Chapter 047: Sky Mirror Lake
Chen Ran took out a blueprint from his person.
“Since you use witchcraft, you should be able to use a spell like ‘Puppet Doll.’ If you are willing to help me, I can teach you this secret art. With just a little bit of witchcraft, you can make any man in the town whose spiritual power is not stronger than yours submit to your feet. What do you think?”
Upon hearing Chen Ran’s explanation, the witch’s eyes lit up. Seeing the well-described blueprint, she reached out to take it.
But Chen Ran promptly pulled the blueprint back.
It seemed the witch was aware of the existence of this secret art. Her fingers tapped restlessly, and a strange smile appeared on her face, which looked somewhat sinister due to her gaunt appearance.
“You actually have the secret manual for ‘Puppet Doll’! This is one of the unique secret arts of the ancient witch doctor clan. How did you get it?” the witch asked, her tone filled with surprise.
“You don’t need to worry about that. This thing is real and reliable. My condition is that you use your prophecy witchcraft to answer one question for me.”
At this, Chen Ran couldn’t be bothered to sacrifice the happiness of any unlucky man in this town, even if it was all the men in the town.
The witch smiled in satisfaction. “If that’s the case, I can make an exception and use the prophecy spell for you one more time. Follow me.”
The witch hunched over and walked toward the dilapidated staircase. Chen Ran followed.
After reaching the second floor, it was even messier. He didn’t know how many years it had been since it was last cleaned. It was more like an abandoned storeroom, covered in a thick layer of dust.
The witch walked to a table, pulled off a thick cloth, and shook off a cloud of dust that made Chen Ran choke and cough violently.
Under the thick cloth was a transparent crystal ball, crystal clear. At least from the fluctuations on it, it was not a simple sphere made of crystal; it was definitely filled with unknown magic power.
“This damn prophecy spell. Every time I use it, I have to consume my own life force. Rich stargazers and witches can use nourishing medicines to replenish their lost shamanistic power, but ordinary people like us can only consume our own life force, which is why I’ve become this inhuman, ghostly thing.”
By the time she reached this floor, the witch was clearly much more sober. She looked at the crystal ball, her fingers constantly moving around the outside of the sphere, guiding out traces of shamanistic power.
In the crystal ball, a strange shamanistic fluctuation swirled, and several vortex-like colors appeared, growing brighter and brighter until the entire crystal ball lit up.
The witch looked up. “Alright, you can ask your question. It will answer what you want to know. It’s best to be specific. The so-called prophecy spell is not omnipotent.”
Chen Ran nodded and said, “I want to know where the nearest place to Redleaf Town is that has something with strong holy-type power, even if it’s just raw materials.”
This question was not without reason. Given Redleaf Town’s feng shui, it shouldn’t be hard to find something with holy attributes nearby.
The witch showed a strange smile, looked at the crystal ball again, and began to chant some strange shamanistic incantations. The color of the crystal ball changed again, and then the witch repeated Chen Ran’s question to the crystal ball.
A brilliant light shone from the crystal ball, indicating the success of the incantation. On the crystal ball, a scene appeared before Chen Ran.
It was a lake. The water was clear and pure, like a mirror. Even on this cloudy day, it still shone with some unknown shimmering light, making the entire lake look incredibly beautiful.
“Where is this?”
“Sky Mirror Lake, two hundred li south of here. Many people in the town know this place.”
“Is what I need there?”
“Sky Mirror Lake has a peculiar geology. Its sunlight absorption rate is extremely high. The shining things on the shore are called Sky Pure Sand. They do seem to have a certain holy aura, but they are scattered and difficult to collect. But it should be what you’re looking for.”
The crystal ball dimmed and returned to its original state. The witch held out her hand to Chen Ran and said, “This is it. Taking too long will increase the burden on my life force. I’ve told you what you want to know.”
“That’s enough,” Chen Ran nodded and handed the “Puppet Doll” secret art blueprint to the witch.
Upon receiving the blueprint, a seemingly brilliant smile finally appeared on the witch’s face. She giggled foolishly. “I can finally be free. It really is that secret art…”
Seeing the witch’s haggard face, which had become even more so after casting the spell, he felt that this woman’s life was not easy. He took out an extra secret art blueprint from his spatial ring and handed it to her.
“This is ‘Essence Extraction,’ a secret art that witch doctors use to replenish their depleted life force. It can replenish the essence that has been unnaturally taken from various creatures, restoring you to your optimal state. The absorption rate of human life force is relatively high, but I hope you will use it with discretion.”
Seeing the witch’s ecstatic expression, Chen Ran didn’t linger and walked out of her house.
Outside, the sky was still gloomy. At some point, a light rain had started to fall, drizzling.
Just as Chen Ran was about to turn his head, a familiar figure stood on the street, holding a purple long-handled umbrella, quietly waiting outside the house.
Elena was dressed in a simple dress, smiling at him.
A trace of surprise flashed in Chen Ran’s eyes. He ran over in the light rain.
“Why are you here?”
“I saw your note when I woke up. I guessed you might be busy with my matter. I heard you went out without an umbrella, so I came looking for you. After asking a few households, I found out you were here.”
Hearing Elena’s soft words, a sweetness welled up in Chen Ran’s heart, and he couldn’t help but hug her tightly.
Her scent was always so intoxicating.
“Let’s go. I’ve already thought of what to do. I won’t let you get hurt in any way.”
Chen Ran took the purple umbrella from Elena’s hand and held it up for the two of them, creating their own space.
Holding Elena’s hand, after walking a few steps, Chen Ran noticed that she was having some difficulty walking. He immediately understood the reason and apologized in a low voice, “Um, last night, I was too…”
Elena gave Chen Ran a reproachful look, pouted, and said, “Then be gentler next time.”
“…”
After packing his luggage, Chen Ran put what he needed into his spatial ring, then found the fastest horse in the town and set off in the rain.
He took Elena with him on this trip. For one, he was afraid that time would not allow it. For another, he was not at ease leaving Elena at home alone. The black knight might arrive earlier. Only by his side would she be the safest.
When everything was ready, Chen Ran and Elena rode the same horse and temporarily left the town, heading in the direction of Sky Mirror Lake.
This time, he could not fail!
