The Cornflower Witch Chapter 158

At night, a few people gathered around the campfire to eat. Roasted venison was laid out on a wooden board, along with mushroom and vegetable soup served in wooden bowls, which looked particularly appetizing.

The venison, seasoned with spices and salt, was piping hot and juicy, dripping with oil. Eating it was a true pleasure, leaving everyone feeling quite satisfied.

The mushroom and vegetable soup was a welcome counterbalance, occasionally sipped between bites to cleanse the palate and soothe the throat, proving especially comforting.

After enjoying their delicious dinner, the leader, ‘Bad Apple,’ began to summarize the day’s gains and situation.

“Overall, today was very smooth, especially with Lia joining us. Our reconnaissance of the enemy situation has reached a reassuring level.”

“We hunted one deer, three gray rabbits, two poisonous snakes, and three Black-Crowned Magpies.”

“The hide and antlers of the Twisted Horn Deer are probably worth about 12 Gold Coins. The fur of the three gray rabbits is worth a total of 80 Silver Coins. The fangs, gallbladders, and scales of the two poisonous snakes can be sold to apothecaries, probably for about 3 Gold Coins each, so 6 Gold Coins for both.”

“The feathers of the three Black-Crowned Magpies can be used for alchemy materials, worth about 1 Gold Coin and 20 Silver Coins.”

“Adding it all up, it’s roughly 20 Gold Coins.” He finished, whistling cheerfully.

Next was counting and checking supplies. Everyone had not experienced any fierce battles today, so the supplies were still in good condition.

Then, they checked the erosion of their Fate Cards. Since they traveled through the black and white world, such erosion was almost unavoidable. Everyone closed their eyes and carefully sensed it. After a while, they reported their data.

“I’m at about 1.8%.” Karl, as a wizard, had keen spiritual power and quickly analyzed his own state.

“I’m at 2.1%.” ‘Bad Apple’ also opened his eyes quickly.

“I’m probably around 2%.” Yarn roughly estimated, as he wasn’t proficient in this.

Bona looked up, a little embarrassed, “I still can’t tell how much I’ve been eroded, but I definitely feel it’s below 5%.”

Although she couldn’t tell herself, Hylial could discern her current state to be actually 2.7%, the deepest among the group.

As for Hylial herself, she analyzed it for a long time but found no signs of erosion.

“I can’t analyze it either. I don’t feel any erosion,” the girl replied.

“This is your first time exploring this black and white world. Without experience to compare, it’s really hard to notice subtle changes,” Karl pondered and offered a simple comfort.

Generally speaking, the stronger one’s spiritual power, the more one can detect such subtle changes, and a Gardener is not a profession known for strong spiritual power.

“Here, take this.” The team leader pulled a precise metal sphere from his pack and tossed it to Hylial.

“Input your Aspect power into the sphere. If the color changes, it means you’ve reached 5%.”

“Okay, I’ll try.” Hylial tried to input her power, and then the sphere emitted a faint white glow.

“That means it hasn’t reached 5% yet, so it’s still quite safe,” Karl explained.

“If it reaches 5%, it will show a faint yellow light. 10% is Orange-Yellow, 15% is orange, 20% is Orange-Red, 25% is dark red, and 30% is purple-red.”

“Usually, a team will carry one to check at any time, because some students, especially new first-order ones, can’t even perceive their own state, and experience is too unreliable. However, this item is not cheap; one costs at least 20 Gold Coins and is uniformly produced by the association’s alchemists.”

After the team leader recorded the status of each member, it was time to assign watch duties.

“At least two people need to rotate for watch, but considering sufficient rest, three people rotating is more appropriate, so everyone can sleep better.”

“As usual, me, Yarn, and Karl will rotate. Lia, you and Bona don’t need to tonight.” The隊長 directly arranged.

In fact, they weren’t comfortable having a newcomer stand watch, so sticking to the old system was better.

And so, Hylial, a newcomer to adventuring, lay down on a mat with Bona not far from the campfire, covered themselves with thin blankets, and prepared to sleep.

However, Hylial couldn’t quite fall asleep, probably not being tired yet. She lay on the mat, listening to the gentle crackling of the burning firewood and the footsteps and activities of the watch members. After a while, she finally drifted into a light sleep.

In the morning, the cold mist had not yet dispersed.

Hylial awoke to the sounds of her companions’ activities.

Yarn was still asleep, Bona had already started making breakfast, Karl stood nearby, having his ghost cat scout the surroundings, and the team leader, Bad Apple, was tidying up the sleeping mats.

“Are you awake, Lia?” Bona sat by the fire, waving to the girl.

“Were you cold last night? Come over and have some hot water.” A small metal kettle was boiling water by the fire.

“I slept well.” It was indeed colder here than in the valley, perhaps autumn had arrived.

Soon, Bona finished cooking vegetable and meat porridge, then heated the portable flatbreads and distributed them to everyone.

After eating while it was hot, everyone felt much better. Afterward, they helped tidy up the remaining items and packed them again.

“Let’s go.” Yarn hoisted his belongings and called out to everyone.

Most of the team’s luggage was carried by him, with a smaller portion by Bona and Karl. As for the team leader, he needed to maintain quick reaction capabilities and therefore did not carry much luggage.

Hylial’s only small package now contained her emergency food, potions, candles, distress signal flares, and a towel. That was all. Everyone continued their journey through the deep forest, following the route on the map.

They exited colored areas several times, crossing long black and white zones, and then re-entered a nodal point along the way. The morning’s journey was relatively smooth, with few gains.

In the afternoon, after reaching a nodal point, they rested for a while, and then the captain discussed with the others using a map.

“Now we have two choices. One is to go north, where there is a canyon. The grass and trees there are extremely dense; it’s basically like walking through a sea of grass, where you can’t see anything more than a few meters away. It’s somewhat dangerous, but there’s also a chance to find some special fruits.”

“The other option is to take a path to the east, which follows a mountain wall. The visibility is good, but you might encounter strange rock worms along the way, though the danger level is lower.”

After hearing his description, the others each considered their options.

[1. Choose the canyon, unknown danger +3, reward +3]

[2. Choose the mountain wall, danger +1]

This was the data presented in Hylial’s mind after comprehensive consideration.

Soon, they voted. Except for Yarn who chose the mountain wall, everyone else chose the canyon.

“Yarn has always been cautious, so I’m not surprised by his choice. But why did Karl change too?” Bona wondered.

“I don’t always disregard rewards. This time, a new team member joined, and Lia is very skilled at reconnaissance, so the danger won’t be that high. Plus, the rewards are tangible.” He shook his head, analyzing calmly.

“More importantly, the reason I came here is to find the ‘Ash-Wrought Fruit.’ If I can’t find it, I might have to come back several times. The accumulated danger over multiple trips wouldn’t be less, and it would waste even more time.”

“Indeed, time cost is also a significant cost.” The captain flipped his pen, recorded their decision in his diary, and then led everyone northward.

Walking through the thick shade of the forest, and crossing several hills, they gradually reached the depths of a damp valley.

When they first entered, the grass only reached their ankles, but as they proceeded, it gradually reached their waists, then their chests. Bona, the shortest member of the team, eventually lost sight of the distance.

The blades of grass, covered in dew, brushed against their bodies, bringing not only a chill but also tiny black insects burrowing into their clothes, making them uncomfortable.

“I’m starting to regret this.” Bad Apple shook his head, feeling that taking the canyon route was not a good idea.

“Hmm, you guys pull me with a rope. I’m afraid you might lose me and not even notice.” Bona, walking at the back, felt somewhat uneasy.

“The danger level is still acceptable.” Karl waved his hand, and his invisible ghosts moved through the grass, helping him scout the surroundings.

“Can Lia see what’s far ahead?” the captain asked the black-haired girl.

Hylial heard him, looked around, and nodded.

“I can generally see. Besides the grass and plants, there are only some ordinary snakes and insects; nothing special.” Although she said that, looking at the increasingly deep tall grass ahead, she also felt a little troubled.

After walking for about another kilometer, the surrounding green grass had grown taller than them, completely submerging the team. Logically, the structure of the grass should not be able to support such height, and it should bend or fall, or grow thick roots like corn to prop itself up.

However, the weeds here were indeed strange; perhaps the special environment of the secret realm, coupled with the influence of distorted aspects, gave rise to such plants.

As they walked, the group’s speed became increasingly slow. Hylial’s perception was also reduced to within a range of about 200 meters.

Just as everyone saw that they were halfway through the journey and began to feel a glimmer of hope, Hylial suddenly stopped. She turned her head with a look of doubt towards one side, where faint rustling sounds of some strange living creature could be heard, masked by the swishing of the grass. The sound was quite faint, and if it weren’t for her, no one else in the team would have noticed it.

Seeing that Hylial had stopped, the others were puzzled, but the team leader, Bad Apple, suddenly thought of something.

“Prepare for battle immediately. Bona, get to the center.”

“Yes.” Upon hearing this, everyone immediately dropped their packs and stood on guard.

Grayish-white powder sprinkled from Karl’s hand, then, under his control, it formed an illusory figure that rushed towards the direction Hylial was gazing.

Soon, a fierce strike emerged from the sea of grass, sending large patches of grass blades flying and snapping. The dark red figure was promptly blocked by Yarn, who held up his shield, emitting a deafening muffled thud.

At this moment, everyone could clearly see the opponent from the fallen grass.

A giant python was raising its blood-red head high, looking down at everyone. Its midway abdomen was slightly thicker, as if it had swallowed many living creatures. Its raised head was about 5-6 meters high, and its scarlet tail slithered through the grass. The strike that almost sent Yarn flying just now was from its tail.

This snake probably weighed several tons, Hylial thought, astonished. Then, a luminous glow circulated in her eyes as she analyzed the situation of the opponent.

Species: Blood Coil Python (Advanced)

Status: Healthy (Bloodthirsty)

Talents:

Devour [Excellent]: Can devour prey larger than its body and gradually digest it, absorbing the opponent’s strength.

Fate Card: [Crimson Giant Python] (Tier 2 Blood Discipline)

‘The Blood Coil Python finally advanced after devouring numerous prey, becoming a more powerful and dangerous existence.’

–

Effect: [Python Body Lv.5], a talent in your bloodline, granting you powerful constricting abilities, easily able to strangle elephants and rhinos. Even steel will be crushed and deformed.

–

Effect: [Blood Drain Fangs Lv.4], you have no mind for useless venom, instead using your sharp fangs to directly extract the opponent’s blood, causing them to lose the strength to resist.

Ability Cards:

[Blood Devour Method Lv.5] (Blood Discipline): Can digest and devour flesh, scales, and bones, transforming them into its own ‘Blood Discipline’ aspect power.

[Red Scale Exoskeleton Lv.3] (Blood Discipline): A tough, thick outer skin, difficult to pierce with guns or swords, and resistant to high temperatures.

[Snake Gaze Lv.3] (Blood Discipline): Your gaze intimidates many weaker creatures, paralyzing them with fear. You can gaze and attack opponents, causing their blood to tremble and their movements to become stiff.