Chapter 154: Lost both the substance and the face

Friend of the witch?

Then let's be the witch's friend.

Whose money is easiest to earn?

Women and children.

This is a business saying Lin Ke heard in his previous life.

Indeed, that's the case.

Upon arriving in the wizard world, the large sums of Magic Stone Lin Ke earned all came from women.

Having had successful experience, before encountering failure, it is of course advisable to copy the successful experience.

It is most convenient in every way, and also the most trouble-free.

Therefore, Lin Ke firmly intends to be a thoughtful witch's friend who understands women's hearts, and desperately earn Magic Stone from witches.

Earning money, nothing to be ashamed of.

Moreover, this is still the proper way, not some pig-butchering scam that cheats both money and lust.

As for adopting a near-assembly-line group format once again, it is to better utilize the team's function.

To exploit the advantage of having many team members.

Lin Ke's own thoughts should be invested more into the research and study of Kailan seeds and the first-circle spell 'Kailan Battle Armor'.

Certainly, we cannot spend a lot of thought, time, and energy on potion research just to earn Magic Stone.

That's called not distinguishing priorities, grabbing everything at once.

As the team leader, in research he no longer needs to personally handle everything as before.

Doing well in exploring direction, assigning tasks, formulating plans, and controlling overall progress is the core duty of a research leader.

High efficiency, and also saves time and effort.

Um…

Well, Lin Ke actually wants both, wanting to have both.

A bit greedy, but not impossible to achieve.

Let's give it a try first.

Moreover, Lin Ke considers that after this semester ends, he will enter a cultivation secret realm for as long as a month.

He then begins to further cultivate Mo Li, enhancing her status and voice within the team.

This is preparation for the future.

Not only the vacation, but also after he is promoted to a full wizard.

If the academy arranges for him to enter advanced studies early, 'Do Anything Freely' will not end up leaderless.

We've gone off track.

After Lin Ke announced the grouping and research direction, looking at the varied expressions of the crowd, he said: "Everyone, feel free to voice any opinions and suggestions. Our 'Do Anything Freely' has not so many rules and regulations, nor so many particulars; we value democratic freedom. Speak boldly, speak freely."

As for this, the Benevolent Brother Group really has nothing to say.

Including Lin En Hewitt, who thinks the most.

The three members of the Social Anxiety Group exchanged glances, and finally the tallest, Mid Walton, withdrew.

He stepped forward, his big hand like a palm fan scratching his head, first giving a simple, embarrassed smile, then speaking in a deep voice: "Boss, we haven't really touched potion studies yet; if we're interested in potion research, what should we do?"

Lin Ke had prepared beforehand, pointing to a single sheet of paper on the desk and saying: "This lists some literature and materials; if you're interested in potion research, just look them up according to the list and self-study the basics."

Speaking, Lin Ke shifted his finger to point at the several thick stacks of materials beside him:

"'These are my personal notes and insights on potion studies and alchemy potion studies, which I will continue to update from time to time.'"

"'Until everyone has formally received education in potion studies and alchemy potion studies, these will temporarily serve as internal learning materials for our 'Do Anything Freely,' and must not be leaked.'"

Everyone looked at that sheet and those stacks of paper, their eyes lighting up.

Is this just paper?

Is this just data?

These are shining Magic Stones, one after another!

Study, starting from today.

As long as studying doesn't kill you, study to the point of exhaustion.

Lin Ke first issued Magic Stone, then assigned tasks, finally gave study requirements; going around in circles, he finally perfectly achieved his goal.

That is to stir the Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group's love for potion studies, and their subjective initiative in learning.

Thus, he will have more and more qualified research assistants.

In research, it will become increasingly effortless and worry-free.

"Mo Li, the rest is up to you."

Lin Ke looked at Mo Li, who had swept away the recent gloom, her mood beautiful, the corners of her mouth uncontrollably rising; 'step aside and let the worthy take over,' he became a hands-off manager.

"Alright, go get busy."

Mo Li knows Lin Ke still has more important matters to attend to than potion research.

Delegating authority to her is also to devote more time and energy to that matter.

But being valued by Lin Ke and thought of first makes Mo Li very happy.

"Everyone, focus your attention; I will first explain the general process of potion research, as well as the work, responsibilities, and precautions of the three teams in the lab: plant cultivation, plant analysis, and potion research."

Mo Li clapped twice, awakening the Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group from their pleasant daydreams, and began her work.

"First, we'll talk about plant cultivation……"

Lin Ke quietly withdrew, completely yielding the stage to Mo Li.

He himself went into the botany subsection.

Here, Lin Ke has opened up a small area for his exclusive use; even if Mo Li wants to enter, she must be accompanied by Lin Ke.

The precious and unique Armor Orchid seed is stored here.

All possible tests that could be done without damaging the seed have been completed.

Only a few final reports remain, and Lin Ke will then know all the characteristics of the Armor Orchid seed.

The first barrier of the first-circle witchcraft 'Armor Orchid Battle Armor' is about to be breached.

The second barrier consists of rule runes and corresponding knowledge, and it is currently being tackled.

Lin Ke has reviewed and compared the zero-level rule runes once, confirming that he has mastered them.

This is great; it can save a lot of time.

For the first-level rule runes, once the thesis is approved and the credits are obtained, he can officially begin tackling them.

After glancing at the Armor Orchid seed and confirming that everything was fine, Lin Ke set the glass curtain wall to a private mode visible only from outside.

With a thought, he summoned the seed from his sea of consciousness and focused his gaze on it.

After a few days of inattention, the seed's interior had undergone a tremendous change.

At the exact center of the flattened 'continent', a towering and majestic palace complex rose up from the ground.

Apart from being exceptionally tall and large, as if built for giants, the palace had no flaws.

If one had to point out a distinctive feature, it would be the gardens scattered throughout the many palaces.

Fuluoduo was humming a little tune, like a flower fairy, weaving between the gardens and carefully tending the pretty little flowers.

These are the limits of what she can do without harming the seed's origin.

I truly hope the Master will soon invest resources to properly feed the ever-hungry origin.

"Huh, Master?"

Sensing a somewhat familiar gaze, Fuluoduo immediately stopped what she was doing and looked up.

Sure enough, the Master's handsome face appeared in the sky.

"Greetings, Master; I hope you are well."

Fuluoduo lifted her skirt and performed a ladylike salute.

"Good. Fuluoduo, I hope you are well as well."

Based on his admiration for the God Slayers' character and his respect for intelligent life, Lin Ke did not ignore Fuluoduo's greeting and responded promptly.

"Master, hello! Fuluoduo is doing great!"

Fuluoduo's innocent and flawless face lit up with a brilliant smile.

Receiving the Master's greeting made her very happy.

This signified the Master's satisfaction with her.

This signified that the Master would allow her to continue living.

This signified that her father's sacrifice would not be in vain.

"Fuluoduo, list the required resources, ordered from low to high value, temporarily excluding those that are too expensive."

Lin Ke got down to business.

With his finances slightly loosened, he was about to begin cultivating the seed.

Magic Stones can't be eaten, so what's the point of holding onto them?

Using them promptly is the right thing to do.

"All right, Master."

Fuluoduo sweetly agreed, then called up the knowledge the Master had shared with her and instantly produced a long list.

With the aid of the seed and the Master's special training, Fuluoduo transmitted the completed list over.

"Master, is there anything else you'd like me to do?"

After sending the list, Fuluoduo asked in this way, her face faintly revealing anticipation.

Lin Ke glanced at the towering, majestic palace and the myriad gardens where flowers bloomed in profusion, vying for beauty, and gave a slight smile:

"Nothing else. You've been doing great lately; I like both the palace and the gardens."

"Thank you for the praise, Master."

Fuluoduo's smile grew even more radiant.

"Hmm."

Lin Ke pondered for a moment and said, "Build yourself a dwelling however you like; don't feel constrained."

"All right, Master, Fuluoduo understands."

Fuluoduo sweetly agreed.

With nothing else to do, Lin Ke withdrew his gaze and took the seed back into the sea of consciousness at his brow.

Based on his research and information gathering over this period, Lin Ke has roughly guessed what principle underlies the connection between the seed and himself.

Of course, this is the theory of the witcher world.

If one insists on explaining it with his previous life's scientific theory, only quantum entanglement from quantum mechanics bears any resemblance.

When Lin Ke makes a 'change' here, the seed's interior necessarily undergoes a corresponding change.

Setting aside those dull theories that even gave him a headache, Lin Ke focused his attention on the resource list.

At a glance, Lin Ke felt a thought arise that he shouldn't be looking at it.

Damn, it truly lives up to being a major consumer of resources.

The total cost of the resources needed for just the first phase of cultivation reaches as high as 20,000 units of standard first-grade Magic Stone.

To earn that many Magic Stones, Lin Ke would need to launch at least ten hot-selling products like the Li Xuancao series.

The pressure is immense!

The task is heavy and the road is long.

Glancing at the 200 Magic Stones currently at his disposal, Lin Ke let out a faint sigh.

Immediately after setting up the defense mode, he walked out of the Ailan specialized research district and came to the living/working area of the laboratory.

Mo Li had finished the group registration and preliminarily arranged work for each group, having the Benevolent Brother Group and the Social Anxiety Group start by analyzing commonly available toiletries on the market, especially the functions and characteristics of female toiletries, and gradually carry out R&D work.

Lin Ke was very satisfied with this, and had nothing to say about it.

"By the way, Lin Ke."

After reporting the work progress, Mo Li recalled something and said, "The seven "papers" have all been published, and the "credits" have been distributed. I checked, and as the project leader and corresponding author of the seven papers, you have received 22 "credits". That's a bit low—do you know why?"

Lin Ke heard that, smiled, and said: "Not bad. The college actually still willing to give out that many "credits"—that's quite generous."

Why say that?

Since the college took that shattered world as the venue for the freshmen Two Districts Grand Comparison, it naturally has the most detailed and in-depth research and grasp.

Lin Ke's project, their "papers", to the college, are like something useless to keep but a pity to discard.

It amounts to the bad behavior of milking the system.

But the college cannot suppress the apprentices, especially the research enthusiasm of the first-year apprentices.

It can only hold its nose and let people like Lin Ke milk it a bit.

"Alright, as long as you know what's up."

Mo Li spread her hands, no longer dwelling on this issue.

Those who got the news that the 'paper' passed review and was successfully published are not just Mo Li and Lin Ke.

Also there is Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke from the campus disputes and accident investigation and mediation office.

Dozens of apprentices from the North District gathered on the lakeside lawn, causing a disturbance and openly screening films—how could the college not intervene promptly?

Ke Di Wizard had a grim face, staring at the dozens of apprentices with bruised faces, his mood very unpleasant.

Especially among a bunch of bruised, dejected apprentices, suddenly popped out a guy who was not only unharmed but also wore a happy smile!

"Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, are you very happy?"

Ke Di Wizard let out a muffled hum, decided not to indulge Sen Lin's close friend Rui Ni Ke La Ke's sister.

"Happy."

"Who is Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke?"

"Once the madness kicks in, she's a crazy woman who fears nothing."

At this moment, having just received good news, she naturally wouldn't suppress her emotions, even ignoring the gloom on Ke Di Wizard's face.

"Really?"

Ke Di Wizard saw that Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke not only didn't repent, but doubled down, acting all impervious to reason, and angrily laughed, "Then let's share with everyone, let us experience together: in the situation where you fought and besides pain also get punished, why are you so happy?"

"Huh..."

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's rationality kicked in, and only then did she notice the odd expression on Ke Di Wizard's face, the sarcastic tone.

"But who is she, what has she ever feared?"

Since Ke Di Wizard not only didn't scold her but also had a special request, she might as well generously comply.

Thus, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke slightly lifted her head, raised her chin,

first giving a sideways glance at Cui Xi Lu Qia Ya, whose hair she had burned a bit,

then looking down on Luna Kelongna and Nash John Sen, who are the core figures of the opposing project's research,

directly ignoring Parley Percy Weir, labeled 'low intelligence',

proudly declaring:

"My partner, Linke Grand and his 'Do Anything Freely', have just completed a project research, publishing seven 'papers' in a row."

"As providers of experimental materials and partial fund investors, I and my several partners are honored to have received one first-author, two second-author, and three third-author positions."

"Easily obtaining a tiny amount of 'credits'."

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke deliberately paused, letting everyone digest.

Just now she loudly emphasized: "This project isn't anything special, it's just that it collided with Cui Xi's project—oh no, it's that Cui Xi heard others applied for this project, then rushed to carry out the same research, wanting to display the family's fine tradition."

Speaking, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke couldn't help but be sarcastic, issuing mockery:

"What's the result? Cui Xi's research has just begun, while Linke Grand has already produced results. Having suffered a loss once, I won't give you Lu Qia Ya a chance to display the 'fine tradition'."

"Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, you……"

After repeated mockery, Cui Xi Lu Qia Ya couldn't hold back and shouted angrily.

"Noisy."

Ke Di Wizard suddenly gave a soft shout, releasing the pressure of a third-level wizard.

Ten times the pressure Lin Ke once felt instantly fell upon Cui Xi Lu Qia Ya.

Plop.

Cui Xi knelt heavily on the ground.

Her whole body shivered, her teeth kept chattering.

Pfft, she spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Her head tilted, and she fainted.

She lost all face.

(End of chapter)