Chapter 134: Like a tiger adding wings?

"Interesting."

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao said a catchphrase, and he was indeed quite interested in Lin Ke's words,

"Elaborate, explain in detail."

Speaking, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao casually took a set from the leather pouch at his left waist, pulled out a full set of commonly used botanical experiment equipment, and placed it on the ground: "This is a deposit; take it for now. If your later thoughts make me feel it's worth more, there's more."

This casual move highlights one word: bold!

Lin Ke also wasn't polite; he directly packed the miniaturized botanical experiment equipment, which had been compressed using special technology and would expand to normal size when used, into his own large bag.

His purpose in seeking out Iris had several aspects.

Seeking cooperation (?) is one; trying to gather experimental equipment is another.

Naturally, he wouldn't, just because the other party is a blatant second-generation rich with a huge disparity in disposable wealth, develop useless pride, act nonchalant, and give up the experimental equipment.

This is not food obtained with sighs.

But rather, it is the legitimate profit exchanged for the joint discovery made after the team's brainstorming.

The genuine fruits of labor are very sweet.

Holding it makes one happy.

When meeting different people, one says different things.

Since Meng Luo gave money so readily, Lin Ke also didn't intend to beat around the bush.

Lin Ke's thoughts turned, and he straightforwardly laid it out to Meng Luo, saying:

"By comparing the gigantism of carnivorous animals with the relatively normal size of herbivorous animals, and the mutation of some plants, we infer that the flesh and blood of the fallen gods in this world were most likely largely eaten by carnivorous animals, a small part absorbed by some plants, and a small part seeped into the soil and water."

The current state of this world is that the world's origin suffered heavy damage in the battle between the God Slayers and the gods; carnivorous animals, some plants, and an extremely small portion of herbivorous plants are undergoing crazy mutation and evolution, demanding ever more resources from the world.

With the origin damaged and resources depleted, this world has lost the time for slow recovery; true destruction is not far off.

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao, hearing this, fell into thought.

After this elite squad met up, they hid in this dense forest, and they had their reasons.

Actually, they just discovered mutations in some trees, shrubs, and herbs, and wanted to study the cause of the mutations.

The so-called relics, the so-called battle between the God Slayers and the gods, are information they were completely unaware of.

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao's earlier generous provision of a full set of botanical experiment equipment was precisely because of this.

And now, the content Lin Ke spoke is obviously of higher value.

It can be said that he disclosed the main idea for completing main quest 3, i. e., the faction task, without reservation.

These messages are greatly enlightening for their squad's future action strategy.

So, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao hesitated no further and produced two sets of miniaturized zoological experiment equipment and microbiological experiment equipment.

He has always been generous with money; for matters that can be solved with money or resources, he is never stingy.

This time, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao did not place the miniaturized equipment on the ground, but personally presented it.

Compared to last time, this showed respect for Lin Ke.

Respect comes from status, and even more from strength.

The core strength of a wizard consists of level and knowledge.

Linke Grand's wizard level is not low, his knowledge is rich, and he deserves Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao's respect.

"Thank you."

With a slight smile, Lin Ke received the two sets of miniaturized equipment and stored them in his large bag.

Whether or not there is respect is not something Lin Ke cares about.

Therefore, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao's change in attitude did not cause Lin Ke's mood to fluctuate.

"Happy transaction."

After handing over the equipment, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao proactively extended his right hand again.

Lin Ke also didn't show weakness, giving a light handshake.

Their hands touched and then released; superficially courteous, superficially respectful.

The purpose was achieved, and Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao was obviously guarding against Iris having a private conversation with Lin Ke.

Lin Ke is not oblivious; he immediately said his farewells: "I'm leaving first; contact me promptly if anything comes up."

"Alright. Take your leave, I won't see you off."

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao did not try to keep him, and watched Lin Ke depart.

Only after Lin Ke had walked far away did Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao inform Iris.

Iris swooped over, glanced at Lin Ke's receding back about to disappear from sight, and smirked: "You just let him go like that? Aren't you waiting for me to come over and say goodbye?"

Seeing Iris's frenzy about to flare, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao flashed a hint of helplessness and explained: "This person is deep-minded; I don't think you'll gain any advantage dealing with him."

"What advantage could he take from me?"

Iris rolled her eyes and said disdainfully: "What advantage could he take from me? Like you said, let me be his muscle, help him fight enemies? That I'd be happy with. If I weren't happy, I'd still blast him!"

"Yes, yes, yes, you'd still blast him."

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao, who had once suffered Iris's wrathful bombardment, chose not to dwell on this topic, instead reiterating Lin Ke's words and saying:

"What he just said, I still think it's quite reasonable. In this regard, he indeed showed sincerity. However, his motive is still to drive us into conflict with the opposing faction, so he can buy himself time."

"Any problems?"

Iris's eyes flashed a hint of madness, and she chuckled:

"Hehehe... Nobody is unselfish, including me and you."

"If it weren't for the fact that whoever marries me after I come of age can get half of that huge inheritance, would you value me this much, a lunatic?"

"Ask yourself honestly: what you value is me, or that half of the huge inheritance!"

Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao's facial expression instantly became extremely unnatural.

Even through the thick oil paint, it can be seen.

Truth, facts—even if the whole text contains not a single dirty word, they often hurt the most.

Airisi seems crazy, but her heart is like a clear mirror.

Whoever's thoughts are deeper, whoever's thoughts are more mixed and obscure, can be seen clearly.

Linke Grand indeed guards against her and also wants to use her.

But everything is out in the open, with no saying one thing and doing another, no hypocrisy.

What Airisi dislikes more is that, while she clearly thinks of using someone in her heart, she says with her mouth that she is doing it for their own good.

Disgusting!

Shivering, Airisi jumped up suddenly and left Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao.

Meng Luo stood in place, motionless for a long time.

After a long while, he let out a long sigh, turned and walked over to his companions, and began to adjust his action plan.

The information bought with money must not be wasted; it has to be used.

As for confronting the opposing faction head‑on, Airisi had that idea, and she also replied to Lin Ke in that way.

That doesn't mean he, Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao, and the companions think that way.

For things that can be solved by using one's brain, try not to use force.

Fighting and killing, injuring the flowers and plants— isn't that bad?

Lin Ke didn't expect this trip to go so smoothly.

He originally thought that the people Airisi summoned, or the small team that joined, would be violent hotheads of a similar temperament.

Unexpectedly, the one who held the team's speaking rights and came out to negotiate with him was the deep‑scheming Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao.

Without deep talk, just a few brief sentences, Lin Ke sensed Meng Luo. Bu Li Sai Ni Ao's general character and thus changed his strategy.

From cooperation, it turned into a trade negotiation.

The process didn't go as expected, but the outcome was good.

With those three sets of miniaturized experimental equipment from the big package, the research and experimentation on the Reconstructed Ecosystem will proceed more smoothly.

Lin Ke simply headed toward the Jiangxin Sandbank.

Other pre‑planned schedules, such as finding a more suitable site for large‑scale ecosystem construction simulation, were postponed.

Using his familiarity with the terrain and real‑time feedback from the scout puppets, Lin Ke sped along for nearly an hour, avoiding several waves of big or small conflicts.

Just as he was about to reach the Jiangxin Sandbank, an unavoidable roadblock appeared.

Lan Ni. Tai Le led ten people, guarding the necessary path, silently waiting for Lin Ke's arrival.

Obviously, in these two days, Lan Ni. Tai Le not only expanded her team,

gathered all the members of the Newblood Mutual Aid Society except for Andeliya. Nuoman's.

She also somehow obtained a scout artifact of higher grade than the scout puppets, and from afar discovered Lin Ke's movements.

"Anything?"

Lin Ke stopped, asked coldly, his attitude not friendly.

He was indeed somewhat irritated from being entangled.

This is a lingering haunt.

Lan Ni. Tai Le raised her right hand, stopping her somewhat agitated and angry teammates.

She stepped forward, actively entering Lin Ke's attack range, then spread her hands and raised them, indicating she meant no harm.

"There's something I feel I must tell you."

She spoke solemnly and more seriously: "Our southern district has only 30 participants in the Two Districts Grand Comparison; nine have already been eliminated, leaving besides your ten, the rest are all here."

"And then?"

Lin Ke remained unmoved, quickly glancing over the faces of the ten people behind Lan Ni. Tai Le.

Two familiar faces, Luci. Bei Li and Bamier. Baerweis, were indeed among them.

Among the other eight, five were members of the Newblood Mutual Aid Society.

"What I want to tell you is, of the nine eliminated, aside from Andeliya. Nuoman, the other eight were eliminated after the factions were set, by local apprentices from the northern district of the same faction."

Lan Ni. Tai Le's expression grew more solemn, her tone more serious.

What she said was indeed also worthy of attention.

Southern District Newblood eliminated by northern district local apprentices of the same faction only happens in two scenarios.

Either there was internal strife and they couldn't win,

or the northern district local apprentices banded together, using their numbers to bully the few and deliberately eliminate the Southern District Newblood.

Lan Ni. Tai Le's words, both explicit and implicit, lean toward the second possibility.

Thus to imply something, to confirm something.

"So?"

Lin Ke raised his eyebrows, his inner self undisturbed.

"So, discard the idea of cooperating with the northern district local apprentices. Besides us, you cannot find any other trustworthy team."

Lan Ni. Tai Le expressed her thoughts: "We share information, jointly tackle the faction missions. Only then can we win the Two Districts Grand Comparison, and only then can we achieve good scores and rankings."

Lin Ke smiled, gave no answer, but asked: "Those eight eliminated, are they all from the opposing faction?"

Lan Ni. Tai Le had long been prepared for Lin Ke's train of thought; she wasn't stumped by the question, and immediately replied: "Indeed they are from the opposing faction—so what?"

"Nothing."

Lin Ke shook his head, "Just asking casually."

"Then what do you really think? Will you agree to team up? This is the last time I'm asking you."

Lan Ni did not pursue further questioning, but spoke in a very decisive tone.

Her face was hidden behind the veil, her expression unclear.

But her gaze was very firm, not a bluff.

It seemed that if Lin Ke refused this time, she would truly turn and leave with her team, never to return.

"Why are you so eager to form a team? Based on my understanding of you, you should be thinking of using me as a target to draw the attention of the local apprentices in the North District, while you quietly advance the main quest."

Lin Ke wouldn't be intimidated; he not only didn't answer the question directly, but his words also carried a hint of sarcasm.

Once, Lin Ke also wanted to develop while staying under the radar.

Having also lurked for a long time, Lin Ke somewhat understood Lan Ni. Tai Le's psychology: after realizing that in the wizard world one must step forward to gain better support.

Without overthinking, just by putting himself in her shoes, Lin Ke could roughly infer Lan Ni's thoughts.

Therefore, Lan Ni several times expressed her desire to team up with him, even willing to follow his command, but Lin Ke remained unmoved.

Arsenic coated in sugar frosting is still arsenic, not sugar frosting.

Eating it is poisonous, even lethal.

A small team that obeys the orders of its small-team leader while also following the big-team leader's command is still a small team.

At any moment it might ignore the big-team leader's command and instead obey the small-team leader's orders.

Such a small team is of no use.

Moreover, Lan Ni's team is no longer a small team but a large team of eleven including herself.

It has one more member than Lin Ke's team.

If we really tried to merge the two teams, who knows whether a situation of one taking over the other's nest might occur?

Upon hearing Lin Ke's words, Lan Ni was not surprised that he could guess her early thoughts.

But she now genuinely wants to form a team.

Moreover, her thoughts are quite urgent and resolute.

Why?

The more she advances side quests and the main quest, the more Lan Ni can discover her and her team's shortcomings and weaknesses.

Although the academy has been subtly cultivating all wizard apprentices' spirit of exploration and innovation from the start.

But not every Newblood from the Storm Sea can, like Lin Ke, produce several research results in a row during the first-year autumn semester.

Most first-year Newbloods haven't even fully shifted their way of thinking yet.

Lan Ni. Tai Le is already very outstanding.

In the year's overall ranking, she can rely on her comparable grades and superior wizard talent to suppress Lin Ke and take first place.

However, in research and experiment, Lan Ni must admit that she falls far behind Lin Ke, who has already published several "papers" and holds several "patents".

The Positive Faction's mission to save the world is obviously not just fighting; it leans more toward research and experiment.

Moreover, Lin Ke has already announced progress on the faction mission for two consecutive days on the faction channel.

This led Lan Ni, who believed Lin Ke was not lying, to change her strategy and sincerely seek to team up.

As for what happens after teaming up and achieving results, we'll talk about it later.

Facing Lin Ke's teasing, she gritted her teeth and declared, as if issuing a military order:

"We can set up a contract; during the team period, including myself, everyone must unconditionally obey your reasonable orders, not violate them—how about that?"

Everything can be one or two, but not three.

Lin Ke didn't want to offend Lan Ni too much, especially since she had gone so far as to "bend over backward" for him.

Therefore, he should not refuse directly.

He indeed also did not want to absorb Lan Ni's team, so he came up with a compromise: "Teaming up is fine, but the way of teaming must change."

"You speak."

Lan Ni nodded, indicating her willingness to accept.

Lin Ke said: "Team up but act separately; I will tell you and your team each day what needs to be done and why, in detail. You must then complete the daily assigned tasks and report the results promptly and completely."

"Okay."

Lan Ni agreed without hesitation.

After all this trouble, finally having a result is a good thing.

The faces of the ten people behind her varied.

Lin Ke ignored those, pondering how to make use of the suddenly increased manpower.

As long as they don't die, use them to the fullest.

Anyway, they came to him of their own accord.

Thanks to the reader Wu Zu Niao Er 831 for the reward, thank you!

(End of chapter)