Chapter 152: Working on the Garden.
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"The essence wakes dormant nutrients," Xian Yu explained. "But it needs seed to anchor."
Nima dashed to the shed and returned with an envelope of carrot seeds Kent had stashed for a festival market. Some packages were scorched, but the seeds inside were dry. She knelt opposite the old man, tearing open a corner, scattering brown granules in neat furrows that Kent's rake quickly pressed closed.
They worked across the whole charred bed. When the final row was covered, Auri landed on Kent's shoulder. "Chip." He opened his beak and breathed a thin line of golden flame across the soil's surface. It wasn't enough to burn—just a gentle warmth. The burned earth steamed, releasing a scent halfway between rain and pepper.
Kent wiped sweat from his brow, smearing a streak of ash across his cheek. "Stage one done," he said.
