Chapter 321 – Control and Bounty on Outsiders
Extraordinary Research Base in the Underground City.
After the initial primitive rune ceremony, research on nightmares has made groundbreaking progress.
However, what I am studying seems to differ greatly from their expectations. For the people here, the natural goal of studying nightmares is to eliminate them, but for me, the value of nightmares goes far beyond that.
Nightmares are entities within the Dream World, a part of what used to be Dream Creatures that belong to the dreams.
Yet, they can use human consciousness as a springboard to communicate between reality and the Dream World. Even if it’s just an exchange of information, it is still a very powerful ability.
At the very least… It has the talent to trap a person’s consciousness within a dream, and this talent can also be expressed using runes. Any expression of Extraordinary Power can be broken down into runes, just as any arithmetic can be decomposed into formulas and theorems.
Do I want to wake up from the Dream World?
Perhaps initially, yes, but now thinking about it, it seems meaningless. I risk entering the Dream World just to come out; that sounds like a joke!
Waking up from the Dream World is meaningless, or rather… at this point in my life, it is easy.
I need to set a goal for my visit here because I came in with confusion. Since arriving, I haven’t had any clear objectives; I’ve just been waiting for the Academy Head to arrange something, fantasizing about her plans for my success. To put it bluntly, I’ve just been waiting for fate to arrange things.
And now… I’m tired of it.
Since the Academy Head’s arrangements won’t change; after all, her goal is what I expect it to be, I just want to accelerate this distribution of fortune a bit.
On a chessboard like a script, someone like the Academy Head definitely won’t care how the process develops; her far-sighted vision allows her to easily see whether the final outcome aligns with her expectations, so none of this matters. This leads to the conclusion that I, in principle, have a high degree of autonomy.
So, I don’t have time for these people to play little games up there.
If I want to interfere with the plot here, merely relying on existing forms trapped in the Dream World isn’t enough.
Of course, the plot point of the script that I am currently experiencing will undoubtedly conclude with the complete extermination of nightmares, and I must ensure that the script leads to such an ending. It is only through the power of the script that I can sever the connection between nightmares and Fool Dreams.
Additionally, there’s the timing to sever the Earth Vein Shackles. Theoretically, this should be a part that the Academy Head helps me accomplish, after all, it involves the extraordinary level of life, and not something I, with my rudimentary Spirit Vision, can get involved with. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in understanding the existence of Earth Vein Shackles.
Before that, I must also resolve the tasks at hand.
I don’t mind finding ways to eliminate nightmares through research because for me, eliminating them only requires one spell.
But I need a trump card that can be mastered by ordinary people to eliminate nightmares, to provide a safety net for all of this, and such troublesome matters naturally cannot waste my time.
This is one of the main reasons I cannot break away from the laboratory; I want to teach them how to create a nightmare-killing tool using the continually updated primitive rune rituals in a way they can understand.
Don’t they have Type I, II, and III extraordinary weapons?
This is what I applied for at the base, an extraterritorial type born to deal with nightmare incidents – the nightmare killer project, which will likely be approved soon.
After all, the ones responsible for review are not blind; they can see the dangers brought by nightmares.
So, before this application is approved, we have already started preliminary preparations.
This is a privilege unique to me; after all, the launch and preliminary preparations for this project do not consume their funds, and since I’m not seeking their support, I can act as arrogantly as I wish.
It is common for some talents in the base to be restricted in funding due to unfavoured research or applied projects, eventually leading to their inability to continue.
Including the series of research I am currently conducting on nightmares; is it not using funds?
It is, and quite a bit too; just the equipment to contain that nightmare is particularly expensive. But the consumption of these resources is not within my line of thought.
After all, all resources in the Underground City are essentially supplied for the base, and at no cost, at least for projects deemed valuable in extraordinary techniques, it’s cost-free.
“I’ve basically concluded the fundamentals related to runes; the nightmare-killing tool is essentially an extension of the primitive rune rituals based on the rune system, so we need to cover the basics of rune literature as well, which I’m not worried about. I’ve also allocated the subprojects, and I have nothing more to say, no motivational words either. Once this project gets approved, we’ll officially start construction.”
After announcing all current matters, I felt quite relieved.
For these days, I can say I have practically been soaking in here. It’s rare for me to take a break. The scholars here may have already gotten used to this life, but I haven’t. If life only entails the pursuit of the extraordinary and the truth, then I’d rather not have such a life.
But thinking back to my earlier days, it seems I was similarly lost in making futile efforts. Looking back now, it indeed makes me laugh.
And now, I realize that I seem to have neglected Sister Bai these days; I wonder what she is doing at this moment.
With my departure, the Fool Dreams in the base have also gotten a bit of a break. After all, they are not professional scholars or masters in the field of the extraordinary. Even though they follow me and do various chores, they lack basic knowledge in the extraordinary field, which can’t be compensated for just by learning from me.
Due to earlier circumstances, the troubles faced by the Fool Dreams have reduced considerably, but that does not mean they won’t encounter issues.
In this regard, the Ground Patrol Team has done well. As for what the Ground Patrol Team requested from me, I’ve also given it out; rather than I giving it away, it would be more accurate to say that it’s an application for an update on the weaponry of the Ground Patrol Team to better create a safe and harmonious atmosphere in the Underground City.
I can say that it hasn’t required me to lift a finger, and even this application was drafted by the Fool Dreams on my behalf.
Just as I was thinking about going back to see if Sister Bai was around, I ran into an acquaintance at the entrance of the base.
“Huh? Ninglan Qiuyue, I didn’t expect to see you again. What brings you to the Underground City this time?” I asked curiously.
Honestly, I was looking forward to her often coming down to chat with me. After all, I am quite curious about what interesting things have happened in Ninglan New City at this moment. Have there been any conflicts among the students of the Extraordinary Academy? Have they discovered any means to quickly subdue nightmares? And have those Dream Demons created any tricks?
If it weren’t for my commitments, I would genuinely want to go see. Now that Ninglan Qiuyue has come down, it suits me perfectly.
Although she should have a purpose for coming down each time, I don’t mind. I will naturally talk about what I can say, but for what I won’t, no matter how much she tries to pry, I won’t say a word.
“Teacher Xiao Han, that’s great! I didn’t expect to see you here as soon as I arrived.”
“Oh? It seems you specifically came looking for me?” I asked curiously, noticing a hint of anxiety, worry, and… eagerness on Ninglan Qiuyue’s face.
Simply speculating, it’s highly likely that something has happened in Ninglan New City. I just don’t know what it is. Could it be a large-scale nightmare covering the entire Ninglan New City? Or… did the so-called energy tide arrive early, leading to an early Beast Tide?
“Yes, it’s not convenient to speak here. You should be free now, right?”
“You have come at just the right time; I don’t have anything on my hands right now. Do you want to say something? You can come to my laboratory; there’s no one there,” I replied.
After all, the space for researching nightmares is a converted containment room, and the laboratory I allocated is now empty.
After bidding farewell to the Fool Dreams beside me, I led Ninglan Qiuyue to the laboratory.
My laboratory is quite simple; many items were configured for me by the base, but most of them I do not use. I only need what’s in the Dream World, which can be created directly using the Dream Rewriting Spell. However, the condition is that I must know the structure of those things, and rewriting them into the Dream World with just a concept in my mind is rather troublesome. But… in a way… it’s also quite convenient?
As Ninglan Qiuyue closed the laboratory door, she didn’t have the time to lament the simplicity here.
“Teacher Xiao Han, have you heard about the situation on the surface now?”
“No, what happened?” I asked.
“My Father… City Lord Ninglan has changed the previous friendly attitude towards outsiders, implementing control measures on them, and issued bounties on certain outsiders…”
“Huh? What did you say?” I instinctively rubbed my ears, somewhat unable to believe these words coming from Ninglan Qiuyue.
Regarding Ninglan Qiuyue’s statement, I was the first to express disbelief. Who gave that lord the audacity to make such a decision?
Doesn’t he fear angering all outsiders and potentially leaving them with irreversible shadows in their lives?
Even if both sides rarely come into contact, what if that lord ends up seeing a row of outsiders standing in front of his bedroom at night? The very image is unthinkable. Even if he has the ability to hire or even incite some outsiders, he cannot guarantee his own safety, I assure you.
“I’m not joking. The City Lord has issued a latest notice stating that all outsiders within Ninglan New City must accept the control of the City Guard and are forbidden from making any outlandish moves within the city. Moreover, a final ultimatum was given to some outsiders regarding their reckless behaviors.”
“Where does he get the confidence? The City Lord of Ninglan is not such an irrational person. Can you share more details?” I asked, since Ninglan Qiuyue reiterated it, it shows it is quite credible.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Did he master weapons that can counter us?
However, the research focus of Ninglan New City in the extraordinary field is all in the Underground City, and theoretically, the Underground City and the surface Ninglan New City have an equal cooperative relationship. If such a weapon really existed, I would certainly know about it; they couldn’t possibly go to such lengths to conceal it from me.
After all, the final product of the nightmare killer project I submitted hasn’t even arrived yet.
Where would they acquire the means to counter us in the Dream World?
It’s equally impossible for those scholars to conduct research in secret without my knowledge.
“They…” At this point, Ninglan Qiuyue’s tone grew somber, resting one hand on her forehead against the table.
“The City Lord doesn’t know what method he used, but he has… turned at least half of the City Guard into beings like you.”
“Like us?”
Hearing Ninglan Qiuyue’s description, I was taken aback and then realized; he has projected their consciousness into the Dream World?
“Your city lord used the power of nightmares to emulate us, trapping a person’s consciousness within the Dream World?” I asked.
After all, when I went to capture that nightmare earlier, I discovered that here’s the thing: after being invaded by nightmares, the consciousness of the inhabitants would also be trapped in the Dream World. But they didn’t appear to be awake like us and did not exhibit independent action; they seemed as if they couldn’t detach from their physical bodies, even within the Dream World. This behavior is truly fascinating, but I didn’t have the time then to analyze the key details carefully, and now there is no opportunity for nightmares to experiment on a living person.
“No… the situation is worse than you think. The City Lord borrowed strength, and it is not nightmares, but… Dream Demons!” Ninglan Qiuyue said in a low voice.
“Dream Demons?”
Upon hearing this answer, I felt astonished, it was unexpected yet within reason!
“Genius! It seems your father has finally realized that instead of relying on those incompetent outsiders who might even create internal strife, those Dream Demons are more reliable.”
At this moment, I couldn’t help but express this admiration.
“You…” Ninglan Qiuyue looked at me in shock, momentarily at a loss for words.
“What? You unconsciously positioned yourself on the side of us outsiders? Clearly, we and those Dream Demons are both outsiders to you, even intruders; any goodwill or malice from them is a personal act that bears little relation to the collective.”
“But… your nightmare friends have all been affected too.”
“They? Are you sure? Even if your entire Ninglan New City entered the Dream World, if they wanted to destroy the whole of Ninglan New City, it wouldn’t take them long at all. You worry for them?” I countered.
The strength of those City Guards isn’t something I dismiss out of hand; it’s genuinely something I scorn. They are entities that might not even withstand a basic Fireball Spell. Moreover, this world is more special, and the effects of spells are more terrifying. What would they use to execute this plan?
Rely on those Dream Demons?
Alright, I admit those Dream Demons can be quite troublesome, but they are not invincible. Although the Dream Demon I encountered in the city was dealt with alongside the City Guard, lacking support from the City Guard in reality does make it a bit challenging, but isn’t this precisely the time when the script tests the protagonists?
What’s the difference between a favored Child of Fortune and a useless one?
“Destroy…” Ninglan Qiuyue paused at my description. This was the first time she so intuitively felt the strength of the outsiders. Previously, there were always states of mutual non-interference, making it impossible for her to imagine or care.
At this moment, should she be relieved that the enemy can only act within the Dream World?
“Now tell me your request; you can’t have come down just to share such explosive news with me without any other requests, right? I won’t believe that.”
I interrupted her state of daze and directly asked.
