Translator: SumTLMan
Jon’s dilemma was something Angel could understand.
After all, the Wizarding World is not the same as modern society; the fundamental nature of civilization is different. It’s clear that directly applying all conditions from the free and open environment of Earth would be inappropriate.
Angel personally leans towards initially imposing restrictions on the creation of chat groups and, if an opportunity arises, gradually opening them up.
Just as Jon mentioned, giving too much all at once sets the tone too high, leading the audience to take all features for granted. When left unchecked, this can lead to a lack of appreciation.
Therefore, it’s better to start with restrictions, set the tone, and then slowly open up as the number of users in the group increases. Perhaps by then, the chat group service could become part of a chain of benefits exchange.
Angel shared his thoughts without insisting that Jon make any changes. He merely offered his opinion, suggesting that it would be best to first consider more user feedback before making a decision.
Jon agreed, indicating his intention to further observe the feedback.
After discussing the feedback on the updates, Jon revealed another reason for contacting Angel: to discuss the next version update of the Tree Group and the direction for reforming the Mother Tree Forum.
Originally, the iterative updates of the Tree Group and Forum were within Jon’s scope of responsibilities, and he already had a preliminary plan for the updates. However, the development and transformation of the Mother Tree Network depend 20% on the development team’s capabilities and 80% on the authority granted to him by Angel.
Now that the development team has maximized its capabilities, the management authority for the Mother Tree Network has yet to be fully delegated.
This is why Jon needed to discuss with Angel.
Jon mentioned, “Currently, what I see as most lacking in the surface network is the ability to embed images.”
“Whether it’s editing avatars, using emoticons, or beautifying pages, all require the support of art resources. However, avatars and emoticons are not that important. The reason I prioritize image functionality is that forums with a more professional nature greatly benefit from the use of images.”
“For example, in my —Overview and Details of New City Planning—, Witch Liana often leaves comments with questions and suggestions for changes. I can express simple questions in words, but it’s difficult to describe modifications to diagrams using text. Moreover, the style of the New City is completely different from the existing style of the Wizarding World. Witch Liana often struggles to understand my descriptions, and it would be much clearer to use images.”
Jon had previously mentioned the functionality for images, and Angel, through in-depth understanding via the Civilization Mother Tree, confirmed that this feature is feasible.
Moreover, there are several ways to express images.
For instance, just like entering text, through consciousness drawing, what one thinks can be drawn. Alternatively, using the twig powder inside the Mother Tree Interconnector to “capture” real images and upload them to the surface network is also feasible.
However, Angel was still hesitant about which mode to use.
Consciousness drawing is naturally more convenient, but to draw with the mind requires a high level of mental expression. Most humans can imagine a picture, a scene, or a landscape in their minds, but they typically focus on the overall outline and a few key areas.
To express all the details of a scene comprehensively is difficult for the average person.
Take the New City, for example, with its countless layered buildings; nearly every building’s brick pattern, window shape, and even ventilation ducts are different. A rough sketch of the New City requires attention to at least millions of details.
Can an ordinary person imagine this comprehensively and cover every aspect with their mind?
It’s challenging.
Aside from manipulation through consciousness, the second method is via a “physical” approach, utilizing powder from the Mother Tree’s branches to perceive the real patterns. This is somewhat similar to the capture function in the holographic tablet, real-time recording of the current scene, encompassing all details impartially, which could be considered the most real and comprehensive.
Angel personally prefers this method, but consciousness drawing has irreplaceable aspects, such as expressing illusory scenes. With capture, one must first draw the scene themselves and then photograph it; however, with consciousness drawing, one can quickly compose in their mind, which is faster.
Thus, Angel is now pondering which method to use? or whether to employ both?
After some thought, Angel decides to leave the choice to Jon.
He explained the pros and cons of both methods to Jon, who after a moment of contemplation, replied: “If it’s possible to capture through the Mother Tree Interconnector, then use that method first. consciousness drawing obviously requires more skill and can be tailored for high-end talent in future versions.”
Once the method was decided, Angel immediately granted the relevant administrative permissions within the Tree Civilization.
However, this was just the granting of related permissions. To apply it to the surface web, Jon and his development team would need to conduct research and optimization.
This is like opening an exit in a sealed labyrinth; those trapped within still need to find this exit on their own.
“The current version will focus on friend functions and private chats. The next version can revolve around images as the main theme to develop a series of functions.” After Jon confirmed the next development direction, he also pointed out some issues with the current version to Angel, hoping for solutions.
For instance, the Dream Plant Fairies occasionally visit the Tree Group and Mother Tree Forums.
Although the Dream Plant Fairies are mostly innocent and have little interest in the surface web, their sudden appearances are somewhat inconvenient, at least from a privacy standpoint, necessitating a swift resolution.
Angel had already encountered this and had a contingency plan.
There are essentially two solutions: isolate the surface web from the Mother Tree Network or make access to the immersive web more challenging.
Angel decides on the latter. He does not plan to completely isolate the surface web, considering Jon’s mention of the “Root Server.”
The Mother Tree Network can’t always rely on him for administrative permissions. He thinks it over and decides to build a Root Server deep within the Mother Tree Network, in the immersive web, to manage the surface web’s permissions.
In the future, as long as it doesn’t involve the core of the Mother Tree Network, Jon could manage any functionality by himself within the Root Server.
Because the Root Server is crucial for the surface web’s permissions yet is placed deep within the immersive web, it’s clear the surface web cannot be completely isolated. Instead, a “gate” between the surface and immersive webs is chosen, making it harder for the Dream Plant Fairies to access the surface web than before.
After deciding on this plan, Angel and Jon discussed the future prospects of the Mother Tree Network.
Jon also took this opportunity to suggest that Angel, when possible, publish some research topics or cultivation experiences in the forums to increase the authority of the Mother Tree Forums and attract more people to join.
Angel agreed and planned to publish when he had time.
After all this, Angel and Jon ended their chat.
As Angel was preparing to log off, a “ding-dong” piano sound once again emanated from the Mother Tree interconnector. Angel thought Jon had more to discuss, but upon checking, he discovered it was a friend request.
Applicant: Redemption of the Dead.
Upon seeing this name, Angel was momentarily stunned.
He naturally knew who this name represented: Nisi Byron.
The reason for the pause was because, in an era where every member of the Tree Group used their real names, it was astonishing to see a “nickname”?!
Although this nickname was actually Nisi’s moniker, the moment it appeared, it stood out distinctively from the real names of others, making it uniquely notable.
“Didn’t expect Nisi, that guy, to grasp the essence of nicknames so quickly after getting involved with the Tree Group…” Angel amusingly muttered to himself, then added Nisi as a friend.
After adding him as a friend, an unread message immediately popped up on the Tree Group interface.
Redemption of the Dead: “Slab… Slab… I need the slab…”
With just a few short words, Angel felt as though they carried Nisi’s profound emotions.
“Are you alright?” Angel asked.
After a moment, a new bubble appeared on the interface: “No problem, just that these days I’ve been buried in deciphering the slab, feeling a bit worn out.”
Angel: “Maybe take a break?”
Nisi quickly sent a new message: “No!!! I feel I’m close to cracking it, I need a new slab now.”
Angel fell silent for a moment but agreed, returning to reality to fetch a new slab for Nisi into the Wilderness of Dreams. After all, it was rare for Nisi to be so earnestly engaged in research.
As soon as the slab was delivered, Nisi’s bubble quieted down, presumably, the next time it would light up would be to urge for a new tablet.
Angel shook his head, closed the communicator, and exited the Wilderness of Dreams.
…
The Gondola continued to drift leisurely, Angel stretched lazily and opened his eyes.
“Where are we now?” Seeing Lorca staring intently at him, with awkwardness spreading in the air, he took the initiative to break the silence.
“We’ve just left the third defensive line.” Lorca replied to Angel’s question and kept examining Angel for a while before asking, “Mr. Pat, were you… resting just now?”
Understanding Lorca’s implication, wondering how one could be resting yet alternating between opening and closing their eyes, and even bringing out a strange conch and slab.
Angel realized too much needed explanation, involving the Mysterious Object and Wilderness of Dreams, unsure of how to articulate it, thus he simply stated, “Yes, I was resting.”
“Then just now…”
“Daydreaming.” Angel asserted firmly.
Lorca was momentarily speechless, clearly unconvinced, but after opening and closing his mouth a few times, ultimately did not continue to probe.
Dangros, unlike Lorca, wasn’t as sensitive. Although it also found Angel’s behavior somewhat odd, it didn’t regard it as highly crucial. Currently, the most important thing was to curry favor with Toby while he was awake.
After hastily dealing with Lorca, Angel exhaled deeply, glanced in the direction they were leaving from, and accelerated the Gondola.
According to Lorca, after leaving the central area of the Wild Stone Wasteland, there would be three major defensive lines, each manned by Guardians and numerous Patrols, turning the Wild Stone Wasteland into a fortress of solid stone.
Having witnessed the strength of several Guardians and Patrols, and considering the stone creatures scattered everywhere, Angel couldn’t help but speculate in his mind: if he hadn’t relied on the Mark of Earth from Little Inba, but instead attempted to force his way through purely on his own, could he have reached the core area?
Probably, but the cost would undoubtedly be significant.
This is merely the Wild Stone Wasteland, yet one can glimpse the terrifying aspects of the elemental creatures’ domain. Should one venture into areas like the Sparking Mountain Range, the challenge of locating their monarchs and sages would exponentially surpass that of the Wild Stone Wasteland.
It took Angel another four hours to reach the final defense line.
While this may seem a short duration, the distance traversed by the Gondola, when converted to the distances of the Old Land Continent, would equate to a journey from the far north to the far south.
This illustrates the vastness of the continent, with the seemingly inconspicuous Wild Stone Wasteland being comparable in size to the entirety of the Old Land Continent.
Crossing the final defense line, they arrived at the frontier. Here, the undulating golden sand dunes in the distance were faintly visible.
At this moment, Lorca, who had maintained silence, spoke, “Mr. Pat has arrived in the airspace above the Toothpull Desert which is a no-fly zone. Unless accompanied by the earth elemental creatures of the Toothpull Desert, it would be considered a provocation.”
Before Angel could critique Lorca’s narration, it continued, “If undetected, it might be inconsequential. However, the Toothpull Desert is filled with flying sand and roaming stones, all of which are the eyes of the sand grain creatures, making it difficult to avoid detection. It’s best to adhere to the local norms and enter from the ground.”
Angel asked, “Entering from the ground won’t provoke them?”
Lorca replied, “If one were to enter alone, they’d still face obstructions, but it would be perceived as less of a threat compared to flying. Even if reported to the sages, as long as one’s explanation is satisfactory, the sage would likely turn a blind eye.”
Of course, these conditions assumed Angel’s solitary entry. Now, with Lorca’s presence, as long as the sages could verify his identity, they likely wouldn’t face much difficulty.
After some thought, Angel decided to follow Lorca’s advice.
Each domain has its own rules. Since he wasn’t prepared to wage war against the Toothpull Desert, it was better to respect their regulations.
As they were about to step into the outskirts of the desert, Angel brought the Gondola down and proceeded on foot.
By then, dusk had passed, and night had fallen.
Entering the night, the temperature in the Toothpull Desert began to drop sharply. Throughout their journey, Angel could distinctly feel the surrounding temperature continuously decreasing.
Upon reaching the frontier of the Toothpull Desert, the temperature had neared zero degrees.
For Angel and Lorca, such temperatures were entirely manageable, but for Dangros, it was somewhat unbearable.
Dangros’ entire body had nearly shrunk in size, and its hand, holding onto the Blood Night Sanctuary, was trembling.
Noticing this, Angel communicated with Eremy through his thoughts.
In the unseen shadow world, the blue lantern flower atop Eremy’s head gently swayed, and in an instant, a shield of flames appeared around Dangros, offering protection.
Under the safeguard of the flames, Dangros gradually returned to its normal size.
As Dangros recovered, simultaneously, a sand vortex appeared in a dune directly ahead of them.
On guard, a half-bodied desert creature, resembling a genie from a lamp, emerged from the quicksand.