Chapter 661: The Extremely High Learning Threshold of Totemology
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 661: The Extremely High Learning Threshold of Totemology
"Xiao Han, how did you... think of studying Totemology? Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to stop you from learning anything; I'm just amazed that you have the courage to study it right now."
"Maybe... the ignorant are fearless... I exchanged insights on the Incubation Rebirth Spell with several Witch Sisters for equivalent knowledge. I originally wanted Runology, but I noticed Totemology and asked them to throw it in as a bonus," I explained, looking at Dean Mei.
"The ignorant are fearless... what an enviable state. I've dabbled in Totemology myself, but back then, I didn't have a mindset like yours." Hearing my explanation, Mei Lind seemed to recall her younger self. "However... in that case, I shouldn't give you my research materials."
"Eh? Why?"
I looked at Sister Mei with a hint of surprise. This sudden turn was truly unexpected; I had thought that with the way the conversation was going, Sister Mei was about to agree.
"Because Totemology isn't learned in a normal way. Currently, the academy's teaching methods—including most self-study methods—are more like imitation than actual learning. While imitation is an important part of learning, the imitation method for Totemology is a complete dead end. Its logic is the exact opposite of learning Runology," Dean Mei told me seriously, sharing her insights.
"The exact opposite logic..." Hearing this, I seemed to have a faint, flickering inspiration, but I couldn't quite crystallize it into a concrete thought. "I've had similar thoughts. I found that no matter how much I study a finished totem, it seems useless. So... it can't be learned through the process of memorizing, learning, and mastering like Runology. Is that what you mean?"
"I don't know, but at least it's a far cry from the methods destined for failure." Dean Mei shook her head. "That's why I won't give you my research materials. It's not that I'm unwilling to share my results, but rather that the logic is wrong. If you follow my lead, the best result would be you learning only what I teach you. Without mastering the method of learning itself, you would forever be dependent on others. It would be a relationship like that of a pharmacist to a Medicine Stone Alchemist."
"If it's just that kind of relationship, wouldn't it be fine? By analogy, in Runology, before mastering a large number of runes, one cannot master the art of composite runes, and likewise cannot study independently." I rarely raised a counter-argument, though it was mostly out of curiosity rather than a genuine desire to walk a path of dependency.
"The difference lies right there. There's nothing wrong with your thinking, but analogies are meant to help you understand a problem, not to solve it. Runes can be perceived through general means, but totems cannot. This is the fundamental reason why the same learning method works for one but is impossible for the other."
"So... you mean the threshold for learning Totemology is simply too high?"
"Yes." Dean Mei nodded, confirming my statement. "Learning general knowledge is actually quite convenient. For runes, you can start directly by studying finished runes. For spells, you can understand the principles by studying the prototype spell. But for totems, the finished prototype is meaningless."
"It is a product without a source, an information gap. Neither the perception of Real Time nor your Spirit Vision—not even Floating World Level Spirit Vision—will help you find a shortcut. It's more troublesome than [Transcendent Knowledge] that lacks source or revelation."
"At the very least, if you have a deep accumulation of knowledge, you can slowly research [Transcendent Knowledge]. Perhaps after a thousand years, you might understand what that knowledge represents. But with totems, there is only the helplessness of having nowhere to start—a chasm that even accumulation cannot cross."
After saying this, Sister Mei paused for a moment to steady her emotions. She was a Transcendent Witch with considerable seniority.
Yet, facing a chasm she herself could not cross, she unconsciously let a hint of pressure slip into her words, weighing down on her listener.
"Let's not talk about that anymore~ Sorry, I made it sound too heavy. Actually, Totemology depends heavily on talent and comprehension. Xiao Han, don't put too much pressure on yourself. In my eyes, your talent and comprehension are top-tier. Since you've developed an interest in Totemology, that alone qualifies you to study it boldly," Mei Lind encouraged.
However, she also understood that whether she described the difficulties to make Xiao Han recognize the obstacles or simply offered blind encouragement, she might end up placing undue pressure on her. Neither seemed like a perfect choice.
She should have suppressed her curiosity and desire to lecture from the start. When Xiao Han asked the question, she should have taught with a calm mind. That way, she wouldn't dampen Xiao Han's enthusiasm, nor would she leave her with a sense of guilt for failing to meet expectations after being encouraged.
"So... Sister Mei, how should I learn it?" I finally asked the question.
Since studying research materials was useless and summarized experience couldn't fuel the learning process, there had to be some method of learning, right?
If Totemology could be categorized as a field of study, it must have a learning method. But that method was equivalent to a threshold; not everyone was qualified to learn it.
I already had some guesses.
Earlier, when I was thinking about how to learn, I had two ideas: one was knowing how to "trace the source," and the other was understanding how a totem is born.
They corresponded to the method of trial and the path of the method.
"Totemology has no systematic learning method. Most scholars who walk the path of Totemology do so unintentionally, or because they encountered a totem by chance and then worked backward to study it." Sister Mei tried her best to explain this absurd reality clearly.
"Because a chance encounter or an unintentional thought happened to align with the totem, that breakthrough became the threshold for learning. Furthermore, everyone's learning method is different, and those methods cannot be replicated."
"Uh... the threshold is that high?" Hearing this requirement, I was stunned. Weren't those "coincidences" exactly what my "source tracing" method was?
Was source tracing really just a concept, devoid of technique or method, relying entirely on luck?
"Yes. So... Xiao Han, do you still plan to study it?"
"Mhm, of course. Even if there's no set method, I'll tinker with it on my own during my free time."
"Alright..." Sister Mei seemed satisfied with my answer. "In that case, I'll give you an opportunity."
Before I could react, Sister Mei began to explain further.
"There are countless Secret Realms within the Witch Academy. Many are gifts left behind by graduated witches, but even more are experimental grounds opened by us mentors. The Fool's Village Secret Realm is one such place."
"Since you want to study Totemology, I happen to have a Secret Realm that can help you."
"Really!" Hearing Sister Mei's sudden change of heart, I could hardly believe it!
"Note that it can only inspire you in various ways; it cannot directly provide knowledge for you to learn. You might gain nothing from this trip, or you might be inspired but ultimately achieve nothing... but I don't think you'll refuse, right?"
"Right! I won't refuse! Which Secret Realm is it? Should I go now?" I hurriedly followed Sister Mei's lead, asking eagerly.
"No rush." Seeing my impatience, Sister Mei immediately calmed me down and explained, "That place is essentially a discarded totem research site of mine. Going there directly won't help. I need time to set it up—to arrange it in a way that I understand. So you must realize that because it's arranged according to my philosophy, you must maintain your own independent thinking."
"I understand! I'm troubling Sister Mei again..." I said quickly. "So... how long will I have to wait?"
"Can't wait already? The place needs to be tidied up, and setting it up will take some effort. How about after the holidays? After all, I'm quite busy right now. I might look idle to you, but that's only because this Clone of mine is idle," Sister Mei said with a smile.
"Oh, right..." Only then did I realize that the one I had been talking to all this time was Sister Mei's Clone.
"However, I do have some materials here that you can use for reference."
"Eh? Didn't you say I shouldn't use them for reference?" I asked hesitantly, feeling like Sister Mei was leading me in circles.
"I said those research materials weren't for you because I didn't want you to waste your time. Getting obsessed with temporary perceptions won't do you any good. But that doesn't mean I can't show you any data. At least some basic, objective knowledge and introductions that won't mislead you can help you gain a higher understanding of totems."
"Oh, I see." I nodded quickly in understanding.
After finishing the discussion regarding Totemology, Sister Mei shared that knowledge with me using the Great Knowledge Sharing Spell.
However, now was not the time to study it.
For a while afterward, Sister Mei chatted with me about the Omni-Link Main Network Tree and the Knowledge Seeds.
It wasn't a highly technical discussion, but rather a conversation to tell me just how important the things I was doing actually were.
For instance, the model of the Omni-Link Main Network Tree and the plant root network system—these technologies weren't actually hard to implement. There were even equivalent Transcendent networks. Such technologies existed in many Void worlds that had developed to a modern level and touched upon Transcendent power.
If you plucked a world from the Void at random, you could almost always find some kind of Transcendent network.
But why was my Omni-Link Main Network Tree being given so much importance?
Because the Omni-Link Main Network Tree had two fundamental pillars.
The first was its extreme compatibility. It could be made compatible with almost all current Transcendent networks. This powerful compatibility was built upon its botanical traits, allowing it to span multiple types of Transcendent energy and Ley Lines.
Transcendent networks are currently divided into two main types. One is composed of Transcendent energies, including common energies like elements, mana, witch power, and the power of nature. Anyone who has mastered Transcendent power has the means to adapt to an energy network.
The other is the more advanced Ley Line network. Because of its unique nature, Ley Line energy is categorized separately, which shows its special status; it is more suited to the world itself.
The compatibility of the Omni-Link Main Network Tree bridged both at once. It was a Transcendent creation that could also interface with Ley Lines.
While it wasn't a perfect universal fit, it could be made compatible and adapted. That was the most important part; as long as there was a foundation, compatibility issues could be solved.
The second pillar was that it was a technical creation under my Tree of Great Knowledge Great Spellbook System, making it perfectly compatible with the Great Knowledge Sharing Spell—a natural, symbiotic advantage.
What was the Great Knowledge Sharing Spell?
It was a terrifying technique tested in extreme Void environments, the foundation for achieving interconnection across worlds within the Void.
With these two pillars alone, it was worth it for so many witches in the Expansion Realm to build a massive laboratory specifically around a single Omni-Link Main Network Tree.
As for its other advantages, like being easy to spread and simple to repair, those had already become secondary.
Regarding this, I also proposed some of my own ideas. For example, the Primal Dream login technique possessed by the Witch race could also achieve communication while ignoring Void boundaries, but that was limited to Transcendent Witches and wasn't applicable to an entire world.
Even if one wanted to allow non-Transcendent Witches to use the Primal Dream, specialized equipment and corresponding permissions were required. Just knowing that the equipment in the Witch Academy wasn't enough for every student to have their own unit was enough to tell you how poor its accessibility was.
One must understand that while Witches have footprints all over the Void, they don't populate it world by world. Many worlds that don't reject the Witch race need a way to establish Void contact after touching the Void outside their world. Many Witches don't mind lending a hand if they have the capability.
As for how the current Void environment handled communication between worlds, there were many ways—such as relying on specific individuals to cross the Void to deliver messages.
If several worlds were close to each other on a Void level, they might initiate a massive Void interconnection project, provided those worlds trusted each other.
Another way was to master the skills to establish massive cross-world teleportation channels, which required constant measurement of Void coordinates to prevent tragedies caused by positional drift.
But no matter the method, a foundation was required: either a massive number of Transcendent experts or techniques refined to the absolute extreme.
Therefore, small worlds were almost never qualified to conduct Void communication.
Small worlds were the most numerous in the Void, yet they couldn't send out a single shred of information or data to the Void beyond their borders.
Thus, without powerful Void detection capabilities, one could only conduct Void exploration. Only when someone explored right to the doorstep of such a world would they be discovered; otherwise, no one would even know a small world existed there.
So, the Omni-Link Main Network Tree combined with the Great Knowledge Sharing Spell could interconnect all the worlds discovered by the Witch race through this technology.
Although there were still many issues, such as promotion and civilization gaps, from a broad perspective, this was definitely beneficial.
Even if there were no benefits, there were plenty of Witches in the Witch race who, having nothing better to do, loved to find things to occupy themselves—not for any grand reason, but simply for "amusement."
For example, they could network two worlds with opposing developmental paths, clashing cultures, and different philosophies, then watch the two worlds flame each other whenever they were bored.
And because the two worlds couldn't physically touch and could only interact virtually, if a game platform were built, a virtual network world war might break out every single year.
How much fun would that be?
Don't doubt it—if Witches mastered this capability, Transcendent Witches would truly be capable of doing such a thing.
They would even have an easy excuse: promoting cultural exchange between different worlds.