Chapter 645: Sequence Derivation and Defiant Flashes of Inspiration
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 645: Sequence Derivation and Defiant Flashes of Inspiration
The week flew by.
It felt as though time had accelerated; in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
Sofiri, the first person I had sought out, was currently still immersed in her research of this world’s peculiar flora.
She had even taken the liberty of setting aside a plot in her own plantation for additional breeding and collection. Because we were on good terms, she had gathered over a dozen friends who shared her research interests to join the project.
Under my introduction, she had likely become quite well-acquainted with Ninglan Qiuyue. I heard that Ninglan New City had specifically zoned a piece of land outside the city for their cultivation efforts and had even introduced them to several recruited professionals.
Apparently, these professionals were former researchers in plant technology who had extensive experience with such matters. As for whether they would be helpful… well, they were certainly better than nothing.
As for Yi Rui’s side… how should I put it?
Before truly communicating with them, I hadn't realized just how advanced their thinking was. Relying on their long-term accumulation of knowledge and extensive practice in runology, they had reached a level that genuinely shocked me.
To put it simply: when I showcased the spellbooks I mastered and their derived spells, discussing my insights as if counting my family treasures, they had already achieved most of the derivations I had.
That was the most direct manifestation of their skill.
However, the underlying logic was different. They possessed a systematic "derivation sequence" for a spell, whereas I simply followed whatever whim struck me.
I didn't necessarily think one was superior to the other. They firmly believed that spell derivation sequences were the "royal road" of formal magical development, while I believed that spells were tools to be used—if I needed a spell to do something, it simply had to become that thing.
Because of this difference in philosophy, we had a bit of a contest.
It’s worth mentioning that once they understood a spell, they would use its spell framework and rune rituals to unfold a derivation sequence. By following these sequences step-by-step, they could complete the derivation of a spell with mechanical precision.
It was a matter of efficiency—and an incredibly high one at that.
This demonstrated their highly standardized process for spell research, whereas I seemed like… a self-taught maverick with an unorthodox background.
I didn't see this as a point of contention between us; on the contrary, it was a perfect way to complement each other. After recognizing my own shortcomings, I realized I needed a highly efficient, standardized spell sequence of my own.
As for what constitutes a "standard sequence" for spell derivation, it’s hard to summarize briefly. But take the Fireball Spellbook as an example: the Fireball Spell is a prototype spell, as well as a basic spell with a mana cost of one.
Sequence derivation is a deduction carried out by expanding upon a single concept.
For instance, the "Quantity Sequence" would lead to the Double Fireball Spell, launching two fireballs at once, followed by three, four, five… until reaching a theoretical infinity.
Then there is "Fusion," where the Fireball Spell merges with other powers. For example, combining it with the Ice element under the guidance of alchemical elemental clash theory results in the Ice-Fire Clash Fireball Spell, rather than a "Cold Fireball Spell." A Cold Fireball Spell would be a separate derivation entirely.
It should be noted that combining the Fireball Spell with other elements or non-elemental energies—such as toxic miasma, corrosion, or curses—is collectively referred to as a "Fusion Fireball Spell." One could subdivide the names further, but it isn't strictly necessary.
True progression in the Fusion Sequence refers to the number of different energy types fused within the Fireball Spell, as well as the clashing explosions between those energies and the efficiency of energy utilization. These factors serve as the grade markers for the sequence.
One could say that every stage of these derivations has a very clear classification, which makes them easier to learn and understand.
There are many such sequence classifications; some apply to prototype spells, while others do not. Some sequence derivations have no upper limit, while others are capped. Some sequences even contain only a single derived spell form.
The most famous sequence with only one derivation is the… Domain Sequence.
It doesn't have much practical use on its own; its purpose is to help research the true "domain-ification" of a spell, providing a reference and a means for trial and error.
Of course, there are many other sequences, such as "Mana Conversion Rate," which leads to the Super Fireball Spell, Explosive Flame Spell, and even the Pseudo-Sun.
Then there is the derivation of "Spell Forms," which is also a very mainstream sequence. Using Fireball Spell as the example again, this includes the Fire Snake, Fire Dragon Spell, Fire Wall, Flame Trap, and so on.
Each type of spell corresponds to different derivation sequences. For instance, the sequences for Evocative Magic and Summoning Spells are different. While it’s not impossible for them to overlap, doing so is usually a thankless task.
Thus, for Yi Rui and the others, having mastered sequence derivation made developing spells incredibly convenient.
While they didn't necessarily master a spell the moment they touched it, they had a clear direction for trial and error. If the direction was right and their personal ability was sufficient, success was guaranteed.
This was what I envied about them. I hadn't received such professional training; most of the time, I was fumbling in the dark on my own. I had barely even attended a few classes at the Witch Academy…
This realization thoroughly humbled me. Setting aside the Great Spellbook, if I were to join their ranks right now, I might not actually be much stronger than them.
However, they envied me as well—specifically, my unconstrained, imaginative thinking that lacked the shackles of a framework.
In their eyes, the gap between my "thinking" and "doing" seemed non-existent, as if there were no boundaries at all. It was a talent that couldn't be taught.
I have to say, spending these days with them was quite pleasant. Their genuine passion earned my respect.
And… it prompted me to proactively offer them the Great Knowledge Seeds.
When I gave them the seeds, I felt a sense of "a legendary blade for a hero."
It was hard to imagine how powerful they would become when their skills were paired with "photographic memory" and the convenience of the Identification Art.
I was never afraid of others surpassing me. If one hinders others out of fear of being overtaken, they are simultaneously hindering themselves. I didn't want to become someone who was stuck in their ways.
Besides, we aren't even Transcendent yet. Is it really that fun to linger at this level? I didn't think so.
"Sister Xiao Han, someone is outside looking for you. It's Millian," a club member said as she returned from outside.
Actually, the spell research club formed by Yi Rui and the others had some impression of this Millian.
When they first met, the members of the Jack-of-all-trades Club who claimed to be Sister Xiao Han’s followers had almost been kicked out. Yi Rui’s group didn't want any involvement with other clubs.
However, Millian had persisted and even helped them collect rare materials currently appearing in Ninglan New City.
They could clearly see that she wasn't one of them. If it weren't for her connection to Xiao Han, they wouldn't have even welcomed her presence. But now that they were collaborating, they had gained some understanding of Millian.
"It looks like you're going to be busy, Sister Xiao Han. Should I let her in?"
"Yeah. Time really does fly. I think I said I’d be busy for a week, so some of those clubs are probably getting impatient," I said with a shrug.
"You should let them wait a few more days. Their heads are filled with nothing but those Transcendent materials."
"No, what they value is profit. There’s nothing wrong with the Transcendent materials themselves, because we need those things too."
"Fair point."
Under the gaze of the group, Millian walked up to me. She was under no small amount of pressure; after all, there were several Teaching Assistants present, and the Mentors of the other senior sisters were not people to be trifled with.
For students like them, Mentors usually took a hands-off approach—essentially just providing a name—but for students with genuine strength, the relationship between them and their Mentors was no less significant than that of a Teaching Assistant.
"Sister Xiao Han… regarding these contracts…"
"Are they in a hurry now?" I asked casually.
"I didn't want to come to you right at the deadline, but they…" Millian phrased it delicately. If the other party hadn't been pushing her, she wouldn't have come so urgently. She then handed over a storage card. "These were all sent by them."
"Leave the contracts. You keep the card; I don't want it," I said.
"Yes." Millian nodded without further chatter.
She didn't ask what would happen next. Once the contracts regarding the Dream Overlap were finished, the relationship should technically end, and any future needs would just be from scattered individuals.
But was it really over?
Not at all. She had already boarded this departing ship. As long as there was a need for Teaching Assistant Xiao Han in the Expansion Realm, this relationship wouldn't break. That was the public side of it. Privately, as long as she didn't disappoint Sister Xiao Han, she could continue to rise.
She wouldn't truly relegate herself to the role of a minor character who merely drafted contracts. This relationship was a pathway—a choice she made to help her achieve her goals.
And she needed enough time to develop, didn't she?
Meanwhile, back at the Witch Academy.
Recently, the Xiao Han Fan Club had become active again. This was both spontaneous and intentional, designed to draw attention.
After all, a fan club was a loose organization. With Tan Han’s precedent, many people had a deep impression of how such groups functioned—the fame overshadowing the master, eventually resulting in a backlash that left the original person battered and bruised.
I heard that Tan Han still hasn't fully recovered all her spellbooks, which shows how fragile such groups are in the face of self-interest.
This was exactly the facade Millian wanted to show people. Feigning weakness to the enemy—that was the strategy. Then, she would quietly pull off something massive.
This fit Xiao Han’s past style perfectly: make a scene, spark a heated discussion, then go silent and let the Academy Network smear her name, only to finally deliver a massive slap to the face.
Nowadays, few people dared to openly smear Yang Yuehan. Even if a Teaching Assistant wasn't a Transcendent Witch, malicious smearing on the Academy Network could lead to legal consequences. If no one reported it, people could indulge in their own little circles, but once reported, it was handled severely. If someone made a formal issue of it, the offender would "die" an even more miserable social death.
After seeing Millian off, I held a small storage card. The internal space wasn't large, but it was filled with contracts. If Millian had carried them all by hand, she probably wouldn't have been able to see the road.
"Xiao Han, are you going to deal with those dreams now?"
"The contracts haven't even been signed yet. What’s the rush?" I took out the contracts. After a quick inspection, I found they followed a fixed template, so it wouldn't take much time even without using Ley Line Identification.
"If you're busy…"
"Why worry on behalf of those guys? No rush~" I said dismissively, returning to my seat. "Let’s finish this first. They don't have the right to interrupt my inspiration."
"True."
Seeing that I didn't care, they stopped mentioning it and gathered around me instead.
Judging by the spell ritual unfolding here, it was undoubtedly a Fireball Spellbook, but this spellbook was undergoing a derivation that even they couldn't understand.
However, they didn't rush to ask questions. Instead, they used their own knowledge to curiously attempt their own deductions on the side. It was like an invisible competition to see whether my inspiration was superior or their professional deduction was faster.
Before long, I was finished. I opened the spellbook, leaving the internal spell structure and rune rituals completely exposed.
"I'm done. Can anyone tell what this is?" I had naturally won this invisible contest.
"Hmm… a very strange spell structure… the only thing I can be sure of is that it’s not any sequence derivation I recognize," someone remarked, though it was an answer everyone could see for themselves.
I didn't waste words, condensing the spell structure back into a formal spellbook.
I had been discussing things with them for days, mainly learning about the sequence derivation method from them, but I hadn't expected time to pass so quickly. Since I had other things to do, I wanted to use this final opportunity to give them a "fruitful" demonstration.
"Rather than making baseless guesses, it’s more direct to just try it," I said with a smile, tossing the spellbook to Yi Rui, who was closest to me.
"Alright."
Yi Rui caught the spellbook steadily. As a Teaching Assistant who was intimately familiar with these basic spellbooks, she mastered the casting technique in an instant.
With a poof, accompanied by the familiar light and heat of a Fireball Spell, a massive fireball was generated.
But this fireball looked incredibly eerie. The originally formless flames appeared to have a distinct texture. As the flames flickered, the sound of countless crystals shattering and cracking rang out.
Upon closer inspection, one realized that this Fireball Spell was actually a crystal!
Yet, this crystal exhibited a fluid grace just like fire! Every flick of the flame-tail was the result of countless crystals shattering; condensation and dissipation seemed to be the only rhythm governing this fireball.
"This… this is fire?"
"This is crystal fire. The flames of a standard Fireball Spell are material flames produced by Transcendent elements affecting material space. But you should be familiar with elemental crystal blocks, right? Energy can crystallize. This crystal-like substance is actually a semi-crystalline state on the Transcendent energy level. It exists in a state of stable energy output through high-speed fracturing. This is a Fireball Spell I shaped by simulating the fastest way energy crystals release energy when they shatter. The inspiration came from a spell I mastered and… those energy crystal mines outside in the Expansion Realm."
As I explained, I ran my hand through the center of the Crystal Fireball Spell. The seemingly hard crystal shattered instantly upon contact with my hand, only to reform immediately. Such shattering and condensing occurred countless times every second.
With my explanation, they quickly caught on. If I hadn't explained, they would still be stuck wondering how I had created a crystal with such strange properties.
"As you saw earlier, I really do have things to attend to for a while. I’ll leave this Crystal Fireball Spellbook for you to study. I’ve benefited greatly from hearing about your sequence derivation methods, and I hope this unconventional approach can provide you with some new inspiration."
"You're giving it to us? You don't want this Fireball Spellbook anymore? We only need to record the data…"
"I don't need it. One Fireball Spellbook is enough for me," I said, interrupting Yi Rui.
I knew what Yi Rui meant. Although the Fireball Spellbook was common, for those who researched spells, it was the most special benchmark prototype spellbook. Its practical research value was far higher than its utility in combat. Some people even developed "feelings" for a Fireball Spellbook that had accompanied them through long-term experiments.
But I had another Fireball Spellbook. Keeping the unique one Sister Bai gave me was enough for me.
"Thank you. We’ll accept this spellbook. Anyway, come visit when you’re free," Yi Rui said, carefully putting the spellbook away and expressing her gratitude.
After all, until they thoroughly researched and replicated it, this was the only derived Crystal Fireball Spellbook in the entire Witch Academy!
Its value for collection and research alone was immeasurable!