novelraw Chapter 204: Oh No, I'm Surrounded by Water Spirits
Chapter 204: Oh No, I'm Surrounded by Water Spirits
She saw right through me... Fen froze in place for a moment.
"Fen, come with me."
This wasn't a good place for conversation... Chen Qi dusted off his hands and led Fen to the dining area.
"Fen, are you hungry?"
Chen Qi asked, noticing how thin the Flower Witch looked.
"I'm fine, I just ate..."
Fen instinctively replied, suddenly remembering their first meeting when they ate grass together.
Are you really not hungry?... Chen Qi gave her a doubtful look.
"Waku waku! (Master! We're hungry! Very hungry!)"
Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two spoke up for the stubborn Flower Witch.Recently, to save money and escape pursuers, neither of them had eaten anything decent.
Just look - the flowers on the Flower Witch's head were wilting! That's how hungry she was!
The Flower Witch always tended to be stubborn about certain things.
Chen Qi went to the kitchen, took out fresh lemons and strawberries, then grabbed butter and white sugar before slowly adding eggs to make a delicate cake batter...
Into the oven it went, then out.
Finally, he spread a layer of jam and cream on top, garnishing it with two mint leaves.
A simple fruit cake - what else could he do? The Flower Witch was hopelessly addicted to sweets.
"Waku waku (Master! Me too!)"
The green Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two chimed in.
"......"
Chen Qi fell silent for a moment.
This little creature that used to survive on seawater alone had not only been fattened up by the Flower Witch but had also developed picky eating habits.
Of course, it might also be because the Flower Witch's nutritional potions tasted terrible.
Chen Qi took some time to make Number Two a strawberry juice.
"Waku waku! (Delicious!)"
Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two drank the juice, its face turning red.
Come to think of it, according to Holy Nation research, water spirits naturally had preservative and purifying properties in their bodies.
Number Two, oh Number Two... if you keep this up, you'll turn into a giant nutrient jelly one day - the extra sweet kind... Chen Qi pulled up a chair and sat with Fen by the window in the dining area.
Chen Qi spoke first:
"Fen, tell me the details. I might not be able to help, but talking about it could relieve some pressure."
Chen Qi remembered that matters concerning the Flower Witch involved many powerful figures in the Witch Sea, even ancient beings.
To put it simply, nothing related to her was ever simple.
Of course, things probably hadn't reached that level yet - after all, the Flower Witch herself was only a third-tier supernatural now.
With his current strength, simpler tasks shouldn't be a problem.
Fen took a small bite of cake before speaking softly:
"I passed the trial left by the first Flower Witch and obtained the legendary fourth-tier profession card 'Flower Witch.' But as a price, my body was pierced by flowers, and my blood developed serious problems..."
"Moreover, my mind suffered severe contamination, causing constant hallucinations."
"The only cures are the legendary Sober Moon and Red Blood Source Potion. But right now, I can't obtain either - their ingredients are extremely hard to acquire."
The Flower Witch ate more cake to ease her melancholy.
She had searched all over Blackore City, constantly on the move. Though she'd managed to gather many medicinal ingredients through her abilities...
She still hadn't found Blood Source Crystals or Sober Grass.
The Flower Witch hung her head. Between her illness and the Black Glove from the Blackfin Crew, even her usually optimistic self had thoughts of banging her head against a wall.
She poured out all these troubles.
Sober Grass, Blood Source Crystals... Chen Qi listened quietly.
Blood Source Crystals weren't hard to obtain. In the Witch Sea, the C-tier dimensional rift 'Blood Castle' controlled by the Blood Blade Pirates produced them in quantity.
Blood Source Crystals could temporarily boost one's Goblet affinity power and even create third-tier Goblet profession cards like 'Blood Demon' - extremely useful items for second-tier supernaturals advancing to third-tier.
Right now, the Blood Blade Pirates could be considered allies.
But Sober Grass... that was purely a matter of luck... Chen Qi said softly:
"Blood Source Crystals aren't a problem - we can buy them from the Blood Blade Pirates. In fact, they seem to have business with you..."
Those navy-turned-pirates? Fen responded:
"I know them, but they're notorious pirates. They probably want my bounty."
Chen Qi immediately denied this:
"No, the Blood Blade Pirates' business with you likely relates to the Blade Witch..."
Little Red Riding Hood had sought out the Flower Witch specifically to resolve Blade Witch matters.
"A Witch?"
A small confused flower sprouted from the Flower Witch's head.
The Witch Sea had extremely strict definitions for Witches - simply put, they had to be connected to the thirteen historical Witches and their thirteen Witch profession cards.
Moreover, these thirteen Witch profession cards had special properties - when a Witch died, her card would return to the Trial Grounds.
The Flower Witch rubbed her temples, eyes lighting up:
"Many Witch profession cards have been lost. For the Blood Blade Pirates to obtain one... that new leader Blood Lady is full of surprises..."
The Blood Lady couldn't be the Blade Witch. Chen Qi rested his chin on his hand:
"Probably not. But they likely don't mean harm. If we need Blood Source Crystals, we might as well approach them."
If Chen Qi said they could go... The Flower Witch stroked her chin.
Truthfully, while the Blackfin Crew were her sworn enemies, the Blood Blade Pirates as a newer faction might be worth contacting.
Moreover, the longer she stayed in the Witch Sea, the more the Flower Witch realized her abilities had limits!
Both she and Chen Qi needed reliable allies.
"Hmm, if they truly have a Witch, then I must meet her."
The Flower Witch nodded slightly.
"As for Sober Grass..."
Chen Qi pondered hard but had no leads on Sober Grass.
Their only option was to try the Chameleon at Shell Marketplace - but that depended on luck...
Chen Qi asked curiously:
"Fen, can hallucinations be treated with hallucinations?"
The best way to defeat magic was with magic.
"?"
Fen gave him another puzzled look.
"Yes, hallucinations can counter hallucinations. But the hallucinogenic properties must be strong enough, and the visions produced must be neutralizable by other ingredients with minimal harm..."
Fen's face turned red as she murmured:
"For example, a succubus's nightmare liquid can create targeted pleasure dreams..."
When it came to hallucinations, the most common materials created realistic nightmares. But due to high demand from Goldenfinch Kingdom nobility, these were even rarer than Sober Grass.
"No, not that..."
Chen Qi gently took out a butterfly from his Backpack Card - a silk-like azure butterfly.
Both the Flower Witch and Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two tilted their heads in identical thoughtful poses.
"What's this? It looks very rare."
"Dream Butterfly."
Chen Qi answered softly.
"Oh."
The Flower Witch crossed her arms, pretending to understand:
"Ah, a Dream Butterfly, a Dream Butterfly... Wait! The legendary drop from the Illusion Beast, the Dream Butterfly!"
The Flower Witch suddenly realized.
Was this the legendary material from textbooks, a drop from a Calamity-level Beast?!
Her teacher once told her that to become a true Flower Witch, she needed strength to hunt Calamities!!
But she'd never succeeded - her legs would turn to jelly the moment she saw such creatures.
Yet Chen Qi had not only encountered an Illusion Beast and survived, but also obtained its materials!
Chen Qi asked:
"Well? Can this ingredient make the antidote?"
"Qi! I request three minutes to think!"
The Flower Witch raised her hand.
She needed to compose herself!
"Hmm..."
Chen Qi nodded slightly.
Fen was utterly shocked that Chen Qi would so casually hand over the Dream Butterfly.
Wait, that wasn't the point - why did he have a Dream Butterfly? Did the Illusion Beast take a liking to him and gift it?
Come to think of it, there had been reports of an Illusion Beast near coastal waters recently. Could Chen Qi really be involved?
That Press lady hadn't been lying after all!
The Flower Witch confirmed:
"Qi, were you involved with the Illusion Beast incident?"
Chen Qi didn't hide it from her:
"Yes, unfortunately I was captured by the Blackfin Crew and taken to the Illusion Beast's birthplace. In the end, it was only thanks to the Ice Witch's seal that I obtained the Dream Butterfly..."
"What?!"
Fen blinked:
"Teacher's seal... I see. But Qi, you have an uncanny tendency to stumble into major incidents!"
Well, not really... Chen Qi thought to himself.
As someone who frequently wandered dangerous seas, his luck was just average.
Qi truly is mysterious and unfathomable... Fen extended her right index finger and carefully accepted the Dream Butterfly:
"The Dream Butterfly can generate targeted hallucinations with extremely high priority. Just a tiny amount is enough to make the antidote... Hmm, the remaining material could make a special potion - a legendary potion that grants Floral Affinity enlightenment and great inspiration!"
"Floral Affinity enlightenment?"
Chen Qi was slightly startled.
Floral Affinity enlightenment was normally a special bonus only obtainable through Floral Affinity profession cards!
That a potion could grant Floral Affinity enlightenment alone proved its value!
The Flower Witch continued:
"Yes, and the inspiration it provides could allow talented second-tier supernaturals to rival third-tier Book Affinity users in inspiration."
Rival third-tier Book Affinity users...
Chen Qi was mildly shocked. Perhaps he should let the Flower Witch handle this Dream Butterfly.
The Dream Butterfly's primary use was forging Floral Affinity forbidden artifacts.
But he lacked the skills to craft such items, and his own affinities probably couldn't utilize Floral Affinity forbidden artifacts anyway.
Entrusting the Dream Butterfly to alchemist Flower Witch seemed an excellent choice.
Chen Qi said softly:
"Then I'll leave it to you, Fen."
"Eh?"
Am I really that trustworthy? This is a drop from a Deepsea Calamity - aren't you afraid I might steal it?...
Chen Qi really trusted her!
Fen nodded silently and patted her chest:
"I'll... do my best!"
Fen ate the last bite of cake, swaying slightly as her eyelids grew heavy like iron gates about to slam shut.
"Fen, how long has it been since you slept?"
Fen shook her head and yawned hugely:
"About 50 hours... Because of the Black Glove. Oh, Qi, you must be careful..."
The Black Glove was in Blackore City... Chen Qi frowned.
Though the Black Glove had been burned once before, as a Shadow Release supernatural and Blackfin Crew executive, his strength shouldn't be underestimated.
Most importantly, as someone specializing in dirty work, the Black Glove had many disgusting informants.
He could also quickly contact other Blackfin Crew executives.
Chen Qi asked curiously:
"Fen, can you guarantee you weren't followed when boarding my ship?"
Fen nodded:
"I guarantee it!"
Her inspiration perception was maxed out!
"That's good..."
Chen Qi leaned back slightly:
"After I contact the Blood Blade Pirates, we'll set out to meet their Witch..."
"Mhm."
Chen Qi looked at the wilted flowers on the Flower Witch's head:
"Until then, Fen, tend to your injuries and get some proper sleep. I'll prepare a room for you later - do you want my master bedroom or the water spirits' room?"
Both options sounded nice... The Flower Witch hesitated before answering:
"The water spirits' room... Um, don't you need my help..."
She hugged the strawberry juice-drinking Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two.
"No need, you should rest, Fen. You're in terrible shape."
Chen Qi said, then considered his plans for the coming days.
In a few days, he and the Flower Witch could visit the Blood Blade Pirates.
He could attempt some high-difficulty missions.
But first, he needed to master his soul origin skill and preferably obtain a second-tier hunter license.
In a place like Blackore City, there were always troublemakers around. Settling everything with blades would be exhausting.
Moreover, as expected, the Black Glove's subordinates were probably all wanted.
Visiting the Hunter Association could also yield more information.
Chen Qi thought about it - tomorrow he could go to the Hunter Association for a hunter license.
How could the "Black Hunter" on bounty lists not have a hunter license?
Chen Qi stood up, took out bedding from a chest, and laid out a futon in the water spirits' room.
Fen followed, carrying Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two.
Currently, Number One was practicing its new abilities!
When Number Two saw Number One, it immediately flexed to show off!
To return to its master's side, it had to prove itself stronger than big brother!
Number Two squirmed out of Fen's arms:
"Waku waku! (Big brother! We meet again!)"
It had grown stronger! Stronger than big brother!
Now it should be the real big brother!
"Waku waku (Little brother)."
Facing Number Two's challenge, Deepsea Water Spirit Number One remained motionless. Just its aura from the Calamity Beast made Number Two shrink back.
Seeing Number Two retreat, Number One raised its head slightly:
"Waku waku (Little brother, you've grown stronger too!)"
Why?! Why?! After adventuring outside for so long and drinking so many terrible potions, it still couldn't defeat big brother!
Deepsea Water Spirit Number Two mustered its courage and charged:
"Waku waku! (Big brother! Let's fight!)"
"Waku waku (Fight!)"
Bam!
Bam!
Chen Qi crouched down and patted Numbers One and Two:
"Little ones, don't get so excited at night. Time to sleep! You'll disturb the Flower Witch!"
"Waku waku."
Chen Qi stood and said softly:
"Fen, rest well. If the water spirits bother you, just pat them - they'll behave."
Not letting them continue fighting?... Fen nodded:
"Mhm mhm mhm."
After quieting the water spirits, Chen Qi yawned and returned to his bedroom for proper rest.
The door slowly closed.
Meanwhile, Fen stood frozen, looking around.
Seven pairs of Deepsea Water Spirit eyes blinked at her.
Oh no, I've somehow gotten surrounded by water spirits!
No pillow for me... Qi won't blame me for this, right? This isn't pet abuse, is it?... Fen carefully placed Number Two on the futon and lay down.
What a comfortable pillow, so soft...
Pulling the blanket up, so warm...
Fen covered her face with the blanket, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling and the water spirits on the cat tree.
Just this morning she'd been homeless, and now tonight she got to sleep in such a cozy room.
"So happy—"
If only such times could last a little longer, just a little...
Fen's troubled thoughts scattered with the sea breeze outside. Unconsciously hugging Number Three, she turned sideways and fell asleep.