Chapter 133: Cooperation? Deal!

Hmm.

Lin Ke nodded, showing nothing special.

But his tone and demeanor showed he had indeed taken in Mo Li's words.

This improved Mo Li's mood a bit.

"Everyone, go rest, recuperate, and we'll fight again tomorrow."

Lin Ke waved at the cheerful crowd eating melons, signaling that today was over and everything had ended.

Everyone hurried back to their tents to sleep early.

The crowd, still wanting more, returned to the tent area somewhat unwillingly.

Watching the boss and the big sister's flirtatious tug-of-war was more fun than a brainstorming session to save this messed-up world.

Speaking of which, the big sister's just-thrown sour curveball was really well done.

It's only because I met the boss; otherwise, who could stand it?

Mo Li moved her lips a few times, but ultimately swallowed the words she wanted to say.

She gave Lin Ke a deep glance, turned, went back to her tent, dove straight into her sleeping bag, covered her head, and fell asleep.

If you don't speak the words, you remain their master.

Once the words leave your mouth, you become their slave.

Lin Ke had once told her that.

Now she intends to use Lin Ke's teaching to control her own little emotions.

Er…

Be self-reliant, don't indulge in romantic sentiment.

Lin Ke entered the tent, his consciousness sank into the Sea of Consciousness, where he reflected in the Memory Palace, then deep meditated, and finally slept.

Unnoticed, the minor transformation of the Sea of Consciousness had ended.

Lin Ke is now a genuine, bona fide third-rank wizard apprentice.

He can now practice the third layer of the Water-Wood Mutual Generation Meditation Method, continuing to accumulate mental power up to 99 points,

then switch to the fourth layer of the same method, shaping the meditation method's rune structure into a round sphere,

after which he can attempt to inscribe his innate witchcraft, prepare for a life-essence transcendence, and launch an assault toward promotion to a full wizard.

After the minor transformation of the Sea of Consciousness ended, what changes did it bring to Lin Ke?

Mental power and magical power remained as before, with no qualitative change.

The Sea of Consciousness's space was further expanded—not only larger, able to hold more mental power and more runes, but also sturdier, capable of withstanding the impact of a life-essence transcendence.

In terms of strength, a third-rank wizard apprentice differs from a second-rank only in being able to cast more spells at once; there is no essential difference.

Lin Ke is still the same Lin Ke as yesterday; becoming a third-rank wizard apprentice doesn't make him invincible among first-years.

Huh…

Relying solely on witchcraft duels, Lin Ke could shout, 'Who else is there?'.

If you count rune items and magical devices, facing a wealthy god like Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, Lin Ke has no choice but to turn and flee.

That's what 'pay-to-win' means.

He slept soundly through the night.

The next day, Lin Ke woke up on time.

Taking advantage of the early hour, Lin Ke greeted the shift guard Lin En, then glanced at the real-time surveillance feed of the round flying disc.

After confirming no one was lurking nearby, Lin Ke took two reconnaissance puppets and left the tunnel.

Some things are better done early, like a brief separation, to keep things clean and simple.

So as not to drag things out and affect the mood.

Arriving at the riverbank, Lin Ke gazed into the distance, watching the mighty river flow east, his mood broadening considerably.

The tunnel was still too stuffy.

Lin Ke was somewhat affected by it.

Although the Brain Seal Technique could ignore this, who would want to wear a poker face all day if they could be in a good mood?

He chose a spot where the water flow was relatively calm and began to cross the river.

He first activated the levitation function of the Defender 3202 armor's boots and cloak, lifting himself off the ground to a height of about five centimeters.

With a thought, he employed the pseudo-innate witchcraft, 'double casting' and 'parallel casting.'

Four water shields that had reached the 'Innovation' level were silently deployed, two double-layered nested shields appearing, one in front and the other behind, laid horizontally across the river surface.

The water shields clung tightly to the surging river.

Lin Ke stepped with his left foot on the rear water shield, pushed off slightly, moved his body forward, and placed his right foot on the front shield.

Continuing to shift his weight forward, he lifted his left foot, bringing the shield along as he stepped forward.

The two double-layered water shields clung firmly to Lin Ke's feet.

Working with the levitation function of the Defender 3202 boots and cloak, they bore Lin Ke as he swiftly crossed the great river toward the opposite bank.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, his steps were light.

From afar, Lin Ke looked like the youthful hero described in past martial arts novels.

His bearing was graceful, his lightness skill outstanding.

His feet repeatedly tapped the water, easily crossing the wide river.

The aquatic monsters lurking in the river showed their displeasure.

This is our turf, they seemed to say—do you think you can pass without paying protection?

They leapt out of the water one after another, lunging at Lin Ke.

But what greeted them was a series of heavy blows to the head.

After unlocking the ability to meditate briefly anytime in daily life, Lin Ke now lacks nothing more than magic power and casting frequency.

He also employed the technique of consecutive casting.

One after another, double-layered water shields appeared.

Sometimes sticking beneath Lin Ke's feet, replacing the vanished predecessors, bearing the crossing of the river;

Or he would rush forward and smash the heads of the ferocious beasts in the water, knocking them back into the river.

It's no problem if the double-layered water shield is shattered; another will follow.

When one water shield shatters, countless more follow.

Thus, Lin Ke crossed the great river safely and arrived at the riverbank.

The two reconnaissance puppets flew out with their large empty packs, beginning their scouting.

Lin Ke glanced at the real-time scouting feed and noticed something odd on the hill where the ropes had been tied the day before.

After confirming there were no ambushes, Lin Ke cautiously made his way toward the hill.

All went smoothly; he encountered no traps.

Beneath the boulder where the ropes were tied, a line of writing remained, the characters delicate yet exuding deep resentment.

Lin Ke recognized at a glance that it was left by Lan Ni. Tai Le, though the exact time is unknown.

But it is highly likely that it was written before their private messaging began.

The message reads:

Linke Grand, no matter what misunderstandings exist between us, everything must still take precedence over the Two Districts Grand Comparison and the Paro Wizard's wager; I earnestly ask you to give it serious thought, to join forces with me and cooperate sincerely. I can guarantee that I and my companions will obey your command.

Signed: Lan Ni. Tai Le.

After reading the message, Lin Ke was utterly speechless.

That is to say, the wizard world has no such thing as an abacus.

Otherwise, Lan Ni's abacus would already be set up to strike Lin Ke in the face.

They're all thousand-year-old foxes; what are they playing at, pretending to be from Strange Tales?

If Lan Ni. Tai Le truly wanted to team up with Lin Ke, she wouldn't be pulling these tricks.

This message, like the previous private messages, is prepared in case of any future blame-shifting, so as to push the black pot onto Lin Ke.

"Too scheming."

After giving a brief evaluation, Lin Ke departed, his heart undisturbed.

Leaving the riverbank, after walking a distance, Lin Ke operated on his wristwatch and then posted two announcements in a row on the faction channel:

Major progress; completion is within reach.

Wait quietly for three days, and good news will surely come.

What does Lin Ke mean by this?

He's setting up bait, preparing to fish.

Afterwards, he switched to private chat mode and sent a message to Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke: 'Got something to discuss; convenient to meet?'

Ignoring the several private messages that kept coming in, Lin Ke waited silently for Ai Rui Si's reply.

Soon, Ai Rui Si directly sent a request for mutual positioning.

Lin Ke readily agreed.

Heh, the two of them aren't far apart.

Lin Ke checked his direction, compared it to the incomplete 'world' map in his mind, and identified where Ai Rui Si was located.

There lies a forest, tall trees dense, undergrowth thick.

When he passed through there before, he felt nothing unusual.

Now, looking back, everything feels off.

Generally speaking, when trees are spaced closely, they compete for sunlight, water, and soil nutrients.

It's impossible for every tree to grow tall and straight.

There will always be trees that didn't win the struggle against their siblings, growing crooked and misshapen.

Or they simply wither and die.

But that forest, at a glance from the outside, has not a single crooked tree—every trunk grows straight.

Even the undergrowth below is abnormally lush.

Setting aside distractions, Lin Ke headed toward the forest.

The map is in his mind, familiar with the terrain; the reconnaissance puppets circle him, eliminating danger.

Lin Ke's pace of advance is very fast.

It took less than an hour to reach the vicinity of the forest.

As soon as he drew near, before Lin Ke could contact him via his wristwatch, Ai Rui Si swooped down to his side.

"What good news makes you rush to find me?"

Ai Rui Si changed into a set of camouflage suited for jungle operations, painting a few streaks of pigment on her face.

Cooperating with the effect of concealment-type arcane devices, hidden in the jungle, she is very hard to discern.

"There really is something, but I don't know whether it's good or bad for you."

Lin Ke didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point: "I really have found a possible way to complete the faction mission, but our team's abilities are limited; if we did it alone, we might eventually finish, but it would take a very long time. I'm afraid something might change in the meantime."

"Hmm."

Ai Rui Si, her rationality engaged, asked calmly: "So you want to contact some North District apprentices through me, preferably even half-bloods rather than pure-bloods?"

Lin Ke replied: "Half-blood, pure-blood—that's your classification; I don't understand it. I have only one request: that members of the Pureblood Will be excluded."

I understand.

Ai Rui Si nodded, seeming thoughtful, gaining insight.

After a moment, she put her right thumb and index finger into her mouth and blew a sharp, high-pitched whistle.

Spiritual power and magic were applied to the whistle sound.

Thus the whistle sound traveled a very far distance.

Soon, five youths similarly dressed in jungle attire flew over.

Each of them was a country bumpkin, everyone wearing a pair of boots that could fly.

Lin Ke envied them.

"Ai Rui Si, what do you say?"

A tall, slender youth, even with face paint clearly showing his handsome looks, walked up to Ai Rui Si, stood shoulder to shoulder, and asked softly.

He never glanced at Lin Ke the whole time, his thoughts entirely on Ai Rui Si.

Lin Ke faintly sensed hostility.

Ai Rui Si's perception was also keen; she immediately glared at the youth dissatisfied and said, "Don't play these games; we came seeking cooperation."

Saying that, she still felt unsatisfied and fiercely punched the youth's abdomen.

The youth did not dodge or avoid, solidly taking the punch, and hehe laughed, "Is this not because I care too much about you?"

"Huh?"

Ai Rui Si shivered, as if numbed, somewhat unable to withstand the youth's bluntness, "You guys chat, I'm leaving."

Having said that, Ai Rui Si swooshed away and vanished.

"Hello, I am Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao."

After Ai Rui Si left, the youth immediately regained his sharp, capable image, grinned friendly, and actively extended his right hand.

"Linke Grand."

Not striking a smiling face, Lin Ke and the youth Meng Luo lightly shook hands.

"How do you want to cooperate with us? Continue letting us be muscle, dragging out the enemy?"

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao withdrew his right hand, his tone still gentle, yet his words were very sharp.

Directly exposed Lin Ke's little tricks played in the camp channel and private chat channel.

Lin Ke never thought his thoughts could be hidden from everyone.

Being seen through is normal.

"It depends on how you choose."

Lin Ke said lightly, feeling no embarrassment at being exposed.

"Oh?"

Meng Luo became somewhat interested.

To be honest, if it weren't for Ai Rui Si mediating, he wouldn't be prepared to meet Lin Ke, let alone cooperate.

Yesterday I saw Lin Ke's four announcements posted in the camp channel, saw the private chat content between Ai Rui Si and Lin Ke, and saw another companion later receive the same information.

Meng Luo thus saw Lin Ke's deep wariness toward the North Region's local apprentices, even if they were of the same faction.

With suspicion, how can we cooperate?

Cooperation naturally cannot be discussed.

However, after Ai Rui Si received Lin Ke's private message this morning, she repeatedly insisted on meeting face to face.

Thus a basis for dialogue was established.

Meng Luo set aside his hostility and asked, "Please elaborate."

Lin Ke replied:

"If you are willing to conduct research and experiments, I can share some ideas with you. Of course, this is not free; you need to offer some valuable information or objects in exchange."

"If you are unwilling to conduct research and experiments, I can similarly share other ideas with you, free of charge, to help you deal with the opposing faction."

"Somewhat interesting."

Meng Luo felt Lin Ke's confidence and conviction, his interest greatly increasing, "I want both aspects' ideas! Name your price!"

What does it mean that he so generously asks Lin Ke to name a price, appearing ready to pay 'money' at any moment?

It means Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao does not want cooperation but rather a transaction.

Cooperation breeds feelings.

When it truly comes to the final moment, after the faction wins, competing for personal achievements, it's not good to backstab!

Still, a transaction is purer.

Then, when the time comes to act, act; strike heavier, use darker means, and feel no guilt.

Lin Ke understood this layer of Meng Luo's intention, and was not at all surprised.

Isn't he thinking the same way?

"I need some experimental equipment, for botany, zoology, microbiology—any will do."

Lin Ke first stated his needs.

"No problem."

Meng Luo waved his hand grandly, fully the manner of a country bumpkin, "I can kit you out with a full set, as long as your ideas are worth this price."

Lin Ke smiled, not beating around the bush, directly said, "Do you know if you've discovered any relics recounting the process and cause of this world's impending collapse?"

We discovered that this world once had a God Slayer who waged a millennium-long war against the world's gods.

In the end, the gods fell, humanity was destroyed, the world's origin suffered grave damage, teetering on collapse.

This also led to the world's current unbalanced ecology, giving rise to various abnormalities.

For example, this forest behind you is an embodiment of that.

While speaking, Lin Ke carefully observed Meng Luo's eyes and facial expression, hoping to see some reaction.

Nevertheless, Meng Luo maintained a faint smile the whole time, with no change.

Their disposition is quite good, and their scheming is not shallow.

Lin Ke stopped trying to see through the other's psychology and laid out the genuine substance.

"Saving the world and destroying the world are actually two sides of the same coin."

The true essence of the opposing faction's mission is to destroy first, then save.

And the true essence of our positive and negative faction missions can be to destroy while saving.

"I call it Annihilation-style Salvation."

After a pause, Lin Ke emphasized:

"As long as we destroy what needs to be destroyed before the opposing faction does, we will surely win."

Walk others' path, leaving them no way to go!

Thanks to the reward from reader 20220810001350988, thank you!

(End of chapter)