The Cornflower Witch Chapter 148

“You move these grains of wheat to the warehouse in the cave.”

After a moment of thought, Hylial made her decision.

Of the 17,000 catties of ‘rare’ quality wheat harvested, 15,000 catties would be moved to the warehouse in the cave, which was cooler, and the sun-dried grains were less likely to mold or spoil.

If not threshed, wheat could last 3-5 years at room temperature, and 5-8 years in low temperatures (below 15°C) while maintaining its edible quality. If a slight change in taste was acceptable, it could last even longer.

The remaining 2,000 catties of ‘rare’ quality wheat would be stored in the warehouse next to the windmill for milling, either for sale or consumption.

As for the remaining 3,000 catties of ‘perfect’ quality wheat, Hylial decided to store them in the cellar next to her hut. The environment there was safe, and the magic array of the ‘Castle’ aspect would prevent the ‘Emerald Honey’ aspect’s aura from leaking out.

Once the arrangements were made, the toads began transporting the harvested wheat, meticulously dividing and stacking it into designated areas for future inspection and processing.

After the harvest, a large amount of straw remained in the field. Hylial instructed the toads to save the straw from the ‘perfect’ quality wheat. As for the straw from the other wheat, the intact parts would be used as bedding material for the toads, and another portion would be woven into straw mats or hats for daily use.

The remaining scattered straw would be burned along with the tilled soil, which would not only kill insect eggs but also add some fertility to the land.

After handling these matters, Hylial once again caused the alfalfa deep within the soil to sprout and grow, covering the entire field. Lush, tender green alfalfa bloomed with purple petals.

“It’s time to report to the city,” Hylial thought.

She took samples of wheat of various qualities and set off for Whitecliff City.

…

The carriage traveled through the autumn wilderness. The air was crisp and refreshing. Lying on a tall haystack, Hylial gazed at the distant blue sky, pondering her future.

The past six months on the Glittering Gold Plain had brought her rapid progress in the profession of a Gardener. Indeed, practice was the best teacher.

Now that she had reached a relatively stable stage in her gardening skills, it was time to explore other fields.

For example, learning 1-2 combat-related abilities, observing how bakers turned wheat flour into higher-quality food, how master blacksmiths forged tools, and what kind of adventures and rewards awaited explorers in the frontier.

She realized she had been in the Shadow World for over half a year, and her activities had always been confined to the valley and Whitecliff City. It was time to venture elsewhere.

Oh, she had promised Acanash to forge a long knife. Now that she had enough money, she could help him with that.

Also, she needed to write a letter to Florella to inform her of her recent situation. She wondered how the elf girl was doing.

Unfortunately, communication between the Shadow World and the surface was still difficult. Even if she wrote to Madame Faran or Scholar Hyde, it would probably take half a year for the letters to reach them.

At noon, Hylial, as before, had the carriage stop at the post station in the city, leaving a dozen toads to guard and reside there.

Afterward, she took a small bag of wheat grains and flour and went to the Woodland Association.

“Hello, Miss Hylial.” The receptionist seemed to recognize her and welcomed her with a smile.

“Hello, I’d like to apply for the semi-annual assessment.”

“Certainly, let me check your ID and records.” The receptionist flipped through the roster and records, then found Hylial’s page.

“You arrived at the Glittering Gold Plain half a year ago. Since this is your first assessment, you only need to achieve 70% of the target requirements to pass. However, to receive a ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’ rating, the standards remain unchanged.”

“I understand.” The girl nodded slightly, then continued to ask.

“Is ‘Excellent’ the highest rating? If the results are even better, what kind of rewards are there?”

“‘Excellent’ is indeed not the highest. There’s also ‘Exceptional.’ However, there’s no precise standard for this rating. It’s an assessment where the teacher applies based on the situation, and then it’s confirmed by five or more reviewers.”

“Very few students receive an ‘Exceptional’ rating, perhaps only 3-5 students per batch. These are all individuals who have achieved exceptionally brilliant results during their time as students.”

“I see. So what are the benefits of receiving it?” She wondered if she should try to achieve it.

“Of course, there are many benefits, such as a higher supply standard, access to more privileges, and more attention, etc.”

“Every student who receives an ‘Exceptional’ rating will be awarded a ‘Third-Tier Excellent’ quality artifact by the association, and they can choose an intermediate arcane art to be taught free of charge.”

“Additionally, students who receive an ‘Exceptional’ rating can use the teleportation array to travel to various outposts without limitation, a privilege usually only granted to Third-Tier professionals.”

“Normally, ordinary Second-Tier students can only use the teleportation array once every three months to travel between different branch outposts.”

Originally, Hylial also yearned for a leisurely and natural pastoral life, but the offer was simply too generous. The ability to freely travel to different outposts, this “freedom” tipped the scales, prompting her to make a choice.

“Well, if I become famous on the Glittering Gold Plain, I can just go to other places. Not everyone knows me,” the girl thought inwardly.

“Thank you for telling me this.” The girl bowed slightly in gratitude, then took out the bag of wheat grains she had brought with her. “These are the ‘perfect’ quality wheat I cultivated. I wonder if they can impress the teachers.”

The golden wheat grains were spread on the black slate of the counter. Even though they had left their growing environment, these grains still held vitality, as if faintly breathing, emitting a faint halo.

Seeing this bag of glittering golden wheat, the woman behind the counter was filled with surprise. She carefully picked up a few grains, observed them in her palm, and then asked the girl to wait.

“Please wait a moment, Miss Hylial. I will go and invite the association’s Appraiser.”

An Appraiser was a professional specialized in identifying items, usually carrying a large box of lenses, and often a Transcendent with ‘Glorious Moon’ or ‘Secret Word’ affinities.

Soon, an Appraiser, led by the woman, hurried over. He approached the counter, glanced briefly at the silver-haired girl, and then his gaze was drawn to the wheat grains on the table.

The Appraiser, with neatly combed hair and a competent appearance, opened his waist pouch, took out a lens, and inserted it into the monocle frame on his nose, then aimed it at the wheat grains on the counter.

[Identification Lens (Wheat Grains)] (Excellent): A lens specifically used to identify the quality of wheat grains, inscribed with numerous intricate detection arrays. When the wheat grains meet the various data standards, different light thread patterns will appear on the lens.

At this moment, the magic array on the lens activated, and subtle light rays shone through the lens onto the wheat grains, then partially reflected back, bringing various information.

Nutritional level data feedback…

Freshness level data feedback…

Integrity level data feedback…

Natural texture data feedback…

…

‘Pass’ (Gray light thread…illuminated)

‘Good’ (Light green light thread…illuminated)

‘Excellent’ (Cyan light thread…illuminated)

‘Outstanding’ (Bright blue light thread…illuminated)

‘Rare’ (Purple light thread…illuminated)

…

‘Perfect’ (Golden light thread…illuminated)

The golden light appeared, transforming the spreading purple light threads into pale gold, then bright gold.

Finally, bright golden light threads outlined a complete golden wheat spike pattern on the lens, incredibly clear and beautiful, like an amazing work of art.

“Oh—simply incredible, this is the work of a Second-Tier student!”

“I mean, even some Third-Tier Gardeners aren’t this ‘perfectly flawless’.” The Appraiser reluctantly put down the lens, and it took him a while to avert his gaze from the wheat grains.

“May I know your name, beautiful young lady?”

“Lia, you can call me Hylial.”

The silver-haired girl’s clear voice and the etiquette and temperament she displayed answered the question of how to describe “perfect.” Any hint of doubt that had initially lingered was dispelled at that moment.

Indeed, such a genius was an undeniable presence, evident at a glance and impossible to overlook.

Afterward, Hylial’s bag of wheat grains and wheat spikes were escalated through multiple layers, eventually reaching the table of high-ranking officials in Whitecliff City.

Initially, some had doubts, but soon a ‘Four Seasons Alliance’ Gardener arrived, informing everyone that he had met the girl before and that she was indeed a genuine genius. This dispelled some of the lingering uncertainty.

“So, it means a shining new star, rarely seen even in the dangerous borderlands, has emerged from our secure and unremarkable central region outpost,” a knight in sturdy armor said, sitting at the head of a long table, his gauntlet-clad hand tapping the hardwood surface with a thumping sound.

“We always say that dangerous places temper people, and thus should receive more resources. Consequently, the funding and supplies for the Glittering Gold Plain have been continuously reduced over the years, and we’ve been asked to provide more grain and produce to support other outposts.”

“Now, isn’t it time to strike back at those old fuddy-duddies in the association?” A wizard in bright yellow robes adorned with vine and floral patterns stood by the window, hands behind his back, overlooking the city below.

“Heh heh, I don’t understand, and I don’t care about such things. However, if that young lady wants any rewards, she can ask me to forge something for her,” a blacksmith with a thick beard said, sitting at the table. His physique was burly, his muscles like cast bronze, sturdy and powerful.

These three represented the three major organizations entrenched in the ‘Glittering Gold Plain’: the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’, the ‘Four Seasons Alliance’, and the ‘Gold Forging Hammer’. These three were also the earliest organizations to invest in and establish the ‘Glittering Gold Plain’ outpost. Of course, these three were branches, and their main headquarters were on the surface continent.

“First, take people to the valley for a practical inspection. If the situation is truly as reported, we need to be prepared,” the tall knight leading the discussion decided, and the other two readily agreed.

“Commending talent is definitely necessary. We can even use this opportunity to advocate for some policy adjustments from the association’s headquarters. After all, a ‘genius rising star’ has truly emerged here, unlike those outposts that receive vast resources but incur annual losses and haven’t produced any brilliant achievements.”

“In all fairness, headquarters must make some concessions to us.”

After the discussion, the wizard in bright yellow attire with emerald branch and leaf patterns on his cuffs stood up.

“I will personally lead the team for this assessment and inspection.” He revealed the badge on the side of his collar, which was the symbol of identity for specific Fifth-Tier Transcendent within the ‘Four Seasons Alliance’.

Golden and emerald branches and leaves intertwined, adorned with vibrant three-colored flowers in full bloom: golden ‘sunflowers’, pink and white ‘clematis’, and bluish-purple ‘sage’.

‘Emblem of Spring’, awarded to ‘Kurand Hills’ in commendation for saving the ‘Lost Land’ from disaster in the year 2107 of the Covenant Epoch.