One-Eyed Monster
Chapter 386 - 382: The Mysterious Scenery Arrangement (Part 2)
At this point, Igor could say he had mastered seventy to eighty percent of this technique, with only its sublimation part remaining.
Some people would ignore this sublimation part; after all, it played no role in casting the technique.
Because it didn't affect casting or actual combat, many people didn't care about this sublimation part. This world is primarily filled with people in a hurry to succeed. They only want to quickly learn methods to seize resources and don't care about the profound meanings hidden within these methods.
This phenomenon is particularly common on the Yowein Continent, leading to a false prosperity in the professional sphere. Many people eagerly flocked to become Adventurers with Class, but they completely forgot the original intention of being an Adventurer with Class. These aspects of being an Adventurer with Class instantly became their means to fight for resources and tools to realize their ambitions. Adventurers with Class had long forgotten their original purpose. That purpose, to build a better world, had long ago fallen into an abyss, never to be mentioned again. People only cared about whether techniques were powerful and if they could seize dominance on this continent. In the struggle for power and ambition, these techniques always became tools, twisted beyond recognition from their original intent.
Kuren extended his hand—of course, this was within the illusion of the World Setting Technique. He was now about to guide Igor, who had just grasped the superficial mysteries of the World Setting Technique, into a deeper level.
The previous level was merely a test of Igor's various abilities. Igor was more than qualified in this regard; indeed, one could say he was exceptionally talented. After passing this test, it was time for the age-old topic of enlightenment.
Without enlightenment, one is not eligible to enter Kuren's Inner World. Moving from superficial to deeper levels is a rather complex process. If not for an expert like Kuren guiding him, Igor might have just wandered aimlessly on the fringes, or perhaps he wouldn't have even discovered the Inner World at all.
"The path ahead is for us alone!" Kuren's outstretched hand was open, as if welcoming something new.
"Is there another level?" Igor scratched his head, obviously a little surprised by this technique. He had thought he had completely tamed the harsh edges of this technique, but unexpectedly, after his mind calmed, there was something else to address. He still couldn't quite understand what this "deeper level" entailed.
"If what you just experienced was a struggle between various illusions and reality, then next, you are going to enter an even broader world."
"A broader world?"
"Yes, in this world, you will see many unbelievable things. These could be your experiences or the experiences of others. These experiences are illusory, making it difficult to discern truth from falsehood. You'll experience a sense of helplessness and loneliness. Are you ready for this?" Kuren explained softly, his words also serving as a reminder to Igor.
In other words, once Igor entered, he might not be able to come out.
"Even with the fear of loneliness and helplessness, I still want to know what that vibrant world is like." Igor's eyes sparkled; he was very eager for this.
"If the illusions and reality you just faced were various external sceneries, then next, we are going to face the monologue of the inner world."
"The World Setting Technique of the inner world?" Igor asked, his eyes wide with anticipation.
"Yes, you could say that. The illusory external phenomena we experienced earlier can be termed the Outer World of the World Setting Technique. This time, we are going to enter the Inner World of the World Setting Technique."
"Inner World?"
"Correct. What comes next resides deep within our hearts. It will be a glimpse into our own selves. As a Pioneer of the World Setting Technique, I must remind you of something." Kuren paused, wanting to gauge Igor's true thoughts.
"Hmm, learning any skill always comes with risks," Igor answered calmly, as nonchalantly as if he were discussing eating or drinking.
"The Outer World can drive a person mad, and the Inner World could trap you indefinitely. Are you willing to take such a risk?" Kuren asked cautiously; after all, the Inner World of the World Setting Technique was no child's play.
"If I cannot emerge, it merely proves the limits of my ability. I would blame no one and have no regrets. Trying will leave me with no regrets, but hesitation and failing to advance will. I've already reached this threshold, passed through the Outer World, and now stand at the gate of the Inner World. If I don't enter and see it, I'll regret it for a lifetime."
Igor spoke with great earnestness. This is the voice of my heart. My ambition is to be an Adventurer, and an Adventurer's greatest quality is courage. Without the courage to enter, how can I call myself an Adventurer?
Kuren nodded, very satisfied with Igor's answer. He then closed his eyes and began to activate the ultimate esoteric part of the World Setting Technique.
The Inner World Spell is the sublimation part of the World Setting Technique, its highest esoteric principle. Within the Inner World, the heart undergoes a baptism.
A sky full of stars instantly blanketed the entire cave. In the blink of an eye, the cave transformed into a vast grassland.
"Is this the Inner World?" Igor widened his eyes, carefully observing the changes.
"This is the Inner World, the highest esoteric principle of the World Setting Technique."
Kuren gazed at the starry sky and told Igor he was very much looking forward to Igor's performance in the Inner World.
Entering the Inner World, the real test had just begun.
The mysteries of the World Setting Technique all lie within the Inner World. Learning the technique isn't difficult, but comprehending its essence is not so easy.
"So, it completely depends on one's imagination then!" Igor exclaimed, seeming to have grasped a knack for the Inner World, and he quickly demonstrated it before Kuren. For him, this experience was novel—both a test and a fascinating adventure.
Kuren had to admit his admiration for Igor. The youth had mastered the method of interacting with the Inner World in such a short time. His imagination was extraordinary; the vast grassland was instantly overlaid by his mind, transforming into an endless river.
The profound meaning of the World Setting Technique lay in the element of 'scenery'; the scenes within the Inner World depended entirely on their imagination, and Igor seemed to be an expert at this.
Vast deserts, endless rivers, majestic mountains, precipitous valleys... In a short period, Igor showcased his formidable mental power, presenting every corner of the Yowein Continent within this Inner World.
"Does that mean the Inner World Spell manifests whatever one wishes or hopes for?" Igor looked up at the stunned Kuren, eager for an answer.
"Yes, and no," Kuren replied.
"Huh?" Igor, not quite understanding, looked at Kuren with anticipation.
"Your method is correct, but your understanding is not," Kuren said faintly.
Upon reaching the Inner World, imagination is naturally important. However, for the World Setting Technique to truly exert its power, imagination alone is far from sufficient.