CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 140: POWERFUL ABILITY_3

Alka nodded; he had just once again immersed his physical body into the Dream Realm. Then, in the Dream Realm, he used a small knife to cut himself. Simultaneously, a wound also appeared on the hand of his Illusion Body. No matter whether in reality or the Dream Realm, any injury to the physical body would be reflected on the Illusion Body. When Alka returned to reality, the wound on his physical body still existed.

Before this, Alka had experimented: if his Illusion Body was injured in the Dream Realm, his physical body in reality wouldn’t be affected at all; not even his mind would suffer. However, injuries sustained by his physical body in reality would be reflected onto the Illusion Body within the Dream Realm. Conversely, injuries sustained by the Illusion Body in the Dream Realm would not affect his physical body in reality. Therefore, whether in reality or the Dream Realm, the physical body was truly the physical body; any injuries it sustained would become real. The Illusion Body, however, was ultimately illusory. Despite its connection to him, any injuries it sustained, whether in reality or the Dream Realm, would not transfer to his physical body. It was like dreaming; when one’s dream self gets injured, nothing manifests in reality.

Moreover, when Alka swapped his physical body with the Illusion Body (bringing the Illusion Body into reality and his physical body into the Dream Realm), he found he could still control the Illusion Body (now in reality) from within the Dream Realm, just as if it were his physical body. The two bodies were completely identical; the Illusion Body was an exact replica of his physical body. No one else could tell the difference, though perhaps someone with special means might discover that Alka’s body in reality was the Illusion Body. So far, no one had been found who could discern this, not even Julia could tell whether Alka’s current body was physical or illusory.

And this had become Alka’s most powerful tactic. It involved switching between his physical and Illusion Body during battle to evade damage. However, the switching speed was still a bit slow, and unexpected problems could arise if he tried to switch in the heat of battle. Nevertheless, the principle of damage evasion was sound: he could start a fight using the Illusion Body. He could engage in a battle of attrition, trading blows with the enemy using the Illusion Body until it could no longer hold up. Then, at a critical moment, he would swap his physical body back in. The enemy would be injured, while he remained unscathed. This would give Alka a significant advantage in combat.

This was the conclusion they had reached after their recent series of experiments. Combined with the previously known ability of the Illusion Body to become invisible when brought into reality, Alka now possessed two very powerful abilities. As his mastery deepened, he expected even more abilities to emerge.

"I wonder if the ’death’ of the Illusion Body would have any repercussions. We need to find out soon," Chadite remarked from the side.

Alka nodded. This is indeed a critical issue, and a very important one. Alka didn’t know what would happen if the Illusion Body ’died,’ and he didn’t dare to test it. If its ’death’ had no impact, that would be fine. But if it resulted in his actual death, or a powerful backlash of damage to his physical body, the loss would far outweigh any gain. I can experiment with a pirate later. I’ll bring him into the Dream Realm, awaken him there, and then eliminate him within the Dream Realm to see if it has any effect on his real body. Once I confirm it’s harmless, I’ll try it on myself.

At this point, Lucilia looked at Alka and couldn’t help but ask, "Why was I able to remember and control the Dream Realm the last time you entered my dream? I’ve asked the others, and none of them have such memories or experiences."

Upon hearing this, Chadite also turned to gaze at Alka.

Alka smiled awkwardly and explained, "I’m not sure if this is a special ability of the Dream Catcher or just a natural Rule of the Dream Realm. When I’m in the Dream Realm, I remain lucid. You all are usually in a hazy state, unable to control yourselves. But once any of you touch me, you awaken within the Dream Realm, just like I am."

The Dream Catcher hadn’t transmitted any information to Alka about him possessing such an ability. So, Akka suspected this might be a Rule of the Dream Realm—perhaps those awakened within it could mutually influence or ’infect’ each other, so to speak. As for the exact details, Akka wasn’t sure. After all, he had only recently gained the Dream Catcher and hadn’t even fully grasped its own inherent abilities yet. He knew next to nothing about the Dream Realm itself, which was far vaster and about which even less information was available.

"By the way, Lucilia, do you have any descriptions related to the Dream Realm?"

Lucilia shook her head. "I haven’t read any such books, but I have come across some legends and a few Divine records related to the Dream Realm."

"Hmm, show them to me when you have time. It might inspire me." Many truths are often conveyed through such legends and tales.

Just then, however, Lucilia frowned and said, "I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but last time, after you touched me and I awakened in the Dream Realm, I found I couldn’t wake myself up from it afterward. In the end, it was only when your Dream Catcher retracted the pink haze that I woke up."

Hearing this, Alka frowned in thought. This is a crucial point to note. Normally, can someone awakened within the Dream Realm return to consciousness in reality by their own power?

"How about we test it now?" Alka suggested.

Chadite and Lucilia exchanged glances and then both nodded in agreement. Since there was nothing else pressing at the moment, clarifying this point seemed like a good idea. Besides, they were both quite intrigued by the Dream Realm. They always felt it had a uniquely fantastical, almost ethereal quality.