novelraw Chapter 73: The Flower Witch's Concealment Technique
Chapter 73: The Flower Witch's Concealment Technique
"?"
The Flower Witch sprouted several startled little flowers from her head.
She hadn't expected that annoying reporter from Moonstone City to actually chase her all the way to Flower Island.
"Boss, I've already paid for the herbs."
The Flower Witch calmly completed her payment, then took out a stamina potion and drank it before running toward the mountainous area of Flower Island.
As the legendary witch's successor, did these two mere first-tier supernaturals really think they could catch her?
She appeared completely composed, not believing Pelu could possibly capture her.
However, Pelu considered herself half an athlete and was determined to try!
Beyond the villages of Flower Island stretched continuous mountain ranges.
The Flower Witch strolled leisurely into the woods, then into the mountains.Meanwhile, Pelu summoned all her strength and charged into the mountains after her.
"Pelu really has no fear of death, daring to chase into the mountains like this..."
Chen Qi remarked with crossed arms.
Pelu's desire to interview the Flower Witch was completely unrealistic.
The Flower Witch wanted to conceal her identity and would never agree to an interview.
Yet from her reaction, the Flower Witch seemed quite afraid of Pelu.
Chen Qi shook his head.
He still needed the Flower Witch to brew potions for him.
If he approached her without Pelu around, perhaps she might be willing to talk.
But now...
Would she think he was working with Pelu?
Even if he found the Flower Witch herself, convincing her to brew potions would still be extremely difficult... Chen Qi followed behind Pelu, also heading into the forest.
As a reporter, Pelu was already quite fast.
With her powerful legs, she kept the Flower Witch in sight for quite some time.
Yet despite this, she eventually lost track, left searching blindly among the treetops.
Chen Qi walked slowly through the mountains, not rushing his search. Instead, he sniffed the air.
Due to her Blood Blossom Disease, the Flower Witch carried a floral scent.
Tracking her by smell seemed a viable option.
"But..."
Chen Qi surveyed his surroundings.
Many trees on Flower Island were flowering species, filling the air with fresh floral aromas.
"Not easy to find..."
Chen Qi shook his head.
After their last dimensional rift expedition, the Flower Witch should have enough money that food scents wouldn't lure her out.
"Wait..."
Chen Qi suddenly recalled some information.
Player forums had mentioned the Flower Witch's favorite hiding method.
Pelu wasn't slow - she'd lost the Flower Witch suddenly.
"The Flower Witch probably hid herself."
Chen Qi thought, following Pelu's trail while examining nearby bushes.
Just then, he noticed something peculiar.
Beneath a tall flowering tree grew three unnaturally yellow blossoms.
Chen Qi sat against the tree and took out his water flask.
Having followed Pelu all this way, he was rather thirsty.
"Gulp gulp."
As he drank, a black flower suddenly sprouted from the yellow-flowered soil beside him.
A frightened little black flower!
"So you are here after all..."
Chen Qi gave an exasperated glance.
According to forum information, the Flower Witch excelled at concealment, preferring to hide underground.
But in the early stages, her technique had a fatal flaw - if she didn't bury herself deeply enough, flowers would sprout above her.
Chen Qi took a deep breath and carefully phrased his words:
"Um, Flower Witch, don't worry. I'm not with that reporter and have no intention of claiming any bounty on you.
I just have some medicinal ingredients I'd like your help processing."
Would she agree? Chen Qi waited quietly for a response.
In the game's early stages, no player dared approach the Flower Witch.
Only by mid-game did players start requesting potions from her.
By then though, the Flower Witch had begun developing protagonist traits and was too busy with major events to brew many potions.
Currently, the Flower Witch should be quite poor. With sufficient payment, she'd likely agree...
Chen Qi reasoned.
After prolonged silence, faint sounds emerged from underground:
"You're mistaken. I'm not the Flower Witch, just a flower."
"......"
What kind of answer is that? Chen Qi was stunned.
Hold back! Hold back!
Under what circumstances could someone utter such preposterous denial?
People from the Witch Sea region really all seemed a bit... eccentric.
Living by the ocean too long probably made that inevitable.
Chen Qi regulated his breathing, suppressing his urge to comment.
"Flower Witch, I need to discuss something with you."
"That woman has already left. She's probably searching house-to-house in Flower Island's town."
"I would never betray you."
"Besides, with your formidable power, two first-tier supernaturals couldn't possibly threaten you."
"I swear by the Sea Goddess - I'll never reveal your whereabouts, or may I encounter Coastal Apex Predators when sailing out and Black Sludge tides when returning!"
Another pause.
Finally, the Flower Witch responded:
"Fine. But if you dare expose me, you'll learn why we're called witches."
Her tone carried clear anger and threat.
This unauthorized tracking really wasn't acceptable.
Even lawful good beings could turn deadly when provoked.
Indeed, one must mind their manners when conversing with witches.
After all, she was still a witch.
Chen Qi nodded.
After another wait, several orange-red flowers sprouted from the ground.
Chen Qi took another drink:
"Um, Flower Witch, why haven't you come out yet? Did I do something wrong?"
From underground came mosquito-like murmurs:
"Well... I've been standing too long. My arms and legs are numb, and the dirt packed too tightly... It's a bit hard to get out. Could you... help me?"
"......"
Numb legs!
Restrain yourself! She's a noble witch - must suppress commentary urges!
Chen Qi looked at the panicked little flowers poking from the soil.
After hesitation, he grabbed the stems and pulled upward like uprooting radishes.
Yank!
Yank!
Finally, with great effort, she emerged like a Potato Mine from Plants vs Zombies - head popping up to glance around before whooshing out completely.
The Flower Witch brushed dirt from her clothes and spat out soil from her mouth.
After hesitation, she looked at Chen Qi.
To ease the awkwardness, she cleared her throat:
"Ahem. At our Goldenfinch Kingdom academies, the floral aspect symbolizes nature. Many pursue the grand ambition of merging with nature.
Nature integration is mandatory coursework for floral students.
Some remain immobile as boulders beneath waterfalls.
Some sit so still birds perch on them.
As for me, I merge directly with earth, even allowing aggressive wolves to walk over me.
In nature integration, I surpassed even my teacher - though I'm a bit rusty from lack of practice."
The Flower Witch spoke with some pride.
"......"
This counts as nature integration? Isn't this just escaping? Chen Qi pressed fingers to his forehead, observing the soil-covered witch.
He never imagined his perception of witches could change so drastically upon their second meeting.
On game forums, the Flower Witch seemed so mysteriously powerful as a protagonist.
Truly, online personas differ vastly from reality.
Confirming Pelu's absence, the Flower Witch sat and exhaled deeply:
"That clothes-ripping monster finally left. You're really not with her?"
"Rest assured, Flower Witch. While I know that public disrober, I'd never betray you."
"You actually know that pervert?"
The Flower Witch retreated a step.
"......"
Pelu, what exactly did you do in public to earn such disdain from a lawful good witch?
Chen Qi somewhat regretted entering the village with Pelu.
After consideration, the Flower Witch crossed her arms:
"Whatever. You did swear an oath.
So what potion do you need? As a witch's successor, my fees are steep.
Plus, I have important Flower Island business, so I can't deliver immediately."
Chen Qi organized his thoughts:
"At sea, I chanced upon Pale Scale Fruit and hoped you could process it into potion."
"Come again?"
"I said I found Pale Scale Fruit and want it made into potion."
Pale Scale Fruit wasn't easily obtained.
The Flower Witch's head sprouted astonished blossoms:
"You found Pale Scale Fruit? Where?"
"I passed an enormous white tree and my pet helped me gather it."
The Flower Witch blinked incredulously:
"Remarkable luck! For Pale Scale Fruit - premium ingredients requiring ten neutralizing herbs - I'll need a workshop."
In her experience, Pale Scale Fruit grew undersea, requiring tremendous fortune to locate.
She'd only seen it in textbooks.
The Flower Witch studied Chen Qi suspiciously.
From first sight, he'd struck her as unusually bold.
Meeting her without avoidance, daring pursuit!
He'd even foiled her perfect concealment and obtained Pale Scale Fruit.
Plus his association with that enigmatic Pelu.
This man was clearly extraordinary.
Leaning against the tree, the Flower Witch began internal debate.
She currently faced challenges requiring external assistance.
Yet her stubborn nature resisted asking others!
Seeking help felt... inelegant.
Not help - a transaction. This was an opportunity... She cleared her throat:
"Well, um..."
Chen Qi watched falling blossoms:
"My name's Qi, but call me Chef."
The Flower Witch murmured:
"Very well, Chef. Might you have courage to enter a D-class rift? I possess rather... explosive intelligence."
So she too came for the rift... Chen Qi answered without hesitation:
"I do. What intelligence?"