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Lu Yao carefully examined Pinkman's panel data.
【Rose Apostle LV41】King of the Rose Kingdom, Pinkman III
Health Points: 3279/3279
Mana Points: 2771/2771
Damage: 143
Defense: 52
Speed: 18
【Wisdom LV14】
Wisdom is key for Apostles to heed the will of the gods. The higher the level of wisdom, the easier it is to enhance and comprehend various abilities.
【Evasion Lv20】
Can evade some of the damage from attacks. The probability is higher against attacks from weaker life forms.
【Rose Apostle】
An advanced life form evolved from roses, capable of cultivating and enhancing the evolutionary ability of roses.
【Royalty】
Rare and outstanding individuals with growth potential and influence far surpassing their peers.
【Floral Language II · Oath of Vow】
A floral spell. Those who swear an oath to the Caster will be bound by the oath and its price.
【Floral Language XIX · Dreamlike Illusion】
A floral spell. Conjures a sword of dreams, causing the enemy struck by it to fall into an illusion.
【Floral Language XCIII · Forever Lost Love】
A floral spell evolved from 【Floral Language IV · Eternal Love】. Pinkman can no longer take a partner or produce offspring, but his abilities are greatly enhanced.
【Ennoblement Ceremony】
Ennobles a life form evolved from roses, unlocking its wisdom and bestowing upon it duties and blessings.
No wonder the Rose Kingdom has ruled the land for so many years; the king's attributes and abilities are exceptional.
Lu Yao noticed that all of Pinkman's active abilities were floral spells.
These abilities seem to be exclusive to Rose Apostles or floral Transcendent beings, forming a vast and independent spell system.
A thought bubble appeared above Pinkman's head.
"Lord God Yao, I am a remnant of the old era, ignorant of the new world… Please forgive my awakening without your permission."
"If you wish to punish me, I have no complaints."
"Perhaps I should have perished with the kingdom, instead of lingering on…"
The little pink figure showed a sad expression, somewhat resigned to his fate.
Lu Yao immediately instructed Isabella to take care of Pinkman and to build up his morale.
Isabella descended to the ground.
"King of bygone days, heed my words."
"The past is unchangeable, what has happened has happened. Whether it's the fall of the kingdom, the changing of eras, or even the succession of gods… You have survived through the long chaos and the war of gods, a result bought with a great price by the Rose Kingdom."
"Your queen and children, your ministers and casters, they have entrusted the future to you."
"You are the last ember of the kingdom, the final standard-bearer of the Rose Era, and their enduring wish and hope."
"King of bygone days, do you know that people of this era still seek the epic of the Rose Kingdom? Your deeds are sung and discussed by cave-dwellers and archaeologists, and in the distant eastern continent, roses still bloom."
A light bulb lit up over Pinkman's head.
"In this era, do people really know of us?"
"Of course."
Isabella said, "The archaeologist Fabiani has traveled the entire world, seeking the ruins of the ancient Rose Kingdom to restore its glorious history."
"Traveler Pawa is also searching everywhere for the tales of the Rose Kingdom, wishing to bring the legend of the ancient nation back to life."
"In the southern city of Sanilo, the cloud giant Papalucas is active; it is a remnant of the Rose Kingdom era."
"The White Rose Attendants on the eastern continent are rare treasures cultivated by Lord God Yao, who also laments the fall of the Rose Kingdom."
"Lord God Yao revived you, hoping you could restore the glory of the roses of yesteryear. This is also the mission and responsibility bestowed upon a king by your kingdom."
"As long as you live, the Rose Kingdom will forever exist in this world."
"…"
Pinkman was silent for a while: "Can roses truly bloom again?"
Isabella said, "Flowers may not always be vibrant, but there will always be blossoms anew."
Pinkman knelt on the ground, praying silently: "Thank you for your teachings, Lady Sarina. I think I understand now."
"King of bygone days, would you like to become an Apostle of Lord God Yao, to cultivate and plant roses, bringing back the flowers of the past?" Isabella asked.
"I am willing."
Lu Yao dragged the Apostle's mark from the top left corner onto Pinkman.
Thus, the Rose Apostle officially became an Apostle.
Pinkman's abilities had a high ceiling but a low floor. This former king was naturally melancholic, sensitive, and lacking in confidence. Having experienced apocalyptic disasters and the pain of separation, he was even more disheartened and depressed.
If Sarina could share some of her confidence with him, and the snowman could send him some optimism, he wouldn't have these troubles.
Lu Yao's transformation of Pinkman into an Apostle didn't require him to do anything else; just let him do what he was good at and enjoyed, planting roses in the experimental area's valley.
Attendants like the White Rose were essentially growable totems. Whether it was simply increasing strategic reserves or adding to the world's biodiversity, it was all beneficial.
The experimental area also needed an Apostle to stay there long-term.
Before leaving, Pinkman solemnly thanked the little fishman and the sandworm Shack.
"Thank you for finding me underground, I have nothing with which to repay you. If there's anything I can do for you, please come to the Rose near the eastern continent, I will always be there."
The little fishman mustered his courage: "Um, Lord Apostle, can we come with you?"
Pinkman, puzzled, showed a question mark above his head.
"Shack and I have always wanted to live somewhere else. Here, we are not welcomed. I am a fishman who likes the land, and Shack is a land creature who likes to dive…"
The little fishman bravely said: "Lord, we wish to follow you, to plant roses for you, may we?"
Pinkman paused, then cheerfully said: "Of course, as long as you don't mind the hard work."
"Not at all! Long live the gods, long live Lord Apostle!"
The little fishman jumped for joy.
The sandworm also showed a happy expression.
***
Arriving at the towering White Rose Attendant, Pinkman's head lit up with a light bulb, and for the first time, a smile appeared. The territorial White Rose did not spit out spikes at him, showing an unusually docile demeanor.
"The roses are still blooming."
"Thank goodness, I'm not the only one…"
Pinkman was suddenly surrounded by pink petals, which coalesced into a fine pink sword.
He stepped forward to the White Rose, the tip of the sword touching the rose's branches.
"By God Yao above, in the name of the King of the Rose Kingdom, I enoble you as a Rose Apostle, may you forever be as pure and upright as the White Rose, fighting for the gods and justice."
The once robust White Rose suddenly shrank inward, transforming into a pixelated little person clad in white armor.
The name above his head also changed to 【White Rose Apostle LV10】, and 【Wisdom】 was added to his panel.
"Thank you for the blessing of the gods, thank you for your ennoblement," the Rose Apostle knelt on one knee.
Pinkman happily said: "Now, your duty is to plant roses with me, to watch over the rose garden."
"Yes, my lord."
Pinkman and the Rose Apostle busied themselves.
They had a very keen sense of roses and quickly found withered wild roses in the wilderness, transplanting them together.
The sandworm took on the heavy task of loosening the soil and plowing the land.
The little fishman searched for water sources, diverting water into this newly cultivated rose garden.
The four rose farmers worked busily and in perfect harmony.
***
Lu Yao turned his attention to the Canopy City.
The White God had also been managing here for a while, and he wondered how it was going.
He looked at the top right corner.
Population: 156,332
Below, in the detailed section.
Canopy City: 39,742
Lu Yao marveled.
As expected of small creatures adept at reproduction, the growth rate of these followers was astonishing, with their pure population numbers already surpassing those of the three cities with longer histories.
Canopy City had also changed dramatically, with small wooden houses everywhere. These houses were scattered among the pine trees, connected to each other by vines and ropes, with squirrels bustling between the rope and vine pathways.
They now had further division of labor, distinguishing themselves through leaf weaving and hemp clothing.
Some squirrels transported pinecones, sorted out pine nuts, and made food.
Some were responsible for cutting down rotten or dead trees, planting new pinecones, and giving the rotten wood to Fighting Beetles and Strong Grass as food. In exchange, those two also became the guard forces on the outskirts of Canopy City.
Some twisted hemp ropes, repairing the various pathways of Canopy City.
Some planted berries, smashing the excess fruit and sealing it in nutshells to make fermented food.
***
The civilization of Canopy City had taken a small step forward.
At this time, the White God patrolled earnestly between the forests.
Lu Yao had no doubts.
Now that the White God's followers and population had grown to over 30,000, this was not without His own management and guidance. The more faith produced, the greater the benefits, and naturally, He was more motivated.
Under Lu Yao's gaze, the White God immediately sensed it.
He prostrated on the ground: "Lord God, the little god has not been slacking off, diligently developing the civilization here. There are some achievements, please review them…"
Lu Yao typed.
——Well done.
This was the first time the White God received praise from the Lord God, and He couldn't help but beam with pride, laughing heartily above His head.
Lu Yao continued typing.
——Little White, I now entrust you with a new task.
After hearing the task, the White God showed a scared expression.
He cautiously asked: "Lord God, there's no danger in the 【Golden Plains】, right?"
Lu Yao reassured Him.
With His own 170,000 faith reserves, even if there were any dangers, He could withstand them, and it wouldn't be easy for the White God to die.
Moreover, the 【Golden Plains】 were crucial for Lu Yao's next attempt.
If He could control this main god space, He would have the means to deeply operate the pixel world.
Then, Lu Yao wouldn't need to enter the Pantheon to navigate this fragment of a world.
The prerequisite for everything that followed was to conquer the 【Golden Plains】.
"Understood! The little god will enter at once!"
The White God showed a laughing and crying expression: "The little god will surely secure the Golden Plains for You!"