Facing Jolod’s questioning, Richard suddenly had a revelation.
Indeed, if the future is predetermined, then every step he takes would be predetermined too, and free will would not exist.
But free will does exist.
A person’s consciousness is not as precise as a machine; it is chaotic. Sudden thoughts can lead to different decisions in the same situation.
And since free will exists, absolute destiny does not.
After understanding this point, the shadow in Richard’s heart dissipated significantly.
If absolute destiny does not exist, then even if his fate is predetermined, his every action can influence others’ destinies. His mentor survived because of him, and his lover retreated from the frontlines.
In the future, he might be able to save tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of Wizards from death.
Everything he does is not meaningless!
"I understand, Teacher."
Richard solemnly bowed to Jolod.
Jolod looked at Richard, whose eyes were no longer lost, and nodded in satisfaction.
"It’s good that you’ve figured it out."
The office door was being knocked.
Jolod glanced at the time, stood up, and was about to walk out.
"My break time is over, time to work."
"Teacher, should I go find the Crown Throne..."
"Go, go!" Jolod waved his hand, "This place is exactly where an old man like me can best use his skills. You’re transferring me away just to let me lie in bed waiting to die?"
"No, Teacher, but your workload is too intense..."
"I’m a Three Rings Wizard, this intensity is easier for me than research. Go handle your business."
Saying this, Jolod opened the office door and greeted the wizard outside, "Coming."
Looking at Jolod’s departing figure, Richard was momentarily filled with mixed feelings.
"Don’t overthink, Master Jolod really seems to like his work here," Ali said softly as she walked to Richard’s side.
Richard remained silent for a long time, then sighed, "Ah, damn war."
After leaving the Synthetic Beast Factory where Jolod was, Richard found Wuni and returned to the Nightmare World.
In the Nightmare World, Bone had already awakened from his slumber.
Looking at the vast entity emitting nightmare radiation all over, Richard couldn’t help but compare it to the Bone who used to call him boss every day in his memory.
"Bone, why do you look uglier the more you evolve."
Hearing Richard’s words, Bone awkwardly scratched his head.
"Boss, I can’t decide what I look like after evolving. When your mindset changes, your appearance naturally changes too."
Richard introduced to Wuni beside him, "This is Bone, whom I named Knight in the Nightmare World." Then he introduced to Bone, "This is Wuni, my student in the Wizard World."
The two creatures, clearly with a close relationship but never having met due to circumstances, exchanged a glance and then greeted each other warmly, at least superficially.
"Hello, little boss."
Richard nodded and then asked Wuni, "Is the upper management strict with the Nightmare Rules? I need a large batch of Power of Nightmare."
"That’s easy," Wuni said boldly, "Teacher, just take it. The Nightmare Rules, the upper management never has enough. If less is paid, they might scold me a bit; after all, my position is temporary, so they could just transfer me somewhere else."
Richard nodded slightly and did not hesitate. After all, he truly needed the Power of Nightmare to refine Soul Essence.
Estimating the consumption for refining a bit, Richard said, "I need forty million units of Power of Nightmare."
"Forty million?" Wuni hesitated for a moment, "Why not round it up to fifty million units, just enough for a Nightmare Lord’s Power of Nightmare."
"Ah? That wouldn’t be good," Richard said somewhat troubled, "Forty million is enough for me."
Wuni indifferently waved his hand, "Forty million, fifty million, it’s about the same, just one less micro Floating City. Not to mention, we’re short on Basic Magic Equipment, but not lacking in advanced stuff like Floating Cities. With this little loss, a slight adjustment on the books and I won’t even get scolded.
This Nightmare World has a hundred Nightmare Farms, all under my control."
Seeing Wuni’s confidence, Richard didn’t hold back.
"Fifty million it is. You behave when you go to the frontlines, and when your teacher returns, I’ll find the Crown Throne to pull you in as my assistant."
"Haha, sure thing, Teacher."
Taking the Nightmare Crystal, Richard found a secluded spot in the wild to refine the Power of Nightmare. The ocean-like Power of Nightmare entered the Miracle Furnace, transforming into starlike Soul Essence.
In two months, the Power of Nightmare was completely refined, and the refined Soul Essence floating in the air was as large as two people combined.
"Gaa, no matter how many times I see it, your methods always amaze me."
Ulysses stood on Richard’s shoulder, looking at the Soul Essence in front of him, and exclaimed sincerely.
One hand performing Life Editing, and the other extracting Soul Essence with Power of Nightmare, Richard’s progress on the Evolution Road in terms of basic qualities is astoundingly fast. Although other Great Wizards use rare treasures to accelerate their basic quality improvements, completing an entire phase within decades like Richard is unprecedented in both Wizard Civilization and Gods Civilization.
"Don’t be amazed, here’s some for you, to restore a bit of your soul foundation."
Richard carved out about one-fifth of the Soul Essence and presented it to Ulysses. The amount he needed for ascension required only forty million Nightmare-powered Soul Essence, the excess was of little use to him.
"Eh, no rush on this one."
Ulysses slashed with his Crow Claw, sealing the bundle of Soul Essence.
"My longevity issue is resolved with the Divine Artifact given by the Divine King. Using Soul Essence for it is just too extravagant."
Richard shrugged indifferently.
Upon devouring the Soul Essence, Richard immediately felt a dizziness akin to drunkenness. This is the side effect of consuming a large amount of Soul Essence. Even though Richard’s spiritual power had reached three hundred, increasing his total spiritual capacity by nearly one-third couldn’t avoid the side effects.
Before losing consciousness, Richard opened the Gate of Nightmare to return to the Secret Realm. Ulysses then placed a seal on him, and immediately returned to the Secret Realm.
Three years later, Richard awoke.
"That was quite a long nap."
Richard, upon waking, said groggily.
"How long did I sleep?"
"Three years, master."
Upon hearing the World Mushroom’s response, Richard scratched his head, appearing relaxed, "Not bad, only three years."
Unknowingly, Richard had grown accustomed to the time perspective of the long-lived kind. A mere three years seemed not even worthy of mention as a nap.
Stretching his body, Richard used his power to contact Ulysses.
"Ulysses, how have these years been?"
Hearing Richard’s voice, Ulysses, who was teaching the White Wolf God how to use its power in the Wolf Plain, was slightly startled.
"Gaa, just three years and you wake up quickly."
"Isn’t it good to be quick?"
"Gaa, it’s not that. I’m in Wolf Plain with the White Wolf God here, care to take a look?"
With that, Ulysses opened a rift leading to the Secret Realm. Richard emerged through the rift to see the White Wolf God, as large as a mountain, lying quietly on the ground, listening to Ulysses—a crow not even as large as its fingernail—teaching.
Seeing the White Wolf God, Richard was somewhat surprised and said, "You’ve grown quite well, White Wolf. Before I secluded myself for research, I remember you were just... this big."
Richard tried to gesture with his hand, but quickly abandoned the attempt—it was too silly.
The White Wolf God, hearing this, was momentarily stunned.
"Lord, is it fast to grow in a hundred years?"
"Gaa, don’t listen to his nonsense," Ulysses shook his head, "This guy just slept for three years, his mind isn’t quite clear. Growing to your current size in a hundred years is perfectly normal."
"Oh right, I researched for a hundred years after all."
Richard patted his head, still adjusting to the sudden increase in spiritual power even after three years of sleep.
"Truly, my mind isn’t clear. What are you guys doing here?"
The White Wolf God murmured, "Lord, I’m learning how to use Divine Power from Master Crow."
"Oh, not bad, learn from him. I learned from him too."
Richard waved his hand, his mind becoming slightly clearer.
"Ulysses, I have a list here. Can you get the people below to collect it later? Also, find a place with a stable energy environment and balanced rule environment, the terrain doesn’t matter, these criteria must be met."
As he spoke, Richard took a pre-prepared scroll from his pocket and handed it to Ulysses.
Ulysses took the scroll, glanced inside, and was somewhat surprised, "You’re planning to ascend to Five Rings? In such a hurry?"
Although Ulysses didn’t recognize the purpose of most items on the list, a few key ones matched those required in the Gods Civilization’s ritual for advancing to high gods.
Richard waved his hand, "Since I’m going to ascend anyway, it’s best to prepare these in advance so they can be used immediately when needed. Moreover, I’m not in that much of a hurry to ascend at this time. The Composite Rule Body is something I perfected myself, my physique and spiritual power meet the requirements. Although it seems the time interval is short, there are absolutely no issues with the conditions."
Ulysses fell silent upon hearing Richard’s words.
What Richard said indeed made sense; the basic qualities have no concept of consolidation. Quality is quality, physique improved through Life Editing is no different from physique obtained through diligent training. Similarly, spiritual power obtained through meditation is no different from spiritual power enhanced by Soul Essence.
Of course, this is only from the perspective of ascension. Actual combat power operates under different standards.
"Gaa, White Wolf, take a look too. The Immortal Country has been developed considerably over the years, there should be many things within."
The White Wolf God glanced at the scroll, paused for a moment, and then replied, "... Master Crow, you might have forgotten something.
I’m a country bumpkin; I can’t recognize these names."