Chapter 424: I Am Truly a Genius
“Wait… is this actually working?!”
As I stared at my masterpiece, disbelief washed over me. The Knowledge Tree Spellbook had completely replaced the original Memory Shelf Spellbook at this moment.
If I had mastered the true editing technique, this would have been an independent spellbook—a brand-new series of spells deriving from the Memory Shelf!
But alas, I didn’t. The Knowledge Tree seemed to have established a new order layered on top of the Memory Shelf Spellbook, effectively usurping its original spell effects.
And just like that, a flourishing Knowledge Tree sprouted in my consciousness space, rooting itself deep within my memories and gathering all my knowledge into one spot.
When I said “success,” I was referring to the dynamic relationship between the two spellbooks. Because of this attempt’s success, I was forced to reconsider the concept of “spellbook” created through true editing.
The complementary effects between spellbooks were incredible! My initial thought was to complement the effects between spells themselves, but these two spellbooks had created a direct link from the platform level.
In other words, spellbooks aren’t just a cumbersome matter; their flexibility, compatibility, and creativity had far exceeded my understanding. Spellbooks were essentially a complete spellcraft system.
Even now, I hadn’t fully grasped how to make use of this thing.
When I first learned about this concept, its most basic function was to “use” spells. But now, moving from “tweaking” to “extending,” then to “deriving” and now to “linking,” I discovered a universal spell platform! Whoever created the spellbooks in the witch world must have been a genius!
With the Knowledge Tree acting as a “live application” spellbook link, I had reached an unprecedented level of efficiency.
At that moment, I felt qualified to confidently proclaim, “I am truly a genius!”
In the past, I had felt insecure; I didn’t have an adequate understanding of myself or the means I possessed. Even though I excelled in theoretical exams and wielded immense power, I hesitated to call myself a genius—everything felt like a house of cards that could come crashing down at any moment.
But now? Now, I felt I was deserving of that title, ready to accept all the compliments that came with it.
The emergence of the Knowledge Tree Spellbook gave me a sense of grounding.
While there are countless ways to accumulate knowledge, enhancing learning ability was always a priceless investment. My journey to perfecting the Knowledge Tree wasn’t stopping anytime soon.
The “linking” of spells opened an entirely new door for me. But I knew that this so-called linking wasn’t just a simple overlay of spellbooks. It involved deeper connections and complementary relationships that could not be sought out easily.
Moreover, not all spellbooks could link together. For instance, I certainly couldn’t link spells from the element manipulation realm when the attributes clashed. Perhaps the concept of elemental opposition could yield more powerful spells, but such a feat was merely a pipe dream for me at this moment.
The Knowledge Tree was complete for now, but I was already planning its next phase of development. However, I found myself devoid of new inspirations to refine it further—at this stage, the techniques I’d mastered had already shaped the Knowledge Tree into a version that felt utterly satisfactory.
In simpler terms, it was enough to meet all my current needs, much like my previous “three-step” radical modification plan for the Memory Shelf that had initially been brilliant and suited my needs, but the Knowledge Tree Spell had knocked it out of the park, rendering that plan moot.
Although the Knowledge Tree was adequate for me right now, I still harbored a wild idea that I hadn’t dared to execute… yet.
What craziness crossed my mind? Attempting to link the “Knowledge Tree” with the “Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell”!
That idea was downright bonkers! I had no intention of gambling with either spellbook, for I’d matured past the impulsive fool I used to be. Long ago, when I messed up a Fireball Spell during my radical modifications, it was no problem; I could just make another one. But now, what was I playing with?
Using the Knowledge Tree derived from Extraordinary Knowledge—which itself was an embodiment of the Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell—I couldn’t deny that I was still not mentally prepared to take this leap. I needed to build up my psychological strength.
While the final proposal left me at a standstill, I did have some other ideas worth pursuing.
For instance, how about adding “artificial intelligence” to the Knowledge Tree for an upgrade to Knowledge Tree 2.0? It could even assist me in researching the extraordinary.
Naturally, my thoughts were circling back to that artificial intelligence I’d encountered in the Wanlian Main Network Tree. Unfortunately, it was just an artificial “intelligence”—if you could even call it that.
So… I planned to try using the “Illusionary Clone” spell to explore the potential of my “subconscious” replacing that “artificial intelligence” because the powers of the subconscious were incredibly versatile. Simply using the Illusionary Clone as just a clone would be a dreadful waste of its potential; besides, that clone was somewhat out of my control. Hence, it had to be utilized differently. Earlier, I speculated that the Illusionary Clone might also be a sort of self-sufficient spell, indicating it could accomplish much more.
But considering the characteristics of the subconscious, it would serve as a perfectly tailored “alternative artificial intelligence.” At that moment, I aimed to leverage the Illusionary Clone in that capacity.
Not to mention, the subconscious is still me—not a separate entity. If I could somehow use a spell to connect my subjective will with that part of me that was less controllable, it would enable me to master my memories and knowledge. This really sounded like a fantastic idea!
Moreover, I couldn’t possibly harm myself, and this was certainly not a case of split personality; it was more akin to… multitasking?
My intention behind using the subconscious Illusionary Clone wasn’t to escape the monotonous work with the Knowledge Tree; rather, it was to lend a hand in truly mastering it—to achieve synergy between the conscious and subconscious.
Though I realized this might require a lot of fine-tuning on my part, I was more than willing to embrace the potential within my subconscious because I understood that was where the real me lay!
After all, who would pass up the opportunity to be their true self?
…
At this moment, as the shuttle bus specifically designated for me and Qiu Ruxin came to a stop, the surrounding environment was exquisite, with beautiful scenic views.
The natural atmosphere was rich, and not far off was a blend of modern and natural aesthetics in a guesthouse.
Actually, this guesthouse didn’t even have shuttle service; it wasn’t limited to a single group of guests.
But I straightforwardly flexed my wealth and booked the entire venue, even securing a shuttle service, which saved me quite a bit of trouble.
As soon as I got off the bus, my eyes were drawn to the mesmerizing scenery. After experiencing the bumpy ride prior, all the previous troubles seemed to be soothed at that moment.
Hidden within the valley, this guesthouse wasn’t overly advertised on the Plant Network, but that didn’t deter me from finding it.
Gazing at the rolling green hills around me, the sunset painted the clouds in the mountains with its warm glow, creating a somewhat otherworldly ambiance. Too bad this world lacked that kind of cultural concept.
“Let’s go~” I called out to Qiu Ruxin and headed straight into the guesthouse.
I declined all their services because, frankly, I didn’t appreciate the idea of others obstructing my peace in such a lovely setting, whether they were just servers or staff.
But even in my dismissal, the guesthouse owner greeted me with a warm smile. After all, who would refuse money?
The most straightforward way to communicate with a merchant is to throw money at them; their bottom line is cash, and that’s a no-brainer—most merchants operate that way.
As I stepped into the tranquil, vacant guesthouse, the meticulously designed garden and pathways, along with the soothing indoor lighting, created an ambiance that felt neither awkward nor overly staged.
It was a place that offered me both comfort and relaxation—a temporary refuge from my slightly exhausting journey.
I wasn’t planning to stay long anyway; I’d explore a bit tomorrow and head over to the nearby Wanlian Main Network Tree to see if I could uncover any treasures, even though I knew the chances of finding anything were slim. Still, the Wanlian Main Network Tree had become a must-see spot on my world tour, much like marking teleportation anchors on a game map.
In that moment, as Qiu Ruxin pushed open the guesthouse door, she immediately flopped onto the soft sofa in the entryway, letting out a mundane whine, not unlike a cat in a sunbeam.
For most people, going on vacation is a stress-reliever, but for me, it was also an incredible drain of energy.
Not to mention my whirlwind world tour required immense willpower; the breathtaking views weren’t the main focus of the trip; rather, the hustle and waiting in between were what defined it.
It was a test of will, as well as a revelation about life. No one spends their life solely in praise; it’s the long accumulation of experiences that leads to moments of spontaneous success. In those moments, one experiences the fulfillment of all prior efforts—only then does a person truly feel they deserve it.
Much like how I had once utilized Spirit Vision’s superiority to accomplish things that the average person would find impossible; the achievement I garnered felt so surreal that I almost feared it.
Because for me, it hadn’t warranted too much effort.
Yet now, with the achievement of crafting the Knowledge Tree Spellbook—a testament to my own perfection—each detail resonated with my effort because I knew that I deserved it.
Calmly, I walked into the guesthouse, indifferent to Qiu Ruxin’s excitement.
If it had been my former self, I would have eagerly scoped out the place, using my “expanded perspective” to conceal my inner lack, but now I had seen enough to be unfazed.
I understood that this place was there to serve me; I didn’t need to show any polite gestures. Their welcoming me was their honor.
“Alright, Qiu Ruxin, don’t just flop on the sofa as soon as we walk in; you need to…”
I retrieved our luggage from my storage equipment, making travel a breeze with such gear.
But just as I started to lift my head to look at Qiu Ruxin, my train of thought halted abruptly, and my body froze mid-motion.
For the moment, Qiu Ruxin was no longer sprawled aimlessly on the sofa but rather shyly resting her head on a pair of exquisitely long, stocking-clad thighs.
Then my gaze shifted towards the group that had mysteriously filled the sofa… oh no, they were an assemblage of witches!
“Hey~ Look what we’ve found! We stumbled upon a wild aspiring witch in an unknown small world!” A cheeky voice broke the momentary silence, wasting no time in turning my awkwardness into entertainment.
“Correction, there are two.” Another witch, a mentor, chuckled, “You have one resting on your lap.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed Headmasters, please don’t tease me like this…” I forced a wry smile, scanning the thirteen or so extraordinary witches in the room.
I even recognized a few mentors I’d met before, but the majority were unfamiliar faces. I didn’t even know who the Headmaster of the Witch Academy was, given that it wasn’t just Mei Linde who held that title.
After just one encounter, I had already become the entertainment for these mentor witches; I could see curiosity in their eyes, as they took in my flustered expression.
More than anything, they appeared to revel in my confusion.
But I understood that reaching this point in the situation meant I wouldn’t need to explain myself too much.
I had initially imagined that the Witch Academy, led by its Headmaster, would dramatically break through the world barrier and arrive here, giving me a way to greet them through the Plant Network, but I never anticipated they would come so quietly!
Especially considering how remote this location was; surely, they didn’t just happen to arrive at the same spot…
I simply couldn’t believe it.
“What a marvelous feat! You’re not yet extraordinary, yet you possess self-generated magic. You must be the Xiao Han they’ve mentioned, right?”
“Yes, Teacher.” My awkwardness and tension flashed away as I responded in a calm tone.
Clearly, these were mentors from the Witch Academy, so they weren’t out to harm me. Their playful antics revealed their good intentions; otherwise, they would have directly interrogated me.
“Very impressive! However, I prefer you address me as Headmaster. Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Principal Beif Eilana. You can call me Lady Beif as well!” This Beif Eilana wore a smirk, as if appraising a finely crafted piece of art.
“Sure thing, Lady Headmaster. But you all arrived without a heads-up! I was planning to greet you and the mentors as soon as you got here…”
“No worries, we didn’t need you to receive us. As long as you don’t mind our overnight stay, we’re fine.” Principal Beif smiled, evidently pleased by my earlier title of “Lady Headmaster.”
“Of course, of course! It would be an honor for this place to accommodate you all.” As I spoke, the witches began moving effortlessly to pursue their interests, uninterested in the fact that I wasn’t an extraordinary witch—some were only surprised by my early arrival.
At that moment, Qiu Ruxin felt rather awkward.
Her heart almost leaped from her chest. After a tiring day of travel, she’d finally found a comfy sofa—only to stumble into this crowd of witches. Completely oblivious to the current situation, she wanted to say something but couldn’t find her voice or the will to resist; she was helplessly reclining on the witches’ knees. Yet as a hand glided through her hair, her fear seemingly dissipated.
“Um, could you please let Qiu Ruxin go?” I stepped forward, cautiously addressing the mentor.
“Oh, is this adorable child named Qiu Ruxin? She really is a delight! But she looks so comfortable; let me have a little more conversation with her~” The witch continued to smile, showing no signs of letting go.
“Alright then.” I wore an expression of reluctant acceptance, walking away from the madness.
