Chapter 164: The Aftermath Lingers, New Ripples Arise

The endless torment lasted a full three hours.

After that shout, unless she truly could not bear it and needed to distract herself, Mo Li would not easily open her mouth.

Even so, when the 'Bone‑Marrow Gnawing' ended, Mo Li's throat was already hoarse from shouting.

Any slight movement of her throat caused pain as if cut by a knife.

Such inhuman torment cannot be endured merely by gritting one's teeth and staying silent.

To maximize the effect, Selin Witch did not use any healing witchcraft on Mo Li.

She simply mixed a cup of several ordinary herbal juices with a slow vocal‑cord‑healing effect, and, in a special manner, gave it to Mo Li, who was immersed in the liquid.

The 'Bone‑Marrow Gnawing' had ended, but the experiment continued.

Selin Witch manipulated the apparatus, lifted the naked Mo Li from the experimental table, cleansed her with witchcraft, and placed her into another pool.

The specially prepared potion was then poured into the pool, completely submerging Mo Li's body.

After soaking for 24 hours like this, the experiment was finally considered complete.

Compared to the torture of the bone‑gnawing worms, the growth stimulation, while not as painful, still induced an unbearable numbness and itch.

No matter how tightly Mo Li clenched her teeth, she could not suppress the instinct to roll.

Fortunately, the liquid did not rise far above her body.

As long as Mo Li endured, not sitting up her upper body or lifting her legs to let her body leave the liquid, the constant rolling back and forth didn't matter.

The 24 hours passed with difficulty.

Mo Li didn't even know how she had managed to endure it.

Selin Witch appeared once again in the basement that had been converted into a laboratory.

She gave Mo Li a comprehensive examination and obtained all the parameters.

Then she lifted Mo Li up.

In the blink of an eye, she used witchcraft to cleanse the person, left a set of clothing, and walked away swaying her hips.

She left time and space for Mo Li to recover in solitude.

Mo Li leaned against a chair beside the medicinal pool, and only after a long while did she feel she could regain control of her body.

She put on her clothes, glanced back at the experimental table and medicinal pool that had tormented her for so long, her gaze deep and wistful.

She hoped that the news she would hear shortly would be good.

Otherwise, she would have to endure this torment again, perhaps even several times.

Just thinking about it made her feel nauseous.

Immediately, Mo Li's eyes grew resolute as she severed the fear that had arisen in her heart.

No matter how nauseating it was, she had to persevere!

She strode out of the basement and came to the hall on the first floor of the villa.

"Sit, eat something, rest a bit."

Selin Witch sat on a soft, comfortable armchair, gesturing with her eyes toward the chair opposite the coffee table.

"Thank you, Selin Witch."

Mo Li's voice was hoarse; she barely managed to speak, then obeyed the instruction and sat down.

Smelling the faint medicinal aroma emanating from the hot drink, Mo Li knew it was a treatment from Selin Witch.

Without the slightest hesitation, she took small sips and then gulped down most of the cup in one go.

The warm liquid flowed through her throat; even before it reached her stomach, it took effect immediately.

The cause of her hoarse voice—the vocal‑cord injury—was healed in an instant.

The pain disappeared, and her voice returned to normal.

She set down the hot‑drink cup, picked up a delicate pastry, and ate it in a few small bites.

The pastry was also a medicament.

As soon as it entered her stomach, it generated a warm current that surged from her belly throughout her body.

It nourished her body, which was already extremely fatigued.

Her fatigue vanished in an instant.

What remained was only mental exhaustion.

Aside from sleep, this could only be aided by some gentle potions.

For example, the essential oils of the Glass Daylily Grass series.

Of course, there are also more potent potions that, once drunk, instantly refresh the spirit.

But they are not suitable for Mo Li's present condition.

"How do you feel?"

Seeing that Mo Li's condition had improved somewhat, Selin Witch asked aloud.

"It's very painful, but I can endure."

Mo Li expressed her true feelings and thoughts: "As long as there is results, every sacrifice is worth it."

Having said that, Mo Li nervously awaited Selin Witch's "verdict."

Selin Witch did not keep her in suspense; she directly announced the results of the tests she had previously conducted:

"The experimental results exceeded expectations, and there was an unexpected surprise."

"Your affinity for the wood element remains in the 'advanced' range, but is infinitely close to 'superior', while your water and earth element affinities have both risen to 'advanced'."

"Perhaps enduring the pain and torment has tempered your will, and your mental power has greatly increased; it is now 56 points."

"The concentration of your mental power has also improved to some extent."

"Overall, the experiment was quite successful."

Mo Li listened to Selin Witch's words, and a brilliant smile appeared on her face.

The effort was ultimately worth it!

Her own aptitude had received a significant improvement.

With hard work, perhaps she could reach the standard for promotion to official witch within two years.

It wasn't too far behind.

Hmm!

"Go back and rest well; if anything happens, contact me directly and promptly."

Selin Witch gestured for Mo Li to leave on her own.

She had to get busy, organizing data, analyzing numbers, optimizing the experimental plan—there was a lot to do.

"Thank you, Selin Witch."

Mo Li expressed her thanks, drank the remaining hot drink in her cup in one gulp, then walked out of the hall, boarded the hovercar that Selin Witch had specially arranged for her, and returned to the academy.

The hovercar was extremely fast.

It arrived at its destination shortly thereafter.

Mo Li went straight back to the dormitory and fell asleep with her head covered.

This was experience she had learned from Lin Ke.

After extreme fatigue or after having her nerves stretched tight for a long time, taking a deep sleep works extremely well.

Over the next few days, both inside and outside the Secret Realm, things were very peaceful.

Mo Li acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to manage the "Do Anything Free" group as usual.

Until halfway through the vacation, the one-month period of cultivation in the Secret Realm had arrived.

This was the day Lin Ke was about to come out.

Mo Li's mood became uneasy, fearing that Lin Ke might notice something.

"It won't be; this is an experiment developed by Selin Witch."

"Don't be afraid."

"Be more composed, don't panic!"

After repeatedly comforting herself like this, Mo Li still felt somewhat uneasy.

Secret Realm.

Seeing the door suddenly appear before her, she knew it was time to leave the Secret Realm.

Lin Ke felt somewhat reluctant to leave just like that.

Such a good place where mental power consumption could be replenished at any time was truly perfect for the "multithreaded thinking" state.

So reluctant, so reluctant.

I really wish to come every few days.

However, no matter how reluctant, parting was inevitable.

No matter how much one fantasizes, it cannot be realized.

Lin Ke stepped over the door, left the Secret Realm, took the hovercar arranged by the academy, and returned to the academy.

Having cultivated continuously for a month, eating nothing, drinking nothing, alone and cut off from the world, this feeling was not very comfortable.

Lin Ke didn't plan to go see Mo Li and the others; he intended to first get a good sleep, then come out to move around and gain some popularity.

After getting off the vehicle, he took out his Portable Smart Brain, and in the "Do Anything Free" group created by Mo Li, he sent a message: "Returned, sleeping, do not disturb."

Ignoring the successive greetings from the Benevolent Brother Group and the Social Anxiety Group, he sent Mo Li a solitary message: "All well, don't worry."

Lin Ke then went straight back to the dormitory and fell asleep with his head covered.

Upon seeing this message, Mo Li let out a sigh of relief, yet also felt a bit lost.

It had already been a full month since they last saw each other.

Lin Ke's sleep was good; he slept for a full day and night.

He slept from morning until the next dawn.

Until his biological clock was punctually awakened.

He got up, washed up, embraced the sun, and went downstairs in a wonderful mood, heading to the cafeteria.

A beautiful day should begin with a hearty breakfast.

But upon seeing Mo Li for the first time outside the cafeteria, Lin Ke's mood instantly lost its beauty.

Since practicing the Meditation Method, his mental power had grown and been tempered, and his perceptual ability had greatly increased.

Promotion to official witch further elevated his perceptual ability to an extreme degree; especially his eyes, which could see many things previously unseen.

His naked eye was even more effective than the pair of first-rank magic-tool gold-silk eyeglasses on the bridge of his nose that he had exchanged for two credits.

At a glance, Lin Ke keenly noticed that Mo Li's body had undergone some unknown changes.

It was temporarily unknown whether these changes were good or bad.

But due to these changes, the relationship between soul and flesh was no longer tight and coordinated, resulting in some separation.

If Mo Li herself were unaware, or if Lin Ke failed to notice, continuing this separation would cause great trouble.

For example, the final stage of the life essence's transition would be prone to problems.

Thinking of this possibility, a nameless fire ignited in Lin Ke's chest.

Just a month of absence, and this sort of mess had appeared!

"What happened?"

Lin Ke's face turned slightly cold, his tone containing anger.

"What?"

Mo Li suddenly heard Lin Ke's question, a flash of panic and nervousness crossed her eyes, she quickly covered it up, pretending not to understand Lin Ke's words.

"What happened to you? Don't think you can hide it from me, I've already seen the problem."

Lin Ke, seeing this, thought Mo Li was worried about causing him trouble, so he feigned ignorance and didn't give a direct answer.

Thus he became even more resentful.

Yet he forcibly suppressed his anger, trying to keep his tone as calm as possible.

But having just been promoted to first-rank official wizard, his control over his own aura was still not proficient.

The Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group not far away were startled by the invisible aura and dared not approach.

Mo Li felt as if a large stone weighed on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Lin Ke promptly noticed, he circulated the Brain Seal Technique, restrained his emotions, and helped restrain his aura.

Only then did Mo Li let out a big sigh of relief, her breathing becoming natural.

"You……"

Suddenly, Mo Li thought of something, her expression and tone extremely complex, she wanted to say something but couldn't get it out.

She still thought it wasn't too far behind.

As a result……

Fortunately, she got involved with Selin witch and accepted the experiment.

Otherwise……

Mo Li's thoughts were gloomy, her spirits low.

She then stopped paying attention to the resentful Lin Ke, lowered her head, turned and entered the cafeteria.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Ke suppressed his anger and waved to the side.

The Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group, who originally didn't even dare to breathe, now dared to come forward.

"Big boss."

The eight people performed a salute in unison.

"Hmm."

Lin Ke nodded, considered it a return salute, then directly asked: "In the past month, does the big sis have any special schedule?"

Several people looked at each other, exchanging glances.

Finally Lin En stepped forward, speaking in relatively objective terms: "Aside from two days when he wasn't at the academy, being picked up by Selin witch's car, there was nothing special about the schedule."

"Okay, I got it."

Lin Ke, hearing this, thought for a moment, then waved his hand and led the way into the cafeteria, saying: "Let's go in and eat."

After selecting his food, Lin Ke held his tray and sat opposite Mo Li.

Mo Li kept her head down, vigorously stabbing the steak with her fork, yet she didn't eat.

"Let's eat first, we'll talk later. Don't worry, I don't mean to blame you."

Observing the rule of not speaking while eating, Lin Ke expressed his attitude and then earnestly ate his breakfast.

"Hmm."

Mo Li squeezed out a response from her nose, inexplicably relaxing a lot, and also began to eat.

The Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group sensed that the atmosphere between the big boss and the big sis was off, yet they still dared not laugh and joke as they used to.

Each one turned into a speed-eating demon, devouring food at lightning speed.

Not long after, everyone finished eating and left the cafeteria.

"You go to the laboratory first, do what you need to do, be self-conscious."

Lin Ke glanced at the Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group waiting for instructions, then gave the arrangement.

"Okay, big boss."

The Benevolent Brother Group and Social Anxiety Group, as if granted amnesty, ran off at top speed.

"It's just us two now, do you have anything you want to say?"

Lin Ke looked at Mo Li, who kept kicking a stone with her foot, always keeping her head down, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Yes."

Mo Li closed her eyes, made up her mind, and said softly, "I don't want to fall too far behind, so I mainly sought out Selin witch to beg for the experiment to improve wizard qualifications. The experiment has already been completed, and the results are very good."

"Really?"

Lin Ke remained noncommittal, merely asking, "Did Selin witch tell you that you have a problem of soul and body not being in harmony?"

Mo Li shook her head, saying, "After the experiment, I still haven't gone to find Selin witch."

"Hmm."

Lin Ke let out a sigh of relief.

Given his understanding of Selin witch, if she had discovered this problem, there would be no surprise; she would definitely have told Mo Li.

This explanation shows that Selin witch harbors no ill will toward Mo Li.

It's just that she hadn't noticed it in time.

Lin Ke then posed a doubt: "How did you know Selin witch was conducting the experiment to improve wizard qualifications? I didn't even know about this."

Between the two of them, it's indeed that Lin Ke has a closer relationship with Selin witch.

There's no reason for things that Mo Li could know that he doesn't know.

Moreover, it's an experiment to improve wizard qualifications, not a technique.

As long as it's an experiment, it carries considerable risk.

Even if Selin witch wanted to find experimental subjects, there's no reason she'd pick Mo Li.

The South District has plenty of materials, the West District has plenty of lower-level folks; just call out and there will absolutely be countless people willing to risk breaking their heads for the precious chance to be experimental subjects.

Serlin the witch would not proactively tell Mo Li about this.

There must be someone with an agenda.

Mo Li didn't hesitate at all, saying directly: "It was Luo Ken the witch who told me."

"Luo Ken the witch?"

Lin Ke heard a name that wasn't all that surprising.

After a moment of thought, Lin Ke decided not to pursue this matter for the time being, since it couldn't be handled yet.

He would leave it for later.

Anyway, what's done is done, and it hasn't caused any serious harm.

Better to focus our attention on how to resolve the disharmony between Mo Li's soul and body.

After thinking, Lin Ke said:

"As I said before, everyone must take responsibility for their own decisions."

"I don't know why you suddenly became so rash, recklessly accepting this bodily modification experiment."

"But I hope you didn't act impulsively without thinking things through."

"More than that, I hope you can shoulder this responsibility and not regret it later."

Mo Li froze for a moment, then lifted her head, her watery eyes glancing at Lin Ke's solemn, earnest face.

Her lips moved a few times, but she remained silent for a long while.

"What's there to say?"

"Nothing to say."

"It's just my own choice."

"I have to bear the responsibility myself."

"That's the principle."

"That's also reality."

"It's just that I feel empty inside, a bit uneasy."

She sniffled, cleared her throat, and said: "Mm, I know. I'll take responsibility for my choices and decisions."

"As long as you have that awareness, it's fine."

Lin Ke nodded, shifted his tone, and said: "Now, let's try to figure out how to resolve the issue with your body, so your soul and flesh can regain harmony."

Having said that, Lin Ke ignored the startled Mo Li, whose expression twisted slightly from the sudden turn, and walked toward the laboratory.

He first wanted to look up related data on experiments and techniques for enhancing a witch's qualifications, to understand the situation;

then contact Witch Serlin to inform her of the changes in Mo Li's body;

and finally try to find a solution to the problem.

Mo Li watched Lin Ke's straight-backed figure, clenched her fists, and waved at him a few times.

"This blockhead, after hearing those few lines, still thought I didn't want to bother with her anymore."

"It scared her half to death."

"I hate it!"

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