Chapter 1017 – Mo Lan’s Lazy Daily Life 1

Sunlight filtered through the ancient oak forest, scattering shimmering flecks of gold across Spring Sight Lake. Two newly graduated witches stood at the end of a cobblestone path, staring at each other in bewilderment.

“This is really where the Card Sorceress once lived?” Kira surveyed the scene before her with doubt. “The records say it’s a courtyard formed from a Mobile Residence Card. The main structure of the house doesn’t appear damaged, but it clearly hasn’t been maintained in a very long time…”

Yet before their eyes, deep brown vines as thick as an adult’s arm wound and coiled everywhere, flowers blooming in wild, magnificent profusion, pale purple flower clusters cascading down like waterfalls.

An exquisite two-story peaked wooden cottage peeked through the greenery.

Vines had climbed the cottage’s outer walls, extending all the way to the roof, half-concealing the reddish-brown tiles beneath a cloud of purple, leaving only a ring of breathing space around the chimney.

In the vegetable garden, a large tree laden with orange-red fruit had spread its root system directly into the flower bed area, its roots tangling together with those of the other plants.

“But…” Kira hesitated. “This doesn’t look completely abandoned!”

Indeed, although the courtyard was full of the wild beauty described in the rumors, careful observation revealed the differences.

The moss on the path had been neatly brushed aside to reveal the smooth cobblestones beneath. The wisteria, though lush, hadn’t completely sealed off the entrance. The fence gate was closed, without a speck of dust on it. Even the set of log table and chairs in the yard had been cleaned off — the tabletop was spotless, with no fallen leaves.

“A massive wisteria tree, a massive Lantern Tomato tree, and look here!” Nina pointed at the carvings on the fence gate. “‘Mo Lan’s Cottage’ — the words are still right there! No doubt about it, this is the place! Maybe the Card Sorceress has come back to revisit her old home!”

Nina excitedly opened her card-drawing interface.

A legend circulated among the witches: the Card Sorceress Moira had lived here for a long time, and though she hadn’t returned in ages, the place still retained traces of her magical aura.

Many witches would make a special trip here to pray before drawing cards, supposedly to increase their chances of drawing the cards they desired. Out of respect, they never stepped inside the courtyard grounds, only praying quietly from the roadside.

But today was different — there were clear signs of recent activity inside the courtyard.

“Come on! We’re definitely going to draw the cards we want this time!” Nina’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Hearing this, Kira grew excited too.

She opened her card pool interface, pressed her palms together, and prayed devoutly: “Card Sorceress, please bless me — give me a Spatial Tent Card! The smallest kind will do! I just need a tiny space that unfolds to three square meters, enough to fit my alchemy workbench…”

“I want a Spatial Greenhouse Card, or a Mutant Hollow Tree Seed Card would work too! Oh almighty Card Sorceress, please grant my wish!” Nina made her wish right after.

After making their wishes, both of them reached out in unison and reverently touched the carving on the fence gate — “Mo Lan’s Cottage” — its letters weathered by time yet still perfectly clear.

The instant their fingertips made contact with the wood grain, a faint warmth seemed to flow through them.

Whether it was an illusion or not, a feeble golden light flickered briefly across the carved letters.

“Draw!”

The two exchanged a glance and pressed the draw button simultaneously.

The card pool interface shimmered with flowing light — white, green, blue, purple… finally settling on a brilliant gold!

“It came through!!” Nina nearly jumped into the air, her voice brimming with irrepressible joy. “It’s the Mutant Hollow Tree Seed Card! I actually got it! Hahahaha!”

“Ahhh! I drew mine too!” Kira screamed, cradling her card in both hands. “A Spatial Tent Card! A hundred square meters when deployed! And it comes with a constant-temperature magic circle! It’s perfect!”

…

Meanwhile, at the fishing platform in the backyard.

Mo Lan reclined on a vine chair woven from Sentai, two Lantern Tomato leaves covering her eyes, the corners of her lips curled slightly upward.

Beside her, a bamboo pole leaned casually against the railing, the fishing line dangling into the lake, the float bobbing gently with the waves.

The fish basket, however, was completely empty — nothing inside but a few fallen leaves and a single drifting wisteria blossom lying at the bottom.

Zhizhi peered into the basket again and again, hugging it close: “Master, you’re not going to have any fish to eat again today!”

“If I can’t eat it today, there’s always tomorrow!” Mo Lan said, unconcerned.

“You were willing to fix a high-tier luck spell at the front gate for all those witches who come to pray before drawing cards — so why won’t you make yourself a lucky fishing rod?” Zhizhi still didn’t understand.

Her master had said she wanted to catch fish to eat, yet had casually chopped down a green bamboo stalk, wound some fishing line and a float around it, tied on an iron thorn for a hook, and tossed it into the lake just like that.

Did she actually want to eat fish, or didn’t she?

Mo Lan finally chuckled softly and lifted the leaves from her eyes, beckoning to Zhizhi.

The silver-furred little monkey leaped onto her lap at once, found a comfortable position, and lay down to let her master groom its fur.

“Zhizhi, if I used a lucky fishing rod, we wouldn’t get to enjoy such warm sunshine, would we?”

Zhizhi rolled over blissfully under the petting, belly up, and the empty fish basket was promptly tossed to the back of its mind.

Just then, the seemingly ordinary vine-woven bracelet on Mo Lan’s left wrist vibrated faintly, pale blue light patterns surfacing on its surface.

She raised her wrist and tapped lightly, and a communication interface unfolded in midair.

【Shana: The Merfolk Tavern is selecting a new Song Gala Star. Coming?】

Mo Lan glanced at it and replied with two words:【Not coming.】

【Shana: The tavern has new drinks on the menu.】

Attached was a close-up of the drink list.

Today’s new offering: Moonside Whisper.

【On my way.】

Mo Lan sent the message and stood up, Zhizhi in her arms.

“Zhee?” The little monkey tilted its head in confusion.

“The Merfolk Tavern has a new drink. We’ll fish tomorrow.” Mo Lan was brief and to the point.

Zhizhi perked up instantly: “(★★)!”

It hopped off Mo Lan, scurried to the vine chair, and patted the Sentai that had been woven into the seat.

The moss and vines loosened gently, spreading and weaving along Zhizhi’s small frame like living things, ultimately transforming into a fitted little vest with a natural moss-green texture, worn snugly on its body.

“I’ll go get Clack!” Zhizhi dashed excitedly toward the pavilion.

Whether or not the little companions could actually drink, going out meant everyone had to look their best.

Mo Lan bent down to pick up the fish basket, grabbed the fishing rod, and by the time she walked over to the pavilion, Zhizhi was still knocking on the lid of Clack’s coffin.

Clack didn’t fear sunlight, but it still preferred sleeping in cool, shaded spots.

This backyard pavilion, almost entirely wrapped in pothos vines, had become its perfect napping spot.

After a while, Clack pushed open its coffin lid, head slightly tilted. Even without holding up a “?” sign, you could sense its confusion.

“We’re heading out! Clack!” Zhizhi said.

Clack nodded, climbed out of its coffin, and fell in behind Boss Zhizhi.

One person, one monkey, one vine, and one skeleton headed toward the little wooden cottage.