Chapter 596: The Idea of Incorporating the Wanlian Main Network Tree into the System
Language represents many things, and to learn a language, one must master the basics of “recognizing characters” and “grammar.”
Although the languages I learned in that small world are not many, the advantages and disadvantages of language and writing can be felt during the learning process.
Some languages require recognition of twenty to thirty thousand commonly used characters or “words” before one can communicate smoothly in daily life and so on.
While other languages only require a few thousand characters for reading proficiency, combined with flexible grammar, to facilitate daily communication and appreciation of the vast majority of literary works.
And that’s how I proceeded.
At this moment, the Earth Vein Operating System has already become a dictionary or lexicon related to language translation.
Don’t underestimate the Great Knowledge Tree’s ability to process knowledge; with these foundations established, it only leaves teaching as the next step.
After all, language teaching involves continuous practice, correction of errors, and deepening impressions, and the best teachers for them are the refugees who wish to communicate.
So I did not use Knowledge Shadow to train these learners of the new language, as it was entirely unnecessary, right?
The purpose of the language they are learning is to communicate with them.
The development of situations seems to have progressed even faster than I anticipated, possibly because I have taken a backseat and changed the knowledge I was supposed to teach into a self-learning level for them.
But as I mentioned earlier, the reason Ninglan New City is called Ninglan New City is that it is not a campus of the Witch Academy; there are no teachers teaching them for free. Even if they affectionately call me “Scholar Xiao Han” or “Teacher Xiao Han,” I remain unmoved.
My actions might be seen by other teaching assistants as a classic example of working hard without reward?
During this time, I once again employed Knowledge Shadow on the group of city defense forces sent by Mo Le. I must say that these people are indeed well-selected; at least they know what they are doing and won’t ask irrelevant questions. Those who don’t create trouble are the most likable.
After finishing these tasks, Wumali also invited me to visit the current developments at the Extraordinary Association. One could say that the development of extraordinary skills at the association is progressing very quickly; even the extraordinary weapons that were once kept hidden are now visible here. It seems that the city defense forces may have already started using new equipment.
But… this is still not that impressive.
Perhaps only the cutting-edge research bases of extraordinary skills in Ninglan New City would be sufficient to see.
I prefer more innovative things rather than watching them repeat addition and subtraction with the same skills over and over again.
Although they are pursuing runic skills similar to those of the Witch Academy, different civilizations have different emphases. I hope to see new highlights in their skills.
Just as I appeared in the hall of the Extraordinary Association, a girl who had been waiting at the door stepped forward.
“Excuse me, are you Teacher Xiao Han?”
“Hmm? Yes, who are you?” I curiously asked, looking at the girl who suddenly appeared before me.
“Let me introduce myself; my name is Lanke, and I am somewhat of a secretary to City Lord Qiuyue. City Lord Qiuyue was very excited to hear that you were coming, so she sent me to invite you to meet her.” The girl said, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
“Ninglan Qiuyue, huh… I see.” I nodded in agreement, considering I had already helped with matters related to language. If it required me to spoon-feed them, that would indeed be inappropriate.
Perfect timing, as I wanted to see what was going on with Ninglan Qiuyue.
After giving a brief account to Shentu Le and Wumali, I followed the girl who claimed to be Ninglan Qiuyue’s secretary to Ninglan Township Fort.
Ninglan Township Fort remains the residence of the city lord and the central hub for the operation of Ninglan New City.
Upon my arrival, I noticed that the place seemed to have been renovated, but the overall style retained its original character.
Looking at the newly refreshed Ninglan Township Fort, I couldn’t help but sigh at the lavishness. After all, how can one not expect a city lord’s residence to represent opulence? And these materials that look very expensive are just ordinary construction materials for the Extraordinary Academy.
After all, the materials that exploded during alchemy attempts could be worth rebuilding another Ninglan Township Fort, so one should not underestimate the witches’ wastefulness.
Crossing the continuous stairs, I finally walked into this grand castle.
In the area where the city lord and high officials discuss affairs, only a few people were talking about business. However, the design here was quite impressive.
“Please this way; City Lord Qiuyue should be waiting here.” Lanke led me down a side corridor that I was somewhat familiar with, leading to the VIP reception room.
Upon pushing open the door of the reception room, I was quickly drawn to the figures inside.
“Sister Xiao Han.”
“Hmm.” Glancing at the slightly excited Ninglan Qiuyue who stood up, I simply responded with a soft “hmm.”
My gaze was then attracted to two other figures.
Because these two figures were teaching assistants.
In the previous meeting, although I did not make a particular effort to memorize everyone, I had seen these teaching assistants before, at least I had some familiarity with them, so encountering them again would not leave me in the dark.
And indeed, these two were as such.
With the help of Earth Vein Identification Technique, I understood their identities.
However, what surprised me was that these two were not, as I had guessed, both teaching assistants from the Witch Secret Realm Association; one of them turned out to be from the All-Purpose Association.
It seems that the All-Purpose Association and the Witch Secret Realm Association have a pretty good relationship, huh?
“To meet you two here is unexpected.” I got straight to the point with them.
I thought they would not have any ulterior motives toward me, after all, trying to scheme against someone who cannot be controlled would require the ability to withstand the consequences of being overturned.
“It is an honor; we regret not having properly engaged with you after that meeting.”
“Yes, I hope Assistant Xiao Han does not hold grudges against the association due to someone else’s actions.”
“There’s no need to dwell on old matters.” I waved my hand dismissively as if to brush it aside, and after I finished speaking, both of them let out a small breath of relief.
After all, for them, being kept in mind by someone like me is worse than being directly targeted, because one never knows when I might deliver a big blow.
“I’m quite surprised that you all came here and did not rush outside to loot resources from the outside world.”
“Isn’t Assistant Xiao Han the same? I heard you even had the leisure to teach members of the Literature Association a new language.”
“That’s true; after all, during that meeting, Teacher Lina gave us two choices, and I did not choose to be the robber.”
“Haha~ Robber… your phrasing is truly humorous, Assistant Xiao Han. However, those people do indeed behave like robbers, afraid that if they enter late, their things will be snatched away by others.” The girl sitting beside Ninglan New City giggled, seemingly in agreement with my words.
This girl is a teaching assistant from the Witch Secret Realm Association named Beqi, and the one next to her is a teaching assistant from the All-Purpose Association named Wenni.
I must admit, if these two large associations were to join forces, who would believe they wouldn’t stir up trouble?
However, I couldn’t quite understand what they were planning. Were they leveraging the relationship with Ninglan Qiuyue to unite Ninglan New City in resource harvesting?
After all, no matter what, Ninglan Qiuyue is just a city lord. While assistants do not necessarily listen to her commands, if the two gigantic associations, the Witch Secret Realm Association and the All-Purpose Association, were united behind her, their rules would indeed be the rules!
I wonder if they have such ambitions, but the general idea should be somewhat similar. After all, anything requires a nominal basis.
Ninglan Qiuyue likely wants to use this opportunity to tie their desired interests together, securing a speaking role for Ninglan New City in this matter.
During the ensuing conversation, I gradually understood.
They are leveraging the relationship between Ninglan Qiuyue and me to invite me to discuss, hoping that through me, they could build rapport with Ninglan Qiuyue and alleviate tensions, while also attempting to understand my situation.
My existence represents the largest uncertain factor for them.
Ultimately, my discussions with Ninglan Qiuyue were mostly trivial, while I had many conversations with the two teaching assistants.
However… I do not particularly enjoy chatting with these two. Conversing with them is exhausting, as every word is laden with value and hidden agendas, all in an effort to extract more unknown information from each other. Ninglan Qiuyue is not well-informed, so naturally, she doesn’t speak much.
Since Ninglan Qiuyue allowed this approach, I will not hold back with them. Since they treat the intelligence of Ninglan New City as a bargaining chip, I will also reciprocate with equivalent information.
In the end, they learned a few things they wanted from me, but those were of little impact to me, such as how I learned the language of that world and what it was initially like.
From them, I also obtained a piece of unexpected information.
Ninglan New City had already commenced exploration into the outside world during the time before we arrived. Originally, there were no people around Ninglan New City, and some of those refugees were encountered by Ninglan New City itself during distant explorations.
They have indeed exposed their position, which has brought trouble upon themselves.
Nonetheless, this cannot be blamed on them; after all, it was their first time facing such a situation, and the witches would not monitor these affairs. Even if they were to, it would probably be to allow those people to enter the Earth Vein’s soul material cycle.
Of course, what surprised me was not just this, nor was it the extraordinary crystal mine and the surrounding maps discovered and marked by Ninglan New City.
Instead, it is that the outside world still retains the “heritage” of that world.
Artificial creations still have a portion preserved, such as towering buildings, basic facilities, and the plants famous for their plant technology.
Countless plant roots have surged up and continue to take root due to their vigorous vitality.
All human-made structures have collapsed to the ground like building blocks, with very few inhabitable houses left.
However, the materials needed for survival have also been retained.
They need to complete the reconstruction of civilization, activate essential infrastructure, and achieve food self-sufficiency before their resources are exhausted.
This is the reality faced by the people of that small world.
What concerns me more is… among these preserved “infrastructural heritages,” one thing truly captures my attention.
That is… the Wanlian Main Network Tree!
According to their descriptions, they discovered such a plant during their explorations—a massive tree that is quite spectacular.
Not far from Ninglan New City.
I am quite confident that it should be the Wanlian Main Network Tree. If it has also been preserved, then after restoration, the Expanding Realm may be reconnected through the Wanlian Main Network Tree.
The foundation of communication for civilization could thus be maintained.
The reason I care so much about the Wanlian Main Network Tree is naturally that this entity is closely related to my Great Knowledge Tree. As I gradually refine my Great Knowledge Tree, I even had a fleeting thought… to incorporate the “network” of the Wanlian Main Network Tree into my system.
This is a channel and network for communication among the civilization of a small world!
For the enhancement of the Great Knowledge Tree, it would definitely be faster than spreading the Great Knowledge Seed within the Witch Academy.
This is not simply a matter of the quality of acquired knowledge; it is a matter of consolidating a vast amount of information.
The most valuable aspect is naturally “experience.”
However, before that, I first need to “satisfy” all these people; otherwise, a starving person might even resort to eating the Wanlian Main Network Tree, who knows?
Having arrived overnight before liberation, they now face an environment that forces them to confront a reality: they have not escaped physical needs and have yet to resolve basic living issues. Naturally, there is no talk of satisfaction with the spiritual world.
However, one point remains… transitioning from extravagance to frugality is also the driving force behind their urgent desire to rebuild a civilized society.
Along with the legacies and infrastructures left by the original world, I believe it won’t take long.
Perhaps it is akin to a global disaster relief, where after meeting basic living needs, what they need is to take matters into their own hands and complete the rebuilding of their homeland.
“Speaking of which, I wonder how you feel now, Xiao Han?”
“Still the same; I have my own affairs to attend to. As long as you don’t interfere with me, I naturally won’t be an obstacle for you.”
“As for cooperation…”
“I can consider it when I’m free, but it would likely only be limited to cooperation on specific matters.” I shrugged, coming off as somewhat unyielding, but they could do nothing about it.
“I remember Xiao Han shouldn’t be completely disinterested, right? This world is such that with money, you can do a lot of things. Even soul crystals can be currency; relying solely on yourself makes it difficult to acquire much. Perhaps you should learn to depend on the power of the collective.”
“Yes, I do need soul crystals. You also know what soul crystals are used for; you naturally understand this is not a pressing need for me,” I said with a smile, feigning indifference toward those soul crystals, and then continued.
“I am very fond of the unknown, such as the large tree you mentioned earlier. Such a tree cannot be born in nature, let alone in a civilized society. I will definitely go see it later.”
I hinted at the concept of “plant technology” from that civilization to them but did not clarify the Wanlian Main Network Tree’s concept; leaving space for their imagination was sufficient. Not everything needs to be explained to them.
Because we are not on the same path.
Although they previously mocked the actions of those robbers, weren’t they also doing the same?
Isn’t so-called cooperation simply a better way to divide those resources?
They also eye those resources enviously; their disdain is merely for those fools who take resources without thinking, not for being labeled as robbers themselves.
These extraordinary resources are exceedingly rare in the main world and, of course, are more precious.
The main world has not been in turmoil for a long time, so it naturally lacks the rich resource accumulation like the Three Source Elements. Instead, they have mostly merged into the world itself.
Since our paths have diverged, mutual non-interference is the greatest achievement of this negotiation.
However… even if we are not on the same side, that merely represents an inability to walk the same path, not that we cannot temporarily cooperate.
As they said, I do indeed need soul crystals. This seems to have become a consensus among them because, among the teaching assistants, only my life level is lacking.
Yet, removing the life level is only a necessary condition for advancing to extraordinary; for me, it is only a bonus.
If they think that controlling soul crystals means controlling me, then that would be a huge joke.
