Chapter 287

293. Chapter 293: Conscription

Perhaps it really was just a flash of inspiration from before.

Perhaps the moment he saw the Giant Flame Salamander, Lin Ke subconsciously wanted to give it to Mo Li.

After all, as a Beast-Taming Wizard, Mo Li couldn't possibly accomplish everything relying solely on a "God-Eater Insect."

Even if the "God-Eater Insect" is the natural enemy of the gods in the God World, it is not invincible and possesses many weaknesses as well.

Although the "God-Eater Insect" is indeed very powerful and can share two major traits and many marvelous abilities with Mo Li, it is not enough to let Mo Li rest easy.

Mo Li needs to be like the mainstream Beast-Taming Wizards of the Northern Territory, creating a comprehensive and flawless combat system centered around companion spirit beasts by contracting and raising a large number of various spirit beasts.

Only in this way can she gain a foothold in the increasingly competitive Wizard World and avoid being crushed by the waves in the upcoming great changes not seen in thousands of years.

Even without the inspiration sparked by the "Beast Cage" gifted by Dean Forrest, Lin Ke would have sooner or later thought of the fact that the Giant Flame Salamander could become Mo Li's contracted or raised spirit beast.

One must know that Mo Li still has an Insectoid Brood Nest seed in her hands, which is continuously undergoing reconstruction by "God-Eater Insect" larvae.

Once the reconstruction is complete and the cultivation ends, it can serve as an alternative "Beast Cage" to house Mo Li's contracted and raised spirit beasts.

It is not impossible to carve out a suitable growth environment specifically for the Giant Flame Salamander within the Brood Nest.

"How about it? Do you have any intention of making it your contracted spirit beast or your raised spirit beast?"

Seeing that Mo Li was slow to act, Lin Ke took the initiative to ask.

"I'd quite like to contract it, but what would I feed it with? I'm not like you, having a portable 'Small World' where you can store and carry anything."

Mo Li retorted, looking at Lin Ke as if he were a fool.

Although the 3rd-Ring Wizard Artifact level "Beast Cage" is powerful, can be resized, and can simulate various environments internally,

it also consumes quite a lot of Magic Stones.

To fit a Flame Salamander of such size into the "Beast Cage" in her hand, the Magic Stones required daily to maintain the Flame Salamander's miniaturization and simulate the volcanic magma environment would be a huge expense.

A day or two would be fine, but how could she handle it over a long period?

Mo Li is just a small wealthy woman, not a true wealthy woman like Sandra whose family actually owns a Magic Stone mine.

Not to mention anything else, just one month would be enough to bankrupt her.

"Small matter! I've already thought of a solution for you."

Since Lin Ke brought Mo Li to see the Flame Salamander, it naturally wasn't a whim or a spur-of-the-moment idea.

Before entering the real "Small World," Lin Ke had actually realized this problem and thought of a solution.

"How so?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Li immediately became interested.

Whether contracting or raising, a Level 3 Transcendent Giant Flame Salamander would be a great help to the improvement of Mo Li's strength.

If there really were a win-win solution, that would of course be for the best.

Lin Ke smiled and said: "Just keep it with me normally, and carry it with you when you need to use it. Wouldn't that work?"

"It could work, but..."

After pondering for a while, Mo Li still had some doubts in her heart.

This method is indeed feasible; she gets the benefits after contracting it without needing to consume too many resources.

However, there is one problem: what guarantees that the two of them will always be together?

There will always be various reasons and matters that cause the two to act separately.

Just like last time, Mo Li received the "God-Eater Insect's" foresight and was sent by Lin Ke into the cultivation secret realm, while Lin Ke was attacked, fled to the Fairy World, and later went to accompany another girl.

(Iris: Pfft! Plastic sisterhood! At this time I've become 'another girl'? Don't I even deserve a name?)

It is highly possible that a situation will arise where Mo Li needs to use the Giant Flame Salamander, but Lin Ke happens not to be by her side.

And this possibility is extremely high; the foresight trait shared by the "God-Eater Insect" has already sent a warning to Mo Li.

Lin Ke thought for a moment, immediately understood Mo Li's concerns, and recalled the "God-Eater Insect's" foresight, yet he still insisted on his own view, saying:

"My suggestion is to temporarily ignore those things that haven't happened yet.

You should contract the Flame Salamander first, obtain the traits and abilities shared by the Flame Salamander, and improve your strength and foundation.

Then go look for a 4th-Ring level 'Beast Cage,' or cultivate the Brood Nest seed as soon as possible, to solve the difficulty of carrying the Flame Salamander with you.

A thousand birds in the forest are not as good as one in the hand.

Grasping the present is the right path!"

"Hmm."

Mo Li thought about it and agreed.

The logic is indeed sound; one shouldn't give up eating for fear of choking, right?

Thus, with Lin Ke's help, Mo Li quickly set up a contract rune array.

Relying solely on Mo Li's own Level 2 Wizard rank and strength, she could actually forcibly contract the Level 3 Transcendent creature, the Flame Salamander.

Not to mention that there is a "God-Eater Insect" larva with a quite high status in her Sea of Consciousness, which can step in to suppress it at a critical moment.

"Let's begin."

After helping to set up the contract rune array, Lin Ke retreated to a distance, leaving the field for Mo Li to perform.

With a thought, his life-bound spell "Battle Armor" was activated. Lin Ke donned the armor, entered combat mode, and prepared to support Mo Li at any time, just in case.

Taking a deep breath, Mo Li stepped into the center of the contract rune array and lightly sliced her left palm with the index finger of her right hand, opening a cut.

Crimson blood dripped down, mental power and magic power surged, and the contract rune array was activated.

Mo Li closed her eyes and, using the Beast-Taming Wizard's contract witchcraft, guided the contract rune array.

Two vast white lights rose from the base of the rune array, surged up her body surface from her feet, then converged into a beam at the position of her tailbone, traveled up along her spine, passed through the back of her head and over the top of her head, and finally submerged into her Sea of Consciousness at the center of her eyebrows.

"Contract!"

Mo Li suddenly opened her eyes and shouted loudly. A spherical rune structure with complex lines suddenly shot out from her Sea of Consciousness at the center of her eyebrows and flew toward the Flame Salamander at a speed that seemed slow but was actually extremely fast.

Whether the contract can succeed in one go depends on whether the Flame Salamander is willing to accept this spherical rune structure.

If the Flame Salamander resists, Mo Li will have to resort to a forced contract.

There is no essential difference between a forced contract and an equal contract, but the contracted spirit beast's autonomous will and sense of belonging will be affected.

It is highly possible that a phenomenon will occur where the Beast-Taming Wizard fights to the death, while the contracted spirit beast puts in no effort.

Therefore, the mainstream Beast-Taming Wizards of the Northern Territory are all pursuing equal contracts.

Mo Li's heart became slightly tense, and her beautiful eyes fell on the spherical rune structure, hoping that the Flame Salamander would not resist.

The entire contract process went very smoothly; the lazily sleeping Flame Salamander did not resist in the slightest and allowed the spherical rune structure to enter the center of its eyebrows.

The contract was thus completed!

In an instant, both Mo Li and the Flame Salamander shone with a brilliant, colorful light.

This is the communication, sharing, and feedback after the Beast-Taming Wizard and the contracted spirit beast reach a contract.

A companion spirit beast can share all its traits and abilities with the Beast-Taming Wizard.

A contracted spirit beast can share one trait and no more than 5 abilities.

A raised spirit beast cannot share traits and abilities.

As feedback, the traits and abilities possessed by the Beast-Taming Wizard themselves are also randomly shared in part with the companion spirit beast and the contracted spirit beast.

This process is not controlled by the Beast-Taming Wizard, nor is it biased by the type of contracted spirit beast; it is full of uncertainty.

As a fire-attribute transcendent creature, the Flame Salamander actually shared Mo Li's Water Element Affinity and Wood Element Affinity, as well as the transcendent ability "Earth Tremor," which was transformed from the life-bound spell combined with the Flame Salamander's traits.

The latter is easy to explain; it is relatively suitable for the Flame Salamander's own ability characteristics.

The Water and Wood Element Affinities seem relatively absurd.

After hearing Mo Li say this, Lin Ke immediately felt it was funny.

Fire is there, water is there, wood is there; is the Flame Salamander trying to stew itself?

However, Mo Li's gains this time were quite good.

She obtained Fire Element Affinity, Flame Resistance, and a witchcraft-like ability called "Flame Flash" from the Flame Salamander.

Not only did she complete an element affinity, further solidifying her wizard aptitude,

but she could also achieve teleportation-like shifting between two or more flames using methods similar to elementalization before being promoted to a Sage.

"Flame Flash" can be used both to dodge attacks and to launch surprise attacks.

It has many uses and excellent effects.

"Moo!"

The lazily sleeping Flame Salamander didn't show much reaction even after becoming Mo Li's contracted spirit beast.

It barely opened its eyes a crack, let out a weak cry, and that counted as a greeting.

It turned over lightly, found a more comfortable position, and continued to sleep soundly.

"Let's go, let's go back."

Anxious to digest what she had just gained, Mo Li didn't want to stay here any longer and waste time.

Anyway, with the Flame Salamander raised here, it was impossible for anything to happen to it.

Lin Ke naturally wouldn't hold her back and immediately put away his battle armor.

The two hurriedly said goodbye to Flandre and Cornelia and returned to the Academy Headquarters World.

Before entering the real "Small World," if Lin Ke didn't apply, he might be able to rely on the connection and authority of the "World Lord" and the "Small World" to forcibly squeeze out of the Academy Headquarters World, provided the academy didn't intercept.

However, wanting to enter the Academy Headquarters World again would be absolutely impossible.

It wouldn't be as easy as it is now, as if just popping over for a visit.

"I'm going back to my room. You can stay by yourself, or go find your Sister Celine."

With a somewhat inexplicable tone, she left Lin Ke with a sentence, and Mo Li gracefully left the restaurant and walked toward the bedroom upstairs.

Lin Ke did an action he hadn't done since transmigrating: he touched his nose, and then chuckled a few times.

Jealousy is good, and speaking in a sarcastic tone isn't a problem either.

This is a manifestation of her valuing him too much in her heart.

Calling the smart butler to clean up the restaurant, Lin Ke also went upstairs, but didn't enter the bedroom; he went to the study.

Today's work, today's completion; there was still one thing left unfinished.

Sitting behind the desk, Lin Ke took out his portable smart brain and sent a communication request to Sandra.

Not long after, the video communication was connected.

The figures of Sandra, Lanny, and Tiffany appeared on the screen.

The background was a small conference room at the "Do Whatever Is Free" branch base.

"How have things been lately?"

Seeing that Sandra seemed to have the intention to complain, Lin Ke spoke first and asked.

Busy with preparations for the second extracurricular practical activity some time ago, and with the three-day holiday occupied by the "Construct" project, Lin Ke and Mo Li hadn't paid attention to the affairs of the "Do Whatever Is Free" branch for half a month.

This video conference should have been hosted by Mo Li, with Lin Ke accompanying.

Now that Mo Li had something to do and didn't come, Lin Ke had to step up.

"You still remember that we have this branch?"

Sandra wouldn't be silenced by Lin Ke; she had to complain if she had to complain. "I thought you had completely forgotten about us? Or that you didn't value our branch from the bottom of your heart?"

"How could that be? No such thing!"

Lin Ke gave a sheepish smile and explained, "It's just that I've been really busy lately and couldn't spare the attention for a moment."

"Is that so?"

Sandra squeezed a word out of her nasal cavity, her tone becoming increasingly dissatisfied. "I don't care about the previous time, but what about these three days? You had time to run to the Fairy World every day, but no time to come to the branch once? Even if Mo Li buried herself in the laboratory, she at least came a few times. What about you? Not a single word of concern."

It was indeed his failure to do well; what could Lin Ke do?

He could only listen earnestly and remain silent in response.

The atmosphere of the video communication became slightly stiff from the very beginning.

Someone was urgently needed to break this atmosphere.

However, Lanny never easily interrupted or interfered when Sandra was speaking or doing things.

Especially after being promoted to a Level 2 Wizard and also starting advanced studies.

Her mind was entirely focused on improving herself.

The Fifth-Rank Upper wizard aptitude was not fake after all; during this period, Lanny's progress was extremely fast.

Seeing this, Tiffany immediately seized the opportunity to increase her presence, took the opportunity to intervene in the conversation between Lin Ke and Sandra, and changed the subject: "The branch's recruitment work was all completed today. There will be a party for all members to meet in a few days. Lin Ke, you must attend."

Saying this, Tiffany asked suspiciously: "By the way, where is Mo Li? Why isn't she here today?"

Molly Kidman is the president of "Do Whatever Is Free," the highest leader on the surface.

This video conference was actually specially arranged by Mo Li to let Lin Ke understand the branch's work progress, and also to let Sandra, Lanny, and Tiffany communicate more with Lin Ke.

Even if hiding behind the scenes, one must maintain sufficient presence in front of key members.

Otherwise, it would be very easy to be completely sidelined.

Lin Ke didn't worry about this point; Mo Li had to worry about these things for Lin Ke.

"She has some urgent matters to deal with, so I will host today's meeting. Tell me if you have anything first, and I will convey the meeting content to her."

Lin Ke explained a little, and then responded to what Tiffany said: "As for the all-member meeting, if there are no accidents, I will definitely be there."

"Good."

Tiffany nodded and didn't say anything more.

Showing presence is something that needs to be balanced; one shouldn't steal the spotlight too much.

The protagonist of this video conference was obviously not her, so there was no need to appear too much.

After Tiffany's interruption, Sandra didn't continue to mock Lin Ke, but turned to answer Lin Ke's previous question, saying:

"Just like Tiffany said just now, the recruitment work has ended.

According to the standards you gave, we strove for excellence and only recruited a total of 20 members.

Among them, 5 are advanced-study wizards, mostly coming for your fame; 15 are children of various families in the headquarters, most of whom are coming for me and Gerald.

I think the focus of the branch's next stage of work is to cultivate these new members' sense of belonging to 'Do Whatever Is Free.'

Speaking of this, I suggest it's time to launch a perfect member welfare system."

Saying this, Sandra's eyes stared closely at the camera, her gaze sharp, as if through the screen, emphasizing: "If there are responsibilities, there should be welfare. This point is very important, and I hope you can take it seriously."

After listening to Sandra's account, Lin Ke pondered for a while and said: "Regarding the member welfare system, let's hold an extraordinary meeting of the Decision Committee tomorrow. You can put forward the specific plan for this part, and let's discuss it together."

The decision-making layer of "Do Whatever Is Free" is a 7-person committee.

Currently, there are 4 committee members, namely Lin Ke, Mo Li, Sandra, and Asande.

There are still 3 seats vacant, to be filled later; better to have a vacancy than to accept someone inferior.

"Can do."

Sandra did not object.

Since there is a system, then follow the system.

Unless the system is unreasonable, or it reaches the time to affect the development of the organization, one can act expediently.

She proposed the need to perfect the member welfare system of "Do Whatever Is Free," and she had already made relevant preparations.

"Is there anything else?"

After handling one matter, Lin Ke continued to ask.

Sandra looked at Lanny and Tiffany respectively: "I have nothing else, what about you? It's a meeting, speak freely."

"Yes!"

Tiffany spoke immediately, not belittling herself because she was still at the Level 1 Wizard stage, appearing neither humble nor arrogant, and very generous.

"You say."

Lin Ke turned his head to look at the direction where Tiffany was, indicating that he was listening earnestly.

"I recently sorted out the organization's financial records and found a problem."

Tiffany's expression was serious, and she said solemnly, "In the past, 'Do Whatever Is Free' could be operated with your funding. Now, I think we must make a cut; personal is personal, organization is organization. It is best to establish industries belonging to the collective of 'Do Whatever Is Free' and strive to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Only if it really doesn't work, should we appropriately rely on members' donations."

"This suggestion is very good."

Lin Ke nodded, his thoughts turning, and then said, "Tiffany, write a report as soon as possible, and write down all your suggestions, reasons, and solutions, or your thoughts. Let Sandra take it to tomorrow's extraordinary meeting of the Decision Committee for discussion."

"No problem, I will write the report later."

Tiffany agreed immediately.

"What about Lanny?"

Lin Ke turned to look at Lanny Taylor, who had been silent, "Do you have anything you want to say?"

Perhaps many people would neglect Lanny because of her silence during this period.

But Lin Ke didn't have such thoughts at all.

He could feel that Lanny Taylor's personality and style of doing things were actually very similar to his.

It's just that she made some mistakes that were indispensable in the process of growing up.

Now, there is a faint trend of completely walking on the right path.

Just like a hidden dragon in the abyss, she is accumulating her strength and foundation, waiting for the opportunity to soar into the sky.

Lanny's eyes, through the smart brain screen, met Lin Ke's gaze, and she said calmly: "I think the communication between the headquarters and the local area should be strengthened in time. Everything else is fine."

"Hmm..."

Lin Ke turned his gaze to Sandra and asked, "Can this be operated?"

Sandra thought carefully for a while and answered truthfully: "It is not very feasible to let all members of the local headquarters come to the Academy Headquarters World. It is feasible to organize members of the branch here to return to the local area regularly, it's just a bit..."

The second half of the sentence was not spoken, but how could Lin Ke not hear the meaning?

Before "Do Whatever Is Free" officially announced the relocation of the headquarters from the local Wizard World to the Academy Headquarters World, theoretically speaking, it should be branch members going to the headquarters for meetings or participating in team building.

However, in the system of the Rivose Academy, the status of the Academy Headquarters is too lofty.

Whether it is an individual, a family, or some small internal organizations, they all aim to enter the Academy Headquarters.

Moreover, the members of the branch here, whether in terms of origin, or individual level and strength, are actually superior to the members of the local headquarters.

Organizing branch members here to return to the local headquarters regularly, once or twice is fine.

After many times, it is easy to expose the problem of the weak trunk and strong branches.

Lin Ke didn't have a very good solution for this matter for a while, so he could only say: "Temporarily shelve it and discuss it in the long run."

"That's fine too."

Sandra replied like this.

Lanny Taylor took the opportunity to "hide," with no intention of speaking again.

"That's it, meeting adjourned."

Lin Ke didn't drag it out and directly ended this video conference.

Putting down the smart brain, Lin Ke leaned back in his chair and thought seriously for a while about the communication problem of members between the local headquarters of "Do Whatever Is Free" in the Wizard World and the branch in the Academy Headquarters World.

Thinking about it later, he chuckled.

He found that his train of thought had actually been led astray by Lanny Taylor and Sandra.

As long as the headquarters of "Do Whatever Is Free" is relocated to the Academy Headquarters World as soon as possible, all problems will no longer be problems.

Why worry about this and that?

Therefore, Lin Ke must increase his investment in the Renxiong Team, the Social Phobia Trio, and the backbone of the Third Echelon.

Help them be promoted to Level 2 Wizards as soon as possible and come to the Academy Headquarters for advanced studies.

These people are the direct descendants of Lin Ke's direct descendants.

With them united around Lin Ke, the place where Lin Ke is located is the headquarters of "Do Whatever Is Free"!

"I'm really stupid, really!"

Lin Ke patted his forehead to show punishment.

Estimating that Mo Li had finished digesting the gains from contracting the Flame Salamander, Lin Ke got up and left the study, and knocked on the door of Mo Li's bedroom.

"What's the matter?"

The door didn't open, only Mo Li's voice came, "Can tomorrow work?"

Mo Li, who was playing with "Flame Flash" in the small cultivation room attached to the bedroom, was too lazy to pay attention to Lin Ke at this time.

"Fine."

Lin Ke, who was given the cold shoulder, returned to the study feeling a little depressed.

The feeling of being rejected and not getting the response he wanted really didn't feel good.

The portable smart brain on the desk vibrated at this time.

A notification from a department of the academy appeared on the screen.

Lin Ke clicked to see and found that it was a Level 5 Sage he didn't know who issued a conscription to him, and he immediately felt suspicious.

Who is Sage Fletcher Domingo?

Why would he suddenly conscript him? (End of chapter)