The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 177: The Pure Blood Fruit

Vol 2 Chapter 177 The Pure Blood Fruit

Feeling that proficiency gains for [Lock Within the Pupil] had become difficult after its ability upgrade, Sylutia switched to using another ability again. This time, she used [Intimidating Gaze].

Chains peeled away layer by layer from the air. The newly freed 'Formless Child', facing Sylutia, no longer attempted to attack but instead panicked and prepared to flee. Unfortunately, at that moment, Sylutia's eyes blinked, her light blue irises instantly shifting to an authoritative gold, within which a supreme will seemed to manifest, causing the fleeing 'Formless Child' to halt its movement.

Its body froze stiff, as if scared witless, not daring to move.

([Intimidating Gaze] Proficiency +25)

Not bad at all, Sylutia blinked, the golden light dissipating and returning to normal. Only then did the 'Formless Child' dare to move again, preparing to flee the scene.

However, it hadn't taken more than a few steps before Sylutia once again activated the golden [Intimidating Gaze], stunning and immobilizing it.

([Intimidating Gaze] Proficiency +16)

Once more, the creature couldn't move, its body frozen stiff by the impact of that supreme will within the gaze.

Afterwards, Sylutia repeatedly used and experimented with it. Each time, the Formless Child would halt its action, its body rigid. This process, lacking much challenge and always repetitive, also caused the proficiency gained each time to plummet. After a dozen or so times, the proficiency gain became([Intimidating Gaze] Proficiency +1)

and eventually even stopped adding proficiency altogether.

Seeing this, Sylutia had no choice but to give up on further improving [Intimidating Gaze] and switched to another ability.

[Bewildering Demon Eye]

The golden light in the girl's eyes faded, replaced by an enchanting purple, which, paired with her innocent and pure face, created a strange allure.

Under the gaze of such eyes, the 'Formless Child' seemed to lose its reason, slowly approaching Sylutia and gradually lowering its guard.

This guy's mental power is poor, and its will is weak, Sylutia could easily guide it to walk back and forth, even perform some simple actions.

"Turn in a circle." Sylutia blinked her eyes, conveying the command through her gaze.

The Formless Child slowly turned a circle.

([Bewildering Demon Eye] Proficiency +15)

"Turn your body into a ring." The girl's commands gradually became more complex.

This time, the Formless Child fumbled for quite a while before slowly contorting its body into a ring. It seemed that after being controlled by [Bewildering Demon Eye], its already low intelligence operated even slower.

([Bewildering Demon Eye] Proficiency +17)

Afterwards, Sylutia tried many more commands. As the commands grew increasingly complex, the target's reactions became slower and slower, until finally it couldn't understand, just standing there dumbly.

([Bewildering Demon Eye] Proficiency +3, Progress 301/300, Trial condition met)

[Bewildering Demon Eye Lv.5 → Lv.6]: Uses the eyes to cast illusion techniques, can cause hallucinations in the target, confuse their mind, and provide guidance, making the target execute simple commands. Normal use is fine; focused use can cause the target to develop an inexplicable fondness or aversion towards you. Focused use places a burden on the eyes (recommended not to exceed 12 minutes/day).

Compared to before, it added a guidance function, enabling the target to complete simple behaviors.

During the time Sylutia interacted with the 'Formless Child', the monsters under the Blood-Limb Tree also began to fight. One tall, muscular blood-ox was pierced through the brain by a black serpent and died under the tree. On the other side, a winged 'Child of the Abyss' defeated a stone monster shaped like a pineapple. The opponent's consciousness dissipated, turning into shattered stone fragments that rolled onto the ground.

After two monsters died, three remained on the scene, and the 'Formless Child' before Sylutia was now completely under her control, standing motionless and dazed to the side.

"Forget it, I won't kill you." She had originally intended to use this Formless Child to practice her offensive abilities, but seeing it so obedient now, Sylutia felt a bit reluctant to just kill it outright.

She raised her finger, pointing at the 'Formless Child' before her. A faint starlight flashed in her eyes, and then a card appeared in her hand.

[Sealing Card · Formless Child] (Third Tier · Distortion)

Although it couldn't be commanded as freely as the Eye Tyrants, since it wouldn't resist, it could be made to execute some extremely simple commands.

With the Formless Child removed, there were now four competitors left under the big tree, including Sylutia:

[Bone-Devouring Black Serpent] (Third Tier · Bloodline)

[Child of the Abyss] (Third Tier · Nightmare)

[Lion-Head Monster] (Third Tier · Beast Fang)

Among them, the [Bone-Devouring Black Serpent] was the strongest. It had just devoured the brain of the same-tier muscular blood-ox and was now swimming through the air, its body's bone joints trembling and clattering, producing unsettling sounds. Its sharp fangs were bared, and a blood-red tongue flickered in and out of its black serpent head from time to time.

The [Lion-Head Monster] resembled a standing lion, but its claws were closer to human hands. Its robust arms wielded four bone-tusk daggers. The fur on its feet shimmered with a strange blue light, allowing it to step and push off in mid-air, achieving extremely fast speeds when dashing.

Originally, the 'Lion-Head Monster' was the strongest among the six monsters, but after devouring the blood-ox, the Bone-Devouring Black Serpent had clearly gained significant enhancement and could now faintly suppress the Lion-Head Monster. Currently, they were the ones mutually wary and restraining each other. As for the 'Child of the Abyss', it was now slightly farther from the fruit tree, watching both sides with a sinister gaze, seemingly waiting for an opportunity.

After defeating its original opponent, it had expended quite a bit, and coupled with its inherently weaker physique compared to the two monsters ahead, it would be torn apart by the black serpent or the Lion-Head Monster if it couldn't control them. Currently, it was the weakest among the three monsters.

Under normal circumstances, a knight could probably defeat the 'Child of the Abyss', could manage a stalemate or have about a fifty percent chance of victory against the 'Bone-Devouring Black Serpent', but would most likely be unable to defeat the 'Lion-Head Monster'.

Its strength and speed far surpassed those of other same-tier creatures, and those four daggers could easily pierce through rock.

As Sylutia approached, the 'Child of the Abyss' emitted a sharp shriek, attempting to stun and intimidate Sylutia to find her weakness. However, Sylutia simply raised her hand in response, and a verdant green spear pierced through its body, killing it on the spot.

At this point, the overly weak 'Child of the Abyss' was no longer a suitable practice opponent. Furthermore, she really disliked its weird and sharp cries, so she simply and decisively finished it off.

Seeing Sylutia approach, the previously confronting 'Bone-Devouring Black Serpent' and 'Lion-Head Monster' also temporarily shifted their attention to her. After witnessing Sylutia easily kill the Child of the Abyss, they also became wary of this young girl.

As if by prior agreement, the two monsters simultaneously launched attacks at Sylutia, deciding to eliminate this 'outsider' first.

In this turbid and distortion-corrupted abyssal region, the pure aura emanating from this girl was far too conspicuous and uncomfortable for these monsters.

"Ah, so you're coming at me together."

Sylutia watched as both sides suddenly attacked. Her body lightly leaped, hovering in the air, evading the black serpent's biting assault. Then, gripping the twin emerald-glowing swords in her hands, she engaged the Lion-Head Monster.

The swordsmanship she hadn't used for a long time faced immense pressure when confronted with the simultaneous assault of four daggers. The Lion-Head Monster's strength was also tremendous; with each clash, Sylutia felt her palms go numb from the shock, and the sword blades became covered with large notches.

Simply engaging in swordsmanship, Sylutia was suppressed by the opponent's strength and speed, finding it difficult to parry.

Seeing the sharp, heavy bone-tusk dagger thrusting from the side, while Sylutia's twin swords were still blocking the other two descending blades and couldn't be withdrawn for defense, she had no choice but to briefly traverse space, avoiding this fatal strike.

But then the 'Bone-Devouring Black Serpent' arrived again, giving her no chance to catch her breath. The moment she emerged from the traversal, it charged straight for her face. In danger, Sylutia twisted her body, leaning her head back, narrowly avoiding the sharp venomous fangs that brushed past her.

This is a bit tough. Do I have to use 'Evil Eye Shot' again to break through with sheer force? Sylutia thought, feeling somewhat unwilling.

She flipped her body again, dodging the Lion-Head Monster's blade, then used her sword to block its incoming slash. At that moment, a light flashed in her eyes.

[Intimidating Gaze]

A dazzling golden light appeared in her pupils. The Lion-Head Monster she was directly looking at stiffened, its movements slowing by a beat, allowing Sylutia to easily dodge and then swing her sword in retaliation, leaving a scratch and drawing blood on the Lion-Head Monster for the first time.

The wound was too shallow to cause significant damage.

Afterwards, Sylutia used her spatial traversal ability again, avoiding the black serpent attacking from behind, and reappeared in the air.

Being attacked from both sides is indeed a bit annoying, she thought, looking down at the black serpent that had missed its pounce below. The symbol of chains appeared in her eyes, and then transparent chains extended from the void, binding the black serpent's body.

At first, the black serpent could still struggle, breaking one invisible chain after another. But as Sylutia continuously poured in power, more invisible chains extended, binding the serpent one after another until it was completely trapped.

After severing the black serpent's connection to the outside world, the Aspect power within its body was suppressed, making it difficult to regain mobility.

Now, Sylutia could finally have a proper fight with that Lion-Head Monster.

This time, she put away the 'Jade Spirit Swords' she was using and took out a two-handed sword forged from Glittergold, holding it in her hands as she began to recall various swordsmanship combat techniques she had learned in the past.

When the Lion-Head Monster charged again, she swung the sword she held, employing the 'Garden Swordsmanship' she had once learned to block the attack.

The sharp Glittergold clashed with the bone-tusk long knives, their edges grinding together with a fine, crackling sound, shedding some bone-tusk powder. Even though Sylutia blocked the slashing blades, the heavy force still made her body stagger backward repeatedly. In the end, she had to rely on redirecting the force to barely hold her ground.

This won't do, the difference in strength is too great. Its speed isn't slow either, so I can't easily dodge. It seems without using additional means, I can't withstand it in a frontal clash.

After retreating for the moment, Sylutia blinked her eyes again, a dazzling golden light pouring forth. But this time, the Lion-Head Monster was wary and avoided her line of sight, greatly reducing the effect of [Intimidating Gaze].

Although it didn't achieve the intended effect, the Lion-Head Monster's movements were also distorted, preventing it from catching up to Sylutia.

It still has some use, Sylutia thought, feeling slightly excited facing this challenging opponent.

In the subsequent battle, she continuously switched between using various abilities to weaken, hinder, and disrupt the Lion-Head Monster. Despite being inferior in strength, she fought back and forth, occasionally even gaining the upper hand and leaving wounds on her opponent.

After some time, Sylutia's [Intimidating Gaze] increased to Lv.6, while [Lock Within the Pupil], [Bewildering Demon Eye], [Astral Float], and [Astral Traversal] all gained varying degrees of improvement, getting significantly closer to Lv.7.

Seeing her condition getting better and better, her responses becoming easier and easier, while the Lion-Head Monster opposite her was suffering immensely, feeling increasingly exhausted and even beginning to entertain thoughts of retreat.

Unfortunately, by the time it wanted to run, it was already too late. After several exchanges, the Lion-Head Monster's stamina gradually depleted. Sylutia used the golden [Intimidating Gaze] to immobilize its body, then bound it with [Lock Within the Pupil], and finally completed the sealing.

[Sealing Card · Lion-Head Monster] (Third Tier · Beast Fang)

'A formidable lion-headed monster with four arms, can step and push off in mid-air, possesses great strength and speed.'

After dealing with the Lion-Head Monster, the remaining black serpent was even easier to handle. This time, Sylutia didn't hold back. After releasing it, she began experimenting with various offensive abilities.

[Evil Eye Shot] [Piercing Ray]

The purple light of Evil Eye Shot could gouge out black-red pits on the black serpent's body, but a single shot couldn't penetrate it.

The attack of Piercing Ray could pierce through the serpent's skeletal structure, but this ability required a relatively long charge time. If a single shot didn't hit a vital spot, it would leave a long period of vulnerability.

Using the two rays alternately, this Bloodline Aspect black serpent possessed decent recovery ability. Apart from the one time 'Piercing Ray' shattered its spine, causing it to fall from the air, other attacks, even if they caused wounds, couldn't render it immobile.

([Evil Eye Shot] Proficiency +16)

([Piercing Ray] Proficiency +12)

...

Ten minutes later, [Evil Eye Shot] and [Piercing Ray] respectively upgraded to Lv.7, while this black serpent, which had originally been the strongest after devouring the blood-ox, now lay on the ground. Its ferocious serpent body still writhed, but its head had been shattered.

Finally killed it, Sylutia also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although trapping the black serpent wasn't difficult, killing it unexpectedly took a lot of time. Perhaps it was also because Sylutia had been carefully avoiding vital spots, wanting to fight a bit longer.

Now, all the Third Tier monsters around the fruit tree had been cleared out. Other lower-tier monsters, seeing this, didn't dare to approach, frightened by the aura of the dead Third Tier creatures, only daring to observe secretly from a great distance.

Her body floating up, Sylutia's fingers gently touched the large 'Blood Fruit', sensing the viscous, distorted blood-like breathing within. At this moment, the 'Blood Fruit' had gestated to 99%, needing only the final bit of time.

Sylutia didn't pick it immediately but closed her eyes to carefully perceive the changes within, probing its gestation process. This strange fruit, born from the interaction of multiple Aspects like 'Bloodline', 'Verdant Nectar', and 'Distortion', held research value that ordinary plants rarely possessed.

About half an hour later, Sylutia opened her eyes, a slight stream of information surfacing in her heart.

(['Horticulture Skill' breakthrough, reached Lv.7])

The skill that had been stuck before finally took a step forward, allowing Sylutia's plant cultivation to reach a higher level.

After a moment's thought, she shifted herself to the 'Verdant Nectar' Aspect, then gently placed her hand on the fruit.

First, she helped it sort out its internal chaotic structure and blood vessels, expelling excess impurities. As a result, the originally brightly colored fruit gradually became somewhat transparent. Its previous eerie aura also became purer, more alluring.

Afterwards, Sylutia used the [Natural Growth] ability to make the 'Blood-Limb' tree before her absorb the residual blood and carcasses of various monsters on the ground, converting the remaining Aspects and power within.

Soon, the blood essence within the fruit became more condensed.

Then, Sylutia slowly descended, arriving before the fruit tree's root system, closing her eyes to perform.

The silver light and shadow of the Luminous Moon manifested behind her. Clear spring water poured into the soil for the tree to absorb.

This strange, dark-red limb-like fruit tree gradually shed its distorted colors, becoming restrained and calm. The mixed 'Distortion' Aspect within the fruit was gradually purified and removed.

Finally, as the fruit's radiance condensed and receded, all the eerie light it had previously emitted was completely internalized, turning into a crystal-clear, crystalline appearance. Its Aspect tier also transformed at this moment.

[Pure Blood Fruit] (Fourth Tier · Bloodline)

'A perfect Blood Fruit that has already been filtered of distortion and impurities. Its quality has also broken through from Third Tier to Fourth Tier. Consuming it can greatly increase the power of the 'Bloodline' Aspect. Can be used to nurture powerful creatures, craft high-tier potions, learn special secret arts, serve as a rare sacrificial offering in rituals, etc.'

Carefully plucking the fruit, the young girl sniffed it. The faint sweet fragrance it emitted made one want to take a bite.

However, eating it like this would still be a bit wasteful. She carefully stored it away, treasuring it as her current masterpiece of cultivation.