The Cornflower Witch Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Flower Lantern

Back at Madame Faran’s mansion, Hylial informed the lady of their departure tomorrow.

“So soon?” the golden-haired noblewoman asked, slightly surprised.

“But since the time has come, we can’t change it. Come with me,” she said, rising and leading Hylial to the mansion’s underground storage room.

Passing through a long, narrow staircase corridor, Madame Faran took out a key and opened the door to the bottom floor, then walked inside.

Here, special Bluestone Boxes were arranged, seemingly used to seal and suppress something. Madame Faran walked directly to one of them, her finger pressing on the stone box. Golden patterns spread, adorned with floral branches and vines, covering the box, followed by a faint sound.

Madame Faran opened the stone box and took out a lantern, which greatly piqued Hylial’s curiosity.

The lantern had a handle at the top for gripping, and below it, the lantern body had a quadrangular roof. Further down was a cylindrical glass jar with faint patterns at the bottom. Black iron railings protected the glass jar, and a round base at the bottom allowed it to stand easily on the ground.

[Quadrangular Flower Lantern] (Second-Order – Rare): A special lantern, using honey as wax and flowers as wicks, specifically crafted for Gardeners to perform floral secret arts. (Enhances the effect of the Bloom-Flowering Method, and different liquids can be added to stimulate effects.)

“This lantern is for you as a farewell gift before your assessment,” Madame Faran placed the lantern in Hylial’s hand.

“Even though it’s only a second-order creation, it’s very difficult to craft. Often, only third-order Gardeners can acquire one.”

Looking at the lantern in her hand, Hylial felt it was surprisingly easy and comfortable to use, likely a inherited item that had been improved by many Gardeners.

“Additionally, I’ve prepared a coat for you,” Madame Faran opened another stone box and took out a thick, durable hooded robe.

“It’s sewn from Cotton-Fiber Grass fibers. If you learn the ‘Silk-Drawing and Weaving’ ability under the ‘Tailor’ profession later, you can repair any damage caused in battle yourself.”

After speaking, Madame Faran placed the slightly heavy coat in Hylial’s hands.

“I also have more precious things, but they are not suitable for you. They would only attract unnecessary scrutiny and trouble. Also, some high-level extraordinary creations possess strong affinity forces. If your own rank is not high enough, you will be disturbed by them, and over time, it will even harm you,” Madame Faran warned Hylial.

“I understand, thank you, Madame,” Hylial bowed in gratitude after receiving the gifts.

In response, Madame Faran gently stroked Hylial’s hair, then led her out of the underground storage room.

“Come, let’s test the effect of that lantern first.”

Back above ground, Madame Faran and Hylial went to the small greenhouse, where the Fire Cloud Orchid was on the verge of full bloom.

“Without催化, it would probably open by noon tomorrow,” Madame Faran commented after a brief inspection.

“Now is the time to test your learning. Use the ability of [Dew Prayer and Branch Combing] to make it bloom today,” Madame Faran stepped aside, allowing Hylial to proceed.

“Yes.” Hylial approached the flower, resting one hand gently on the stem, her eyes gleaming.

Among the luxuriant green leaves, orange-red orchids of various sizes were interspersed. Their colors ranged from Orange-Yellow and fiery red to a deeper Pomegranate Red. Today, Hylial’s target was those Pomegranate Red Fire Cloud Orchids.

A faint Emerald Honey Aura appeared in Hylial’s palm, then flowed over the Pomegranate Red Fire Cloud Orchids.

Soon, the intricate veins and textures within the Fire Cloud Orchid clearly appeared in the girl’s mind. The condition of every leaf and every root was completely displayed. With this understanding, she began to implement the Branch Combing Method to adjust the various conditions within these Fire Cloud Orchids.

As the condition gradually reached perfection, she once again guided the Fire Cloud Orchids to absorb the dripping Emerald Dew Water, filling the crucial flower buds with this power.

Gradually, the half-open flowers began to unfurl, and the Pomegranate Red color also began to change, partly fading, with the specks of color converging towards the pistil.

…

Half an hour later, the blooming petals were fiery red and expansive, like wisps of vibrant flames, and in the center of the petals, the tiny pistil now resembled a tiny spark, emitting a faint halo and heat.

[Fire Cloud Orchid] (Perfect-96): In bloom. Due to your careful cultivation, this Fire Cloud Orchid has bloomed perfectly and fully. As a reward for your extremely meticulous care, nature bestows upon you the crystallization of the ‘Emerald Honey’ affinity.

[Fire Cloud Orchid Flower] (First-Order – Emerald Honey): A manifestation of a Gardener’s meticulous care and patient cultivation. The pistil within is like a tiny flickering spark, emitting light and heat. Once these pistils fall, they will transform into expanding fireballs, releasing the energy they contain.

In this cluster of Fire Cloud Orchids, Hylial, using her own abilities, force-ripened and bloomed five ‘First-Order – Emerald Honey’ affinity ‘Fire Cloud Orchid Flowers’.

Subsequently, under Madame Faran’s guidance, Hylial carefully transplanted three of the ‘Fire Cloud Orchid Flowers’ and placed them into the lantern.

“The upper part of the lantern has a hidden compartment for liquids. You should add the ‘Emerald Dew Water’ you’ve condensed into it,” Madame Faran instructed again.

“Yes.”

Hylial took out the 99% concentrated Emerald Dew Water she had stored in the greenhouse and carefully poured it in.

“Good, now hold the lantern and follow me.”

Madame Faran led Hylial to an open grassy area in the backyard.

“First, feel the structure of the Flower Lantern. Following the method of the Bloom-Flowering Method, infuse power into the ‘Fire Cloud Orchid’ through the lantern.”

“Alright.” Hylial adjusted her breathing, closed her eyes to sense it, and then a faint aura spread from her wrist to the lantern in her hand.

The power of the Bloom-Flowering Method flowed unimpeded within the lantern, then connected to the three internal Fire Cloud Orchids. Stimulated and amplified by this power, the flickering “spark pistils” rapidly increased in brightness. Subsequently, an invisible wave of fire was released from the base of the lantern, impacting in all directions.

This scorching wave of fire ruffled Hylial’s clothes and hair, and across the lawn where the fire wave had passed, many withered grass fragments ignited. Some lighter branches were even lifted, rolling across the lawn, emitting wisps of smoke.

“Hmm, it seems you already have a basic understanding of how to use it,” Madame Faran nodded.

Just now, because it was her first time, Hylial only used thirty percent of her strength. If she were to fully activate the Bloom-Flowering Method, wouldn’t it instantly ignite and burn the big tree in the backyard?

“However, you need to adapt to this ability more often, otherwise the impacting fire waves will also cause harm to yourself,” Madame Faran instructed.

“Yes, teacher.”

Hylial looked at the lantern in her hand with a hint of novelty. Although her temperament was generally composed, she couldn’t hide the joy in her heart, like a child with a new toy.

“Hehe, go ahead and try it out,” Madame Faran observed with amusement.

“Also, if you press the hidden button on top of the lantern, you can drop the stored ‘Emerald Dew Water’ into the flower, which will increase its power a bit.”

“However, you should use this ability cautiously. I feel that your ‘Fire Cloud Orchid’ has been cultivated too well, and so has your Bloom-Flowering Method. With several factors stacked, even as the Gardeners who operate it, you could be burned by the ‘Fire Cloud Orchid’s’ heat waves.”

Her own ‘First-Order – Emerald Honey’, plus three ‘First-Order – Emerald Honey’ Fire Cloud Orchids, combined with the stimulation and amplification of Emerald Dew Water and the Bloom-Flowering Method, the resulting power would likely be more than ten times that of an ordinary first-order spell, enough to rival some ‘second-order’ spells, Madame Faran calculated silently.

Hylial now was like a child wielding a greatsword far beyond her strength. Although the power was astonishing, as her teacher and elder, Madame Faran was still worried that she might injure herself.

However, this child’s talent was indeed excellent; she could meticulously control power far beyond her rank, so it was probably not an issue.

(End of Chapter)