Chapter 684: Are You Willing to Cooperate with Me on This Experiment?
“…Um, okay~ I’ll come over later.”
After communicating with Yi Rui and the others, I also planned to set off.
Since I delivered the crystallized Fireball Spell spellbook and left, they had also vacated the area, intending to collect materials outside Ninglan New City.
They are not lower-grade students and do not have any final exams, so they do not need to worry too much. Even with this semester coming to an end and the academy stating that the Expanding Realm would be closing, they could return at the fastest speed.
So, even though it is nearing the end of the semester, they are just returning to the Ninglan Realm from a distance.
Currently, they are not in Ninglan New City but at other refuges, searching for some novel materials.
From what they said, they are taking a break in the Sixth Refuge for a few days, which is also the most chaotic refuge at the moment.
This refuge was built with considerable help from the Witch Academy and other refuges, resulting in a collaborative effort.
Many of the teleportation portals here are from the Beast Academy, along with some belonging to the Dragon bl**d Academy and the Dwarfs.
It’s a complete melting pot.
Maintaining order here is challenging.
Since the students come from various academies, conflicts can easily arise, especially considering that the largest population here consists of the volatile Beast Academy students.
Moreover, after the Sixth Refuge was completed, it became the first refuge where the number of students far exceeded the residents…
Unlike the Witch Academy and the top-tier academies, other academies essentially lack “human rights” and have no say in the Expanding Realm.
Understanding where Yi Rui and her group are located, I didn’t plan to linger too long. The Sixth Refuge… seems like a place I haven’t visited much, making it a good opportunity to see the world.
Not just the Sixth Refuge, but I haven’t really visited other shelters either.
However, just as I was about to set out from Ninglan New City, I stopped at a certain location.
“Hmm? Witch Cat Café? What’s going on?” I noticed this was clearly a newly opened shop, and the distinctive font confirmed that this was indeed the Witch Cat Café that draws attention in the Witch Academy!
“No way… Deina opened the Witch Cat Café in Ninglan New City?” I stepped inside, curious to see if there was any Fool Dream available, but at that moment, a cat approached me gracefully, rubbing against my calf.
“L-Little Sister Xiao Han? Is that you? Welcome to the Witch Cat Café!” A student at the front desk recognized me.
“Yes, I’m just a bit curious. Did Teacher Deina also open this Witch Cat Café?” I bent down and picked up the cat that was rubbing against my leg, then looked at the student at the front desk and asked curiously.
“Yes… but Teacher Deina is not here in person; she just assigned a task to help run the Witch Cat Café in the Expanding Realm. I heard there’s also a task posted at the Disaster Refuge, but it seems no one has taken it yet.”
“I see.” I stroked the little cat’s head, then asked, “By the way, do you have the Fool Dream Drink prepared here?”
“Fool Dream? Sorry… we currently don’t have a position for Fool Dream, it’s really in high demand. There aren’t enough to distribute just within the Witch Cat Café at the Witch Academy, let alone here… Moreover, the Fool Dream Drink requires a stable supply of raw materials.”
“I see, well then.”
“Then Sister Xiao Han, do you need…?”
“No, I’m busy. I just passed by out of curiosity. I’ll come back for a drink when I have some free time.”
After putting the clingy little cat back, I also left Ninglan New City.
Yi Rui and the others shared their coordinates with me through the Great Knowledge Seed, so I didn’t need to search for too long at the Sixth Refuge.
However, I was a bit surprised by the distance between the Sixth Refuge and Ninglan New City. Although both are shelters in the Ninglan Realm, recalling the distance from the Second Refuge to Ninglan New City, it becomes apparent just how vast the Ninglan Realm is.
Even with so many Extraordinary Academy students trying to expand outward to the limit, until they are at a loss for strength, this is the size of the Ninglan Realm.
Of course, their inability to continue is also related to my modification of mutated beasts; the area covered by the Ninglan Realm does not simply mean you can reach any destination; it requires infrastructure development and defense.
On my way here, although I could see many buildings, there was still a considerable distance between the refuges. The transitional areas between these refuges were also continuously urbanizing, and many regions had already been incorporated into building planning zones.
When I arrived at the Sixth Refuge, the first impression this city gave me was… wild, yet lacking modern elements, which together presented a unique charm.
This refuge operates on an open basis; entering the city requires no formal processes or procedures, and the internal security relies entirely on self-discipline. No wonder it’s said to be chaotic here.
Even without officially entering the city, I had already seen many busy figures exhibiting orc-like characteristics, making me, a little witch with a human appearance, feel somewhat out of place.
After admiring the orc-like individuals, I headed towards the specified coordinates.
The further I went in, the more I realized that the city was developing rapidly, to the point where one might forget it was actually a “refuge.”
The coordinates seemed to point to the center of the most prosperous area of the Sixth Refuge.
However, even though it was called the most prosperous, it referred more to the clusters of buildings than the people… and that was something I could not agree with.
The first thing that I couldn’t stand was… the orc’s lack of hygiene. Spitting on the ground was considered a “friendly” act of immorality.
Moreover, as I continued walking, I found that I hadn’t yet seen a public restroom, so one can imagine…
Yet, these behaviors also created a unique job position, barely providing employment opportunities for the refuge’s residents? If they don’t mind…
Before I reached the location, I also informed them in advance.
So, when my figure appeared in a high-end hotel, I saw several familiar faces.
“Hi~ Xiao Han! Over here~”
“Coming.” Seeing that Yi Rui had personally come down to greet me, I quickly stepped forward.
“I didn’t expect you to arrive so fast!”
“Yeah, after all, I have business to discuss with you.” I went towards the group, though I was a bit overwhelmed by their enthusiasm.
“Well~ what exactly is the matter you wanted to discuss? You didn’t clarify in the communication.”
“Well~ this place isn’t convenient; let’s go upstairs to talk.” I waved my hand to indicate that it was too crowded here, not to mention that this matter couldn’t be explained clearly in just a few words, so we had to go upstairs first.
After a few casual exchanges on the way up, I arrived at the spacious suite where they were staying. From what I gathered during my ascent, they had booked the entire top floor since their club had quite a few members.
I must say, these individuals, who usually keep a low profile, indeed have terrifying financial resources.
Of course, they booked the top floor mainly for convenience in conducting experiments without outside disturbance.
“I envy you; you truly know how to enjoy life~” Looking at their luxurious arrangements, I couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Come on, you few who have nothing to do, come over ~ see who I’ve invited!” At this moment, Yi Rui directly called out, and many people came over upon hearing the commotion.
“Eh? Is that Little Sister Xiao Han!”
“What? Little Sister Xiao Han actually came over?”
At this moment many people reacted to Yi Rui calling out my name, and they crowded over curiously.
After exchanging greetings, I was led to the rooftop terrace with the best view.
The terrace was designed as a huge rooftop garden entertainment facility, complete with an infinity pool near the edge. No wonder one of the people who welcomed me was still in a swimsuit and soaking wet.
Once I got here, I changed out of my leisure clothes using a transformation spell into a cooler outfit.
“Transformation spell? That’s such a convenient spell; it’s a pity it’s rarely seen in the academy.” Yi Rui exclaimed, seeing me change my outfit with a snap of my fingers.
In the past, she considered whether to learn this spell, but since it pertains to personal attire, without a spellbook for stable assurance, the hand-crafted transformation spell was notoriously unstable.
“Shouldn’t your mentor be able to whip one up for you if you ask?” I asked curiously.
“Forget it; it’s not a spell I particularly want, so there’s no need to bother my mentor about this. Once I become an Extraordinary Witch, I can just craft whatever spellbook I want myself!” After all, they have now been exposed to the actual editing-related technology; they just haven’t leveled up to use it yet.
“By the way, Xiao Han, since you’re already here, can you share what the matter is now?” Yi Rui asked again.
It was clear that she was quite curious about the reason for my sudden visit.
As Yi Rui posed the question, the others also didn’t leave; instead, they curiously leaned in.
After all, they’ve seen my talents, especially the Great Knowledge Seed, which is a kind of serialized derivative of a Great Spellbook!
This was also their first encounter with such a type of derivative.
“Just speaking might not convey my intentions clearly, so let me demonstrate a technique to clarify why I’m here.” I pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Technique? What technique?”
“Come on, come on~ did Xiao Han come up with some non-sequential derivative inspiration? Which spell’s derivative is it?”
“Just wait and see what Xiao Han demonstrates; it’s not like she would intentionally seek us out just for a spell derivative, right?” Yi Rui soothed the overly excited crowd beside her.
“Actually, the technique I want to demonstrate is quite simple.” As I spoke, I extended my hand and magic power surged from within me.
That’s right, I was demonstrating the technique for condensing a Magic Source.
And the few in front of me… as researchers of magic, they were quite knowledgeable about runes, spell ceremonies, spell frameworks, etc., and they also required self-directed mental power to guide the magic release spells, so their familiarity with magic was indisputable.
At first, they weren’t clear on what I was doing and were curious as to why I wasn’t constructing a spell framework but was continuously pouring out magic to create an unknown ritual.
However, as the magic gradually deviated from the visible layer, and the energy reached the Real Time, condensing an unknown ritual, everyone was stunned, with only Yi Rui reacting first!
Xiao Han is condensing a Magic Source!
No… uncertain… let’s observe a bit more.
Yet, they tacitly chose not to directly ask questions.
Meanwhile, I continued my actions, as a Magic Source is inherently an energy anchoring on the Real Time layer, so typically, people wouldn’t see the Magic Source unless it is carried by a special container or medium.
However, students who can enter the Extraordinary Academy have Spirit Vision; at the very least, they possess foresight-level Spirit Vision. They don’t need an advanced level of Spirit Vision; just a stable touching of the Real Time through the Spirit Vision talent would allow them to see the state of the Magic Source.
Seeing this, even the dullest of them realized that I was handcrafting a Magic Source!
In their perception, a Magic Source is something that can only be independently obtained by an Extraordinary Witch; it’s akin to a spellbook and something they are not qualified to independently create!
This silent atmosphere lasted a while longer until I finally broke the silence.
“Okay, done!” I stored the Magic Source in my body, and only then did everyone react.
“Xiao Han… that… that’s a Magic Source? You actually managed to handcraft a Magic Source? Have you ascended to become an Extraordinary Witch?!” Yi Rui was the first to react and asked.
“Don’t joke; that is indeed a Magic Source, but I haven’t ascended to become an Extraordinary Witch, so… that’s part of the problem I wanted to discuss, which is one of the reasons I came to you.” I looked around at everyone and began to steer the conversation toward the area I hoped to delve into.
“Is this the reason you came to us? You managed to condense a Magic Source? But… but…”
“I heard my mentor say before that we cannot condense a Magic Source before ascending to become an Extraordinary Witch… Did my mentor lie to me?”
“My mentor said the same…”
“Your mentors didn’t deceive you; under normal circumstances, one cannot condense a Magic Source without ascending to become an Extraordinary Witch. However, first, you must understand how this conclusion was drawn!” I reassured them and continued to guide the conversation, throwing out questions to provoke their thinking.
Why can’t one condense a Magic Source without ascending to an Extraordinary Witch?
“Uh… I seem to actually not know.”
“I don’t know either; my mentor didn’t tell me. I think I asked once… but got no response.”
“I think it wouldn’t be too late to text my mentor now…”
“Since you all are unclear, let me explain it to you.” Seeing their confusion, I decided not to keep them in suspense.
“First, it’s essential to affirm that your mentors are fundamentally correct because condensing a Magic Source is a branch topic under the grand topic of witches, and theoretically, it is indeed only Extraordinary Witches who can achieve this.”
“Let’s break down the hard requirements for this topic; it can be divided into two aspects: one is the technique, the technique for condensing a Magic Source, and the other is the foundation for condensing a Magic Source, which depends on a special racial constitution of a witch, also called the witch talent—Self-Generated Magic.”
“This physical talent is generally completed after ascending to an Extraordinary Witch when the life level transforms into extraordinary, ultimately developing under the grand topic of witches. From what I understand, it is not very difficult for an Extraordinary Witch to obtain this talent, but it is nearly impossible for someone who has not ascended to become an Extraordinary Witch.”
“But… do you possess this constitution before ascending?” Yi Rui quickly grasped the core of my point and asked.
“Yes! I have gained this constitution and also mastered the technique for condensing a Magic Source, so I can independently condense a Magic Source.” I nodded affirmatively.
“However, I didn’t come here to talk about the Magic Source matters but rather about this physical talent of Self-Generated Magic! I want to research a technique for the mass birth of Self-Generated Magic talent!”
“So… are you willing to cooperate with me on this experiment?”
