Chapter 267: Wisdom Enlightenment, Revelations of the Banquet
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 267: Wisdom Enlightenment, Revelations of the Banquet
After careful observation and deconstruction, I gained a general understanding and modeled it on the Ley Line System.
It wasn't that I didn't want to use runes for the reconstruction, but without the Memory Bookshelf spellbook, while I hadn't forgotten how to recognize runes entirely, I truly didn't recognize the specific runes involved in this spellbook's effects!
I was absolutely certain that even if the Memory Bookshelf spellbook were returned to me, I still wouldn't recognize these runes.
I simply lacked a detailed database; it wasn't that I didn't know what I had previously learned. After all, the information in the Memory Bookshelf consisted of records I had personally reviewed and logged time and time again.
That was why I found it so strange. Based on its consumption level, this was merely a basic consumption spellbook, yet the runes involved were beyond my current level of knowledge.
So, was this what Teacher Ji Niang meant... a spellbook that cannot be categorized by its consumption level?
This sense of powerlessness... even when I faced high-consumption spellbooks like the Blessing of the Elemental Spirits, I hadn't felt this desperate.
The Meditation Art spellbook had only one effect: entering a meditative state.
The internal structure was simple, and the constituent ritual was straightforward, but the method of composition was perverse. it possessed a kind of concise beauty, like a mathematical formula simplified to its absolute limit.
It was a despair born of having nowhere to start.
Speechless, I used the Ley Line System's simulation to continuously reorganize the rune rituals within the spellbook. Since it was just a simulation, I wasn't afraid of breaking the actual book.
At that moment, Sister Bai suddenly woke up.
"Sister Bai, how was it? You were meditating for so long that I've already finished reconstructing the spellbook," I said, stepping forward.
"Was it that long? I thought it had only been a moment." Bai Yu opened her eyes, a trace of daze in her gaze. Upon seeing me, she quickly snapped back to reality.
"Oh? You even lost track of time? Sister Bai, how does it feel? Is there any difference compared to the Witch Meditation Method?" I asked curiously.
"I'm not entirely sure. There doesn't seem to be much difference, but it feels simpler than the Witch Meditation Method. I feel like this would be very suitable for promotion among the freshman groups. The Witch Meditation Method has a certain threshold for cultivation," Bai Yu said, shaking her head to indicate she felt no major difference while sharing her thoughts.
"You're joking. This is a spellbook. Spellbooks have never been standardized for mass promotion. Even with the most common, low-level Fireball spellbook, no one in the Witch Academy would dare claim that every single person has a copy."
"True."
I nodded, recalling what Teacher Ji Niang had told me. Even for a Transcendent Witch like her, using Real Editing Technology to create a basic spellbook took over ten days. Even with more practice, it would still take nearly ten. The efficiency was simply too low, and Transcendent Witches were under no obligation to create spellbooks for the entire student body.
Furthermore, spellbooks were essentially consumables in the Witch Academy. Senior sisters who owned them would eventually graduate, and they wouldn't just leave their spellbooks behind for the academy. At most, they might leave unused ones in a Witch Secret Realm, but that certainly wouldn't compare to the ones they took with them.
"Sister Bai, did the Meditation Art feel boring?" I asked out of curiosity.
"It was fine. For someone like me who practices the Witch Meditation Method long-term, this is just a drop in the bucket." Bai Yu's gaze was now fixed on the spellbook model I had constructed, a hint of envy in her eyes.
"Is that so? Alright then, I'll give it a try myself."
Since I couldn't progress any further with just her feedback, I had to experience it personally.
I closed my eyes to rest my mind as if preparing for standard meditation, using my mental power to trigger the spellbook. The book slowly drew mana from the Mana Source, and then the effect of the Meditation Art was activated.
I focused all my senses on the spell's effect. In an instant, I felt my mind go blank and relax. My body followed suit, gradually letting go of all thought. Even the intention to compare this with the Witch Meditation Method faded away.
This state was simply too wonderful.
Subconsciously, I felt like I wanted to stay like this forever, needing to think of nothing, as both my spirit and body greedily enjoyed this moment of relaxation. It felt like a compensatory rest for a long period of pressure, oppression, and tension...
Outside, Bai Yu watched Xiao Han, who had entered a meditative state in an instant. She didn't dare disturb him. She felt that just watching him quietly like this was enough. Xiao Han didn't possess a breathtaking beauty compared to other girls, nor did he have an exaggerated, curvaceous figure that tempted one to sin.
Yet, simply listening to his slowed breathing felt as if every puff of warm air was being sprayed directly onto her heart.
Coming to her senses, Bai Yu realized her hand had already reached out to touch Xiao Han's cheek. However, the girl before her showed no reaction whatsoever.
Glancing at the Fool's Dreams who had gathered around out of curiosity, Bai Yu realized her lapse in composure and hurriedly withdrew her hand.
After pulling back, Bai Yu awkwardly and subconsciously sniffed her fingertips. There was no scent, yet she felt a greedy desire for more... she even wanted to lean in closer...
"Bai Yu, oh Bai Yu... what on earth are you doing..." Bai Yu pressed a hand to her forehead, forcing herself to clear her mind. These actions were not things she should be doing right now.
"Ordinary... Bai Yu... you should remain ordinary, and feel the greatness of the ordinary..." Bai Yu muttered a few words to herself, returning to her original demeanor, looking just like any other normal person. At this moment, she felt a flash of realization—especially now, under the Exchange Contract, having lost all her spellbooks. She seemed to have understood something.
But those thoughts were like sand in the wind, slipping through her fingers.
"Just like an ordinary person..." But ordinary people have love too... Bai Yu added in her heart.
Time ticked by, and Bai Yu continued to keep her silent watch.
Soon, however, Yu Miao walked over.
"Xiao Han, Bai Yu, it's already this late! The banquet our Fool's Village prepared for you is about to start! You two guests absolutely must come!" Yu Miao said cheerfully as she approached.
"Thank you for the reminder. We understand." Bai Yu looked at the sky. It had gradually dimmed, yet everything here remained clearly visible.
The various decorative plants grown here began to emit a faint, ghostly blue glow as darkness fell. The soft light illuminated the entire village.
"Eh? What is Xiao Han doing? Sleeping?"
"Meditating." Bai Yu stood up. For a moment, she wasn't sure if she should force him awake, but if they kept waiting, there was no telling how much longer it would be.
So, Bai Yu prepared to interrupt the meditation. After all, she had experienced that feeling earlier; time passed in a flash, and without external interference, one really wouldn't know how much time had gone by.
"Xiao Han~ Xiao Han, it's time to wake up," Bai Yu said, stepping forward, but there was no response.
"Sigh... there's really no helping it." Though Bai Yu said this, the smile at the corners of her mouth couldn't be hidden. She reached out and patted his face, then pinched the soft, delicate cheek.
Seeing that Xiao Han still hadn't woken up, Bai Yu was at a loss. Her gaze fell upon those unadorned, tender lips. There was no makeup, no lipstick, yet at this moment, she really wanted to taste what they would be like...
"Xiao Han, time to get up." In the end, Bai Yu suppressed the tempting thought. She wasn't such a pervert that she couldn't control this level of temptation. Doing something like that to Xiao Han would definitely get her labeled a creep, wouldn't it?
Even though Bai Yu knew that even if Xiao Han accepted the fact that he was now a girl, his thoughts and behavior were still those of a boy. He wouldn't feel like she was taking advantage of him... but...
The "but" was the key.
Bai Yu eventually shook her head and increased the pressure of her pinch.
"Mmm... huh?"
I slowly woke up, a wave of fatigue making me yawn subconsciously.
"Aah-woo~ Sister Bai, what are you doing? Trying to get fresh with me?" I asked, covering my mouth with one hand and looking at her with a meaningful gaze. After all, the sensation of being pinched was still lingering on my face. Even if I hadn't seen what she did, I could guess.
As I thought... is Sister Bai starting to feel something for me? She feels so different from the Sister Bai I used to know.
Before, our relationship was one of complete transparency; now, it's like we're avoiding something, with both of us acting shy.
The hints were becoming quite obvious.
Sure enough, when this kind of "amusement" happens to me, I'm slow to react. If this were happening to someone else, I would have noticed immediately and been there to enjoy the show.
"I am not. Xiao Han, don't talk nonsense. Which eye saw me taking advantage of you?" Bai Yu had already retracted her hand, her eyes darting away as she denied it.
"Alright, alright... Jeez. Since you've interrupted my meditation, is there something going on?" I returned to the main topic.
I hadn't expected this single meditation session to last until nightfall. I looked around at the dreamlike bioluminescent plants. They emitted tiny sparks of light that drifted in the air like fireflies. When the breeze blew, they danced rhythmically.
I really had to admire the beauty of this place.
"The Fool's Dream Clan has prepared a banquet for us. We should head over."
"Eh? So soon? Well, I suppose it is time." I nodded. It was indeed time.
But I hadn't expected time to flow so quickly.
I had originally thought that during the Meditation Art, I would maintain my consciousness like I did with the Witch Meditation Method. I didn't expect the Meditation Art to be so domineering. If I fell into it and starved to death, what then?
Wouldn't that be the biggest joke ever?
The number one freshman dies in a zero-danger Secret Realm; cause of death: starvation!
Tossing those idle thoughts aside, I followed Sister Bai and Yu Miao to the place they had prepared for the banquet.
It was one of the more open areas in the village. Countless Fool's Dreams were gathered there, some helping to decorate, others transporting dishes.
A massive boulder had been sliced as flat as a table, covered in various dishes. The "platters" were actually large, freshly picked leaves.
Rather than a feast of cooked dishes, it was more like a grand banquet of fruits.
Various fruits I had never seen before were presented as slices or platters, decorated with glowing plant leaves that shone brightly in the dark.
Suddenly, a petite figure came running over, dragging a massive plant that looked like a flower bud. The Fool's Dreams began shouting, "It's here! It's here!" as several of them formed a human pyramid to hang the flower up high.
The vines binding the flower were pulled away, and the flower burst open as if blooming anew.
A soft, brilliant light radiated from the bud—it was matter saturated with the light element!
The stamens swayed with the night breeze, and pollen carrying light elements drifted through the night sky like flowing water, creating vortices that instantly brightened the dim area.
At this moment, a beautiful sense of ritual blossomed at the hands of these little cuties.
"Welcome, Guest Xiao Han, to our Fool's Village~!"
"And welcome, Guest Bai Yu, to our Fool's Village!"
For a moment, the many Fool's Dreams cheered for our arrival. Their voices were chaotic yet not disorganized. They waved glowing leaves like glow sticks, tracing arcs in the night sky.
This lively atmosphere continued for a good while before being broken by a single voice. That Fool's Dream was the village chief, Yu Hu.
"Alright, everyone, don't let us make fools of ourselves. Everyone just wanted to show you their passion; they got a bit too excited. Guests, please taste our banquet. We don't have many... 'rules' here, I believe is the word. Just don't waste food. Now, I declare... the banquet welcoming Xiao Han and Bai Yu officially begins!"
Following Yu Hu's speech, all the Fool's Dreams—including Sister Bai and me—were swept up in the festive atmosphere.
They were unrestrained, simple, and passionate. It seemed as if every single Fool's Dream in the village had come here.
I was swamped by enthusiastic Fool's Dreams, including Yu Miao, who stuffed several kinds of fruit into my hands.
These seemed to be things they had prepared with great care. Some were grown by their own hands, while others were found in the rainforest outside the village.
Although many of the fruits looked bizarre, their flavors were wonderful.
They were all plant fruits, but after tasting them, I realized that if I hadn't been told they were fruits, I wouldn't have known. Some were as soft as bread, while others even tasted spicy.
The water they drank was hand-pressed fruit juice, and some were rare delicacies made by boiling the sap of special plants.
The taste was truly excellent.
This was the banquet the Fool's Dreams had prepared for us. Both Sister Bai and I couldn't help but take out our phones to take commemorative photos.
They seemed used to being photographed. Sometimes, when we included them in the shots, they would even strike cute poses like the V-sign.
It looked like the senior sisters from previous years had taught them quite a bit.
The party lasted until the sprayed light elements gradually dissipated and the banquet returned to darkness. Only then did everything slowly come to an end.
"Xiao Han, aren't you leaving? It's getting very dark," Bai Yu walked to my side and whispered.
"Yeah. Sister Bai, tell me... why is the Fool's Dream Clan so obsessed with holding banquets for outsiders?"
I looked at the leftovers on the table. This table had clearly been made for the Fool's Dream Clan by some senior sister, likely a long time ago. The stone was integrated with moss and vines, yet it hadn't been deliberately damaged.
I had never forgotten the task named "Wisdom Enlightenment." So, setting aside the table, what else was there?
This wasn't a sudden thought; it was a reminder from my Spirit Vision. The moment the banquet began, the flow of transcendent energy showed an anomaly that demanded my attention.
It wasn't trying to tell me something directly; it was simply demonstrating something to me.
It was a revelation, a pattern. Perhaps I was overthinking, but one thing really bothered me.
I took a sip of the juice they brewed called "Fool's Dream Drink." This was a juice they prepared using special methods, but I could see the flow of transcendent power within it. This mixture, which appeared as juice, was more like a "potion" or even a "magic potion."
In short, it was a mixture similar to those things.
Drinking it, one could feel a temporary boost in their affinity for transcendent energy, allowing them to sense its flow. It wasn't an alcoholic beverage, but it produced a wonderful, illusion-like vision.
Especially when paired with Spirit Vision...
This was what I saw...
I looked at the image on the Ley Line System. It was a rough sketch I had drawn. I didn't think this was a waste of time. This wasn't just a hint anymore; it was a "clear sign."
If one analyzed my sketch, it could roughly be matched to something—specifically, those composite rune rituals in the Meditation Art that I couldn't understand! I silently saved the sketch. My intuition told me this wasn't over.
And the sketch wasn't finished yet.
Because the sketch only contained runes I could barely distinguish, and they didn't perfectly match the runes operating within the Meditation Art.
There were seven in the Meditation Art, but only six here.
Reasonably guessing, where was the remaining one in the other empty spaces?
It was time for my old specialty. I might only be a beginner in rune-related knowledge, but I was a master of spellbook modding who had entered the field through the technique of brute-force trial and error!
"Maybe... this is one of their few forms of entertainment?" Bai Yu answered my question.
"Exactly!" I nodded. That was the possibility I had thought of at the time, but now, the facts told me there was more!
"I have a lead. Let's go and try it out."
I smiled and stood up, turning off the Ley Line System. The smile on my face was unstoppable. Was this what it felt like to use Spirit Vision to cheat?
If this was a designed task, then there must be other hints or revelations within it that would guide everyone to the problem with the Meditation Art spellbook.
Spirit Vision definitely wasn't the primary factor; rather, the Fool's Dream Drink was the key. It was just that my Spirit Vision was too much of a "cheat," allowing me to see the problem on the very first day.
I also vaguely remembered seeing the term "Fool's Dream Drink" in the strategy guides I'd read before. Unfortunately, no one had made a big deal out of it.
Even Sister Bai and I had overlooked it.
Well then, let me be the first to claim this idea. Let's see what kind of effect the Meditation Art spellbook will have after it's been reorganized.
My only problem now was that this task involved modding a spellbook, which was a massive hurdle for students. Was this the real reason preventing everyone from discovering the truth?
Or... was there some method within the Fool's Village Secret Realm that could substitute for my manual modding?