The Cornflower Witch Chapter 186

In the valley, golden wheat fields swayed gently in the autumn wind.

Toads of various colors meticulously tended to these crops, some fetching water, some clearing pests, and some performing the fluorescent Dew Prayer Method to promote plant growth.

After three consecutive days of classes, Hylial returned to this valley.

First, she spent half a day inspecting the field crops, then she returned to her hut for a nap.

In the afternoon, Hylial stood in the open space of her backyard, pondering her current situation.

She had already mastered crop cultivation abilities very well, and further advancement required reaching the third rank.

Knowledge-wise, she was steadily learning and accumulating information, so there was no need to worry.

However, in terms of combat, she was still relatively lacking. Although she possessed abilities like ‘Sprawling Vines’ and ‘Rampant Plant Growth’, their applicability was ultimately limited. Against strong enemies, they always felt insufficient.

Thinking this, she drew her Tree Jade Spirit Sword and practiced in the garden, going over the ‘Basic Swordsmanship’, ‘Military Swordsmanship’, and ‘Garden Swordsmanship’ she had learned earlier.

It would be much better if she could learn an offensive ability with explosive power and breakthrough power, like Iona’s ‘Gold Needle Blade’ she used back then. The Petrified Lizard she faced earlier, if it were a combat-proficient third-rank creature, her blade wouldn’t have been able to pierce its defenses at all.

Unfortunately, the strength of ‘Emerald Honey’ lay in cultivation, and it was always insufficient for combat.

Among the moon affinities, ‘Glorious Moon’ also leaned towards healing, purification, and recovery. In terms of offensive power, it still depended on the ‘Nightmare’ aspect.

Hylial sat under an apple tree, contemplating.

In three or four months, she would be heading to the border outpost. Even though she was a gardener and not a primary combatant, she still needed to be prepared for her own safety.

What was the best way to prepare?

She thought for a moment, then stood up and took out a seed, holding it in her palm. Soon, a vine grew along her wrist, then became sturdy, extending into a nearly three-meter tough whip covered in barbs.

This was the Sickle Thorn Vine she had purchased before her last adventure, but she hadn’t had a chance to use it yet.

Waving the vine whip, Hylial struck a stone in front of her, leaving a scratch. If it hit a creature, it would probably tear the opponent’s body into a blurry mess.

Afterward, she tested its strength again, slowly estimating in her mind.

Against a first-order creature, this vine whip would be very useful, not only for wounding but also for binding the opponent. However, against a second-order enemy, like the Blood Coil Python she encountered, the effect would be very poor. Its scales could resist the barbs of the vine whip, and the whip’s strength would be insufficient to bind it.

Such an ability was probably meant for self-defense and support for gardeners, with no expectation of strong offensive power from the start.

Another ability she rarely used, ‘Rampant Plant Growth’, when catalyzing Thorny Blade Grass, could cause trouble for many creatures and cover a large area at once, eliminating numerous low-level enemies.

After several tests, Hylial formed an assessment in her mind.

Finally, she took out her long-used Tree Jade Spirit Sword. After infusing it with her Emerald Honey aspect, the blade hummed and glowed brightly, then became sharp and sturdy.

Although it had no special effects, its ability to freely adjust its shape and length made it exceptionally easy to use.

Subsequently, she manipulated the Tree Jade Spirit Sword, transforming it into a knife, scythe, axe, and spear, demonstrating a flexible, “as-you-wish” quality.

When the Tree Jade Spirit Sword transformed at last, a sudden thought struck her.

Returning to her room, she took out the potted Fire Cloud Orchid and plucked a stamen from it, incorporating it into the Tree Jade Spirit Sword.

The originally emerald sword blade was now covered with orange-red fine lines spreading from the stamen, and then the entire blade became scalding hot, emitting a faint orange fiery glow.

At this point, Hylial swung her sword again, and large swathes of flames seemed to dance, leaving trails in the air.

It could indeed carry the effects of fire and high heat, but…

Hylial looked at the softened and nearly melted blade, shaking her head slightly.

Such an enhancement still caused a conflict, leading to a rapid decline in the blade’s own properties.

She retrieved the stamen, placed it aside, and then took out the Ice Lantern Flower Florella had given her earlier, inserting it into the sword guard.

An icy white luster spread from the sword guard to the blade, which then turned snow-white and freezing cold.

Hylial swung her sword again to test it, and a faint chill diffused, scattering a few specks of snow in the air.

【Tree Jade Spirit Sword】(First-Order – Rare): A resin jade sword imbued with the power of the Ice Lantern Flower, its might is enhanced. (Sturdiness +1, Sharpness +1, Icy Coldness +1)

This was much better than using the Fire Cloud Orchid; at least there was no conflict now.

Hylial nodded in satisfaction, but this was still not enough. It only made various powers more flexible to use and increased their versatility.

Taking out the Ice Lantern Flower from the sword and returning it to the potted plant, Hylial temporarily abandoned the idea of enhancing her combat strength with the ‘Emerald Honey’ aspect.

Each aspect had its strengths; why should she force herself to be a jack of all trades?

…

Two days later, Hylial returned to Whitestone Fortress again, but this time she went to the outpost of the Holy White Knight Hall. After displaying her badge and identity, the girl was quickly welcomed into the castle’s training ground. Here, many Knight Attendants were undergoing training, practicing swordsmanship, spearmanship, horsemanship, military knowledge, discipline management, and relevant secret history codes.

Upon hearing of Hylial’s arrival, a knight in silver-white armor approached.

“Hello, I am Albert, the knight on duty today.” He took off his helmet, revealing a handsome, yet somewhat melancholic face.

The knight appeared to be around thirty, with graying hair, looking a bit weathered but not old.

“Hello, I am Hylial. I’ve come to the Knight Order to learn an advanced swordsmanship.” This was a task and promise from Sir Cassius, the Knight Commander.

“I see.” The other party nodded slightly, his expression still calm.

“Please follow me.” He then led Hylial deeper into the Knight Hall, through a gate guarded by numerous attendants, and into a grand hall within the castle, resembling a temple.

Here stood numerous stone tablets, carved with figures in action and weapons, with the names of the combat techniques inscribed below.

‘Breakthrough Greatsword’ ‘Swift Wind Horsemanship’ ‘Piercing Lance’

‘White Dove Swordsmanship’ ‘Silver Armor Saint Plate’ ‘Shield of Protection’

‘Meteor Archery’ ‘Spiral Spear’ ‘Luminous Stone Breathing Method’

‘Luminous Stone Warhammer’ ‘Wall-like Stride’ ‘Shell-Breaking Greataxe’

…

A dazzling array of combat techniques stretched before Hylial, leaving her awestruck.

“These are the first and second-tier combat techniques and abilities available to the Knight Order. You may choose one to learn,” Albert explained.

Walking before these stone tablets, Hylial carefully read the descriptions below. These detailed the effects, learning requirements, and limitations of each technique.

Most abilities required the ‘Castle’ aspect, but some were not restricted to it, allowing other aspects to learn them. For instance, the ‘Shell-Breaking Greataxe’ ability could be learned by both ‘Snailfish’ and ‘Castle’ aspects. Its technique originally came from merfolk battling giant sea clams in the deep sea.

However, after the fragmentation of the land, there were no longer complete oceans, and now merfolk were extinct, with only amphibious species surviving, such as the toads in the valley.

After observing for a long time, Hylial finally stopped before one of the stone tablets.

‘Spiral Spear’; Must be wielded with a spiral spear blade engraved with special runes, possessing powerful penetration, and imbued with different lightning power depending on the wielder’s aspect. Requires one of the three aspects: ‘Sky’, ‘Blazing Sun’, or ‘Emerald Honey’.

Note: This technique is modeled after ‘Edanir’ from the Fifth Epoch. According to ancient legends, the Fairy Lords took branches from the World Tree, tempered them with the sun’s fire, and had them blessed and empowered by 385 Greater Fairies to become the mythical weapon that slew the Doomsday Black Serpent. (After the death of the Doomsday Black Serpent, its remains split into the Seven Dragons of Law.)

“I’ll choose this ability.” It just so happened that ‘Emerald Honey’ could also learn it, much to Hylial’s satisfaction.

“No problem.” Albert nodded, then approached the stone tablet. He placed his hand on it and knelt on one knee.

After a short while, he prayed solemnly, radiating a stone-white halo as invisible ripples spread outwards.

The inscriptions on the stone tablet lit up one by one, forming a translucent, virtual card above it. Intricate lines crisscrossed and intertwined within, engraving the essence of the technique.

About ten minutes later, the transparent card fully formed and floated in the air.

Albert stood up and turned to Hylial.

“Hylial, come here, stand before the stone tablet, and open your mind and body.”

“Yes.” Hylial walked forward with a hint of curiosity, then gazed at the giant floating card. Numerous tiny specks of light drifted and outlined within it, vaguely forming the shape of a spiral long spear.

As she stood still, the enormous card slowly descended, enveloping the young girl. In her consciousness, a unique scene unfolded in an instant, and an invisible, faint power flowed through her body, demonstrating the method and details of power circulation.

“Now memorize this technique with all your might, it will only last for 20 minutes,” Albert reminded.

“I understand.” Hylial nodded.

She closed her eyes and meticulously perceived the techniques and methods of deployment, memorizing the entire process.

About ten minutes later, as Hylial became familiar with and mastered the technique, a brand new ability card appeared on her Fate Plate.

【Spiral Spear Lv.1】(Emerald Honey): A combat ability that must be wielded with a special spear blade, capable of delivering a faint verdant azure lightning attack. (Lightning +0.3)

After Hylial opened her eyes, Albert nodded slightly, showing a hint of approval.

“This is the Knight Order’s stone tablet inheritance, which allows you to quickly learn a combat ability. However, as an advanced combat technique, you must raise this ability to the third stage for it to display its proper power and effectiveness.”

“Thank you, I understand.”

Practice until the third stage, huh? That’s probably how she’ll complete the Knight Commander’s mission.