200: Ellie's Psychic Research (Part 2)

"The Mind Bottleneck not only tempers Wizards to become even more outstanding, helping each generation of Wizards surpass the last."

"It also serves the purpose of survival of the fittest and the rational allocation of resources."

"I ask you, if the Mind Bottleneck didn't firmly trap you, completely cutting off your hope of further advancement—or rather, leaving you with just a sliver of hope—would you fight with all your might for that elusive shred of hope?"

Everyone exchanged glances, and the atmosphere instantly cooled. None of them were fools; they naturally considered the implications.

Oakes' mind raced, and he immediately grasped the key point, letting out a sigh:

"Yes, we would. As long as there is a trace of hope ahead, who wouldn't want to climb a higher peak and experience a different kind of scenery?"

"Unfortunately, the Mind Bottleneck is a barrier that is too absolute; there is no hope at all."

"...That's right. The World's Will imposed a lock at the rule level precisely to completely sever your hope."

"Otherwise, as long as you had a shred of hope, you would expend all your energy pursuing further advancement, which would waste a huge amount of resources."

"Instead of that, now, as soon as a wizard's path is cut off by the Mind Bottleneck, they stop wasting resources on themselves. Instead, they live frugally, placing all their hope and resources onto the next generation, devoting all their efforts to nurturing them."

"Wizards whose paths are severed will also endure more hardship and strive harder for the next generation, passing on the resources and Destiny they have accumulated."

"In this way, the resource utilization rate of the Wizard World has been greatly improved, and the inheritance of the Wizard lineage has become extremely important. Countless Wizards no longer obsess over their own wizard's path but instead turn toward the inheritance of ideas and knowledge."

"Wizards also won't become extremely self-centered and selfish; instead, they genuinely develop human warmth, camaraderie among classmates, affection between Teachers and students, brotherhood, and marital love..."

"This is what established the foundation of emotional unity within the White Wizard World."

"This is extremely beneficial for the development of the Wizard World!"

"...So that's how it is!"

The Wizards present were not fools; they understood quickly.

Truth and reality are often separated by only a thin sheet of paper, easily pierced.

For Wizards, who are known for being extremely rational and having exceptionally high intelligence, there is no love without reason, nor hate without cause; everything stems from self-interest.

However, the Mind Bottleneck, this lock, shattered the stereotype of Wizards being selfish and purely rational.

Honestly, who would be stubborn enough to clash head-on against an obstacle at the rule level, insisting 'My fate is up to me, not Heaven,' using the intelligence and power of a Wizard Apprentice to test how sturdy and reliable this 'Rule + Soul' level Mind Bottleneck lock is?

Not everyone is a Long Aotian!

The average person simply accepts their fate. If God closes a door for you, he will surely leave a window open.

If this path doesn't work, can't we just switch to another?

"...Haha, I figured this out a long time ago."

"Instead of unrealistically chasing a higher level on the wizard's path, it's better to live happily with a wife, children, and a warm bed. When I'm old, I can enjoy playing with my grandchildren. If I could see one of my descendants become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice before I die, I would be completely satisfied..."

This was Bigg's choice—more realistic than anyone else, yet highly rational.

"I'm about the same. I'll make good use of the Magic Stones I worked so hard to earn, providing a better environment for my descendants and helping them grow better. The scenery I cannot see will be seen by my descendants; the paths I cannot walk will be walked by my grandchildren."

"And what I need to do is work hard to earn Magic Stones, build connections, acquire more assets, and accumulate more Destiny..."

This was Oakes' choice. The spirited young man who once aspired to become a high-level executive at the Academy had also fallen before the threshold of the Advanced Wizard Apprentice level.

"Haha, then let me talk about my choice too."

"I, Adler, don't overthink things. As long as I have food, drink, and fights, I'm happy. While I'm still young, I'll take on more missions and help spread the Academy's prestige. If I can become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, my life will be complete, and my statue can be built—it shall be called Earth Bear Adler!"

"If I can't become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, I guess I'll be like Captain Andre: work for a few decades, constantly rushing between life and death. When I can't do it anymore, I'll go home to retire and teach the younger kids at the Academy, passing on the knowledge Teacher Jordan imparted to me to my students, letting them walk the path I couldn't finish. Maybe I could even teach an outstanding student like Green Anglet; then I would be even more satisfied."

The straightforward Adler was very simple and pure; he resembled a Knight more than a Wizard. "...Heh..."

Ellie chuckled softly:

"I'm about the same. Even if I become a Formal Wizard, I will inevitably get stuck at a certain stage someday. My thoughts are also very pure."

"I have already dedicated myself to the wizard's path. I will continue to explore the Path of the Mind, constantly taking on disciples and teaching students. I hope that through my instruction, I can spread my research and knowledge, helping more Wizards embark on the Path of Mind Cultivation, and also helping more Wizards increase their probability of breaking through the Mind Bottleneck."

"In the future, I will likely be continuously writing books. I hope to leave a significant mark in the field of Mind Research and establish a new School of Mind Learning."

"If I achieve that, I won't have lived this life in vain."

As Ellie described her dream, her eyes sparkled, radiating a unique charisma.

Finally, it was Green Anglet's turn.

Green Anglet, who was destined to remain single early on, didn't have many options either.

"Me? Well, me!"

"I agree with Ellie's Mind Science theory. I'm not sure at which step I will eventually get stuck."

"However, I will seriously walk every step of the way, and I won't ignore the beautiful scenery, delicious food, fine wine, brothers, friends, Teachers, and everything else along the path. I will cherish them all. Walking the Great Dao alone is lonely, and I hope to retain more of life's beauty."

"I will protect the legacy of our Plant Heart Academy, carry forward its prestige, and continuously scale new heights."

"As long as life continues, the struggle never ceases!"