Chapter Seventy-Four: Farewell

Chenqi was momentarily taken aback.

[At the Flower Witch's question, all eyes turn to you, filled with curiosity and shock.]

[Please make your choice.]

[1. I don't want to go anywhere.
2. Nod, indicating you have some small desire to head to the City of Mists.]

Chenqi looked at the two options.

In his heart, he still wanted to go to the City of Mists and stir up something big.

Whether it was the treasure hinted at on the map or the riches said to be hidden in the Land of Faint Light itself, both spurred him onward.

He couldn't stop now; his steps toward adventure must continue!

After a moment's thought, Chenqi chose the second option.

[You don't answer directly. Instead, you take a sip of floral tea and silently nod.]

[Upon hearing your response, the crowd erupts. In their eyes, venturing to the City of Mists amidst this blizzard is sheer madness!]

[Unbelievable… The Flower Witch, hearing your answer, sprouts little flowers of shock, admiration, and even jealousy above her head! Even among the Lightbearers, you are the most unique she’s ever seen!]

[Not long ago, you were but a night patrolman riding a little donkey!]

[The Flower Witch, surprised, cannot help but sigh.

She tells you that she too was once a failure born in District 1 of the New Capital. Frail by nature, she was mocked as a mass-produced treant. In despair, she left her homeland, but through her journeys and experiences, she became an excellent apothecary's apprentice. Without those adventures, she would never have become an apprentice, and by now, would probably be nothing but a flower corpse.

After arriving in District 8 of the New Capital and becoming an apprentice, she learned many skills, eventually perfected the Floral Elixir, and succeeded the previous Flower Witch.]

Chenqi was a little surprised—the Flower Witch was of humble origin...

[Too many in the New Capital have their fates anchored, trapped in that narrow place, never seeing what lies beyond.]

[She does not long for those days, but she knows that in this era plagued by disasters, only through constant exploration of the world can one hope to create the legendary Elixir of the Other Shore and reach the heights above. She too would like to visit the City of Mists, to pick the legendary Mist Flowers… The Flower Witch sighs, but the Tower of Potions needs her, and her body can no longer make such journeys.

In the howling wind, she must ensure the safety of the Tower and the progress of the apprentices.]

Chenqi rested his chin in his hand. The Flower Witch was not like him—she had to remain at the Tower, occupying a lofty position and bearing her responsibilities.

[The Flower Witch moves aside the bloom covering her eyes, revealing one eye as brilliant as the stars, fixing her gaze on you.]

[She seems lost in memories.]

["..."]

[The Flower Witch lowers the flower back over her eye and hands you something.]

This is...

Chenqi looked at the text.

A highlighted message popped up!

[You have received the Flower Witch’s token: the Lantern Blossom Badge.]

[Lantern Blossom Badge:
Description: A badge signifying the status of a witch. In District 8 of the New Capital, witches are the most skilled of all. Anyone who dares attack a witch is subject to judgment and will be hunted down by the Prison Hunters!]

[The Flower Witch tells you that with this badge, you can be sure the Prison Hunters won't harm you when carrying out their orders. Moreover, if you encounter danger or are trapped in the Land of Faint Light, the Calamity Envoys scouting for disasters there might help you.

Though rumors claim the Raven Witch, the Calamity Envoy, dislikes the Flower Witch for her common birth, the Flower Witch herself believes their relationship is quite decent.]

[As for the criminals from other districts, and the disasters and madmen, she cannot help with those.]

[In that place untouched by daylight, there is never a shortage of lunatics and calamities. No one knows what dangers await there—even Calamity Hunters must remain ever vigilant.]

[The Flower Witch produces a potion, hesitates for a moment, and says:

"Night Watchman, this is no free gift. You’ll have to repay it—with herbs."]

[You have received a Floral Elixir!]

Floral Elixir!

Chenqi read the description—this potion could heal even severed limbs! For him now, it was still an exceedingly powerful medicine!

[The Flower Witch puts her thoughts aside and continues brewing her tea.]

[The crowd looks at you—some with admiration, some in awe, and some with derision.]

["Come back alive, will you."]

A young apprentice also speaks up, handing you a bottle of Scorching Potion she had bought.

[You thank the apprentice who made the Dancing Potion and put away the Scorching Potion.]

Are people really this kind? He felt a small stirring of emotion...

Let’s hope this isn’t some kind of death flag.

Chenqi took out his map and examined it carefully.

Things were different now—he already possessed the ability to travel through the blizzard!

Now he had the Snow Ward, and the Blackfire Domain capable of generating vast cold, so his combat ability was not weak.

He also had the Shadow Fox—a disaster beast that traveled the world, far superior to most traveling beasts!

Even if there was trouble with food or firestones along the way, he could rely on the Daywalkers for supplies, so it wouldn’t be a big problem.

Feasible…

The true danger lay with the criminals and the disasters.

Time was of the essence...

Chenqi had his character purchase travel goods from a merchant resting nearby.

To ensure safety, he bought the best he could.

A windproof tent, a yak-hair sleeping bag, a map of the Land of Faint Light, a portable boiler, dried meat cakes…

["Customer, you’re really generous! Want to buy this set of clothes too?” The merchant marveled. Other than his little donkey and his clothes, he’d sold you almost everything—he was even tempted to sell himself to you.]

Altogether, it cost 60 moon silver coins.

Out of respect, the merchant did not raise the price, selling everything as cheaply as possible.

Next, Chenqi had his character rest to recover stamina. He took out a pen, planning the journey in detail.

Once all was ready.

Chenqi himself rested for a while, preparing to focus his full energy on the upcoming journey!

At first light, he would set out!

...

[You wake from your rest. Most people have started their day's work. In the blizzard, they must secure both food and warmth.]

[Daylight once again shines upon this land, though the snow buries much of its glow.]

[You leave the Tower of Potions, packing your supplies onto your little donkey.]

[You turn back for one last look.]

Chenqi took a deep breath.

“Goodbye, Tower of Potions. May I return safe and sound…”

Shadow Fox, come out!

[The Shadow Fox pokes its little head from under your clothes, then leaps out, shifting into its giant form.]

["Master, where are we going..."]

[To a place of criminal revelry.

You bend down, pressing yourself to the Shadow Fox’s soft back, and head toward the distant horizon…]

(End of Chapter)