area51novel Chapter 215: A thought blossoms, and the king reigns over the world! The Willow Fairy has arrived!
Chapter 215: A thought blossoms, and the king reigns over the world! The Willow Fairy has arrived!
Hearing Rhine's words, Phryne itched with hatred.
She really couldn't understand why Rhine could still appear so calm and fearless even after she had exposed the scam.
Was it just because he thought she wouldn't be willing to pay such a high price to borrow thirty ancient seeds?
Phryne's expression returned to calm as she glanced at Rhine and Professor Sprout with arrogance.
"I see, you really think I can't get these seeds?"
"Alright, so it's thirty seeds, right?"
"I don't believe you can really make the ancient seeds germinate, let alone make them mature in such a short time."
Immediately, she looked at the Herbology masters present and began to borrow from them.
The masters were in a dilemma at this moment.
On the one hand, lending out the seeds would be tantamount to helping Phryne in their eyes, which would definitely offend Professor Sprout.
But on the other hand, if they didn't lend the seeds, Phryne would definitely bear a grudge as well, given her personality.
Being caught in the middle was really difficult.
But the next moment, Rhine looked at them, urging them repeatedly when they hesitated to lend the seeds.
"Masters, if you have them, hurry up and lend them."
"And don't forget to raise the price!"
"If you have any unwanted ancient seeds, you can exchange them with her for something useful; she will agree to anything."
"And if you have any relatives or friends who want to make a profit, let's seize the opportunity."
"When the time comes, the seeds will be mine, and you will get what you want; it's a win-win for everyone!"
The atmosphere was strange.
The masters looked at each other.
Wait, this…
If Phryne gathers the seeds, then Rhine will have no reason to refuse, and he will be the one in trouble.
Why is he helping Phryne promote it?
Phryne's face turned ashen with anger, convinced that Rhine thought she was reluctant to pay the price.
She gritted her teeth and also offered her price.
In addition to Galleons, there were also various precious herbology books and her own knowledge that could be used for exchange.
The masters present showed interest on their faces.
As Herbology masters, they naturally had some ancient plant seeds in their collections.
But if these seeds couldn't be grown, they would at most be collectibles for viewing.
But the conditions offered by Phryne were very generous; a single ancient plant seed couldn't usually be exchanged for so much.
Phryne even promised that if the ancient seeds were really exported, she would give them compensation.
Calculating it all, they wouldn't lose out, and might even make a huge profit?!
Gradually, some masters really took out their collections.
The number of ancient seeds in Phryne's hands increased, and after a while, it reached as many as fifteen or sixteen, more than halfway to the number of thirty.
She looked at Rhine but didn't see any panic on his face.
Phryne snorted coldly.
"Keep pretending."
"I'll see how long you can feign composure."
Then, she took out stationery and a quill and wrote several letters to send out.
Before long, goblins in Gringotts uniforms arrived at Hogwarts, their faces showing respectful expressions.
"Master Phryne, did you request to conduct a mortgage with us?"
Phryne nodded.
"That's right."
"Use my assets in Gringotts as collateral, and have Gringotts offer a price to purchase ancient plant seeds for me, the faster the better."
"I want fifteen!"
Joy appeared in the goblin's eyes.
Gringotts didn't understand herbology, but no one in the magical world could surpass them in valuation.
No matter what strange things, Gringotts could always estimate their value.
This goblin just did some mental calculations and already understood that this was definitely a big business, and this year's performance might be completed.
But after a moment, it rubbed its slender fingers and grinned.
"Master Phryne, if you want to mortgage, your current assets in Gringotts are not enough."
Phryne frowned, her face showing annoyance.
"Not enough?"
The Gringotts goblin nodded.
Before it could open its mouth to give Phryne a suggestion, an excited voice rang out.
"How can it not be enough?"
"Use leverage!"
"Gringotts must have this kind of agreement, right?"
"Quick, max out the leverage!"
"All in!"
The goblin was stunned, looking at Rhine, who was excitedly asking to give Phryne leverage, and was a little confused for a moment.
Wait, what's going on?
Isn't this supposed to be my line?
But after a moment, the goblin rubbed its hands and showed Phryne a seemingly harmless smile.
"Yes, Master, we at Gringotts can provide leverage services."
"Since you are a distinguished guest, our agreement is the most favorable…"
Rhine looked at Phryne, revealing a provocative expression.
"Use leverage, don't tell me you don't dare?"
Phryne's face turned ashen with anger, and she said hatefully.
"A clumsy trick cannot hide the fear in your heart."
She looked at the goblin, took a deep breath, and said expressionlessly.
"Go to Gringotts."
Then, Phryne followed the goblin and left in a loud bang of Apparition.
Inside Gringotts, Phryne's angry expression calmed down.
The goblin tentatively asked.
"Master, sign the agreement?"
Phryne said lightly.
"Sign."
"But besides purchasing ancient plant seeds, Gringotts should do one more thing for me."
"Sweep up all the available mooncalf grass from those few herb suppliers on the market, as well as several key materials for formulating the Bordeaux potion; I'll give you a list, sweep them all up for me."
The goblin was stunned for a moment, then revealed an even brighter smile.
"No problem, Master Phryne, but that will cost more money."
"The leverage will probably have to be pulled even higher."
Phryne took a deep breath.
"Then let's do it."
A cold light appeared in her eyes.
Cultivating ancient plants, if it is really recognized as successful, would be an achievement that would sensationalize the herbology world and go down in history.
Professor Sprout wasn't the only one working on this subject; many herbalists were also trying.
Phryne hadn't announced it to the public, but she had obtained a part of an extremely mysterious ancient plant from her teacher, and it was a living organism that retained its activity, right in her castle.
In her opinion, this was the only ancient plant in the current magical world that had the potential to be successfully cultivated.
Over the years, she had been infinitely close to success, and once successful, the fame and wealth that would follow would be enormous.
Because of this, Phryne could not accept being preempted by Professor Sprout no matter what.
If this matter was false, she would ruin Professor Sprout's reputation.
If this matter was true, she would find a way to prove it false!
This magical world will only remember the first person to make a great achievement; she had already lost to Sprout once and never wanted to lose a second time!
Even if she went all in with everything she had, what would it matter compared to the huge benefits she could get in return?
"Mooncalf grass, and those few materials that are recognized as necessary in the process of cultivating ancient plants, are inherently scarce in production and require a considerable amount to be effective."
"I'll have Gringotts sweep up the goods; even if Sprout and Rhine Snow really have the ability to cultivate ancient seeds, without sufficient materials, they won't be able to prove it in a few days even if they can do it."
"When I announce my results, with the endorsement of my teacher, I will be the first herbalist in the magical world to successfully cultivate ancient plants."
"Only my name will be passed down through the ages!"
Phryne clenched her palms.
This time, she was sure of victory!
…
At the same time, inside Hogwarts Castle.
Sprout looked at the place where Phryne had left, then turned to look at Rhine, with a few worries in his eyes.
"Rhine, I know that bitch Phryne too well; she hasn't changed at all in so many years and can still use any means to succeed."
"This time, she seems determined to throw this dirty water on us."
"She can use any method; she is just that kind of person."
Rhine showed a few smiles on this.
With his current luck, he can be described as blessed by fate. Voldemort would be beaten if he faces him, without any surprises.
Phryne? Who does she think she is?
If it wasn't for wanting to get more ancient seeds at once, he wouldn't have let her say a few more words; otherwise, Rhine would have made her unable to speak forever.
As for the small actions that Phryne was playing, she thought they were very secretive, but in fact, in front of Rhine's talent of predicting the future, there was nowhere to hide.
Purchasing those materials necessary for cultivating ancient seeds?
If it were someone else, even Professor Sprout, they might really be caught off guard.
But Rhine doesn't need so much trouble to cultivate ancient seeds.
With a brush of the Yimu Divine Light, everything is done!
At this moment, Rhine looked at the Herbology masters present.
The expressions of the masters were a bit unnatural.
After all, just now, they had all lent the seeds to Phryne, which was indirectly helping Phryne, leaving Rhine and Professor Sprout with no room to maneuver.
But to their surprise, Rhine smiled and said.
"Masters, you don't need to feel guilty; we are getting what we need, and no one owes anyone."
"But now, I have some news that will guarantee you can make a fortune from Flerina."
"Are you interested?"
The masters were taken aback.
After a moment, they looked at Rhine with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
"What news?"
Rhine grinned.
"Do you have any Moonsilver Grass and the ingredients used to make Bordeaux Potion on hand?"
"Or do you have any channels to obtain these from outside of England?"
The masters blinked.
"Moonsilver Grass, Bordeaux Potion..."
"These are the necessary materials mentioned in all the literature on cultivating Ancient Seeds. Each Ancient Seed requires a large amount of these materials to have even a sliver of hope of germination."
They seemed to understand.
"Rhine, do you want these?"
"That's easy to say. Although these materials are precious, we can still obtain them."
But the next moment, Rhine shook his head, saying with a strange smile.
"No, no, no, Moonsilver Grass and Bordeaux Potion, who needs that stuff to cultivate Ancient Seeds?"
"Why make such a simple and convenient thing so troublesome?"
The masters paused, blinking their eyes.
Huh?
Don't need Moonsilver Grass and Bordeaux Potion?
But since hundreds of years ago, these have been necessities in the papers on cultivating Ancient Seeds, without exception.
Also, how could this most profound topic in the field of Herbology be so casually mentioned by Rhine, as if it were just about what to eat for dinner tonight?
"Then what do you want us to do with this?"
Rhine smiled slightly.
"Because Flerina is buying these materials at a high price."
"If you have a supply of goods at this time, you can fleece her for a fortune."
"At this time, she will accept any price you offer."
The masters looked at each other, not understanding how Rhine knew that Flerina was buying these materials.
They wrote a few letters, and soon, the replies were sent to Hogwarts.
A look of surprise appeared in the masters' eyes.
The elixirs like Moonsilver Grass on the market are really starting to be bought in large quantities?
The price is soaring!
At this moment, the way they looked at Rhine was a little horrified.
After Flerina left Hogwarts, she actually played this trick, which they hadn't expected.
But this action was actually stated so firmly by Rhine.
Is it a prophecy?
Or is it that Flerina's every move is actually calculated by Rhine?
Regardless of which one it is, this little wizard seems a little scary!
The masters no longer dared to really treat Rhine as a first-year little wizard, and they finally understood a little why Professor Sprout had almost blind faith in Rhine.
They looked at each other and pondered for a moment.
"Rhine, this news can really make us a fortune."
"And we also made a lot of money from the previous Ancient Seeds, so we can't just take your money for nothing."
"How about giving you a share?"
"Oh, right, I bought a shop in Diagon Alley decades ago, and it has been empty all these years. I have no interest in managing it at all. How about giving it to you?"
"However, as for how to specifically operate the matter of reaping Flerina, we still need Rhine to give us more advice."
Rhine grinned.
When it comes to playing finance, he definitely can't beat the Gringotts goblins who are helping Flerina operate. This is a racial talent of the goblins.
But well, the Tao is one foot high, and the devil is ten feet high.
Playing leveraged futures, the Heavenly Mystery in measuring this talent is a killer move!
… …
Soon, Flerina, who was staying in Gringotts, frowned and looked at the goblin.
"Isn't it ready yet?"
"With the efficiency of your Gringotts, this shouldn't be the case."
The goblins of Gringotts were concentrating on calculating with their abacuses, and said to Flerina casually.
"The acquisition of Ancient Seeds is underway. As you know, this kind of thing is very precious. Although some pure-blood families also have collections, they are all used as collectibles to show off."
"It's not that easy to acquire a dozen of them in a short period of time."
"But this problem is not very big. On the contrary, another thing is that someone seems to have smelled the news about the acquisition of Moonsilver Grass and Bordeaux Potion materials."
"Some people are also buying, and the price of these materials is getting higher and higher."
"Master Flerina, I'm afraid you have to be prepared that the cost of acquiring these materials may be higher than expected."
Flerina gritted her teeth.
She has already added leverage. If she sweeps away these materials and proves Sprot and Rhine wrong, then she will definitely be the first master to cultivate ancient plants.
All investment is worth it.
"Continue to add leverage!"
The Gringotts goblin smiled happily.
"Okay!"
They were quite gleeful in their hearts.
When they saw the market trend, they understood that someone must have noticed Gringotts' acquisition of these materials and wanted to take the opportunity to squeeze Gringotts.
Gringotts has encountered no less than this kind of thing over the years.
It's just that there are fewer and fewer in recent years.
The reason is also very simple, play with Gringotts?
Do you have this strength?
Basically, those who dare to enter the market will lose everything, and the descendants of many people have to work for Gringotts to pay off an impossible debt.
Therefore, in the eyes of the goblins, these people who enter the market to sweep up goods are purely here to send gold galleons!
With just a little operation, all of this considerable amount of money can be eaten up, and Gringotts can earn money from both sides, which is simply going to make a lot of money!
It was only an hour later that the goblin in charge of the operation was numb.
"No..."
"I lost money?"
"I actually lost money?!"
His expression was no longer as calm as before, his expression twisted, and his cheeks twitched.
For goblins, losing money is like using a knife to cut their flesh.
Pain, so painful!
And he couldn't figure out why the funds that were also sweeping up goods seemed to have insight into all of his thoughts?
It was as if there was a pair of eyes watching him in the dark, hitting his vitals hard every time?
At the same time, in Hogwarts Castle, the masters received letters sent like snowflakes, and their faces also showed disbelief and ecstasy.
"Made money?"
"Damn! Can someone really make money from Gringotts?!"
Previously, they were still skeptical, and let Rhine help them sweep up a small portion of the funds for reference.
Unexpectedly, they actually made a lot of money, and drank soup from Gringotts?
For so many years, this is the first time they have heard of someone being able to pry gold out of the hands of goblins!
Talent!
The Herbologists looked at Rhine, their eyes gleaming.
"Cough cough, Rhine, I also have a shop in Diagon Alley, give it to you, can you help me operate it?"
"I have a small villa in Hogsmeade, can you help me fix it up too?"
Rhine did not refuse anyone who came.
Anyway, the capital is not his own, and the money earned is also taken from Gringotts and Flerina. He can get money for nothing without doing anything. Who doesn't want it for free?
Besides, monetary relationships may not be the purest relationships, but to some extent, this may be the fastest way to bring relationships closer.
Rhine's relationship with these Herbology masters has skyrocketed all the way.
The more money you make, the faster the relationship gets closer.
When this fund increased nearly doubled in Rhine's hands, Rhine returned it to those Herbology masters, and someone on the spot directly reached the level of a close friend with Rhine!
[You and the Sanxian of Medicine work diligently to earn spirit stones, and every spirit stone is soaked with the blood and sweat of your joint labor]
[In hard work, your relationship is rapidly getting closer]
[You and the Sanxian of Medicine have reached the level of close friends]
A smile appeared on the corner of Rhine's mouth.
Good, good, good!
You gave me industry again, and gave me talent again, good brother!
This Herbology master looked at Rhine, and was also excited.
This Herbology master doesn't make money. He has been diligently planting land for a lifetime, and has made a reputation as a Herbology master, and that's it for money.
To make money, you still have to do finance.
Dead mom Gringotts, dead mom capitalists, parasites!
It's still my good brother Rhine, leading us to rob the rich and help the poor!
On the spot, this Herbology master took out his seal and enthusiastically stuffed it into Rhine's hand.
The scene in Hogwarts Castle was harmonious.
It's just that in Gringotts, Flerina's face was covered with frost, looking at the Gringotts goblins hoarsely.
"What do you mean?"
"It costs five times more than the estimated cost, what does this mean?!"
"Aren't you goblins the ancestors of playing with money? All the money in the British wizarding world depends on you for circulation, and you tell me that the losses are heavy?"
"Do you want me to bear the extra cost?!"
The faces of the Gringotts goblins were also not good-looking.
"Master Flerina, our contract clearly states that the cost is estimated, and the specific situation will change according to market fluctuations."
"We advise you to calm down, after all, our goblins are now protected by the wizarding world law, so pitiful, since the goblin war was lost, we can only shrink in Gringotts."
"Our Gringotts is a vulnerable group, you better not be impulsive."
Flerina really had the feeling of being fucked by a dog.
Gringotts?
Vulnerable group?
You are vulnerable, your mother!
It was just at this moment, looking at the goblin staring at her, Flerina had to eat this loss, and went everywhere to find contacts to borrow money, gathered a sum of money, and then she was able to leave Gringotts.
Even so, her leverage at this moment was about to tilt to the sky.
That would be enough to wipe out the accumulated wealth of a mid-tier pure-blood family for several generations.
Fortunately, the ancient seeds were still obtained without any mishaps.
Fleur Delacour walked out of Gringotts with a dark face and gritted teeth, with only one thought in her mind.
As long as Sprout and Rhine don't get the honor of being the first to cultivate ancient plants, then all the sacrifices will be worth it.
The ensuing fame and wealth can easily allow her to regain everything.
And her teacher, the teacher entrusted her with that piece of living ancient plant, holding so much trust.
As long as she completely cultivates it to maturity, even if she has nothing, the teacher will never abandon her.
Taking a deep breath, Fleur Delacour returned to Hogwarts once again.
What she didn't expect was that in the short time she was gone, how could those herbology masters be chatting and laughing with Rhine, looking so happy?
Why did they all awkwardly and guiltily turn their heads when they saw her coming, as if they owed her money?
But soon, Fleur Delacour no longer had the mind to dwell on these things.
Her mind was now focused on one thing: quickly confirming Rhine and Sprout's academic fraud.
She asked herself if she had made all the preparations.
Could Rhine make the ancient seeds mature in a few days?
She absolutely didn't believe it.
Even if he could, all the materials had been swept away by her. Rhine didn't even have the materials, so what could he rely on?
Could he conjure up ancient seeds again with a spell?!
Fleur Delacour took a deep breath and took out the remaining ancient seeds.
"There are two more, making a total of thirty-two seeds."
"What, is it enough now?"
"Or do you have other excuses?"
Rhine laughed and reached out to take the ancient seeds.
"Alright, come with me."
Immediately, Rhine walked towards the Whomping Willow, which was undergoing transformation.
A hint of anticipation appeared in his eyes.
The Yimu Divine Light has a miraculous effect on stimulating the vitality of these ancient seeds. A single brush can make these ancient seeds cross several years and mature quickly.
But for the Whomping Willow, which has the potential to become a demon immortal in the primordial world and is contaminated with the aura of the Phoenix on the Chinese Parasol Tree, and is expected to become the Jianmu of the wizarding world, the Yimu Divine Light is helpful for its transformation, but it is impossible to achieve it overnight.
However, if coupled with the vitality generated by the revival of these thirty ancient seeds, the Whomping Willow may be able to skip the time-consuming transformation period and directly be reborn!
With the Whomping Willow's aptitude, after a little growth, it can become an extremely powerful assistant.
In addition, the charred body of the Whomping Willow after transformation can also be used as Rhine's herbal demon material for refining the Myriad Demon Golden Elixir.
Even the magic zither needed to cultivate the top-level supernatural power, Fuxi Divine Heavenly Resonance, can be made from the Whomping Willow's material. It can be said to be a win-win-win!
Looking at Rhine's excited back, Fleur Delacour's heart was filled with a strong sense of unease.
But soon, she dispelled the anxiety in her heart.
"Just putting on an act."
"I want to see what other tricks you can use."
"If you have the ability, use Transfiguration in front of us and transform another ancient plant."
Professor Sprout, Fleur Delacour, and a group of herbology masters followed Rhine to the front of the Whomping Willow.
Looking at the charred Whomping Willow, the herbology masters all showed expressions of astonishment and regret.
"Sprout, what is this?"
Professor Sprout also sighed.
"Once during a thunderstorm, the Whomping Willow was struck by lightning and became like this."
Fleur Delacour sneered.
"The Whomping Willow has been fine for so many years, experiencing several herbology professors at Hogwarts without any problems, but it has problems when it encounters you."
"This rare ancient plant, of which there is only one in the wizarding world, has become like this under your care. It shows your incompetence."
"Who can still believe that you can cultivate ancient plants?"
Her gaze turned to Rhine.
"Come on, you specifically brought us here, what exactly do you want to do?"
"I want to see what reasons you can find now?"
"Thirty-two ancient seeds, which one can you make sprout quickly and mature quickly, replicating the situation of the Mandrake?"
"If you can do it, all these seeds will be given to you. If you can't do it, there is no need to debate the matter of academic fraud, right?"
Professor Sprout retorted with disdain.
"You really are impatient."
"After leaving Hogwarts, you swept away the Mooncalf Dung and the materials for brewing Bordeaux Potion on the market."
"Fleur Delacour, you keep saying that Rhine and I are committing academic fraud, but why are you so afraid?"
"Are you so afraid of losing?"
Fleur Delacour's expression turned green and purple. She never expected that her actions would be discovered.
But after a moment, she snorted coldly.
"Who can prove it?"
"Besides, if you don't even have a stable supply of Mooncalf Dung and Bordeaux Potion materials, then what are you talking about cultivating ancient plants?"
"It's your problem that you don't have these materials, not mine!"
Fleur Delacour said impatiently.
"Alright, don't beat around the bush. I don't have that much time to waste. Tell me, on which seed are you going to replicate your operation on the Mandrake?"
Her eyes were full of malice.
"Without Mooncalf Dung, without Bordeaux Potion, I'm really looking forward to how you're going to cultivate it?"
Rhine chuckled.
"Your vision can only see Mooncalf Dung and Bordeaux Potion."
"Why should herb cultivation be so troublesome?"
"Looking forward to it? Then watch carefully!"
The next moment, Rhine held up the thirty-two ancient seeds with one hand.
In an instant, the thirty-two seeds floated around Rhine.
In Rhine's hand, a shimmering green light burst out.
The Yimu Divine Light appeared in the wizarding world!
A beam of light encompassed these thirty-two seeds and the Whomping Willow's buds.
Fleur Delacour laughed loudly, her laughter full of sarcasm and absurdity.
"This is your method of cultivating ancient plants?"
"A spell that you don't know where you got it from?"
"Hahaha, I have studied herbology for so many years. Don't I know better than you whether magic is effective on ancient seeds?"
"If a first-year wizard's magic could be effective, I would directly…"
But the next second, Fleur Delacour's laughter stopped abruptly.
Everyone present also held their breath.
Because under the shimmering green light, a slight cracking sound rang out, falling into their ears, but it had a deafening feeling.
An ancient seed's shell, which had been dormant for countless years, shattered, and a bud crossed thousands of years, drilling out from within!
And this one was just the beginning.
In a short while, one ancient seed after another began to sprout.
The bud of the first seed became tough at a speed visible to the naked eye.
A delicate white flower swayed in the wind, emitting the fragrance of ancient herbs!
In the blink of an eye, the wildly sprouting ancient plants covered Rhine's figure, looming.
But all the herbology masters present, after witnessing this scene, looked at the looming figure, and only complete awe remained in their eyes.
The ancient plants surrounding Rhine, in their eyes, were a crown.
The crown belonging to the herbology king!
A thought blooms, and the king reigns over the world!
And the next second, this exuberant vitality seemed to stimulate the transforming Whomping Willow.
Under the catalysis of the Yimu Divine Light along with this vitality, the spark of the Phoenix on the Chinese Parasol Tree on the Whomping Willow suddenly began to burn fiercely.
A branch containing the Phoenix on the Chinese Parasol Tree fire and sword energy was drawn from the Whomping Willow's buds.
After this one, in the blink of an eye, there were dozens, hundreds, thousands of such branches, filling this corner of the Hogwarts sky.
On the branches, the sword energy was sonorous, splitting the clouds horizontally, and the sword soared into the sky!
Everyone stared blankly at this scene.
At this moment, the Whomping Willow shed its charred body, and a brand-new body was born from it.
From top to bottom, it exuded a sacred and powerful aura.
Moreover, the Phoenix on the Chinese Parasol Tree fire was entrenched on it. Wood and fire were integrated at this moment.
In the Hogwarts tower, the phoenix Fawkes was excited, let out a long cry, flapped its wings and flew out, landing on the Whomping Willow branch at this moment.
Rhine looked at the scene, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
At this moment, the Whomping Willow really had some flavor of Jianmu.
Even the spirituality was much stronger than before.
Rhine even heard its voice in his ear.
"Thank… thank…"
Rhine smiled slightly.
"Since you have been reborn in the fire, the name Whomping Willow is not worthy of you."
"With your aptitude, you can also be called a demon immortal. You deserve the word 'immortal'."
"From today onwards, your name will be—Willow Immortal!"