Hearing Theodore's words, Flynna was so furious her teeth nearly cracked.
She could not understand it.
She had already exposed the flaw in this supposed miracle.
So why could Theodore still stand there so calm, so confident, so utterly fearless?
Did he think she would never pay such a heavy price to borrow thirty ancient seeds?
Flynna's expression slowly calmed.
She looked proudly at Theodore and Professor Sprout.
"So that's it. You truly believe I can't obtain those seeds?"
"Fine."
"Thirty seeds, is it?"
"I refuse to believe you can make ancient seeds sprout."
"And I refuse even more to believe you can make them mature in such a short time."
She turned toward the herbology masters present and began asking to borrow seeds.
The masters immediately became conflicted.
On one hand, lending seeds meant helping Flynna. That would undoubtedly offend Professor Sprout.
On the other hand, refusing Flynna would also make her hold a grudge.
They were stuck between two difficult choices.
Just then, Theodore saw their hesitation and urged them cheerfully.
"Masters, if you have any, hurry up and lend them."
"But don't forget to raise the price!"
"If you have ancient seeds you don't need, trade them to her for things you can actually use."
"If you have friends or relatives who want to profit from this, tell them to hurry too."
"In the end, the seeds will be mine, and you'll get what you want."
"That's a win-win."
The hall fell into a strange silence.
The masters exchanged looks.
Wasn't this…
If Flynna really gathered all the seeds, Theodore would have no excuse to refuse.
He would be the one in trouble.
Why was he advertising for Flynna?
Flynna's face turned iron-blue.
She was now convinced Theodore believed she was unwilling to pay the cost.
Gritting her teeth, she named her price.
Besides Galleons, she was also willing to trade rare herbology texts and even her own research knowledge.
The expressions of the masters shifted.
As herbology masters, they naturally had some ancient seeds in their collections.
But if those seeds could not be grown, they were no more than display pieces.
Flynna's offer, however, was generous.
Under normal circumstances, one ancient plant seed could never be exchanged for so much.
She even promised compensation if the seeds were truly lost.
Calculated that way, they would not lose out at all.
In fact, they would make a huge profit.
Gradually, some masters took out their collections.
The number of ancient seeds in Flynna's hands began to rise.
After a while, it reached fifteen or sixteen, already more than halfway to thirty.
She looked at Theodore but saw no panic on his face.
Flynna snorted coldly.
"Keep pretending."
"I want to see how long you can maintain that calm."
Then she took out parchment and a quill, writing several more letters and sending them out.
Before long, a goblin in Gringotts uniform arrived at Hogwarts with a deeply respectful expression.
"Master Flynna, you requested collateral services from us?"
Flynna nodded.
"Yes."
"I want to mortgage the assets I have in Gringotts. Have Gringotts name a price and purchase ancient plant seeds for me as quickly as possible."
"I need fifteen."
Joy appeared in the goblin's eyes.
Gringotts knew little about herbology, but when it came to valuation, no one in the magical world could surpass goblins.
No matter how strange or rare an object was, Gringotts could always estimate its value.
The goblin did some quick mental calculation and immediately realized this was a massive deal.
His yearly performance target might be completed right here.
A moment later, he rubbed his long fingers together and grinned.
"Master Flynna, if you wish to mortgage assets, your current holdings in Gringotts may not be enough."
Flynna frowned.
"Not enough?"
The goblin nodded.
Before he could suggest anything, an excited voice rang out.
"How can it not be enough?"
"Use leverage!"
"Gringotts must have agreements for that, right?"
"Hurry up. Max out the leverage."
"All in!"
The goblin froze and stared at Theodore, who was excitedly encouraging Flynna to take on leverage.
For a moment, he did not know what to say.
Wait.
What was going on?
Wasn't that supposed to be his line?
A moment later, the goblin rubbed his hands and gave Flynna a harmless-looking smile.
"Indeed, Master. Gringotts can provide leveraged services."
"As you are a distinguished client, our agreement terms are very favorable…"
Theodore looked at Flynna with a provocative smile.
"Use leverage. Don't tell me you're afraid."
Flynna's face was livid.
"A clumsy trick won't hide the panic in your heart."
She turned to the goblin and said coldly, "To Gringotts."
With a crack of Apparition, Flynna and the goblin vanished.
At Gringotts, the anger on Flynna's face disappeared, replaced by cold composure.
The goblin asked tentatively, "Master, shall we sign the agreement?"
Flynna said calmly, "Sign it."
"But besides acquiring ancient plant seeds, I want Gringotts to do one more thing."
"Buy up the current stock of Moonmarrow Grass from the major suppliers. Also buy several key materials needed for Bordeaux Potion. I'll give you a list. Purchase everything."
The goblin paused, then smiled even more brightly.
"No problem, Master Flynna. But that will cost more."
"The leverage may need to be raised further."
Flynna took a deep breath.
"Then raise it."
Her eyes turned cold.
If the successful cultivation of ancient plants were recognized, it would shake the herbology world and enter history.
Sprout was not the only one working on this topic. Many herbologists had tried.
Flynna had never announced it publicly, but her teacher had given her a portion of an extremely mysterious ancient plant—one that still retained life. It was in her castle.
In her view, that was the only ancient plant in today's magical world with any real chance of being cultivated.
After all these years, she was already infinitely close to success.
Once she succeeded, the fame and wealth that would follow would be unimaginable.
That was precisely why Flynna absolutely could not accept Sprout getting there first.
If this was fake, she would destroy Sprout's reputation.
If it was real, she would still find a way to prove it false.
The magical world only remembered the first person to achieve greatness.
She had already lost to Sprout once.
She would not lose a second time.
"Moonmarrow Grass and the key ingredients for Bordeaux Potion are universally recognized as necessary for cultivating ancient plants."
"They're already rare, and large quantities are needed to have any effect."
"If Gringotts buys up the supply, then even if Sprout and Theodore really do have a way to cultivate ancient seeds, they won't be able to prove it in a few days without sufficient materials."
"Once I publish my own results with my teacher's endorsement, I will be the first herbologist in the magical world to successfully cultivate an ancient plant."
"History will remember my name."
Flynna clenched her fists.
This time, victory was hers.
…
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts Castle, Professor Sprout looked toward the place where Flynna had disappeared, then turned to Theodore with worry in her eyes.
"Theodore, I know Flynna too well."
"She hasn't changed at all. She'll use any method necessary to win."
"This time, she seems determined to throw dirty water on us."
"She's capable of anything."
Theodore only smiled.
With his current fortune, he could practically be called heaven's favored child.
Even Voldemort had been beaten helpless before him.
Flynna?
What was she worth?
If Theodore had not wanted to obtain more ancient seeds in one go, he would not have let her talk so much.
Otherwise, he could have made sure she never spoke again.
As for Flynna's schemes, she thought they were hidden, but before Heavenly Secrets in Measurement, there was nowhere for them to hide.
Buying up all the materials supposedly necessary to cultivate ancient seeds?
Against someone else—even Professor Sprout—such a move might have worked if they were caught off guard.
But Theodore did not need any of that to cultivate ancient seeds.
One sweep of Yi Wood Divine Light, and everything would be solved.
Theodore looked toward the herbology masters present.
Their expressions were rather awkward.
After all, they had just lent seeds to Flynna. In a sense, they had helped her push Theodore and Professor Sprout into a corner.
To their surprise, Theodore smiled and said, "Masters, there's no need to feel guilty. We're all getting what we need. No one owes anyone."
"But now I have a piece of news that can still help you make a fortune from Flynna."
"Interested?"
The masters froze.
A moment later, half curious and half confused, they looked at Theodore.
"What news?"
Theodore grinned.
"Do you have any Moonmarrow Grass or materials used for Bordeaux Potion?"
"Or channels to obtain them from outside Britain?"
The masters blinked.
"Moonmarrow Grass… Bordeaux Potion…"
"These are mentioned in every ancient-seed cultivation paper. Every ancient seed requires a large amount of such material to have even a slim chance of germination."
They seemed to understand.
"Theodore, do you want those materials?"
"That's easy. Although they're rare, we can still obtain them."
But Theodore shook his head.
"No, no, no. Who needs Moonmarrow Grass or Bordeaux Potion to cultivate ancient seeds?"
"Why make something so simple so troublesome?"
The masters froze.
What?
He did not need Moonmarrow Grass or Bordeaux Potion?
But for centuries, every paper on ancient-seed cultivation had listed them as essential.
Without exception.
Also, why did this most difficult topic in herbology sound so casual coming from Theodore?
As if he were discussing what to eat for dinner.
"Then why are you asking?"
Theodore smiled.
"Because Flynna is buying them at high prices."
"If you have stock or sources, now is the perfect time to take a hard bite out of her."
"At a time like this, no matter how high you price them, she'll accept."
The masters looked at one another, unable to understand how Theodore knew Flynna was buying those materials.
They sent out several letters.
Soon, replies arrived at Hogwarts.
Shock appeared in their eyes.
The market's Moonmarrow Grass and similar materials really were being bought up in large quantities.
Prices were soaring.
Now, when they looked at Theodore, there was a trace of alarm in their eyes.
After leaving Hogwarts, Flynna had made such a move.
None of them had anticipated it.
Yet Theodore had stated it with absolute certainty.
Was this prophecy?
Or had Flynna's actions been within his calculations from the start?
Whichever it was, this young wizard seemed rather frightening.
The masters no longer dared treat Theodore as an ordinary first-year student.
They finally understood why Professor Sprout trusted him almost blindly.
After exchanging glances, one master hesitated and said, "Theodore, this information could indeed let us make a large profit."
"And with the ancient seeds earlier, we already earned quite a bit. We can't simply profit from you for nothing."
"Should we give you a share?"
"Oh, right. I also bought a storefront in Diagon Alley decades ago. It's been empty all these years, and I never bothered managing it. Why don't I give it to you?"
"But as for how exactly we should harvest Flynna this time, we'll need your advice."
Theodore smiled.
When it came to finance, he certainly could not outplay the goblins operating for Flynna. That was practically a racial talent for them.
However, there was a saying: the Dao rises one foot, the devil rises ten.
When playing leverage and futures, Heavenly Secrets in Measurement was an absolute killing move.
…
Before long, Flynna frowned at the goblins in Gringotts.
"Still not done?"
"With Gringotts' efficiency, that seems strange."
The goblins were focused on their calculations, answering her distractedly.
"The acquisition of ancient seeds is underway. As you know, such things are rare. Although some pure-blood families do have them in their collections, they treat them as treasures to boast about."
"Purchasing more than ten in a short time isn't easy."
"But that is not the major problem. The other matter—the purchase of Moonmarrow Grass and Bordeaux Potion materials—seems to have attracted attention."
"Someone else is buying too. The prices of these materials are climbing higher and higher."
"Master Flynna, you should prepare yourself. The cost may be higher than expected."
Flynna gritted her teeth.
She had already leveraged herself.
As long as she bought up these materials and proved Sprout and Theodore false, she would be the first master to cultivate an ancient plant.
Every investment would be worth it.
"Raise the leverage again!"
The goblin beamed.
"Gladly!"
The goblins were secretly delighted.
Once they saw the market movement, they immediately understood that someone had noticed Gringotts buying up materials and wanted to squeeze a profit out of them.
Gringotts had seen this many times before.
It had simply happened less often in recent years.
The reason was simple.
Playing against Gringotts?
Did they have the strength?
Those who dared enter this game usually lost everything. Many people's descendants ended up working for Gringotts to repay debts they could never fully clear.
So, in the goblins' eyes, the people entering the market now were simply delivering Galleons.
With just a little manipulation, Gringotts would swallow that money whole.
They would profit from both sides.
It was almost too beautiful.
One hour later, however, the goblin in charge of the operation went numb.
"Wait…"
"I lost money?"
"I actually lost money?"
His calm expression vanished. His face twisted, and his cheeks twitched.
For goblins, losing money was like having flesh carved from their bodies.
Pain.
Pure pain.
Even worse, he could not understand how the other force buying up materials seemed to know his every thought.
It was as if a pair of eyes watched from the shadows, striking his weak point every single time.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, the herbology masters received letters one after another.
Their faces filled with disbelief and wild joy.
"We made money?"
"Bloody hell! Someone can actually make money from Gringotts?!"
At first, they had been skeptical and had only entrusted a small amount of funds for Theodore to advise them with.
They had never expected to genuinely earn money from Gringotts.
In all these years, this was the first time they had heard of anyone prying gold from goblin hands.
A talent.
An absolute talent.
The herbologists stared at Theodore with shining eyes.
"Theodore, I have a storefront in Diagon Alley too. I'll give it to you. Help me manage a bit as well?"
"I have a small villa in Hogsmeade. Can you help me too?"
Theodore accepted everything.
It was not his capital anyway.
The profit came from Gringotts and Flynna.
He did nothing and still got paid.
Why refuse free money?
Besides, a relationship based on money might not be the purest bond, but in some ways, it was one of the fastest ways to get closer.
Theodore's relationship with these herbology masters began to soar.
The more they earned, the faster their relationships improved.
By the time their funds had nearly doubled under Theodore's guidance and he returned them, one herbology master's relationship with him directly reached close friendship.
[You and a Medicinal Dao wandering immortal have worked diligently together to earn spirit stones. Every spirit stone is soaked with the sweat of your shared labor.]
[Through honest labor, your relationship has rapidly deepened.]
[You and a Medicinal Dao wandering immortal have reached close friendship.]
A smile appeared on Theodore's lips.
Good.
Very good.
They gave him property, gave him talents, and even thanked him for it.
Good brothers indeed.
The herbology master looked at Theodore with equal excitement.
Herbology did not earn much money. He had spent his life diligently growing plants, and while he had earned the title of master, his wealth was only modest.
If one wanted to make money, finance was the way.
Damn Gringotts.
Damn capitalists.
Parasites!
Fortunately, Brother Theodore was leading them to rob the rich and help the poor.
On the spot, that herbology master took out his personal seal and enthusiastically stuffed it into Theodore's hands.
The atmosphere at Hogwarts was suddenly harmonious and warm.
Meanwhile, in Gringotts, Flynna's face was covered in frost. She shouted at the goblins until her voice was hoarse.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you mean the cost is five times higher than expected?"
"Isn't Gringotts supposed to be the ancestor of money management? Doesn't all of British magical finance flow through your hands?"
"And now you're telling me you suffered heavy losses?"
"You want me to bear the extra cost?"
The goblins' expressions were not pleasant either.
"Master Flynna, our contract states very clearly that the cost was only an estimate. The final amount depends on market fluctuations."
"We advise you to calm down. After all, goblins are protected by magical law now."
"We are very pitiful. Ever since losing the goblin rebellions, we can only curl up inside Gringotts."
"Gringotts is a vulnerable group. You had best not act rashly."
Flynna felt as if she had swallowed a mouthful of filth.
Gringotts?
A vulnerable group?
Vulnerable your mother.
But looking at the goblins staring coldly at her, Flynna had no choice but to swallow the loss.
She contacted connections everywhere, borrowed from here and there, and barely gathered enough money before finally leaving Gringotts.
Even so, her leverage was now sky-high.
It was enough to wipe out several generations of accumulated wealth from a mid-level pure-blood family.
Fortunately, she had obtained the ancient seeds without any further issues.
Flynna walked out of Gringotts with a dark face and clenched teeth, with only one thought in her mind.
As long as Sprout and Theodore did not obtain the honor of being first to cultivate ancient plants, every price she paid would be worth it.
The fame and wealth that followed would let her recover everything.
And then there was her teacher.
Her teacher had entrusted that living fragment of an ancient plant to her. How much trust did that represent?
As long as she cultivated it to full maturity, even if she lost everything, her teacher would never abandon her.
Taking a deep breath, Flynna returned to Hogwarts.
However, what she did not expect was that in the short time she had been gone, those herbology masters seemed to be chatting and laughing with Theodore in high spirits.
When they saw her return, they even turned away awkwardly, looking guilty—as if they owed her money.
Flynna had no time to think about that.
Her mind was focused on one thing.
She had to prove Theodore and Sprout had committed academic fraud.
She had prepared everything.
A few days to mature an ancient seed?
She would never believe it.
Even if they could somehow do it, the necessary materials had been bought out by her.
Without materials, what could Theodore use?
Would he just cast a spell and make ancient seeds grow again?
Flynna took a deep breath and brought out the remaining ancient seeds.
"There are two extra. Thirty-two seeds in total."
"Is this enough?"
"Or do you have another excuse?"
Theodore laughed and reached out to take the seeds.
"Good. Follow me."
He turned and walked toward the place where the Whomping Willow was undergoing its transformation.
Expectation flashed in his eyes.
Yi Wood Divine Light was excellent at awakening the vitality of ancient seeds. One sweep could push them forward by years and make them mature rapidly.
But for the Whomping Willow—an existence with the potential to become a demon immortal even in the Primordial World, touched by Phoenix-Resting Parasol Flame, and with a chance to become the wizarding world's version of Jianmu—Yi Wood Divine Light could help its transformation, but not complete it instantly.
However, if he added the vitality produced when thirty ancient seeds revived from death, the Whomping Willow might cross its long transformation period ahead of time and break free from its cocoon.
With the Willow's potential, once it grew a little, it would become an extremely powerful helper.
In addition, the charred body shed during its transformation could be used as a wood-type demon material for refining the Myriad Demon Golden Pill.
Even the divine zither needed to cultivate the top-tier divine ability Fuxi Divine Heavenly Melody could be made using material from the Willow.
One move, three gains.
Watching Theodore stride forward with obvious excitement, Flynna felt unease spreading through her heart.
But she quickly suppressed it.
"Just posturing."
"I want to see what trick you can use now."
"If you're capable, use Transfiguration in front of us and create another ancient plant."
Professor Sprout, Flynna, and the herbology masters followed Theodore to the Whomping Willow.
Seeing its blackened trunk, the masters' eyes filled with shock and pain.
"Sprout, what happened?"
Professor Sprout sighed.
"It was struck by lightning during a storm. It became like this afterward."
Flynna sneered.
"The Whomping Willow survived at Hogwarts for so many years under several Herbology professors without issue."
"Yet under your care, something happened to it."
"Such a precious ancient plant—the only one of its kind in the magical world—was reduced to this under your watch. That proves your incompetence."
"And people are supposed to believe you can cultivate ancient plants?"
She turned her gaze to Theodore.
"Come on, then. You deliberately brought us here. What exactly are you planning?"
"I want to see what excuse you can find now."
"Thirty-two ancient seeds. Which one can you make germinate and mature quickly enough to recreate the Great King Flash Flower?"
"If you can do it, all these seeds are yours."
"If you can't, then there's no need to debate the matter of academic fraud any further, is there?"
Professor Sprout glared at her.
"You really are impatient."
"After leaving Hogwarts, you bought out the market's Moonmarrow Grass and the materials for Bordeaux Potion."
"Flynna, you keep claiming Theodore and I are committing fraud. But if you're so certain, why are you so afraid?"
"Are you that terrified of losing?"
Flynna's expression shifted between green and purple.
She had never expected her actions to be discovered.
But after a moment, she snorted coldly.
"Who can prove that?"
"Besides, if you don't even have a stable supply of Moonmarrow Grass and Bordeaux Potion materials, what ancient plant cultivation are you talking about?"
"That's your problem, not mine."
Then she said impatiently, "Enough. Stop dragging this out. Which seed are you going to use to recreate what you supposedly did to the Great King Flash Flower?"
Her eyes were full of malice.
"Without Moonmarrow Grass or Bordeaux Potion, I'm truly curious to see how you'll cultivate anything."
Theodore laughed softly.
"Your vision only reaches as far as Moonmarrow Grass and Bordeaux Potion."
"Cultivating herbs does not need to be so troublesome."
"Curious?"
"Then watch carefully."
The next instant, Theodore raised one hand, lifting all thirty-two ancient seeds into the air.
They began circling around him.
A soft emerald light bloomed from his palm.
Yi Wood Divine Light appeared in the wizarding world.
A pillar of green light descended, enveloping all thirty-two seeds and the tender bud of the Whomping Willow.
Flynna burst into laughter, her voice filled with ridicule.
"This is your method for cultivating ancient plants?"
"Some spell you pulled from who knows where?"
"Hahaha! I've studied herbology for so many years. Do you think I don't know whether magic works on ancient seeds?"
"If a first-year wizard's spell could do this, I'd…"
Her laughter stopped abruptly.
Everyone present held their breath.
Because under that soft green light, faint cracking sounds rang out.
They were tiny.
Yet to the ears of the herbology masters, they were deafening.
The hardened shell of an ancient seed that had slept for countless years split open.
A tender sprout broke through, crossing thousands of years to emerge into the world.
And that was only the first.
In moments, one ancient seed after another began to germinate.
The first seed's tender shoot rapidly strengthened, and a delicate white flower swayed in the wind, releasing the scent of an ancient herb.
In the blink of an eye, ancient plants burst upward wildly, hiding Theodore's figure among their leaves and blossoms.
The herbology masters stared at his half-hidden silhouette.
Only awe remained in their eyes.
To them, those ancient plants surrounding Theodore were not plants.
They were a crown.
A crown belonging to the king of herbology.
With one thought, flowers bloomed.
And he stood above them all.
The next instant, the surging vitality seemed to stimulate the Whomping Willow undergoing transformation.
Under the combined catalyst of Yi Wood Divine Light and the life force of the resurrected ancient seeds, the spark of Phoenix-Resting Parasol Flame on the Willow suddenly blazed high.
A branch wrapped in phoenix fire and ringing sword qi grew from the Willow's tender bud.
Then another.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
Thousands upon thousands.
The branches filled this corner of the Hogwarts sky.
Sword qi rang across them, slicing clouds apart, surging toward the heavens.
Everyone stared blankly at the sight.
The Whomping Willow shed its charred body.
A new trunk was born from within.
From top to bottom, it radiated a sacred, powerful aura.
Phoenix-Resting Parasol Flame coiled around it, and wood and fire fused together in perfect harmony.
In one of Hogwarts' towers, Fawkes the phoenix cried out excitedly. With a long, clear trill, it spread its wings and flew out, landing upon one of the newly grown willow branches.
Theodore looked at the scene, and joy appeared on his face.
At this moment, the Whomping Willow truly carried a hint of Jianmu's presence.
Even its spirituality had grown far stronger than before.
Theodore could hear its voice near his ear.
"Thank… you…"
Theodore smiled.
"Since you have been reborn through fire, the name Whomping Willow no longer suits you."
"With your potential, you possess the bearing of a demon immortal. You are worthy of the word immortal."
"From today onward, your name shall be—"
"Willow Immortal."
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