Chapter 17 New Spells

Having acquired the "official flowerpot," Tang Lu felt her status was different from before, and even became much more proactive in her cultivation.

The main reason is that she feels that as Li Li's "most important person" (self-proclaimed), she can't be too weak. She should at least know a few decent spells to be worthy of standing by Li Li's side!

Therefore, she solemnly requested to learn magic from Chi Li.

Chi Li expressed high appreciation and... a hint of unease.

Teaching magic to a little tree spirit with a wildly unpredictable mind and enigmatic practical skills is probably no less difficult than teaching a fish to climb a tree.

But looking into Tang Lu's bright, inquisitive eyes, Chi Li reluctantly accepted this "difficult" task.

Chi Li discovered that raising a little tree spirit in the midst of a "frenzy of learning magic" was no less dangerous than facing a rebel army.

Ever since Tang Lu mastered the most basic circulation of wood spirit energy, she has developed a strong interest in all sorts of fancy little spells.

After successfully turning Akari's bedroom into a tropical rainforest using vine manipulation (and being ordered not to use it without permission), she turned her attention to a seemingly harmless spell—the Flower Induction Spell.

As the name suggests, it accelerates the flowering process of plants.

"This is great!" Tang Lu declared, her eyes sparkling as she held up a book of basic low-level spells. "Tang Lu wants to learn! To make lots and lots of beautiful flowers bloom for Li Li!"

Seeing the enthusiastic little tree spirit, Chi Li thought the spell was indeed gentle and harmless, so she nodded in agreement and even personally gave her a few pointers.

"Concentrate your mind, guide the wood spirit energy, and imagine the flower blooming... Yes, that's it."

Tang Lu studied with utmost seriousness, her little face tense as she tried her best to mobilize the meager spiritual power within her body.

However, there is often a gap between theory and practice called "talent" and "control".

My first attempt was with a small, ornamental plant on the table – a star-spotted shrub.

Tang Lu mustered all her strength and pointed her little finger...

"puff!"

The star-shaped shrub did bloom, but instead of the small white flowers it's supposed to have, it produced clusters of golden, sunflower-like flowers... or miniature versions!

Chi Li looked at the potted star-shaped wood with a few comical little sunflowers on top, its face looking like it was asking, "Who am I? Where am I?", and fell silent.

Tang Lu was very happy: "Lili, look! It's blooming! It's as warm as Lili!"

Akari: "...Yeah, great."

Oh well, as long as the child is happy.

The second attempt targeted a flame orchid in the garden that was just about to form flower buds.

Tang Lu focused her mind and cast the spell again...

"call!"

The Flame Orchid did bloom as expected, but the flowers were no longer a fiery red; instead, they had turned into... a refreshing light green!

The petals also had strangely serrated edges, making them look like some kind of wild vegetable that could be used in salads.

Chi Li looked at the "flame lettuce" that was disheveled in the wind and fell silent again.

Tang Lu was still very satisfied: "Green! Beautiful! Just like Tang Lu!"

Chi Li: "...Not bad, that's creative."

She began to wonder if this little tree spirit's aesthetic sense was a bit off.

The series of "successes" greatly encouraged Tang Lu.

She was bursting with confidence and decided to pull out all the stops to give her and Lili's "home," the small courtyard of the observatory, a chance to bloom with a hundred flowers!

That day, while Chi Li was in the study processing several confidential reports, Tang Lu slipped away to the observatory.

She stood in the center of the courtyard, took a deep breath, and mobilized all the wood elemental energy in her body, her face turning red from the effort.

"It's blooming!" she shouted, unleashing the power she had gathered!

In an instant, a soft green halo spread out from her center like ripples, enveloping the entire courtyard.

Then……

Just as Chi Li finished reviewing a report, she sensed an unusually active but extremely chaotic wave of wood spirit energy coming from the direction of the Star Gazing Platform.

She sensed something was wrong, and in a flash, she appeared on the star-gazing platform.

Then, she was so shocked by the sight before her that she almost lost her composure.

Her once exquisite and elegant little courtyard, with its flowers and plants arranged in a pleasing manner, has now been transformed into a colorful and chaotic botanical garden!

The meticulously pruned Neon Grass has blossomed into bizarre flowers the size of washbasins, their colors resembling an overturned palette.

The originally elegant Solomon's Seal bamboo now sprouts tufts of fluffy, cat-tail-like tassels from its nodes.

The Moonflower Tree, which she had specially transplanted and which only blooms once every hundred years, was now laden with... bright red spiritual fruits that exuded a sweet fragrance.

It looks quite delicious.

The most outrageous thing is that the swing woven from clouds and mist actually had tiny, golden mushrooms blooming on its vines?!

The entire courtyard is filled with a postmodern, wild, and unrestrained... "vibrant life".

Tang Lu, the instigator, stood in the center of this "masterpiece," her face pale, yet filled with an immense smile of pride and anticipation, looking at Chi Li:

"Lili! Do you like it? Tanglu made it for you! Lots and lots of flowers! And fruits! And mushrooms!"

Looking at the little face that seemed to say "Praise me!" and then at the courtyard that had been attacked by some strange-looking alien, Chi Li felt her temples throbbing.

What should she say?

Is this simply a gardening disaster?

She said she wanted to restore the place to its original state immediately?

But looking at Tang Lu's pale face, which was exhausted from her spiritual power, yet she was still excited, she couldn't say a word.

This was a "gift" that the little guy had gone to great lengths to give her with all his heart.

Chi Li took a deep breath, forced a gentle (perhaps a little stiff) smile, stepped forward, and helped the swaying little tree spirit to its feet.

“I like it,” she heard herself say in a sincere (?) tone, “It’s…special. Thank you for your hard work.”

Upon receiving affirmation, Tang Lu was instantly energized, her pale face regaining some color. She happily hugged her waist, saying, "I'm glad Li Li likes it! Tang Lu will make Li Li a makeover every day from now on!"

Chili: "!!!"

Changes every day?!

Does she still want her palace?!

What if one day watermelons start growing on the walls of her bedchamber?!

“This… the spell consumes too much energy and cannot be used frequently.” Chi Li quickly stopped this terrible thought, and at the same time transferred a gentle divine power to help her recover. “Besides, I also like the original appearance of these flowers and herbs.”

"Oh..." Tang Lu nodded as if she understood, but quickly cheered up and pointed to the red fruit on the moonflower tree, "Then Lili, eat the fruit! Tang Lu thinks it tastes delicious!"

Chi Li looked at the fruit, which was clearly artificially ripened and mixed with spiritual energy, and remained silent for a moment.

Eating it is impossible; I will never eat it in this lifetime.

But she still reached out and picked one, and under Tang Lu's expectant gaze, she calmly... used her divine power to transform it into pure spiritual energy and absorbed it.

"Yes, it tastes very good." Chi Li nodded seriously.

Tang Lu smiled happily, feeling that her magic was really useful!

So, in the days that followed, the gardeners of the Demon King's Palace discovered an extremely difficult new task.

That is, every day, one must secretly repair the plants damaged by the little tree spirit's "love-inducing flowering technique," striving to restore their original varietal characteristics, while also being careful not to be discovered by His Majesty and the little tree spirit.

For Akari, a new daily routine has been added.

This means appreciating Tang Lu's magical achievements, which are full of "personal style," and carrying out "emergency public relations" and "cleanup" in various senses.

Her Majesty the Demon King felt that she had ruled the demon realm for thousands of years, but she had never felt as mentally exhausted as she had in the past few days.

But looking at Tang Lu's sparkling eyes as she learned the new spell, she felt...

This sweet burden doesn't seem so bad, does it?