work in the spirit fields?" Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Cedric had specifically instructed Elara to achieve basic mastery of the Minor Origin Breathing Art before she began assisting with the fields. It was a true graded cultivation method, not some ordinary breathing exercise.

Most cultivators couldn't learn one in such a short time.

"I've already achieved basic mastery. The method suits me unusually well," Elara replied. Henry froze. He glanced around, then relaxed when he failed to spot Cedric.

"Elara, Master Cedric hates it when people lie—" An elderly voice interrupted him before he could finish.

"I've been here the entire time. If you have something to say, you may say it to me." Cedric opened the narrow door behind the counter and walked into the main room. A single glance at Elara was enough to make him pause.

"You truly achieved basic mastery in one day? Hold out your hand. Let me see." Elara extended her arm. Cedric placed two fingers against the meridian on the inside of her forearm.

"Circulate the method." Following his instruction, Elara closed her eyes and completed one full minor circulation of the Minor Origin Breathing Art. When it ended, Cedric stared at her.

"You really did learn it. In only one day..." Cedric had encountered talents capable of such astonishing progress before, but every one of them had been a core or direct disciple of the Moonwatch Sect. Their status, power, and resources were far beyond anything Valehaven could offer. Had he truly stumbled across such a promising seedling? Countless thoughts raced through Cedric's mind. The young woman he had underestimated only two days ago had already surprised him more than once.

He remained silent for several moments before finally giving a quiet verdict.

"Very good." Cedric was about to instruct Henry to take Elara to the spirit fields outside the city and arrange her duties when he noticed the little straw servant following closely behind her. At first, he paid it no attention. A Spirit Gardener of his level could weave straw servants that possessed qi and cultivation bases of their own. A tiny, crudely made construct normally wouldn't have warranted a second look.

But when Cedric's attention settled on it, the little creature seemed to sense the scrutiny of a stranger. It immediately ducked behind Elara and cautiously peered around her side to study him.

"This straw servant has awakened a rudimentary intelligence?" Cedric had never expected his newly recruited apprentice to possess talent not only for Spirit Gardening and cultivation, but for the art of puppetry as well. And it wasn't a minor talent. Creating a construct capable of developing basic awareness was enough to mark someone as a promising Puppet Master. I can't let that old fox Morcant see her. She may be able to inherit my work as a Spirit Gardener someday.

Young cultivators with talent, cultivation aptitude, and a genuine interest in gardening arts are far too rare. As Cedric considered the matter, he beckoned Henry over.

"Henry, take Elara to the spirit fields and give her something easy to start with. Oh, and I left three gardening-art manuals there. Let her choose whichever one she likes."...

"Your little straw servant is interesting. Much more entertaining than the ones I make." Henry led the way while repeatedly glancing at Prim, who trailed behind Elara. At first glance, the little construct looked no different from any other straw servant. The longer Henry watched it, however, the more intelligence he seemed to notice in its behavior. Other straw servants moved with the vacant obedience of mindless tools. This one behaved more like a young spirit beast—or perhaps a puppy.

"How did you make it? Does Grassweaving Art produce something like this once your proficiency gets high enough? It really is a fascinating little thing." Henry reached out, intending to touch Prim. The little straw servant promptly sidestepped his hand. When Henry tried again, Prim began circling around him to stay out of reach, leaving him thoroughly amused.

"I suppose so. I've spent a long time practicing Grassweaving Art," Elara replied. In truth, she had no idea what had caused Prim's awakening. That was simply the easiest answer to give. The two chatted idly as they traveled beyond the city walls. Before long, they reached Valehaven's spirit-growing district. Vast fields stretched across the land ahead, each planted with a different variety of spirit crop. Numerous Spirit Gardeners were already at work among them.

"These fields are Valehaven's lifeblood, so plenty of people are stationed here at all times. You shouldn't have to worry about anyone causing trouble," Henry explained.

"That said, never cross into someone else's field or interfere with their plants. Valehaven's major families each own several large tracts of spirit fields and employ their own Spirit Gardeners to manage them. Apprentices like us are only allowed to assist the Spirit Gardeners working for Dawnmere. Most days, we'll follow their instructions and help with simple tasks like casting Raincall or Soften Earth. The work is fairly easy."