Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2887: Chapter 2888: Vines Beneath the Shadows

In the Wilderness of Dreams, there is actually a Witchcraft Garden called Tide Wave Garden, originating from Lord Rhein.

At first, Rhein suggested pulling the Tide Wave Garden into the Wilderness of Dreams to test what would happen when the inherent rules of the Witchcraft Garden clashed with the virtual rules in the Wilderness of Dreams.

The final result was considered pleasing. The reality laws within the Tide Wave Garden were tamed by the sub-authority under the Heavenly Phenomenon Replacement Power.

The rules of the Tide Wave Garden, in the Wilderness of Dreams, became a state that could be either virtual or real. This accelerated the process of rule transformation within the Wilderness of Dreams.

It can be said that Rhein’s test was very successful, which is a good thing.

However, there was a prerequisite for this test, which was that the authority of the Wilderness of Dreams could suppress the reality laws within the Witchcraft Garden.

The Tide Wave Garden is considered a small or even tiny garden, with not very strong rule frameworks inside, which were suppressed solely by the sub-authority of the Celestial Alternation.

But if it were a medium-sized Witchcraft Garden of the same type, such as the ”Garden of Carnal Desires” from the Blissful Pure Land, the Celestial Alternation Power might not be able to suppress it.

If we further increase the stakes, replacing it with a large Witchcraft Garden like the ”Deep Whirlpool Garden” from the Song of the Deep Sea, the Celestial Alternation Power not only wouldn’t suppress it, but could very likely be countered by the Deep Whirlpool laws.

Therefore, even the currently stable Wilderness of Dreams does not dare to pull Witchcraft Gardens into it lightly. A small Witchcraft Garden must be prudently chosen, and there must be corresponding authority to suppress it. Especially now, the Crystal Origin of Dreams has not even stabilized its basic stability, yet it must face the ”Forest of Memories,” which is suspected to be a large Witchcraft Garden.

The result of this is something Angel cannot imagine.

It’s very possible that, as he suspects, the Forest of Memories might, relying on its own laws, encroach and establish a domain in the Crystal Origin of Dreams, reigning over it.

But now, if the Forest of Memories isn’t pulled into the Crystal Origin of Dreams, there’s no way to deal with that troublesome spider magic monster, placing Angel in a dilemma.

Choosing to pull in the Forest of Memories might cost the Crystal Origin of Dreams its initiative.

If not choosing the Forest of Memories, the Crystal Origin of Dreams will surely be destroyed by the spider magic monster.

It must be said, the step taken by the will of the Mirror World... is truly ruthless.

As Angel was torn, a bright light suddenly flashed through the Mind Space, and Angel, puzzled, looked towards this bright light...

When Angel looked back again, he felt he was standing in front of a huge and lush tree.

This is... the Ability Tree.

When Angel had just arrived in the Mirror World before, the Ability Tree was very dim, and the dots of light on the tree—the authorities within the Wilderness of Dreams—were also very obscure and could not be invoked at all.

But now, it didn’t itch.

Some light points on the Ability Tree have regained their brilliance, such as Gatekeeper, Gate of Dreams, and Celestial Alternation.

The light points of these three authorities are clearly glowing.

This means that the Crystal Origin of Dreams has also been recognized by the Ability Tree, and the corresponding authorities can also be used in the Crystal Origin of Dreams.

But currently, only the light of Gatekeeper and Gate of Dreams is the brightest. While Celestial Alternation does emit light, it’s not very obvious, and can be set aside for now.

Angel kept his gaze on those obviously glowing points of light on the tree, secretly pondering: Was the light that flashed through the Mind Space not long ago, the light of Gatekeeper and Gate of Dreams?

As he stared more and more, Angel vaguely felt something amiss.

It’s not that the authorities of Gatekeeper and Gate of Dreams were amiss, but the entire Ability Tree... was amiss.

”Is it my illusion? Why does it feel like it seems to have grown a bit?” Angel murmured in his heart while recalling the earlier appearance of the Ability Tree.

When Angel compared the Authority Tree in his memory with the current one, he finally discovered what was amiss.

The Ability Tree hasn’t visibly grown larger, but has developed many extensions and new branches, though these branches are currently hidden in shadows, making them hard to notice at first glance; however, despite the branches being hidden in the shadows, they are still branches, and the longer one looks, the more a sense of tightness and oppression different from before becomes apparent.

”Why are there so many extra branches? Are these branches related to the Crystal Origin of Dreams? What exactly are these branches?” Filled with questions, Angel slowly approached the Ability Tree.

As Angel’s ”Miss Body” gradually merged with the Ability Tree, a vast amount of information poured into Angel’s mind.

After a bit of organization, Angel discovered that this information was all new, previously unavailable on the Ability Tree, belonging to truly ”newborn information.”

And all this new information is related to the additional branches.

After contemplating for a while, Angel understood the situation of these branches.

As he guessed, these branches hidden in the shadows are indeed related to the Crystal Origin of Dreams.

Angel had always thought that the ”Ability Tree” was merely the core authority of the Wilderness of Dreams; but now, with the emergence of the Crystal Origin of Dreams, he realized that the Ability Tree is not only the core authority of the Wilderness of Dreams, it is also based on the ”Nightmare Realm, Dream Realm, and Third-Party World” core authority within the Principal Body of the Nightmare Domain.

In other words, the Ability Tree is the core authority in the Wilderness of Dreams, and it is also the core authority in the Crystal Origin of Dreams. In the future, if new territories of the Wilderness of Dreams are born, the Ability Tree will similarly be the most core authority.

No matter how far the territory extends, there is only one ”Ability Tree.”

And the ability of the Ability Tree is: It can modulate all manifested authorities.

Therefore, even this sole Ability Tree, placed in the Dream Crystal Origin, can still control and adjust the authority of the Dream Crystal Origin.

—Yes, the Dream Crystal Origin also has a Principal Body of the Nightmare Domain and its own authority.

The powers of the Wilderness of Dreams come from: the Nightmare Realm, the Dream Realm, and the Wizards’ Realm; while the powers of the Dream Crystal Origin come from: the Nightmare Realm, the Dream Realm, and the Mirror World.

The essence of these three worlds shares similarities and differences, so their corresponding authorities are the same—some are universal, some are exclusive to a particular world.

For instance, Celestial Alternation, the Wilderness of Dreams, and the Gatekeeper Authority are universal; the Ability Tree is the same, also a universal authority, but it is rather special, belonging to the core authority among universal authorities.

Getting back to the point, now that the Principal Body of the Nightmare Domain in the Dream Crystal Origin hasn’t manifested and no authority is flowing out, the Ability Tree, even though it can control and adjust the Dream Crystal Origin’s authority, is helpless here.

However, even though there’s no authority flowing out right now, this doesn’t prevent the Ability Tree from producing corresponding tendrils based on the Dream Crystal Origin’s authority.

The tendrils hidden in shadows that Angel saw are the ones that will carry the Dream Crystal Origin’s authority in the future.

Once the Dream Crystal Origin is fully shaped, and the Principal Body of the Nightmare Domain appears with authority flowing out, the tendrils on the Ability Tree will grow from the shadows and bear the Power Fruit representing the Dream Crystal Origin’s authority.

Before the Dream Crystal Origin’s hidden dangers are eliminated, these are all matters for later.

However, watching those tendrils hidden in the dark, Angel’s thoughts began slowly stirring...

Since the Ability Tree can control the Dream Crystal Origin’s authority, it seems there might be a way to deal with the intrusion of the Forest of Memories?

Angel pondered for a moment, and a plan slowly emerged in his mind.

The success rate of this plan is unknown, the consequences uncertain, but at worst, the Dream Crystal Origin will shatter. As long as it doesn’t affect the operation of the Wilderness of Dreams, even if the Dream Crystal Origin shatters, Angel can accept it.

After all, he cannot rely on anyone to cross the river right now.

Having chosen to pioneer the Wilderness of Dreams and walk this untrodden path, every step forward requires his own exploration.

Thinking of this, Angel silently made a decision in his heart.

He slowly reached out his hand and gently touched the glass bottle holding the shedding scales.

The moment he touched it, Angel felt a strong sense of rejection, as if something terrible would happen if he didn’t let go the next second.

And the only terrifying thing Angel could think of was the shedding scales exploding.

Even though he wasn’t sure if this was just his psychological effect, Angel still let go accordingly. However, before letting go, Angel silently called a name in his mind.

—Glaipnir.

After letting go, the sense of crisis immediately vanished.

Angel didn’t touch the glass bottle again but sat quietly waiting. If Laplace didn’t deceive him, someone should contact him soon.

While Angel was thinking this, a crack appeared in the sky.

”So fast?” Angel mumbled quietly, raising his head to look.

Angel originally thought Glaipnir would arrive, but unexpectedly, after the crack appeared, it quickly turned into a square dog hole. Then, a pitch-black head with furry ears poked out of the dog hole.

Seeing that familiar face, Angel softly called, ”Genggui?”

Genggui nodded, ”Sir, it’s me.”

Angel: ”...What are you doing here?” Wasn’t he supposed to guard outside the Reflection of the Heart?

Genggui didn’t respond immediately, but quietly glanced at the sleeping Laplace nearby, a trace of panic flashing in his eyes. Then, he pointed his short, chubby hand at Laplace, then at Angel...

”Don’t point, and don’t overthink. She just fell asleep due to the side effects of studying the Sweet Dream. She’ll wake up soon.” Angel paused and added, ”Maybe she’ll wake up while you’re pointing at her.”

Angel’s scare tactic worked well on Genggui. He immediately withdrew his finger, and his expression returned to seriousness from the previous panic.

Feigning a cough, Genggui smoothed over the awkward atmosphere.

Angel continued to ask, ”Now you can tell me, why are you here?”

Genggui took out a pitch-black round disk from the depths of the dog hole and tossed it, letting it float steadily towards Angel.

Angel reached out and caught the disk.

”Not long ago, Glaipnir suddenly contacted me, asking me to lend you the Star Disk, without telling me the reason, and then broke off contact. I don’t know why, but since she asked me to lend you the Star Disk, I figured there must be something she wants to say to you, so I came in.” After saying this, Genggui began to shrink the dog hole in the sky, preparing to retreat.

However, before leaving, Genggui peered through the dog hole, ”Right, the Star Disk is just a loan to you, sir. Please remember to return it to me before you leave.”

Angel nodded, mumbling a response.

Seeing this, Genggui left with reassurance.

After Genggui disappeared, Angel’s gaze rested on this Star Disk.

The Star Disk is entirely black, made of a marble-like material, polished very smoothly, and when touched, it feels distinctly cool.

On the Star Disk, there are many things resembling light points, like stars in the night sky, emitting a faint glow.

Although Angel was seeing such a Star Disk for the first time, he immediately recognized it as the board for Astrology Chess. Not long ago, Glaipnir had played a game of Astrology Chess with the Black Earl, but at that time, Glaipnir conjured the board from the void, rather than using a physical Star Disk.

While Angel was observing the Star Disk, the light points suddenly brightened, part of them intersecting in the air, eventually forming a glowing human-shaped outline.

This human figure, without a doubt, was Glaipnir.

After Glaipnir’s luminous shadow appeared, he first observed the surroundings, then slowly lowered his head, his gaze on Angel.

”Changer from beyond the Starry Sky, I heard you call my name,” an old voice came from Glaipnir.

”Changer from beyond the Starry Sky?” Angel stroked his chin. ”Is this the Reflection of my Heart? Just like the lonely one hidden among the crowd, or like the Retracer seeking the past?”

Glaipnir hesitated for a moment before replying, ”No.”

The reason for calling Angel this was purely because she couldn’t determine Angel’s position in the starry sky, unable to see the astrology corresponding to Angel, thus giving such a title.

However, Angel did not care for this title.

”Since not, why not just call me Angel? I prefer my own name to a long string of seemingly grand titles,” Angel said with a gleaming smile.

Glaipnir was silent for a moment before nodding, ”Okay.”

Angel: ”Back to the main topic, I want to borrow the Forest of Memories.”

Glaipnir didn’t hesitate, nodding, ”Alright, I’ll bring the Forest of Memories over later.”

He agreed so easily? Angel was momentarily stunned; he thought Glaipnir would at least ask why he needed the Forest of Memories, but instead, he agreed directly without asking anything?

Glaipnir seemed to have seen through Angel’s thoughts, speaking softly, ”Since you can mention the Forest of Memories, it must be that Laplace told you. You came to borrow the Forest of Memories, so it must be Laplace who agreed; since she agrees, naturally I won’t refuse.”

Angel: ”...Didn’t you see Laplace is in a deep sleep? How could you judge she agreed?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Angel received a familiar look—

Only to see Glaipnir looking at Angel with a strange gaze, the same gaze Angel had felt countless times from Laplace.

Whenever this gaze appeared, Laplace would always say one thing.

”Because I am her, she is me.”

Sure enough, Glaipnir said the same words, and his tone matched exactly with how Angel remembered Laplace.

Angel was silent for a long time before finally pursing his lips and saying, ”...Alright.”

Although Glaipnir provided such a reason, Angel felt that this sentence was actually a common denominator for Laplace’s three temporal bodies; whenever not wanting to answer or explain, they would simply use this sentence as a response.

A hundred tries, a hundred successes.

After all, they are Temporal Bodies, and anyone who knows the truth about Temporal Bodies would think there was nothing wrong with this sentence... but every time Angel heard it, he felt strange.

Shaking his head, Angel decided not to think further, since they always considered themselves as one person...

...

Glaipnir came quickly and left just as swiftly.

After agreeing to bring the Forest of Memories, his figure vanished from the Star Disk.

The light faded, and the Star Disk returned to being dim, only the light points still emitting a faint glow were proof of its uniqueness.

In the following time, Angel simultaneously observed the situation inside the Crystal Origin of Dreams through the Authority of the Gate of Dreams, while waiting for Glaipnir’s arrival.

During the wait, Angel noticed that since Laplace returned to the safe zone within the Crystal Origin of Dreams, the spider monsters had ceased their attacks, instead focusing on weaving webs to spread their territory, seemingly intent on filling the sky with webs.

This stance was clearly not one of hostile opposition, or even if adversarial, it wasn’t intensely confrontational.

If it truly were intense opposition, why would they ignore their enemies and instead expand their territory?

Moreover, when recalling the spider monster’s actions since arriving at the Crystal Origin of Dreams, Angel clearly noticed that the spider monster became hostile toward him first, whereas towards Laplace, there wasn’t much animosity.

Even when later on Laplace actively attacked the spider monsters, their reaction was passive defense, and though they occasionally counter-attacked, it had no effect on Laplace.

Now, as Laplace ceased fighting, they completely ignored her, as if she was an irrelevant passerby, completely forgetting that not long ago this ”passerby” had launched consecutive bombardments on them.

This unusual phenomenon further proved Angel’s conjecture.

For the Mirror World, Laplace is akin to a ”beloved daughter,” so how could the spider monsters, dispatched as Eliminators by the Mirror World, possibly harm her?

Also, whose Forest of Memories is it?

Laplace’s.

According to Angel’s speculation, the will of the Mirror World wants to ”enclose” within the Crystal Origin of Dreams. And who is the biggest beneficiary of this occupation activity?

Undoubtedly, it’s still Laplace.

Such ”favoritism” only shows that Laplace truly deserves to be Destiny’s Chosen.

However, Angel doesn’t envy the title of ”Destiny”; this world isn’t as simple as being divided into black and white, nor like the protagonists in the holographic tablet novels, who can act recklessly as the Child of Destiny.

Whatever you gain, there is something you must pay. Fate will inevitably mark a corresponding price behind all your gains.

And these debts must eventually be repaid.

Just like the Extreme Sect, they are also an organization born under destiny. The benefits they receive are unimaginable to outsiders. But the price they have to pay is also beyond outsiders’ imagination.

The Southern Domain Wizard World has countless affiliated planes, which certainly demonstrates the power of the Southern Domain Wizard World but also buries many hidden threats.

The more affiliated planes there are, the weaker the space in some areas becomes, making it easier for the tentacles of Otherworldly invaders to reach in.

Under normal circumstances, without the intervention of the Extreme Sect, the space of the Southern Domain Wizard World would almost turn into a sieve, allowing a large number of otherworldly creatures to enter and harm the local territories and lives of the Southern Domain.

Now, the Southern Domain is generally calm and peaceful. Occasionally, when evil priests appear, the Extreme Sect immediately goes to eliminate them. Even when some accidents occur, the Extreme Sect goes to right the chaos, and the effort, energy, and time expended in this are considerable.

Although various witcher organizations don’t like some of the Extreme Sect’s practices, they still acknowledge the Extreme Sect when it comes to protecting the Southern Domain.

And the matter of the Extreme Sect is not an isolated case; in every major Wizards’ Realm, in every world, there are similar individuals or organizations waving big flags.

These individuals or organizations can all be called Destiny’s Chosen because their growth itself has been under the watch of the World Will.

As they gain attention, they also need to pay the price for it.

Angel suspects Laplace might be the same.

Moreover, Laplace might have already begun paying the price... Angel has a premonition that Laplace’s principal body long stationed in the Sea of Void Mirror is probably due to executing some cost.

As Angel pondered this, the Star Disk on the ground suddenly lit up again.

Countless points of light rose straight into the sky.

A curtain-like nebula gradually appeared in the sky, and within the nebula, the hunched figure of Glaipnir slowly walked out.

Using the Milky Way as a bridge, and cloud as a staff.

Glaipnir crossed the bridge with her staff.

Soon, Glaipnir came before Angel.

She glanced at the sleeping Laplace beside her, not overly surprised, and simply remarked, ”A girl’s sleeping posture looks better when curled up, lying so spreadeagle, what does it look like?”

Angel didn’t respond, but silently mocked in his heart: Anyway, you are her, and she is you, so by criticizing her, aren’t you criticizing yourself?

Glaipnir turned to Angel: ”I brought the Forest of Memories. Should I give it to you? Or to Laplace?”

Angel: ”No need to give it to me, just...just place it next to Laplace.”

Glaipnir didn’t ask for a reason, wrapped in the nebula, and went to Laplace’s side.

As the nebula surrounded, points of light dripped down.

These points of light slowly formed beside Laplace, eventually transforming into a unique ”Bonsai.”

”Is this...the Forest of Memories?” Angel asked with some surprise, looking at the bonsai.

Glaipnir nodded: ”Yes.”

Angel has actually seen many Witchcraft Gardens, from the earring-sized Gravity Garden to the one so large it could fit half the sky, the Garden of Living Souls. And this bonsai is one of the smaller ones in appearance.

But the bonsai’s look is quite peculiar.

Like with the molting, the entire bonsai is encased in a glass dome, which extends to the light blue flowerpot.

The flowerpot’s appearance has nothing special about it, but the plant planted inside is very interesting.

”It” is a tree, but a miniature tree encased in a glass dome. Everything about the trunk and branches is no different from an ordinary banyan tree; the only difference lies in the leaves.

To be precise, this bonsai tree has no leaves; the leaf parts are replaced by wisps of clouds.

From afar, it looks like a ”tree with cotton growing on it.”