Chapter 345

"Don't make that face, Ciri..."

Geralt also noticed the conflicted expression on the white-haired girl's face, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"It's perfectly normal for intelligent life to create and use tools; you actually know this too, don't you?"

"Back in our day, we also knew to use silver swords to hunt certain monsters, and knew to use potions and sword oils to increase the success rate of hunts..."

"Even farmers understand this principle — a sharp, good sickle, a handy hoe, or even... hmm, a pitchfork, is enough to make them happy for days..."

This former veteran Witcher explained with such examples.

It's just that when he mentioned a certain farm tool, his expression still underwent a subtle change, more or less.

Even though that was a very, very long time ago...

But it is obvious that Geralt still retains a trace of psychological shadow regarding it, one that has never dissipated.

This is perfectly reasonable; anyone who has been stabbed to death by a farmer with a pitchfork once would definitely not let it go easily.

That is simply a Witcher's lifelong pain.

Even though he has long since changed classes, discarded his steel and silver swords, discarded his potions and sword oils, he still cannot forget that once unforgettable career...

—This is also part of the "persona" to increase realism and persuasiveness.

"I know, it just feels a bit strange, like a Wizard modifying their magic wand into a fully automatic one..."

Miss Ciri perceived Geralt's unnaturalness; she very thoughtfully pretended not to notice, and instead complained along the topic from just now.

"But what you say makes sense too; maybe it's just that my concepts haven't caught up."

Speaking to this point, she also sighed lightly, her tone revealing a hint of self-reflection.

It indeed makes sense.

Ordinary people all manufacture and use tools.

Then there is no reason a high-level civilization cannot do it; they must be able to mass-produce and popularize high-level tools on a larger scale with better cost-effectiveness.

—This is an undeniable fact.

Miss Ciri pondered carefully for a moment, feeling it should still be her accustomed worldview from the past at work, which caused this sense of discord in her.

Mhm, that's how it is.

Just—

"Wait, if it's linking to a satellite orbit, obtaining a cloud-top perspective..."

Miss Ciri suddenly realized a key issue, and couldn't help but speak up to pursue the question.

"Wouldn't that mean, if one arrived at those comparatively backward primitive worlds, this so-called 'Heavenly Vision' technique would lose its function?"

It shouldn't be that bad.

She felt this was definitely impossible.

If there truly was such a restriction, it would completely fail to live up to the tip of the iceberg displayed by that highly developed Immortal Dao Civilization.

Even because of "persona" reasons, Miss Ciri now feels she has lost that relevant part of her memory.

But she can still piece together a rough outline of that grand worldview from various traces, clues, and evidence.

Magnificent!

Myriad Worlds, majestic and grand, grand atmosphere!

Basically it's this kind of feeling, so she subconsciously doesn't believe that with that side's Tian-ding-star-people-like technical route, such a low-level error situation would appear.

"Of course not. If in the Upper Realm, then most Heavenly Domains and Earthly Lands have the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array; those are the Dao Sect's Immortal Arts satellites..."

Geralt also shook his head.

"In that kind of environment, the Heavenly Vision technique can exert its maximum effect; as long as one has received the Dharma Talismans, one can basically pass freely..."

"But this is merely a better option, not an absolute restriction; otherwise it wouldn't become a Cultivator's consistent technique choice..."

Very simple logic, just like choosing a Build in a game.

If certain equipment, items, or talents are very weak, no matter how you combine them you can't turn it around, no matter how you combine them they're weak beyond measure, then of course they would never be chosen.

Skills, as the core of the core, are the top priority, and naturally the same applies.

It's just that in games you can grind; players can desperately pursue those T0, T1 builds, look down on T2 or only accept them while pinching their nose, and T3 is even more beneath contempt, discarded like worn-out shoes...

However, in reality it's not that simple.

People must submit to reality; cultivation also emphasizes Dharma, Land, Wealth, and Companions, so naturally it's impossible for everyone to pursue top-tier configurations.

But ultimately it is a more highly developed social form, and under the premise of completely emphasizing practicality, those especially universal choices accepted by the masses actually won't be bad by much.

From another angle, that also counts as a version answer.

"This spell has many implementation forms; the most common is communicating with 'Divine Spirits'; if there are no Divine Spirits, one can also project one's own Divine Sense onto the Qing Ming, branding a Spirit Mark..."

Geralt spread his hands, continuing to explain:

"Less refined ones directly attach a wisp of consciousness to those giant birds, great eagles in the sky, borrowing their eyesight to overlook the earth; that is also feasible..."

"Like now, being able to borrow this world's orbital satellites is naturally the most ideal, convenient situation."

"And if worse comes to worst, I can also launch a satellite into space myself; that likewise solves the problem..."

"..."

"..."

"Eh eh eh? Wait wait wait, you can launch satellites yourself too?" Miss Ciri froze for half a moment before reacting, eyes widening.

She stared at the veteran Witcher in disbelief, scanning him up and down several times.

Geralt actually has this kind of new function? Can hand-make a personal satellite and launch it into low Earth orbit?

How did I not know this?

It's not that she doesn't know what an artificial satellite is; precisely because she has gained some understanding during this time, she appears extremely shocked at this moment.

"Naturally I can. We heterodox Cultivators cultivate a mouthful of Yuan Magnetic Nano True Qi..."

Geralt nodded: "It can not only simulate multiple Elements, but also devour metal and stone, restructuring matter; it only needs to operate through my True Dragon Inner Pill to manifest the corresponding creation."

"Then what are we waiting for, hurry up and make one!"

The white-haired girl hurriedly urged him.

It wasn't that she didn't believe Geralt; mainly she wanted to broaden her horizons. And at a time like this, having a Satellite of their very own would definitely be of great benefit, right?

"Not right now, I've injured my origin, and to refine a Dao Technique Satellite, even the lowest grade would consume a massive amount of True Qi..."

The veteran Witcher gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Moreover, regarding the Tiangong Diagram needed for artifact making, it's truly too expensive; I only managed to purchase one sheet... no matter how you look at it, it can't be used here."

After all, this place is not suitable for a long stay.

He also didn't think he and the others would develop here for long; only escaping as soon as possible is the right course.

A heavy weapon like a Satellite, once put up there, can't be easily moved; using it here would naturally be a waste, unless they reach another Heaven and Earth where they can lie low for a long time...

Otherwise, after serious consideration, Geralt felt it's still better not to expend this trump card here.

Miss Ciri listened in a bit of a daze; the first part was still understandable, but the latter part she couldn't quite understand:

"Wait, wait, one Blueprint is enough, isn't it? This isn't something that can only be used once, right?"

Geralt smiled bitterly: "It really can only be used once... Most Cultivators actually don't do Artifact Refining; artifact making is fully automated and intelligent..."

"Lower-grade Magic Tools can be printed by the Cultivator's own Synthetic Golden Core, while high-grade Magic Tools often require a high-level Refining Furnace or Daoist Casting Factory..."

"And in this process, the Tiangong Diagram is encrypted; after one forging it automatically destroys itself; to put it bluntly, from beginning to end it never went through my own operation..."

Basically, it's not that you bought a Blueprint.

But purchased a one-time usage right.

"It's actually like that..." Miss Ciri pulled at the corner of her mouth, "Could it be no one tries to crack it?"

From these details, it indeed feels increasingly real; she doesn't suspect in the least that Geralt truly lived for a very long time under that kind of social structure.

But by the same token, she feels increasingly curious and doubtful about her own lost memories; logically she should be very familiar with it too, so why is it so strange now?

Not even the slightest impression can be recalled at all.

"Of course there are; as long as there's profit, people have done businesses that cost their heads since ancient times... just like Evil Cultivators and Demon Cultivators can never be wiped out, no matter how strictly the Dao Court investigates, there are always those who drill loopholes."

Geralt sighed, speaking mockingly:

"Like the Southern Heaven Gate, as the Heavenly Court's main gate, the entrance between the Mortal Realm and the Immortal Realm, it's said to also be the Door of All Worlds... that Colossal Thing uses it to hook up the myriad heavens and rule the ten thousand worlds..."

"The Sect we were originally in, after realizing your ability, Ciri, didn't they also harbor certain thoughts because of it, not reporting it but wanting to directly control you..."

"..."

"..."

The white-haired girl couldn't help but fall silent.

She now already roughly knows what caused the current situation of her and the others.

When it comes down to it, it's killing for possession.

"Alright, Ciri, don't be too anxious; we've planned for this long, as long as we can escape, everything will see a turn for the better..."

Geralt let out a long breath, also perceiving that the atmosphere in the air had become somewhat heavy.

He steadied his mood and spoke in a serious tone.

"They're clearly panicked now, which proves we're doing the right thing; the more frantic they are to kill us and silence us, the more it shows the severity of the problem..."

"After all, this is tantamount to rebellion; it's never had a good ending; the entire Sect will be struck to ash by heavenly thunder, all Cultivators will have their Flesh shattered and their primordial spirits turned to mud..."

"Such cautionary precedents aren't nonexistent; I don't believe they can escape them."

He encouraged Ciri, cheered her on, afraid that facing such a difficult predicament she would first lose her heart and fighting spirit.

"I know..."

Miss Ciri squeezed out a smile with effort: "But they've already come, and they've already sealed off this World..."

"That's why we need to borrow that spirit's power."

Geralt shook his head: "Since it's too late to prepare today, then we must return to yesterday to set things up in advance."

This is also why—

He and Ciri appeared here, the reason for helping Kurumi Tokisaki control the situation.

They need "time" to reverse the parts unfavorable to them and the others.

(Chapter End)