Chapter 213: 219. Chapter 219 Snake Man

219. Chapter 219 Snake Man

"Mo Li, entertain Christina a bit."

When inspiration struck, Lin Ke forgot about politeness and formalities.

Believing Christina would not only not be offended, but would also understand his actions.

She came to Lin Ke seeking a solution; why would she bother with pointless pleasantries?

Sure enough, Christina immediately left the underground level-three biochemical lab with Mo Li, without the slightest reluctance.

Lin Ke continued to carefully read the biochemical modification data Christina brought, occasionally pulling up data to compare with the numerous dissection and live‑experiment data he had gathered in the Fairy World.

He sought both common points and differences.

Regarding the Shadow Devil Snake data, he didn't just look at Shadow City's records; he also queried the Ruveosith Academy's records via his Portable Smart Brain.

Comparing the two, he did not favor one over the other.

After reviewing all the data, Lin Ke had a rough understanding of the cross‑species gene transplant that Christina had undergone.

Lin Ke pondered, then listed three high‑priority research projects:

First, fetal preservation.

According to Christina, the fetus in her womb is already three months old, so at the genetic level a clash between human and Shadow Devil Snake genes is highly likely.

Morphological mutation and deformity would be considered favorable outcomes.

The most severe outcome would be direct genetic collapse, resulting in fetal death in utero.

Christina's demands are: first, preserve the fetus's life so she can be born normally; second, keep her human form as much as possible rather than becoming deformed; third, maximize her witch aptitude.

This aspect is still very difficult.

Lin Ke found it quite thorny.

Second, he needed to fully grasp Shadow City's biochemical modification approach, especially the cross‑species gene transplant aspect.

For some reason, looking at the related research data on this point, Lin Ke felt it resembled the biochemical modification and enhancement scheme the Fairy King obtained from the Abyssal Demon.

If he could uncover a concrete connection, that would be even better.

Lastly, he could use this research to polish and improve the efficacy of the "Fairy" potion, drawing on outside expertise.

Of course, the conventional route of cultivating the direct line must be followed.

This is the core of the core.

Just as Paro Sage painstakingly ran the Newblood Mutual Aid Society for decades, only then could he assemble a core team at the Third‑rank Witch stage.

After advancing to Sage, he could lead the direct line to take command of the miscellaneous regiment assigned by the Academy, achieving substantive control.

The unconventional path of cultivating enforcers must not be abandoned either.

Those five thugs loitering in the West District are an example.

Although they haven't seen much use yet, as free‑roaming eyes and ears for the Grand Pharmacy, they still provide some help.

At least in gathering the movements of West District factions and the flow of goods in the black market, they can relay information promptly.

When Lin Ke saw the academy's latest compensation model, the Hummingbird‑class starship, a premonition arose:

He would not remain at peace for long; soon he would go to the frontline battlefield to wage war across the heavens.

Therefore, he must prepare early.

When the time is right, he can directly rush‑train a batch of enforcers and cannon fodder to tackle tough obstacles.

After listing the three major research projects, Lin Ke decided to tackle them one by one, starting with fetal preservation.

After thinking, he considered that Selin Witch might be interested in these studies; she is knowledgeable and experienced, so he sent her an invitation.

Selin Witch soon arrived at Lin Ke's North District villa.

Entering the castle, she gestured for the rising Mo Li to skip the reception and headed straight to the underground level‑three biochemical lab.

"Where are the data? Let me take a look."

After putting on protective gear and entering the lab, Selin Witch immediately spoke.

From her demeanor and manner, it was clear she was genuinely interested in Shadow City's biochemical research direction.

Maintaining vigorous curiosity and the pursuit of fresh knowledge is a major secret to a witch's continual progress.

To pursue truth means constantly learning, researching, and experimenting, then transforming the results into one's own power.

"Here."

Lin Ke raised his hand in greeting, then called up all the data, arranged them in order, and projected them as a hologram.

To make it easy for Selin Witch to view.

"Hmm…"

Selin Witch crossed her left arm over her chest, rested her right elbow on her left palm, and unconsciously tapped her right index finger against her cheek dimple as she pondered the detailed data.

After a while, Selin Witch said:

"That's the typical Shadow City approach to cross‑species transplantation and hybridization."

"But it's rather crude; the researchers' knowledge and abilities are lacking, leaving many gaps."

"If live experiments are carried out at this level, the subjects will surely develop numerous problems."

"Your fellow countryman didn't die on the experimental table—what luck! He even gained benefits."

"Not only did it boost his witch aptitude, but by a fortunate coincidence he also acquired the Shadow Devil Snake's racial abilities."

"It's… incredibly fortunate."

"This case is interesting and worth in‑depth study."

After a pause, Selin Witch asked: "Your fellow countryman, would you mind submitting to a full examination, including the soul?"

Lin Ke replied: "As long as her problem is solved, she doesn't mind these checks. However…"

Shifting gears, Lin Ke said seriously: "She's already provided a flesh‑and‑blood sample; let's start here, and if a clear need arises later we can do targeted checks."

"That works."

Selin Witch agreed directly.

For a formal witch, the soul is paramount; one dare not lightly harm it, nor dare to fully expose it.

Once someone with ulterior motives learns the specific details of the soul, using a medium to curse them to death, dying mysteriously, would it not be utterly pathetic?

So Mo Li accepts a check-up once a week, from flesh to soul, covering every aspect without avoidance, revealing every detail without concealment, truly a great trust in Lin Ke.

The only downside is that before each check-up, she always blushes and fidgets for a while, wasting time. ┑(￣Д￣)┍

Selin Witch's knowledge reserves are obviously beyond what Lin Ke can currently match.

After just one look, she almost fully grasped the essence of the Shadow City bio-modification plan.

Soon she began to operate proficiently, conducting various tests and examinations on Christina's flesh-and-blood sample.

And Lin Ke still had many points of confusion; he took this opportunity to ask them one by one.

Selin Witch didn't mind the trouble, explaining while operating.

An entire morning passed in the midst of continuous testing and answering questions.

Until Mo Li came down and called the two upstairs to eat, only then did they temporarily stop.

Selin Witch is also a heavy lover of gourmet food.

Even at the third-rank witch stage, where one can survive without eating, she still maintains the habit of three meals a day, even four.

She especially likes to leisurely drink a cup of hot beverage in the morning before starting work.

Lin Ke disliked wasting time on washing up; after becoming a formal witch, he immediately learned the magical technique to cleanse himself.

Yet when it comes to food, he never treats himself harshly.

Even from the moment he moved into the academy lakeside villa, he gave the intelligent butler Hamid many food descriptions, letting him ponder recipes.

Through constant iteration, the intelligent butler Hamid has taken Lin Ke's descriptions, combined them with various local culinary schools, and launched a unique and delicious entirely new cuisine.

Selin Witch has dined several times at the academy lakeside villa, leaving a deep impression.

Today she is also full of anticipation, wanting to see what novel dishes will be served.

The result did not disappoint Selin Witch either. From the appetizer to the soup, side dishes, main course, and then to salad, dessert, and hot drinks, every item was a carefully prepared delicacy.

Presented in a French-course order more suited to Selin Witch's dining habits, it combined classic Western dishes from a past life with the characteristics of the West Coast cuisine of the contemporary witch world, resulting in a creative fusion dish.

Host and guest enjoyed the meal thoroughly.

Selin Witch was especially pleased with the hot beverage.

"When will your tea beverage series be researched and ready for market? I need to stock up on some."

After the meal, while taking a brief rest, Selin Witch suddenly asked.

"Soon, soon."

Lin Ke also found this quite troubling; a suitable substitute for tea leaves is really hard to find, severely delaying the development of the tea beverage series.

"As soon as possible."

Selin Witch then urged the pace again, and afterwards asked, "How do you plan your time for the next few years? Stay domestically to develop steadily, or seek another path, go to the frontline battlefield to make your mark? After Kodí Witch completes his promotion, he may conscript you into his legion."

Lin Ke knew that Selin Witch was asking this on behalf of Paro Sage.

Once Kodí Witch successfully promotes to sage, the previously closely united Kodí Witch—Paro Sage faction will definitely split into two factions.

Although their relationship will not turn sour, and may even continue close cooperation.

However, regarding personnel allocation, there will definitely be wrangling.

Manpower is not lacking; one can always recruit enough numbers, but what is lacking is talent capable of shouldering responsibility independently!

Biochemical research, potion development, personal combat strength, team training and command—Linke Grand excels in all aspects, and is naturally a must-recruit target.

Without any hesitation, Lin Ke immediately declared: "I will respond to Paro Sage's summons at any time."

One must make a choice; regarding the unfamiliar Kodí Witch, Lin Ke naturally chose to follow Paro Sage.

Wavering left and right, switching jobs midway—none of that is good.

What is needed is a firm stance.

"Hmm."

Selin Witch nodded, said nothing more on the topic, and voluntarily got up to head to the third-level underground biochemical lab.

Lin Ke immediately followed.

The two stayed in the lab for another afternoon, until all possible tests and examinations were completed and results obtained, only then did they stop their busyness.

After viewing all the test and examination results, Selin Witch said in an unhappy tone:

"Wanting to keep your fellow townsman's fetus in human form is simple—just remove the shadow demon serpent gene."

"This also eliminates the risk of genetic collapse, allowing smooth delivery."

"But wanting to maintain human form while also having a relatively high witch aptitude is not simple."

"Your fellow townsman herself has low witch aptitude; purely inheriting her genes, the fetus's witch aptitude, even if affected somewhat by the shadow demon serpent gene and gaining some shadow affinity, is still not high."

Lin Ke listened to Selin Witch's judgment, looking at the messy data of various test results, and a flash of inspiration struck him.

He thought of the good neighbor of New York people, the talkative Spider-Man.

He fully activated the Brain Seal Technique, putting himself into an extremely rational, indifferent, and unfeeling state.

Then he triggered the 'multithreaded thinking' state, becoming a human-shaped supercomputer.

He began to consider the feasibility of that flash of inspiration.

After a moment, Lin Ke said: "Selin Witch, if we separate the fetus's soul and body, keeping the soul purely human and cutting off the beastly influence of the shadow demon serpent; while the body is divided into shell and core, with the shell being humanoid and the core being the shadow demon serpent. Is this feasible?"

Upon hearing this, Selin Witch's expression shifted slightly; after pondering, she replied: "Feasible it is, but during subsequent development, the nature represented by the shadow demon serpent's racial abilities will still affect the fetus's soul. In that case, wouldn't all the foregoing be pointless?"

She paused, then emphasized: "A humanoid shadow demon serpent is no different from a serpentine human!"

Lin Ke did not immediately answer Selin Witch's words, but instead began operating on the office smartbrain.

He pulled up all his research records from the fairy world, pulled up the development records for each version of the "fairy" potion, and projected them one by one.

After Selin Witch finished reading these materials, Lin Ke explained:

"Treat the Shadow Demon Snake's racial ability as a fairy's innate talent, through the potion's transformation, fuse it into the flesh, making it an innate talent of the flesh, not a soul‑level witch‑like ability."

"That way, it should minimize the impact on the soul as much as possible."

"If done correctly, it can also provide a certain strengthening."

"Interspecies hybridization?"

"Interspecies hybridization."

"Autograft?"

"Autograft."

Selin Witch and Lin Ke exchanged dialogue twice, then fell into contemplation.

"Have to say, Lin Ke's brainwave is rather novel and also logical."

"If we refine this idea a bit and handle all the details properly, it might actually work."

"The only problem is……"

Selin Witch voiced her concern: "Doing this would greatly increase the chance of fetal abortion, possibly even resulting in a stillbirth!"

"That's true."

Lin Ke had to admit this.

"How to put it?"

"Even a small bull pulling a large cart cannot compare to the strength disparity between the fetal soul and the strengthened body."

"Perhaps it can be seen as using a second‑generation aircraft's avionics to control a sixth‑generation one."

"Never mind soaring the skies; just getting started would cause major problems."

"I actually have an immature idea."

Selin Witch then spoke up again, her tone not firm: "Could we learn from the mechanist witch's cultivation method, separating the soul and body for nurturing, just taking care not to sever their connection, so the flesh doesn't give birth to a non‑soul‑type sentience?"

Lin Ke listened and found it very reasonable.

"The so‑called mechanist witch, according to Lin Ke's understanding, is a cyberpunk witch with frail flesh pursuing mechanical ascension."

"They mainly study soul and alchemy, first gradually transplanting mechanical limbs and organs of various functions, replacing the original flesh,"

"then constantly iterating and upgrading until finally only a pure human soul remains, while the body has been entirely replaced by a mechanical form fully under the soul's control."

"Moreover, mechanist witches have a natural advantage in controlling intelligent machinery and intelligent puppets."

"A powerful mechanist witch is an army by oneself."

"The combat style of mechanist witches has always been gang fights."

"The witch world's history records that there once was a sixth‑level sage mechanist witch who single‑handedly wiped out the undead legion dubbed a heavenly calamity."

"What Selin Witch meant by borrowing the mechanist witch's cultivation method is actually to regard the fetus's strengthened body as an intelligent puppet."

Lin Ke roughly thought it and found it completely feasible.

"But doing it this way, I don't know whether Christina can accept it."

"Speculation is useless, so Lin Ke immediately called Christina down and fully explained the problem, the proposed solution, and the risks involved."

After hearing this, Christina fell into contemplation.

"The risk certainly exists, and it is great."

"But what in the world is guaranteed to succeed?"

"As long as the expected payoff is sufficient."

"We should still take the gamble."

"Just like when she once risked her life, taking advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness, she transformed into a Shadow Demon Snake and swallowed the foe in one gulp, narrowly completing her revenge."

"A snake‑shaped black smoke appeared, outlining the characters."

"Let's do it that way. Whatever I need to do, I'll fully cooperate."

"Give it our all!"