Chapter 216: with translation of chapter title

Title: "222. Chapter 222 Special Conscription, Strange Acquaintance" – includes chapter number, not an entity.

"The tea drinks sell well, as expected."

"Although the sales unit is only a standard first-grade Magic Stone, it brings steady, long-term income."

"Even if other pharmacy shops follow suit, they also launch their own 'tea drinks', 'milk drinks', or 'fruit drinks'."

"As long as Grand Pharmacy doesn't court disaster, it can keep the business going despite disgusting customers."

Thus entity: Grand Pharmacy.

"Just launch a few new styles and flavors every month or every two months."

"Maintain freshness, retain old customers, and develop new customers."

"Magic Stone keeps pouring in naturally."

"Lin Ke summarized all the data from the tea drink development process, gave it to Mo Li and the members of 'Do Whatever You Want' who are interested in pharmacy and indeed have some talent, for them to study."

"The subsequent development work of the tea drink series was then handed over to them."

"With such a good start, subsequent operations are really easy, not difficult at all."

"Lin Ke, on the advice of Se Lin Witch, set aside his miscellaneous tasks and focused on perfecting the combat system."

"Every day he also specially set aside time to pilot the Hummingbird-class starship from the spaceport, heading into outer space to adapt to the starship's operations."

"The academy never does meaningless things."

"Since they gave Lin Ke a starship, there will be times to use it."

"Learn it well in advance, so you won't fumble when you need to use it."

"Be prepared, and there will be no worries."

"Mo Li urged Lin Ke to give the starship a nice name; after careful thought, Lin Ke decided to name it 'Heavenly Shuttle'."

"It both matches the streamlined, shuttle-shaped exterior of the starship and fits its spacefaring function."

"Simple and pleasant to hear, easy to say."

"For two consecutive weeks, Lin Ke piloted the Heavenly Shuttle every evening, soaring through outer space of the Witch World."

"Magic Stone burned wildly, but the gains were also huge."

"Just familiarizing oneself with the various operations of the starship Heavenly Shuttle—navigation, stealth, combat—is enough to recoup

Simply learning to operate the starship Heavenly Shuttle—its navigation, stealth, and combat—is already worth the magic stones.

Besides, Lin Ke can even gaze down on the Witch World mainland from outer space.

After visiting the Special Ruins World, Lin Ke came to a realization:

The Witch World mainland and Lin Ke's previous Earth are actually parallel worlds.

Previously, when stargazing, Lin Ke had no thoughts of connection.

Only when he took the answer to seek clues did he notice some similarities.

Besides, it's really just a slight similarity.

The similarity is so slight that without the answer, it's almost impossible to detect.

The Witch World mainland should originally have been the third planet of the Milky Way's Orion Arm Solar System, just like his previous Earth.

Yet there is no sign of this in today's star patterns, and there is a reason.

The Witch World's civilization was highly advanced; at its peak, not only the Orion Arm but the witches' footprints spread across the entire Milky Way.

In the narrow sense, the Witch World refers to the mainland.

In the broad sense, the Witch World is the collective of numerous star systems governed and affiliated with the mainland.

It was merely a colossal war between the Witch World and the World of Gods that ruled another barred spiral galaxy, causing the mainland and many star systems of both sides to shatter and reorganize, resulting in many differences in the star patterns.

Lin Ke piloted the Heavenly Shuttle, soaring in outer space above the Witch World mainland, gazing down at a similarly blue-hued mainland about the size of his previous life's Saturn.

Aside from the color, there is really no trace of his previous Earth.

The difference is truly enormous.

That day, Lin Ke burned a handful of magic stones again and took a stroll through outer space.

Returning to the North District Villa, before he could even sit down to rest, he received a special notice from the Academy.

A newly formed micro legion at the Academy Headquarters issued a conscription to Lin Ke.

The boot that had been hanging in the air for a long time finally landed.

While Lin Ke breathed a sigh of relief, he also felt many doubts.

He immediately pulled out his Portable Smart Brain and sent a video call request to Se Lin Witch.

The video call connected quickly.

Lin Ke didn't delay, saying directly: "Se Lin Witch, a micro legion at the Academy Headquarters has conscripted me as a biochemical researcher; the legion commander's role is special—I have no choice but to answer the call."

"How is it special?"

Seeing Lin Ke speak so seriously, Se Lin Witch couldn't help but take it seriously.

"She is the daughter of the designer and builder of the main tower of Ruowu Suosi Cheng."

Lin Ke did not directly say the name, but instead used a roundabout reference.

Who designed and oversaw the construction of the main tower of the Intelligent Management Center in Ruowu Suosi Cheng?

She is the only granddaughter of Ruowo Grand Sage and Suosi Grand Sage! (Volume 1, Chapter 69)

Therefore, the one who conscripted Lin Ke this time is a true big shot within the Ruowu Suosi Special Zone, and she is the great-granddaughter of Ruowo Grand Sage and Suosi Grand Sage.

Lin Ke had never had any contact with that person, yet he received their conscription; there must be some other reason behind it.

There must be something Lin Ke completely doesn't understand.

Upon hearing this, Se Lin Witch furrowed her brows slightly.

She also couldn't figure out the reason.

Not only Lin Ke, but even she, as well as Paro Sage who had become a sage, and Kedi Witch who was about to become a sage, had never had any contact with that person.

Not to mention Lin Ke; even she, the Paro Sage who has already been promoted, and the Kedi Witch who is about to be promoted, have never interacted with each other.

Since the academy last 'compensated' an interstellar battleship to Lin Ke, Sen Lin Witch inferred that the academy's higher-ups have other arrangements for Lin Ke.

But I never expected it to be such a bizarre arrangement.

This conscription is truly strange, leaving her puzzled.

After thinking for a while, Witch Selin could only say: "On this matter, I can't give any advice; I can only say, choose your words carefully and act prudently, don't easily offend people."

She paused, then Witch Selin emphasized:

"The interpersonal relations at the main campus are completely different from those of the local area."

"What Leonel family, what Lucia family—before the great clans that can truly take root in the main campus, they amount to nothing."

"As the great-granddaughter of two deans, even the tiniest unit under her command will inevitably have members of the main campus's great clans serving in it."

"Once you go there, you must restrain your temper a bit and be more amiable toward others."

"Even if you face some suppression, as long as it's not excessive, endure if you can; don't hold a grudge."

Lin Ke nodded with a solemn expression.

He thought the same—one must not lose the big picture over small gains.

A gentleman is like a dragon, capable of bending and stretching.

"Alright, prepare well and go; I'll let Paro know."

Witch Selin's brows bore worry as she said: "He had been thinking a few days ago about summoning you to oversee the enhancement project in the Fairy World. Bolo Salosal is simply inadequate; even copying the answers, he does it poorly."

Lin Ke pretended not to hear Witch Selin's complaints and waited silently for her to end the call.

"All the data and research records of the Ascendance elixir, he handed over completely, holding nothing back."

But how to put it?

Just as having blueprints doesn't guarantee you can build an aircraft carrier, large-scale biochemical modification and enhancement aren't easily launched, and doing so without flaws is even harder.

Given the talent and level of those in the frontline medical department, problems are inevitable.

Unless Witch Selin sets aside her current tasks and rushes to support, the large-scale biochemical modification and enhancement cannot proceed smoothly.

In the research field, a good leader's weight and impact are just that great.

Gathering his scattered thoughts, Lin Ke pondered for a moment, operated on the smartbrain, and responded to this conscription.

Soon he received the coordinate information.

Mo Li walked into the study, sat quietly opposite Lin Ke, and remained silent.

After a long while, Mo Li softly said: "I'll look after Grand Pharmacy and the 'do whatever you want' for you; feel free to be out there, I've got the rear covered."

By this moment, Mo Li finally understood Witch Selin's conflicted feelings.

She wanted to rush to the frontline battlefield to fight side by side with her beloved, yet she couldn't let go of the rear, fearing her beloved's base would be ambushed and lose supplies.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, she could only make a reluctant choice. "Don't worry, it's not anything bad."

Lin Ke grinned and reassured, "Perhaps I've long been favored by the academy's higher-ups; this time maybe just letting me gild my résumé."

"Just coax me."

With a smack, Mo Li swatted away Lin Ke's hand that was rubbing her head and snorted, "Anyway, you need to stay safe out there and not fool around. One Airis is already enough trouble."

"How did Airis provoke you? Between her and me, it's completely innocent."

Lin Ke first asked puzzledly, then seeing Mo Li's expression, hurriedly cleared his name and gave an explanation.

"You still want to be unclear?!"

Mo Li's eyes widened upon hearing that, and anger welled up.

She sprang to her feet, lunged at Lin Ke, lowered her head, opened her mouth, and bit his shoulder.

She bit down hard, refusing to let go.

Only after leaving a deep tooth mark did she release her grip.

She just lay there in Lin Ke's arms, her head resting on his shoulder, releasing her weight, unwilling to rise.

Time drifted slowly.

The moon rose high; it was already deep night.

Only then, blushing, Mo Li climbed off Lin Ke, gave his face a firm kiss, and returned to her room.

Fortunately, Lin Ke's physique was good; holding that pose for so long caused no numbness or pain and didn't affect his movement.

That night, Lin Ke unusually suffered a bout of insomnia.

The next morning, without specially calling Mo Li, Lin Ke drove off in his Phantom Coupe from the villa.

On the second floor, Mo Li stood by the bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window, seeing Lin Ke off.

She remained motionless for a long time.

Once again she came to the interworld transfer gate.

Lin Ke, according to the coordinate information obtained after responding to the conscription order, communicated with the tower spirit, set the transfer coordinates, and stepped into the light gate.

The familiar feeling of spacetime dislocation came and then faded.

After Lin Ke, staying alert, steadied himself, he tilted his head and dodged a cold arrow's sneak attack.

Frandol and the Era triggered Lin Ke's innate witchcraft 'Battle Armor'—the 'Wind Shadow' version, which has the strongest dodging ability.

A gentle gust of wind lifted Lin Ke's body, moving at a deceptively slow but actually swift speed toward the sky.

To avoid the impending arrow barrage.

"Enough."

A soft rebuke rang out.

The sky‑covering arrow rain halted mid‑air.

Lin Ke's upward momentum was also interrupted, and he began to fall involuntarily.

After sensing the strength of the binding and guidance, Lin Ke felt he could break free, yet he did not try.

As a newcomer, receiving a show of force is quite normal.

Moreover, the opponent had no killing intent, using zero-ring magic; not only was the firing speed slow, but they also weren't aiming for vital points.

The attacker hidden in the dark and the person who shouted to stop revealed their figures, coming before Lin Ke, who stood silently on the teleportation platform.

Both were witches, and one of them was an acquaintance of Lin Ke, Lan Ni. Tai Le.

It was she who had just taken advantage of Lin Ke's inattention to launch a sudden attack.

The other witch was someone Lin Ke had never seen before.

But judging from the sensed threat level, she was a senior second-circle witch not inferior to A Sang De.

Lin Ke, exerting his full effort, might perhaps escape with his life from the opponent's hands, but to inflict damage on the opponent would be somewhat beyond his ability.

"Hello, I am Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De, the one who issued your summoning order."

The unfamiliar witch spoke up voluntarily, introducing herself.

Her tone and demeanor were quite affable, not like someone accustomed to being high and mighty.

Lin Ke heard this and was slightly startled.

This person before him was actually the great-granddaughter of the Great Sage Rui Wo and the Great Sage Si Si.

The Regiment Commander of the Micro Legion!

It truly surprised him that she personally came to pick him up.

When did I, Linke Grand, become this important?

His thoughts were many and varied inside, yet his outward response was appropriate.

Lin Ke did not become presumptuous because of Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De's affability; he spoke in a stern tone and expression: "Reporting, Regiment Commander, Linke Grand has arrived for duty."

"It's not necessary to be so stern."

Shan Duo La waved her hand and smiled: "You don't need to call me Regiment Commander; just call me Di Ao Man De witch or Shan Duo La witch."

"Yes, Di Ao Man De witch."

Lin Ke answered immediately.

Not as solemn as before, yet he remained respectful.

The status difference left him no choice.

Shan Duo La perhaps had seen many like Lin Ke; because of her private status, she was attentive everywhere and dared not overstep, but she didn't take it to heart.

She herself said: "Just now Lan Ni. Tai Le played a joke on you; I hope you don't take it too seriously. Speaking of which, my summoning of you is also closely related to Lan Ni. Tai Le."

After a pause, Shan Duo La's tone grew a bit stronger: "I'm quite curious—Linke Grand, who can suppress that rare five-circle upper-aptitude genius Lan Ni. Tai Le everywhere, what kind of person are you really? I looked up your file and found you indeed are a remarkable person. Lan Ni. Tai Le's loss is not unjust."

Lin Ke heard this and remained silent.

What could he say?

He couldn't say anything good; it was better to just listen quietly.

Shan Duo La continued: "This time I've organized a micro legion; there is no sage-level witch leading it, and the personnel composition is simple—12 people. Eight handle reconnaissance and combat, two handle logistics and medical, two handle research. Your main task is research in the biochemical field."

Speaking, Shan Duo La turned and walked toward a flashy sports-car-style transport vehicle below the platform.

Her words detailing the mission's particulars also did not cease.

"The team has already assembled; we'll rest today and depart tomorrow, targeting a bug-world that has undergone mutation. Our main task is to investigate that bug-world's ecological structure and the cause of the mutation. Your responsibility is to find that cause."

By then, the three had already walked to the side of the sports car.

Lin Ke glanced and saw the car was two-seated; he immediately pulled out his own "Phantom Coupe".

"Not a bad vehicle."

Shan Duo La glanced, gave a light compliment, then changed tone: "I used to have a similar one too, but I forgot where I put it, and I haven't taken it out for a drive in a long time."

What an extravagant remark.

If Bo Luo. Sa Luo Sa Er heard that, they'd probably faint crying in the toilet, right?

Back when they gave this custom-made "Phantom" to Lin Ke, he felt the pinch for quite a while.

Lin Ke also sensed the disparity in rank.

The sports car sensed Shan Duo La's approach and automatically opened its scissor doors.

Shan Duo La and the silent Lan Ni. Tai Le each took the driver's and passenger's seats.

A roar sounded, and the sports car sped off.

Lin Ke kept close behind in his own "Phantom", which had been somewhat looked down upon.

Not long after, a makeshift camp arrived.

Along the way, Lin Ke finally had leisure to survey the surroundings.

Here, too, it was a rear base constructed on a barren world.

Such is the convention in the witch world's campaigns across the heavens.

Rear base, star fleet, forward outpost—layer upon layer of advance.

Before getting out of the car, looking at Lan Ni. Tai Le, who had a close relationship with Shan Duo La. Di Ao Man De, a question flashed through Lin Ke's mind.

Just what identity did Lan Ni. Tai Le have?