‘I just called her and everyone else “trash” and “garbage.” Even Charles wanted to eat me alive. But you, a lofty Saintess, your affection level didn’t drop—it rose?!’
‘I remember clearly—just a moment ago, your affection level was 0 (Stranger)! How did it become positive after being scolded?!’
‘It’s even about to break into the next level!’
Annabell turned to look at Rosalind as if she were an alien.
The usually solemn, holy, and untouchable white-clad Saintess stood expressionless. Only a chilling, fanatical gleam flickered in her cold eyes. She was even secretly licking her lips!
Annabell shuddered violently.
‘This woman is sick! Definitely sick! Could it be that the Church’s Saintess is holy on the surface but a hardcore masochist behind the scenes?! She gets excited when scolded?!’
‘I can’t afford to provoke her… I’d better curse her less in the future, in case I trigger some weird pervert route.’
Annabell silently blacklisted Rosalind in her heart.
“Ahem.” Prince Charles coughed dryly, breaking the eerie awkwardness. “Since Miss Annabell has obtained the gem, all nine gems are now complete. Everyone, let’s open the ruins.”
The remaining nine people stepped forward and raised their gems high, except for the unlucky one whose gem had been snatched away, crying bitterly in a corner.
Charlotte took a deep breath and pulled out the faintly glowing spirit jade pendant.
Nine beams of light shot into the sky simultaneously, converging into a vast, ancient Elvish magic array in midair.
The array slowly rotated, its intricate green runes swirling everywhere. The surrounding space trembled violently, and a massive light gate woven from pure natural magic tore open in the void.
“Elven King Oberon’s Relic, open!”
An ancient, ethereal voice exploded in everyone’s mind.
“It really is the Elven King’s ruins! The legends are true!” Charles’s eyes blazed with undisguised fanaticism.
“Charge in!”
Without hesitation, the nine people gripped their gems and shot into the light gate like meteors, afraid to fall behind.
Annabell glanced at Charlotte and said coldly, “An ordinary person with no magic dares to come here? If you don’t want to die, stay close to me.”
“Mm!”
Charlotte nodded firmly and followed closely behind Annabell without any hesitation, stepping into the light gate.
After a slight dizziness, Annabell opened her eyes.
The sight before her made everyone gasp.
This was no longer the Demon Beast Forest, dark and filled with miasma, but an endless, dreamlike garden. Brilliant colors stretched to the horizon—breathtakingly beautiful!
Magic jellyfish emitting soft light floated in the sky, and lush green grass covered the ground.
What drove people crazy were the flowers and herbs everywhere. These weren’t ordinary plants—they were all high-grade magic herbs worth a fortune outside.
“Heavens… that’s moonlight grass over a hundred years old!”
“Over there! A whole patch of blazing flame flowers!”
“The magic concentration here is ten times higher than the best meditation room in the Imperial Capital!”
Breathing heavily, eyes bloodshot, even the seasoned Charles and Rosalind couldn’t hide their greed. This place was a mage’s paradise!
Just then, the ancient voice echoed through the small world again.
“Trial takers, welcome to the Elven King’s Royal Herb Garden.”
“First trial: Herb Gathering.”
“Rules: You have two hours. Freely gather whatever magic herbs you can find in this garden. After time runs out, your results will be judged based on the quantity and grade of herbs gathered.”
“The top six will advance to the next trial. Those eliminated will have their memories erased and be teleported out of the ruins.”
The ancient voice faded slowly.
A trial! This means the Elven King Oberon really left a legacy! If I pass all the trials, I can obtain the legendary ancient power!
“Let’s move!” Charles barked, leading his two subordinates toward the densest magical fluctuations. He wanted to seize the best territory.
The others, unwilling to be outdone, cast spells and scattered to begin their frenzied “weed-pulling.”
Annabell didn’t rush.
She frowned slightly. The garden is too big, with thousands of herb species—many I can’t even name. If I search aimlessly, efficiency will be terrible. High-grade herbs are delicate; the wrong picking technique will make them wither instantly.
Just as Annabell was thinking of a strategy, Charlotte beside her suddenly froze.
The moment the ancient voice announced the rules, something in the depths of Charlotte’s mind shattered with a bang—like a seal breaking.
It was that kind old grandmother from the dream!
A vast, complex stream of information flooded into Charlotte’s mind.
Elvish Pharmacopoeia Volume 1—All Things Identification!
When Charlotte opened her eyes again and looked at the garden, everything had changed.
The chaotic plants now seemed to have clear, glowing labels attached to them.
[Starlight Grass, third-grade magic herb, grows in dark, damp places. Must be pulled up by the root…]
[Blazing Sun Flower, fifth-grade magic herb, disguised as an ordinary bush. Must be wrapped in ice magic before plucking…]
[Poison Swamp Vine, poisonous weed, no value…]
Charlotte’s heart pounded.
Not only can I identify every herb, but I also know their exact locations, picking methods, and even which ones are most valuable! I’m practically cheating!
‘The old grandmother didn’t lie to me…’ Charlotte clenched her fists, trembling with excitement.
She turned to look at Annabell, who was slightly frowning.
Annabell offended so many people for my sake. If she gets eliminated in this trial, Charles and the others won’t let her off.
‘I won’t let you lose,’ Charlotte swore silently.
Since I have no magic and can’t help you in battle, at least in this gathering trial, I’ll be your strongest support! I’ll give you the best of everything!
Charlotte took a deep breath, her face showing unprecedented confidence and a gentle smile.
She walked over to Annabell and lightly tugged her sleeve.
“Miss Annabell, if you don’t mind…” Charlotte’s eyes sparkled. “Let me lead the way.”
“I promise, we’ll be first.”
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