Springseek Coronis

Jinglin invited me for a holiday. That said, rumors of unique local fauna in and around Cangwu caught my interest. Investigating them is a strong secondary incentive.

My field observations indicate that prior to the Springseek Festival, the population enters a frenzy of accumulation. They call it "stocking up," which involves procuring food, lanterns, and fresh clothing. The specific targets vary by individual subject. Chixia, for example, hoards nuts. Shimiao gravitates toward confectionery. Jinglin, meanwhile, focuses on biomass for the Springseek feast...

Loongs are obsessed with fine food. Their first instinct when they come upon new raw materials is to determine their edibility. Even if a specimen is toxic, if the flavor profile is desirable, they will invent ways to remove the poison just to eat it.

I scavenged some fascinating items in the market. Today's find was a doll with a surprisingly complete internal anatomy. The vendor mentioned a local Xuan Shi who specializes in crafting these. I looked into it—turns out it's Chixia's senior. If I were to pay a house call, what would be an appropriate offering? Sugar-roasted chestnuts, perhaps?

This region really does host some peculiar lifeforms. If my schedule permits, they're worth a thorough investigation.

I was briefed on the Five Great Mysteries of Cangwu before arriving here. Yet, I haven't encountered any supernatural phenomena. Perhaps the festivities drove them into hiding? Though, I did spot a flaming Loong in the night sky once. I wonder if that qualifies?

Dr. Coronis's diet plan for my mom really worked! She has been glowing lately, and I was only ever charged the initial fee of 500 Dorra. Dr. Coronis is a saint! —Jinglin She really is a caring person. If you feel unwell, she's always eager to treat. Though ... the children seem terrified of her. I suspect it's that giant syringe she carries. —Shimiao

Verified. Although, I have to admit, the idea of Coronis taking a vacation without some ulterior motive is surprising. —Willow

[Addendum: The Cave Totem] Legend speaks of a lost Loong totem hidden in a nearby cave. I located the totem, yet I can't seem to describe its form or sketch it in my notes. Staring at those murals on the rock face, I thought I saw... Hmm? What did I see?

According to Jinglin, this Springseek custom was simple: cut designs into red paper and paste them on the window.

Coronis eyed the stack of red paper, perplexed. "What is the requisite shape for these cutouts?" Jinglin dug a book out from the shelf. "I've got diagrams and tutorials right here if you want them. Usually, people pick symbols of good luck. But honestly? If you're doing it yourself, cut whatever you want." "Anything is okay?" "Mhm! Traditional stuff is still popular, but lots of people just freehand whatever they like now. Is there a pattern you are fond of, Coronis?" Pattern I am fond of. It seemed Coronis had never processed such a variable before. "I ... do not know." "Then just start snipping! Maybe inspiration will hit once your fingers get moving." Jinglin thrust the paper and scissors into Coronis's hands. Coronis didn't object. Following Jinglin's lead, she folded the paper and made her first tentative cut. The crisp rasp of scissors on paper seemed to trigger something. As she sheared away the empty space, a clear image formed in her head—just as Jinglin predicted.

"Done! Look, Coronis, I made a bunny for this year!" "It is cute." "What about you?" "Me?" Coronis unfolded her paper. Resting within the square lattice was a perfectly anatomical human skeleton. "I found myself missing the specimens in my clinic. So, I cut this." "... You are really consistent, Coronis. Haha."

Touring the Yunji Retreat, Coronis spotted Chixia just outside the training grounds. The girl was sprawled on the floor, writing something. "Catching up on homework?" Coronis stepped closer, but the question died on her lips. Chixia was surrounded by a chaotic sea of paper, every sheet covered in wild, sweeping glyphs. Definitely not homework. "It's a new talisman design! This genius idea just came to me..." Chixia looked up, sporting an ink smudge on her cheek. "Oh, hey! Perfect timing. Wanna see how a spell is created?" Coronis raised an eyebrow. "Is this standard procedure for developing Xuan Shi arts?" "Sort of? My Master said something about... Uh, I forget the exact words. But the point is: if I tweak existing talisman and arrays, I might accidentally invent a new move!" "Sounds like pharmacology. You take an established formula, introduce a new variable, and hope for a breakthrough compound?" Chixia nodded furiously. "Exactly! You get it!" "Then by all means. Show me this new move." "You got it. Just one last stroke here... O Heaven and Earth, Thunder and Fire, heed my command!" Chixia slapped the talisman between her palms. Silence followed. "Huh? Weird. I definitely did the hand seal right..." She tried again. Instantly, the clear blue sky betrayed her. A miniature storm cloud manifested directly overhead, dumping a deluge of rain exclusively on Chixia within a tight one-meter circle. Safe in the dry zone just a step away, Coronis studied the phenomenon with genuine surprise. "... Potent." "Gah! No! It's a bust!" Coronis chuckled at the dripping wet figure before her. "It seems you've synthesized an anomaly instead. Just like medical research, indeed."

What should you do with a potion surplus? Staring at the cauldron bubbling before her, Coronis faced a new logistical headache: where to store her "spoils."

It all began with a foraging trip. The forest was a treasure trove of ingredients. Armed with The Grand Compendium of Herbs, Coronis harvested from dawn till dusk, returning to the inn with a basket bursting with herbs. The inn wasn't a clinic, and she lacked her usual equipment—hardly a trouble for Coronis. After a quick word with Shimiao, she raided a local store for kitchenware and rigged up a makeshift extraction system. The plan was routine: process the herbs, and extract the compounds. Unfortunately, she severely miscalculated the yield. By the time she realized her mistake, that single basket of raw herbs had refined into a cauldron brimming with solution. Coronis stared at the cauldron. She was technically on vacation, and the few travel vials she had packed were laughably insufficient for this volume. She needed a vessel. Something that could double as storage and a tool for immediate application... Her eyes wandered to the desk, landing on a syringe. A syringe? A thought struck her. If the syringe were simply bigger, it could hold the entire batch for easy access. It was logical. Efficient. The next morning, she asked Jinglin for a referral and tracked down an elderly artisan. Amused by her bizarre request, the artisan sketched a blueprint on the spot. "Come back in three days," he told her.

Three days later, Coronis returned with a gift of fruit. The moment the door swung open, it was impossible to miss: a massive syringe dominating the parlor. "A fascinating commission," the old man said. "Take it. It's yours." "Payment? I have no use for money. To craft something this unique at my age is reward enough." "It needs a name, though. Call it an old man's habit, but a creation feels incomplete without one. I leave that honor to you. So what is it?" Coronis studied the artisan. His white hair framed a face glowing with pride, his eyes reflecting a pure, singular devotion to his craft. In his expression, she saw a mirror of her own younger self—back when she decided to devote her life to medicine. The answer came instinctively. "The Healer's Heart."