**Chapter 472: The Followers of Fool Dream**
Since I promised to accept a few followers from the Fool Dream, two or three petite figures have occasionally followed me from behind.
Since they have chosen to follow me, there is naturally no need to return to my previous dwelling. They are not working for me; they are following me. At this stage, when they cannot truly assist me, it is equivalent to me taking care of them.
Fortunately, I had settled them in the independent villa that I became a teaching assistant in earlier. It is quite spacious, and having a few Fool Dream there is indeed much more comfortable. I even proposed inviting a few more Fool Dream over, as taking care of one or two is similar to taking care of a group.
For the newcomers among the Fool Dream, I did not let them directly participate in my current research process. After all, they lack too much relevant knowledge and foundational understanding, which I need to help them gradually improve.
“Yu Lan, come and try this.”
In my independent villa, I had already begun to organize and renovate the basement, turning it into a private laboratory where I could reside permanently.
What I am trying now is the “Knowledge Shadow” branch ability that I had envisioned earlier, similar to how I used the Illusionary Clone linked to the Knowledge Tree to help my roommates review.
In fact, at that time, this ability had already formed a prototype of my conception.
Now, I want to transform this ability into one that can still function independently of me, even after I leave or no longer pay attention.
Initially, this idea seemed like a delusional fantasy, but after the Knowledge Tree gained the privilege of adding a prefix “Great,” the Knowledge Tree’s permanent spell effects have made this concept a tangible possibility.
“Okay!”
The Fool Dream named Yu Lan hurried over to me, looking at me expectantly, waiting for my instructions.
“Come here, don’t worry, this won’t affect you.”
At this moment, a phantom leaf floated in my hand. This is the carrier of the spell effect of the Great Knowledge, the Knowledge Leaf.
I also understand that the Great Knowledge Tree may have just touched the boundaries of the Great Spellbook, and its spell effect’s permanence mainly concentrates on the Knowledge Tree itself.
Because the Knowledge Tree represents the spell effect of the Great Knowledge Tree Spellbook.
It’s similar to how the spell effect of the Memory Shelf Spellbook is a bookshelf constructed to link and communicate with one’s consciousness after use.
The existence of the Knowledge Tree is no longer a fragile spell effect as before but has become a permanent effect with infinite possibilities.
However, because of this, the abilities derived from the Great Knowledge Tree Spellbook would not acquire permanent characteristics if not evolving from the Knowledge Tree as a foundational sequence.
Therefore, I had no choice but to use the most direct method: I divided a leaf from the Knowledge Tree and created a spell effect that could release the Knowledge Shadow externally.
According to my plan, this spell effect inherits the permanent nature of the derived sequence of the Great Spellbook, and the released spell effect is still connected to the Great Knowledge Tree.
After all, all this effort is for one purpose: to harvest everything the other party learns to enrich the knowledge that the Knowledge Tree lacks.
Instead of harvesting, it could be considered sharing — a win-win situation.
But there are certainly many other aspects to pay attention to, such as personal privacy—information acquisition channels. Otherwise, I can’t directly read the other party’s memories, right?
If the effects of this spell are made public, and it spreads, the user would be the biggest victim.
Thus, knowledge acquisition channels must be open, transparent, and unrestricted. Although this would lack access to many confidential pieces of information, it’s still better than having nothing at all.
Of course… everything has two sides. I am not a kind-hearted person; I can make something evil and immoral seem good with a little packaging. However, I would not propagate this in the Main World, which serves as my last shred of… goodwill.
Naturally, it is still too early to discuss all this. As I mentioned earlier, I can choose not to do something, but when opportunities arise, I can’t help but take action.
Currently, the Knowledge Leaves I create primarily rely on the gradual teaching of the Knowledge Shadows to acquire knowledge that is always within my understanding. It merely broadens the width of my existing understanding but cannot delve into the depths of knowledge.
The teaching method of the Knowledge Shadow is a downward-compatible means; it could even be said to be a thankless task.
Unless I reverse this ability to use the Knowledge Shadows as students and have the instructor teach them knowledge, then I can gain knowledge beyond my comprehension. But no one is willing to teach others for free, especially not a being that resembles an Illusionary Clone.
What I really want more is to spread the Earth Vein Identification Technique.
By relying on others’ hands to replace me in visiting uncharted territories, I can harvest the information and insights carried by the earth veins there, and I can share that information with them. This is the most suitable method for promotion at this stage.
No one can refuse the identification techniques in the real world; the quest for the unknown is an innate instinct of life. Even if it’s an ordinary stone in hand, if the ability allows, many people would be curious about where this stone used to be and how it came to be in their possession.
However, it is evident that the composition of the Earth Vein Identification Technique is quite complex, involving the transformation of Earth Vein Energy and Earth Energy, extracting and interpreting Earth Energy information, organizing and summarizing, and finally presenting the information according to needs.
The actual process is much more complicated than this description.
By comparison, the structuring of the Knowledge Shadow seems rather simple and crude.
Yet, precisely because of its simplicity, it allows me to conduct multiple attempts in such a short period.
The subjects of these experiments… are naturally the Fool Dreams.
Of course, the premise of experimenting on them is that there is no danger involved.
After all, I cannot bear to harm these lovely little ones.
As the Knowledge Leaf in my hand transformed into spell light points, a green pattern delineated a simple outline of a leaf, imprinted on Yu Lan’s small hand.
Yu Lan looked curiously at the sudden appearance of the tattoo-like mark, touching it with her other hand.
“Do you feel anything?” I asked.
“Um… it feels like a power has entered my body…” Yu Lan replied.
“Any other sensations?”
“Um… it seems there is nothing else.” Yu Lan shook her head.
“Can you control this pattern?” I continued guiding Yu Lan to try.
“Um… maybe?” Yu Lan tightened her fist, as if putting all her strength into it. In the end, the pattern on her hand finally activated the spell effect through her “efforts.”
I quietly observed everything and recorded the observational data in the Knowledge Tree.
The usage of the pattern created by the Knowledge Leaf has nothing to do with putting all one’s strength into it; it requires focus, or it can be activated using mental power. Those without mental power can depend on using their full strength to concentrate and guide their subconscious mind to activate the spell effect.
After recording these, I observed the state of the Knowledge Leaf on Yu Lan again and reminded her, “Yu Lan, this mark can be activated with mental power.”
Mental power is something that, with proper and prolonged meditation, one can sense in an almost imperceptible way.
Unlike the terrifying method of refining mental power into mental threads through the Witch Meditation Method or using the Primordial Dream World to temper mental power, general meditation is much gentler, though its effects are somewhat inferior.
After adapting to the method of the Witch Meditation, I found I could never return to my previous meditation methods.
This type of meditation should be called a mental cultivation method rather than just meditation; strictly speaking, it does not enhance oneself.
Fool Dreams can certainly possess mental power, as long as they have consciousness, generally they can obtain mental power through some means. After all, mental power is an independent perception apart from the five senses of living beings.
As long as there is perception, one can possess it, much like individuals with body cultivation lacking the five senses can have means to make up for that deficiency after practicing body cultivation.
The same applies to magic cultivation; once one embarks on magic cultivation, meditation becomes a means to complete the perception of mental power.
Mental power is both a subjective perception and a force that can interfere with the realm of extraordinary energy, thus serving as a bridge between life entities and the extraordinary world.
But it’s not the only bridge.
However, this isn’t essential because I just need to understand the minimum level required for the subjects I created to use it.
Probably… as long as one has faint mental power, they can sense it, and upon sensing it, they can interfere. Once they can interfere, they can activate it and utilize this capability.
At this moment, the Knowledge Leaf was easily activated by Yu Lan using her mental power. It seemed the Fool Dream wasn’t particularly skilled at using mental power.
After all, in the past, they did not place much emphasis on developing extraordinary abilities either, with only a few having some skills in cultivating extraordinary plants or rudimentary alchemical techniques. However, preparing the Fool Dream Drink seems to have become an instinct ingrained in their understanding.
I could only take it slowly.
“Eh? Two little sisters Xiao Han!”
“Um, this counts as one of my clones. As long as you activate this pattern, you will see her. If you encounter any problems, just ask her directly.”
“Eh? Eh!” Yu Lan looked at the Knowledge Shadow in shock, then glanced at me, her eyes filled with amazement. “Is this… the blessing you gave me, Sister Xiao Han?”
“Um? If you like that title, feel free to call me that. As long as you like it.”
“Um! As the first Fool Dream to receive a blessing from Sister Xiao Han, I… I really feel so honored!”
“Then you need to work hard to become a Fool Dream who can help me!” I bent down to pat Yu Lan on her little head and then saw the two little ones nearby looking on with envy.
Currently, in this villa where I reside, three foolish Dream followers have chosen to follow me: besides Yu Lan, there are also Yu Yun and Yu Guo.
These two naturally noticed what I had just done, their faces filled with admiration, their gazes toward me filled with intense anticipation and devotion.
“Come—what are you two hiding for? If you don’t come, there really won’t be any left!” I waved at them.
For these three Fool Dreams I picked, I certainly would not engage in any unequal treatment. From the start, they should be treated equally.
As for what comes next, that depends on their own situations.
After I brought out the other two Knowledge Leaves I had prepared earlier, transforming them into the patterns on their hands, they cheered excitedly.
For those who cannot hide their inner emotions, if the other party is a student similar to me, I tend to keep my distance from them. After all, in my understanding, that reflects immaturity, indicating that I do not get along well with them.
However, Fool Dreams are different. At least when facing them, I still have ample patience to teach them.
“Okay, now that you all have received my blessing, Sister Xiao Han, the next step is for you to serve me wholeheartedly! Do you understand?”
“Understood!” ×3
Seeing their straightforward and heartfelt following, I felt very satisfied.
“However, there is still a very serious issue waiting for you all to solve. Your current abilities are not sufficient to help me, even for trivial matters; it will be very difficult for you.”
As I said this, their expressions visibly fell, as it must be a significant blow to them to want to help so eagerly, yet realize they are not even qualified to assist with small tasks.
“But if you all study hard and become capable of helping me, then you won’t be without value to me…”
I meticulously explained the tasks they were about to undertake in great detail. Though they are currently following me, in truth, they are also a bit like dependent followers cloaked in the guise of followers, seeking value for their existence.
But… I do not reject this mindset, or rather, I quite enjoy it. At least these Fool Dreams possess great plasticity to mold, yet shaping them also comes with its troubles.
It is like now, I need to establish a fundamental value system for them, clearly telling them what to do, how to do it, and why to do it—how their actions actualize their own value, and so forth.
Yet the further I go, I can’t help but feel like… I am becoming a capitalist who only knows how to exploit…
But in the face of three selfless Fool Dreams willing to follow me… who could resist?
As long as I provide food and shelter in this large villa, with food guaranteed, plus I have an agreement with Sofiry for every batch of ingredients for the Fool Dream Drink to be sent here once they mature, the Fool Dreams can brew it themselves whenever they want.
Hmm… this isn’t exploitation; it’s downward compatibility. They are the ones who want to follow me, but their abilities are lacking. I provide ample material needs and a conducive learning environment for them… how can this be called exploitation?
Moreover… if one day they truly feel this lifestyle does not meet their needs or becomes unsatisfactory… then they can leave. Even if they do not leave, I won’t keep them because I need someone who can assist me regardless, not someone whose ambition grows with rising living standards and increasing inner demands.
Although… given my expectations of the Fool Dreams, they shouldn’t end up like that… but who knows what the future holds?
Human hearts can change, not to mention the naive and innocent Fool Dreams? They are likely to be influenced by the outside world, and who knows what they will evolve into in the end.
I can only guide the Fool Dreams towards the shapes I expect, but I won’t overly interfere with their own choices.
Just as I was about to organize the data related to the Knowledge Leaves for in-depth analysis, my phone suddenly rang.
Because I’m about to take part in the joint examination, I carry my phone with me for convenience regarding upcoming arrangements. After all, I am considered one of the maintainers of the joint examination now.
“Um? Teacher Lina…” I looked at the call, this person is the head of our new students, right?
I didn’t expect to communicate with her. Should I say it’s unexpected or not surprising at all?
It seems I haven’t had contact with this instructor in a long time.
