9 Preparation (2/2)

”This seller certainly isn't simple. I want to buy both.”

”What do you have to give?”

Hongyue studied at the herbs in front of her. A smirk started to crawl up. She reached forward to picked up a single dry stalk of herb that laid on the dirt ground.

”I want just this. Can you give it to me?”

The herb seller laughed. ”Take it, take it. Free of charge.”

”Thank you. Next time I come what you lack is what I shall give.”

With that said, she left. The herb seller gazed down at his herbs and frowned. He called forward a servant to take his place and he disappeared as well.

Hongyue ceased walking and focused on locating a source of water. Her body pulsed faintly with energy and she gradually opened her eyes. She continued on her way and ended up in a swampy forest. Nearby, she could sense a large source of running water. She smiled. Trailing slowly, she found a river running toward the south with clean and sparkling water. Hongyue bit her finger and watched the blood ooze out. The drop of blood fell into a water and suddenly a section of water stopped moving seemingly contained by an invisible force. She took out the rock from earlier and drew an ancient design on the surface using her blood to stain the surface. She then dropped both the rock and herb into the division of water.

She instructed a circle, using both hands, in the air.

”Bind.”

The rock which once had no power at all suddenly glowed with a blue aura. The ancient design faded into the rock disappearing from sight.

”Give.”

The rock exploded underwater but the newly given power with aura was contained within the barriers of water.

”Nurture.”

The water with the scattered aura suddenly rushed into the root of the herb. Nothing seemed to happen until the dry leaves suddenly unfurled and started to grow. In the blink of an eye, a level 0 herb plant become a gravely rare level 10 plant. Somewhat satisfied, Hongyue reached for the plant and tucked it inside her sleeve.

”Hm. I lost my touch. This will have to do.”

Next, she cupped a handful of water and threw it towards the sky. Quickly, she drew ancient designs on the palm of her hands and swirled in a circle spreading out her influence. A slightly silver power suddenly pulsed out from her body and rushed into the air filling the circle she swirled in. The water that should have been falling down abruptly froze in the air and started to morph. Hongyue tilted her head and thought of a valid design and with a twist of her hand, the water turned into a hair stick made of ice enhanced with flowers.

”All set, time to go back and watch the show.”