Chapter 1038: Meeting the Dean
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1038: Meeting the Dean
My exchange with the Shopkeeper wasn't particularly long. We only shared a few words before she hurried off to attend to her duties.
I could sense her avoiding me to some extent, though the reason wasn't my stubbornness. I didn't press the matter.
After settling things on this end, there wasn't much else to do. However, before I left, I had one more task to complete.
Planting... the Omni-Link Main Network Tree.
No matter how hard the United Club had been hit, now that the bitter fruit had been swallowed, we could not let go of our claim to the Blood Slave Peninsula!
The best way to secure it was to spread the power network and the root network.
I planted it with my own hands, filmed the process, and posted it to the Academy Network. Anyone who dares touch it will face my retribution!
I went to the Expansion Realm to show respect to the other Transcendent Academies. If they refuse that respect and insist on fighting me to the end, I’ll simply flip the table.
"Earlier, you called that person 'Shopkeeper'... why did you apologize to her so formally?" Ning walked over, voicing a small doubt that had been lingering.
"If you trace the Academy War back to its source, I am inextricably linked to it. The Shopkeeper was the first person to oppose the war back then."
"It’s related to you?"
"Hard to believe?"
"Why?"
"Would you believe me if I said it was to drive the Transcendent Academies and all those races out of the Main World?"
"I would."
"You... you're still too naive."
"Are you lying to me?"
"It’s not exactly a lie. That was indeed one of the reasons."
"And the others?"
"To wipe out the families of the Main World. Their existence hindered the Main World's development and prevented ordinary people from living decent lives."
"But in the end, they were still people of the Main World, weren't they?"
"Is that so?" I looked at Ning, then turned to face the distant buildings. "Do you see those structures? Those luxurious buildings? Now look further out at those junkyards. Those are actually slums—places where only the 'elite' among the bottom-layer people can afford to live."
"In this world, the exploitation by the families increases layer by layer. Even without this blood sacrifice ritual, the ordinary people here lived miserable lives, some even forced to sell their own blood to survive. Every place has its own brand of suffering. This is the Blood Slave Academy, which means this entire peninsula is filled with blood slaves. From the moment they are born, the blood in their veins has never belonged to them."
"Isn't it absurd? A part of your own body doesn't belong to you from the moment of birth. And for the people of the Blood Slave Peninsula, this is simply common knowledge."
Hearing my words, Ning fell into silence.
I broke the silence with a half-jest: "Perhaps this blood sacrifice was a form of release for many of those struggling on the brink of death?"
"Was it...?"
"Of course not!" I looked at Ning’s hesitant face and suddenly gave my real answer. "How could that be considered a release? That kind of talk is just psychological comfort we, the living, give ourselves. What does it matter to the dead? Any deprivation of life that goes against one's own will is never a release."
I didn't wait for Ning to respond. I realized I was becoming a bit too talkative in front of her. But growth isn't something achieved through a few grand philosophical statements. Even if the one I was educating was an Ancient Remnant Ice.
I silently watched the Omni-Link Main Network Tree I had planted.
It was set in the massive sinkhole at the center of the Blood Slave Academy—the very heart of the blood sacrifice ritual.
By now, the Omni-Link Main Network Tree had already sprouted. The fertile earth provided ample nutrients, allowing it to stubbornly push out a few leaves before my eyes.
"The soil here is exceptionally fertile..."
"This is the Omni-Link Main Network Tree?"
"Yes. It is the foundation and source for extending the power network and the root network. The Great Knowledge Seed I gave you can interface with the power network to use Beyonder power, and you can also access the Plant Network through the root network or obtain regional permissions."
"It truly is miraculous..."
"It is indeed... hm?" I had intended to agree, but a sudden message popping up from the Tree of Great Knowledge made me pause.
"What is it?"
"Nothing much. Dean Mei contacted me. She realized we’ve come to this side and wants to get an update on the situation."
"The Dean..."
"Yes. The Dean of the Witch Academy is one of the participants in this consciousness incubation experiment. For the two of us to suddenly jump from the Expansion Realm to the Core World, and then run from the Witch Academy to this place... it’s quite dangerous if other Transcendents discover us."
"But aren't these people dangerous too?"
"The stakes are different. The Transcendent Principle of Non-Interference is a tacit rule, but in the eyes of other Transcendents, I’m already a thorn in their side. If they get the chance, they will absolutely ignore the constraints of those rules to kill us."
"Then it seems we cannot stay here long," Ning said with a sigh. "We might even implicate everyone here. I’m curious—since you knew the situation was so dangerous, why were you willing to accompany me here and wander around for so long?"
"Because I have confidence that the Dean and the others won't let those Transcendents come after us."
"Such confidence?"
"Of course. But we shouldn't do anything too outrageous either. How about... I take you to Dean Mei’s office for a chat? Our Dean Mei places great importance on your birth. She personally led a massive team of witches to assist me with the experiment."
"I suppose it is time we met."
"So you agree? I thought you’d hesitate," I said, surprised.
"There’s nothing to hesitate about. It’s something that must be faced eventually. Didn't you just tell me what it is you all want to know?"
"You’re planning to tell us everything?" My eyes lit up as I asked.
"In a way... but I might disappoint you. It seems I don't know that much, and there are many things I can't even describe with language. I might not be able to help you much."
"It’s fine. Just do your best."
After receiving such a response from Ning, this "brief" journey of accompaniment felt worthwhile.
After briefly explaining the situation to the few people here and stating that I needed to return to consult with the Dean, I returned to the Witch Academy amidst a flurry of gasps.
"What are they so shocked about?" Ning asked.
"In the Witch Academy, the status of a Transcendent Witch Mentor is very high, and the Dean even more so. But... don't worry too much. Just follow me. Going to Dean Mei’s office is as simple and relaxing as going home."
Comforting her this way, I soon brought Ning to Dean Mei’s office.
By now, Dean Mei and the others had settled the recent incident. I wasn't entirely sure of the specifics, but it must have come at a significant cost.
Dean Mei had already returned to her office. She had been tracking my movements from the moment I brought Ning to the Core World.
"Sister Mei~ I’m here~"
I knocked and pushed the door open simultaneously.
"Xiao Han, you're finally back." Seeing me, Dean Mei gave her habitual sigh, and then her gaze fell upon Ning.
The moment Ning’s eyes met Dean Mei’s, she felt an immense pressure by sheer instinct! After all, this was a dual suppression of bloodline race and life level!
"Sister Mei~ let me introduce you. She is the Ancient Remnant Ice King. Ning is her current name."
"Is your name Ning? It’s alright~ don't be so stiff." Dean Mei stood up with a smile to welcome us, and Ning immediately felt that invisible pressure vanish. It was as if the big sister before her was incredibly kind and approachable.
"This look of yours reminds me of Xiao Han when she first started. She was even more stiff than you when she met me," Dean Mei joked, casually bringing up my past. "At least she’s loosened up a bit now."
Under Dean Mei’s warm hospitality, Ning was ushered to sit on the reception sofa. I habitually sat in my usual spot.
Dean Mei chatted casually for a few moments.
"Ning, are you used to drinking hot black tea? If it’s inconvenient, I can prepare some cold drinks for you," Dean Mei asked casually while arranging the tea set on the table.
"It should be fine."
"After all, Ning is an Ancient Remnant Ice. But I am curious about your appearance... did you model yourself after Xiao Han?"
"In a way, yes. We of the Ancient Remnant Ice Clan are the incarnations of ice and snow ourselves. White hair is a fitting match... thank you." Ning took the cup of tea Dean Mei pushed toward her.
Facing the steaming tea, Ning downed it in one go.
"Haha~ Ning is certainly direct. Actually, there’s no need to drink tea so quickly, especially when it’s that hot. It’s better to sip it slowly to truly appreciate the character of black tea."
With a wave of Dean Mei’s hand, the cup Ning had set down slid back, and she refilled it.
"Tea is meant for this—when your throat gets dry from talking, you use it to moisten your lips," Dean Mei said, pushing the tea back again. "If Ning prefers something else, I can prepare some tasty cold drinks."
Following Dean Mei’s explanation, Ning learned to take a small, gentle sip.
"No need. Tea is fine," Ning said.
Dean Mei continued to chat about ordinary topics. As an Ancient Remnant Ice whose consciousness had only recently been born, Ning didn't know much, so Dean Mei started with casual subjects: her appearance, the Great Spellbook, and what I had taken her to see.
Then, Dean Mei’s tone shifted:
"Since Xiao Han has already given you a pep talk, shall we get straight to the point?"
"The situation in the Main World is currently extremely tense. If nothing unexpected happens, the commotion we just caused will likely be the last big move we can make. Sigh..."
"Has it really come to that?" Hearing Dean Mei’s words, I asked in disbelief.
Fundamentally, those Transcendent races didn't have the courage to resort to a mutual destruction scenario just to deprive the Witch race of a Main World.
"Yes, more or less. Those Transcendents already know what we’re up to. They just don't know our specific moves. But precisely because they know nothing, they are becoming increasingly panicked. They’ve reached their limit."
"No matter how you look at it, the means to destroy the Main World are ultimately held by individuals. Even if those Transcendents are terrified and disagree with it, if someone sets their mind to it, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Mei Lind knew very well that their excessive focus this time had trampled on the other side's bottom line. If that Rebel Witch hadn't disrupted things, the matter might not have ended so quickly.
While the conclusion of the event was partly due to Xiao Han emerging from the Expansion Realm, it also exposed the existence of the "World Guardian," the Ancient Remnant Ice.
A World Guardian is special. Her appearance could no longer be hidden; after all, observing a World Guardian's luck didn't even require professional skills like the Qi Observation Art.
One could say the existence of the World Guardian had once again stepped on the enemy's nerves. This was why Mei Lind said the Witch Academy wouldn't have another chance for a large-scale operation.
She was clearly telling me that I needed to settle down for a while.
However... aside from the Fool's Dream life experiment, I didn't have any other experiments that would cause a massive stir. And the Fool's Dream experiment wasn't something that could be completed overnight anyway.
"By the way, Sister Mei, I don't think I’ve ever asked you—what exactly is the method the Three Top Academies possess that can destroy the World Navel?"
"Did I not tell you?"
"I only know there’s such a deterrent. I don't know the specifics."
"That method to destroy the World Navel... the wizards call it the 'Staff of World Destruction Plan'."
"Staff of World Destruction? Quite the arrogant name. How is this plan actually implemented?" I continued to inquire.
When I finished asking, Dean Mei fell silent and shook her head. Finally, she sighed before speaking: "I don't know. Not a single detail of the content is clear."
"You don't know?!"
"Correct. Even the code name 'Staff of World Destruction Plan' was information obtained during the Great Glacial Throne Plan. We verified that the other side indeed has the potential to pierce the Main World's World Navel. We cannot gamble."
"It’s not surprising, Xiao Han. It’s normal for them to guard it strictly. If we knew the specific steps of the plan, we could devise countless ways to counter it at various stages. To maintain their deterrent, they must ensure that not a single detail is leaked."
"It’s reached that level?" I looked at Dean Mei, then at Ning. "Just a moment ago, Ning shared a description with me. I feel that description might be related to this so-called Staff of World Destruction Plan, but it’s too abstract. I could only decipher a portion of the information."
"A description? Can you tell me?" Hearing my words, Mei Lind’s eyes instantly lit up!
As expected, there was still good news from this experiment.
At the very least, this confrontation had been worth it!