Chapter 697 - 660: The Way to Make the Children Dream the Same Dream
Da Fei returned to Radiant City, and the elegant, crisp sound of a harp floated from the deck of the Flying. It was, without a doubt, Selvia practicing her harp every chance she got. So hardworking, it must make Anlicia feel some way, huh?
Feeling sentimental, Da Fei looked around. Anlicia was out shopping with Little Bilbo and hadn’t come back yet. Or rather, she was preparing for departure. Whatever, there was still a little time before nightfall.
For Little Bilbo, who had grown up in the World Tree Space, this was undoubtedly his first time seeing the big city, especially a massive metropolis like the capital of the Elf Kingdom. The significance was bound to be extraordinary.
Young people only get the motivation to strive and grow by yearning for the outside world. But Farolan is nothing. Soon, I’ll take him to see the more profound realms of Hell City’s Divine Punishment City. I’ll let him know what the real big world looks like and establish a godlike, towering image in his innocent and confused heart.
But, speaking of which, the one who hasn’t prepared at all is actually me, right? After all, this Divine Artifact Crystal has never been used before. Who knows what precautions need to be taken?
To be safe, Da Fei took out the Nightmare Crystal and carefully read the attribute description:
—Nightmare Crystal: Divine Artifact, can teleport heroes and their units to a designated Nightmare Space. Teleportation can only occur at night and requires the consumption of Nightmare Power. The current Nightmare Crystal reserves 1000 points of Nightmare Power. (Note: The Nightmare Crystal can absorb Nightmare Power in Nightmare Space. Each Command Value unit teleported consumes 1 point of Nightmare Power. Teleporting a hero consumes Nightmare Power according to the Hero Level, with each level consuming 1 point of Nightmare Power.)
The use of the crystal is quite specific, limited to heroes and their units. In other words, the crystal can only teleport players, their vice heroes, and all roles that can join the player’s team. Hence, team formations are not possible. Additionally, it can only teleport units, not resources.
If it can’t teleport resources, this Divine Artifact pales in comparison with others of its kind. After all, the Legion Teleportation Scroll, known as a one-time Divine Artifact, can teleport troops along with a logistics convoy. Even the Vortex Crystal opens a Vortex Gate, teleporting both people and ships together. All in all, compared to other teleportation tools, this Nightmare Crystal seems weaker, but the advantage is it can be "recharged" for multiple uses.
However, the strategic significance of this Nightmare Crystal clearly isn’t teleporting, but for developing the Nightmare Space, right? Given this, I’ll have to make something out of this development effort. Otherwise, if the Angel Leader accidentally opens a portal in the Nightmare Space, wouldn’t I end up empty-handed?
As for teleporting the player’s party, Da Fei had a total of seven tactical positions (Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce President +2), able to bring seven vice heroes or NPCs.
Catherine taking leave and not returning certainly won’t go, so there’s Selvia, Elena, Anlicia, and then temporary guests Tachiusu and Bilbo; that leaves two spots. It would be a shame to waste such a great travel opportunity.
Should I take the Cave Man Hero Shacket along? That won’t work either; he’s supervising the Cave People digging the sewers. I might have to assemble two NPCs to go instead? NPC-wise, the only ones I have are Tamilia and these city consultants, right?
Tamilia isn’t an issue. Her life, merged with the Holy Vine Heart, makes safety a non-issue. Moreover, she can team up with Tachiusu and my Holy Vine Seeds for a big move. Yes! I have dozens of Holy Vine Seeds; they’re getting moldy in my pocket if I don’t show them off in Divine Punishment City. So, Tamilia must go.
Then, I can only choose one of the consultants. Now, I’m in a bind. Speaking of these consultants, they’re not exactly strong fighters. I’ve only seen Tai Da cast a weak, but weird, Thorns Skill in the Black Forest. As for the other consultants, they could only hide indoors during the last Demon Race airborne assault.
In the end, whoever goes, the safety issue is indeed a big one. Might as well not bring one, a shame for my slot.
Just as Da Fei was thinking this, he spotted Cultural Consultant Arong and Health Consultant Sedana hurrying over with a Flower Demon, looking joyful as they said, "Lord City Lord! We’ve succeeded! Our school has finally cultivated a Flower Demon Instructor trainee!"
Successfully cultivated one at last? Da Fei pleasedly said, "Let me see!"
Da Fei rushed forward to check the Flower Demon Instructor’s attributes:
—Flower Demon: Small-sized Spiritual Creature, Level 0 unit, Attack 0, Defense 3, Damage 0-1, Health 10, Attack Speed 13, Command Value 0, Special Skills: Flower Demon Instructor, Gardener, Flying Creature, Ancient Tree Coexistence, Unable to Deploy, Junior Doctor.
Indeed, there was a new special skill: Basic Medical! Moreover, the Flower Demon’s base health increased suddenly from 2 to 10, and defense from 0 to 3. Wait a minute, the Flower Demon’s skills aren’t right, and neither are the damage values!
Da Fei quickly asked, "I remember the Flower Demon’s special skills included Swarm Disturbance and Flower Pollen Strike, right? Where did they go?"
The Cultural Consultant hurriedly replied, "This indicates the creature’s learning capacity is limited. To learn new skills, old ones must be forgotten. The disappearance of her combat skills indicates her role is transitioning to auxiliary support!"
The Health Consultant excitedly added, "The beginning is the hardest part. Once she becomes a Junior Doctor, she’s not far from graduating as an Advanced Doctor. She could work in hospitals or as a teaching assistant in medical classes, and her Skill Level will advance gradually with increasing work time until she becomes an expert, a Master Level. Once she reaches Master Level, I can retire!"
Da Fei joyfully said, "Good, from now on, continue to fully nurture her, make her the first graduate! Hurry along now, don’t slack off, time is valuable!"
The Health Consultant energetically said, "Alright, I’ll fully devote myself to grooming her as my successor starting today!" He then eagerly led the Flower Demon back to school.
Yet, the Cultural Consultant did not leave. Coughing lightly, the Cultural Consultant said, "Lord City Lord, with the success of this training, I believe the medical class has taken a solid first step from nothing. It should ease your worries in the future. But medicine merely enhances the city’s health ratings, and does nothing for cultural evaluation. This is not comprehensive for a city’s development, so I propose, how about starting an art class?"
Da Fei was taken aback, then remembered that this Cultural Consultant who doesn’t know music had art as his primary skill! While his whimsical request was understandable, I should weigh an NPC’s proactive suggestions.
So Da Fei smiled and asked, "We have already established medical, circus, and music classes. Opening more would just slow the school’s graduation, err, completion rate. What’s the advantage of starting an art class now?"
The Cultural Consultant hurriedly replied, "Only the combination of music and art can effectively elevate the city’s cultural ratings. Music alone is insufficient. Moreover, art graduates can open galleries, sell paintings, or sculptures, making money. This is a lucrative industry! Once someone becomes a famous artist, the value of their work will multiply a hundred to a thousand times, becoming a new auction darling!"
Da Fei’s eyebrows twitched, "What is a famous artist?"
The Cultural Consultant quickly explained, "When a student’s art skill reaches Master Level, there’s a chance they become a famous artist. Once they become one, they no longer remain a unit but become a true citizen! In fact, any field’s students might ascend to fame once reaching Master Level, whereupon their worth skyrockets!"
—System Prompt: You’ve obtained the information regarding a "famous artist."
Da Fei was suddenly enlightened, realizing art could develop industry, and a famous artist signifies a transformation from unit to NPC! Excellent, given the invigorated enthusiasm among the subordinates, I shouldn’t discourage them. Let’s go ahead and start the class! The God-level musician Sea God Priest must surely lend a hand, ensuring no problems for the music class. My school will have four classes advancing in tandem!
At this moment, a vague idea emerged in Da Fei’s mind, and he quickly asked, "Mr. Arong, since your primary skill is art, can you paint the scenery you see?"
Arong promptly replied, "Of course, any art student can do that!"
Da Fei continued, "And can the artist add imagined elements to an already finished painting?"
Arong nodded, "Certainly, only with imaginative enhancement can it be called art!"
Da Fei’s thoughts became clear immediately, and he quickly said, "Great, there is still one spot for my upcoming venture into Nightmare Space. I’ll send you along. Your task is to paint the scenes from the Nightmare Space! Can you manage that?"
Arong was taken aback, "Me? Go to Nightmare Space?"
Da Fei chuckled, "Exactly, it’s a reward for all your hard work as the principal—an overseas vacation. When you return, you can use the Nightmare Space as a lesson to teach students painting!"
Arong appeared confused, "Using Nightmare Space as a lesson? Alright then, as long as you’re willing to open the class, I have nothing more to say. I’ll go prepare my easel and paints now."
Da Fei laughed, "Good, hurry up then!"
In that moment, Da Fei’s concept for developing the Nightmare Space had formed. The most implausible difficulty was making all the children of the Source of the Nightmare dream the same dream, but Da Fei had no idea who the Source of the Nightmare was, let alone how to make the children share the same dream!
But perhaps there was a solution now: painting. Paint a lovely floating island, then sell the paintings en masse. In short, let every child who sees the paintings, inadvertently or purposely, dream of the scene depicted!
Though the idea seemed far-fetched, even a failure could jumpstart a painting industry to generate revenue! As for art students, who else but the bright, sharp children of Habbit Village? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)