When the light completely dissipated, a breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared.
Her figure was tall and graceful, with olive green skin that displayed fine wood grains.
The contours of her smooth face were as perfect as a marble statue, radiating an extraordinary serene beauty.
Her almond-shaped eyes were slightly closed, with long and dense eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks.
Her hair was no longer simple vines but composed of countless soft golden-green branches, naturally cascading down to her waist.
These "hair strands" were adorned with tiny buds and leaves, gently swaying with her breath, exuding a faint fragrance.
Ailan’s upper half now resembled that of a human woman, except the texture and color of her skin displayed plant traits.
Most intriguingly, when she slowly descended to the ground, countless tiny roots emerged from her green skirt hem, gently embedding into the soil, absorbing the earth’s energy.
These roots could contract or extend at her will, allowing her to walk like a regular human or directly connect with the earth when needed.
As the last ray of light faded away, Ailan slowly opened her eyes.
Those were deep emerald-green eyes, with golden specks shimmering in her pupils, like sunlight filtering through leaves deep in the forest.
Her gaze first fell on Ron.
"Master..." her voice was like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves, carrying a tender and harmonious Rhythm: "Finally... I can speak to you with my own voice."
"Ailan Mom!" Dale couldn’t contain her excitement and rushed forward.
But as she approached, she suddenly became cautious, uncertain if she could touch this new existence: "You... you have become so beautiful!"
"Little Dale, my child." Ailan smiled and extended her hand, gently saying: "Don’t worry, I’m still the Ailan you know."
Dale joyfully leaped into Ailan’s embrace, her silver hair interwoven with the golden-green vine "hair," creating a beautiful picture.
"I’ve missed you so much!" The Little Sea Siren hugged Ailan tightly, with a hint of choking in her voice:
"I’ve been waiting for you to wake up every day, even the flower sugar hasn’t been made. Though Lily’s sister makes it delicious too, it’s just not as fragrant as yours."
Ron found it amusing, as when the Little Sea Siren said this, Lilia’s face visibly stiffened beside him.
Ailan gently stroked Dale’s silver hair, teasingly saying:
"I missed you too, you little rascal. Every day, I could feel you muttering against my bark, even the deepest sleep couldn’t block your sound."
Lilia also stepped forward, wearing a smile of blessing:
"Welcome back, Ailan sister! The workshop felt soulless without you during this period."
"Thank you, Lilia." Ailan said with a smile, her lips showing a faint shade of rose:
"I can feel everything you’ve done for the workshop. From staying up late to organize accounts, and waking up early to care for the plants... Even while asleep, I could hear it all."
Ron stepped forward, carefully observing the transformed Ailan.
He could sense the strong life energy emanating from the tree spirit, a pure natural power filled with vitality and harmony.
He activated "Extraordinary Recognition" to closely observe Ailan’s changes:
[Ailan (Ancient Tree Fairy)
Bloodline Purity: Golden Ring 65% (Quite High)
Status: Energy not yet fully stabilized
Special Ability: Plant Control, Natural Perception, Life Guidance (Not Fully Awakened)
Potential Assessment: Quite High, with growth there is a chance to reach Star Ring level, but bloodline activation is needed]
"The transformation was even more successful than anticipated." Ron was somewhat surprised.
He initially only hoped Ailan could approach the level of an ancient tree fairy, yet she directly evolved into a complete form.
Ailan bowed deeply, expressing gratitude, the green hem of her skirt gently trembling:
"All this is thanks to the master’s help. Without your provided bloodline activation and carefully designed transformation environment, I could never have reclaimed my true essence."
The tree spirit raised her head, those emerald eyes looking directly at Ron: "This grace, Ailan will never forget."
As she spoke, she gently raised her hand, and the surrounding plants immediately responded to her call, with branches and leaves gently swaying.
Some flowering branches elongated, forming a beautiful encirclement around her.
Flowers turned toward her, as if paying homage to a queen.
"Now I can communicate with all the plants, feel the pulse of their lives."
Ailan explained, her eyes shimmering with peculiar light: "I can even guide their growth and change to a certain extent."
She smiled slightly, lightly tapping the air with her fingertips.
Instantly, a beautiful blue flower suddenly bloomed on a bush beside her, though this season was not its flowering period.
The flower emitted a faint fragrance, directly drifting toward Ron, as if blooming especially for him.
"Thank you, it’s a beautiful flower." Ron chuckled softly, extending his hand to receive the flower she offered.
Then Ailan raised her hand again, and two other buds likewise bloomed, extending towards Dale and Lilia.
"So fragrant!" Dale exclaimed happily, carefully smelling the flower meant for her: "Ailan Mom, you’re incredible now!"
"More importantly, I can perceive any abnormal energy fluctuations in the surrounding environment."
Ailan’s expression became slightly serious: "Whether harmful substances or intruders, they cannot escape my perception. The master’s workshop will be more secure under my protection."
Ron nodded, understanding this meant the security level of the workshop would be greatly enhanced.
Her ability akin to a "plant sentinel" far surpasses any ordinary surveillance device.
"I think we should have a celebration dinner tonight!"
Lilia carefully put away her own flower and suddenly suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement:
"To celebrate Ailan’s return and our reunion! I can prepare some special dishes."
"Great idea!" Dale jumped up excitedly and grabbed Ailan’s hand:
"I want to drink the juice and petal candy made by Mama Ailan! The kind you used to make that changes flavors in your mouth!"
Ailan chuckled softly, her laughter as melodious as a wind chime:
"Of course, little greedy cat. I have some new recipes I want to try, and you’ll surely like them."
She turned to Ron, her eyes full of inquiry and anticipation: "What do you think, Master?"
Ron nodded with a smile: "We should definitely celebrate, especially since everyone has worked so hard lately, and also..."
He looked at Ailan’s newly transformed and beautiful female form: "We should also officially welcome the ’new’ Ailan back to our workshop family."
And so, the workshop was filled with a joyful atmosphere, with everyone busy preparing for the dinner.
Lilia and Dale were in charge of decorating the dining room, while Ailan used her newly gained abilities to create various magical plant lights and bouquets.
All she needed was to gently caress those ordinary flowers for them to bloom with extraordinary brilliance;
The branches she touched grow elegant natural patterns;
Even the air was filled with a faint floral fragrance she brought, infusing the entire workshop with vitality and warmth.
As night fell, the table was laden with a sumptuous feast.
Ailan’s specially made petal candies sparkled with the colors of the rainbow, each one uniquely shaped, some like tiny stars, others like delicate flowers.
In her special fruit juice floated color-changing flowers, each sip offering a different flavor experience.
"Try this!" Ailan handed Dale a golden petal candy: "It’s made from the sweetest flower nectar and morning dew, and you might like the taste."
Dale eagerly accepted it, carefully placing it in her mouth.
Instantly, her eyes widened: "Wow! This... this tastes warm like sunshine!"
She looked at Ailan in amazement: "Mama Ailan, how did you do that?"
Ailan smiled mysteriously: "That’s a secret known only to ancient tree fairies."
Lilia’s roasted meat exuded a tempting aroma, sprinkled with some special spices to make it more tender and juicy.
"These spices were grown according to your previous recipes, Ailan."
She explained a bit bashfully: "Although they’re not as good as what you could cultivate yourself, I did my best."
"You’ve done wonderfully, Lilia," Ailan said gently: "I can feel your careful nurturing from these plants; they have grown very healthily."
The conversation at the dinner table was equally light and joyful.
"Did you know?"
Ailan said softly, her fingers gently brushing across a flower on the table, changing its colors with her touch:
"In my slumber, I could feel the whispers of the entire forest, as if countless voices were telling me secrets."
"Tell us! What secrets?" Dale asked curiously, her eyes shining.
Ailan shook her head with a smile, her vine-like hair swaying softly:
"Some secrets are known only to the forest. Perhaps one day, when you’re strong enough, you might hear what the sea is saying to you."
The Little Sea Siren, puzzled, decided to stop thinking about it and proudly displayed her ice sculptures instead.
She had tried painting before but found she had no talent for it, so she switched to sculpting.
In this, she showed a remarkable talent, creating a detailed miniature model of the workshop, not missing even the smallest patterns on the windows.
"Look, here’s the Master’s lab, here’s Lilia’s room, here’s Mama Ailan’s ancient tree, and this is the pool, my territory!"
The Little Sea Siren pointed to each part proudly: "It took me several days to carve all the details!"
Ron watched this scene, feeling a strange warmth in his heart.
These lives, originally unrelated to him, had gathered around him by a series of fortunate coincidences, forming a wonderful little family.
Each one was growing on their own paths, supporting each other and moving forward together.
Dale’s laughter was crisp and pleasant, Lilia’s gaze calm and focused.
Ailan was like a loving mother, warm and inclusive, her gaze only occasionally wavering when it fell on him.
"To our workshop," Ron raised his glass.
"To the workshop!" everyone echoed, their glasses clinking in the air with a clear sound.
For him, this might be the most relaxing and joyful night since entering the Black Mist Jungle.
On the road to eternity, such moments were especially precious.
Of course, once the sun rose tomorrow, countless research topics awaited him.
The Abyss project needed redesigning, Dale’s bloodline purification needed continuation, and the upcoming journey to the Bloodline Altar awaited...
But at this moment, Ron chose to set these thoughts aside, fully immersing himself in this warm moment.
For a brief pause, to savor these simple joys, even if they could only remain fragments in memory.
After all, everything that cannot last will eventually fade away...