novelraw Chapter 142: The Door to a New World
Chapter 142: The Door to a New World
"Although I don't know the specific research results they obtained, based on my understanding of Full Bloom, there are two main ways to achieve Full Bloom."
"One method is when a Magical Girl's own strength reaches the pinnacle. According to your way of putting it, Shion, that would be Great Perfection!"
"It's Peak Great Perfection," Shion casually corrected. "The gap between that and Great Perfection is enormous; they cannot be confused."
Mùjǐn was stunned for a moment. "Isn't that just a difference of two words? Is there really a distinction?"
"One cannot discuss summer grass with winter insects," Shion paused, thinking for a moment, "...this is not knowing the greatness of the Great Dao."
"It may seem like only a difference of two words, but the gap between them is large enough to fit another four to forty realms in between."
"R-really? Can you really cram that many in?" Mùjǐn was dumbfounded.
"You're an ancient Magical Girl; it's fine if you can't keep up with the times. I'll teach you." Shion glanced at her, her gaze seeming to look at an unintelligent paramecium, then began muttering:
"Blooming Small Perfection, Blooming Small Perfection First Revolution, Blooming Small Perfection Second Revolution, Third Revolution, Fourth Revolution, Fifth Revolution, Sixth Revolution, Seventh Revolution, Eighth Revolution, Ninth Revolution, Initial Blooming Peak, Intermediate Blooming Peak, Advanced Blooming Peak, Blooming Peak Limit, Blooming Peak Invincible, Blooming Peak Limit Invincible First Revolution, Second Revolution..."
A continuous stream of Daoist sounds came from the petite girl's mouth, making Mùjǐn dizzy and dazzled, as if deeply mired in quicksand and unable to breathe. She quickly shouted, "I know, I know! Stop chanting, stop chanting! It's Peak Great Perfection! It's Peak Great Perfection!"Only after seeing Shion's satisfied gaze did she let out a long sigh of relief and continue:
"In short, after reaching Peak Great Perfection, Magical Girls gain the ability to independently break through to Full Bloom."
As she spoke, Mùjǐn pointed proudly at herself. "That's how I did it. Back then, I reached Great Perfection in Blooming. Then, because the Mirror Kingdom was just too powerful, I actively achieved Full Bloom and successfully conquered the Mirror Kingdom."
"Looking at the current situation, you only conquered half."
Mùjǐn choked for a moment, then continued, "Anyway, those with a good foundation like me will live longer after advancing to Full Bloom, and can also leave behind a Heart Image Remnant to preserve their consciousness."
"What about the other method?"
"The other method requires the help of an Incubator. Even if you haven't reached the pinnacle of Great Perfection, as long as you have an Incubator's assistance, you can smoothly achieve Full Bloom. However, this type of Full Bloom tends to result in losing your life very quickly."
Mùjǐn added, "The biggest difference between the two is that the former requires having a Mental Landscape, while the latter does not. It's considered an emergency measure."
"You said my seed is a product of Personal Reality. Does that mean I have a Mental Landscape?"
"No. Personal Reality is Personal Reality. Even without a Mental Landscape, everyone has their own Personal Reality. It's just that you need a Mental Landscape to utilize the effects of your Personal Reality." While organizing the Mirror Kingdom system data, Mùjǐn pondered, "Hmm, you're the first person I've seen who can use their own Personal Reality to interfere with the world without needing a Mental Landscape."
"Then how do you obtain a Mental Landscape?"
"You can only go to the Central Bureau. After passing an assessment in the Central Bureau's independent space, you can obtain a Mental Landscape. Aside from the Central Bureau, there's no way to get a Mental Landscape."
After saying this, Mùjǐn displayed the collected data to Shion.
"These are all the Mirror Kingdom's research materials."
With that, she handed the system over to Blooming.
And Blooming looked at it for a long time.
She understood what she was looking at, but she didn't understand any of it.
She didn't even know what the Mirror Kingdom's script was; it was all scribbles. Even the code used by the Mirror Kingdom was different. The entire system was filled with an unreasonable 'I reckon' aura.
Although she had already noticed this from the Mirror Kingdom legacy system on Splash's side.
But at least Splash's side had done localization. As a new-era Mirror Kingdom Alice, the system had also undergone significant simplification, making it usable even for someone like Blooming, who isn't very good with computers.
But the huge Mirror Kingdom backup system in front of her seemed to be an old-fashioned machine.
As everyone knows, all tools are simpler and easier to use the more modern they are, and the more ancient they are, the more complex and garbage they become.
She fiddled with it for a long time before realizing that just searching for relevant content was divided into seventeen steps.
So she employed her super intelligence. "Mùjǐn, I can't understand this."
"I don't recognize it either."
Super intelligence encountered its first setback.
While speaking, Mùjǐn searched around the huge machine.
"However, I know there's a thing here that can copy the data. Chánggēng told me about it back then. Wait a moment..."
Shion nodded, not in a hurry. She was willing to be patient and let Mùjǐn bring her here precisely to prevent situations where she couldn't handle certain Mirror Kingdom things herself.
After all, Mùjǐn had been sealed by the Mirror Kingdom for a long time and knew people from the Mirror Kingdom, so naturally she was better than Shion, who was completely in the dark.
No matter how strong Shion was, she still couldn't understand those incomprehensible Mirror Kingdom scripts, and she wasn't even very proficient at operating the system.
While waiting for Mùjǐn to copy the data, Shion took the opportunity to inspect the surroundings.
The Mirror Kingdom system occupied most of the space here, and these systems were undoubtedly consuming enormous amounts of energy.
As for the source of the energy, it was the Mùjǐn replicants standing in the glass tanks on both sides.
Shion initially thought they were all combat units yet to be deployed.
Only after checking did she realize these Mùjǐns were actually batteries.
As replicated Full Bloom Magical Girls, these replicant Mùjǐns could provide a considerable amount of energy, sustaining the operation of this backup system.
If she wasn't mistaken, the energy the Mirror Kingdom used to manufacture replicants should come from the mana of the Heart Image Remnant, along with some corrupted magic power. This could also be observed during the previous battle with Mùjǐn.
However, Shion couldn't sense any mana from these Mùjǐn replicants.
A large amount of residue filled each replicant. This residue flowed into the backup system and was then completely consumed.
As the residue gradually disappeared, the bodies of the replicant Mùjǐns also gradually aged and crumbled.
Noticing Shion staring at an aging replicant for a long time, Mùjǐn immediately cried out, "I don't age!"
After all, she was already dead.
Shion didn't pay her any mind, just looked at the young Mùjǐn serving as a battery in another glass tank, feeling something was a bit different.
Just as she intended to investigate further, the little Mùjǐn suddenly opened her eyes.
With a cold gaze, she looked at Shion, revealing a trace of a disdainful sneer.
Full of mockery and arrogance.
As if calculating that the other party needed to use the Mirror Kingdom's backup system, didn't dare cut off the power source, and couldn't touch her.
Shion stroked the glass, her mana passing through the glass tank.
Then she gave the little Mùjǐn's face two resounding "slaps."
Not only did she slap the other's face red, but the originally cold, mocking gaze was also slapped into clarity.
Now carrying a bit of bewildered stupidity.
What are you laughing at? Did I allow you to laugh?
The little Mùjǐn, who originally wanted to scare the other party, subconsciously shrank back upon seeing Shion's indifferent gaze. But with nowhere to hide inside the glass tank, she could only curl up into a ball, clearly on the verge of crying.
Just as Shion was considering whether to simply kill her and put her out of her misery...
Over there, Mùjǐn suddenly cried out.
"Ahh, found it, found it."
That Mùjǐn finally found the device capable of storing data. Shion glanced back and saw something that looked like a USB drive but was as big as a brick...
"This is called a 'Blue Tile' in the Mirror Kingdom, I think. It can store large amounts of data. Back then, Chánggēng stole Mirror Kingdom data for us to see using this..."
After moving the Blue Tile to the front and plugging it into the system's interface, Mùjǐn directly stuffed a large number of files from the system into it. "Anyway, I don't know which ones are their research materials. I'll pack them all for you. After we get out, you can find someone knowledgeable to analyze them."
Clapping her hands, Mùjǐn, having finally accomplished the great task, was about to get up.
A pitch-black figure suddenly appeared beside her, startling her.
Just as she was about to shout, Shion had already appeared in front of her, pulling her back and shielding her behind.
Hiding behind Shion, Mùjǐn was momentarily stunned.
As a Full Bloom Magical Girl accustomed to fighting alone, this feeling of being protected was quite novel...
So she secretly whispered, "Ah, An Shiyu, I think I'm starting to fall for her too, what should I do..."
Then she giggled. "Relax, relax, I won't steal her from you..."
If she were alive, she would never dare to giggle in the face of danger. But standing behind this purple figure,
she felt utterly safe, so it didn't matter.
Now, looking carefully, the black figure standing over there also made Mùjǐn pause.
"Mirror Queen?"
Shion glanced at her. "You know her?"
"Uh, she was the last enemy I killed back then." Mùjǐn looked left and right before realizing. "It's a projection?"
"Correct, it's a projection."
The previously silent Mirror Queen suddenly spoke. "When you see this projection, it means the real me is already dead. The Mirror Kingdom's century-long grand plan has failed."
"That's not right, is it?" Mùjǐn frowned. "Didn't you die long ago?"
"Every Mirror Queen has two lives." The Mirror Queen stepped forward. "You being able to see me means I've died twice."
Mùjǐn immediately tugged at Shion's sleeve. "Did you encounter her on the way?"
"Didn't know, didn't pay attention." Shion's tone was indifferent. "Didn't notice anything special."
The Mirror Queen waved her hand, and suddenly the entire mirror space of the backup system transformed into a magnificent palace.
"A long, long time ago..."
"Shut up."
Shion immediately cut her off. "No one wants to hear your story."
The Mirror Queen was momentarily at a loss. "But... you also want to know the Mirror Kingdom's secrets, right..."
"Not interested."
Mùjǐn beside her whispered, "What if it's related to Full Bloom?"
Shion tilted her head slightly. "That's worth listening to, then."
The Mirror Queen immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "A long, long—"
"Are you planning to start from the creation of the world? Condense it to within a hundred words for me."
Mùjǐn gave a dry laugh beside her. "Anyway, just talk about the content related to Magical Girls."
The Mirror Queen nodded before continuing. "The Mirror Kingdom was once a prosperous and abundant world, just like yours. We mastered mana very early on, using it as an energy source, rapidly developing our nation and benefiting the world. Among this, entities called 'Alices' were born. Like your Magical Girls, they had Miracle Seeds and could transform into mana constructs, possessing powerful strength. However, unlike you, they didn't have the concept of Full Bloom..."
Noticing Shion's gaze gradually becoming irritable, the Mirror Queen immediately sped up:
"Then, starting from some unknown day, mana could no longer be generated. No matter how hard the Mirror Kingdom's citizens tried, they could no longer produce mana. Worse still, not only did mana dry up, but other energy sources also became unusable. The kingdom suddenly headed toward collapse."
Mùjǐn asked curiously, "Why?"
"Don't know. We exhausted all methods but couldn't solve the energy problem. Then, by chance, we discovered your world over here."
Shion's face was expressionless. "Oh, what a coincidence."
"...Judging from past records, it was indeed a coincidence." Finding her own explanation unconvincing, the Mirror Queen quickly changed the subject. "Thus, in order to survive, the Mirror Kingdom had no choice but to begin attempting to make contact with this world..."
"Oh, had no choice. Oh, attempted contact."
The Mirror Queen was momentarily speechless.
"...No need to be so aggressive." Mùjǐn coughed. "I also heard about this from my friend. The Mirror Kingdom had its own difficulties; they weren't all big bad guys."
"Oh, different positions."
"..."
Hearing Mùjǐn and the Mirror Queen fall silent, Shion glanced at them. "What's wrong? Continue."
"How can anyone speak with you like this?"
Mùjǐn sighed. "Anyway, there are also many people in the Mirror Kingdom who aren't bad, like Chánggēng..."
"Is that why you only sealed them and didn't kill them all back then?"
Mùjǐn cautiously looked up at Jiang Si. "Are you angry? I admit there might have been oversights in my considerations back then. But, but at that time, I had just stepped into Full Bloom. I couldn't possibly kill them all; my friend was still in the Mirror Kingdom... I'm sorry for leaving you with such a troublesome mess. Don't be angry, okay?"
"No one can blame you."
Shion shook her head. "How to deal with the Mirror Kingdom was your freedom, a right you fought for alone with your strength."
"Ahaha, it wasn't that great. But I was indeed very powerful back then..."
"Just a bit stupid."
The previously smug Mùjǐn immediately deflated. "Alright, alright, call me stupid... Anyway, I still think it would be nice if the Mirror Kingdom could honestly join this side and live together with everyone."
The Mirror Queen, who had been silent all along, finally spoke. "We... think so too."
"Actually, at the very beginning, we tried peaceful contact, asking for a territory here to develop independently, but we were refused..."
Mùjǐn was stunned. "Ah, there was such a thing?"
So the Mirror Queen waved her hand, and the projection's scene showed the meeting room where the Mirror Kingdom and the Disaster Control Bureau had conversed back then.
"We were sternly refused by the Disaster Control Bureau. They considered us a high risk. We could only enter this world one by one, and the number of people together could not exceed three..."
The Mirror Queen said somewhat indignantly, "The Disaster Control Bureau even accepted people from another world and allowed three of them to act together. Why can't our Mirror Kingdom do the same?"
"Another world?" Shion raised an eyebrow. "Elaborate."
"Uh, we don't know which world it was. Anyway, the Mirror Kingdom's Alices discovered that people from another world had arrived here before us and reached a cooperation agreement with the Disaster Control Bureau. That's why our Mirror Kingdom thought of negotiating with the Disaster Control Bureau for a piece of land. But the Disaster Control Bureau deemed the Mirror Kingdom dangerous and refused..."
Hearing the Mirror Queen's words, Mùjǐn beside her fell silent. Her expression didn't change much, but she glanced at Shion.
The petite purple-haired girl looked serious, seemingly as shocked by this piece of history as she was.
What is Shion thinking about now?
...
Are we already about to enter the Great Thousand Worlds?
Shion's brows were slightly furrowed. The Mirror Kingdom already seemed like an independent world, and now there's another independent world.
That's not right. According to tropes, shouldn't it be when you reach the pinnacle yourself that you learn there are mountains beyond mountains, people beyond people, one layer of world nested within another?
Then the strongest of this world ascends to the next layer to mine.
The Great Thousand Worlds are coming a bit fast. I haven't even reached the Battle Emperor stage yet...
Is my advancement speed too slow?
If counting from when I started cultivating—no, counting from when I started body cultivation, I've already spent over ten years.
That is indeed a bit slow. And most of my physical breakthroughs were completed within this past half month.
Thrown into a web novel, you could say my talent is extremely low.
I need to work even harder. Once we enter the Great Thousand Worlds, Full Blooms will probably be everywhere, and I'll immediately fall behind the version.
By then, I'll probably fall back into a situation where I'm bullied by others...
Shion pondered with a deep expression, extremely serious. For a moment, neither the Mirror Queen nor Mùjǐn dared to interrupt.
After a good while, she took a breath and stopped thinking about the Great Thousand Worlds.
"So you proved the Disaster Control Bureau's decision was correct."
Shion's reply also made Mùjǐn nod.
She had personally witnessed the tragedy the Mirror Kingdom caused in South China back then.
Although she couldn't bring herself to kill all the Mirror Kingdom people—after all, her friend had proven they weren't all bad—
for Mùjǐn, she absolutely could not consider the Mirror Kingdom innocent either.
Whether it was the Mirror Queen or those harmful Alices, Mùjǐn herself had indeed killed quite a few...
"It cannot be denied. Because the Mirror Kingdom was at a very critical moment back then. After being refused, we wanted to seize living space using our own methods. But we caused you enormous losses and troubles. We are truly very sorry."
The Mirror Queen, bowing deeply, spoke through tears. "But we were truly at the end of our rope. Mùjǐn, you have a friend from the Mirror Kingdom; you should know this too. The Mirror Kingdom was truly at the end of its rope before choosing such a method. We hope you can give the Mirror Kingdom another chance. Just one chance is enough. When you sealed the Mirror Kingdom back then, wasn't it because you hoped that someday in the future, the Mirror Kingdom could coexist peacefully with you?"
Mùjǐn's expression was complex. "I truly wish everyone could coexist peacefully..."
The Mirror Queen finally let out a long sigh of relief, her face full of emotion. "Truly, thank you..."
"But, the decision-making power isn't in my hands now."
Mùjǐn tugged at Shion beside her. "Back then, I had the power to give you a chance because I had the strength to bear the consequences. But now I don't have that strength anymore, so the decision-making power naturally isn't with me either."
Shion looked somewhat surprised at Mùjǐn, who was using An Shiyu's face, and nodded. "You can be taught."
She had thought this Magical Girl would continue being naive.
The praised Mùjǐn smiled, then shrugged. "Anyway, you have to beg Shion."
The Mirror Queen was dumbfounded, just turning her head.
Shion casually waved her hand. Surging purple mana instantly flooded the entire space!
They returned from the projection depicting the Mirror Kingdom's suffering to the mirror space of the backup system.
The Mirror Queen's projection was also torn apart by more than half.
"No need to beg. Begging is useless. In our cultivation world, there's no such thing as releasing the tiger back to the mountains."
Mùjǐn opened her mouth slightly, then sighed.
Apologizing to Chánggēng in her heart.
Back then, her decision could not be criticized by anyone, nor could anyone change it.
Shion wouldn't give orders either.
So now, she couldn't give orders or say anything about Shion's decision either.
Because now, the power to decide the Mirror Kingdom's fate was in Shion's hands.
The Mirror Queen immediately reacted, kneeling on the ground. "We truly know we were wrong! I truly know we were wrong. Give us another chance!"
"You don't know you were wrong."
Shion slapped the projection, shattering it. "You know you're about to die."
Mùjǐn stared blankly as Shion rejected the Mirror Queen's plea, then picked up the file backup from the system.
As she prepared to leave, she suddenly turned to look at Mùjǐn again and emphasized:
"From 'Sword Coming'."