The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 90: Flower Lanterns

Returning to Lady Franne's mansion, Sylutia informed her about the news of departing tomorrow.

"So soon?" The golden-haired noblewoman was slightly surprised.

"But since the time has come, it cannot be changed. Come with me." She stood up and led Sylutia to the mansion's underground storage room.

Passing through a long, narrow staircase corridor, Lady Franne took out a key, unlocked the door at the bottom, and walked inside.

Special bluestone boxes were placed here, seemingly used to seal and suppress something. Lady Franne walked directly to one of them, pressed her finger on the stone box, and a pattern of golden lines spread out. The pattern adorned with floral branches and vines covered the stone box, followed by a faint sound.

Lady Franne opened the stone box and took out a lantern from it, which made Sylutia particularly curious.

The lantern had a carrying ring on top, which could be held by hand. Below that was the lantern body with a four-cornered eave-like structure. Further down was a cylindrical glass jar with faint patterns at the bottom. The glass jar was protected by black wrought-iron openwork railings around it, and at the base was a circular stand, allowing it to be conveniently placed on the ground.

[Four-Cornered Floral Lantern] (Second Tier·Rare): A special lantern, using nectar as wax and flowers as candles, specially crafted for gardeners to use in performing secret floral techniques. (Enhances the effect of the Flower Blooming Method, can hold different water liquids to activate effects)

"This lantern, I give to you as a parting gift before your assessment." Lady Franne placed the lantern in Sylutia's palm.

"Even though it is only a Second Tier creation, its crafting difficulty is very high. Often, only Third Tier gardeners can obtain one."Looking at the lantern in her hand, Sylutia felt it was particularly handy and suitable, likely a heritage item improved upon by many gardeners.

"Additionally, I have prepared a coat for you." Lady Franne opened another stone box and took out a thick, tough-textured hooded robe.

"It is sewn from the fibers of cotton tendon grass. If you later learn the 'thread-drawing weaving' ability under the 'tailor' profession, you can repair damage caused in battle yourself."

After saying this, Lady Franne placed this slightly heavy coat in Sylutia's hands.

"I have more precious things too, but they are not suitable for you. That would only attract unnecessary prying eyes and trouble. Also, some high-tier supernatural creations carry intense Aspect power. If your own tier is not high, you will be disturbed by it, and over time, it will damage yourself." Lady Franne cautioned Sylutia.

"I understand. Thank you, Lady." After accepting the gifts, Sylutia bowed in gratitude.

To this, Lady Franne gently stroked Sylutia's hair with her hand, then led her away from the underground storage room.

"Come, let's first test the effect of that lantern."

Returning above ground, Lady Franne and Sylutia came to the small greenhouse. That 'Fire Glow Orchid' was only a hair's breadth away from full bloom.

"If not catalyzed, it would probably bloom around noon tomorrow." Lady Franne evaluated after a simple inspection.

"Now is the time to test the results of your learning. Use the ability of [Dew Prayer·Branch Grooming] to make it bloom today." Lady Franne stepped aside, letting Sylutia step forward to operate.

"Yes." Sylutia came before the flower, lightly resting one hand on the stem, light swirling in her eyes.

Among clusters of verdant green grass and leaves, orange-red orchids of varying sizes dotted the scene. Their colors ranged from orange-yellow, fiery red, to the deeper, more sedimented pomegranate red. Sylutia's target today was those few pomegranate-red Fire Glow Orchids.

A faint Verdant Nectar glow appeared in Sylutia's palm, then flowed onto those pomegranate-red Fire Glow Orchids.

Soon, the internal texture and veins of the Fire Glow Orchids clearly surfaced in the girl's mind. The condition of every leaf, every part of the root and stem was completely presented. With this understanding, she began to apply the Branch Grooming Method, regulating various conditions within the plants of these Fire Glow Orchids.

When the state gradually reached perfection, she once again guided the Fire Glow Orchids to absorb the dripping Verdant Dew Water, causing this power to fill the key buds of the Fire Glow Orchids.

Gradually, the originally half-open flowers began to expand. The pomegranate-red color also started to change, with parts lightening and the hues gathering bit by bit towards the stamens.

...

Half an hour later, the blooming petals, fiery red and unfurled, resembled wisps of bright flames. At the very center of the petals, the tiny stamens now looked like specks of spark, emitting a faint glow and heat.

[Fire Glow Orchid] (Perfect-96): Blooming. Because of your meticulous cultivation, this Fire Glow Orchid blooms perfectly and fully. As a reward for your extremely detailed care, nature rewards you with the condensation of the 'Verdant Nectar' Aspect.

[Fire Glow Orchid Flower] (First Tier·Verdant Nectar): The manifestation of a gardener's careful attention and patient cultivation. The stamens within sway like tiny sparks, emitting light and heat. Once these stamens fall, they will transform into expanding fireballs, releasing the energy contained within.

Among this cluster of 'Fire Glow Orchids', Sylutia, relying on her own ability, force-ripened and bloomed five 'First Tier·Verdant Nectar' Aspect 'Fire Glow Orchid Flowers'.

Subsequently, under Lady Franne's teaching and guidance, Sylutia carefully transplanted three of these 'Fire Glow Orchid Flowers' and placed them inside the lantern.

"The upper layer of the lantern conceals a container for holding water liquid. Add your own condensed Verdant Dew Water into it." Lady Franne instructed again.

"Yes."

Sylutia took out the 99% concentration Verdant Dew Water she had stored in the greenhouse and carefully placed it inside.

"Very good. Now, hold the lantern and follow me."

Lady Franne led Sylutia to a grassy clearing in the backyard.

"First, feel the structure of the Floral Lantern. Following the method of using the Flower Blooming Method, channel your power along the lantern into the 'Fire Glow Orchids'."

"Alright." Sylutia adjusted her breathing, closed her eyes to sense, and then a faint glow spread from her wrist towards the lantern in her hand.

The ability of the Flower Blooming Method flowed unimpeded within the lantern, then connected to the three 'Fire Glow Orchids' inside. Stimulated and amplified by this power, the swaying 'spark-like stamens' rapidly increased in brightness. Subsequently, an invisible wave of fire released from the lantern's base, impacting in all directions.

This scorching wave of fire lifted Sylutia's clothes and hair. Where the fire wave swept across the lawn, many dry grass fragments were ignited. Some lighter branches were even lifted up, rolling on the lawn, emitting bluish smoke.

"Hmm, it seems you have initially understood its usage." Lady Franne nodded.

Just now, because it was the first time, Sylutia had only used thirty percent of her power. If she used the Flower Blooming Method catalysis at full strength, wouldn't that instantly ignite and burn the large tree in the backyard?

"However, this ability needs to be adapted to several more times. Otherwise, the impacting fire wave will also cause damage to yourself." Lady Franne instructed.

"Yes, Teacher."

Sylutia looked somewhat intrigued at the lantern in her hand. Although her nature was quite calm, at this moment, she could hardly conceal the excitement in her heart, like a child who had received a brand new toy.

"Hehe, you try it out properly." Lady Franne also saw this.

"Additionally, if you press the concealed button on top of the lantern, you can drip the stored 'Verdant Dew Water' into the flowers, which can further enhance its power by a few degrees."

"However, you should still use this ability cautiously. I feel your 'Fire Glow Orchid' cultivation is too good, and so is your Flower Blooming Method. With several factors stacked together, even though you are the manipulating gardener, you could still be burned by the 'Fire Glow Orchid's' heat wave and flames."

Her own 'First Tier·Verdant Nectar', plus three 'First Tier·Verdant Nectar' Fire Glow Orchids, plus the Verdant Dew Water and the stimulation and amplification of the Flower Blooming Method—the power produced by this combination was probably over ten times that of an ordinary First Tier spell, enough to rival some 'Second Tier' spells, Lady Franne silently estimated in her heart.

Sylutia now was like a child holding a greatsword far exceeding her own strength range. Although the power was astonishing, as her teacher and elder, she still worried whether she might hurt herself.

But this child's talent was indeed excellent. Even with power far exceeding her own tier, she could manipulate it with great finesse. It should probably be fine.