"You see," Twig continued, its form shifting slightly as if to gather its thoughts for the tale it was about to unfold, "the seed you planted last night, the one we expected to grow into dull beetle grass—well, it didn't turn out as we anticipated."
Leon's interest peaked, his body leaning forward as if drawn by the gravity of Twig's words. "What do you mean, Twig? What happened to it?"
Twig's form flickered with a spectral glow, enhancing the drama of the revelation. "It mutated, Leon! And not just into anything, but into something quite rare and extraordinary. Normally, we would have seen the emergence of dull beetle grass, which is just as it sounds—rather unremarkable, bluish grass with beetle-shaped leaves at the tips."
Leon, unable to contain his curiosity, interjected, "But what did we get instead?"
"With a stroke of fantastic luck," Twig explained, its voice adopting a tone of wonder, "the plant that sprouted is what's known in legend as Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass. This isn't just any plant, Leon. It's said that in the vast and wild expanses of cultivation worlds, a Rainbow Horn Beetle can evolve into a True Dragon, one of the most majestic and powerful creatures in existence!"
Leon's eyes widened in disbelief and excitement, his imagination ignited by the prospect of having a connection, however distant, to such legendary beings. "A dragon?" he gasped, the word barely a whisper as he considered the magnitude of what Twig described.
"Yes, a dragon!" Twig confirmed, its voice rising in excitement. "Though, let me temper your expectations—what we have here isn't quite the mythic beast itself. The plant is named for its resemblance to these legendary creatures. It looks like a dark beetle, but with leaves that unfurl in vibrant, rainbow-colored horns, similar to the fantastical horns of a dragon as described in tales."
Twig paused, allowing Leon to absorb the description. "Unfortunately, due to the limited resources of our Graveyard Garden, what we've grown is the weakest version of this usually potent plant. It's not a true Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass as those legends know it, but it's still far more significant and rare than the plain dull beetle grass we expected."
Leon, his initial shock morphing into unbridled joy, began to dance around playfully in the garden. His movements were spontaneous—a child's dance of pure glee, celebrating a fortuitous turn of events in his secret world.
Twig watched, its form shimmering lightly with Leon's every jubilant jump and twist. "Indeed, Leon, you've hit a jackpot with this one. Even in its weakest form, the Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass you've cultivated here could have properties we've yet to fully understand or appreciate. It's a brilliant start to your adventures in cultivation here in the Graveyard Garden."
As Leon continued his dance, his heart felt as light as a feather, buoyed by the success of his mystical farming. He knew that each step in this garden, each plant grown, and each discovery made, drew him closer to the unimaginable worlds his parents had once spoken of. With Twig by his side, he felt ready to explore the depths of cultivation and the mysteries of life that this magical garden held. The prospect of learning more about the Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass and its potential uses filled him with determination and excitement for the days to come.
As Leon's dance of joy slowly subsided, a shadow of concern crept across his face. He remembered a crucial detail Twig had mentioned before: the rarer and stronger the plant, the greater the likelihood of attracting formidable creatures. His heart, just moments ago light with excitement, now thudded heavily with apprehension.
Twig, noticing the change in Leon's demeanor, reassured him, "Leon, while it's true that stronger entities are attracted to rarer plants, there's something quite extraordinary about the situation we find ourselves in."
Leon's eyes, wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity, remained fixed on Twig as it continued. "The entity that has been attracted to your Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass is indeed stronger than you. However, it's not something you need to fear."
Leon swallowed, his voice barely a whisper, "What do you mean, Twig? What kind of creature are we talking about?"
Twig's form shimmered as it gathered its thoughts, preparing to explain in detail. "The creature drawn to your plant is known as a Void Aphid. It's a unique type of aphid, quite different from the ones you might find in your mortal realm. This one manifests in the darkest shade of black, almost absorbing light around it, making it appear as a small shadow creeping across the leaves."
Seeing Leon's intrigued yet nervous gaze, Twig elaborated on the nature of these mysterious creatures. "Void Aphids have the hardest defense among their kind, nearly impervious to physical attacks. But here's the fascinating part—they are entirely non-aggressive. They don't attack other creatures; they simply feed on the plant's essence."
Leon, his fear slightly abated, listened intently as Twig continued. "While they feed, Void Aphids produce something known as Lifedew. It's not just any excretion; it's composed of pure Qi. In a realm dominated by death Qi, this Lifedew is akin to a vital essence, brimming with life-affirming energy."
Twig's voice took on a tone of reverence when discussing the Lifedew. "In the cultivation worlds, Lifedew is highly sought after. It's prized not just for its rarity but for its potency. The energy contained within is refined and vibrant, capable of accelerating growth, healing, and even enhancing one's cultivation efforts."
Leon's apprehension turned to fascination. "So, this Lifedew could actually help me? Help me grow stronger?"
"Exactly," Twig affirmed. "While the Void Aphids are drawn to the energy of your plant, they, in turn, produce Lifedew, which you can use. It's a symbiotic relationship. The plant sustains the aphids, and their Lifedew can significantly aid your cultivation journey."
Leon pondered this cycle of life and energy in the Graveyard Garden. "How do I collect this Lifedew? Is it safe to approach these Void Aphids?"
Twig nodded, "It's safe as long as you're careful. Void Aphids are focused solely on feeding and are indifferent to other presences unless directly threatened. To collect Lifedew, you'll need to gently harvest it from the leaves where they feed without disturbing the aphids too much."
The conversation shifted as Twig provided a detailed explanation on the technique of harvesting Lifedew. "You'll use a small, delicate tool, much like a scoop or a spoon made from the energies of this garden. Approach slowly, with calm and steady movements. The key is not to startle the aphids or disrupt their feeding process. Gently scoop the Lifedew—it will appear as dewdrops, shimmering with a faint light on the plant leaves."
Leon listened, absorbing every detail. His initial fear now morphed into a sense of responsibility and curiosity about the new tasks ahead. Twig's guidance had opened a door to understanding the intricate balance of life forces within the Graveyard Garden, turning his apprehension into an opportunity for growth and learning.
"Thank you, Twig," Leon said, his voice reflecting newfound determination. "I'm ready to try this. It sounds like a delicate process, but the benefits seem well worth the effort."
Twig responded with a nod of affirmation, its glowing form a beacon of support in the shadowy garden. "I will be here to guide you through each step. Together, we will navigate these new challenges."