Chapter 889: The Truth Only Visible Above the Floating World?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 889: The Truth Only Visible Above the Floating World?
"Yu Yun... has she fallen asleep again?"
I was about to say something, but at that moment, Yu Yun had once again "drifted off."
I pulled her into my arms. For Yu Yun, this state could last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Even when I used consciousness communication spells to establish a link between us, I couldn't catch a glimpse of what she was "seeing."
It was a peculiar sensation—as if the truth were right there, visible, yet separated by a membrane I simply couldn't pierce.
"What could it be?" I frowned, unable to wrap my head around it.
Whether I used my naked eyes or Ley Line Identification Art, I couldn't reach that level. Even within the Primitive Dream Realm, using my domain order, I couldn't observe a thing. It was precisely because I couldn't detect Yu Yun's consciousness within the Primitive Dream Realm that I hesitated to call this "sleep."
I suspected it was another level entirely... Real Time.
I had spotted a faint clue when observing her with my Spirit Vision, but actual leads remained scarce. Then again, it had been quite a while since I’d relied on my Spirit Vision talent.
Ever since I acquired the Tree of Great Knowledge, the more orderly and efficient Ley Line Identification Art had gradually replaced my Spirit Vision for observations on the level of Real Time. Furthermore, after the Ley Line Identification Art underwent a special derivation—allowing its information-deconstruction capabilities to interface with the data-gathering of Spirit Vision—I used the latter directly even less often.
Spirit Vision had essentially become a "derived accessory" for the Ley Line Identification Art.
Because the Floating World level of Spirit Vision was so high, even I would quickly be overwhelmed if I fully accepted the raw information feedback from the Real Time of that level.
But now, stripped of the framework of the Ley Line Identification Art, my Floating World Level Spirit Vision was telling me that Yu Yun’s consciousness might have ascended to an even higher level of Real Time!
But how was that possible?
The levels of Real Time were categorized as: Foresight, Imaging, Unknowable, Threshold of Madness, Floating World, and Real World.
Spirit Vision represents the visual perception channel of the Five Senses, and there was only one level higher than Floating World!
I looked at Yu Yun with a complicated expression. The other three Fool's Dream girls were also watching with curiosity; in their eyes, Yu Yun just looked like she was napping.
What I found even harder to believe was that while Yu Yun was "slumbering," her soul essence was quietly shifting. It was subtle, but it couldn't escape my observation.
I couldn't understand how it was being done, much like how an ordinary person wouldn't understand how a spell is cast. It was through this "change" that I used Spirit Vision to lock onto the possibility that Yu Yun’s consciousness was immersed deep within Real Time.
"I’ve decided. I’m going to stop suppressing my Floating World Level Spirit Vision and instead embrace it as a part of my cognition." After hesitating for a long time, I finally made my choice.
Using the Main World Ley Line Shackles to interface with Spirit Vision and other such methods were all just desperate compromises. Every time information is parsed and organized, it is distorted; its meaning loses its original fidelity. The Ley Line Identification Art was no exception.
Only Spirit Vision—this most intuitive perception channel that reaches directly into the soul essence of consciousness and cognition—could minimize the distortion of information.
Therefore, adaptation was the best way to master a power.
"Mhm~ Then we'll cheer you on, Sister Xiao Han~" Yulan chirped as soon as she heard me, and the other two Fool's Dream girls followed suit.
They didn't know what this decision entailed; they only knew that once I decided on something, I would see it through until I succeeded!
Of course, I didn't make this choice on a whim. I had been experiencing the torment of Spirit Vision since the day I was born!
Now, as my life level grew, my understanding of many things was also improving. My self-awareness was bolstered by the Tree of Great Knowledge, and my consciousness itself was shared among many clones. The cognitive feedback from those normal clones was the best tool for anchoring a "normal perception."
Even if Spirit Vision hit me with a powerful, continuous shock, I had plenty of clones to serve as "consumables" to share the burden.
Furthermore, I was about to test an experiment.
A technique based on Soul Depiction to rapidly elevate my soul level.
Most students in the academy were essentially soul-essence lifeforms; they could use soul essence and specific techniques to upgrade their life level. However, those methods were useless for my soul essence.
It was a fundamental difference in the nature of our lives.
Thus, I had to find another way to raise my soul level. Naturally, I had consulted Sister Bai about this.
I asked her if there were other ways to elevate one's soul level, since witches become soul lifeforms once they ascend to the Transcendent rank, and they couldn't possibly stay at that level forever.
However... the answer I received was somewhat unexpected.
There were indeed ways to raise one's soul level, but those that were effective were rare and slow, while those that were fast required very specific soul materials. Even the "slow" methods were actually quite effective over a span of decades or centuries.
But... I couldn't afford to wait.
So, I basically ignored those methods. I planned to continue using my own way.
My method would be more compatible with me.
I would use a massive amount of Soul Crystals to sublimate and fill my soul essence through Soul Depiction. I had seen the complete soul of a Transcendent-level being, so I knew exactly how it needed to be filled.
Once my soul level rose, my adaptability to Spirit Vision would also increase. At the very least, my cognition would broaden, and my capacity to withstand the shocks of Spirit Vision would improve.
As a side effect, I wouldn't be far from ascending to Transcendent myself.
Perhaps needing to adapt to Spirit Vision at this stage was exactly the opportunity I needed. One must always endure some hardship on the road of life to compensate for the unease of having things go too smoothly.
* * *
Just as I made this decision, my clone arrived at the ground floor of Dean Mei’s office building. I had sent the Dean a message in advance before heading up to see her.
Inside the Dean's office:
"Mhm~ I’m very grateful that you were willing to come to our Main World Witch Academy."
"It’s nothing. We just heard that this place was loudly recruiting Body Cultivation witches with the Sixth Sense. As you know, Dean, the Body Cultivation power system is... not very common among witches."
"Yes, so we are very hopeful that this academy is one willing to promote the power of Body Cultivation," another witch chimed in.
"Though we’ve just arrived, I’ve looked into the Main World Witch Academy. In past records, this academy hasn't gone out of its way to promote Body Cultivation; even the teaching allocation for it was just standard. Yet, not long ago, you specially recruited a Body Cultivator?"
"I understand your concerns." Mei Lind smiled at the three witches before her, all of whom possessed physiques significantly sturdier than the average witch. "However, due to some special reasons, our academy has a high demand for Body Cultivation witches—preferably those who have awakened their Sixth Sense..."
Mei Lind paused for a fraction of a second as she received a "Priority Notification" from the Great Knowledge Seed.
"Because we are about to conduct a very special experiment, the requirements for the subjects are extremely high. It’s best if they are self-awakened Body Cultivators; if not, they must at least be witches who have awakened their Sixth Sense."
All three witches before her were Sixth Sense Body Cultivators. As for being self-awakened... two of the three fit that description.
After all, the power of Body Cultivation held far less appeal for witches than spells. Unless they were "gifted" with a special talent for it, no one would actively choose that path.
Mei Lind hadn't expected that recruiting witches with such specific criteria would be so difficult. To this point, she had only found these three, and they hadn't even come looking for her; she had screened and contacted them through special channels.
After all, even if the Main World Witch Academy posted a recruitment notice, not every witch would see it. While there might be many qualified witches in the total population, those who saw the notice and were willing to come were few.
Still... three should be enough, Mei Lind thought.
After all, there was only one Xiao Han to handle the guidance. If there were too many, she wouldn't be able to keep up.
She hadn't had the chance to discuss this in detail with Xiao Han yet; she had only mentioned it a few times, and Xiao Han hadn't refused.
To her surprise, Xiao Han had chosen this exact moment to come looking for her. It saved her the trouble of seeking the girl out.
"Perhaps you could just tell us straight what you want us to do here. I don't think you want us to be mentors teaching students. In my opinion, those students are still far too frail; their physical strength relies entirely on the Immortality of their life essence."
"Yes. Since you mentioned the Sixth Sense, Dean, you must realize there's no point in talking in circles with us."
"Fair enough. My apologies; I’ve grown a bit too accustomed to being a Dean. Speaking directly is indeed a bit of an adjustment." Mei Lind gave a wry smile and dropped the pleasantries.
"Our academy has made a leap-forward breakthrough in the field of the Primitive Dream Realm. Furthermore... a witch has mastered the means to observe and interfere with the Primitive Dream Realm. To be clear, I mean direct observation and interference—and in the Deep Layer Primitive Dream Realm at that, not the minor social gathering spot that is the Primitive Dream Realm."
"The Primitive Dream Realm... that’s a field I haven't touched. What about you two?" After hearing Mei Lind’s explanation, one of the witches looked at the other two with a troubled expression.
"No. I’ve heard that the Primitive Dream Realm is a derived research topic of the Great Soul Subject? That’s about all I know."
"I’ve never even heard of it."
"Phew... that’s alright. As a whole, the witch race has only just begun its journey into the field of the Primitive Dream Realm, so don't worry." Although Mei Lind had expected this, she still felt it was a bit of a pity.
At least Bai Yu, as a Body Cultivation witch, followed the Ordinary Subject, which was a branch of the Great Soul Subject. These three, at most, were at the level where their Great Soul Subject had sublimated into the soul. They were merely borrowing the power or techniques of that domain's subject, rather than truly walking that path.
Shortly after Mei Lind finished speaking, a petite figure appeared at the office door.
Xiao Han is finally here, Mei Lind thought. She brightened and waved. "Xiao Han~ You’re just in time. Come in."
"Eh?"
I let out a small sound of surprise as I spotted three witches other than Dean Mei. They all turned in unison to look at me, their expressions shifting to slight astonishment.
In an instant, I felt their terrifying auras and the feedback of their Body Cultivation power. Not only that, I felt a faint sense of Heartfelt Resonance coming from them!
That was a special sensation that only occurs between two individuals who both possess the Sixth Sense: Heart Sense!
Unfortunately, I was currently in my clone form.
"Come in~ It’s fine, let me introduce you." Mei Lind stood up and walked over.
While I watched the three witches with curiosity, they were doing the same to me. With a single glance, they could tell that I... wasn't exactly a living being?
More like a double, a clone, or a puppet.
They also felt the weak resonance from the Heart Sense, but the physical strength of the person before them could only be described as "frail."
"Xiao Han, these are the witches I mentioned to you before. The academy will be focusing on recruiting Body Cultivation witches moving forward. These three are the first; you can tell, right?"
"Uh... I can tell." My gaze moved from Dean Mei to them. With physiques sturdier than the average witch... it was hard not to tell.
However, perhaps out of the typical witch's pursuit of a certain image, they were lean and toned rather than overly muscular. Compared to normal witches, two of them showed clear traits of other races. Still, if they wore more substantial clothing, they would just look like tall, well-built women.
"Hello, senior sisters..." Out of politeness, I greeted them as per custom.
"You have the Sixth Sense?" Surprisingly, the witch in the middle spoke up first.
"Mhm, yes. But this is just my clone; my main body isn't here," I nodded in response.
"No wonder. This is a very strange clone," she commented. It was indeed a form of clone she had never seen before—more akin to a... puppet?
"Let me introduce myself. I am Long. It’s a pleasure to meet another Body Cultivation witch here, sister."
"Ha... haha. You can just call me Xiao Han. My full name is Yang Yuehan." I felt a bit awkward, but I responded quickly. This was the first time a Transcendent witch had called me "sister"; it felt like she was treating me as an equal.
"Alright then, I'll call you Xiao Han."
"I am Muli. I hope I can see your main body next time." Another witch offered a slight smile, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
"I am Fanny. I hope we can exchange insights often in the future. I’d also like to see the level of a Body Cultivation witch from the Main World."
"Well, it seems I don't need to introduce you after all," Dean Mei remarked from the side. "Let’s get back to business, shall we?"
"Yes, right. Xiao Han, wait a moment. We’ve just arrived at the academy, and the Dean was explaining some things we need to know," Long said straightforwardly.
"Xiao Han doesn't need to wait. What I’m about to say concerns both them and you," Mei Lind interjected.
"Oh? Such a coincidence?" The three Body Cultivation witches were clearly surprised. They all looked at me again, seemingly curious about what connection they could possibly have with me.
"Yes~ What I said earlier about our academy making a leap-forward breakthrough in the Primitive Dream Realm... I was referring to her."