Chapter 977 – Aria

Sylph followed Caleb toward a semi-open little nest at the edge of the clearing, woven from enormous leaves and intertwined vines.

The nest was lined with dry, fragrant golden hay and even more soft moss, looking warm and cozy.

This leaf nest was positioned fairly low, so she could climb in and out without any trouble. She decided on the spot that she would stay here.

Caleb dutifully gave his introduction: “Over there is the ‘Spring of Flourishing’—the water is especially sweet, and if you drink enough, it can make your scales shinier… Over there are the ‘hatchling dragon fruit trees’—eat as much fruit as you like, but don’t damage the trees, or Instructor Ysera will get angry… Over there is the ‘Romping Zone’—you can roll around and practice pouncing as much as you want, the ground is really soft… And over there is ‘Stillmind Corner’—there are calming flowers there, so if you want to sleep or just have some peace and quiet, you can go there…”

While he was still explaining, a small hatchling dragon with yellowish-green scales, a size smaller than Sylph, quietly crept out from behind a large leaf.

Her bright, gem-like green eyes studied Sylph with a mix of curiosity and shyness. Mustering all her courage, she asked in a tiny, delicate voice: “S-Sylph… your scales are so pretty… like the tips of the freshest leaves. Could I… touch them?”

After saying it, she seemed to feel she had been too forward. Her claws fidgeted nervously against each other, and the tip of her tail curled up.

Sylph looked at the adorable little creature before her and gently lowered her head, bringing the smoothest and most vibrantly colored scale near her cheek and neck closer.

“Of course you can. Your scales are very pretty too—like new sprouts in the sunlight!”

She noticed that in the sunlight, this little dragon’s scales gave off a faint, warm golden sheen.

Having received permission, Aria’s eyes lit up at once. She carefully extended a front claw and ever so gently touched the scales on the side of Sylph’s neck.

“Wow…” Aria let out a small gasp of wonder. “They really are… so nice to touch—cool and smooth, but so solid!”

The ticklish sensation made Sylph couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

She extended her own claw and, with equally gentle force, tapped the faintly golden-gleaming scale atop the little dragon’s head. “Yours too—warm and very special.”

Caleb watched the two of them from the side and introduced with a smile:

“Aria hatched fifty years ago—an ancient green dragon. Before you came, she was the youngest one here. She’s usually a bit shy. But she’s very clever and knows all about the little flowers and plants in the forest. She can always find where the sweetest berries are hidden.”

“Really?” Sylph looked at Aria with eyes full of interest. “Could you take me to see the plants around here? I love plants too!”

Hearing that what Sylph wanted to see was plants—not some scary magical beast, and she didn’t want to fight or compete in flying either—Aria’s gem-like emerald slit pupils lit up at once. Her voice grew a little louder, carrying a rare note of confidence:

“O-of course! It’s getting dark, so let me take you to see the ‘Moontear Orchids’ first—they only bloom at night!

They only fully open under moonlight and starlight, and they glow silver-blue. They’re incredibly beautiful! Also, over at Stillmind Corner, there are lots of Tranquility Flowers, and Dream Leaf Vines too. The Dream Leaf Vine blossoms are tiny and pink, with a very faint fragrance, but if you smell them for a while it’s really soothing. They’re perfect for decorating your leaf nest, or tucking under the hay where you sleep…”

She rattled off her knowledge like a living encyclopedia, gesturing with her claws as she spoke.

Caleb watched the two of them quickly find common ground around the topic of “plants.” The atmosphere was warm and harmonious, and Aria seemed far more lively than usual. He felt his “mentoring” mission had been accomplished quite successfully.

He let out a big yawn, stretched his wings wide and then folded them back. “Well, you two go ahead. Just be careful not to wander too far. I… I need to go take a nap first.”

With that, he flicked his tail and flew up to his own leaf nest, which hung at the highest point of the paradise and looked especially sturdy and spacious. Before long, deep, steady snoring drifted out from inside.

After Caleb left, Sylph followed Aria through a natural portico formed by hanging vines, around several clusters of bushes whose leaves had folded shut for the night. The moss underfoot grew thicker and softer, and the air was filled with a cool, misty fragrance.

“It’s just up ahead,” Aria whispered.

They arrived at the edge of a particularly moist depression in the ground, where a kind of low-growing moss covered in silver, star-like fuzz grew across the surface.

Rising from among the moss were several elegantly shaped plants.

They had slender, orchid-like dark green leaves that were currently wrapped tightly around the central flower stalk.

As the sky grew darker, the dark green leaves trembled slightly, then draped gracefully to either side, revealing the glossy, slender flower scape at the center.

Then, at the tips of the scapes, semi-translucent silver-blue blossoms shaped like teardrops unfurled at a pace visible to the naked eye, blooming with unhurried elegance.

“So beautiful…” Sylph stared, entranced.

“Right?!” Aria gazed at them just as mesmerized, whispering, “I’ve heard that Moontear Orchid dew combined with Tranquility Flowers can be used to brew a very Advanced calming elixir!”

After admiring the Moontear Orchids for a while, Aria led Sylph to Stillmind Corner.

Sure enough, patches of bell-shaped Tranquility Flowers grew there, emitting a soft white glow.

Not far away, Dream Leaf Vines climbed over rocks and ancient trees. The vines bore tiny, grain-of-rice-sized pale pink blossoms that clustered into delicate spikes. Their fragrance was indeed refined and pleasant, making one’s mind relax without even realizing it.

These were all species not found among the Seed Cards Mo Lan had given her. Sylph curiously collected some samples.

One little creature enthusiastically introducing everything, the other humbly learning while secretly observing and taking mental notes—before they knew it, they had covered nearly half of Hatchling Dragon Paradise.

Sylph gained a preliminary understanding of the plant diversity here and secretly noted several spots where the soil looked fertile and the light and humidity were just right, marking them as candidate locations for a future “secret test garden.”

“Th-that’s about it. We should head back to our leaf nests. Hatchling Dragon Paradise is safe, but Instructor Ysera always says that hatchling dragons need to get enough sleep to grow up properly.” Aria yawned.

“Mm, thank you, Aria!” Sylph thanked her with genuine gratitude. She went to the Spring of Flourishing by herself to drink some spring water and ate two fruits to fill her belly before returning to her leaf nest.

Tucked inside her leaf nest, she secretly took out her Communication Card and sent Mo Lan a message to let her know she was safe.

【Sylph: A green dragon just came and brought me to Hatchling Dragon Paradise! There are lots of little green dragons here. More importantly, the environment here is perfect for planting—there are so many magical plants growing here. Once I ask around a bit more, I can start cultivating the land and begin my grand farming enterprise!】

When Mo Lan received the message, the heart she had been carrying in her throat could finally be set at ease.