Chapter 814: Victory or Failure Depends on This Step!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Merlin inspected his current Mind Heart. To other people, it was already extremely colossal, even to an inconceivable degree.
However, for Merlin, the Mind Heart was still not large enough by far. Forget about accommodating the Illusory World, it would even be difficult to take in a ma.s.sive subs.p.a.ce.
“t.i.tus!”
Merlin’s Mind Power immediately extended into the Illusory World, and called out for t.i.tus.
“Whoosh.”
t.i.tus appeared before Merlin but he seemed to guess what Merlin wanted to say, and shook his head. “I’m at my wits end with your current situation. You’ve already progressed at lightning speed. Although you had much luck, it must be said that you do have talent in the Mind Power system. Perhaps not as talented as I am but you’re pretty good indeed.”
From the Illusory World in the illusion bead, t.i.tus was able to observe everything happening outside. It was as if he could see everything Merlin saw.
Therefore, t.i.tus knew of the Spell Caster civilization’s present situation. Things did not look very hopeful but he had no solutions. He was merely a strand of Mind Power in the Illusory World, unable to be of any use.
“t.i.tus, you’ve previously mentioned that to merge with the Illusory World, I’d need sufficient Mind Power. At the moment, my Mind Heart is still not big enough. Acc.u.mulating it daily would take who-knows-how-long. I’m running out of time. Tell me about the second method – enlightenment. How do I gain that enlightenment? Or can you tell me specifically what const.i.tutes this enlightenment?”
Merlin’s current realm of the Illusory Heart had in fact essentially reached its peak. To condense the Illusory World, he would need to rely on enlightenment, not just cultivate diligently.
Merlin’s luck was somewhat good since he had t.i.tus’ ready-made Illusory World. Therefore, he simply needed to merge with the Illusory World. He could rely on daily, gradual progress to merge with the Illusory World, not having to condense an Illusory World through enlightenment.
Nonetheless, Merlin was lacking time most of all. Thus, he could only rely on using enlightenment to greatly boost his Mind Power and merge with the Illusory World.
“Enlightenment? In truth, enlightenment is neither easy nor difficult. Merlin, you should know how ordinary Great Wizards become Legendary Wizards, right? They were enlightened about the Essence of Elements.”
Merlin nodded. Of course, he knew that feeling well because he had consolidated two ultimate Maxims, which turned him into a Great Lord.
That sort of enlightenment was neither easy nor difficult. If one could not be enlightened, one would never be able to condense a Maxim.
“Since you’re familiar with that feeling, you should know that is enlightenment. As for the enlightenment of Mind Power Masters, naturally, it has its differences, being more focused on a comprehension of the mind’s world. For instance, I once had a realization, finding that Mind Power is without form or substance, able to encompa.s.s everything as if it’s omnipotent. In that case, could I or could I not create a world comparable to an actual world? Therefore, through this realization, I later extrapolated the Mind Power system toward the stage of the Illusory World.”
t.i.tus spoke of his past enlightenment. It turned out that t.i.tus back then, due to this realization, was able to refine the Mind Power system and came up with the Illusory World.
Following that, t.i.tus vanished. In terms of this enlightenment, t.i.tus could not help Merlin much.
Over this, Merlin spent a few days in strenuous contemplation but did not ultimately gain any insights. He knew that a realization would not come just because he wanted it to. Moreover, the more he tried to gain enlightenment, the more he was unable to do so.
In the end, Merlin gave up. Since he could not gain any insights, he might as well use his Mind Power to create Hallucinating spells, immersing the Slothful Beast deeper into the illusions.
Time pa.s.sed by day after day. The G.o.d Alliance’s attack was slow in coming, yet when the scout they sent reported back, their opponents still had not moved. This meant that the Lord G.o.ds of the G.o.d Alliance were still in the Rock Tribe’s dimension.
Perhaps, just like the Spell Caster civilization, they were planning something.
“Rumble.”
The entire Void Zone, especially the area within the dimensions under the Spell Caster civilization’s control, and the dimensions nearby the battlefield started to change. Initially, the Mother Tree had used offshoot trees to control around one hundred dimensions.
However, later on, he felt that this was not enough, so he continued using offshoot trees to exert control over more than four hundred dimensions. His offshoot trees had taken root deeply in all of these four hundred dimensions, practically becoming one with the dimension.
Furthermore, the canopies of the trees had spread to form a firm protective web along with the trees of other dimensions. The Mother Tree had spent so much effort to further fortify his protective layer.
Merlin came to the Mother Tree’s side and looked at him controlling all these offshoot trees. Although they had become one with the dimensions, they never harmed the dimension. In addition, as these trees grew, they would also give back certain things.
For instance, the Elements in the Spell Caster civilization’s dimensions seemed to grow along with the offshoot trees. They did not need to consume much of the Elements, and instead would channel back huge amounts of Elements. This was a stark contrast to the Rock Tribe.
Any dimension controlled by the Rock Tribe was immediately turned to rock. Every tribe and civilization of living creatures had no way to live in the Rock Tribe’s dimensions. After all, it was solid rock all over.
“Mother Tree, your Tree Tribe is wondrous indeed. Is this one of your abilities to improve a dimension?”
Merlin was now a Great Lord. Naturally, he could sense that as the offshoot trees grew constantly, the environments of these dimensions were also gradually improving, becoming better and more full of life.
The Mother Tree smiled and said, “That’s right. Our Tree Tribe nurtures life itself. Anything we absorb from the dimension, we’ll repay in double in the future. Even in the vilest environment, as long as our Tree Tribe hold on every day, even the dimension will slowly improve.”
The Tree Tribe was a tender civilization indeed. The dimensions occupied by the Tree Tribe were once extremely barren but afterward, they were gradually remolded by the Tree Tribe into dimensions suitable for life form tribes.
“Oh? What about the rock dimensions transformed by the Rock Tribe? Can your Tree Tribe improve that as well?”
Merlin’s heart leaped. Having witnessed the Tree Tribe’s gallant ability, he instantly thought of the dimensions seized by the Rock Tribe. These were all useless rock dimensions. Tribes of living beings were unable to live in these dimensions at all.
“Rock dimensions?”
The Mother Tree looked at Merlin with a rueful smile. He could tell that Merlin was already starting to consider after defeating the Rock Tribe, how they could take over the Rock Tribe’s territory. If those dimensions were reformed, the Spell Casters’ influence would reach unprecedented heights.
“If there’s enough time, with the persistence of our Tree Tribe over a long time, we can remold the rock dimensions.”
The Mother Tree gave an affirmative answer. The Rock Tribe was in fact in conflict with other civilizations of life forms. After all, every dimension occupied by the Rock Tribe would be turned to rock. In that case, other life form tribes had no way to survive there.
Even if they had seized back the dimensions in the end, it was useless.
However, one thing always defeated another. No matter how horrible the environment of the rock dimensions, with the Tree Tribe, they would slowly modify the place into a dimension habitable to life form tribes.
“The Tree Tribe is amazing indeed!”
Merlin’s thoughts went even further. Such a huge swathe of dimensions was now controlled by the Mother Tree. Moreover, these dimensions were being improved. Of course, if they suffered a powerful onslaught, these dimensions would be damaged too.
This was because the dimensions had already fused completely with these offshoot trees. Currently, the Mother Tree merely had to exert slight control over the trees to defend against attacks from multiple ultimate existences.
If it was a dimension controlled by the Tree Tribe, the Tree Tribe would manage the dimension with unparalleled stability. Even a few ultimate existences would find it difficult to shake up the Tree Tribe’s dimensions.
This was the Tree Tribe’s strength. Therefore, although the Tree Tribe was relatively mild in temperament, no one would provoke them without reason.
“If you were given enough dimensions, could you improve them until they’re incomparably st.u.r.dy? Able to withstand ultimate existences?”
Merlin found it difficult to imagine one such dimension other than a peculiar one like the Atlan Dimension that could withstand ultimate existences. This was because the Atlan Dimension was the product of the Vestigial Tribe. It was even used expressly for war against the countless civilizations of the Void Zone and served as a carefully planned route of retreat for the Vestigial Tribe.
However, for some unknown reason, the Vestigial Tribe had all died later on.
Other than the Atlan Dimension, other dimensions, no matter how ma.s.sive, could not withstand ultimate existences. The power of the natural order was able to immediately shatter colossal dimensions.
In front of ultimate existences, dimensions were so puny that it was pitiful.
Nonetheless, the Mother Tree said with profound meaning, “Although dimensions are fragile seemingly unable to retaliate, when they are joined together, they possess boundless power. Just like ants – ants that work together can even carry off a morsel of food countless times heavier than their body weight. Our Tree Tribe can link up these individual, fragile dimensions. Through the power of the trees, they are all united. Theoretically, with enough dimensions, no one can even defeat us. Quant.i.ty is sometimes vital as well, especially when quant.i.ty is ama.s.sed to a certain degree.”
“Quant.i.ty has such a function? Countless fragile dimensions all joined together…”
Merlin was somewhat stunned. It was as if there was a brilliant flash racing across his mind. No matter how he tried, he could not capture it. This sensation of something close at hand, yet seemingly far into the horizon was insufferable for Merlin.
“Countless dimensions, put together through the Tree Tribe’s power. When joined together, no one can break them… Does the size of the Mind Heart determine the size of the world it can hold?”
Flashes of inspiration glimmered continuously in Merlin’s mind. He was caught in a bizarre sensation, standing stock-still, yet his face was s.h.i.+fting unpredictably.
“Enlightenment? Do I have to condense the third Maxim?”
The Mother Tree noticed Merlin’s manner and naturally knew that Merlin was caught up in a realization. However, he did not know what this realization was exactly. Based merely on his understanding of Spell Casters, he had guessed that Merlin might have comprehended something about consolidating Maxims. Perhaps he was about to create a third Maxim.
Thus, the Mother Tree did not disturb Merlin but instead waved one hand, causing the immense canopy to lower down, protecting Merlin within and preventing him from being disturbed.
Merlin was realizing something indeed. Moreover, this enlightenment was not an ordinary one for it lasted a long time. Merlin had never once experienced such enlightenment. Many people were unable to experience this even in their entire lives.
Merlin had been enlightened about the ultimate Maxim back then. Whether it was the Darkness Maxim or the Flame Maxim, they had their own enlightenment, but it was definitely unlike this time which was an enlightenment that persisted a long time.
Moreover, the longer the period of enlightenment, the greater the benefit.
Presently, this image had emerged in Merlin’s mind; countless dimensions filled with lush, green, gigantic, skysc.r.a.ping trees, sprouting from the dimensions to form a continuous stretch. This image alone was incomparably astounding.
Small dimensions, one by one, could join together to form such a spectacular, awe-inspiring image.
“As long as I can think of it, it can become a possibility…”
One thought after another flashed across Merlin’s mind. He recalled t.i.tus’ previous enlightenment. It was merely a notion that gave birth to the Illusory World. That was enlightenment.
“Rumble.”
At the moment, Merlin’s Mind Heart was wildly expanding at an extremely frightening pace. It was like the birth of a mountain range. The Mind Heart that was like a brook instantly turned into a lake, then finally an enormous river, and it still continued to expand, on its way to becoming a boundless ocean.
The Mind Heart’s expansion, according to the usual method of daily acc.u.mulation, would take an unknown, extensive period. However, in the process of enlightenment, there were no obstructions. Merlin’s Mind Heart expanded a hundred or thousand times over in an instant, becoming matchlessly s.p.a.cious. Even Merlin himself could not help but be shocked.
This had happened. As long as he dared to imagine, there was nothing he could not do.
“Hoo…”
A cold wind pa.s.sed by. Merlin s.h.i.+vered slightly all over, following which he awakened from this strange state of mind.
“Earlier – was that enlightenment?”
Merlin dimly recalled what had just happened. He only sensed that any problem, no matter how big, was not a problem at all. As long as he dared to imagine, he could surely turn it into reality and accomplish it.
Currently, this conviction, this understanding, was imprinted deep into Merlin’s mind.
At this point, Merlin examined his Mind Heart. When he saw his Mind Heart of mind-boggling proportions, he was taken aback. He found it difficult to picture that in such a short time, his Mind Heart could grow a hundred, thousand times over.
“Is this the power of enlightenment?”
Merlin recalled that previous sensation of immersion. It was peculiar indeed as if anything he could think of was achievable.
This was the reality as well. He was thinking of expanding his Mind Heart to merge with the Illusory World, and now his Mind Heart had grown to an unbelievable stage.
It should be known that a few days ago, Merlin was discouraged and forlorn, not knowing how to be enlightened. Nonetheless, now that he observed the Mother Tree establis.h.i.+ng the defenses of the dimensions, he had a realization. It was truly wondrous.
“Merlin, have you experienced enlightenment earlier?”
At this time, a familiar voice rang out. It was t.i.tus in the Illusory World but currently, his voice seemed to carry a faint tremble.
Merlin drew in a deep breath, following which his Mind Power exploded fully. After the growth of his Mind Heart, his Mind Power had likewise flourished significantly. Instantly, Merlin’s Mind Power turned into a terrifying windstorm in the Illusory World, able to wreak havoc in the entire Illusory World.
The previous Merlin, despite attaining the realm of the Illusory Heart, would be lacking by far if he wanted to wreak havoc in t.i.tus’ Illusory World using his Mind Power.
However, currently, the windstorm formed by Merlin’s Mind Power was devastating the Illusory World, having a tremendous effect on the entire Illusory World. This directly indicated that Merlin’s Mind Power had increased many times over.
“Alright, you can stop. If you go on, my Illusory World will be ruined! Not bad, Merlin, now you should know what enlightenment is, right? If you can experience that feeling once more, who knows, you might be able to complete the Illusory World. Nonetheless, enlightenment like that can only be encountered by luck. Back then, I was only enlightened once.”
t.i.tus was truly happy for Merlin. Having one such enlightenment was not only beneficial to the present but it was also even more beneficial to the future. This would slowly become apparent in the future.
“That’s right, an opportunity like this can only be encountered by luck. t.i.tus, I can merge with the Illusory World now, right?”
Merlin’s face was full of antic.i.p.ation to merge with the Illusory World. Relying on the Illusory World’s strength, Merlin’s extent of controlling minds would be even more fearsome, able to even control Lords.
At that point, Merlin would even become the First Lord of the Spell Caster civilization, not inferior to the Greatest Lord!
Moreover, the standard mark of a Greatest Lord was being unafraid of ultimate existences, able to go a few rounds against them. Whether Merlin’s own abilities, supported by the Illusory World, could contend against ultimate existences, Merlin did not know as well. Perhaps he could or perhaps not or maybe he could only do so in the future when he had completely perfected the Illusory World.
However, this was merely Merlin’s own strength. If he had relied upon the Slothful Beast, Merlin was comparable to a Greatest Lord long ago or he might be even more fearsome.
Moreover, after merging with the Illusory World, the Slothful Beast could be immersed in the Illusory World at any time, forever unable to wake up. In this case, even if he did not control the Slothful Beast’s mind, Merlin did not have to worry that the Slothful Beast would wake up due to being hit by the void-level wars.h.i.+p.
In short, Merlin’s merging with the Illusory World would bring many benefits but whether he could succeed, he had to try first to find out.
“Merlin, give it a shot. In fact, I’ve waited for this day for a very long time. The sooner you’re able to merge with the Illusory World, the sooner you can perfect it, and remedy my past regret.”
Although the Illusory World was created by t.i.tus, the Illusory World he deduced by himself did not look like this. t.i.tus had not refined the Illusory World.
In other words, t.i.tus had not reached the accomplished stage of the Illusory World. Therefore, it was natural that he would place all his hopes on Merlin. After all, the current t.i.tus was merely a wisp of Mind Power, unable to leave the Illusory World. Only Merlin had a chance of perfecting the Illusory World.
This was also a test as to whether t.i.tus’ original deduction was correct.
“If I can fuse with the Illusory World, I’ll work diligently to refine the Illusory World.”
Merlin knew that this was t.i.tus’ greatest wish that would rectify his past regret.
“Merlin, after fusing with the Illusory World, I also wish to see if I had deduced wrongly or if I had not reached an accomplished stage. If my past deductions were incorrect, you can now redevise a path, not necessarily following mine.”
t.i.tus hesitated for a moment before finally reminding Merlin. In fact, after reaching the current realm of the Illusory Heart, Merlin had nowhere else to go in the Mind Power system.
The only path left had been taken by t.i.tus, but he did not succeed. Not even t.i.tus knew whether this was the right path – to create an Illusory World!
If Merlin wished to go down this path, once he had stepped in and it turned out to be wrong, Merlin’s Illusory World could never possibly be perfected.
If Merlin did not follow t.i.tus’ previous path, he could only slowly deduce for himself. Perhaps in a thousand years or ten thousand, he still might not be able to derive a path.
After all, even Merlin would admit that t.i.tus’ talent in the Mind Power system was unparalleled. He was the founder of the Mind Power system.
Merlin did not even need to consider this before shaking his head. “I’ve thought about it. I’ll merge with the Illusory World.”
There was nothing much for Merlin to consider. Even if he had spent a thousand, ten thousand years to deduce a path, he dared not guarantee that it would be more refined than t.i.tus’ path.
Moreover, what he lacked the most now was time. Where would he get a thousand, ten thousand years? Currently, his most pressing task was to fuse with the Illusory World.
“Alright, since you’ve made a decision, I’ll lend you a hand this time!”
t.i.tus’ expression turned very serious. This was different from the last time. The previous time, he knew Merlin would surely fail. There was no chance of success. It was only to let Merlin have a taste of the process of fusing with the Illusory World.
However, it was different now. Merlin’s Mind Heart had expanded countless times over. This time, his chances of merging with the Illusory World were very high so if he was aided by t.i.tus, his chances of success would be even higher.
Merlin drew in a deep breath, and slowly stabilized his emotions, allowing them to calm down. Following that, he took out the illusion bead.
Since he had a taste of merging with the Illusory World the last time, Merlin was not very nervous. He knew that whether it was condensing or fusing with the Illusory World, he would need to place the Illusory World within his Mind Heart.
The only difference was, condensing an Illusory World would not take up much s.p.a.ce in the Mind Heart. Nonetheless, t.i.tus’ Illusory World was incomparably gigantic, so the Mind Heart had to be gigantic too.
Fortunately, because of Merlin’s enlightenment this time, he had saved himself countless years of slow progress. The Mind Heart had already grown to an immense size, just right for him to try whether he could immediately fuse with the Illusory World.
“Alright, merge then!”
Merlin’s Mind Power immediately enveloped the illusion bead like a tidal wave, entering the Illusory World directly.
“Boom.”
The Illusory World started to quake as well, gradually moving out of the illusion bead by Merlin’s Mind Power. It started to s.h.i.+ft into Merlin’s Mind Heart.
As for Merlin’s Mind Heart, it was like a huge open mouth, about to swallow the Illusory World in one gulp. This was the first step of merging with the Illusory World, and it was the most crucial step as well. Victory or failure depended on this step!