Chapter 190: 194. Chapter 194: Seek Me!

194. Chapter 194: Seek Me!

How's it going, any big gains?

Old Man Mo Fei quickly released his hands, stepped back, and asked with concern.

Not bad, pretty good.

Lin Ke recalled this deep-in-enemy-territory operation; aside from wasting some time in the final stage, everything else was extremely profitable.

Two projects are about to yield results; only need to supplement some experiments and data.

According to Lin Ke's experience, these two results will be worth many 'credits' and Magic Stones.

Moreover, the 'seed' has already devoured over one-fifth of the Fairy King's soul, receiving great nourishment in terms of rules and energy.

This harvest is certainly not small.

Then that's good.

Old Man Mo Fei genuinely felt happy.

On his scarred face appeared a slightly twisted, eerie smile.

Even though he was seconded, Lin Ke still participated in this deep-in-enemy-territory mission as a representative of the Rear Pharmacy Department.

Lin Ke's big harvest means he performed well.

The Rear Pharmacy Department can also share in the glory.

As the head of the Pharmacy Department, Old Man Mo Fei could speak with even more confidence.

Hmm, this logic can barely hold up.

This isn't a good place to talk.

Old Man Mo Fei turned and walked toward the hovercar, saying as he went, 'Let's head back first.'

Lin Ke had no objection and immediately followed.

The two boarded the hovercar and headed for the Pharmacy Department's station.

As soon as they got in, Old Man Mo Fei started complaining:

Ah, good thing you were only seconded, not transferred away.

Otherwise, I'd have to find one or two more good assistants.

These days without you, I've almost been driven crazy by those people from the Medical Department.

They can't do anything right, but they're first at grabbing credit.

If I hadn't kept them in check, they'd have long given up and done nothing.

I really don't know how Salosar managed those people; he took the fine group of pharmacists and pharmacy R&D researchers trained by Witch Selrin and turned them into this sorry state.

It's truly a grave sin.

Lin Ke didn't know the actual situation, just listened and left it at that, without voicing an opinion.

Fortunately, Old Man Mo Fei was just venting; he didn't seek comfort or support from Lin Ke.

Seeing that Lin Ke wasn't very interested in the topic, he trailed off as he spoke.

The car fell into silence for a moment.

The atmosphere wasn't awkward, just silent.

Soon, the hovercar arrived at the Pharmacy Department's station, in front of the flat-roofed building with a dung-yellow exterior.

I see you're tired; rest today, go back to the dormitory to relax properly, and report to me tomorrow.

Just before getting out of the car, Old Man Mo Fei saw Lin Ke's undisguised weariness and spoke considerately.

Usually strict in his demeanor, he also knows how to be considerate toward subordinates.

Balancing firmness and gentleness, Old Man Mo Fei has grasped the essence of administrative management.

Okay, thank you, Department Head.

After saying thanks, Lin Ke got out of the car, glanced at the crooked doorplate, and found nothing seemed to have changed.

Then, shouldering his heavy pack, he greeted Old Man Mo Fei, went straight through the front office area, crossed the small courtyard, and returned to the dormitory.

He put down his pack, went into the bathroom, and took a good hot shower to wash away fatigue.

He activated the dormitory's defense mode, instructed Model Worker Fulan Duo to keep watch, and Lin Ke fell into a deep sleep.

Taking baths and deep sleep have become Lin Ke's go-to ways to eliminate fatigue.

Just as Lin Ke was sleeping soundly, the Pharmacy Department, due to his return, sparked a heated public debate.

The protagonist of this controversy is naturally Lin Ke, originating from the Pharmacy R&D Group and the Pharmacy Group.

So far, Lin Ke remains the leader of both groups.

However, for easier management, during Lin Ke's secondment, Old Man Mo Fei appointed two acting group leaders to head the Pharmacy R&D Group and the Pharmacy Group respectively.

Even a mosquito's leg, small as it is, is still meat.

Don't treat a group leader as anything less than a cadre.

If they could drop the 'acting' prefix, the two acting group leaders' resumes would gain a significant boost.

Whether they continue serving in the Legion or are transferred back home, it will still be helpful.

Thus, facing the official group leaders Lin Ke, the two acting group leaders teamed up in tacit understanding and stirred up a wave of public opinion against Lin Ke.

They said he neglects his duties, ignoring proper pharmaceutical research and formulation, running off to study fairies;

they said he lacks responsibility, participating in a secondment that could have been refused at the crucial moment when the Pharmacy Department was restarting operations.

Part fact, part exaggeration, part distortion.

In short, the goal is simply to force Lin Ke to voluntarily resign.

After a good night's sleep, he woke up refreshed and clear-headed.

After tidying up briefly, Lin Ke went to see Old Man Mo Fei to report.

As he passed by the many offices in the office area, rumors and gossip kept sneaking into his ears.

After a moment's thought, Lin Ke understood the dirty motives hidden behind those rumors.

Heh heh…

Lin Ke gave a cold snort and knocked on the door of Mofei Laotou's office.

"Come in!"

Mofei Laotou's voice was always full of vigor.

Pushing into the department head's office, Lin Ke didn't waste words; after a polite greeting, he said directly, "I want to resign from my positions as head of the Potion R&D Group and the Potion Refining Group, so I can focus on my research."

Originally, Lin Ke had thought that if the people transferred from the Medical Department performed well, he wouldn't mind adding one or two more names to the upcoming heavyweight "papers".

Now, heh heh, I'm not playing with you guys anymore.

You guys go play your scheming and infighting.

Tch, disgusting.

"Mmm…"

Mofei Laotou pondered for a moment, sensed Lin Ke's resolve, saw no need to dissuade him, nodded and agreed, "Sure. Stay out of trouble, focus on your research—that's good."

Speaking, Mofei Laotou changed tack: "Simply put, I'll set up another research group, with you as its head."

"Sure."

Lin Ke accepted the appointment.

That way, he could escape the mire of the Potion R&D Group and the Potion Refining Group.

With his own independent group, shutting the door, retreating to the small building to form a unified whole, he could keep to himself.

Many nonsense matters would no longer involve him.

The two had settled their plan and immediately took action.

The office space was ready, the fully equipped laboratory was also ready; Lin Ke could move in with just his bag.

As for the administrative procedures, Mofei Laotou would handle them.

In the newly inaugurated research group's laboratory, Lin Ke familiarized himself with the facilities and equipment, then began wrapping up the work on his two research projects.

First, he submitted a special research application to the Frontline Command.

While waiting for the application approval and the experimental materials to arrive, Lin Ke didn't waste time; he began organizing the experimental data he had previously obtained and outlining several "papers".

Just as Lin Ke was immersed in his research, the Potion Department kicked up another storm.

Lin Ke was relieved of his posts as head of the Potion R&D Group and the Potion Refining Group, and appointed head of the newly established research group.

This personnel adjustment was not unexpected for many.

No matter how you say it, Lin Ke counts as a great contributor to the Potion Department.

The Potion Department's ability to clear out dregs, rectify its atmosphere, and restart operations is closely tied to him.

Even if, due to public opinion, he had to relinquish the two group headships, giving him other compensation would be entirely appropriate.

No one could object to Lin Ke's new appointment.

However, the choices for the new heads of the Potion R&D Group and the Potion Refining Group truly surprised many.

It wasn't the two acting group leaders who had been jumping about, stirring up public opinion against Lin Ke with considerable scheming and ability; instead, after arriving at the Potion Department, they kept their heads down, worked diligently, and caused no trouble.

Even Mofei Laotou pulled a move to cut off the source.

He directly sent the two acting group heads back to the Medical Department!

The reason given was that they were not united with colleagues, practiced isolationism, and caused division.

This move was truly vicious, striking straight at the soft spot of the two acting group heads.

They could be said to have lost both their wife and their troops.

Not only did they fail to secure a group head position, but they also ruined the résumé they valued most.

Returning to the Medical Department in disgrace, they would also face cold stares and ridicule.

Given this situation, how could they just let it go?

The two still wanted to cause trouble.

Mofei Laotou wouldn't indulge them; he directly ordered people to drag them out like trash and throw them out of the Potion Department's gate.

He also issued a harsh warning: if they dared to step into the Potion Department again, he would break their legs!

After experiencing this, everyone in the Potion Department, old and new alike, came to understand Lin Ke's standing.

Lin Ke is neither deaf nor blind, so he naturally hears and sees everything Mofei Laotou does.

He felt grateful in his heart, then received a batch of experimental materials sent after the Frontline Command swiftly approved his application.

This even included a portion of the Fairy King's shattered flesh.

The research began, continuing nonstop for three days and three nights.

The workload was intense, and the harvest was extremely abundant.

During those days when the Fairy King Lin was wandering about, simulating experiments in his mind to pass the boring monotony was still quite useful.

This to some extent increased Lin Ke's research efficiency this time.

Having completed all experimental items and obtained all the data, Lin Ke didn't keep grinding; he chose to take an intermission to refresh his mind.

He didn't even go back to the dormitory; instead, in the lab he took a shower and slept soundly for a night.

After waking up, Lin Ke pressed on and wrote three "papers" in succession.

The main contents were respectively: a comprehensive analysis of fairies (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry); the essence of fairies' innate abilities (soul, body); and the principles, flaws, and refinements of the biochemical modification and enhancement plan for boosting fairies' innate abilities.

Besides these three "papers", Lin Ke also had in hand a very hardcore achievement.

In the process of perfecting the biochemical modification and enhancement plan for boosting fairies' innate abilities, Lin Ke continually pondered how to transplant this approach and scheme onto wizards.

Come to think of it, Lin Ke was also inspired by Selin the Witch's experiment to enhance wizards' qualifications.

He also had to thank the first mutant fairy corpse he dissected, as well as Luo Ken, who is a body-refining witch.

They let Lin Ke more intuitively understand the positive and negative effects of bio-modification and enhancement.

Lin Ke's hardcore achievement is a set of potions.

One can choose targeted enhancement or all-around enhancement, which affects the physical qualities of the witch receiving the modification and enhancement.

Targeted enhancement means selecting, among strength, endurance, impact resistance, speed, agility, reaction, and physique, the points one needs or is weak in, and performing a single-item or multi-item enhancement of up to four items.

All-around enhancement means exactly that: compared to targeted enhancement, it is more comprehensive and balanced, but the degree of enhancement is slightly less.

It's rare to have a perfect solution that gives both.

Where there is gain, there is loss.

In fact, the initial version of this hardcore achievement is much stronger than the final version.

It not only enhances physical qualities but also elevates soul talent.

All together, it means an all-around improvement of a witch's qualifications.

This is an effect that even Serin Witch's experiment could not achieve.

The reason the initial version was not adopted was that they actively 'castrated' it, resulting in a weakened final version.

It is because the fairy king's damaged body and intact soul present an opposing phenomenon that made Lin Ke realize his current understanding of the soul is not comprehensive or deep enough.

So, for safety, Lin Ke made a clean cut.

Anything related to the soul is cut off entirely, even if it reduces the extent of enhancement, without hesitation.

Once our understanding of the soul improves later, we can revert it; it's not too late.

After organizing the three papers and his hardcore achievement, Lin Ke left the laboratory where he had been in seclusion for several days, walked past the somewhat strange looks of the crowd, and went to the minister's office.

The door was open; Lin Ke knocked and walked straight in.

"Yo, you actually came out."

Old Man Mo Fei was obviously in a good mood; he unusually threw in some sarcasm, teasing Lin Ke as soon as they met.

Lin Ke smiled, ignored the teasing, and simply said, "Please sign your name."

Saying this, Lin Ke handed over the smart brain.

On the screen, the three papers were displayed side by side, with the corresponding author filled in as Old Man Mo Fei's name.

As long as he signs, Old Man Mo Fei is equivalent to sitting in the office and earning credits for free.

"Oh, that's somewhat interesting."

Old Man Mo Fei stretched out a finger, swiped on the smart brain screen, and browsed the paper's content.

The further he read, the more his originally casual attitude turned solemn and serious.

After reading the three papers, Old Man Mo Fei no longer had the mind to tease Lin Ke; he lifted his head, stared at Lin Ke like looking at a monster, and asked in a daze, "Is this your achievement from these few days?"

"No."

Lin Ke shook his head: "Not just these few days; it also includes my research before being seconded, as well as the experiments during the operation."

Upon hearing this, Old Man Mo Fei's face showed an extremely strange expression.

He spoke with a tone of contempt: "You figure it out yourself—how long has it been since you were conscripted?"

"Uh..."

Lin Ke froze for a moment, realizing he had just sounded a bit like he was bragging.

Having experienced many things, he always felt that time had passed a long while.

In fact, counting everything, Lin Ke joined the Paro Sage Legion after being conscripted, and it's still less than a month and a half.

It seems, perhaps, that the speed of presenting his research results has increased a bit.

The research results he presented have also become a bit more weighty.

"That's not important."

Lin Ke waved his hand, changed the subject, and said, "Just tell me whether you'll sign or not."

"Sign!"

Old Man Mo Fei said firmly, "Why not sign? After signing, I'll arrange the publication, so you won't have to worry."

"Hmm."

Lin Ke nodded in agreement.

Even while stationed on the Myriad Heavens frontline battlefield, one can still publish papers.

However, with Old Man Mo Fei handling it, one can save some face and speed up the review process.

The second author of these three papers is Asande Conte, which is Lin Ke's way of returning the favor for his care.

As for the hardcore achievement, he will not share it with Old Man Mo Fei and Asande.

Returning to the dormitory, Lin Ke contacted Serin Witch and sent over the relevant information about his hardcore achievement.

Not long after, Serin Witch, having studied Lin Ke's idea, general plan, and corresponding data, sent a video communication request.

Cross-border video communication is extremely costly.

Obviously, Serin Witch places great importance on Lin Ke's hardcore achievement.

Lin Ke answered the video communication.

Serin Witch's charmingly beautiful face appeared on the screen, she lightly bit her lip, and her expression was somewhat embarrassed.

She knows the request she is about to make is somewhat excessive.

But this achievement is truly perfect for it.

It's practically tailor-made.

After a moment, Serin Witch made up her mind and said, "Lin Ke, can this achievement be given to Luo Ken for a trial?"

"Sure."

Lin Ke smiled radiantly, agreed, but also put forward a condition,

"Let him beg me."

What? Sha Ren also wants pig heart?