Chapter 324: The Importance of Scholar Xiao Han in the Underground District
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 324: The Importance of Scholar Xiao Han in the Underground District
A few days later, in Ninglan New City.
Due to a newly enacted city ordinance, all Outsiders were required to submit to mandatory oversight. Any form of resistance was forbidden; those who defied the order were immediately placed on a wanted list until they were thoroughly driven out of Ninglan New City.
It could be said that a "great cleansing" had been underway in the city for the past few days. Naturally, the residents were the ones finding it most unbearable.
They needed a vent for their frustrations. When the countless atrocities committed by the Outsiders were posted on the city’s public notice boards, the residents of Ninglan New City were whipped into a total frenzy of rage.
The City Lord’s methods were quite impressive. He had painted Ninglan New City as a noble, hospitable place that welcomed visitors, while the Outsiders were depicted as invaders who acted with wanton disregard for the law.
In terms of the actual situation, that was largely true. However, Ninglan Qiuyun had painted all Outsiders with the same brush, condemning them all.
He was a master at discarding his tools once they had served their purpose—though perhaps that wasn't quite right, as we Outsiders hadn't even dealt with the Nightmare yet.
"It’s been so long since I’ve come up for air. This sun... the feeling of sunlight on my skin is truly pleasant." I took a deep breath. Although we were still within the dream, the sensation of interference felt different. I looked up at the sun in the sky, then at Sister Bai beside me, a satisfied smile spreading across my face.
"Yes, it really has been a long time. That cold, eerie glow from the self-illuminating Ley Lines below... stay down there too long and you might actually get depressed. The sunlight is wonderful; I feel a bit lighter already," Sister Bai remarked with a sigh of appreciation.
At the moment, we were both dressed in casual civilian clothes. The change in attire was, of course, achieved through a Rewriting Spell. If my spell stopped maintaining them, these clothes would revert to their original forms. Naturally, I wouldn't leave us naked unless I intentionally interfered, but I wasn't the type to do something so unscrupulous.
The pedestrians on the street acted as if they couldn't see us, going about their own business. The wanted posters for Outsiders had been broadcast throughout the city, with special attention given to high-priority targets. Furthermore, there were rewards for reporting Outsiders—though not very large ones—while the punishment for harboring them was severe.
"I really can't feel a thing... Sister Bai, your methods are amazing. It seems to have transcended the scope of mere spell power."
"Mm-hmm. As long as the power is useful, that's enough," Bai Yu said with a nod.
"This is basically a total reduction of presence... this kind of ability... no matter how you look at it, it makes one's mind wander to inappropriate places. Tell me, Sister Bai, have you ever used this ability to do anything... strange to me?"
"What are you thinking? Xiao Han, is your head filled with nothing but filth?" Sister Bai reached out and rapped her knuckles sharply against my forehead.
"Well~ it’s a logical association. But this ability is truly game-breaking. Is this the power of your Subject?" I asked curiously.
"No, Xiao Han. A Subject itself possesses no power. A Subject is merely a final beacon that guides us toward obtaining power—or perhaps an even more abstract concept," Bai Yu explained, shaking her head.
"So... the fact that you have this power means you obtained it through your own strength, right? So... you have thought about it, haven't you? I didn't even say anything just now and you accused me of having a dirty mind!"
"Hmph. Xiao Han, your thoughts are written all over your face. Do I even need to guess?"
"Are they? I don't think so..." I instinctively touched my cheek. It was soft and smooth, with a great texture. "But... even if you did use this ability to do something to me, Sister Bai, I’d be okay with it, you know?"
"Xiao Han... if you keep this up, I’m going to have to teach you a lesson. And let me correct you again: this isn't an ability to 'reduce presence.' It’s just something similar."
"Fine, fine~ I was just joking." Seeing the shift in Sister Bai’s tone, I immediately reined it in. If I kept teasing her, something rather "unfortunate" might actually happen.
"Um... how about we go grab a cup of coffee? Choosing to come out in the afternoon was definitely the right call. We can treat it as afternoon tea. My treat~ want to see how the coffee from my memories tastes?"
As we passed a quiet spot with outdoor seating, I made the suggestion.
"That sounds nice," Bai Yu agreed with a nod.
We walked over to a vacant corner table and sat down. With a wave of my hand over the table, two exquisite cups of coffee appeared as if by magic, with sugar cubes placed neatly to the side.
"Every time I see you do that, Xiao Han, I can't help but marvel at it."
"That’s the charm of the Transcendent, isn't it? Making the impossible possible, breaking common perceptions. Actually, you have similar spells, don't you, Sister Bai? I saw them when you were deconstructing your spellbooks to show me your 'dowry' earlier. The Sugar-Free Bread Spell... the Carbonated Drink Spell... the effects of those Small Spellbooks are quite wondrous."
"They still can't compare to your methods."
"Oh, stop~ I was just admiring how delicate the Small Spellbooks are." I picked up my coffee and took a small sip. It tasted exactly like the coffee in my memories.
"There’s a reason why Small Spellbooks can exist as a series independent of standard spellbooks. They sacrifice the rigorous Rune Ritual structures of normal spells in favor of highly active spell frameworks or unorganized auxiliary runes. That’s what allows for the all-around development of current Small Spellbooks."
"I didn't realize you knew so much about them, Sister Bai," I remarked.
"After realizing the importance of spellbooks, I went and brushed up on the relevant knowledge. What I just said is basically the introductory basics regarding Small Spellbooks."
"By the way, Xiao Han." Sister Bai seemed to suddenly remember something, ending the current topic. "About the Teleportation Spell... are you confident?"
"What do you mean 'am I confident'? Of course I’m confident. I just don't know if it will succeed. Even if it doesn't, that will still prove certain things, but it’s not a big deal."
"But you have to understand that many things can't just be taken for granted. Spells aren't an all-powerful solution for everything. Don't just act on every whim."
"Thinking it is one thing, doing it is another. Moving from the thought to the deed—that is one of the reasons spells exist," I argued. "Unless my hypothesis is proven wrong, don't go dismissing my hard work, Sister Bai."
"I’m not trying to dismiss your efforts, Xiao Han. It’s just that your idea is a bit... fantastical? You have to remember that your body is in reality, while we are currently in a dream. A Teleportation Spell cannot transport a person from reality into a dream. A dreamscape cannot carry a physical entity, can it?"
"I’ve thought about that. Naturally, it won't work that way. So, I plan to have Fool's Dream help us complete the special teleportation ritual for the spell. With my guidance, it doesn't matter if it’s a bit slow."
"Have Fool's Dream set up the teleportation ritual here in reality? I suppose that could work. But is your consciousness able to return to your main body freely now?"
"Of course. My research into the Nightmare hasn't been going on for that long, but the Primitive Rune Ritual I pieced together from the revelations I gained from the Nightmare has gone through constant iterations. It’s already enough to break through the predicament the Nightmare placed me in."
Speaking of which, it reminded me of the spell Teacher Ji Niang had shown me—the one that allowed one to log into the Primal Dream without needing dream devices. Was there a slight similarity between that and this?
Although I hadn't personally mastered that spell, both allowed for entering or exiting a dream. The difference was that the spell Teacher Ji Niang mastered was for entering the Primal Dream constructed by the Primal Witch, while mine was for returning here—to this ruined Main World that had been invaded by the dreamscape.
"So you're saying, Xiao Han, that you can escape from here whenever you wish?"
"Yes, you can understand it that way, Sister Bai. But... my goal for coming here hasn't been achieved yet. You understand that, right?"
"I know."
"Then, are you willing to support me?" I asked, looking at her with a smile.
"Of course. I will support you unconditionally."
"Thank you." With such a clear response from Sister Bai, the last of my lingering worries vanished.
Of course, my desire to teleport my physical body here wasn't just about managing both the dream and reality or reducing my weaknesses and limitations. I had other, more important considerations.
After all, being able to manage both sides only put me on equal footing with a Dream Demon.
What I cared about more was... the Great Wisdom Enlightenment Art.
In a dream, everything is a projection—an existence generated by acquiring information from reality. This included the Great Spellbooks. Therefore, the effects of using a Great Spellbook within a dream might be far less effective than using the real thing.
Furthermore... I intended to use the Great Spellbook to perform Wisdom Enlightenment on Fool's Dream. A Great Spellbook within a dream simply couldn't achieve that.
That was why I had to do this.
Come to think of it... did the Academy Dean anticipate even this step?
The Academy Dean is truly terrifying.
If I had even the slightest deviation in my thinking or a lapse in my ability, I never would have been able to reach this point.
After finishing half a cup of coffee, Sister Bai and I left the cafe. We wandered around outside for a while longer before heading back.
Along the street, we saw posters describing the "good deeds" done by Outsiders, designed to incite hatred among the populace. I took a quick look to see what kind of "talents" had committed such "outrageous" acts. As for whether they had exaggerated or fabricated the facts, I assumed they had. I just treated it as a joke.
However, the massive elevator shaft we had used to first enter the Underground District was now sealed. Although Ninglan New City couldn't forcibly interfere with the Underground District, they could certainly block the entrances and exits. Nevertheless, their cooperation couldn't be completely severed.
The Underground District needed supplies, and Ninglan New City needed weapons and provisions manufactured through Beyonder Arts. One couldn't forget that as time passed, the area outside the city would face the baptism of an Energy Tide. The region radiating outward from Ninglan New City would attract a massive number of Variant Beasts mutated by the tide.
At this moment, all City Guard forces on the outermost front lines of Ninglan New City had already switched to wartime-status Type II Beyonder Armaments, with Type III Beyonder Killing Weapons on standby.
But even if they blocked the main and secondary entrances to the Underground District, we had countless ways to get back. Short-range teleportation, or even using my dream rewriting spells to head directly underground, would be no problem at all.
As for what Ninglan Qiuyue had said earlier about wanting to bring the Outsiders she trusted to the Underground District, I still felt it would be fraught with difficulties.
But since Ninglan Qiuyue had that idea, she must have anticipated such a possibility. That meant that even within this small Ninglan New City, she had her own channels.
As for how we would return to the Underground District, we naturally chose the most exciting way: through the main gate. Although there were still Dreamscape City Guards stationed there, they couldn't stop us—they couldn't even notice us.
"Sigh~ back to this gloomy Underground District again. I’m actually going to miss the surface a bit."
"Then just go up and visit often," Sister Bai said nonchalantly. "Whenever you want, I can accompany you."
"It’s a deal, then."
However, just as Sister Bai deactivated her ability on the way back, we spotted familiar uniforms.
"Hmm... City Guard." I stopped in my tracks, somewhat surprised. I hadn't expected people from the surface to be down here in the Underground District!
"There are two more Outsiders over there! That one is on the wanted list!"
Just as I spotted them, they caught sight of us out of the corners of their eyes.
"Uh-oh." I looked at Sister Bai beside me with a smile and shrugged.
"It seems I deactivated my ability a bit too early."
"Not too early, not too early. Some things have to be settled eventually. Sister Bai, do you want to bet on whether they can take me away?" I asked with a grin.
"That’s a freebie. Obviously, they can't."
"I bet they can't either, but with an added condition: I won't lift a finger." As I spoke, I watched with a smile as several City Guards surrounded us.
"Still smiling? I suggest you give up any thought of resistance! Especially you! The specially wanted Outsider!"
"I’m smiling because you don't seem to understand the situation. City Guards from Ninglan New City trying to arrest a scholar from the Beyonder Research Base inside the Underground District... do you actually dare to make a move?" As I spoke, I looked past the crowd and saw the figures of the Ground Patrol. Among them was a familiar face—the old captain of the Ground Patrol.
It looked like Ninglan New City and the Underground District had begun negotiations?
There was also a middle-aged man in fine clothing; he was likely some official from Ninglan New City. Beside him was the person in charge of the Beyonder Research Base.
"A scholar? How could an Outsider like you possibly be a scholar at the Beyonder Research Ba—"
"My apologies, but this young lady is indeed a formal scholar of our Beyonder Research Base. Please refrain from being rough with our base's scholars!" The head of the base stepped forward. He naturally remembered me. It could be said that the hottest projects in the Beyonder Research Base right now were the Nightmare Killing Weapon and that so-called Primitive Rune Ritual of unknown utility. He knew exactly what kind of madness would break out among the scholars if the base lost this person. After all, not long after this "little ancestor" had left to "clear her head," some of the scholars in the base felt as if they had lost their backbone.
"You... you people in the Underground District actually let an Outsider become an academic scholar? According to the regulations of Ninglan New City, this person is an Outsider personally wanted by the City Lord. Please hand her over to us."
"You said it yourself—those are the regulations of your Ninglan New City. Down here in the Underground District, we make our own rules." The captain of the Ground Patrol stepped forward, speaking with a forceful tone. As the representative of the Underground District’s enforcement agency, why shouldn't he speak tough? Especially since this was his home turf.
Furthermore, the person in front of him had recently taken the initiative to apply for equipment upgrades for his Ground Patrol. He was definitely going to protect this "golden thigh."
"The Underground District is an inseparable part of Ninglan New City!"
"Even so, you aren't taking these two. If you take her, I guarantee that nearly thirty percent—or more—of the scholars, technicians, and Beyonder apprentices from the Beyonder Research Base will march into your territory in Ninglan New City with their latest weapons and point them right at your head."
"Do you want to test that?"
Faced with the aggressive stance of these two men he couldn't afford to offend, the official from Ninglan New City immediately backed down. After all... it was just a bounty. It really wasn't worth it. Even if he didn't believe for a second that the consequences would be as dire as they claimed, he realized they were determined to protect her.
And so, the matter was dropped just like that. The official slunk away in embarrassment. Even the base head and the Ground Patrol captain, who were supposed to see them off, didn't bother to continue the courtesy.
"Scholar Xiao Han, you were far too careless this time. Why did you wander out here?"
"Just getting some fresh air. I only just realized the elevators were being controlled," I said with a shrug, then glanced at Sister Bai. My bet had been correct.
"My apologies. You must not have seen the base’s announcement in time. It’s all trouble caused by those fellows on the surface. Scholar Xiao Han, let’s head back to the base first. Quite a few scholars have run into trouble with the sub-projects you assigned. Since you weren't there, I expect those stubborn old donkeys are about to pull all their hair out."
"Alright. Then... Sister Bai, will you come with me?"
After we left, in a dark corner nearby, a rat with eyes shimmering with spiritual light quickly scurried away.