Chapter 91: Flower Lantern
Returning to Madam Fran’s mansion, Xilutiya told Madam the news of departing tomorrow.
“So soon?” This golden-haired noblewoman was slightly surprised.
“But since the time has come, that can’t be changed. Come with me.” She stood up, leading Xilutiya toward the mansion’s underground storage room.
Passing through a narrow, long staircase corridor, Madam Fran took out a key, opened the bottom door, and then entered.
Here were placed various special stone boxes, seemingly used to seal and suppress something. Madam Fran walked straight to one, pressed her finger on the stone box, and golden patterns spread out. Patterns adorned with flower branches and vines covered the stone box, followed by a slight sound.
Madam Fran opened the stone box and took out a lantern, which made Xilutiya particularly curious.
The lantern had a handle ring on top that could be held by hand. The lantern below had four-cornered eaves, and further down was a columnar glass jar with faint patterns at the bottom. Around the glass jar was a black ironwork hollow guardrail for protection, and the bottom had a round base for easy placement on the ground.
【Four-Cornered Flower Lamp Lantern】（Second Order·Rare）: A special lantern, using honey as wax and flowers as candles, specially crafted for gardeners, used to cast floral secret arts abilities. （Enhances the Flower Blooming Technique’s effect, can hold different liquids to activate effects）
“This lantern is a parting gift for you before the assessment.” Madam Fran placed the lantern in Xilutiya’s hand.
“Even though it is only a Second Order crafted item, it is very difficult to craft, and often only Third Order gardeners can obtain it.”
Looking at the lantern in her hand, Xilutiya felt it was particularly handy and suitable, probably an inheritance improved by many gardeners.
“Additionally, I prepared a coat for you.” Madam Fran opened another stone box and took out a thick, tough hooded robe.
“It is sewn from cotton tendon grass fibers. If you later learn the thread-drawing weaving ability under the tailor profession, you can repair damage caused in battle yourself.”
After speaking, Madam Fran placed this slightly heavy coat in Xilutiya’s hands.
“I have more precious things, but they are not suitable for you. That would only attract unnecessary prying and trouble. Also, some high-rank extraordinary crafted items carry strong nature power. If your own tier is not high, you will be interfered with by it, and over time, it will damage you.” Madam Fran warned Xilutiya.
“I understand, thank you, Madam.” After receiving the gift, Xilutiya bowed in thanks.
In response, Madam Fran stroked Xilutiya’s hair with her hand, then led her out of the underground storage room.
“Come on, let’s first try the effect of that lantern.”
Back on the ground, Madam Fran and Xilutiya came to the small flower room, where the Fire Cloud Orchid was just one step away from fully blooming.
“Without catalysis, it probably won’t open until noon tomorrow.” Madam Fran evaluated after a simple check.
“Now is the time to test your learning results. Use the 【Dew Prayer·Branch Combing】 ability to make it bloom today.” Madam Fran stepped aside, letting Xilutiya step forward to operate.
“Yes.” Xilutiya came before the flower, lightly resting one hand on the flower stem, light shining in her eyes.
Among clusters of fresh green grass leaves, orange-red orchids of various sizes dotted them. Their colors included orange-yellow, fiery red, and deeper pomegranate red. Today’s target for Xilutiya was those few pomegranate-red Fire Cloud Orchids.
A faint emerald honey glow appeared in Xilutiya’s palm, then flowed to those pomegranate-red Fire Cloud Orchids.
Soon, the textures and veins inside the Fire Cloud Orchid clearly emerged in the maiden’s mind. The condition of every leaf and every root stem was completely presented. With this understanding, she began to perform the Branch Combing Method, adjusting various conditions within the plants of these Fire Cloud Orchids.
When the state gradually reached perfection, she guided the Fire Cloud Orchid to absorb the dripping emerald dew water, filling the key flower buds of the Fire Cloud Orchid with this power.
Gradually, the originally half-open flowers began to expand. The pomegranate-red color also gradually changed, with parts fading, and spots of color gathering toward the stamen.
……
Half an hour later, the blooming flower petals were fiery red and spread out like strands of bright flames, while in the center of the petals, the tiny stamen now resembled sparks, emitting a faint glow and heat.
【Fire Cloud Orchid】（Perfect-96）: In bloom. Due to your careful nurturing, this Fire Cloud Orchid blooms perfectly and fully. As a reward for your meticulous cultivation, nature returns the condensation of ‘Emerald Honey’ nature to you.
【Fire Cloud Orchid Flower】（First Order·Emerald Honey）: The manifestation of a gardener’s careful care and patient nurturing. The stamen inside sways like tiny sparks, emitting light and heat. Once these stamens fall, they will turn into expanding fireballs, releasing the energy contained within.
In this cluster of Fire Cloud Orchids, Xilutiya used her own ability to ripen and bloom five First Order·Emerald Honey nature Fire Cloud Orchid Flowers.
Then, under Madam Fran’s guidance, Xilutiya carefully transplanted three of the Fire Cloud Orchid Flowers and placed them into the lantern.
“Inside the upper layer of the lantern, there is a hidden container for holding liquid. Add your own condensed emerald dew water into it.” Madam Fran instructed again.
“Yes.”
Xilutiya took out the 99% concentration emerald dew water stored in the flower room and carefully put it in.
“Very good. Now take the lantern and follow me.”
Madam Fran led Xilutiya to an open lawn area in the backyard.
“First, feel the structure of the flower lamp lantern. In the way of using the Flower Blooming Technique, channel your power through the lantern into the Fire Cloud Orchid.”
“Alright.” Xilutiya adjusted her breathing, closed her eyes to sense, and then a faint glow spread from her wrist to the lantern in her hand.
The Flower Blooming Technique’s ability flowed unimpeded inside the lantern, then connected to the three Fire Cloud Orchids inside. Stimulated and amplified by this power, the swaying spark stamens rapidly increased in brightness. Then, an invisible fire wave released from the lantern’s base, impacting in all directions.
This scorching fire wave lifted Xilutiya’s clothes and hair, while the lawn swept by the fire wave had much dry grass and debris ignited. Some lighter tree branches were even lifted, rolling on the lawn and emitting green smoke.
“Mm, it seems you have preliminarily grasped how to use it.” Madam Fran nodded.
Just now, because it was the first time, Xilutiya only used thirty percent of her power. If she fully used the Flower Blooming Technique to catalyze, wouldn’t that instantly ignite and burn the big tree in the backyard.
“However, you need to adapt to this ability more times, or the impacting fire wave will also harm you.” Madam Fran instructed.
“Yes, Teacher.”
Xilutiya looked at the lantern in her hand with some novelty. Although her temperament was relatively calm, she couldn’t hide her inner excitement now, like a child who got a new toy.
“Hehe, try it well.” In response, Madam Fran saw it in her eyes.
“Additionally, if you press the hidden button on top of the lantern, you can drip the stored emerald dew water into the flowers, which can enhance the power a bit more.”
“However, you should still use this ability cautiously. I feel your Fire Cloud Orchid is nurtured too well, and the Flower Blooming Technique as well. With several effects stacking, even as the controlling gardener, you will be burned by the heat wave flames of the Fire Cloud Orchid.”
Her own First Order·Emerald Honey, plus three First Order·Emerald Honey Fire Cloud Orchids, plus the stimulation and amplification from emerald dew water and Flower Blooming Technique—the resulting power was probably more than ten times that of an ordinary First Order spell, enough to rival some Second Order spells. Madam Fran silently estimated in her heart.
The current Xilutiya was like a child holding a greatsword far beyond her power range. Though the power was astonishing, as her teacher and elder, she was still worried it might hurt herself.
However, this child truly had exceptional talent. Even with power far exceeding her rank, she could control it meticulously. It was probably no problem.
