Chapter 324: The Importance of Scholar Xiao Han in the Underground City
A few days later, Ninglan New City.
Due to the newly issued city decree, outsiders are required to be controlled, and any resistance is met with immediate placement on the wanted list, leading to their expulsion from Ninglan New City.
It can be said that the city is undergoing a major cleansing these days, and the residents are naturally the most affected.
This creates a need for an outlet. When the heinous acts of the outsiders are posted on the city’s announcements, the residents of Ninglan New City become completely enraged.
The city lord’s methods are impressive, portraying Ninglan New City as a noble and hospitable place accepting visitors, while outsiders are depicted as invading troublemakers.
However, in practical terms, this is indeed the case, but Ninglan Qiuyun has struck down all outsiders without exception.
He is a true master at kicking the donkey after the grind, but it seems not entirely fair, as we outsiders have yet to deal with the nightmares.
“It’s been a long time since I came up for some fresh air. This sun, this sunlight on my skin, it feels so pleasant.” I took a deep breath. Although I was still in the dream world, the sensation was different. I looked up at the sun in the sky and then glanced at Sister Bai beside me, a satisfied smile on my face.
“Yeah, it really has been a long time. The glowing cold light from the earth veins below can become quite depressing after a while. The sunshine is wonderful; it really lightens me up.” At this moment, Sister Bai also sighed in agreement.
Both of us were dressed in casual clothes, courtesy of the rewriting spell. If my spell’s maintenance were lost, the clothes would revert to their original form, of course, I wouldn’t be caught bare, unless I intervened intentionally, but that would be quite shameless.
Passersby by the road seemed oblivious to our presence, engrossed in their own matters. The wanted notice regarding the outsiders has been publicized throughout the city, particularly focusing on key targets. Reporting outsiders reaps rewards, though not substantial, while providing shelter to them bears harsh punishment.
“I really can’t feel it… Sister Bai, your methods are so magical; it seems to transcend the realm of spells.”
“Hmm, as long as the power is useful, that’s enough.” Sister Bai nodded in agreement.
“This completely reduces presence… this ability… no matter how you look at it, it feels like it could lead to misunderstandings. By the way, Sister Bai, have you ever done anything strange to me using this ability?”
“What are you thinking? Xiao Han, is your mind filled with yellow rubbish?!” Sister Bai’s knuckle came down sharply on my forehead.
“Well~ it is a reasonable association, but is this ability really that outrageous? Is this the power from your topic, Sister Bai?” I asked curiously.
“No, Xiao Han, the topic itself has no power. It’s simply a final signpost guiding us to obtain power, even a more abstract concept.” Sister Bai shook her head and explained.
“So… you acquired this power through your own strength, right? So… Sister Bai, you have thought about this, haven’t you? Clearly, I didn’t say anything and yet you criticized me for having yellow rubbish in mind!”
“Hmph, Xiao Han, can’t you see that your thoughts are written all over your face? Do I need to guess?”
“Really? No, right…” I instinctively touched my cheek, feeling its delicate softness; the texture was great, “But… even if Sister Bai were to do something to me with this ability, I’d accept it, okay?”
“Xiao Han… if you keep this up, I’ll have to teach you a lesson, you know? And I’ll correct you again, this isn’t the ability to lower someone’s presence, just something similar.”
“Alright~ just joking.” Seeing Sister Bai’s attitude change, I quickly restrained myself, fearing that continuing this banter might lead to trouble.
“Um… how about we go have a cup of coffee? Choosing to come out in the afternoon was definitely a good choice, think of it as afternoon tea; I’ll treat you! Want to come and taste how the coffee in my memory is like?”
After passing a coffee place with few patrons and an outdoor seating area, I spoke up.
“That seems nice.” Sister Bai nodded in agreement.
We then headed to a secluded corner to sit down. I waved my hand over the table, and as if performing magic, two exquisite cups of coffee appeared, along with sugar cubes on the side.
“Every time I see you use your abilities, I can’t help but be impressed.”
“That’s the charm of the extraordinary, right? Turning the impossible into possible, breaking normal perceptions. Actually, Sister Bai, you have similar spells, right? I remember seeing those when you showcased the spellbook to me, like the sugar-free bread spell… and the carbonated drink spell, those little spellbooks have such amazing effects.”
“But they still can’t compare to your abilities, Xiao Han.”
“Oh~ I was just admiring the delicacy of those small spellbooks.” I raised my coffee cup and took a sip, and it tasted just like the coffee I remembered.
“The small spellbooks can stand alone as a separate series independent of regular spellbooks for a reason. They sacrificed the strict rune ritual structures of normal spells, using the most active spell frameworks or unsystematic runes to facilitate the all-around development of today’s small spellbooks.”
“I didn’t expect Sister Bai to understand so much!” I marveled.
“After realizing the importance of spellbooks, I made it a point to shore up my knowledge. What I just said is a very basic introductory description related to the small spellbooks.”
“By the way, Xiao Han.” Suddenly, Sister Bai seemed to remember something and shifted the topic, “Regarding teleportation spells… do you have confidence?”
“What do you mean, do I have confidence? Naturally, I have confidence, just unsure if it will succeed. Even if it doesn’t succeed, it also indicates certain things, but that’s not important.”
“But you should understand that many things can’t be taken for granted; after all, spells aren’t all-powerful. Don’t think that anything goes.”
“It’s one thing to think of something, and another to do it; the existence of spells is partly to transition from thought to action,” I retorted. “Unless it proves my assumption wrong, you shouldn’t dismiss my efforts, Sister Bai!”
“I don’t mean to dismiss your efforts, Xiao Han; just that your ideas are a bit… imaginative? You have to remember your body is in reality, whereas we are in a dream; teleportation spells can’t transport a person from reality into a dream, and dreams can’t hold solid entities, right?”
“I’ve thought about that; of course, that doesn’t work, so I’m planning to have the special teleportation ritual completed here by Fool Dream, with my guidance. Even if it’s slow, that’s fine.”
“Setting up a teleportation ritual with Fool Dream here in reality? That could work, but can your consciousness freely return to your physical body now?”
“Of course! Regarding nightmare research, though it hasn’t been long, the original rune ritual I pieced together through insights from nightmares, after continuous updates, has allowed me to break through the constraints imposed by the nightmares.”
At this point, I recalled that spell Teacher Ji had shown me, which allows entering the Primordial Dream World without dream devices; is it somewhat similar?
Although I haven’t experienced that spell myself, it can either enter or exit the dream. Teacher Ji’s spell allows entry into the Primordial Dream World built by the Primordial Witch, while mine is about returning here, to this ruined Main World invaded by dreams.
“So, Xiao Han, as long as you want, you can free yourself from here at any time, right?”
“Yes, Sister Bai, you can definitely understand it that way, but… my goal here hasn’t been accomplished. You understand, right?”
“I certainly do.”
“Then, Sister Bai, will you support me?” I smiled at Sister Bai and asked.
“Of course, I will support you unconditionally.”
“Thank you.” With such a clear reply from Sister Bai, my last concern vanished.
Naturally, I want to bring my physical body into the dream, not just to address both dream and reality aspects to reduce weaknesses and limits, but mainly because of other considerations.
After all, being able to cover both dream and reality means I’m just on par with the dream demon.
What I care about more is… the Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell.
In the dream, everything is a projection, an existence generated from acquiring real-world information, including the Great Spellbook as well. Therefore, using the Great Spellbook in the dream may not have the same effectiveness as the real one.
Moreover… I intend to use the Great Spellbook for the wisdom enlightenment of Fool Dream, which cannot be achieved within the dream.
Thus, I must pursue this.
Given this situation… did the Academy Head also anticipate such a step?
The Academy Head is truly terrifying.
If I had even a slight deviation in thought or failure in ability, I could not have made it this far.
With half a cup of coffee down, after leaving with Sister Bai and wandering outside for a while, we headed back.
On the street, we saw the posted descriptions of the “good deeds” committed by outsiders to incite public hatred. I glanced over to see what kind of despicable acts they had committed, estimating there could be exaggeration or fabrication in those narratives—it was quite amusing to read.
However, the massive elevator we initially entered to the Underground City is now sealed off. Although Ninglan New City cannot forcefully interfere with the Underground City, it can close off entrances and exits. However, cooperation cannot stop.
The Underground City needs supplies, and Ninglan New City requires extraordinary craftsmanship to produce weapons and supplies. Let’s not forget, with time slipping by, the city outside is facing the purging tides of energy, which will attract a swarm of mutated beasts mutated by energy tides radiating from Ninglan New City.
The outermost defensive forces of Ninglan New City are already in a wartime state with Type II Extraordinary Armaments, and Type III Extraordinary Weapons are on standby.
Even if the main entrances and secondary entrances to the Underground City are sealed, we still have countless ways to return, such as short-range teleportation, or I could directly use the Dream Rewriting Spell to head underground without issue.
As for what Ninglan Qiuyue previously said about wanting to bring reliable outsiders into the Underground City, I still feel it is fraught with difficulties.
However, since Ninglan Qiuyue has such an idea, it likely indicates she has expected such possibilities. It shows that even in this small Ninglan New City, she has her own channels.
As for how we would return to the Underground City, we naturally chose the most thrilling route through the main entrance. Although there are still Dream City Guards stationed, they cannot stop us, nor can they even notice us.
“Oh no~ we’re back in this dark Underground City again. I’m a bit reluctant to leave the above.”
“Then just visit often.” Sister Bai said casually, “As long as you want, I can accompany you anytime.”
“Then it’s settled.”
However, as Sister Bai retracted that ability, we saw familiar uniforms on the way back.
“Hmm… City Guard.” I paused, a bit surprised, not expecting someone would actually show up in the Underground City!
“There are actually two outsiders! They’re on the wanted list!”
As I caught sight of them, they also noticed us from the corner of their eyes.
“Oh dear.” I smiled at Sister Bai beside me, shrugged, and said with a laugh.
“Looks like I took that ability down too early.”
“Not too early; some matters need to be resolved, Sister Bai. Do you want to take a bet whether they can take me away?” I asked with a smile.
“Gimme a break, they definitely can’t take you away.”
“I bet they won’t, but with one condition: I won’t lift a finger.” I said while smiling, watching as those City Guards surrounded us.
“Still smiling? I advise you to give up resistance! And you! The special wanted outsider!”
“I laugh because you’re not quite grasping the situation. The City Guards of Ninglan New City capturing a scholar from the Extraordinary Research Base in the Underground City—are you brave enough to act?” I said while looking through the crowd and spotted the Ground Patrol Team, recognizing the old captain among them.
Looks like Ninglan New City is starting to negotiate with the Underground City?
And that distinguished-looking middle-aged man should be some official from Ninglan New City? Plus, the head of the Extraordinary Research Base.
“A scholar? How could an outsider become a scholar in the Extraordinary Research Base…”
“Sorry, this young lady is indeed a formal scholar from our Extraordinary Research Base, so please do not resort to violence against our scholar!” At this moment, the head of the base also stepped forward to speak. Naturally, he recognized me and at this moment, the most popular project in the Extraordinary Research Base is that nightmare weapon along with the so-called primitive rune ritual; he knew if the base lost me, those scholars would panic since this ‘little ancestor’ had left for only a short while for some fresh air, and the scholars there would feel lost without a leader.
“You… you allowed an outsider to become a scholar in your base? But according to the rules of Ninglan New City, she is an outsider personally wanted by the city lord. Please hand her over to us.”
“You know that’s your Ninglan New City’s rule. The Underground City calls the shots here.” At this moment, the Ground Patrol Team’s captain also sternly interjected. After all, as a representative of the Underground City’s violent organization, what’s wrong with speaking harshly? Especially since this is their home court.
Moreover, this guy recently requested an equipment update for their Ground Patrol Team, so he has to stick with them.
“The Underground City is also an inseparable part of Ninglan New City!”
“Well, you still can’t take them away. If you do, then I can guarantee that close to thirty percent or even more of the scholars, technicians, and Extraordinary apprentices from the Extraordinary Research Base will show up at your territory in Ninglan New City, demanding your head.”
“Do you want to give it a try?”
Faced with these two intimidating individuals, the Ninglan New City official instantly appeared disadvantaged; after all, it’s not worth it over a bounty. Even if he didn’t believe their threat was serious, he sensed that they wanted to protect her.
And so this matter settled down as they left in defeat, even the base head and Ground Patrol Team members who originally wanted to escort them simply chose not to.
“Scholar Xiao Han, you’ve really been reckless this time. What are you doing running here?”
“Just getting some fresh air and found out that the elevator here was controlled.” I shrugged and then looked at Sister Bai; my gamble had paid off.
“I’m truly sorry; you probably didn’t check our base’s announcements on time. It was those guys upstairs causing trouble. Scholar Xiao Han, let’s return to the base. Many scholars have encountered problems in the sub-projects you assigned; since you weren’t there, those stubborn donkeys will probably go bald again.”
“Alright then… Sister Bai, can you come with me?”
As we left, in a certain dark corner, a mouse with brilliant eyes swiftly scurried away.
