Chapter 3088: New Discoveries, Full of Doubts

————Currently rushing~~

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After the silence, Xia Duo did not know how to speak for a moment. He felt that the situation suddenly showed signs of being about to spiral out of control; even if he remained silent here, Kalishi would still go find others.

The Alliance Computing Power Pool is indeed under his management for the time being, but that does not mean the computing power pool is his private property. If the Alliance supports Kalishi's plan, what could he do about it?

In all honesty, Xia Duo does not really approve of such an overly risky plan. Even if the realization of this plan could bring brand-new developments to magic, the saying remains: the risk is too great. Once the endeavor fails, the consequences might be something no one can accept.

After weighing it carefully, Xia Duo still stuck to his own view, but he did not reject Kalishi on the spot, instead taking the opportunity to ask Kalishi for more specific details behind this plan.

"You just said that to forge an Artifact, you still need Psionic Material and a large amount of Psionic Energy. Do you want the Alliance to support you in seizing it from Zhamu Dasi? Or is collecting Wisdom just another lie, and you have already harbored the intention of using the computing power pool to collect Psionic Energy?"

"Is that what Consultant Xia Duo thinks?"

Kalishi was not dissatisfied because of Xia Duo's suspicion and questioning. As a pioneer who already considers himself enlightened, he could not give rise to such emotions. He told Xia Duo:

"I have already prepared the Psionic Material; there is no need for the Alliance to seize it for me. As for Psionic Energy, that is indeed a problem, but if the Alliance chooses to support you, there are two ways to obtain it—"

Actually, even now, even within Netheril, Xia Duo is temporarily not prepared to reveal that situation. He knows very well that Netherese Mages are very willing to take risks, especially when they do not have to bear the risks directly themselves.

But once he thought about how the recent abnormal wear and tear of the Gateway Magic Tool might be the work of Zhamu Dasi or Kalishi, an inexplicable sense of urgency welled up in his heart, leaving him unable to relax.

Even if, as Kalishi said, Psionic Energy does not exist for Arcane Mages, Xia Duo still firmly believes that the influence caused by Psionic Energy—the changes to the real world—could absolutely not be without a trace.

……

Of course, the premise is that Kalishi must further prove himself.

Xia Duo did not give a response on the spot. He was still prepared to drag it out for a few days to see the situation, especially waiting for the investigation results from the Psionic Network Research Center regarding the recent abnormal wear and tear of the Computing Power Pool Sub-network Gateway Magic Tool.

Xia Duo does not believe that Psionic Mages and Arcane Mages have any essential difference in physical structure; what a Psionic Mage can perceive, an Arcane Mage can most likely perceive as well.

Proving that Kalishi is not lying, proving that there is truly a possibility of merging the two magic systems of Psionic and Arcane, proving that the Artifact Project will not cause irreparable losses to the Northland Alliance, and so on.

Xia Duo's last sentence was also for Laruian. Besides Kalishi himself, the only ones who know about Kalishi's plan are the Evereska Council of Elders. Although it is the old plan that was previously concealed, it still needs to be kept confidential for the time being.

Then this matter would be too uncontrollable.

Returning to the Alliance Headquarters, the entire Psionic Network Research Center only had the duty personnel of the Operations and Maintenance Group left; everyone else had already gone off work. However, the scrapped Magic Artifacts that had been recovered were all there, and Xia Duo prepared to check them again himself.

In short, regardless of whether the Alliance ultimately supports Kalishi, a relatively rigorous verification process is needed. And what Xia Duo needs to do now is to make all preparations well within his own capabilities, whether they are good or bad.

No matter how flowery Kalishi's words are now, it is possible he is cooperating with Zhamu Dasi's plan; only by submitting a "letter of intent" (pledge of allegiance) can he possibly gain trust.

From this point of view, Kalishi actually still harbors this intention.

If it is found out that the recent Gateway abnormal wear is related to Psionic Energy, or directly related to Kalishi, then no matter what Kalishi says or does next, he will firmly oppose the so-called Artifact manufacturing plan.

"Direct seizure is impossible. For an Arcane Mage, even if Psionic Energy were placed right in front of him, he would be unable to perceive it, so how could he seize it?"

"I feel that the risk of this plan is truly too great. The current Northland Alliance is developing well; there is really no need to take such a risk."

Regarding Laruian's persuasion, Xia Duo also did not respond on the spot. After all, if he responded to that, wouldn't it directly indicate his attitude of opposing Kalishi's plan? Doing so might cause Kalishi to turn to seek help from others.

"One way is to let the Zhamu Dasi people act, and then use the surge of Psionic Energy during their actions to forge our own Artifact. The other is to extend the Time Line and collect it slowly in the Northland."

If the situation is serious, it is not impossible to even take down Kalishi directly.

"At the latest, three days from now, I will give you a reply. But within these three days, I hope you will not disclose this matter to others."

Kalishi explained the way to obtain Psionic Energy but avoided Xia Duo's previous questioning: whether he would use the computing power pool to collect Psionic Energy.

Regarding Xia Duo's proposal, Kalishi hesitated for a moment before agreeing. Laruian was relatively straightforward, agreeing almost without any hesitation, and even persuaded Xia Duo:

The reason it is "possible" is because there exists in this world something called a "bitter meat ruse" (feigned defeat). Although the magic world has no one specifically summarizing these strategies and calculations, they are still actually used in reality.

It is even possible that the existence of Psionic Energy and Psionic Energy itself is not something that cannot be perceived by Arcane Mages, but rather that the method of perception is wrong. Using the method of Arcane Magic might not work, but what if a different way were used?

This is not only persuading Xia Duo, but also warning himself. Evereska is already attempting to introduce Netheril Magic; this one thing alone has already drawn criticism from many mages. At the very least, one must wait for this matter to subside before it is appropriate to introduce Psionic Magic.

It is truly because Kalishi concealed too many things before, causing the Council of Elders to make a misjudgment, and now is the time that needs to be corrected.

"I understand. I will seriously consider what you have said."

Besides that, there are also types of Perception—is it through human senses like vision and hearing, or some special super-perception?

"In fact, almost all the Psionic Energy collected by Zhamu Dasi is stored within Artifacts. Seizing it means attacking the Zhamu Dasi homeland. I think even if the Alliance supports me, rashly involving ourselves in the war in the south is not a good idea."

Besides that, perhaps Kalishi also needs to submit a substantial "letter of intent" to completely break with Zhamu Dasi.

He is absolutely certain that as long as the great Arcanists in the country hear that Kalishi is preparing to forge an Artifact that merges two magic systems to explore the more cutting-edge aspects of magic, those great Arcanists will, nine times out of ten, express their support without hesitation.

Right now, Xia Duo's visit is just a routine talk. Even if the Alliance really agrees to support Kalishi's plan, it is impossible to be persuaded by just a few words from the other party; more specific evidence is still needed.

Leaving Laruian's home, the night had already completely darkened. Xia Duo had originally intended to return to Yunfeng Manor; after all, it is now off-work hours.

……