Chapter 240

247. Chapter 247 Life Is Like a Question, All Kinds of Choices

After leaving Selinn Wushi's North District Villa, it was already evening.

Lin Ke drove the Phantom Coupe back to his own villa, his mood complex.

He never expected that Selinn Wushi, who usually appeared calm and composed, would be thrown into utter disarray because the Paro Sage Legion was besieged by Abyssal Demons, losing all her usual poise and serenity.

One can only say that everyone has flaws; even those who claim their nature is cold-blooded and rational are no exception.

After all, the wizards of this Wizard World do not pursue utter indifference and heartlessness without principle.

The Transformation Period required for a Level 3 Wizard to advance to Sage demands genuine emotion and feeling, and resonance with the World Will—this is actually about preserving humanity.

Otherwise, under the impact of the vast and complex Rule Power, wizards would ultimately remain wizards, yet become like deities—carriers and puppets of Rule Power.

They might even forget, despise, or hate their own human origins.

Lin Ke believed that Selinn Wushi was simply overwrought with concern; upon hearing the news of the Paro Sage Legion's trouble, she instinctively thought of the worst possible outcome.

This caused her to feel anxious and panicked, her thoughts in disarray, unsure what to do.

After Lin Ke patiently comforted and soothed her for a long time, Selinn Wushi finally gathered her scattered emotions and gradually regained her composure.

The composed and serene Selinn Wushi reappeared, and with an extremely calm and peaceful demeanor, she formally took charge of all affairs concerning the Paro Sage lineage.

As an observer, Lin Ke witnessed the entire process of Selinn Wushi pulling things together, uniting people's hearts, and bringing the situation under control.

The direct lineage members stationed locally to handle the legion's logistics, after experiencing a brief panic of being leaderless, quickly rallied around Selinn Wushi and began working in an orderly manner.

Some checked supplies, some recovered Magic Stones, some gathered intelligence, some collected strategic resources...

Every direct lineage member was given a specific task assignment by Selinn Wushi.

In short, no one could idle away; everyone was busy preparing for the rescue of the Paro Sage Legion.

Regardless of whether this preparation would prove useful, they had to get busy.

Only by getting busy would they avoid idle speculation.

Only then would people's hearts not easily scatter.

"Tomorrow, send Mo Li to Selinn Wushi's side to study properly. Then, at a suitable time, send her to the Cultivation Secret Realm for Official Wizard level."

As he drove the car into his villa's gate, this thought popped into Lin Ke's mind.

Although Mo Li now manages "Do Whatever Is Free" quite well, her methods and means in all aspects still need further learning and improvement.

"Do Whatever Is Free" cannot stand still; it must strive to develop and grow.

This places high demands on the manager's management level.

Mo Li must constantly maintain progress.

"Lin Ke, how is Selinn Wushi?"

Mo Li, having hosted "Do Whatever Is Free" and just finished summarizing this competition's related matters, returned early to the villa.

_co

Aside from arranging for Butler Hamid to prepare some things, she hadn't gone anywhere, always sitting in the first-floor hall, staring intently at the door, waiting for Lin Ke to return.

"Pull yourself together, step forward, and take charge of affairs."

Lin Ke spoke truthfully: "Starting tomorrow, you will go to Selinn Wushi's side to run errands and assist; while helping, you will also learn her work methods and approaches—how about that?"

"Sure, no problem."

Mo Li instantly understood Lin Ke's meaning, didn't even think, and nodded in agreement.

"If you're willing, that's fine. Although saying this isn't ideal, this opportunity is indeed rare."

Lin Ke explained his reasoning for this arrangement: "Normally, if one wants to learn how to operate a mature organization or faction, such a good opportunity is hard to find."

"Hmm, I get it."

Mo Li nodded, then said, "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? I had Hamid prepare some snacks; would you like to eat some?"

"Okay."

Lin Ke didn't refuse, directly agreed, and followed Mo Li into the dining room.

Are we eating snacks?

It's actually a heartfelt gesture.

How could one let someone's careful preparation and anticipation go to waste?

"Oh right, the Academy sent you many precious resources as your reward for this."

The dining table—Lin Ke sat down, began eating the snacks, and Mo Li brought up another matter,

"When you weren't here, I handled the acceptance on your behalf; I'll give them to you after you finish the snacks. I checked, and the resources are divided into three parts: rewards for the Team Competition, Individual Competition, and for promptly capturing several Lucia."

"Hmm, no rush—eat first."

Lin Ke truly wasn't in a hurry to check the Academy's rewards as he slowly savored the soft, glutinous rice balls made to resemble sesame tangyuan.

Those resources were stored in Mo Li's necklace pendant, and they wouldn't grow wings and fly away.

After patiently eating every last soft glutinous ball in the bowl, Lin Ke and Mo Li came to the spacious warehouse.

The space here is very large, convenient for storing and retrieving large quantities of supplies.

Mo Li took out Lin Ke's Academy rewards one by one from her necklace pendant.

After a rough glance at the types of supplies, Lin Ke realized that, when meeting the Dean in person, using the "Small World" method again had proven useful.

The Academy's distributed resource rewards can all be used to nurture the "Small World."

Lin Ke also didn't hide it; in front of Mo Li, he fed box after box of precious resources into the "Small World."

"No wonder you're always shouting about being poor."

Watching the resources flow like water into the "Small World" being devoured, and seeing the empty boxes left in the warehouse, the little rich girl Mo Li couldn't help but mutter a complaint.

With the "Small World" having such an endless "appetite," when will it ever be full?

She suddenly felt like she was the small one, and the "Small World" was the true main house—an absurd sensation.

Lin Ke didn't treat her as generously as he did the "Small World."

"Where's Flandre? Call her out, let her sleep with me tonight."

Mo Li's right hand pinched Lin Ke's waist flesh out of nowhere, her posture saying she'd choke him if he didn't comply.

Lin Ke couldn't figure out why Mo Li's temper had changed so suddenly.

What could he do?

He could only summon Flandre, then watch Mo Li happily take Flandre's little hand and head upstairs to the bedroom.

He threw Lin Ke alone into the warehouse, ignoring him completely.

"Really, close then not yielding, far then resentful!"

With a sigh, Lin Ke continued feeding the "Small World."

After feeding the "Small World," he saw the progress of the third cultivation batch, which had been half done, suddenly fill up completely, even exceeding a bit.

Lin Ke thought, the academy was really generous this time.

If Lin Ke had to gather these resources himself, he'd need to work hard at the Grande Potion Shop for over a year.

During that time, he'd still need to maintain a pace of releasing one or two premium potions every one or two months to attract traffic.

But Lin Ke's performance absolutely deserved the academy's generosity.

Not to mention the massive slaughter in the team competition, after shaking the four directions, he single-handedly forced four wizard organizations to forfeit in the individual competition;

Simply by strongly pushing back the Mesopotada University leader, then capturing Lucia's group, leading three teams to block Mesopotada University's team, he gave the academy back enough dignity.

So the academy wouldn't lose face entirely because of the Lucia family's defection.

Thinking about the Lucia family's defection, Lin Ke felt it necessary to look into it.

Returning to the study, Lin Ke began browsing various forums, trying to find some gossip and official reports about the Lucia family's defection.

Perhaps family shame shouldn't be spread outside, the academy had completely blocked news on this matter.

On the forums, not even a trace of such information could be found.

Even those posts with vague wording, hinting at this matter, would be sealed the moment they were posted.

Through some means, Lin Ke entered the relevant forums of Mesopotada University.

He found here similarly no disclosure of such information.

It seems that Riverside Academy and Mesopotada University share the same stance and handling method on this matter—both are coldly processing it.

"Looks like I'll have to try other channels."

Thinking this, Lin Ke separately sent inquiry messages to Lanny. Tai Le and Tiffany Colonna.

His alliance with Lanny didn't end with the Zerg World mission.

The two maintained this understanding tacitly.

They were mutual support.

As for Tiffany, she had extorted a wave from the Mesopotada University leader, so she owed some favors.

Soon, Lanny and Tiffany's replies came one after another.

Lanny replied like this:

"Sandra saw the dean about this, said nothing, and told me, if you're found investigating this, remind you: the key isn't Lucia, but Lionel. Also, pay more attention to Cody Wizard's movements. If anything happens, don't reply."

Lin Ke's conflict with the Lucia family is out in the open.

Upon learning of the Lucia family's defection, if Lin Ke didn't investigate, it would seem abnormal.

Sandra could guess this, nothing surprising.

Tiffany replied:

"According to reliable sources, the Lucia family's defection this time has hidden circumstances, seemingly forced upon them.

The Lucia family's various industries weren't transferred; only the patriarch, elder council, and some core members were taken in by Mesopotada University, while many direct-line members were abandoned, even the two legions weren't taken back.

The academy's attitude toward the Lucia family remnants is also obscure, seemingly not intending to punish them.

This matter is deep; I personally advise you not to get involved."

Listen to advice, eat your fill.

After reading the two replies, Lin Ke decided to stop investigating the Lucia family's defection.

For now, he should focus on assisting Selinn Wushi with some tasks.

Rescuing the Paro Sage Legion is more urgent.

"Sir, sir."

The clever and mischievous Flandre, while playing with her old lady, said in Lin Ke's heart, "The 'Small World' evolved so fast this time, it's already done."

"Really? What new abilities did you gain this time?"

Lin Ke focused his thoughts and seriously communicated with Flandre.

"Mm..."

Flandre carefully sensed, her tone excited, "Sir, Flandre can now create cool clones like you! Also, huh…… what is this thing?"

Flandre, who was carefully counting the new abilities gained from the third evolution of the "Small World," seemed to have discovered something significant.

She didn't even bother to keep playing with the lady, nor continue talking to Lin Ke, and whooshed back into the "Small World."

"Linke Grande!"

Mo Li's shout from her bedroom reached the study, "Where did you summon Flandre to?"

As her words fell, Mo Li appeared at the study door, hands on hips, furious: "You compensate me for Flandre."

Lin Ke calmly explained: "The 'Small World' completed its third evolution, Flandre returned on her own, not my doing."

"I don't care!" Mo Li rushed to stand not far in front of Lin Ke.

She suddenly leapt up, heavily slammed into Lin Ke, lowered her head, opened her mouth, and bit hard, fiercely biting the shoulder she had bitten before.

After a long while, Mo Li's room finally opened, looking at the tooth marks that would soon fade, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow, she asked: "Tell me the truth, are you going to abandon me and 'Do Whatever Is Free' again and leave alone?"

"How could that be?"

Lin Ke fell silent for a moment, thought about his recent schedule, and said with a smile: "How would I not know about this? Don't overthink it."

Mo Li lifted her head, staring fixedly at Lin Ke's eyes: "You promise!"

Lin Ke opened his mouth, about to speak, but was tightly covered by Mo Li's small hand.

"Forget it, don't make promises you can't keep."

Mo Li withdrew her small hand, rose from Lin Ke's embrace, sat to one side, and said sullenly:

"I don't know why, but since I came back today, looking at the empty villa, I always have a strange premonition that I am about to lose you for a very, very long time.

My perception is not as sharp as yours; I have never had such accurate intuition or premonition before.

But this premonition, even though I really don't want to believe it, I inexplicably know it is correct."

Saying this, Mo Li sniffed: "Especially since you came back, you didn't say anything else, just directly arranged for me to study with Selinn Wushi. This makes my feeling even worse."

Lin Ke truly had no such plan.

But he did not take Mo Li's premonition as mere imagination, but took it seriously.

It makes no sense that only his intuition and premonition are effective, while Mo Li's premonition must fail.

After pondering for a while, Lin Ke's expression turned solemn as he said:

"I indeed have no such arrangement, but your premonition must also be taken seriously.

Originally, my arrangement for you was to study with Selinn Wushi for a period, then go to the Cultivation Secret Realm.

To prevent me from being suddenly summoned by the Academy or other sudden situations, you will not go to study with Selinn Wushi tomorrow, but go directly to the Cultivation Secret Realm, how about that?

If your premonition comes true, and I really have to leave alone for a while due to some matters, you can also use this time to focus on the Cultivation Secret Realm and quickly improve.

The Cultivation Secret Realm for Official Wizard level can last up to three months at most."

Mo Li muttered: "These arrangements, I all listen to you."

"Then it's decided."

Lin Ke rubbed Mo Li's head, smiling: "Don't be so sullen, think differently—no matter where I go or how long I go, won't I still have to come back?"

"Hmph!"

I don't know how this sentence provoked Mo Li; she let out a cold snort and suddenly stormed off angrily.

"This..."

Lin Ke awkwardly scratched his head: "Could it be that I really am a steel-straight man?"

As Lin Ke sank into self-doubt, Flandre's voice sounded:

"Master, master, two strange door holes have appeared in the origin of the 'Small World'. I communicated with the origin of the 'Small World', and these two holes are very much like the portal you often use, and can go to other places, eh."

Lin Ke's attention was instantly drawn over.

With a thought, his true body directly entered the 'Small World', appearing at the origin, beside Flandre.

Two black door holes, each about a person's height, entered Lin Ke's sight.

After careful perception, Lin Ke found that these two door holes are indeed extremely similar to the portal.

Without any hesitation, the 'Multi-threaded Thinking' state was activated, Source Power supported, Lin Ke entered the state of his strongest thinking ability, exerted himself fully, and analyzed these two door holes.

Until his brain reached its limit, Lin Ke then obtained a relatively complete analysis result.

These two door holes are indeed a prototype of a relatively special cross-boundary portal.

The current transmission capability is extremely limited, unable to transmit living beings, and unable to transmit large amounts of materials at once.

Even, what world lies opposite the two door holes is unknown.

The driving energy of the door holes is the 'Small World's' Source Power, or magic stones re-stored via the Energy Storage Device.

If the door holes are truly to be used, Lin Ke would naturally choose to power them with Energy Storage Magic Stones.

"Flandre, in the future, observe more here, see what changes will appear."

After thinking, Lin Ke issued an order to Flandre.

"Okay, master, Flandre will definitely watch this place well, absolutely no problems will occur."

Flandre patted her small chest, full of vigor, saying: "Flandre is now powerful, master, all the witchcraft you know, Flandre can now use too."

"Huh?"

Lin Ke, upon hearing this, couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.

Flandre's existence is extremely special, capable of being illusory or substantial, able to walk in the real world, and also able to survive in Lin Ke's Sea of Consciousness.

The 'Small World' second upgrade gave Flandre the ability to become illusory and invisible, and to incarnate as a wind elf.

Could this third upgrade possibly have made up for Flandre's deficiency in Elemental Affinity?

After carefully perceiving Flandre's body, Lin Ke suddenly discovered that Flandre now actually has the state of full-system Elemental Affinity.

Besides the witchcraft of the True Spirit Wizard, Flandre can truly further master the witchcraft of the Elemental Wizard.

She can completely be regarded as a female version of a minor Lin Ke.

"Not bad, not bad, from now on, master's safety will be entrusted to Flandre for protection."

Lin Ke did not stint on his praise, even entrusting her with important responsibilities.

"Master, rest assured, Flandre will definitely protect you well."

Upon hearing this, Flandre became even more vigorous, patting her small chest with a bang-bang sound: "And also, master's lady, Flandre will protect together."

"Good, just so it's settled."

Lin Ke gently patted Flandre's small head, saying: "Master's lady just now was still blaming master, thinking it was master who summoned you back."

"Ah!"

Flandre covered her face with her small hands, quite embarrassed: "Flandre actually forgot to accompany master's lady to sleep. Really... too impolite."

The words faded, and Flandre vanished from the source in a flash, heading to the Wizard World to continue accompanying Mo Li.

Seeing this, Lin Ke was instantly stunned.

Previously, Lin Ke had to be in the Wizard World for Flandre to be able to walk there.

But now, Lin Ke's true body is actually inside the "Small World".

The third evolution has brought Flandre such a great improvement—is it really this terrifying?

Flandre is still merely the "Spirit" of the "Small World".

As Lin Ke, the World Lord, wouldn't the feedback he receives be even more shocking?

With a whoosh, Lin Ke returned to the study and began examining himself from head to toe, inside and out, finally discovering three clear improvements:

First, his mental power has reached its limit, exactly 399.

The next stage is to liquefy his mental power.

Second, the "Solar System" within his Sea of Consciousness has become slightly more "vivid".

Specifically, it feels like the difference in texture between rough plastic and warm, smooth jade.

Third, his body's ability to withstand spatial pressure has become stronger.

Before, entering and exiting the "Small World" would cause a spacetime detachment sensation far exceeding that of using a Cross-boundary Portal.

Now, however, it has been greatly reduced, no longer making people feel so uncomfortable.

In short, Lin Ke has become stronger again and can already launch an assault toward becoming a Level 2 Wizard.

"Won't this be too fast?"

Lin Ke muttered to himself, then shook his head with a wry smile.

Let the promotion speed be fast; as long as the foundation is solid and not impatient, it's fine.

Thinking this, Lin Ke took out his Portable Smart Brain, used up the quota for an Official Wizard-level Cultivation Secret Realm, booked the usage time, and changed the user.

After finishing these, he did deep meditation and went to sleep.

The next day.

Early in the morning.

After having breakfast with Mo Li, the suspension car arranged by the Academy stopped at the villa gate.

The location of the Cultivation Secret Realm is a highly confidential secret.

Whether apprentice or official wizard, everyone must take the suspension car arranged by the Academy to go to the designated location.

All arrangements are fully handled by the Academy, requiring no worry.

"Go on, don't overthink, just focus on cultivation."

After seeing Mo Li off onto the suspension car and watching it depart, Lin Ke then drove his car to Celine Wizard's North District Villa.

Rescuing the Paro Sage Legion is not a matter of a moment; it must be advanced every day.

Therefore, Celine Wizard stipulates that every morning, everyone gathers at her villa for a meeting to report work progress.

If encountering thorny, hard-to-solve problems, they pool their wisdom and strength.

As a junior highly valued by Paro Sage in recent years, and also having received multiple promotions from Paro Sage, Lin Ke must attend.

Moreover, in the matter of rescuing the Paro Sage Legion, Lin Ke must contribute greatly.

When Lin Ke arrived, the temporarily renovated meeting room already had many people seated.

The familiar faces were Shaliya, Aila, and Tina; most others were either unseen before or mere nodding acquaintances.

Those who once belonged to the Cody Wizard—Paro Sage faction, but later, after Cody Wizard entered the Transformation Period, formally left the Paro Sage faction and joined the Cody Sage Legion in preparation, none came.

Of the Cody Wizard lineage, only Cody Wizard himself attended, sitting properly in one of the two main seats, seated side by side with Celine Wizard.

After a while, all attendees had arrived.

Celine Wizard began presiding over the meeting and listening to reports.

After these procedures, Celine Wizard moved to the main topic of the first meeting:

"Last night, the Academy replied to me, saying they are researching a plan to rescue the Paro Sage Legion, telling me not to be too anxious.

They also said if I am truly anxious, I can start from material procurement, first preparing some strategic supplies.

In this regard, the Academy has given two suggestions: one is portal construction materials, the other is interstellar combat wizard artifacts and supplies.

Now, everyone speak openly—how should we procure supplies?"

The words faded, and the short-haired witch in charge of finance stood up and said:

"Even if we liquidate some industries, the magic stones we can raise are insufficient; we can only choose one of the two suggestions to implement to ensure sufficient supplies. Executing both would leave us lacking."

This situation must be taken seriously.

Everyone began discussing with their familiar acquaintances.

Shortly after, the male wizard in charge of gathering strategic supplies stated: "I reviewed recent bulk material transaction data; purely from a timeliness perspective, procuring interstellar combat wizard artifacts and supplies will be more efficient and less difficult."

The wizard in charge of inventory, Aila, also voiced support: "Our material reserves are mainly for interstellar combat and supplies; the materials usable for portal construction have all been taken by the Paro Sage Legion."

Celine Wizard, hearing this, scanned the attendees and asked in a deep voice: "Then shall we fully focus on procuring interstellar combat wizard artifacts and supplies? Does anyone have other opinions? In favor or against?"

Cody Wizard opened his slightly narrowed eyes and spoke lightly:

"I disagree."