Chapter 300: Studying Urban Planning...

Furthermore, because this Shelter had small circular windows all around and on the roof, the natural lighting was exceptional.

"What is going on?"

Just as Lan Qingyou finished a brief tour and prepared to step outside, Shang Chuan's voice drifted in from beyond the door.

"Yo, Shang Chuan."

Seeing the robed merchant, Lan Qingyou offered a slight greeting before showing off with a touch of smugness.

"What do you think of this technique for moving an entire Shelter here?"

"Uh... is this the new technology you mentioned a few days ago?"

Shang Chuan had initially come over just to investigate the commotion, completely unprepared to find Lan Qingyou experimenting with her new technology.

He naturally remembered what she had said a few days prior. Now that she brought it up, his urge to snoop around in secret vanished, entirely replaced by an intense desire to learn more.

However... because he lacked Diana's authorization, he was denied entry, left with no choice but to peer inside through the transparent barrier of air.

"How rude, Shang Chuan. This is the Knowledge Witch's Shelter; staring like that is hardly polite."

Lan Qingyou remarked, offering a gentle reminder.

Since other Witches addressed each other by their Titles rather than their given names, Lan Qingyou found it both convenient and appropriately formal to follow suit when making introductions.

"Oh, is that so? Then could you enlighten me on the technical aspects of this?"

Suitably chastised, Shang Chuan immediately reined in his blatant curiosity and turned his gaze to Lan Qingyou as she floated out.

"Of course, but I will leave the explanation to the developer of this technology."

Too lazy to do it herself, Lan Qingyou pushed Diana forward.

"Hello, I am Diana, the Knowledge Witch. As for this technology, it works like this..."

Called upon, Diana showed no stage fright. She stepped up and immediately began introducing her research to Shang Chuan.

In truth, the underlying principles were not overly complex, or rather, Diana glossed over the highly technical and specialized details. Therefore, it did not take long for Shang Chuan to grasp the core mechanics.

"So, when you said earlier that you did not want to develop the central region, it was because the Witches will eventually bring their own Shelters here?"

Shang Chuan looked at Lan Qingyou with a questioning gaze.

"Yes."

"Um, Clan Head, what do you mean by this?"

Standing to the side, Diana interjected, joining a discussion she had previously been completely unaware of.

"Oh, is Diana interested in civil engineering too?"

"I wouldn't say I am interested, per se. It is mainly because I took urban planning as an elective back in university, so hearing the word 'develop' made me want to know the situation."

"Oho! We have a professional in our midst. In that case..."

Shang Chuan cracked a joke before sharing the development plans for the Witches' Forest with Diana.

"I see. Clan Head, I wonder if we could slightly alter this plan?"

Diana nodded in understanding, then turned her head to ask Lan Qingyou.

"Alter it how?"

Since the suggestion came from a professional, Lan Qingyou was naturally more than willing to listen.

Though Shang Chuan also had professionals on his side—many of whom were undoubtedly more qualified than Diana, who had merely taken urban planning as a university elective.

But one fact could not be forgotten.

Diana was a Witch, and they were not.

Therefore, the opinions of a Witch with a background in urban planning were undoubtedly a valuable point of reference.

"It is like this: when I emerged from the habitat earlier, I surveyed the surroundings. Is the water network here quite extensive?"

"Very extensive. To the north of The Abandoned Land lies a snow-covered range called the Abandoned Mountains. The streams, rivers, and swamps scattered throughout The Abandoned Land are primarily formed by the melting snow from these mountains, which eventually flows into the southern sea."

As he spoke, Shang Chuan produced a map of The Abandoned Land.

It was a copy transcribed from the Fool.

Because it was drawn during the Fool's travels, it could not be considered highly accurate, but it clearly displayed the general layout of The Abandoned Land.

"I see. Given that, why not capitalize on this water network?"

"Just as I did earlier, once the magic power density is increased, any Witch can relocate her Shelter to a place of her choosing."

"In that case, why not allow the Witches to settle throughout the entirety of The Abandoned Land, while the Witches' Forest serves as a massive hub for trade and interaction?"

Taking the map, Diana scrutinized it closely.

"Elaborate."

Feeling somewhat swayed by the idea, Lan Qingyou simply descended to the ground. She materialized three cushions, a coffee table, juice, and fruit, then seated herself on one of the cushions.

Seeing this, the other two followed suit and took their seats.

"The Witches' Forest seems expansive, but you must remember that each Shelter is quite large. If we genuinely have all the Witches summon their Shelters here, this space will not be nearly enough."

"They merely need to bring an adequate supply of water with a high Magic Power Concentration and that Salt of the Sun."

"Moreover, many Witches do not enjoy being clustered together. Spreading out will actually make things more relaxed for everyone. We can mind our own business on a day-to-day basis and only gather when something important arises."

Diana spread the map across the tabletop, pointing a finger at the location of the Witches' Forest.

"You are raising a very realistic issue, one I am currently pondering as well. However, if we take that route, it will cost a tremendous amount of time and materials to construct a Five Dragons Reincarnation Magic Array for every single Witch. That is neither efficient nor practical."

Lan Qingyou frowned and shook her head.

"That is simple."

Diana smiled with brimming confidence.

"Currently, the ten thousand Witches under the Supreme Council are almost universally studying magic arrays, and thanks to the Adventurer's Guild, the vast majority of them are actively accumulating experience in array construction."

"This means that, with a few exceptions, the bulk of our Witches should be perfectly capable of mastering magic arrays."

"But beyond these ten thousand, the other Witches—and any new Witches born in the future—will not have such excellent conditions. So, where should they go to systematically study these magic arrays?"

"The answer is straightforward: we establish an academy. A Witch Academy dedicated to teaching subjects like magic arrays and Alchemy."

"Once they have reached a proficient level of study, their graduation assessment will be to construct a Five Dragons Reincarnation Magic Array by the water for their own Shelter. If they succeed, they graduate; if they fail, they return to the academy for further study."

"This way, not only will the Witches acquire valuable skills, but we will also organically disperse them to various locations across The Abandoned Land."

"In addition to this, we can recruit students from all over the world who are interested in these disciplines to come study in the Witches' Forest, injecting both vitality and funds into the city."

Diana poured out all her thoughts in a single breath, then fixed her gaze on Lan Qingyou.

After all, Lan Qingyou was the one in charge here. If she did not agree, everything would be for naught.