Chapter 157: line with translation of chapter title

Andrea's guess is not wrong.

But it's not entirely correct either.

All this is actually being manipulated by Mo Li behind the scenes; it has nothing to do with Lin Ke.

Mo Li had once been attacked by public opinion, experiencing the feeling of being blamed by everyone, where nothing she said would be believed, and she was powerless to retaliate.

She knows well that it's hard for a person to stay calm in such a situation.

Of course, Mo Li does not intend to subject Andrea to public opinion violence.

Turning from victim to perpetrator is neither her intention nor something she would deign to do.

So she did not smear Andrea; she merely had Betty post anonymously on the 'forum' to state the facts.

Mina Haffcheck, a guy with great potential as an information broker, found out what Andrea had done, and Betty then disclosed exactly that on the 'forum', without fabricating rumors.

After all, Mo Li merely wanted to use this to throw Andrea's formation into disarray,

or simply ruin the opponent's move of using Andrea against 'Do Anything Free'.

How can one always just defend passively?

Even if it's not convenient to take the initiative, at least one should try to seize the upper hand.

At least let Dalton not have to worry, so he can face any possible entanglement calmly.

Lin Ke watched all this, letting Mo Li do as she pleased.

Actually, he has his own principle for dealing with Hawk Lucia.

That is: you fight yours, I fight mine.

Initially, he raises a truce flag high, avoiding battle and not coming out.

No matter your myriad schemes and thousandfold plots, I maintain myself and will not muddy the waters.

Just not accepting the challenge is enough.

If the plot fails, let's see what you'll do.

If you come hard, will you kill outright in the academy?

Lin Ke first touched the level-2 defensive magic item in his pocket,

then glanced at it; since the last time he went to keep his appointment with Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, after applying for the personal protection of the intelligent law-enforcement puppet, it has remained in covert follow mode, never leaving the vicinity within a hundred meters.

He secretly smirked:

I'm now on the academy's key cultivation and protection list; if you've got the guts, come!

How does Lin Ke know this?

Of course, after ending the personal protection application, he discovered the intelligent law-enforcement puppet had not left, felt puzzled, and asked the Cody wizard who has partial jurisdiction over the intelligent law-enforcement puppet, thus obtaining the answer.

The academy holds the Two Districts Grand Comparison every year, with all four grades participating.

But the first-year Two Districts Grand Comparison is the most special.

The first place in the first-year Two Districts Grand Comparison not only gains extra rewards unavailable to the first places of the second, third, and fourth years, but also enters the academy's key cultivation and protection list for one year!

Why do the Two Districts Grand Comparisons of all four grades start and end simultaneously, yet the heat of the first-year comparison remains the highest?

The reason is here.

Lin Ke believes that, as the renowned pureblood family of the Ruiwosuo District, the Lucia family surely knows this.

Therefore, as long as Lin Ke remains within the academy's protection range, the Lucia family will not lose their senses and actually arrange people to forcibly kill Lin Ke.

No wonder the Paro wizard previously said: 'There's no need to worry so much; this matter isn't that serious.'

As long as Lin Ke doesn't court death himself, it's really hard for him to die within this year!

As for after a year, Lin Ke believes that, without even mentioning counterattack, self-preservation should be fine.

For now, it's best to stay hidden and recuperate.

Once he has developed, he can adopt a mid-term strategy, guerrilla warfare!

As for the later stage, that's too far off; better to focus on the present.

After Hawk Lucia noticed the movement on the 'forum',

He immediately knew this was Linke Grand's and 'Do Anything Free's timely response.

It must be said, this response is quite clever.

It ruined the follow-up of his move.

Hawk heeded Bobby Smith's renewed advice and simply halted all actions against 'Do Anything Free'.

"Meaningless!"

Bobby Smith truly lives up to being the renowned clear-headed person in the 'Pureblood Will', hitting the nail on the head in one sentence.

As long as they cannot physically eliminate Linke Grand, whatever Hawk does is in vain.

Thus, Andrea Norman, anxiously awaiting the verdict on her fate, suddenly discovered that no further urging had come.

It seems the behind-the-scenes black hand has already forgotten her as a pawn.

She then anxiously waited another week.

She waited until the 'forum' had long forgotten her, and until the fixed contact time had passed.

The behind-the-scenes black hand never contacted her again.

Andrea couldn't help but let out a long sigh; although she still had a stone in her heart, she finally felt much lighter.

Not having to face pressure from both sides at once is always good.

Next, let's try to see if we can spend money to buy peace, scrape together some magic stones, and redeem that IOU.

Andrea thought of Dalton once again.

Just a bit of venting, and a trouble was resolved.

If she goes to vent again, might there be an unexpected surprise?

For example, give her 500 magic stones?

Translation: "For example, give her 500 Magic Stones?"

We need to keep punctuation? The Chinese line ends with a question mark. We'll keep "?" at end.

(Dalton: hehe)

Translation: "(Da Er Dun: hehe.)"

We need to keep parentheses and colon. The Chinese uses fullwidth parentheses? We'll keep as normal parentheses. The laughter "hehe" can be kept as "hehe". Keep same punctuation.

Fortunately, Andrea wasn't that stubborn and really went to look for Dalton.

Translation: "Fortunately, An De Li Ya wasn't that stubborn, and actually went to look for Da Er Dun."

We need to keep meaning: "fortunately" = fortunately. "not that stubborn" = not that stubborn. "indeed went to look for Da Er Dun" = indeed went to look for Da Er Dun.

Otherwise, Lynn, who had already made preparations and gained Dalton's approval, would really let her experience what social death is.

Translation: "Otherwise, having made preparations and having obtained Da Er Dun's approval, Lin En would let her experience what social death is."

We need to keep the repeated verb, translating it as "really experience"; the meaning is that it would let her really experience what social death is.

Thus: "Otherwise, having made preparations and having obtained Da Er Dun's approval, Lin En would let her really experience what social death is."

After Mo Li's series of operations quelled a minor setback, Lin Ke regained long-lost peace.

Translation: "After Mo Li's series of operations quelled a minor setback, Lin Ke finally regained long-lost peace."

After Mo Li's operations quelled a minor setback, Lin Ke regained long-lost peace.

Time flew, and over a month passed in a flash.

Translation: "Time flew, and over a month passed in a flash."

Time flew, and over a month passed in a flash.

The spring semester is about to end.

Translation: "The spring semester is about to end."

During the past month or so, there were good and bad things, happiness and unhappiness.

Translation: "During the past month or so, events had their ups and downs, joys and displeasures."

During the past month or so, there were good and bad things, happiness and unhappiness.

The potion research is progressing well.

Translation: "In drug development, progress is gratifying."

With Lin Ke's botany talent and potion-making talent, plus his knowledge reserves in pharmaceutics and alchemical potions, despite encountering many problems during development, he still produced five fairly effective women's toiletry products.

Translation: "With Lin Ke's botany talent and potion-making talent, plus his knowledge reserves in pharmaceutics and alchemical potions, despite encountering many problems during development, he still produced five fairly effective women's toiletry products."

With Lin Ke's botany talent and potion-making talent, plus his knowledge reserves in pharmaceutics and alchemical potions, despite encountering many problems during development, he still produced five fairly effective women's toiletry products.

After repeatedly comparing his products with mainstream toiletry goods on the market and confirming they had a certain competitive edge, Lin Ke alone applied for a patent.

Translation: "After repeatedly comparing his products with mainstream toiletry goods on the market and confirming they had a certain competitive edge, Lin Ke alone applied for a patent."

After repeatedly comparing his products with mainstream toiletry goods on the market and confirming they had a certain competitive edge, Lin Ke alone applied for a patent.

This time he didn't publish a paper, in order to gain a first-mover advantage and capture the market.

Translation: "This time he didn't publish a paper, in order to gain a first-mover advantage and seize the market."

Sales of the Glass Daylily Grass Series have already begun to decline, precisely because many similar products have entered the competition.

Translation: "Sales of the Li Xuan Cao series have already begun to decline, precisely because many similar products have entered the competition."

Sales of the Glass Daylily Grass Series have already begun to decline, precisely because many similar products have entered the competition.

It is still very necessary to increase some lead time from the source.

Translation: "It is still very necessary to increase lead time from the source."

Study of the First-circle Witchcraft 'Armor Orchid Battle Armor' aspect — after using the Multithread Thinking status card five times, the theoretical knowledge has been fully mastered.

Translation: "Study of the First-circle Witchcraft 'Armor Orchid Battle Armor' — after using the Multithread Thinking status card five times, the theoretical knowledge has been fully mastered."

Study of the First-circle Witchcraft 'Armor Orchid Battle Armor' aspect — after using the Multithread Thinking status card five times, the theoretical knowledge has been fully mastered.

Once spirit power and magic power have accumulated to the extreme of a Third-rank Witch Apprentice, one can attempt practice.

Translation: "Once spirit power and magic power have accumulated to the extreme of a Third-rank Witch Apprentice, one can attempt practice."

Once spirit power and magic power have accumulated to the extreme of a Third-rank Witch Apprentice, one can attempt practice.

No rush on this; we'll talk after entering the Apprentice-rank Cultivation Secret Realm.

Translation: "No rush on this; we'll talk after entering the Apprentice-rank Cultivation Secret Realm."

No rush on this; we'll talk after entering the Apprentice-rank Cultivation Secret Realm.

As for witchcraft modification, even after dedicated use of the Multithread Thinking status card five times, progress has been slight.

Translation: "As for witchcraft modification, even after dedicated use of the Multithread Thinking status card five times, progress has been slight."

As for witchcraft modification, even after dedicated use of the Multithread Thinking status card five times, progress has been slight.

The idea is great, but the difference between plant seeds and the world's origin "seed" is still too large.

Translation: "The imagination is great, but the difference between plant seeds and the world-origin 'seed' is still too large."

We need to keep quotes around "seed". We'll keep quotes.

Lin Ke currently only has a relatively vague direction and still lacks a lot of knowledge.

Translation: "Lin Ke currently has only a relatively vague direction and still lacks a lot of knowledge."

The remaining ten credits have been used up, and in high-level knowledge reserves, there is still a great shortage.

Translation: "The remaining ten credits have been used up, and in high-level knowledge reserves, there is still a great shortage."

The remaining ten credits have been used up, and in high-level knowledge reserves, there is still a great shortage.

Within a year, Lin Ke estimates there won't be much substantial progress.

Translation: "Within a year, Lin Ke estimates there will not be much substantive progress."

This made Lin Ke very troubled.

Translation: "This has made Lin Ke quite troubled."

"Credits" are never enough!

Translation: "\"Credits\" are never enough."

What troubles Lin Ke even more is that the internal circulation of the "seed", under the diligent leadership of Fu Lan Duo, has reached its end.

Translation: "What troubles Lin Ke even more is that the internal circulation of the 'seed,' under the diligent leadership of Fu Lan Duo, has reached its end."

We need to keep "芙蘭朵". That's a name not in glossary. We need to translate? It's a person's name. So we need to add to glossary: 芙蘭朵 -> Fu Lan Duo (pinyin). We'll include.

Thus translation: "What troubles Lin Ke even more is that the internal circulation of the 'seed,' under the diligent leadership of Fu Lan Duo, has reached its end."

We must continuously pour resources into it in order to further develop.

Translation: "We must start continuously filling it with resources in order to further develop."

Magic stones, Lin Ke needs a lot of magic stones!

Translation: "Magic Stones, Lin Ke needs a large amount of Magic Stones!"

Therefore, since it was inconvenient for Lin Ke to leave the academy, he specially asked the witch Serlyn for help on the weekend,

Translation: "Therefore, Lin Ke, who finds it inconvenient to leave the academy, specially summoned Se Lin Witch on the weekend,"

She came to his laboratory to guide the work and inspect the results.

Translation: "She came to his laboratory to guide the work and inspect the results."

With many people and chatter, Lin Ke deliberately dismissed the brotherhood group and the social anxiety group.

Translation: "With many people and much chatter, Lin Ke specially dismissed the Benevolent Brother Group and the Social Anxiety Group."

He kept only Mo Li, and the two went to meet and accompany the witch Serlyn.

Translation: "He kept only Mo Li, and the two went to meet and accompany Se Lin Witch."

"Witch Serlyn, sorry to trouble you, and to make you come all the way."

Translation: "\"Se Lin Witch, sorry to trouble you, and to have you make a special trip. \""

Outside the experimental building, Lin Ke saw Serlyn's hovercar come to a stop, immediately stepped forward, and obsequiously reached out to hold the car door frame for her.

Translation: "Below the experimental building, Lin Ke saw Se Lin Witch's hovercar come to a stop, immediately stepped forward, and very obsequiously extended his hand to virtually shield the car door frame for Se Lin Witch."

"Yo, you also know you're causing me trouble."

Translation: "\"Yo, you also know you're causing me trouble. \""

Witch Serlyn gave Lin Ke a charming glance, then lightly tapped his forehead with her right index finger, saying, "If you don't show me something good today, see how I'll deal with you."

Translation: "Se Lin Witch gave Lin Ke a charming glance, her right index finger lightly tapping his forehead, \"If you don't show me anything good today, just wait and see how I'll deal with you. \""

After saying that, Witch Serlyn didn't even look at the embarrassed Lin Ke, and waved to Mo Li on the side.

Translation: "Having said that, Se Lin Witch didn't even look at the embarrassed, smiling Lin Ke, and waved to Mo Li nearby."

"Good morning, Witch Serlyn."

Translation: "\"Se Lin Witch, good morning. \""

Mo Li quickly stepped forward and greeted politely.

Translation: "Mo Li hurried forward and gave a polite greeting."

"Good."

Translation: "\"Good. \""

Witch Serlyn responded with a smile playing at the corners of her mouth and teased, "Little guy, you'd better keep an eye out—Eris keeps thinking about your Lin Ke all the time. I don't know how she fixed on Lin Ke, wanting to compete with you."

Translation: "Se Lin Witch responded with a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, teasing, \"Little guy, you'd better keep an eye out—Ai Rui Si that girl is always thinking about your Lin Ke. I don't know how she got fixated on Lin Ke, wanting to compete with you. \""

We need to keep "little guy" = "little guy". "keep an eye out" = "keep an eye out". We'll translate as above.

Mo Li's face flushed red, her lips murmuring a few words—she neither dared to lie in front of Witch Serlyn nor wanted to say something against her true feelings.

Translation: "Mo Li's face flushed red, her lips murmuring a few words—she dared not lie to Se Lin Witch, nor did she want to say something against her true feelings."

Finally, she hemmed and hawed a few times and barely nodded.

Translation: "Finally, she stammered a few sounds and gave a barely perceptible nod."

Seeing this, Witch Serlyn stopped teasing and simply advised meaningfully, "We women, when we encounter something good in our youth, must hold on tight, lest it be taken from us, leaving only regret."

Translation: "Seeing this, Se Lin Witch stopped teasing and earnestly advised, \"We women, when we encounter something good in our youth, must hold on tight, lest it be taken from us, leaving only regret. \""

As she spoke, Witch Serlyn seemed to recall her own past, a flicker of nostalgia for her naive days crossing her eyes, and she couldn't help but sigh softly.

Translation: "As she spoke, Se Lin Witch seemed to recall her own past, a flicker of nostalgia for her youthful inexperience crossing her eyes, and she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh."

Soon, she composed herself and urged, "Come on, let's go up and see what you've accomplished over the past month."

Translation: "Soon, she composed herself and urged, \"Come on, let's go up and see what you've accomplished over the past month or so. \""

"Please, Witch Serlyn this way."

Translation: "\"Se Lin Witch, this way please. \""

Lin Ke immediately led the way.

Translation: "Lin Ke immediately led the way."

Witch Serlyn walked into the experimental building with a strikingly curved waist and hips, her posture graceful and infinitely charming.

Translation: "Se Lin Witch walked into the experimental building with a strikingly curved waist and hips, her posture graceful and infinitely charming."

Mo Li glanced quickly and felt endless envy.

Translation: "Mo Li glanced quickly, her heart filled with endless envy."

The little bun has evolved, but it's still not enough.

Translation: "The little steamed bun has evolved, but it's still not enough."

The three took the elevator to the fifth floor and swiped their access cards to enter the laboratory.

Translation: "The three took the elevator to the fifth floor, swiped their access card, and entered the laboratory."

Witch Serlyn glanced around the spacious comprehensive lab and remarked, "Back then I didn't have the conditions for such a good lab."

Translation: "Se Lin Witch glanced around the spacious comprehensive laboratory and remarked, \"Back then I didn't have the conditions for such a good laboratory. \""

She was two cohorts behind the witch Paro, didn't win first place in that year's freshman two-region competition, and only got a six-month right to use a medium-sized lab.

Translation: "She was two cohorts behind Pa Luo Witch, didn't win first place in that year's freshman Two Districts Grand Comparison, and only obtained a six-month usage right to a medium-sized laboratory."

"Come on, bring them out—are you still hiding them?"

Translation: "\"Come on, take them out—are you still hiding them? \""

Witch Serlyn walked through each of the nine sections, glanced at the layout and equipment, then returned to the living/work area and said to Lin Ke.

Translation: "Se Lin Witch walked through each of the nine sections, glanced at the layout and equipment, then returned to the living/work area and said to Lin Ke."

Lin Ke immediately took out samples of the five women's toiletry products—body wash and bath salts—from the refrigerator, placed them before Witch Serlyn, and introduced them:

Translation: "Lin Ke immediately took out samples of the five women's toiletry products—body wash and bath salts—from the refrigerator, placed them before Se Lin Witch, and introduced them:"

"Although I personally find washing up tedious and a waste of time, I will occasionally take a bath when fatigued."

Translation: "\"Although I personally find washing up tedious and a waste of time, I will occasionally take a bath when fatigued. \""

"Considering women's needs for cleanliness, beauty, and fragrance,

Translation: "\"Considering women's needs for cleanliness, beauty, and fragrance, we developed these five products. \""

They are respectively a shower-and-bathtub dual-use body wash, a shower-specific body wash, a bathtub-specific body wash, and two types of bathtub-specific bath salts.

Translation: "\"They are a shower-and-bath dual-use body wash, a shower-exclusive body wash, a bath-exclusive body wash, and two bath-exclusive bath salts. \""

Witch Selin interrupted Lin Ke's introduction amusedly: "You still really want to be a witch's friend, being so thoughtful toward women?"

Lin Ke spoke solemnly: "I wish to call myself a friend of the female witch and the Magic Stone."

"Hehehe..."

Serlin Witch was amused by Lin Ke's earnest nonsense, letting out a clear, melodious laugh.

Justice kept shaking, strong winds and waves surged forward.

Lin Ke stared straight ahead and continued: "Based on a potion that ensures relief from fatigue, we improved the skin-whitening effect and enhanced the fragrance to make up for shortcomings in mainstream products."

Lin Ke paused, then explained: "Unlike the fragrances of essential oils, perfumes, and colognes, after special processing, the scent our body wash and bath salt impart will be closer to natural body odor, more natural and harmonious. Each product comes in multiple scent varieties, which can be chosen according to personal needs and preferences."

Serlin Witch, intrigued, asked: "How do you achieve that closeness to body scent?"

Lin Ke turned his gaze to Mo Li: "This is Mo Li's suggestion—divide the fragrance substances of the body wash and bath salt into two parts; one part is released during bathing so the bather can smell it, the other part dissolves in the water to fully soak the skin."

"Oh? That's interesting."

Serlin Witch mentally simulated it and found it indeed feasible, with the methods belonging to the relatively basic realm of potionology and alchemical potionology.

What is most valuable is the research mindset.

This is more important than any technique.

A witch who possesses superb potionology and alchemical potionology skills but lacks research ability, and must concoct potions according to existing formulas, can only be called a potion maker.

A witch who has research ability, even if only versed in basic potionology and alchemical potionology, can be called a potion researcher.

The status of a potion researcher is naturally much higher than that of a potion maker full of craftsman spirit.

Tina Witch, who is currently studying under Serlin Witch, lacks much in research ability, especially a flexible and open mindset.

"Please, Serlin Witch, do not hesitate to give guidance."

No matter how eloquently spoken, it cannot compare to an actual test.

Lin Ke having finished his introduction, he said no more.

"Good."

Serlin Witch agreed and began inspecting the samples.

Starting with the dual-use body wash for showers and tubs, they took a small amount of each of the five samples in turn and conducted tests using means that Lin Ke and Mo Li could not understand.

Shortly thereafter, Serlin Witch's face showed a satisfied expression.

The product's effects were not especially stunning, but they basically achieved the several points Lin Ke had mentioned.

This is because Lin Ke's grasp of potionology and alchemical potionology knowledge and methods is still not profound enough.

The research mindset is undoubtedly very correct.

As long as it is taken back and further refined, it can be launched as a mature product.

Another best-selling series that will sell like hotcakes!

Having made up her mind, Serlin Witch directly asked: "How do you intend to cooperate with me this time?"

Lin Ke replied: "The product still has shortcomings, but this is already the limit of my current ability; it still needs your hand to improve quality before it can go to market. Therefore, I think a six‑four split is appropriate—you take sixty percent."

Serlin Witch gave Lin Ke a half‑smile: "You're scheming again, little guy."

"You're joking; I merely admire your expertise in potionology."

Lin Ke's expression unchanged, he calmly replied.

"Hehehe..."

Serlin Witch laughed, tapped Lin Ke's forehead, twisted her alluring waist and hips as she turned to leave, saying: "I've agreed to this—remember to take all the data and samples; I'll be taking them away."

"Inspection passed!"

With that settled, handfuls of Magic Stone beckoned to Lin Ke.

"Thank you, Serlin Witch."

Lin Ke and Mo Li hastily grabbed the prepared boxes, followed Serlin Witch's steps, and escorted her all the way downstairs.

"By the way, little guy, Paro invites you to attend the ceremony—you definitely should go, and remember to dress handsomely when the time comes."

Before boarding the hovercar, Serlin Witch specifically cautioned: "Being able to watch an official witch advance to sage up close is an opportunity many people beg for but cannot obtain."

"Yes, thank you, Serlin Witch, for the reminder."

Lin Ke respectfully accepted, sincerely thanked: "Serlin Witch, take care."

Paro Witch was finally about to undergo the molting period and ascend to sage.

For Lin Ke, this is both a good thing and a bad thing.

The good thing is that the backing grows stronger, allowing greater reliance.

The bad thing is that the backing will be away for a long time.

Henceforth, one must be more careful in speech and conduct.

(End of chapter)