Chapter 379: Advancing to Transcendent and Transcendent Subjects
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 379: Advancing to Transcendent and Transcendent Subjects
"Ah... so soon?" I replied subconsciously.
Inwardly, however, my mind was racing. I hadn't expected Teacher Ji Niang to truly be preparing for matters related to a Great Spellbook.
After all, it had been mere speculation before I arrived. Now, hearing it directly from Ji Niang's own mouth... it felt surreal. The Academy had even assigned her a dedicated laboratory. Who would have believed it?
The Academy really does cast a wide net to catch as many fish as possible...
I remembered the Dean saying that there were quite a few Transcendent Witches in the Academy researching Great Spellbooks.
"You think it's fast too?" Ji Niang sighed. "I heard you participated in the creation of the Dean's Great Spellbook. I wonder, how much do you actually know about them?"
"Uh... my knowledge stops at a superficial understanding of the concept," I explained. It was the truth.
Participating in the creation of the Dean's Great Spellbook felt like jumping from 99% to 100%. I barely felt like I had contributed anything at all.
"Only a superficial understanding... I suppose that's enough." Ji Niang nodded and didn't press further. Instead, she looked at me with a solemn expression.
"I will ask you one more time: are you willing to study this [Transcendent Knowledge] with me? In the short term, it's impossible for me to touch upon the actual manufacturing of a Great Spellbook. I know full well I don't have the capability yet. I must first thoroughly master this [Transcendent Knowledge] before I'm qualified to step into that domain. I can't even give you a guarantee. Even if you graduate in ten years, we might still be stuck at the [Transcendent Knowledge] stage with no progress. This will take up a massive amount of your study time at the Academy."
"Graduation... I have a question," I said after a moment of thought.
"What is it? Ask away. If I know the answer, I'll tell you," Ji Niang said confidently.
"If I devote myself to this research of [Transcendent Knowledge] with you, can I still advance to a Transcendent Witch within ten years?" I asked.
In the Witch Academy, learning skills was vital, but no matter how important they were, nothing topped becoming a Transcendent Witch!
I wasn't afraid of wasting time—witches have eternal lifespans, so why fear that? What I feared was failing to become a Transcendent Witch within my planned timeframe.
"I can't speak for others, but becoming a Transcendent Witch has a prerequisite: the individual must want to become one. Beyond that, your life level must continuously climb through repeated witchification until it reaches the level of Real Time."
"Then... what about the so-called Subjects?"
I had heard this information about advancing to Transcendent many times. It always came down to the "life level," but the only way to raise that level was through "witchification." It felt like everything was tied to witchification. It was as if we were just sitting here with a Mana Source, idling like a character in a game, waiting for the clock to run out so we could automatically advance.
Without waiting for Ji Niang to answer, I voiced these thoughts to her.
After listening, Ji Niang fell silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.
"That is exactly the effect witches hope to achieve, don't you think? What could be better than 'idle leveling'? Or does it just make you feel like you lack a sense of participation?"
"What you are experiencing is a life, not a game. Think about why the Witch Academy doesn't teach you hurried methods of advancement, but instead implicitly encourages students to learn skills and knowledge. It's to save this time for you."
"..."
"To be honest, Xiao Han, your current state is exactly what the teachers hoped to see when the Witch Academy was first founded. Diligent, curious about everything, willing to learn... In the absence of pressure to advance, you put all your time and energy into accumulating knowledge and learning skills. This is how it was always meant to be."
I fell silent, feeling a strange, inexplicable surge of emotion. This was essentially a clear, unobstructed path straight to the Transcendent level!
I wouldn't have dared to dream of such a thing at first, yet the Witch Academy had made it a reality.
"Let's talk about the Subjects you mentioned. In truth, you can advance to a Transcendent Witch even without one. However, a Subject is the path you walk after advancing; it is also the source of your own power. Without a path of your own to follow steadfastly, the further you go, the more lost you will become."
"Back to the Subjects themselves—there are many. Most originate from the paths opened by the Truth Witches. For example, the original Subject of the witch race is 'Witch.' The 'Witch' Subject is a Great Subject opened and mastered by the Primal Witch. Branch Subjects opened from this, such as 'Mana,' 'Mana Source,' 'Oviparous Birth,' and so on, were likewise opened by their corresponding Truth Witches."
"The same goes for the 'Soul' Subject, which is currently the most popular in the witch race. The Soul Subject also has a relationship with the Dream Subject that is currently beyond comprehension. Moreover... because the Soul involves the Fourth Life Elucidation, the Great Soul Subject also includes Life, Memory, Emotion, Value, Oblivion, Ordinary, and so on. However, these concepts were proposed by the Soul Truth Witch; no corresponding witch has yet reached the level of walking those specific Truth paths..."
"Do you have a concept of what a Subject is now?" After explaining a great deal, Ji Niang paused and looked at me.
"Um... roughly..." I nodded. With so many examples, I had naturally formed my own understanding.
"Then... can a Subject be changed halfway through?"
"Naturally, but you would have to start over. Generally, it's not recommended to change Subjects, only to dual-study them. After all, once you advance to a Transcendent Witch, you are already walking the paths of many Subjects without even realizing it."
"Huh?"
"You haven't realized? The act of advancing to a Transcendent Witch is itself walking upon the 'Witch Subject.' After advancing, your life essence metamorphoses into a soul, meaning you are walking the 'Soul Subject.' When you want to increase your strength and you thoroughly master mana, you are walking the 'Mana Subject.' When you seek to empower yourself by acquiring, condensing, and mastering a Mana Source, you are walking the 'Mana Source Subject.' When you wish to breed offspring, you are walking the 'Oviparous Birth Subject'..."
"This is what it means to be a Transcendent Witch. Every step you take is a path paved for us by predecessor witches through Truth Dedication. And those who paved the way for all witches are the Truth Witches. You should be grateful to them."
I listened quietly as Ji Niang explained these common-sense facts, not interrupting her again.
If one were to organize this information, it was essentially a display of the witch race's profound heritage. Those Truth Witches used their own methods to tell their fellow witches: you can slack off as much as you want, or you can strive for progress.
The road is already beneath your feet, and it has been paved smooth. It just depends on whether you are willing to walk it.
I was stunned for a long time, processing and accepting this. But at the same time, another doubt arose: why wasn't the number of Transcendent Witches in the Academy as high as I had imagined?
"Have you processed that? So, as far as you're concerned, you don't need to worry about becoming a Transcendent Witch at all."
"In fact, I very much hope you can join my investigation into [Transcendent Knowledge]. [Transcendent Knowledge] is both knowledge and power itself. It is an indefinable existence at the Transcendent level; '[Transcendent Knowledge]' is merely the most general summary of it."
"Indefinable..." By this point, my worries had vanished. Of course I was going to join—this was [Transcendent Knowledge]!
Having the chance to participate in research of this level would be an incredible eye-opener.
But hearing Ji Niang describe [Transcendent Knowledge] like that...
"Since [Transcendent Knowledge] is so hard to define, it shouldn't just be for making Great Spells or Great Spellbooks, right?"
"Naturally. It's just that [Transcendent Knowledge] has the highest affinity with spells, because spells are also products that combine knowledge and power. They are the most basic and convenient way to utilize [Transcendent Knowledge]. It can also be used in alchemy items... and there are things like the Divine Arts of the Holy Angels, the Wizard Tools of the Wizards, and so on. Or rather, every Transcendent Race has its own characteristic means of utilizing [Transcendent Knowledge], but in essence, they are the same concept as a Great Spell."
"I see..." I nodded, trying to think if I had any other doubts. But having accepted so many concepts at once, I didn't know what else to ask for the moment.
"Then I have no more questions for now. I agree to join."
"Good. I won't let you down."
Ji Niang finally showed a relieved smile, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart.
Only then did she finally have the mind to open her lunch box and prepare to eat.
"Oh, right, Teacher Ji Niang, there are a few things I should mention beforehand," I said, remembering something.
"What else?" Ji Niang's hand, holding her chopsticks, paused as she looked at me.
"I still have daily plans for meditation and body tempering that take up quite a bit of time. While participating in the [Transcendent Knowledge] research, I don't want to fall behind in those skills..."
"Meditation is the foundation of foundations, and body tempering is equally important for someone like you with Self-Awakened Body Cultivation. I understand completely and will support you." Ji Niang relaxed instantly. These weren't issues at all. In fact, she knew that even if Xiao Han hadn't brought it up, she would have advised her to keep up her daily meditation. Body tempering could be set aside, but meditation could not.
"Thank you."
With a positive response, my inner concerns lessened further. Now, there was only one last doubt. "Finally, regarding the schedule for this research... what is it like?"
"If you're asking me, my answer is 24/7. I would give everything for this. But for you, I will give you plenty of leeway and a flexible schedule."
"Really?"
"Of course." Ji Niang nodded.
She knew very well that Xiao Han hadn't fully grown yet and hadn't had enough time to accumulate experience. Exposing her to [Transcendent Knowledge] too early wouldn't have much of a positive effect for Ji Niang herself. That was an undeniable fact.
And so, the matter was settled.
It had all happened very quickly, but it was a decision I had reached after careful consideration.
From an objective standpoint, however, it seemed I had once again filled my "leisurely" daily routine to the brim.
Perhaps I was just born to be busy. From the moment I stepped onto the Transcendent path, longing for the magnificent unknown of that realm, a seed of forward momentum had been planted in my heart. It was taking root and sprouting now, and though it would face wind and rain, it remained steadfast.
While waiting for Teacher Ji Niang to finish her lunch, I took the opportunity to call Betty. I had previously said we would try alchemy together, but it looked like that would have to be put on hold for a while.
"Alright, that was a good meal. I didn't expect you to start spending so freely, Xiao Han. You even got me extra dishes?"
"Uh... I just thought it had been a while since I'd seen you, Mentor. I'm usually quite frugal... Anyway, are we going straight there now?"
"Yes. Our laboratory is in a special part of the Academy. Ordinary students can't get in."
"A special place? Where is it?"
"It's inside a Secret Realm anchored within the boundaries of the Witch Academy."
"A Secret Realm? Like the Witch Secret Realms?"
"Similar, yes, but this Secret Realm is different. It's not managed by the clubs. It's a partitioned space with a very high security clearance. You have to understand, the places where Transcendent Witches conduct experiments are very dangerous. They can't just be placed anywhere in the Academy, not even in a corner. So, you can only pass through with authorization."
As Ji Niang spoke, she placed her hand on my shoulder.
Immediately, I felt a violent surge of spatial fluctuations. I was very familiar with this feeling—it was the hallmark of teleportation!
In the next moment, I appeared in an unfamiliar place. I subconsciously scanned the environment. It was a large hall with a very prominent, massive statue in the center. The statue gave me a very familiar feeling.
This was... a Teleportation Landmark!
Had Teacher Ji Niang just unlocked a new map for me?
However, Ji Niang didn't move. She stayed right there, as if waiting for something.
"Xiao Han, you have a teleportation spell, right?"
"Yes. Do you know about the Academy's teleportation landmarks?"
"Uh... yes. This is one," I said, pointing to the statue in the center.
"It seems you know quite a bit. First, resonate with this teleportation landmark and memorize its coordinates. Next time, you can come here directly on your own."
"Wait, do I have to use teleportation to get here?" I asked tentatively.
"This place isn't connected to the outside. Besides, this is just a transit space leading to that hidden laboratory and research room. I still need to get you entry and exit permissions in a moment."
I nodded obediently, walked up to the statue, and began to resonate with it to feel the spatial anchor.
"Okay, done." I nodded to Ji Niang. Without wasting words, she led me toward the front desk.
Sitting there was a witch who looked slightly listless, as if she were dazed from a long period of having nothing to do. It wasn't until her gaze drifted toward us that a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
"Eh? Is that Xiao Han? How did you get here?"
"Uh... hello, Mentor," I replied, feeling slightly awkward but remaining polite.
I was polite because I was getting used to it, and awkward because I didn't recognize this Transcendent Witch at all...
Is it really at the point where every Transcendent Witch I meet can call out my name?
"Aww~ 'Mentor' sounds so formal, doesn't it?" She glanced at Ji Niang, but then disinterestedly turned her attention back to me. "Call me Sister~ and tell me, what are you doing here?"
"Hello, Witch Sister."
"Hehehe~" After being called "Sister," the Transcendent Witch let out a silly giggle, making Ji Niang frown.
"Help me register and authorize access for Xiao Han."
"So you're the one who brought Xiao Han here? Heh, looks like some witch is in for a treat. Take good care of Xiao Han; don't let her get kidnapped by other witches."
