Chapter 411: The Vast Application Prospects of [Transcendent Knowledge]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 411: The Vast Application Prospects of [Transcendent Knowledge]
After carefully recounting my recent experiences to the Academy Dean, she fell into a deep silence, lost in thought.
However, I didn't share my suspicion that Qiu Ruxin’s Transcendent item might actually be [Transcendent Knowledge]. I simply spoke about the relationship between that item and Luck. Based solely on my conjectures and descriptions, the Academy Dean wouldn't be able to offer much constructive advice anyway; after all, it was all based on my subjective perception.
Instead, I placed more emphasis on the existence of those Secret Diggers.
The Academy Dean had told me before that Abyssal Demons certainly wouldn't hand out benefits for no reason. This small world was most likely a trap, and that trap very likely involved these Secret Diggers.
Hadn't I seen it myself? The Secret Diggers had already suppressed the demons in that small world to the point where they couldn't cause any devastating damage.
The Academy Dean suggested that the high-level Abyssal Demons might be more wary of the Secret Diggers' form of existence.
"Driving the people of their world to invade this world in the form of a game? Truly an interesting concept."
"Academy Dean, can you achieve such a method?" I asked tentatively. After all, this was clearly tech-side technology, yet I had sensed Transcendent information within it. Therefore, the civilization behind it was very likely a terrifying entity where Transcendence and technology developed in tandem.
"Hmm... how should I put it? Strength is strength, and arts are arts. The threshold of an art cannot be intuitively measured by level. The way these Secret Diggers descend is clearly achieved through a series of arts developed via a specific system. To be blunt, we cannot replicate their specific arts; it’s a matter unrelated to raw strength itself."
"You can't do it?!" I was shocked to hear the Academy Dean say this.
"Are you surprised? Actually, if it were just about achieving a similar effect, the Witch Academy has plenty of Scholar Witches who could facilitate a large-scale consciousness descent. But these Secret Diggers are clearly doing it through a different method."
"A different method?" I looked at the Academy Dean in confusion.
"It’s true that we could do something similar, but for us, such an action would be a thankless task with little reward. You must understand that most things don't develop in a way that is high-effort and low-reward. Therefore, the fact that this world—or rather, this civilization—has formed a social structure based on a 'game for all' is very likely the result of a compromise. And what could force them into such a compromise? It would be the fact that the arts they've mastered can only maximize their potential through this specific method."
"So that's how it is?" I nodded, though I was still somewhat puzzled.
"Confused? Let’s make a hypothesis. What if the thing guiding their development was a fragment of [Transcendent Knowledge], and they used technological means to parse that [Transcendent Knowledge], eventually resulting in this method? What do you think?"
"[Transcendent Knowledge]?!" I was initially stunned by the Academy Dean's bold hypothesis, but then it gradually began to seem incredibly reasonable. As expected... could [Transcendent Knowledge] really explain everything?
"Yes. I remember telling you that [Transcendent Knowledge] isn't just used for creating Great Spellbooks. Witches choose that path because the Real Editing Technology we master can maximize the utility of that [Transcendent Knowledge]. Other worlds and other races can similarly use their unique arts to utilize such an existence—including technology, which can also parse it. However, the prerequisite for technology to touch [Transcendent Knowledge] is a tech system that has reached the Transcendent level."
"I know, I understand that," I nodded. Even if the Academy Dean hadn't explained it this way, I would have roughly understood.
That unknown civilization had accidentally obtained a fragment of [Transcendent Knowledge], and that knowledge had shaped the civilization's development system. All of this was mundane to that civilization, but to us, it seemed utterly bizarre.
If viewed in a way we could understand—taking that world’s entire civilization as a whole, with its developmental theories as guidance and its various technological achievements as derived arts—then wouldn't that entire civilization be equivalent to a Great Spellbook?
The operation of the entire civilization would be equivalent to a single activation of a Great Spellbook... From this perspective... the Real Editing Technology mastered by Transcendent Witches... isn't it incredibly powerful?
And creating a Great Spellbook—wouldn't that be equivalent to the collision of thoughts from as many people as an entire civilization to construct such a perfect Great Spellbook?
No, perhaps a Great Spellbook isn't perfect enough; it might not compare to the long-term developmental results of a civilization. However, a Great Spellbook, like any spellbook, has a derivation sequence, so it can continuously develop just like those civilizations.
At this moment, I suddenly gained a deeper understanding of the Great Spellbook, and a clear sense of its weight. Its value was truly worth the struggle of Transcendent-level experts!
"You seem to have realized something?" Seeing my reaction, the Academy Dean deliberately waited for me to snap out of my daze before asking with a smile.
"Yes..." I snapped back to reality and quickly looked at the Academy Dean.
"Would you mind telling me what you thought of? Your mind seems very active. To be honest, we Witches who have lived for a long time really envy the way your thoughts flow."
"Eh? As strength increases—I mean, as the life level becomes more powerful—shouldn't mental activity and such become even more..."
"But so what? That doesn't stop us from envying your unconstrained imagination. If what you've thought of is inconvenient to say, you don't have to."
"It’s nothing much, really... I was just wondering if a Great Spellbook developed to its limit and a civilization developed to its limit using [Transcendent Knowledge] are at roughly the same level? And would a civilization developed on the foundation of a [Great Spellbook] be equivalent to another form of a Great Spellbook?"
"A wonderful metaphor. Regardless of the form, the essence is an application of [Transcendent Knowledge]. Transcendence is highly inclusive; whatever method you use to explore the path of Transcendence, Transcendence will reward you in kind." A flash of surprise crossed the Academy Dean's eyes upon hearing my question; she even paused for a moment before explaining many things to me.
Although she didn't give me a definitive answer, she had already laid the answer out before me.
All paths lead to the same destination.
But being told this... I suddenly thought of the small world where Qiu Ruxin was, with its unique plant technology and ley energy application arts... This was also distinct from the development of a typical technological civilization. What if... all of this was also the work of [Transcendent Knowledge]?
Once this idea took hold, countless pieces of evidence in my mind began to frantically prove that my thought was correct!
The World Will using Luck to interfere with and shape Transcendent items...
A Transcendent item that might be formed from [Transcendent Knowledge]...
The fact that the Child of Destiny, Qiu Ruxin, bore the side effects of the Transcendent item without enjoying its benefits...
And the name of that Transcendent item passed down somehow, "Tears of the Mad Plant," along with the plant technology...
Thinking of this, I subconsciously swallowed...
"It seems you've thought of something else, haven't you? But I won't ask this time. I'll leave you with your little secrets." Seeing me fall into thought again and then look shocked, the Academy Dean didn't press further. As an Academy Dean, she wouldn't go so far as to compete with a student.
"Mm..." I nodded. This kind of understanding teacher was the best.
I also breathed a slight sigh of relief. If the Academy Dean really insisted on asking, it would have been difficult for me to lie.
Moreover... there was a tiny bit of selfishness involved. It wasn't that I was greedy for that [Transcendent Knowledge]—after all, if I really wanted it, I wouldn't have had to return it when Qiu Ruxin gave it to me. Even if that Transcendent item was tied to Luck, would that really stop me? It was impossible.
I simply wanted the thing that belonged to Qiu Ruxin to remain hers. But I still didn't know the Academy's stance or how they would handle such a situation—whether they would just seize it by force.
But... thinking of this, I suddenly realized I had overlooked a very important matter. That small world would eventually merge with the Main World, and Qiu Ruxin would come to the Main World as well. This wasn't something I could change through wishful thinking; it was only a matter of time.
At this moment, I seemed to have a realization. Rather than hiding this secret by myself for a while, it would be better to rely on the Academy Dean's wisdom from the start.
Hesitating and being unable to make a decision made me feel miserable. But when I realized that this matter, at its core, was about who was important to me—that was the key.
Was it the Academy Dean, who valued me, and though she occasionally teased me, was generally very good to me? Or was it the unlucky girl I had known for only a few days because of "fate"?
The Academy Dean, of course.
Besides... from Qiu Ruxin's perspective, helping her escape her misfortune was exactly what she hoped for, wasn't it?
This wasn't betrayal. Betrayal was only from my perspective. I didn't need to impose my own views on others like that. That was all.
"I can tell you. Do you want to hear it, Academy Dean?" Having made my decision, I suddenly looked up at her.
"Oh? If you're willing to speak, I'm naturally willing to listen." Mei Lind looked at my expression, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes before being masked. Her tone carried a hint of anticipation, as she was curious about what could have required such resolve for Xiao Han to speak.
"Actually... I have a guess. I said before that the technological development of that world was a bit strange—plant technology, an information age based on the Plant Network... So, could the technological development of this world also be influenced by [Transcendent Knowledge]? And the civilization invading that world, calling themselves Secret Diggers—could the 'secrets' they are digging for be this [Transcendent Knowledge]?"
"Oh? You actually thought of that?" A flash of brilliance appeared in the Academy Dean's eyes, as if she were impressed that I could think to that level.
"You already guessed it, Academy Dean?" I was also surprised.
"I only had a inkling of the idea. When you mentioned plant technology, the thought occurred to me."
"Then... Academy Dean, what is the Academy's attitude toward this [Transcendent Knowledge]?"
"Naturally, we are determined to obtain it," the Academy Dean said with a smile. "Looking at you, do you have some specific conjectures?"
"Yes..." Hearing her answer, I felt a slight sense of disappointment. As expected, given the preciousness of [Transcendent Knowledge], who would be willing to let such a prize slip away?
"Speak. Look at you—[Transcendent Knowledge] is naturally obtained by those destined for it. The Academy is determined to get it, but there's no rule saying exactly who takes it. Aren't you a part of the Academy?"
"Eh? Me? Wait, no, I mean, I was thinking that the item belongs to Qiu Ruxin. I was wondering if it could remain with her. Not me—if I wanted it, Qiu Ruxin wouldn't be able to keep it anyway..."
"Haha... there's no need to explain. It’s all the same, isn't it? You don't need to explain something that can't be clearly explained anyway. Whether it's you or that girl named Qiu Ruxin—if you want the thing that belongs to her to remain hers, then wouldn't it be fine if she simply belonged to the Witch Academy?"
"Eh?!" I stared at her, wide-eyed with disbelief.
"What are you 'eh-ing' for? Is the Witch Academy such a terrible place in your eyes? As long as you have the ability to get it, it’s yours. Witches are reasonable in principle. However, I should remind you—in about a month, you might encounter other Transcendent Witches and several other Academy Deans in that world. If you want to do something, you'd better hurry." At this point, the Academy Dean set down her black tea and walked over to my side.
"..."
I fell silent. Just as the Academy Dean said, I didn't need to explain anything now. If there was something I wanted to do, I should just do it.
Now... I felt like I wanted to go back to that small world again, because I was starting to get interested in that Transcendent Knowledge.
But it wasn't an interest born of a desire for possession; rather, I was interested in the fact that it could lead a world to develop plant technology. I could even reasonably suspect that the price Qiu Ruxin paid had the benefit of subtly pushing the world to develop such a system.
Add to that Lanas Island, where Qiu Ruxin lived—this small country was also the birthplace of that world's plant technology and Plant Network. If all of this was credited to the power of that Transcendent item...
This reasonable guess didn't seem wrong; at least it was a possibility worth exploring.
Since a Transcendent item formed from [Transcendent Knowledge] could prompt a civilization to develop such a technological system, what kind of promotional effect would it have on spells?
I was truly curious!
Perhaps... after I went back, I could start by learning the basic theories of their plant technology. Maybe there was some kind of "revelation" contained within it from the [Transcendent Knowledge]?
Just like the Great Wisdom Enlightenment Art.
Although Teacher Ji Niang's research on [Transcendent Knowledge] had given me a clearer understanding of how difficult it was to develop, my goal wasn't to completely parse it. I wanted to see if I could derive any arts or spells from it—just like this Reverse Summoning Spell. Even if it was niche, you couldn't say it was useless.
"Xiao Han, let’s set aside the small world and [Transcendent Knowledge] for a moment. I see you've taken in a lot of information recently; you must be a bit overwhelmed, right? Go back and digest it properly. And while you're at it... think about what else you can do during this gap before you head back."
"What else I can do..." With the Academy Dean's reminder, my thoughts suddenly cleared up!
I wanted to go back and study whether that [Transcendent Knowledge] could spark something new with spells. To support me in reaching that step, I naturally needed basic knowledge!
Vast amounts of knowledge!
I needed a massive information bank, or rather, a database, to serve as my foundation.
It would allow me to handle any difficulty with ease.
The Memory Bookshelf Spellbook... no, not enough. Just reading wouldn't be fast enough.
Perhaps... the Portable Ley Line System!
I could download and store all that information and data. Even in that world, it could become my most important information-retrieval tool!
"It seems you have a plan. Go on then."
"Yes! Academy Dean, I have things to do, so I won't disturb you further." I nodded and stood up to take my leave, feeling as though I were suddenly filled with drive.
Watching my retreating back, the Academy Dean let out a soft chuckle, a smile lingering on her lips as she began to clear away the dessert plates and cups.