Chapter 291 288: The Life changer

Chapter 291 288: The Life changer

Pushing their way through the dense forest, the duo came across a sight that was unlike any other they'd seen before.

A radiant flower lay nestled amidst thick vines.

The flower was half a meter long and had two palm-sized petals, each glowing with the shimmering hue of blue sapphires, reminiscent of polished diamonds.

At the sight of it, the intense feeling that had gripped their hearts when they smelled its scent intensified.

Oliver scrutinized the flower for a while, searching the recesses of his memory to recall any prior encounter with such a plant. It looked vaguely familiar, yet he couldn't place where he had seen it. Drawing a blank, he turned to Val, "Do you recognize it?"

Val paused, then responded simply, "Yes, I do."

In reality, Val was just as clueless as Oliver about the flower's identity

However, he had a way to ascertain its identity. Thus, he replied to Oliver in such a way.

Without hesitation, Val focused on the herb and activated the 'Detect' skill. A translucent notification materialized before his eyes, enlightening him about the plant's true nature.

"It's called the Lunar Dewdrop," Val revealed to Oliver while gazing at the herb with newfound respect as what he found out about it from the usage of his skill was tremendous.

"And what does it do?" Oliver asked.

"It..."

The information in the system notification was detailed.

The Lunar Dewdrop was an extremely rare herb that could transform a normal person into something exceedingly special.

For those who lacked the inherent constitution to assimilate with a bloodline, consuming a petal from this flower could alter their very being, allowing them to harness the primary effects of bloodline potions and thus, become bloodline users.

As for those already possessing a bloodline, this flower held the promise of elevating their bloodline skills to unprecedented levels.

However, for those bloodline users with multiple bloodline skills, it was said that the flower's effect was unpredictable.

It would enhance any one of their bloodlines at random.

Moreover, there was no way to control this process.

If one was lucky, they would get their best skill evolved into something even more impressive by eating the petal of the flower, but if they were unlucky, the opposite would happen, then they can only shed tears in silence!

"It's any normie's wet dream," Val replied to Oliver.

Normie was a derogatory term.

But Oliver's expression remained unchanged.

He knew Val's word didn't have any hidden implications. He wasn't trying to insult him.

"Bro, can you be more specific?" Oliver said.

Val took a deep breath before revealing its properties to Oliver. "It's a rare herb with the ability to transform one's very constitution into one that can register bloodlines and it can also improve the bloodline skills of a bloodline user at random."

"Do I need to elaborate further?" Val questioned, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

Oliver, for his part, was utterly thunderstruck, so dumbfounded he didn't reply to Val.

He stood there, his mouth hanging open in a state of sheer astonishment that made it appear as though his jaw might just detach and descend to the forest floor.

The capabilities of the Lunar Dewdrop, as described by Val, were beyond anything Oliver had ever heard of or imagined. Such a herb had the potential to transform the life trajectory of any ordinary individual. The weight of its significance caused a myriad of thoughts to flood Oliver's mind, primarily centered on whether Val would consider parting with one of those invaluable petals for his sake.

'I hope he does.'

He shot a glance, laden with hope and a pinch of anxiety, towards Val, seeking any indication of his friend's intentions.

'But even if he doesn't, I will not fight for it. No matter what he decides to do with it, he will not hear a single word of complaint from my mouth.'

Internally, Oliver prepared himself for any outcome.

If by chance, Val decided to keep the magic flower exclusively for himself, Oliver was bound to be disappointed, but he was determined not to let disappointment sour their bond.

Desires and personal gains could often lead to unexpected rifts, even among the closest of companions.

Deep-rooted familial ties like that between parent and child could also become strained over material pursuits, friendships were no exception.

But Oliver was resolute in his decision to not let an herb, regardless of its unmatched value, come between their friendship.

But just as these thoughts swirled in Oliver's mind, Val, with his ever-perceptive nature, seemed to have read the turmoil in his eyes. With a casual gesture, Val spoke, "Let's split it. You take one petal, and I'll have the other."

A profound sense of relief washed over Oliver. His heart swelled with gratitude, and he struggled to find the right words to convey the tumult of emotions he was experiencing. To think that Val, without hesitation, was willing to share such a priceless treasure with him rendered him speechless for a moment.

"Really?" Oliver asked.n--OvelbIn

"Yeah. You need it more than me, after all," Val replied calmly.

"You... you truly are the best brother one could ask for," Oliver said after a moment, his voice tinged with emotion and sincerity. His face beamed with joy and appreciation. Gathering himself, he declared with fierce determination, "From today onwards, know this - no harm shall come your way unless it passes over my dead body first."

The bond between the two, already deep, was further cemented in that moment. It wasn't just the shared adventures and perils they had faced and overcome together but the unwavering trust and support that made Oliver promise to repay Val with his life.

Seeing the profound gratitude and determination in Oliver's eyes, Val couldn't help but crack a smile. It was moments like these that highlighted how good of a sociopath he was. He was so good he became Oliver's second most important person within a few months. That too because Lucious had literally saved Oliver from hell.

Anyways, like said before, a good relationship with Oliver was necessary to establish a strong link with Lord Lucious and gain a proper backing as well as a better understanding of this world and the wizard community!

"I just did what felt right," Val said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. "What are brothers for, if not for sharing and caring?"

"Yeah. Right," Oliver said.

Together, they cut through the vines and approached the Lunar Dewdrop flower. Its luminescent glow painted the surroundings in a serene blue hue, making it look all the more mystical.

With utmost care, Val plucked one petal and stashed it in his pocket dimension.

Meanwhile, as Oliver extended his hand to pluck the other, a gleam of excitement in his eyes, he contemplated consuming it on the spot. Before he could act on that impulse, Val's hand shot out, tightening around his wrist, stopping him from putting it in his mouth.

"Why did you stop me?" Oliver asked, startled.

There was a fleeting moment of anxiety in his eyes, accompanied by the unnerving thought that maybe Val had decided to go back on his words.

Val read him like a book and shook his head, "It's not what you're thinking, Oliver."

Oliver felt embarrassed, but he asked,

"Then what is it?"

Val replied, "These petals aren't something to be consumed directly. Their essence is deeply interwoven with the force of corruption, after all. Fortunately, during my travels and experiences, I've gained some knowledge of alchemy. So I can purify these petals to neutralize their potentially harmful effects. Once we're back in the cave, that's the first thing I'll do."

Oliver, not only realizing his mistake of thinking Val would go back on his words but also shocked, exclaimed, "Did you just say you're an alchemist?!"

Val, with a slight chuckle and a nod, responded, "Indeed, I got into it a few weeks ago. It's a fascinating field, and I've been fortunate enough to pick up its intricacies rather swiftly."

Oliver's eyes shone with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. "That's... incredible, Val! Most people spend years, sometimes even a lifetime, trying to grasp the basics of alchemy. Yet, you've managed to do it in just a few weeks? That's nothing short of remarkable!"

"What can I say? Maybe I have a knack for it." Val chuckled, "Or perhaps it's just my determination to master skills that can aid me in my journey."

Whatever the reason was, Oliver felt a newfound respect for Val. Despite being multifaceted and ridiculously strong for his age, Val was always dedicated to always improving and learning. This ever-evolving nature of Val gave Oliver motivation and also impressed him. He realized that there was always room for growth, and one should never stop seeking knowledge.

Taking a deep breath and looking around cautiously, Oliver said, "With such valuable treasures in our hands, the safety of the cave sounds really appealing right now. I know we had plans to venture further, but perhaps, for today, we should prioritize safety and self-improvement. What do you think about calling it a day and heading back to our shelter?"

Val, pausing for a moment to take in Oliver's words and gauge the surroundings, responded thoughtfully, "You have a valid point, Oliver. The day has already brought us substantial rewards, and there's no harm in being cautious. Given the unpredictable nature of this dimension, I agree with you. We should make use of what we have to increase our strength before thinking about our next step. Heading back to the cave sounds like a wise decision for now."