Chapter 1155 Cold Yin Flower
Chapter 1155 Cold Yin Flower
The first thing Izroth did was isolate the stem and roots of the Extreme Yin Evil Roots underground, cutting it off in a chunk of sorts. Afterward, Izroth started to peel away at the chunk with Molding Earth one layer at a time.
Izroth performed this action until the stem and roots of the plant became visible. And, the moment it did so, a great chill spread throughout the surroundings that instantly froze the ground and covered it with a thick layer of ice within five meters.
Before the ice could reach him, Izroth kicked off his back foot and dashed backward to a safe distance without halting his use of Molding Earth.
"That was it's final counterattack. From now on, as long as I don't damage the roots, the Extreme Yin Evil Roots will be secured."
...
A few moments later, Izroth finished removing the last bit of earth from the stem and roots. At the same time, the thick layer of ice receded and was drawn into the Extreme Yin Evil Roots.
The stem of the Extreme Yin Evil Roots was a deep ocean blue, while the roots were pure white and seemed more like strands of energy than actual roots.
After examining it, Izroth placed the Extreme Yin Evil Roots into his garden bag.
〈System Alert: You have collected x1 «Extreme Yin Evil Roots»!〉
"Now, all that's left is the Demonic Heart Lotus. Compared to the other three ingredients, it shouldn't be that difficult to find since the type of environment it can grow in is rather specific. That being said, collecting it with the current restrictions in place might be somewhat troublesome."
The Demonic Heart Lotus grew in high temperature areas. One of the most popular locations for it to grow was in the depths of an active volcano. However, even if one possessed a high level of fire resistance, it was not easy to travel through molten lava while simultaneously searching for something. Though in the trial dungeon where fire resistance as set to zero by default, this made the task even more daunting.
'The mythical-ranked ingredients all seem to come with its own fair share of troubles. Of course, if one wants to gain something worthwhile, it's nearly impossible to not run into some troubles along the way.'
One of the easiest mythical-ranked ingredients Izroth managed to get his hands on was the Young Wing of the Ambrosia Tree. The tree itself was guarded by a being in the legendary realm; however, it was due to a great deal of luck and circumstances that he got it without a fight.
There was also the Blood of the Immortal Hydra. Which, nothing much needed to be said about how much trouble one needed to go through in order to collect that.
While there was some information about the Demonic Heart Lotus in the book Izroth read, there were still many missing details that he could only fill in with speculation.
Either way, if he wanted to craft the Demonic Suppression Pill, there was no choice but to fetch the Demonic Heart Lotus, regardless of the risk involved.
Izroth set his gaze into the distance. Earlier, when he briefly scanned at maximum range with his Energy Vision Sense, Izroth discovered a single area in the garden that had the perfect conditions to cultivate the Demonic Heart Lotus.
'Although it's called a garden, if one stumbled into it by mistake, they would think it's a real forest with unusual elemental phenomenon. One day, I will create an even grander garden in the Resplendent Landscape Pocket Dimension Stone.'
...
Fifteen minutes later...
'It's been almost two hours since the fourth trial begin. There are still some matters that I need to deal with before I arrive at Danaharpe where the 9th Division awaits. Then, let's finish this as quickly as possible.'
Izroth stood at the edge of a pool of molten lava. The pool was approximately ten meters in length and five meters wide. As for its depth, even with his Energy Vision Sense, Izroth could not determine how far down it traveled.
"This is the place with the best conditions for a Demonic Heart Lotus to grow. However, how did he plan for the average Apothecary or even Herbalist to collect this thing?"
From the way he set up the trials, Izroth could tell that Franz Winsor was a prankster. But, it was never done in a malicious sense. That being said, with the limiters in place, no access to one's inventory and the ban on collecting other materials to craft any kind of fire resistance pill, how was someone suppose to get Demonic Heart Lotus unless they were born immune to fire?
'Is there something I'm overlooking?'
Izroth took a moment to ponder as he thought back to the pill recipe.
'I see. That method—it can work.'
Izroth moved his hand to the garden bag and removed the Extreme Yin Evil Roots. After entering the garden bag, a protective bubble had formed around the plant, ensuring that it remained undamaged.
Name: Extreme Yin Evil Roots
Rank: Ancient(148)
Usage: The Extreme Yin Evil Roots grows in a place devoid of sunlight and other sources of heat. It contains a strong cold energy capable of amplifying cold effects. If handled carelessly, the Extreme Yin Evil Roots will unleash a powerful chill, instantly freezing those who make contact with it. Despite its dangers, the Extreme Yin Evil Roots is often used in cures to fire-related injuries. It also has the effect of greatly strengthening one's ice element and slightly reinforce soul.
'Even with the protective bubble, it's risky to keep the Extreme Yin Evil Roots out in this kind of environment. Besides, the thing I really need is this.'
Izroth reached toward the Extreme Yin Evil Roots through the protective bubble and gently plucked the flower at its top before returning the main part of the plant to the garden bag.
Name: Cold Yin Flower
Rank: Pseudo-Ancient(88)
Usage: The Cold Yin Flower grows in a place devoid of sunlight and other sources of heat. It contains cold energy and is often used in healing fire-related injuries. The Cold Yin Flower is often consumed by cold-type creatures to enhance the strength of their ice element.
Typically, the Cold Yin Flower was a superior-ranked material on the verge of becoming ancient-ranked. However, since Izroth was able to flawlessly remove the Extreme Yin Evil Roots from the earth, the Cold Yin Flower retained its peak condition and held the rank of pseudo-ancient.
Izroth quickly placed the Cold Yin Flower into his mouth as he removed it from the protective bubble, directly consuming it.
〈System Alert: You have consumed x1 «Cold Yin Flower»!〉
The moment Izroth ate the Cold Yin Flower, a terrifying chill surged throughout his body. As he exhaled, a cold frost could be seen leaving his mouth. And, despite standing right next to the pool of molten lava, Izroth felt as if his bones were freezing over.
Then, without hesitation, Izroth jumped into the pool of lava.
...
A few seconds ago...
"What is he doing now?" Iron Cauldron uttered to himself as he observed Izroth from behind a large stone.
Ever since they entered the forest, Iron Cauldron had been secretly following after Izroth.
Since Izroth passed the other rounds with relative ease, Iron Cauldron figured it would be best to see what he was doing and mimic it. However, that was much easier said than done.
"Thanks to Palace Master Izroth thinking out loud, I managed to collect some Stellar Jade Dust and Dark-Stilled Liquid. However, the Extreme Yin Evil Roots is impossible for me to collect, so I had to settle for the Cold Yin Flower. Well, I guess it's better than nothing." Iron Cauldron said with a long sigh.
He then thought to himself, "Or, could he have noticed that I was following him and left some clues for me intentionally? No... Maybe not. After all, I haven't done anything to deserve such treatment."
In truth, as a grade two Apothecary, Iron Cauldron had already submitted to his fate of being unable to craft a grade four pill. Though he knew his failure was likely, Iron Cauldron did not plan on throwing in the towel without at least giving it a try.
"This might be the only chance I get to personally craft a grade four pill. Failure? I'm already used to that. Still, that's never stopped me from trying. Even if I fail, maybe there's still something I can earn from it." Iron Cauldron said confidently.
As those words left Iron Cauldron's mouth, that's when something shocking happened that caused him to nearly fall over in surprise.
Izroth, who had been standing near the edge of the lava pool, suddenly jumped into it!
Iron Cauldron rushed over to the edge of the lava pool and looked downward. As he got close, he winced from the intense waves of heat that constantly bombarded him.
"I thought it was fake because of the fake he just dove into it, but it's a real pool of lava alright..! What is Palace Master Izroth thinking...?!" Iron Cauldron gasped.
...
Meanwhile, in the depths of the lava pool...