Looking at this branch that could provide Legendary-level secondary sublimation rewards once matured, to say he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
If this could be cultivated, not only would the rewards be astonishing, but Blood Soul Thorns itself would be an extremely powerful combat strength. After all, it had legendarily killed heroes with divine blood flowing through them.
But the risks were equally extreme. First, it came from that mysterious Blood Soul Thorn mother plant. Though the mother body had actively severed the connection, some hidden link must still exist—like Voldemort and Harry Potter. Sometimes, even the connection holders themselves might not realise these links existed.
He didn't want to risk cultivating Blood Soul Thorns only to have the mother body exploit it. Second, Blood Soul Thorns itself was notoriously evil and brutally cruel magical flora. Its growth process inevitably required devouring massive lives, consuming souls alongside them, and inevitably forming a consciousness.
Trying to educate Blood Soul Thorns with love and justice would be futile—this was naturally evil, scheming to devour more lives. Cultivating such plants inherently meant extreme risk.
After pondering briefly, he exhaled softly, deciding to abandon cultivating Blood Soul Thorn branches. The risk was truly too high. Though temptation was great, if he could resist using even mythical-level plants temporarily, why not something far inferior like Blood Soul Thorns?
"Stability and reliability are the core factors. If power pursuit ignores risks, that's essentially no different from gamblers or dark wizards."
His gaze grew increasingly clear. However, this didn't mean the Blood Soul Thorn branch was completely useless. This magical plant, evil beyond measure yet so high-tiered, could perfectly serve as an extremely high-level dark magical item—used to promote Patronus tree seed advancement, transforming uncontrollable gains into stable harvests.
Though benefits might not be as dramatic as cultivating Blood Soul Thorns, it was safe and controllable—he much preferred this approach.
Then he removed that Patronus tree seed. When it appeared and sensed the Blood Soul Thorn branch's aura, the Patronus tree seed reacted like it was encountering something dangerous yet extremely enticing, its surface glowing with unprecedented silver radiance. Sacred magic power enveloped the Blood Soul Thorn branch, beginning to collide with and annihilate the extremely evil magic remaining on it, causing hissing sounds in the air.
Between the two, though Blood Soul Thorn branches had higher tiers—one portion of evil power could annihilate several portions of sacred magic—after severing connection with its mother body, it was at its end. Under the Patronus tree seed's continuously surging power, that evil force gradually contracted, completely retreating into the Blood Soul Thorn branch.
Then, bit by bit, charred black spots began slowly spreading across the Blood Soul Thorn branch.
Simultaneously, in a lightless underground space, heart-wrenching hoarse screams rang out. Blood-coloured, thorn-covered branches wildly whipped through the air, causing fierce explosive sounds. "Pain! Too painful!"
At the centre of python-thick Blood Soul Thorns clusters, a figure almost merged with them cursed, "Damn it! After so many years, why won't the Church quiet down? Why do Inquisition knights still appear in the magical world? Why always target me—if you need a target, kill Dumbledore!"
After venting anger and pain for a while, this figure somewhat calmed, "Originally doubted whether that Knockturn Alley figure using White Eagle swordsmanship was genuine since judgement knights haven't appeared in years. But now it seems undoubtedly real. Following that severed branch connection comes such soul-burning pain—sacred power. This one won't cleanly purify my branch; it's definitely conducting torture and interrogation. This operating style—definitely judgement knights!"
Though unwilling, remembering the Inquisition's terror, this figure abandoned all original plans. "Short term, can't target that Robinson descendant. Must hide deeper, leaving no traces for the Inquisition to find."
Meanwhile, Ciel continuously observed Blood Soul Thorn branch reactions. Seeing it constantly eroded and burnt by Patronus tree seed power without overly strong reactions, he finally relaxed—this branch genuinely contained no mother body backdoors.
His gaze turned to the Patronus tree seed, showing delight. After purifying massive dark magical items and advancing to the Epic level, this Patronus tree seed's advancement progress had greatly slowed—reaching the Legendary reward tier seemed infinitely distant.
Besides Horcruxes, he knew very few dark magical items in the magical world that could help. He'd originally planned long-term dark magical item purchases to slowly promote Patronus tree seed advancement—an undoubtedly lengthy process.
But now, with this Blood Soul Thorn branch's appearance, the process was vastly faster than he estimated. This ancient era's notoriously evil plant brought visibly significant impact to Patronus tree seeds.
In his vision, both Epic and Legendary radiances on Patronus tree seeds shone brightly, their proportions continuously transforming—Legendary radiance gradually spreading.
Currently, only small portions of Blood Soul Thorn branches showed charred traces. Following this trend, once the entire branch was purified by Patronus tree seeds, even if not directly entering Legendary tier, it shouldn't be far off. Using Borgin's Gringotts vault collections plus the Malfoy family's smuggled dark magical items from other magical territories, advancement might be complete during the second year!
Then, beyond planting rewards, just Patronus tree seed's own sacred protection effects would give him powerful trump cards against evil forces.
Thinking this, he showed anticipation. But moments later, remembering another matter, he frowned. Though he'd gained Blood Soul Thorn branches with massive benefits this time, gains came with losses.
After this attack, who knew where Ed Robinson would go—disappearing again anonymously in the magical world, pursuing other plans, or Dumbledore arranging something? Without her, improving various plant seed matters would continue delaying.
Just then, Dumbledore continued questioning Ed about attack details. What confused Ed was Dumbledore's focus wasn't on attackers but more on that mysterious swordsman who'd saved her—not missing a single detail.
"Does that swordsman have problems? Why does Dumbledore seem more nervous about him than attack perpetrators?"
Various thoughts churned through Ed's mind. But she'd been in panic then, plus red pollen obscured vision, making noticing many details difficult. Ciel used both the Invisibility Cloak and ancient shadow magic, making tracking his movements even harder—she only felt he appeared without warning, from nowhere.
She'd already repeated these details many times to Dumbledore. Just as Ed grew impatient, after confirming no missed details, Dumbledore finally stopped questioning. His expression grew even graver.
Through questioning Ed, he'd roughly confirmed one thing. Should definitely be Inquisition judgement knights. The good news is, he's probably not targeting the magical world. His target is this action's attackers. As for himself—a knight possessing excellent concealment skills, even erasing presence completely, definitely the Inquisition's most mysterious, dangerous executors. Extremely cruel, completely disconnected from so-called chivalric virtues, cunning and treacherous, using any means to accomplish objectives—terrifying fellows.
Dumbledore looked at Ed thoughtfully. Perhaps that executor hasn't truly left. These beings executing one mission for decades isn't unprecedented. Might keep following this Robinson family descendant until the mission target reappears.
Thinking this, Dumbledore frowned deeply, his expression conflicted. Finally, he still looked at Ed, "Such danger might reappear. For your safety guarantee, you'd better stay at Hogwarts."
Now Ed looked surprised, "Hogwarts? Our Robinson family isn't on the Book of Admittance. You should know this."
Dumbledore nodded, "Of course. But rules have exceptions. Names not appearing on the Book of Admittance can still enter Hogwarts for study. This is a later-added transfer student system. Let me think—over a hundred years ago, before my enrolment, such cases existed. That time a transfer student caused quite a stir. I can use this rule to arrange you into Hogwarts, protecting your safety. Miss Ed, you mentioned you turn sixteen in a month? Then fifth-year transfer student status might suit you."
Ed frowned, "But I must participate in herbology examinations. Plus some research must be done."
Dumbledore shook his head, "Given this incident's severity, this year's herbology examination probably can't proceed in London—most likely postponed. As for your essential herbology research, I can discuss it with Professor Sprout. During summer vacation, you'd temporarily stay with the Sprout family—an excellent herbology research environment there. Professor Sprout is very kind. Additionally, her family has another herbology genius—perhaps you'll share common interests."
Speaking this, Dumbledore's mind conjured a brilliant golden-haired figure with a bright smile and genius temperament—like recalling some deeply buried years, mouth corners mixing nostalgia and bitterness.
Ed squinted, "Herbology genius?" She remembered the name seen on examination invitation letters. Ciel Sprout.
But regarding Dumbledore's statement, Ed felt somewhat proud and disdainful. She was naturally talented—after all, Robinson family blood flowed through her, the most gifted descendant of the fertility goddess Demeter.
But compared to talent, her current herbology mastery resulted more from unimaginably countless blood and sweat. Yet that supposedly genius Ciel Sprout? In her view, he merely benefited from abundant resources plus Professor Sprout's cultivation.
"But considering troubling the Sprout family, plus ancient times when the Sprout and Robinson families had good relations, I'll teach him this summer. Herbology's most important qualities are diligence, hardship, and perseverance. Working hard in fields over eight hours daily, whether scorching summer or bitter winter, without any slack. After physical labour, continuously reading the latest academic literature until dizzy and confused. Day after day, night after night. Hope this Sprout family heir can persist a few days without disappointing me too much."