Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2104: Chapter 2105: Functional Mushrooms

"Mentor, didn’t you go out with Ironclad Granny?" Angel looked at Sanders with some suspicion.

Upon returning to reality, he found that Sanders had actually left the Wilderness of Dreams before him. Now, Sanders was sitting opposite him, inadvertently tapping his fingers on the table, seemingly pondering something.

"Ironclad Granny only asked me about some energy rules, then went to register her identity on her own, saying she wanted to stroll around the city."

Angel was a bit surprised: "Granny registered her identity?"

Originheart City’s theme is set as a city for mortals from the beginning, so the rules are designed for mortals. Transcendents are typically proud and resist restrictions, and if Originheart City were a city of Transcendents, it would be understandable, but here, it’s a realm for mortals, and they naturally do not want to merge into it.

Like before, when he led everyone on the way to Sky Tower, whether Wallace or Lianna, they were very curious about the residents’ shapes, but they never thought of integrating into the lifestyle here for a closer encounter.

Therefore, when Angel learned that Ironclad Granny actively went to register her identity, he was quite surprised.

"Perhaps it’s because Granny hasn’t left the Source of Flow for a long time, so she feels curious? Or maybe she wants to better understand the life forms of the Wilderness of Dreams." Sanders wasn’t sure if this was the correct answer, but he could see that Ironclad Granny wasn’t resistant to integrating into the lifestyle of Originheart City; she even agreed to take on construction tasks without stating her identity as a Transcendent.

Ironclad Granny was like an ordinary person, blending into Originheart City in the most unremarkable fashion.

No matter why Ironclad Granny chose this way, given her stature, she shouldn’t be a threat to Originheart City; it might just be a sincere wish to experience life.

Thinking about it, both Sanders and Angel didn’t dwell further, as it couldn’t be a bad thing.

"The misachieveme infant you mentioned earlier, is it them?" Sanders glanced at Angel’s boots; although most of the view was blocked, he could still see a hint of green.

Angel nodded his head and casually picked up the three little fellows from the heel of his shoe, placing them in the palm of his hand.

Perhaps because they left the demiplane without the supply of Nightmare Realm aura, they appeared less lively.

Angel, through the green pattern on his right hand, casually granted a wisp of Nightmare Realm aura, which immediately brought the three little ones back from a wilting state to normal, making them seem even more lively as they bounced in Angel’s palm.

Had Sanders not already learned the truth, it would be difficult to imagine that these three green mushrooms, now begging affectionately from Angel, would ultimately transform into terrifying creatures with tusks, devouring bodies and souls.

Sanders rarely engaged in biological research, and even though he carefully observed them deeply, he couldn’t glean much information from the misachieveme infant. Although the misachieveme infant had already shown some special traits, they couldn’t activate the misachieveme now; if the green fog were emitted without proper preparation, the consequences would be hard to imagine.

Due to the misachieveme’s special nature, Sanders could only quickly glance at them before shifting his focus.

Then, Sanders concentrated his gaze on the other mushrooms placed on the table.

Having displayed the misachieveme, Angel also conveniently detached other "pendants" from his body, which he had brought from Duling Garden, mostly gifts from the Lunatic Tome and Minister Nuka.

During the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel had merely explained the origin of these mushrooms, stating that each had its own unique effect, using a pure white mushroom as an example.

Sanders recalled that the pure white mushroom was a segment of the Sound Transmission Mushroom’s mycelium. When its parent grows mature, it can secrete offshoots, allowing the parent and offshoots to communicate across distances.

Though Sound Transmission Mushroom has some limitations, it’s generally a very powerful functional mushroom. However, because of the emergence of the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel’s explanation of its effects at the time didn’t elicit much reaction.

As for the other mushrooms, considering they belonged to Angel personally, he didn’t elaborate during the Wilderness of Dreams, nor did others inquire further.

But now, Angel had placed these mushrooms on the table, giving Sanders the opportunity to ask about the functions of the other mushrooms beyond the Sound Transmission Mushroom.

During the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel hadn’t introduced the functions of these mushrooms simply because, unlike the misachieveme and Phantom Performance, they were functional mushrooms; despite their outstanding effects, they had relatively low harm, so it didn’t matter whether he mentioned them or not.

Nonetheless, Angel hadn’t intended to conceal them. Since Sanders was inquiring now, Angel started explaining from the mushroom he deemed most valuable.

"This multi-cluster mushroom was cultivated by Minister of Agriculture Nuka, and is named Thriving..."

The effects of Thriving are very effective in stabilizing spatial fluctuations in demiplanes.

"...Speaking of Wilderness of Dreams, it can actually be considered a kind of demiplane. Thriving should likely have some effect on it too. However, thriving is nonetheless a living entity, and can’t be brought into the Wilderness of Dreams using the Dream Conch; it can only be brought through the Dream Entering Technique."

"Though I’m unsure what the effect of Dream Entering Technique would be on thriving; whether it could truly enter the Wilderness of Dreams, and even if it did, whether it would still possess the power to stabilize space."

These questions require more detailed experiments later to uncover.

After introducing thriving, Angel discussed Yamen.

While Sanders found the effects of thriving to be quite impressive, Yamen’s function was even more direct and excellent: Once Yamen matures, it can serve as a medium for spatial displacement!

"In my conception, Yamen could, to some extent, substitute for teleportation arrays. Though it can only be used for medium and short-range displacements, it still connects to nearby Wizard Markets or Witcher Organizations with ultra-long-range teleportation arrays, circumventing the self-seclusion of the Barbarian Cave and safely and conveniently opening channels for external communication."

Angel: "The only pity is that while it’s cheaper than constructing ultra-long-range teleportation arrays, the cultivation costs of Yamen are still quite steep. It’s uncertain whether Lord Rhein would be willing..."

Before the words were fully spoken, a grand voice emanated from outside the study.

"Certainly willing."

Amid swirling mist, a tall silhouette gradually manifested at the doorway.

He wore a white shirt with a linen-patterned vest, and every detail of his attire was neatly arranged; even his slightly streaked gray-white hair was meticulously combed.

It was Rhein!

Rhein stepped into the study, speaking as he walked: "You timed your announcement quite well."

Angel remained silent, as he had sensed Rhein’s arrival, which had prompted his statement.

"However, do you truly intend to entrust Yamen to the Barbarian Cave?" Rhein quietly looked at Angel.

Angel nodded indifferently. When he learned about Yamen at the banquet in Duling Garden, he knew that relying on individual strength made it actually very difficult to cultivate Yamen because the consumed materials were simply too great. Even if he managed to cultivate one or two Yamen plants, it would actually be of little use because to fully utilize Yamen, it would be best to establish a complete Yamen network.

Moreover, even if a Yamen network were truly established, it would require a large number of people to maintain, otherwise, Yamen would be easily destroyed.

Considering both resources and manpower, it’s apparent that this isn’t something Angel could achieve on his own. Only a major witcher organization would have such resources.

Handing it over to the Barbarian Cave is evidently the way to maximize the benefits.

Seeing Angel’s stated attitude, Lord Reine couldn’t help but smile as well. If a systematic network of Yamen could indeed be established, the strategic significance for the Barbarian Cave would be immense.

"The reason the Barbarian Cave hasn’t established a teleportation array in the past is primarily because the core technology wasn’t in our hands, and using the teleportation array carries tremendous risks; even official wizards could fall into danger if there’s any mishap. So, if it can be avoided, it is."

"But the effects of a teleportation array are indeed very strong. In the past, wizards have suggested simply collaborating with the Sky Mechanical City, but I have never made a firm decision. Now, it seems my hesitation was correct, for we now await your Yamen."

Lord Reine sat on the other side of the desk, with a hint of lament in his eyes: "If Yamen can truly replace a teleportation array, and can be cultivated and mastered by us, even if it’s only for medium to long-distance transmission, and no matter how large the consumption, the Barbarian Cave would spare no effort to establish it."

Pausing, Lord Reine looked at Angel: "When you specifically mentioned Yamen as I came in, you must have had a request? Why don’t you speak of it?"

"Since you are providing Yamen, no demand would be too excessive for me to consider." As Lord Reine said this, he winked at Angel.

Angel smiled awkwardly: "I actually want to apply for a few sets of Yamen cultivation materials."

Lord Reine waved his hand generously: "No problem. I can decide, and you can apply for all the cultivation materials for these mushroom embryos for free."

Angel’s eyes lit up: "Really?"

Looking at Angel’s glittering eyes, Lord Reine felt something might be off but didn’t think much of it and nodded: "Of course."

"Then it’s decided. Now that Lord Reine is here, let’s talk about Mieying." After Angel finished speaking, he turned to the matter of Mieying with eagerness.

This apparent diversion and change of topic made Lord Reine feel more uneasy.

It seemed he only heard Angel mention that the materials for mature Yamen cultivation were expensive, but it seemed he forgot to ask exactly how expensive...

Lord Reine wanted to turn around and ask at that moment, but Angel had already started talking about Mieying. The crisis of Mieying for the Barbarian Cave was more urgent than the benefits Yamen brought, so Lord Reine could only remain silent and listen to Angel’s explanation.

The terror of Mieying had been previously described in the Wilderness of Dreams and needed no further elaboration. This time, Angel primarily discussed Mieying’s traits, cultivation methods, and ways to restrain it.

"...The only way to restrain Mieying is with Mieying itself." Angel shared everything he had heard from Bee Blair.

After speaking, Angel solemnly said: "The three little ones I brought out now are just embryos. If Mieying were to erupt in abundance like a living line, the amount of green mist they can absorb is limited."

"Therefore, the best current measure is to rapidly cultivate mature Mieying."

Only mature Mieying can absorb more green mist.

But cultivating Mieying is merely a passive response to the green mist eruption from Mieying. If the absorption limit of Mieying is surpassed, risks will still arise. So, it’s best to find a one-time solution.

This requires deeper research into Mieying.

Angel, although willing to attempt researching Mieying, like Sanders, knows very little about biological research. Hence, he decided to hand over one of the Mieying embryos to Lord Reine, hoping he might have a solution.

"Among the wizards currently in the Barbarian Cave, the one most knowledgeable in biological research is Dumatin. However, his research leans toward the human body, and Mieying is a fungus, so it’s uncertain if he’ll be effective." Lord Reine contemplated for a moment and said.

If Dumatin also proved inadequate, relying solely on themselves for Mieying research would likely yield limited results.

Sanders: "To my knowledge, in the entire Southern Domain Wizard World, Regina at Ashiliya Academy is the most knowledgeable about mushrooms. Perhaps we can seek her help?"

Regina, also a member of the Research and Development Institute, is nicknamed the "Mushroom Witch."

Lord Reine: "If Regina could help, there would indeed be a significant chance of resolving the issue. However, I heard that Regina rarely meets outsiders, and simply meeting her is difficult; convincing her might be even harder."

Sanders: "Except for teaching at Ashiliya Academy, Regina indeed does not meet outsiders. But if the one seeking her is also a member of the Research and Development Institute, wouldn’t they not be considered an outsider from her perspective?"

At this point, both Sanders and Lord Reine turned their gaze towards Angel.

...

Lord Reine came quickly and left just as swiftly. He took a Mieying embryo from Angel and prepared to meet Dumatin.

After Lord Reine left, Angel took out the mini signal tower.

He still intended to try contacting Regina.

When the signal tower was activated, a light screen slowly appeared.

After some shaking, a familiar face appeared on the other side of the light screen: a handsome young man exuding a mechanical chilly aura.

He was one of the two City Lords of Sky Mechanical City: the "Mechanical Beast Emperor," Rosen Yada.

Rosen quietly observed Angel without speaking, using his gaze to inquire about the purpose of the contact.

"City Lord Rosen, I have some matters with the Mushroom Witch. I was wondering if I could meet her." Angel didn’t waste words and directly stated his purpose.

Rosen didn’t immediately respond but lowered his head, seemingly sensing something.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Hold on, the Mushroom Witch is currently in Fantasy Mechanical City, and I cannot contact her directly. I’ll have Anthony inquire for you."