Chapter 106: Refinement

Jimni returned to the merchant convoy's station.

Not long after finishing the heated discussion and eating the snacks.

The three of them weren't particularly familiar; even after spending five days together on the White Sail Ship, what kind of bond could they form?

There wasn't much to talk about; Jimni clearly didn't want to discuss his own situation, let alone Lin Ke and Mo Li's.

Thus, after a moment of silence, Jimni bid farewell to Lin Ke and Mo Li.

Watching Jimni's figure disappear at the end of the street, Mo Li let out a soft sigh, her green eyes glistening as she looked at Lin Ke.

I still remember how, half a year ago, when everyone left the Kui Te Archipelago, they seemed calm on the surface but were full of vigor and ambition inside.

Who would have thought that, after disembarking from the Sea Sail Ship, the discussion of everyone's choices seemed to have happened just yesterday, while Chris, who used to shield his sister from wind and rain, is already dead.

Christina, without her brother's protection, will surely face a harder future.

Mo Li actually wanted to help, but……

Willing but unable.

Even if she wanted to give some Magic Stones, it wouldn't be appropriate.

After thinking it over, Mo Li gave up the idea, or rather buried it deep in her heart.

Someday, if she gets a chance to lend a hand and hasn't forgotten her original intention, we'll talk about it then.

Life is too fragile, and the road is winding.

How could Mo Li know what her future holds?

Is it to become a beast of burden, numb to suffering, to sink into depravity, or to seize fate by the throat and refuse to be a sacrificial pawn?

Her right hand twitched slightly, as if to lift and grab Lin Ke's sleeve, but she lowered it again, giving up.

"Come on, Lin Ke, let's go back to the academy."

Mo Li lowered her head so Lin Ke couldn't see her eyes, muttered something, then headed straight for the platform, walking ahead of Lin Ke.

Be brave, Mo Li.

Be independent, Mo Li!

Mo Li told herself that in her heart.

As she walked, she didn't know what she had thought of.

Suddenly, all her unhappiness, gloom, and sorrow were tossed behind her.

With her hands behind her back, her steps shifted from heavy to light, she skipped forward, her high ponytail swaying, matching her current mood.

Happiness truly comes from contrast.

Mo Li knows thinking this way is wrong and will make her unlikable.

But she genuinely feels she is luckier and happier than most people.

Glancing back at Lin Ke walking behind her, Mo Li's lips curled slightly upward.

Not bad.

Lin Ke couldn't fathom why the little girl's mood changed so quickly; he simply followed silently behind.

The platform bustled with people coming and going.

A thriving scene, starkly different from the pain and numbness of the South District.

They took the urban rail train back to the academy.

Though it was late, Mo Li still volunteered to go to the Library to read and study.

Lin Ke had no objection; he also needed to look up some information.

Late at night, the two finally returned to their respective dorms.

As usual, after washing up they did deep meditation, then slept.

The next day, Saturday of the fifth week of vacation.

Clearly, Pa Luo Witch's warning has taken effect.

Su Lun Lu Qi Ya used very crude means to ascertain Linke Grand's importance in Pa Luo Witch's heart, then halted her covert actions.

Lin Ke and Mo Li encountered no obstacles on their way to work and smoothly arrived at the Pharmacy.

This let Lin Ke relax a little.

It's not that he fears trouble; fewer hassles are naturally better.

"Lin Ke, come here."

As soon as they entered the Pharmacy, Se Lin Witch waved and called out to Lin Ke.

"Good morning, Se Lin Witch."

Lin Ke stepped forward, smiling sweetly, "Just tell me what you need me to do."

Se Lin Witch said, "For today, tomorrow, and the day after, you'll also be responsible for the refinement of plants and herbs."

"No problem."

Lin Ke didn't need to think; he agreed immediately.

After over a month of part‑time work, the routine pretreatment of common plants and herbs in the Pharmacy is second nature; continuing only that would barely improve his skill, teaching him little new.

Lin Ke has long been eager to handle the refinement work.

Too bad Ti Na Witch is already doing it well, leaving no chance for him to step in.

Now that Se Lin Witch has offered, it couldn't be better.

"All right, nothing else—go get busy."

Se Lin Witch waved him off, then leisurely enjoyed her stimulating hot drink.

Lin Ke didn't dawdle; he immediately went with Mo Li, who was waiting nearby, to change uniforms.

When Ti Na arrived, it was clear she had received Se Lin Witch's instructions; she patiently explained the refinement process, little tricks, and her own insights to Lin Ke.

Procedures and little tricks are part of the normal work handover; insights and experiences are Tina's feelings.

Indeed, over the past month or so, Lin Ke has handled the pretreatment exceptionally well, with hardly any flaws, bringing convenience to Tina's work; that's why this reward came.

"Thank you, Tina sis, you're really great, beautiful and kind-hearted!"

Lin Ke thanked sincerely, and his words were also sweet.

Anyway, the one who asked Lin Ke to call them 'sister' instead of 'witch' was also Tina.

Being appropriately sweet-talking does no harm.

"Hehe."

Tina covered her mouth and chuckled, raising an eyebrow: "Lin Ke, your words are really sweet; no wonder little sister Mo Li is completely smitten by you."

"Sister, you're joking."

Lin Ke hurried to clarify, "Our friendship is pure; I wouldn't dare speak nonsense."

"Alright. Whatever you say goes. If you encounter any problems, contact me promptly; as long as I'm free, I'll give you an answer."

Tina didn't continue teasing; instead, she left a remark, turned and walked away, leaving a waft of fragrance.

As a member of the potion shop, given the major uproar caused by the Li Xuan Cao series, if Tina and the others don't use the Li Xuan Cao fragrance and/or perfume when going out, they will definitely be targeted.

Witch equality is no joke; it has already moved from the "Ruiwosuosi Forum" into reality.

Last night, the inaugural Witch Equality Conference was convened.

Several powerful women, renowned third-rank witches, were elected as president and Vice President of the Witch Equality Union.

The platform, demands, slogans, organizational structure, struggle lines and means have all been thoroughly discussed, formed into documents, distributed to union members, and also uploaded to the "Ruiwosuosi Forum".

Next, they will apply to the academy to carry out the first equality struggle activity.

Um… these are both related and unrelated to Lin Ke.

After a series of public opinion topic iterations, the witch equality sparked by Linke Grand and the Li Xuan Cao series has reduced Linke Grand's influence to a minimum; in the top thirty hot topics and posts on the "Ruiwosuosi Forum", no trace of Linke Grand can be found.

This is a great thing for Lin Ke.

Getting back to the point.

After Tina left, Lin Ke familiarized himself again with the facilities and equipment in Operation Room B, carefully read through the "Today's Raw Materials Fine Processing Procedures" once more, confirmed there were no omissions, and then began work.

Considering the need to promptly supply plants and herbs to Se Lin witch for potion brewing.

Lin Ke's work mode needs to be adjusted.

After consideration and reasonable ordering, plants and herbs undergo pretreatment and fine processing one after another, then are sent via conveyor belt to the potion brewing room on the second floor.

Doing this ensures supply, but the downside is that Lin Ke keeps going back and forth between the two operation rooms like a spinning top.

Fortunately, over the past month, Lin Ke would occasionally take advantage of free time to observe Tina witch's operations.

Many of the fine processing procedures and operations for plants and herbs, even if Lin Ke hasn't done them hands-on, he can still have a clear idea in his mind.

"Not bad."

At lunch, Tina specially praised Lin Ke, "Keep it up, I'm optimistic about you!"

The better Lin Ke's work, the happier Tina becomes.

As Se Lin witch's potion packaging assistant, and soon-to-be potion brewing assistant, he can stay on the second floor to help Se Lin witch while learning potion brewing, which is far more efficient than spending lots of time on the fine processing of plants and herbs.

Whether it's work or study, it's beneficial to Tina.

"Hmm, I will."

Lin Ke responded, "Thanks for the encouragement, Tina sis."

Se Lin witch happened to pass by, heard their conversation, and said regretfully, "Too bad you won't be staying long; after next week you'll have to return to the academy to continue studying."

Upon hearing that, Tina's face instantly showed obvious disappointment.

A good assistant is really hard to find.

Se Lin witch has high demands as well.

If no new colleague fills the vacancy in time, wouldn't Tina have to handle both pretreatment and fine processing of plants and herbs, while also taking charge of potion packaging?

In that case, where would she find the time to aim for the potion brewing assistant position?

Seeing this, Se Lin witch didn't let Tina keep speculating, and said directly, "I've already found someone who can promptly replace Lin Ke; no need to worry."

Upon hearing that, Tina couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Having a replacement is good.

She truly doesn't want to regress and waste time.

"Thanks, Se Lin witch."

Tina thanked sincerely, feeling deeply grateful.

As the shop owner, a renowned potion master, Se Lin witch could have avoided explaining to her.

"How about transferring Mo Li to assist you?"

Se Lin witch then looked at Lin Ke and posed the question.

"This question isn't easy to answer."

Lin Ke thought and said, "This depends on Se Lin witch's arrangements and Mo Li's personal wishes; I can accept either."

"Why not just agree readily?"

"The reason isn't complicated; there are two aspects."

"First, Lin Ke doesn't want to make decisions on behalf of Mo Li, especially such a significant decision;"

"Second, Mo Li does well as a guide; the pretreatment and fine processing related to plants and herbs can be fully studied back at the academy in the lab."

"Of course, this is just Lin Ke's personal opinion."

"Everything depends on how Se Lin witch decides and Mo Li's own choice."

"Alright, I'll ask."

Serlin the Witch fixed her gaze on Lin Ke for a moment, a hint of pleasure appearing between her brows and eyes.

No matter what Lin Ke was thinking, at least he showed respect for Mo Li, not treating her as a mere tool or puppet.

This point is very important.

Serlin the Witch places great importance on this.

(End of chapter)