The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 196: Fairy's Blessing

Vol 2 Chapter 196: Fairy's Blessing

'Twin-Headed Serpent Blackquis,' the legendary monster worshipped by the Twin-Snake Cult. In the Seventh Epoch, it brought terrifying nightmares to early humanity, nearly causing the extinction of human ancestors in the Vast Star Wilderness.

Although the Primordial King ultimately defeated it, the terrifying legends it left behind continued to influence later generations, even leading some humans to worship it, thus establishing the Twin-Snake Cult.

Using 'Blackquis' as their prototype, the Twin-Snake Cult created many bizarre and cruel secret arts. Among them were numerous techniques that could splice creatures together to form new monsters, as well as rituals involving the sacrifice and devouring of humans to gain power.

In past eras, many, greedy for the secret arts they possessed, joined their ranks, allowing the 'Twin-Snake Cult' to flourish for a time. However, during the chaotic era of the Eighth Epoch, with the changing of the Hours and the all-out warfare between various factions, the scale and intensity of conflict escalated. The weaknesses of the Twin-Snake Cult gradually became exposed.

They were indeed like venomous snakes in dark corners, inspiring fear. But in the comprehensive and brutal wars of that age, such small-scale, underhanded tactics gradually couldn't keep up with the intensity of the struggle. When the Corona Dragon returned, it directly purged the entire Fifth Continent to establish its authority, causing countless beings to tremble in fear.

Due to their methods and nature, the Twin-Snake Cult was ostracized by many forces and races, especially by the high-ranking officers of the human faction, who were determined to eradicate them completely. In that environment, the Twin-Snake Cult gradually declined, either going into hiding or changing their appearance and doctrine. The later Named One 'Pallen Markov' was one such branch that altered the cult's teachings and face.

Sylutia recalled the information concerning the 'Twin-Snake Cult' as she hurried towards the small, newly erected lighthouse in the camp.

She looked at the lit white sphere atop the lighthouse and placed her hand on its stone wall, sensing its condition.

"Lady Tia?" Seeing her suddenly connect to the lighthouse node, the guarding members inquired curiously."I need to connect to the command post in the rear. There is important information to report."

Though they didn't understand what was happening, seeing Sylutia's grave expression, the members immediately sprang into action. They assisted Sylutia in adjusting the lighthouse node. Then, a brilliant beacon of light shot up, piercing the dark, sludge-filled sky to transmit the message.

After roughly a few minutes, faint golden text appeared within the lighthouse before dissipating.

"The rear has received it," reported the guarding member after reading the line of text.

"That's good," Sylutia nodded. Considering they were already very close to the 'Blackquis Juvenile's' location, she knew the upcoming battle would inevitably involve great danger.

"Notify everyone to prepare for evacuation. Also, before leaving, reinforce the lighthouse node so it can remain lit for over three days if possible."

"Yes."

The entire team began to move, everyone sensing a tense atmosphere.

This was already the limit of their exploration. The constantly flowing black sludge around them rendered their external scouting methods useless. No one knew what lay ahead. The unknown bred fear. Members who were already somewhat worried felt clearly that something was wrong upon hearing Sylutia's command, and their pace unconsciously quickened.

Over ten minutes later, the entire team was ready and began retreating along the path they came from.

"Lady Sylutia, aren't you coming?" a knight asked.

"I will follow later. You go first," Sylutia instructed, telling them to leave ahead of her.

The reason she wasn't leaving was that she didn't know if that 'Blackquis Juvenile' had already detected this team. If it pursued them, this team, whose highest-ranking members were only Third Tier, would be completely overpowered by the giant serpent's tier and unable to escape. If she stayed behind and the 'Blackquis Juvenile' gave chase, it would target her first, temporarily abandoning the departing team.

The team set off. Sylutia remained standing beneath the lighthouse, closing her eyes and concentrating, sensing her surroundings. She dared not recklessly use secret arts to scout the twin-headed serpent's location now, lest she provoke it.

Since her teammates had left, she didn't have to worry as much. She directly switched to the 'Alien Star' Aspect. Flickering starlight swirled around her, parting the thick sludge as her body slowly rose into the air.

Five Eye Tyrants were released, hovering several hundred meters around her, serving as observation points and targets to attract the enemy's attacks.

Time passed slowly. Facing this pitch-black, lightless abyss, Sylutia felt vague monsters swimming within it. But this passive perception couldn't pinpoint their exact location—sometimes below her, sometimes to her side, shifting unpredictably.

Suddenly, Sylutia opened her eyes. Her magnificent violet eyes swept over her side and rear. Then, her figure flickered, vanishing from her spot in an instant.

Moments later, a massive black serpent's head roared past, sweeping through the space where she had just been standing like a speeding train.

Sylutia's figure reappeared higher in the sky. Watching the enormous serpent body swimming past below, her heart trembled with shock.

It had discovered her. Even with the interference of the five Eye Tyrants, it had accurately struck her position.

Failing to devour this annoying 'insect' a second time drew the attention of this twin-headed serpent. Originally, it had only been unconsciously devouring nearby living creatures and 'small insects.' But two failed attempts at consumption gradually roused its slumbering consciousness.

What was once just an unconscious, slow-moving instinct now abruptly accelerated. The sluggish, massive body became incredibly swift and fierce.

Within the abyss, four dark red eyes lit up like enormous protruding light bulbs, scanning the environment for dozens of miles around.

Immediately, it locked onto that tiny point of light near the sky curtain, understanding this was the 'small insect' that had escaped its jaws twice.

The giant serpent body swayed and rose like a black, curved pillar reaching for the heavens, surging into the sky. Locked onto by those blood-red pupils, Sylutia felt the blood in her entire body instantly freeze, unable to flow. Every cell screamed and shouted, conveying a certain hidden, instinctual fear.

At that moment, she couldn't activate any ability. She could only watch as that enormous, bloody maw surged up from below, slowly transforming into a giant blood pool that threatened to engulf her. And inside the serpent's mouth was a writhing abyss of eternal darkness and no light.

Fear, like a black tide, washed over her consciousness, drowning her. This immense mental impact caused the young girl to temporarily lose her ability to react. Fortunately, at the last moment, the seven-colored Picture Book manifested, carrying the girl away in another flash, evading the attack.

Losing track of its target yet again enraged the twin-headed serpent. It expelled a massive black-red forked tongue. Invisible ripples spread through the air. Any living being touched by these black ripples would be cursed, growing serpentine blood-vein Patterns on their bodies, eventually to be devoured and killed by black serpents emerging from within.

[Blackquis Curse: Serpent Devouring the Flesh]

Sylutia, having dodged the attack, appeared on another side of the sky. She clutched her chest, gasping for breath, sweat beading on her forehead. The spreading ripples washed over her entire body, causing black, coiling serpent Patterns to begin growing on the young girl's collarbone and neck.

The eerie and terrifying coiling serpent Patterns spread across Sylutia's body. One extended to her right leg, the slender serpent's head wrapping around her calf, gradually becoming visible on her snow-white ankle.

The coiling serpent Patterns spread and became more active. Just as the curse was about to take full effect, a brand new power surfaced within Sylutia's body. It seemed to have been awakened by the curse's stimulation, appearing within the girl and then manifesting on her skin's surface.

Light pink petal Patterns emanated a pure, holy aura, clashing against the spreading coiling serpent Patterns.

[Fairy's Blessing]: 'Blessing of the Upper-tier Fairy Aiyalani. You once entered the celestial gardens at age ten and received the blessing of the upper-tier fairy 'Aiyalani' who serves beside the Spring Hour. She blessed you with eternal youth; your appearance will not age until your death.'

"Tia, remember to thank Lady Aiyalani~"

"I know, Mother."

The young Sylutia respectfully bowed her head in salute to that sacred fairy suspended high in the air.