Chapter 1105: An Uneasy Tea Party
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1105: An Uneasy Tea Party
The Baking House.
Inside the reception room.
The faint shimmer of isolation spells flickered in every corner of the space, yet the occupants remained silent.
After all, the information they had heard in this short span of time was enough to instill a profound dread of life itself within their hearts.
The truth was so silent, yet its impact left them trembling with anxiety.
The problems facing the Main World suddenly rendered everything they were currently busy with utterly meaningless. Their disputes over interests seemed like mere child's play in the face of the inevitable end.
"Then... Sister Xiao Han, has this been confirmed? I mean... is there visible, hard evidence on paper?" Millian opened her mouth several times, her throat dry. It took several attempts before she finally managed to force the words out.
If the entire Main World was destined for destruction, then everything she had planned in the Expansion Realm was nothing more than a joke.
The efforts she had exerted to help were like crumbling sand when compared to the predicament Sister Xiao Han was facing.
"When Transcendent beings want to do something, they naturally leave no trace. I don't particularly want to explain in detail how we obtained this answer; it involves a great many things," I said.
"If you want to announce this to the United Club, Sister Xiao Han, no one will believe it. They’ll just think you’ve gone mad and are using such crude methods to intimidate them. They have never stood on the same side as us," Cleveland said, looking somewhat troubled.
"I understand. Even I wouldn't believe something without evidence. Speaking of which... do you remember that massive underground facility on the Blood Slave Peninsula?"
As I spoke, I took out a small vial. It was the single drop of Primitive Bloodline that Dean Mei had returned to me—pure Primitive Bloodline extracted from the blood of Main World humans.
"This is what that massive machinery produced. It is called Primitive Bloodline, extracted from the blood of the Main World's human race. I used all the blood crystal stock in that facility just to extract this one drop."
"All those blood crystals... only produced one drop?"
"Exactly. This is part of the 'Staff of World Destruction' plan I mentioned earlier. In the stages involving the Wizards, this is the raw material used for the Bloodline Lens witchcraft. It is used to observe the World Navel, which can be struck to destroy the entire Main World in a single blow."
I had already explained the World Navel, the destruction of the world, and the series of key terms and connections to everyone. Whether they believed it or not was another matter entirely.
But at this point, whether it was the Shopkeeper, Tan Han, or the others—the most representative members of the Baking House—all listened in silence. They didn't know what kind of help they could possibly offer.
All they knew was the truth, and the terror that truth brought.
"Relax a little, everyone. And you too, Cleveland. I didn't reveal this because I want everyone to believe it immediately. I want to plant a seed of doubt in their hearts. When they encounter anything unusual and suddenly make a connection, they will start trying to prove it's false on their own," I said, reaching out to comfort them.
Once their emotions were soothed, their minds suddenly cleared, as if the destruction of the world was merely a commonplace occurrence.
"Sister Xiao Han, since you want to achieve that effect, there’s no need to inform them by calling a direct meeting. Perhaps we can design a coincidence for them to discover it themselves. After all, things they discover on their own are more convincing and won't be tainted by the variable of our intervention."
After Millian calmed down, she proposed her own ideas. I had to admit, it was a very good suggestion.
Originally, I had thought about binding them with a Witch Contract before telling them, but thinking about it now... that didn't seem necessary.
"That is indeed a good idea," I nodded.
"But to spread it this way, we need evidence that will convince them. Without a shred of credibility, they’ll likely just treat it as a joke. Without a continuous introduction of evidence, they won't even have the standing to investigate. Then, even if it's true, it will remain buried in their hearts forever."
"Evidence?" I looked at Cleveland as she spoke. I had to admit she was right. To look at it from another perspective, if I had accidentally discovered a truth from Dean Mei that the Void was about to be destroyed, I wouldn't believe it either.
"Actually, there might be one piece of evidence," I continued. "The most problematic part of the Staff of World Destruction Plan is the destruction of the Main World itself. Everyone is meant to be buried with it. Even if Transcendents can survive the world's destruction, the witches who have gone mad with grief and rage would hunt them all down."
"So... before destroying the world, they must do one thing: transfer the 'Sparks' who aren't worth dying in this extinction plan. They must send them out of the Main World. This is the Spark Migration Plan currently being carried out by the Three Top Academies."
As I spoke, everyone's expressions shifted. Millian and Cleveland turned solemn, realizing that the crucial point and the turning point had arrived.
"I’ve pulled some strings. Before long, a void ship departing from the Main World will crash into the Emerald Forest. It will be filled with those 'Sparks' who were told the truth and are about to leave the Main World. They might be Transcendents, students, or perhaps the families of certain Transcendents..."
As I revealed more details, the eyes of Millian and the others beside me began to sparkle with intensity.
Since they possessed so much intelligence, there was plenty of room to maneuver!
* * *
As the day passed, an event occurred that shocked everyone in the United Club.
The No. 0 Combat Sequence, which had been inactive for a long time, suddenly made a move, returning from the Expansion Realm branch.
Their first order of business was to march into the Emerald Forest!
Amidst the uneasy atmosphere among the club representatives, they were slightly relieved to learn that Teaching Assistant Xiao Han would not be going personally. However, the heavy weight in their hearts did not lift.
Even if she didn't go, the members and leaders of the No. 0 Combat Sequence could summon her at any moment!
So far, they had only received a very official response from Cleveland: they were exercising the United Club's right to freely develop the Emerald Forest.
The entry of the No. 0 Combat Sequence into the Emerald Forest immediately disrupted the plans of many clubs. Even the Afuhemi Forest Elves, who had entered through another Void Rift, immediately became conservative, going to great lengths to avoid a direct confrontation with this combat sequence.
Since the Afuhemi Forest Elves entered the Emerald Forest, they had thoroughly demonstrated the advantages of a "Transcendent Elf Race," absorbing numerous elf tribes.
After all, given the worship of the strong at the Transcendent source of the elf race, the forest elves from Afuhemi Academy quickly "persuaded" the locals.
This was a complete 180-degree reversal from their previous "stubborn attitude"!
Consequently, Afuhemi Academy's exploration progress in the Emerald Forest had surged ahead.
Initially, the United Club took this very seriously. This was a direct infringement on the priority interests of the United Club as the "first victors"!
However, after constantly weighing the pros and cons, the United Club made its choice.
They let it be.
After all, Afuhemi Academy placed a high value on their fellow elves and did not allow them to be enslaved. This matter had even prompted a statement from a Transcendent Mentor of Afuhemi Academy. Weighing the benefits, the United Club could only comply.
Although they were all elves, the tactic of total amnesty was indeed a bit of a cheat. However, these elf tribes would only become a burden later on.
Given the backward lifestyle and ignorant mindset of these elf communities, in the later stages, every single one of them would be a fuse for war.
It remained to be seen if the elves could actually stomach it.
Meanwhile.
Inside a teaching assistant villa in the academy's residential area, a private, invited tea party was underway.
Not many people knew about this tea party, but those who attended were essentially famous students or teaching assistants within the Witch Academy.
In the past, the atmosphere of such a secret tea party would have been relaxed and pleasant, with everyone sharing intelligence and strengthening their relationships and communication.
They might even finalize major shifts in the direction of the academy's clubs.
This tea party was already the most frequent one held in recent years.
"It seems everyone's mood hasn't been great lately? Is it because of the No. 0 Combat Sequence's movements?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Sister~ don't use such a fiery tone."
"This operation is definitely on Yang Yuehan's orders. My people saw the situation inside the Baking House Club. It's no coincidence that Cleveland and Millian are busy at the same time."
"Ooh~ Sister, I admire your courage for daring to reach into the Baking House."
At the tea party, everyone addressed each other as "Sister." This habit was a continuation of the preferences of Transcendent Witches. Although they didn't want to promote to Transcendent Witches themselves, their yearning for and awe of the power of Transcendents came from the heart.
But deeper than that yearning were the bonds of family and blood, as well as the Attributional Ley Line Shackles they refused to acknowledge.
"No one can command Cleveland and Millian at the same time except for that person. I expect she’s about to make another move. Everyone, get ready for an earthquake."
"Isn't that a bit too pessimistic? We were able to progress so smoothly entirely because of that legendary Little Witch. We survived the initial pioneering of the other world. If she wants to step in and harvest, we should agree with both hands. We’d be welcoming one of our own; interests and money are just numbers to us."
"Do you really think she's one of us?"
"Doesn't look like it. Millian does, though; she’s a talent from the families, after all. It’s a pity her family couldn't hold onto her. What’s more terrifying is... her methods in the Expansion Realm are enough to swallow us all whole."
"Can we not talk about that?"
"Whether we talk about it or not, it's a problem we have to face. Do you want to be an ostrich sticking its head in the sand?"
"Let's drop it. Don't forget why we gathered here."
"Naturally, it's to discuss everyone's views on the current situation. According to news from the Emerald Forest, as soon as the No. 0 Combat Sequence arrived, they didn't adopt the same model as us. They seem to have pushed much further into that world."
"You sent people to follow them?"
"Mm-hmm~ but they lost them."
"How embarrassing."
"Then do you know what they're up to? That world is even more barren than we expected."
"I'm not sure either. But you're right about the world being barren."
"Don't forget, that world is the so-called 'Second Battlefield' opened by Teaching Assistant Xiao Han. She probably specifically picked a barren world. I just don't know how she did it."
"Wait, now that you mention it, I realize something. The Emerald Forest is too peaceful right now. She wouldn't be trying to start a world war in another world right now, would she?"
As that voice finished, everyone fell silent.
It wasn't because they thought it was ridiculous, but because... they feared it was the truth!
The Second Battlefield!
That was the definition Teaching Assistant Xiao Han had given that world. Now that they and Afuhemi Academy had reached an agreement and started peaceful development, they had completely deviated from her plan.
If they put themselves in her shoes, they would also make a correction.
"I think it's necessary to discuss this with Cleveland. We've been getting restless lately. Today, her business-like attitude clearly meant she didn't want to communicate with us. She probably really did receive instructions from Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, or some kind of authorization to flip the table."
"Then... is it still in time?"
Silence followed.
Everyone had witnessed Teaching Assistant Xiao Han's ability, execution, and efficiency.
Because of a passing thought, she had led the No. 0 Combat Sequence across vast distances, directly forcing the Vampire Affiliated Academy to bow their heads and crawl to the Witch Academy to sign surrender terms and a series of humiliating reparations and land-ceding contracts.
Because a battle wasn't satisfying enough, she dared to point a finger and challenge a Transcendent Mentor, killing that Transcendent Vampire Grand Duke!
These events and rumors all proclaimed the terror of Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, as well as her erratic personality and unpredictable thoughts.
A while ago, they had mocked Afuhemi Academy for being scared back home overnight by a single photo. Now... they too became anxious and fearful whenever that Little Witch was mentioned.
"By the way... I just got a bit of inside info from the Baking House. I don't know if everyone is interested." At this moment, the girl who had been praised for her courage in spying on the Baking House suddenly spoke up.
"Interested! Of course we're interested! Quick, what is it?"
"It's about a special conceptual object called the World Navel. According to the description, as long as you control this thing, you can control an entire world! So, I suspect the No. 0 Combat Sequence went to the Emerald Forest specifically to find it!"