Chapter 2259 Bombshell <TOC> Chapter 2261 Lush
Translator: SumTLMan
Although Sanders had lost interest in discussing matters related to Sumesh, there were still things that needed to be said.
“Do you have any suggestions regarding the powers Sumesh is taking on?” Before proceeding with his narrative, Sanders decided to seek Angel’s opinion once more.
Despite having a plan in mind, which he had been devising for several days, Sanders was open to modifying it if Angel had any personal insights, especially if Angel believed there were any urgent powers needed in the Wilderness of Dreams that fell within Sumesh’s scope of responsibilities.
However, Angel shook his head, indicating his recent time in the Wilderness of Dreams was too brief to give this matter any thought.
Moreover, Angel’s understanding of Sumesh was far less comprehensive than Sanders’. He trusted that Sanders would choose a power that was both beneficial and meaningful for Sumesh.
“Since you have no other suggestions, let me share my own perspective.”
Instead of directly revealing his decision, Sanders first laid out the reasoning behind his choice.
“You’ve read —The Mystery of the Nightmare Domain—, so you should know what Sumesh’s Nightmare Domain is, right?” Sanders inquired.
—The Mystery of the Nightmare Domain— is an internal manual of Phantom Island, edited by Sanders with contributions from Flora and Sumesh, documenting their insights on cultivating their Nightmare Domains. This book is continuously updated as they further explore the Nightmare Domain. Angel also contributed a section related to the Wilderness of Dreams, but since it’s not yet open to the public, it has only been circulated between Angel and Sanders.
Angel replied, “Yes, it’s the Deep Abyss Nightmare Domain.”
According to Sumesh’s account in —The Mystery of the Nightmare Domain—, his Nightmare Domain was derived from the Abyss. Every Abyss demon he killed with his Nightmare Illusions would form a true phantom shadow within his domain, enhancing its power.
The more Abyss demons Sumesh killed, the stronger he became.
This seemed like a favorable Nightmare Domain, but everything in the world follows a principle: the benefits one receives must be paid for in kind.
Initially, Sumesh only needed to kill ordinary Abyss demons to add true phantom shadows to his domain. However, as time went on, the level of demons he needed to kill increased, eventually requiring him to kill high demon-like entities. These demons provided Sumesh with unprecedented enhancements.
With every demon shadow that matched his strength, Sumesh’s power significantly leaped forward. However, each encounter with an Abyss demon also brought exponentially greater dangers.
The first signs of damage to Sumesh’s Nightmare Domain occurred when he underestimated a demon in the Abyss, thinking it was within his power to defeat. The demon, having awakened, forced Sumesh to flee. Although he escaped, his Nightmare Domain suffered damage.
This damage was not severe at first. Had Sumesh sought Sanders’ help in the Savage Grottoes immediately, it could have been healed. However, Sumesh, at the threshold of advancing to true knowledge, delayed his return for over a decade, seeking help only after his advancement. By then, the damage to his Nightmare Domain had become difficult to repair.
Furthermore, following Flora to confront the Scarlet Plague cultists led to various complications, pushing Sumesh’s Nightmare Domain to the brink of collapse.
In essence, the history of damage to Sumesh’s Nightmare Domain is also a history of his recklessness. Had he taken it seriously from the start, it might not have come to this.
“Sumesh’s Deep Abyss Nightmare Domain essentially combines the Nightmare Domain with true illusions, creating an ability to manipulate illusory creatures. This also indirectly indicates Sumesh’s high talent for controlling illusory beings,” Sanders paused before continuing, “Based on this assessment, I suggest Sumesh could try taking on powers related to creatures of the Dream Realm.”
After pondering for a moment, Angel agreed with Sanders’ judgment.
Although the Wilderness of Dreams currently hosts Dream Plant Fairies and Sinful Monsters, it still lacks biodiversity. The emergence of various types of creatures would undoubtedly enrich the Wilderness of Dreams.
However, Angel remained deeply concerned about such powers.
Creatures of the Dream Realm are not so easily dealt with.
Freud was once an apprentice of the dream discipline, and he shared many true experiences of dream wizards with Angel. Among these, he specifically mentioned that the greatest fear for dream wizards entering the Dream Realm is encountering its creatures.
The birth of Dream Realm creatures generally falls into two categories. The first is the bizarre creatures dreamt up by humans or other intelligent species; the second is the native creatures of the Dream Realm itself.
The first type of Dream Realm creature is somewhat less daunting because the cognition of humans or other intelligent species can never escape their own insights. For example, the monsters in the myths and legends concocted by humans may appear in unprecedented forms, but they are actually pieced together from within the realm of human cognition, taking antlers here, a horse’s hoof there, adding a snake’s tail at the back, and placing a pair of ram’s horns on the head… Thus, the fantasies of intelligent species hardly contain any unknown creatures; they are all things within their cognitive scope.
It’s difficult for humans to imagine what “indescribable” looks like; if you haven’t seen it, you don’t know how to imagine it.
Therefore, the creatures humans dream of are also within their cognitive scope. Even if their appearances are bizarre, as long as they don’t escape basic logic, they can still be dealt with.
However, the Dream Realm covers an incredibly vast plane, and some regions’ intelligent species have even seen “deities”. If they dream of deities… with the Dream Realm’s bizarre creative power, it might actually be possible to recreate the majesty of deities within the Dream Realm.
Thus, even the first type of Dream Realm creature carries risks. If a wizard encounters a Dream Realm creature akin to a deity, fleeing is the only option.
The second type, the native creatures of the Dream Realm, are even more troublesome. These creatures exist inherently within the Dream Realm, and their abilities and sizes can sometimes be so exaggerated that they are unbearable to witness. For instance, when Angel was constructing the Wilderness of Dreams, he encountered a terrifying Dream Realm creature whose size was comparable to a continent, a true native of the Dream Realm.
Had it not been for Shava’s intervention, the Wilderness of Dreams might not have been successfully constructed.
It can be said that some Dream Realm creatures can even reach the Miracle realm… Of course, such exaggerated strength only exists in the world of dreams and basically cannot interfere with reality.
But because it’s in the Dream Realm, such creatures are too numerous, and whether they are the first or second type, the reaction of wizards who encounter Dream Realm creatures is basically to run if possible, and if not, to return to reality.
Angel received too much information of this sort from Freud, so his wariness towards Dream Realm creatures is exceptionally high.
Although he wished to introduce diversity into the creatures of the Wilderness of Dreams, it would clearly not be worth it if it meant introducing world-ending Dream Realm creatures.
Angel expressed his concerns.
Sanders: “I understand your worries, but the type of Dream Realm creatures you’re concerned about generally exist in the broader sense of the Dream Realm, not the Wilderness of Dreams. The essence of the Dream Realm is elusive and floating. While the Wilderness of Dreams does share some characteristics of the Dream Realm, it overall still follows the fundamental logic of the real world.”
Just as humans can dream themselves as creators or even gods based on the “changeable” nature of the Dream Realm, such whims are not possible in the Wilderness of Dreams, which more closely resembles a real world.
“Under these circumstances, I believe we can consider releasing the power of Dream Realm creatures. Because the Wilderness of Dreams has a governing entity or world consciousness, it won’t allow the power of Dream Realm creatures to go out of control and exceed the threshold.”
“Of course, this is still a hypothesis. The Wilderness of Dreams is too important to gamble with, and even hypotheses must adhere to fundamental laws.”
“So, even if we release the power of Dream Realm creatures, it must be limited.”
The so-called limitations Sanders outlined were threefold: First, the power of these Dream Realm creatures must not exceed the Power Level Restriction, meaning, given the current energy environment of the Wilderness of Dreams, they can only reach the level of a beginner or intermediate apprentice at most.
Second, Dream Realm creatures cannot leave the Wilderness of Dreams on their own. This restriction locks the Dream Realm creatures within the Wilderness of Dreams, preventing them from leaving and leaking information about it.
Thirdly, it can form a complete ecosystem. This is actually a way of giving back to the Wilderness of Dreams; only by benefiting the Wilderness of Dreams itself can they survive long-term. Moreover, the Wilderness of Dreams possesses a faint will, which can also adjust the nature of these Dream Realm creatures in this feedback process, allowing them to integrate more into this realm. For example, to benefit the world, super-large creatures would not be born in the early stages, as this would damage the essence of the world.
“After setting these restrictions, I think the powers of the Dream Realm creatures can be revealed,” Sanders said. “Moreover, without restrictions, I don’t think Sumesh could bear the full powers of the Dream Realm creatures.”
After listening to Sanders’ entire explanation, Angel also felt this was a good approach. With restrictions in place, Dream Realm creatures should not exceed the threshold.
Moreover, these restrictions merely cut off some of the powers of the Dream Realm creatures, without harming the essence of their powers.
In the future, if the Wilderness of Dreams can bear stronger Dream Realm creatures, then taking on more of their powers is also possible.
Thinking of this, Angel nodded: “Then let’s do as Mentor says.”
After a pause, Angel asked, “When will we take on the powers?”
Sanders replied, “I still need to perform a few more calculations, and Sumesh also needs to rest and recuperate. Wait a few more days, and when there is a sure signal, I will leave a message in your Tree Group.”
After discussing Sumesh’s matter, Sanders seemed to want to say something else, but in the end, he said nothing.
Taking such a disciple is both his fortune and a test.
With complex emotions, it’s better to take it slow.
Under the gentle warmth of the sun, the mentor and disciple silently immersed themselves in their own worlds.
After a long time, Sanders broke the silence, saying, “Since you are in the Tidal Realm, you must be planning to collect elemental creatures, right?”
Angel nodded.
“Do you plan to collect fire elemental creatures first?” Sanders was well aware that Angel’s biggest weakness was fire. As an alchemist, to craft mid to high rank items, he needed to rely on many tools to assist in achieving the necessary flame level, which was obviously inconvenient. If he could master high-level alchemy fire techniques himself, it would be the biggest boost for him.
“Yes, I already have a target, a fire elemental sprite.” Angel said, “Although it is naturally stuttering, it is impressive that it can speak during its sprite phase. Moreover, its flame level is very high, and it has a good talent.”
Angel briefly described the situation of Kolokcro.
After listening to Angel’s explanation, Sanders also nodded in agreement. A fire elemental sprite with such a rare talent like Kolokcro is definitely a once-in-a-century find in the outside world. Fire wizards would probably fight over it.
But in the Tidal Realm, Angel encountered it as if he was just casually picking grass, effortlessly.
It’s incredible.
Even Sanders felt envious at this moment. If Angel really could tame Kolokcro, it would save him at least a decade of cultivation time.
The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he felt.
Sanders even regretted bringing up the topic.
However, the topic did not last long because Angel sensed Toby entering and then leaving the Wilderness of Dreams. This was the secret signal they had agreed upon; if something happened in the outside world, Toby could use this method to remind Angel to leave the Wilderness of Dreams.
Angel did not know what had happened outside, but since Toby had sent the message, Angel did not stay any longer. He bid farewell to Sanders and quickly left the Wilderness of Dreams.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling window, only Sanders was left alone.
Sanders leisurely finished the last bit of his tea, his gaze settling on the tea tray across from him, belonging to Angel.
The teabag steeped in the cup, the tea brimming and untouched. The sugar beside it, also completely undisturbed.
The only thing Angel had finished was the milk that should have been sparingly added to the tea.
Sanders, looking at the licked-clean milk cup, unconsciously recalled Angel’s words from before——I don’t like milk in my tea.
“Actually, it’s not that you don’t like milk in your tea. You just don’t like tea at all, do you?” Sanders chuckled to himself, his previously uneasy mood, for some reason, diminished quite a bit at that moment.
Sanders stood up, looking out at the cityscape that was gradually becoming more bustling. The future, which he had felt was somewhat bleak, now seemed to be gilded with a layer of gold under the warm sun, starting to shine brightly.
At this moment, Sanders’ figure slowly vanished into thin air.
…
Back in reality, Angel, after opening his eyes, listened for a moment to the situation outside the cabin door.
It was very calm.
Apart from the whooshing sound of the wind, there were only the occasional mutterings of Dangros.
It sounded like a very normal atmosphere.
Since everything outside seemed normal, why then did Toby suddenly send him a signal, warning him to leave the Wilderness of Dreams?
Filled with questions, Angel opened the cabin door.
Looking around, aside from receiving surprised greetings from a host of elemental creatures, everything was normal.
The weather was clear, the gondola still sailed in mid-air without any turbulence or danger.
It seemed like there was nothing unusual… Wait, no!
Angel’s body suddenly stiffened, and he sharply turned his head towards a certain direction.