Even if the uploader died, as long as his Thought Key remained, those contents could still be browsed.
To put it in simple internet terms, even if the developer himself had received his boxed lunch, as long as his account and password remained, others could download those contents.
In other words, with Thought Keys, no one had to worry about Magecraft being lost because of an accident anymore.
That was also why mages from other countries agreed to maintain the Thought Disk.
Besides storing Magecraft, Thought Keys also allowed it to be used directly through the Root, without the significant decline in power that Western Magecraft had suffered after the Age of Gods.
However, useful as Thought Keys were, there were still requirements. Having a Thought Key did not mean you could browse every piece of Magecraft in the Thought Disk.
Simply put, the Thought Disk was like an enormous members-only library, and the Magecraft within it was its collection of books.
Thought Keys were membership cards with different clearance levels.
Somewhat laughably, although Spiral Hall was responsible for safeguarding the Thought Disk, they did not have permission to connect to it-in other words, a high-level Thought Key.
The true controllers of the Thought Disk were the Ten Officials of the Mountain Court.
And the Ten Officials of the Mountain Court were all genuine immortals who had lived for at least several hundred years.
Back then, Zhang Jue had merely been fortunate enough to catch Old Immortal Nanhua's eye, receiving the Essential Arts of Great Peace to study on his own. He had not been granted a Thought Key.
This was probably a test Old Immortal Nanhua had given Zhang Jue. If he passed, he could formally become his disciple.
Unfortunately, Zhang Jue had failed.
That was why Zhang Jue called himself a disgrace to the Daoist tradition, rather than an orthodox mage.
Precisely because of this, Zhang Jue was not rigid or pedantic.
When it came to teaching the Magecraft he had learned, he readily taught it without any hesitation.
After all, he had once taught his Magecraft to his two younger brothers and several disciples. Unfortunately, their aptitude was so poor that they had only learned the barest basics.
Chapter 17: Butting Heads with Gilgamesh
(Gilgamesh)
[Ding! The quiz will begin in ten minutes. All group members, please prepare.]
"Hmm!"
Feng Xi, who had been practicing the talismans Zhang Jue had taught him, immediately snapped back to attention.
He had become so engrossed in drawing talismans that he had forgotten about the quiz.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Feng Xi's reaction, Zhang Jue asked in puzzlement from beside him.
Feng Xi explained, "The quiz is about to begin."
"That system you mentioned." Zhang Jue immediately perked up.
He was very curious about the system, but unfortunately, no matter what method he tried, he could not see Feng Xi's panel.
"The thing you used to summon me was a quiz reward, right?"
Munching on a carrot, Red Hare grinned. "It really is amazing."
[Ding! New group members "Madam" and "General of Heaven" have joined the group chat.]
"..."
Feng Xi and Zhang Jue exchanged looks as they stared at the newly appeared panel, unsure what to say.
"So this is the system? What an amazing thing..."
Zhang Jue immediately devoted himself wholeheartedly to studying the system.
When Red Hare learned that Zhang Jue had joined the group, he complained about why he had not been included, while Feng Xi looked utterly speechless.
This system just had to bring his Servants out into the open.
Still, at least it had left Red Hare unexposed.
As for Madam, needless to say, that was Irisviel. It was far too obvious.
Madam: "Saber, is this the system you were talking about?"
Artoria: "Yes, Irisviel."
King of Conquerors: "Hahaha, more newcomers! Would you like to serve under me?"
General of Heaven: "Heh, interesting."
Tokiomi Tohsaka: "General of Heaven, could you be Zhang Jue, the Great Teacher of Worthiness from the Three Kingdoms period?"
Romance of the Three Kingdoms was extremely popular in Japan. Zhang Jue's title, General of Heaven, was practically no different from giving his name outright.
General of Heaven: "Ah, to think a foreigner like you would know of this old man."
King of Heroes: "Is this fellow famous?"
At the Tohsaka residence, Tokiomi Tohsaka introduced Zhang Jue's identity to Gilgamesh like a lackey.
King of Heroes: "Tch, I wondered who he was. Just a cult leader."
King of Heroes: "A mere Yellow Turban Bandit, in the same group as this king. You should feel honored."
Zhang Jue's ever-smiling face immediately darkened.
The moment Gilgamesh opened that foul mouth of his, he successfully infuriated Zhang Jue.
Zhang Jue hated being called a Yellow Turban Bandit more than anything.
"Who is this fellow?"
Through gritted teeth, Zhang Jue asked Feng Xi who Gilgamesh was.
Feng Xi could only marvel at Chuunibyou Gilgamesh, who had angered Zhang Jue this badly with a single remark.
He then told Zhang Jue about Gilgamesh's identity and deeds.
General of Heaven: "Hmph, no wonder you have no manners. You're merely a petty foreign king."
King of Heroes: "What did you say, mongrel?!"
Compared with China's successive dynasties, the territory Gilgamesh had controlled in life did not even amount to a single province.
Otherwise, why would he have been nicknamed humanity's oldest village chief?
King of Heroes: "Very well, mongrel. You've angered me."
King of Heroes: "This king will make you regret it, Yellow Turban Bandit."
Feng Xi: "What, was Senior Zhang Jue wrong?"
Feng Xi: "Every time you open your mouth, filth pours out. Was he wrong to say you have no manners?"
King of Heroes: "Ha! A bit player like you dares challenge a king's majesty?"
King of Heroes: "Very well. I remember you're in Fuyuki City right now, aren't you? Just wait. This king will have you on your knees apologizing to me."
General of Heaven: "Hmph, petty king, you're far too arrogant."
General of Heaven: "If you want to touch this old man's Master, you'll have to ask my permission first."
Tokiomi Tohsaka: "Master! So you're Feng Xi's Servant!"
Waver: "Feng Xi, did you take that pervert's place?"
Feng Xi: "Of course I did."
Waver: "I see. Then this Mr. Zhang Jue must be Caster."
King of Heroes: "So you're together. Excellent. That saves this king the trouble of tracking you down separately."
Feng Xi: "Hmph, say that after you've found us."
Feng Xi: "Huh? I just noticed something."
Feng Xi: "@Rin Tohsaka, why are you so quiet today? Not bickering with Gilgamesh anymore?"
Feng Xi: "Gilgamesh, did you do something to that little girl?"
King of Heroes: "Hmm?"
Feng Xi: "You won't even spare a little loli."
Feng Xi: "Pah, scum. I despise you."
King of Conquerors: "King of Heroes, could you really have..."
Artoria: "Bullying a child? I look down on you too."
King of Heroes: "What nonsense are you all imagining?! This king did nothing!"
Tokiomi Tohsaka: "That's right. I merely muted Rin so he could properly study etiquette."
After arriving, Gilgamesh really had done nothing to Loli Rin. He had only given her a little scare.
Tokiomi Tohsaka had originally intended to have Aoi Tohsaka leave Fuyuki City with their daughters, but he worried that Old Worm would seize the opportunity to snatch Sakura away. He could only abandon the idea and have them stay.
Feng Xi: "@Tokiomi Tohsaka, are you being held hostage by Gilgamesh? Blink if you aren't."
Tokiomi Tohsaka: "..."