The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

Xinyi's body was about to hit the sharp crystals, but a bright light appeared in the middle of the crater and swallowed her. Inside the crater, her body kept falling when a huge palm made of water received her before her body gently fell on a hot spring waiting down below. 

Alva followed and saw her mistress falling, but she didn't panic. She only smiled, diving into the crater, and went through the crystals unharmed. Inside, she saw Xinyi got up, squeezing her clothes dry.

"Xinyi, stay in the water. This is a good time for you to replenish your body. Sit cross-leg and let the water's spirit essence fill your body," Alva said, floating in mid-air.

Xinyi obediently listened and sat down. 

"Focus your mind on what the spring's spirit is telling you," Alva added.

Xinyi closed her eyes and focused her mind on her sense of hearing. As expected, she heard a still voice. "My lady, your body's power is undergoing a substantial change and you're receiving a backlash for misusing it. Learn to use your power well so you won't experience this again."

"I don't understand. How did I get this power and what is going on in my body? Please explain." Xinyi spoke while her eyes closed.

"You newly received life essences from the plant's and other life forms earlier, but you directly went to the volcano instead of letting the essence revolve and fill every part of your body. You even stared at the Lavanna crystals intended for your mount. So you unconsciously sent the crystals' life essence to him and to another dragon using your imbalanced power."

"Volcano? I'm not sure what you're talking about, but can you cure this terrible headache?" She said, cringing in pain as another headache sprung again after she learned it was a volcano. This puzzled her for there was no magma or scorching heat from it but only the red crystals present. Nonetheless, the spring spirit said it was so she couldn't refute it.

"Yes, I can. This is nothing. Close your eyes. Don't move until I say so. Next time learn the proper procedure on sending life essence to your mount or to other beings first before making a stunt like this." The spring's spirit gently spoke as the water whirred around.

Xinyi obediently closed her eyes and nodded while gritting her teeth as the pain pervaded. "What's this life essence you're talking about?" 

Although she was in pain, her curiosity and desire to learn more still prevailed. Good thing, the spring spirit was quite patient and kind to explain to her.

"Every life forms here on Chiji have life essence, including me. As they name it, it gives life to all living things and to some is power. I have a water essence which strengthens your body and enhances your powers to a degree. But my key attribute is to balance the essence in every part of your body and clear out excess essence, leaving you a purified and balanced one. With a purified essence, your body will become sturdier and able to produce stronger power." 

As the spring spirit spoke, Xinyi felt warm water rise from her feet up to her head and swirled on her body as it went back down. After ten succession of rounds, the water only covered her head but excluded her face. This time, she felt something pulling her brain as the water revolved on her head. She wished to scream, but held it inside her chest with gritted teeth. However, a minute after the pain receded until it was gone. Relief reflected in her countenance.

"Will you get weak if I take that essence from you?" She didn't move from her spot while the water covered her from shoulders to her toes again.

"A little, but not much. Taking too much of my essence will also harm you. I will only give what's enough for you. But some have no spirits that could guide you but have powerful essence, like the Lavanna crystals. You must be careful from taking the fire essence from it or it will burn you to death. Now, breathe deep and let the essence revolve in your body until you feel it reaches the tips of your fingers and toes."

After hearing the instruction, confusion plastered on Xinyi's face. "How to revolve this essence in my body? And how did I take the fire essence from those crystals?" 

It was embarrassing to ask because it showed how ignorant she was. However, shame was not on her mind now. After experiencing setbacks when she fought enemies in the past, she had learned her lesson well. Understanding and learning how to use her powers matters more than her pride from being mocked as naïve. 

Thankfully, no one would dare ridicule the mistress of the domain. Also, the spring spirit was an understanding one, reminding her of Yan Ma. 

"Close your eyes and let your inner sense find a ball of light inside you," the spring spirit said. The spirit didn't reply to her other inquiry to let her mind focus on what was going on inside her body.

She did and went dumbfounded to realize that she could see strange running lights inside her body with closed eyes, as if she had another set of eyes that could see inside her. Bewildered, she contemplated what those lights were. It couldn't be her blood because she could see the light move from her head toward the tip of her toes and fingers. 

Being astounded, she momentarily forgot the spring spirit's instruction. Nevertheless, the patience of the spirit was so deep that he only smiled and didn't reprimand her. 

"My lady, can you find the ball of light that I told you?"

This reminded Xinyi and hurriedly searched for the light, but there was no one enormous ball of lights. She told the spring spirit about this. After learning, the spring spirit went silent for a time. 

"Let me see." The spring spirit let its essence move in her and saw small scattered lights. "My lady, there are uneven fragments of essence within you. Gather all of it into one ball in your chest and let it revolve around your body.

Xinyi nodded. While the water stirred around her, she saw those fragmented and uneven shapes of lights in her arms, legs and even near her b.r.e.a.s.ts. After seeing all of it, she let each move toward her chest, forming into one small ball and let it move inside her. As this happened, she felt a tingling sensation running all over her along with the warmness of the water until every muscle of her body relaxed. 

As the water stilled down, Xinyi looked inside her again only to find straight and even light in every part of her body. She thanked the water spirit and jerked her head up to find Alva eating on a tree. 

"Alva, you have a lot of explaining to do," she scowled at the little girl. 

Alva understood her mistake and sheepishly smiled. "Sorry, Xinyi. I forgot to warn you, but you went straight to the volcano before I could explain." Her faced turned crimson in embarrassment. "Anyway, the spirits inside your domain won't hurt their master, so I'm sure you'll be fine." After speaking, she jumped in the spring and turned back into a Koi swimming merrily in the water.

Xinyi heaved a deep sigh. Taking a mental note to be careful with this naughty Koi. She lay down in the shallowest part of the spring and let her body rest in the refreshing water. 

After bathing, they went on with the tour inside the volcano. Surprises after surprises came. She saw the most equipped laboratory beyond her imaginations.

The whole lab was a mix of modern technology with the ancient alchemy and present ways of pharmacy. They were test tubes, tubings, glass flasks with bubbling liquid inside floating above a bunsen burner, computers and others, but she didn't know what it was and its usage because this was the first time she laid eyes on these things. 

Despite her interest being piqued in those things, she didn't give it much thought and followed Alva moving to the next room. 

There was a room where she found items she had seen in Lifen Ma's room, like the magical refining furnaces and porcelain jars. Another room had herbs hanging on the ceiling with baskets full of fresh and dried herbs arranged on shelves. 

For Xinyi, it was a mind-blowing tour, rendering her speechless. How did my predecessors gather these?

Alva saw her astonishment and used this opportune time to speak on behalf of the two late Sorceress. 

"These were prepared for you by your two predecessors. They expunged all of their resources and powers to prepare this domain to aid you in any way they can for the great task waiting for you. Come and see what else they prepared for you," Alva said, knowing Xinyi's excitement was its highest while momentarily forgetting her earlier motive to leave soon for her husband. 

The little kid understood her new mistress' concern, but she considered this tour held greater significance for Xinyi's being and mindset so she could accomplish the task unfairly given to her.