The Cornflower Witch

At night, passing through the plains where the frog rain fell, the Ninth Train rolled into the relatively quiet "Guanhua Plains." In the night breeze, patches of blue hanging bellflowers were in full bloom, and after the rain, the flowers emitted faint, glowing blue specks that drifted through the air—a truly beautiful sight.

"This is a phenomenon triggered by the 'Vaulted Sky' Aspect during Gale Season. Normally, these blue hanging bellflowers don't glow at all."

On the train, Sylutia sat by the window as Amisa beside her explained the habits and traits of this flower.

"If you pick these blossoms, they're perfect for making basic 'Clarity Potions'—a purification potion that can dispel small amounts of erosion." As a physician and pharmacist, Amisa knew a great deal about herbs and plants, and she shared this knowledge with Sylutia.

Although Sylutia had come across the name "blue hanging bellflower" in books during her studies at the Hidden Grove, she didn't know much about it, because this flower was rare in the south. They bloomed more abundantly in the colder plains.

After nightfall, the train gradually quieted down. The crew members took turns sleeping and resting. Even those on night watch mostly sat around chatting to fend off drowsiness.

The curtains fluttered, and the blocked light shifted between bright and dim. From the distant wilderness, the train looked like a string of twinkling stars, catching the attention of some far-off watchers.

Five black figures stood silently on a hill, gazing at the train moving in the distance and whispering among themselves.

"Gilson is dead. Judging by the commotion of the fight before his death, he probably exposed his Blood Clan identity."

"But that's not a big deal. That guy's talent was mediocre anyway. Even if he had made it to Sea Cliff later, he wouldn't have been able to advance much further."

"Even though he's dead, he left us some useful info. One of his subordinates—also a Blood Clan member—secretly planted a tracking device on the train. That's a huge help."

"Otherwise, finding this train on such a vast prairie wouldn't have been easy."

"According to intelligence from our mole inside the Mage Alliance, each train has a Sixth-Tier mage guarding it. That could be a problem, but as long as we're careful to avoid him, it's not an issue."

"This time, they're transporting over ten thousand crates of 'Scorching Sun Crystals.' Even if we only snatch a hundred crates, that's a fortune."

"Eight crystals per crate, each crystal worth over a thousand gold coins. One crate is nearly ten thousand gold. The Mage Alliance really is loaded."

"Even though I don't like these mages, I have to admit—they're unmatched in history when it comes to creating wealth."

These Blood Clan members discussed the train passing in the distance. As its lights and whistle grew closer, they began to move.

First, they arrived at their pre-planned ambush spot, about six hundred meters from the tracks. The five Blood Clan members crouched low, lying flat in the grass, suppressing their aura and energy fluctuations to the faintest possible state.

At six hundred meters, even a Sixth-Tier mage would find it difficult to sense them from the front of the train without casting specialized detection spells.

The train drew nearer.

At the locomotive, four bright headlight beams cut through the wilderness, illuminating the tracks ahead. Then came the rhythmic roar of the power furnace.

Soon, the train rolled past, crushing some tiny pebbles that scattered into the grass.

Seeing the locomotive pass, the five Blood Clan members immediately sprang into action. They turned into flowing black shadows, rapidly closing in on the train and latching onto its exterior.

They didn't rush to enter. Instead, they waited quietly, observing. Only after confirming that no one had noticed or sounded an alarm did they proceed.

The five figures restrained their auras as much as possible, moving slowly across the roof of the train. They dared not use any abilities for fear of leaking energy and being discovered.

Eventually, they found the car storing the "Scorching Sun Crystals." It wasn't hard to identify—the thick, blazing aura was impossible to fully seal off, even with the boxes and specialized magic arrays in place.

Without further hesitation, the group communicated covertly using the Blood Clan's unique methods for a brief moment. Then, no longer hiding, they transformed into flowing blood shadows, slipped through the train's ventilation ducts, and entered the car below.

The guards stationed in that car immediately sensed something was wrong. Among them, five Inspection Department members drew their swords, releasing an icy, frigid aura. The few mages on duty nearby were also startled awake, hurriedly casting spells. Golden radiance flared around them, forming beams of light that partitioned the space within the car.

But these hastily prepared defenses couldn't stop the dark red blood stream pouring in through the ventilation ducts.

Once inside the car, the blood stream instantly shifted. Some of it shot out like arrows, piercing through a few mages who couldn't defend in time. As they collapsed, their bodies shriveled as their blood was drained. The stolen blood then transformed into eerie crescent blades that slashed through the car, cutting down several Inspection Department members. A few were gravely wounded, and if not for the power of "Slumbering Winter" sealing their wounds to prevent further bleeding, they would have died in short order.

"Hurry! Forget them—break the seals on those boxes!" one Blood Clan member shouted. Then, one of them pulled out a dark red, ornate dagger, its silvery-cold edge glinting with faint black light.

[Anti-Magic Dagger] (Fifth Tier · Rare): A special dagger capable of breaking seals, magic barriers, and decree-based bindings. Extremely difficult to craft and will shatter after several uses. (Uses remaining: 2/5)

The stacked crates here were sealed with strips, enchanted with locking spells by the accompanying mages. They were also separated by steel grates and racks. If a thief had snuck into the car, it would have been impossible to break through these layers of seals without raising the alarm. And stalling for even a short time would mean facing the overwhelming numbers of combat personnel on the train, no matter how strong these Blood Clan members were.

They had to act fast.

The dark red, ornate dagger stabbed into the isolating golden light membrane. Where the dagger met the barrier, a sizzling sound erupted.

Like tearing cloth, the seal protecting these "Scorching Sun Crystals" was slashed open. The overflowing energy exploded inside the car, sending waves of fire surging into the surrounding cars.

All the combat teams on the train received news of the sudden attack. Some were jolted awake from their dreams and scrambled to grab their weapons as they rushed over.

Every second counted.

After breaking the seal, two Blood Clan members swung their cloaks, which generated a suction force, pulling the scattered Scorching Sun Crystals into them.

From launching the attack to starting to collect the crystals, only twelve seconds had passed. They were confident they could bag more before fleeing just ahead of the real heavyweights' arrival.

Among Transcendents of the same tier, if a Blood Clan member genuinely wanted to escape, very few could catch them. Mages, in particular, were generally not very fast.

Fifteen seconds. Inspection Department members from the adjacent car charged through the residual flames, their silvery-cold sword light piercing the chaotic car as they struck at any possible enemies inside.

Seventeen seconds. Two Blood Clan members unleashed "Blood Boil," causing the hearts of the arriving Inspection Department members to surge with boiling blood. The members collapsed in pain, crouching low.

Twenty seconds. They had already loaded forty crates of Scorching Sun Crystals. Then, a powerful aura ripple came from the direction of the locomotive, rapidly closing in on this car.

Twenty-two seconds. The five Blood Clan members flew out of the car, transforming into speeding crimson meteors as they dove across the flower field.

Twenty-four seconds. Sylutia and a group of team members arrived at the scene. They charged into the night in pursuit.

Twenty-six seconds. Master Ge Zhen also arrived.

A deep purple magic array spread across the train, and then five incredibly thin rays pierced through the night sky, hitting the five fleeing figures in the distance. Although the beams tore bowl-sized holes through their bodies, the Blood Clan's powerful regenerative abilities quickly mended the damage, and they continued speeding through the night.

By now, many of the pursuing Inspection Department members had begun to fall behind, unable to keep up with the speeding crimson meteors.

Only Sylutia, transformed into a silver streak of light, could barely follow the five fleeing figures.

Master Ge Zhen gazed into the distance. He instructed the crew to repair the damaged car, then rose into the sky.

At his current speed, he couldn't easily catch these Blood Clan members. Besides, his duty was to protect the entire train. If he chased after them and another enemy attacked the train, it would be a major loss for a minor gain.

Through his Orb, he sent a message to the distant figure: "Hedra, come back." Unfortunately, Sylutia, still cutting through the wind, didn't hear him.

Like a college student on their first job, she took responsibility and mission very seriously. This was Sylutia's first time bearing such a significant duty, and almost without thinking, she wanted to do it right. She couldn't accept letting enemies steal things right under her nose.

The biting cold wind in the air cut like a knife, flattening her clothes. After several minutes of flight, the Blood Clan members finally relaxed when they saw that only one person was chasing them.

"Just one?" They turned back, seeing that the Sixth-Tier master hadn't come, only the girl before them. Their tone was mocking.

In the night wind, a silver blade was gripped in Sylutia's hand. She didn't answer. Her silver wings carried her body through the air in a sharp arc, bypassing the five and blocking their path ahead. Without stopping, she dove straight at them.

In this state, she looked nothing like a mage. She resembled an angel from ancient poetry.

At the hilt of the sword, silver patterns spread like blooming vines, extending across the blade. Then, she struck at one Blood Clan member. In just a fleeting moment, the blade twisted at an impossible angle, dodging the curved blade he raised to parry, and cleanly severed his head.

Blood sprayed in the air but couldn't keep up with the silver wings. The girl in the sky turned back like a bird, her waist's curve outlined by the black skirt. The silver blade flipped in the wind along with her flying hair.

If a master of the "Bionics School" were here, they might be stunned by the girl's current form. It was as if she had grasped the essence of the "Bird" rune from the Bionics School and integrated it into combat—a state far more harmonious and perfect than any "combat footwork." Perhaps it could be called the "Bird Form."

Even with a comrade's head severed, the remaining Blood Clan members showed no panic. Such a wound might be fatal to an ordinary person, but to a Blood Clan member, it was just a bit more effort to heal.

They could afford to lose many times in a fight. But if their opponent failed to block an attack even once, they would suffer heavy injuries and a massive drop in power.

[Blood Poison Claws] [Royal Moon] [Eerie Purple Blood Blade]

The Blood Clan's secret techniques flashed in succession. First, two Blood Clan members extended their nails into long, sharp, poison-coated claws and lunged forward. Then, a Blood Clan Viscount spread his arms, and a massive crimson moon appeared behind him. Finally, the remaining two Blood Clan members each drew a long, slender curved blade, infusing their blood into the weapons, which glowed with a dangerous, eerie purple-red.

All five Blood Clan members were Fifth Tier. They had absolute confidence in killing this naive girl. Their earlier flight was only out of fear of that powerful Sixth-Tier mage.

Facing the assault, Sylutia tightened her grip on the sword, spinning it to block the descending claws. Sparks flew as the blade scraped against their nails.

After deflecting the first attack, her form shifted, and she shot straight into the sky. The Blood Clan members followed close behind, chasing her upward.

In the night sky, a massive clock face gradually took shape. Then, the hands on the clock turned, and beams of light flashed and struck, washing over and engulfing the Blood Clan members below.

Seizing the brief window of time, Sylutia took a deep breath. If these had been other Fifth Tier Transcendents, she probably wouldn't have chased them this far. But these were all Blood Clan, and they were now a good distance from the train. Many abilities she was reluctant to use before could now be unleashed without worry.

First—the Breathing Technique.

Sylutia's eyes closed slightly. The Ability Card [Breathing Technique Lv.7] on her Fate Plate began to shift.

The card's originally red border grew more vivid and dazzling, as if entwined with vines of blood-red roses. Then, the heart in the chest of the figure within began to beat and change.

The entire card's image seemed to sharpen in clarity. More details of blood flow appeared within. The heart-centered image gradually faded, replaced by a phantom of a girl with the same silhouette as Sylutia. The blood flowing through her body was densely interwoven like tangled vines, which then faded away one by one.

These flowing patterns of blood gathered toward the phantom's brow. Finally, all the blood-red vines vanished, leaving only that single point where ten thousand crimson streams converged.

[True Crimson Blood Lv.2]

Its color was like the marrow of blood itself—a beauty that seized the soul.

This was a secret ability known only to the Blood Clan's royal family. Not only was it the ultimate form and perfect superior replacement of the Breathing Technique, but it also possessed countless unimaginable effects.

In the night sky, the Blood Clan members felt as if their own blood was slipping out of their control. The abilities and attacks they had been channeling all came to a halt.

"This—how is this possible?" The leading Blood Clan Viscount stared in disbelief at the girl silently floating in the air.

Sylutia opened her eyes again. Their color was no longer her usual black, but a rare, magnificent true crimson—like the convergence of countless rubies, pure yet refracting into different hues of brilliance.

In this world, power and beauty were one and the same. Or rather, the strong shaped the world's aesthetics. The Blood Dynasty's near-thousand-year accumulation had refined its royal secret arts to an impeccable level.

And the knowledge and secret arts Sylutia now commanded were no different from those of the most powerful monarchs in Blood Dynasty history. With Carmilla's gift of "True Crimson Blood," transforming herself temporarily into a Blood Clan royal was a trivial matter.

If she were to claim she was a lost Blood Clan princess, in the world outside, probably only Carmilla's sister "Catella" could see through the deception. Even a Seventh-Tier Blood Clan Duke would struggle to question it.

As a Blood Clan royal, she had an inherent bloodline suppression over those of inferior bloodline. After all, every person transformed into a Blood Clan, during their ritual, had to bow to that towering royal blood moon.

The originally silver-white wings began to show traces of fine blood-red threads. These threads could channel blood into the wings, providing stronger power, sharper perception, and the potential to use Blood Clan secret arts.

At this moment, Sylutia's Aspect level shifted from [Fifth Tier · Secret Word] → [Fifth Tier · Secret Word · Bloodline] (Temporary State).

Though it wasn't the perfect fusion of two Aspects that would come with a true promotion, her current state far surpassed any same-tier Transcendent, nearing the rank of Sixth Tier.

Facing this girl with blood-red rose wings, the Blood Clan members felt terror and suppression from their very bloodlines. Their expressions were panicked. Some wanted to flee; others wanted to attack.

First, the three who chose to press forward lunged at her. The girl swung her silver blade, its originally intricate silver patterns shifting into a blood-red, eerie engraving. Then, the sword strikes became faster and utterly silent.

The two sides crossed paths in an instant. Of the three Blood Clan members, two were cut in half, and one had his head sent flying. As they tried to regenerate, they found they could no longer activate their abilities. They could only watch as their lives rapidly faded, dissolving into crimson fragments that drifted through the air before converging into the young girl's hand.

The remaining two who had tried to flee were even more terrified. They used every means they could to escape, but it was futile.

The girl with blood-red rose wings caught up to them in just a few breaths. She moved without emitting any light or aura. The fleeing pair didn't even notice her until she appeared in their field of vision.

The silver-red blade swept across their bodies like a gentle feather. Their consciousness vanished in an instant, and they, too, turned into crimson fragments like their comrades.

After all five Blood Clan members had lost their lives, the girl slowly descended from the sky. She stared blankly at the carnage she had caused, as well as the five blood-red gems floating before her.

It had all happened so fast. In truth, Sylutia wasn't someone with a heavy bloodlust. She just hadn't expected that five powerful Fifth-Tier Blood Clan members could die so easily with a casual flick of her hand—without so much as a splash or reaction, as light as a falling feather.

She still wasn't used to the immense power of this form, nor the terrifying suppression she held over Blood Clan members.

Finally, after a few seconds, Sylutia thought of something and groaned, pressing her hand to her forehead.

Damn. How was she supposed to explain this when she got back? That she just waved her hand and five powerful Blood Clan Viscounts dropped dead just like that? She was terrible at lying and could be seen through so easily.

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