Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3358: Chapter 3359: Deployment Issues

"Jasmine, are you suggesting we find a way to complete the task challenge proposed by the Calamity Puppet?" Yota frowned and shook his head lightly, "How is that possible? Even people from the Gesen Mirror Domain couldn’t achieve it..."

"Just because they can’t complete it doesn’t mean we can’t." Jasmine replied calmly.

Yota didn’t respond, as any reply seemed inappropriate. Saying they couldn’t complete it would be demotivating, but claiming they could would be too presumptuous.

Yota could only remain silent.

Instead, the Mystic Book Dragon raised an objection, or rather, pointed out the reasons why completing the challenge was difficult: "We shouldn’t belittle ourselves, but there’s something we must be cautious about."

"No one knows what the task challenge from the Calamity Puppet really entails. Those who knew the specifics have either fallen into the Confinement Space or died. In this situation, whether one person tries, a hundred, or even a thousand, the effect is the same — facing an unknown future."

"Everyone faces the unknown, which compresses the probability of success infinitely."

"Success hinges solely on luck, whether someone can resonate with the challenge from the Calamity Puppet... But the Calamity Puppet has been in the Gesen Mirror Domain for so long, and countless lives have been lost in vain, yet what is the final outcome? No one has completed its challenge."

So, in Aiya’s opinion, if the specific details of the task challenge are unknown, using human lives to fill this big pit is definitely not a feasible option.

After Aiya finished speaking, Jasmine raised her eyebrows and looked over: "What do you have in mind then, or do you only object without suggesting a proposal?"

Aiya: "I don’t rebut mindlessly but identify the impractical parts within various suggestions and make a comprehensive judgment to determine which is the most viable."

In other words, Aiya was not yet ready to offer suggestions because he wanted to hear others’ opinions.

After a period of silence, Kukurus spoke, "I’ve been pondering a question: is the task challenge given by the Calamity Puppet really difficult?"

Yota: "It must be difficult; otherwise, why hasn’t anyone from the Gesen Mirror Domain succeeded?"

"No, what I mean is..." Kukurus said, "Is it possible that the task challenge from the Calamity Puppet is actually very simple, yet no one completes it?"

"Extremely simple?" Yota murmured softly, "How could that be?"

Aiya and Jasmine also frowned, thinking this seemed unlikely.

But at that moment, Angel, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "Actually, it’s not impossible."

Everyone looked at Angel, eyes filled with scrutiny.

Angel ignored their gazes, instead looking at the teacup on the table and spoke softly, "Take for instance, if I suddenly wanted to drink Postan Flower Tea now, who among you could fulfill my request?"

"Postan Flower Tea?" Everyone froze, looked at each other in confusion.

Angel explained, "Postan Flower Tea is a well-known floral tea in my hometown. It is made by drying Postan oxeye daisies into dry flowers, incorporating special brewing techniques, resulting in a type of dry tea. When steeped in hot water, it emits a unique fragrance that pleases both the mind and heart."

"In my hometown, one Gold Coin can buy an entire warehouse of Postan Flower Tea. To my compatriots, it’s something extremely simple."

"Even for the residents of the Southern Domain Flourish Continent, most of them would stock up some Postan Flower Tea. To them, obtaining it is equally simple."

"But if I were to ask all of you now, could you provide me with some Postan Flower Tea?"

"Can you provide it?"

Angel paused for about ten seconds, no one offered an answer.

Angel shrugged, "See, the answer is no. Likewise, if the task from the Calamity Puppet is to provide Postan Flower Tea, wouldn’t everyone here fail immediately?"

Angel had explained it to this point, and everyone understood his meaning.

If the task from the Calamity Puppet was akin to "providing Postan Flower Tea," undoubtedly, everyone would deem it ’simple.’

Even Aiya and Jasmine wouldn’t regard this task as difficult.

But when it came to actually providing it, few could accomplish it.

This was the scenario Kukurus referred to as "a task that’s actually simple, but not necessarily achievable by anyone."

The group fell into contemplation, and after a long pause, Yota spoke first, "If it is indeed such a task, I feel very few could complete it."

"But this is just speculation and can’t be regarded as reality."

Aiya: "Indeed, it’s speculation, but Kukurus’ scenario points directly to the core factor, doesn’t it — what exactly is the task challenge?"

"As long as we have a way to uncover the specific content of the task challenge from the Calamity Puppet, then we would have time to prepare."

"Even if it were a task like ’providing Postan Flower Tea,’ given time, a day... no, not even an hour would be needed, we could complete it."

"Even if the task from the Calamity Puppet is difficult, say challenging a Legendary Being; given time for preparation, combining the strengths of the entire Daylight Mirror Domain, success is possible."

Therefore, to face the challenge head-on and embrace difficulties, the most crucial step is to understand the task challenge proposed by the Calamity Puppet.

"That’s easy to say, but how do we comprehend the specific task details?" Jasmine said, "You mentioned earlier that the Calamity Puppet randomly teleports beside someone, dragging them into a Confinement Space."

"No one knows to whom the Calamity Puppet will teleport."

"Once the challenge fails and one is dragged into the Confinement Space by the Calamity Puppet, it’s basically certain death..."

In this situation, there’s no way to send messages outside.

Aiya was silent this time too, already realizing the key to breaking the deadlock lies in "the content of the task challenge," but like Jasmine expressed, knowing how to uncover it is the real challenge.

Aiya’s previous guidance was hoping someone would bring forth their ideas, yet it seems everyone lacks an effective suggestion.

Perhaps it’s because there are too few participants, preventing a brainstorming storm?

Only by colliding ideas can true brilliance emerge.

With few people in this discussion, maybe Yota should summon the leaders and sages from various tribes for further deliberation?

While Aiya was lost in thought, Glaipnir, silent for a long time, chuckled softly, "Methods, aren’t absent."

Glaipnir’s voice was usually low and hoarse, yet now, in the quiet atmosphere, it was remarkably authoritative.

"What method?"

Everyone turned to her.

Glaipnir had been awaiting this opportunity to introduce the Log-in Device. Now, she finally seized it, confident and unfaltering.

Sure, here’s the translation:

When everyone’s eyes were on her, Glaipnir finally spoke slowly: "The method is simple."

Glaipnir leisurely raised her hand and gently touched the corner of her eye.

The others hadn’t understood what it meant yet, but sitting opposite, Aiya suddenly thought of something. He reached out and gently touched the corner of his eye—more precisely, the glasses frame at the corner of his eye.

These glasses with a long golden chain were the Log-in Device Glaipnir had gifted him.

Prior to this, Aiya hadn’t used the Log-in Device for various reasons; but he already knew of its extraordinary powers from Glaipnir and Kukurus.

Now, as Glaipnir pointed to the Log-in Device once more, Aiya, who understood its function, immediately grasped her meaning.

Aiya: "You’re suggesting using the Log-in Device to connect?"

Glaipnir nodded: "Though the Crystal Origin of Dreams isn’t vast enough to accommodate infinite expanses, its range does cover the entire Daylight Mirror Domain. This means that any life form in any position within the Daylight Mirror Domain can enter the Crystal Origin of Dreams via the Log-in Device."

"If the next task challenger locked by the Calamity Puppet possesses a Log-in Device, perhaps they could log into the Crystal Origin of Dreams during the challenge and relay the specific tasks to others."

As Glaipnir spoke, Aiya followed her train of thought and simulated whether success was possible.

Undoubtedly, Glaipnir’s proposal was indeed useful. At least, in Aiya’s simulation, there were few flaws and a high probability of success.

However, Aiya saw potential problems with this method.

"How do we ensure the Calamity Puppet selects a person with a Log-in Device for the challenge?" Aiya voiced his first doubt.

Glaipnir seemed prepared and replied directly without hesitation: "Universal control."

"Universal control?" Everyone echoed in confusion, "Are you suggesting deploying control across the entire Daylight Mirror Domain?"

Glaipnir nodded: "Precisely, deploying within the psychological boundary void of the Daylight Mirror Domain. Since we can’t ascertain where the Calamity Puppet will appear once it enters from Ghost Phantom into the Daylight Mirror Domain, the only option is to place a sentinel periodically in the void. The sentinel will host a challenger equipped with a Log-in Device, such that when the Calamity Puppet enters the Daylight Mirror Domain, it’s most likely to randomly encounter personnel with control."

Glaipnir went on to detail how to deploy control and the placement of personnel...

The crucial point is that these personnel don’t need immense strength; even convicts or malefactors can suffice.

Because, regardless of one’s status, even if you’re a powerless mortal, you can log into the Crystal Origin of Dreams.

This can also optimally protect the strengths of various clans.

Jasmine: "Sounds wonderful, but realistically, to achieve universal control—even excluding the distant dark void—the number of personnel required within the psychological boundary is monumental. It might reach millions or tens of millions."

"With so many people, is it really feasible to equip everyone with a Log-in Device?"

Jasmine’s concern wasn’t unreasonable. In everyone’s view, the Log-in Device was undoubtedly a tool capable of defining a new era. With such miraculous functions, is it feasible to equip millions, perhaps billions, of personnel with it?

This was indeed a challenge to whether the Dream Mirror clan truly had such a massive reserve of Log-in Devices.

Glaipnir naturally understood Jasmine’s implication, nodded without hesitation: "Why not? As long as the clans are willing to purchase, we can provide however many Log-in Devices needed."

When Glaipnir said this, she appeared confident. But inwardly, she felt a bit of a chill.

Although Glaipnir had previously confirmed with Angel that crafting Log-in Devices wasn’t difficult, she still harbored doubts upon considering such a surge in quantity.

After all, Glaipnir was not an Alchemist and didn’t know the technological requirements of refining.

But even with doubts about Angel’s ability to supply enough Log-in Devices, Glaipnir wouldn’t show it in front of outsiders.

Seeing Glaipnir’s stance, the others felt relieved.

It seemed the Dream Mirror clan did have sufficient reserves of Log-in Devices... Perhaps they’ve already achieved mass production.

Though it’s unclear how it’s done, given Glaipnir’s resolute assurance, there’s no need to question it.

"Are the Log-in Devices provided free of charge?"

At this moment, a soft voice sounded from behind Yota.

The speaker was the Elder of the Crystal Eye Clan. The Crystal Eye Clan couldn’t be distinguished by gender based on appearance, but from the attire, the speaker seemed female. And female Crystal Eye Clan members typically have "da" in their names; this must be the "Mosita" mentioned by Glaipnir earlier.

Previously, when introducing these two elders of the Crystal Eye Clan, Glaipnir remarked, "Don’t mind them; they only have the right to attend, not to speak"; looking back, this statement seems quite true.

This remark, made when everyone’s thoughts were on tackling the Calamity Puppet—a major concern for the entire Mirror Domain—was suddenly shifted back to the minor issue of dividing interests.

Seeing the displeased looks, Yota quickly coughed to change the topic: "We’ll discuss the distribution of Log-in Devices later, later..."

Glaipnir frowned slightly, ready to speak; Jasmine, however, was faster, chuckling lightly, with her indifferent gaze fixed on Mosita: "Why do you expect the Log-in Devices to be distributed free of charge?"

"I guess you think that since the disaster caused by the Calamity Puppet affects the entire Daylight Mirror Domain, it is a moral duty and virtue that every life form in the Daylight Mirror Domain should contribute."

"And that the Log-in Device, this critical item, should be provided free, befitting this moral duty?"

Mosita moved her lips but remained silent. However, from her expression, it was clear Jasmine’s words might genuinely reflect her thoughts.

Jasmine sneered: "Such words may be said to your own clan members, but to an individual, that’s nonsense."

Glaipnir doesn’t have the burden of an entire clan and needn’t be responsible for any clan. She is her own person, facing imminent dangers; she can choose to stay or leave.

No morality can bind a solitary existence.

Glaipnir is just such an existence.

Jasmine pointed this out not just to make Mosita realize but to convey an official business-like attitude.

The matter with the Calamity Puppet concerns the entire Daylight Mirror Domain’s races, not an individual. Furthermore, the individual provided the key tool for breaking the deadlock, making foolish statements will steer a good deed to a poor outcome.

"If you can’t speak wisely, shut up." Jasmine said, then looked at Glaipnir: "I represent the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom to promise that no matter how many Log-in Devices we purchase, we will supply corresponding Crystalline as per your quote."

After Jasmine finished speaking, Yota hurriedly echoed: "The Crystal Eye Clan as well!"

Yota’s declaration was a direct slap to Mosita’s face, but at that moment Mosita dared not say a word, shrinking back into her Crystal Shell.

Glaipnir had hoped to exploit the situation further, but Jasmine spoke too quickly, and with the conversation reaching this point, it seemed too late to incorporate emotional dialogue.

Glaipnir glanced deeply at Jasmine, nodding: "The price can be negotiated later; let’s continue with the previous topic for now."