Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 237: The Civilization of Time Continent

“Have you ever felt that this place is more than just the lair of the Fierce Wolf Dragon?”

After scraping the lair clean and converting all the excess resources into essence, Ashe, the eco-cleaning master, suddenly asked a peculiar question.

Sonya: “What are you trying to say?”

“Actually, I’ve been questioning the manufacturing machines in the Resource Point since last night. The strange construction of these ancient gadgets could frustrate any technical Sorcerer, but they couldn’t possibly have been made by Knowledge Creatures, right?”

Leaning on the hood of a sports car, Ashe showed no fear that a mechanism underneath him might spring a blade to kiss his feet: “Even the most dexterous Knowledge Creature’s claws can’t compare to an Ogre’s pinky finger used for picking its nose.”

“It’s not like they secretly play the piano, make music, and write in script with their claws when we’re not around, only to hide their tools the moment we show up, just to keep us from discovering their civilization?”

Deya also began to expand her thoughts: “Speaking of which, what do Knowledge Creatures do when we Sorcerers aren’t around?”

“There are no Entertainment facilities inside, and they don’t need to hunt, so the only thing they could be doing is… I get it, playing hide and seek!”

Ashe said: “Actually, it could also be inter…”

“Hey!” Sonya chopped at Ashe’s shoulder, “The Witch doesn’t have much experience interacting with others. Don’t spout lewd jokes in front of her!”

“Are you implying it’s okay to do so with you? Besides, I was going to say ‘interaction’. It’s your dirty mind that thought I’d have a dirty mind!”

“What’s a lewd joke?” Deya asked, her face brimming with curiosity.

Ashe questioned: “The White Queen and the Black Butler don’t know?”

“They don’t. We just have different personalities, but our knowledge is shared. What I don’t know, they won’t know either.” The Witch adjusted her glasses: “However, the White Queen said she might guess what it is and will explain it to me when we return to reality.”

“I could give an example, like with the Swordswoman—stop, there’s no need to waste Time Spirits, right? Swordswoman, your financial situation can’t be so well-off to afford that, right?”

Sonya scoffed, stopping the activation of “Sharpening for a Day,” and said, “Observer, are you suggesting that the production machines at the Resource Point, and the ruins in the Fierce Wolf Dragon’s lair, are the masterpieces of another civilization?”

“That’s the only explanation,” Ashe replied. “Could it be that Sorcerers once established a civilization on the Time Continent? However, considering the abstract aesthetic of those production machines, perhaps Ogres are the purebloods of the Sorcerer Bloodline, and we’re all Mudbloods stealing arcane energy.”

This speculation seemed persuasive, yet Sonya shook her head: “But the time of Time Continent migrates with the movement of the River of Flowing Gold. For example, in about two hours, this place will turn into a Static Domain where everything withers, and only Knowledge Creatures can continue to live. Sorcerers would be frozen in time, becoming part of history. How could anyone establish a civilization here?”

“Is it possible that Knowledge Creatures could also become Sorcerers?” Deya suggested. “I read in the fairy tale book ‘New World’ where a Sorcerer was born among the Human race, previously considered lower beings by Elf Sorcerers. As a result, Human Sorcerers launched a counterattack, destroyed the Elf Kingdom, and established a new civilization. Maybe in the past, Knowledge Creatures dominated the world, and the rise of other Race Sorcerers destroyed the civilization of Knowledge Creatures.”

“Can such stories really be included in a fairy tale book?” Sonya couldn’t help but say. “I think it’s more likely that ancient Sorcerers invented some Miracle that allowed survival in the Static Domain, and thus established a Sorcerer empire on the Time Continent.”

They looked at Ashe: “Observer, what do you think?”

“Hmm, the Witch’s guess is full of imagination, and the Swordswoman’s thinking is very prudent, both have their merits,” Ashe said, stroking his chin. “But I think you’re thinking too small. Since we’re guessing, why not start with the entire world?”

Ashe looked up at the sky obscured by the Reverse Golden Rain, gazing at the distant White Bull’s massive hoof: “Maybe there was never a Chariot of the Bull or a River of Flowing Gold, and the Time Continent was just an ordinary habitable land, so there might have been a thriving civilization here once.”

Sonya was instinctively about to argue when Ashe waved his hand: “I know what you’re thinking—maybe a thousand years ago, two thousand years ago, ten thousand years ago, the Chariot of the Bull existed. But what about thirty thousand years ago, or a hundred thousand years ago? Over a long enough timeline, all massive changes become natural Truths that we take for granted.”

“Perhaps one day in the future, the Chariot of the Bull will grow tired and stop moving, and the active areas of the Time Continent will forever be fixed. Future Sorcerers may never believe that their predecessors had to chase after the White Bull.”

The Red-haired Swordswoman had to admit that this possibility existed, “But what practical significance does discussing this unverifiable speculation have?”

“It’s just a casual chat after work, and don’t you think it’s quite romantic? Together, we uncover the mysteries of the Virtual Realm and explore the history of the past, just like the heroes in adventure stories.” Ashe glanced at Sonya: “Besides, you’re undergoing intense Training during the day and Exploring the Virtual Realm with us at night. I’m worried you might not hold up, so I’m trying to give you a break to relax.”

“I’m not that fragile!”

“Who was it that just activated the ‘Sharpening Miracle’ and was ready to take on her companions?”

At that moment, Ashe noticed the Witch’s thoughtful expression and asked, “Do you have any clues?”

“No, I was just recalling that the basic configuration of an adventure team in fairy tales is two males and one female, with many types of love triangles, but typically the second male sacrifices himself, and the first male and female live happily ever after…” Deya said: “But we’re two females and one male, it doesn’t quite match up.”

The fairy tales you read are too diverse…

Ashe continued: “Also, if there really was a civilization, then apart from the Resource Points, there should be remnants of the old civilization on the Time Continent, right?”

Remnants!

The eyes of both the Swordswoman and the Witch lit up.

Whether in fairy tales or fantasy Shadow Dramas, the classic storyline of a lucky individual finding the legacy of a Senior Sorcerer or the ruins of an ancient organization, thus embarking on the path of becoming a Legend, is an evergreen plot. After all, the temptation of getting something for nothing is irresistible to everyone.

Although the civilization of Sorcerers generally spirals upward, with new-era Sorcerers being stronger than those from the old era, resources for Sorcerers are timeless. A spirit from ten thousand years ago or gold and silver from the same period are still valuable today. Even ancient Factions have the potential to sprout anew. It’s only the mindset that becomes outdated.

Moreover, since the Virtual Realm itself contains “Sorcerer Inheritance,” it would hardly surprise anyone if there were remnants of Sorcerers at the bottom of the Sea of Knowledge, let alone on the Time Continent.

Ashe looked at Sonya, who shook her head: “I haven’t found any related information. I can ask the Professor tomorrow, but don’t get your hopes up.”

“Why not? Did you finally get on the bad side of the Professor by being too arrogant?”

Sonya glared at him: “You… guessed right, halfway. But I haven’t been arrogant. The main issue is that I need to conceal my ventures into the Time Continent, so I can only inquire under the pretense of ‘pre-studying’ with the Professor.”

“Besides, I feel that perhaps even the Professor doesn’t know much about the secrets of the Time Continent.”