Chapter 306: 312. Chapter 312 Captain of the Guard

312. Chapter 312 Captain of the Guard

"Fulan Duo, what do you think?"

Lin Ke pulled his thoughts back and asked softly.

"Master, it's very difficult for Fulan Duo to rebuild a 'small world' once."

Fulan Duo's voice was filled with a stifled, tear‑less frustration and gloom, as if she were about to directly accuse Lin Ke of lacking compassion.

"If the old doesn't go, the new won't come."

Lin Ke said with a smile, "Besides, you don't exactly hate those odd‑looking fellows, do you?"

"But... but..."

Fulan Duo muttered a few words, then shifted the topic and asked, "Master, you don't want those tea plants you painstakingly cultivated, do you?"

Lin Ke chuckled a few times, then said calmly, "Just move all the tea trees into the small world of your sea of consciousness when the time comes."

"Huh?"

Fulan Duo's figure appeared in the small world of the sea of consciousness, her little face scrunched up, she complained gloomily, "Master, you're dead set on messing around, right! You're a terrible master, Fulan Duo is unhappy."

Though she said that, with her hands on her hips to show her displeasure, Fulan Duo reluctantly agreed to accompany Lin Ke in his messing around.

However, the real 'small world' certainly cannot be messed around with at will.

The first task Lin Ke gave Fulan Duo was to conduct a simulation in the small world of the sea of consciousness.

One must master at least over 95% of the various parameters—not necessarily all of them—before being able to carry out a world‑ending destruction in the real 'small world' and then promote the normal evolution of organic life.

And the emergence, reproduction, and growth of primate populations.

This cannot be accomplished in a short time.

It requires daily simulation and trial‑and‑error.

"Bad master!"

Fulan Duo began the simulation while muttering under her breath, her mood depressed.

Lin Ke, meanwhile, was in high spirits and slept soundly through the night.

The next day.

The five‑day intensive course began again.

Lin Ke and Mo Li set aside other matters, focused on class, and completed the various assignments given by the instructors.

After all, wizards never stop learning.

However, the Paro Sage Legion would, via Witch Renee, inform Lin Ke each day of the progress of the Construct project's second phase.

Some teams handled the summarizing, while Witch Renee helped refine the data, so Lin Ke didn't need to expend much effort to grasp the second phase's progress.

This feeling is still pretty great.

If it weren't too expensive and he didn't dare to ask, Lin Ke would really like to hire Renee Clark as his work secretary.

"No wonder everyone likes having a secretary; it feels truly awesome."

Saturday, early morning.

As Lin Ke and Mo Li walked into their home laboratory and personally activated the needed facilities and equipment, he unconsciously muttered aloud.

"What did you say?"

Mo Li, upon hearing it, immediately shot him a warning‑filled glare.

"Nothing."

Lin Ke didn't want to lie, so he could only give a vague answer.

Fortunately, Mo Li didn't press further; she just gave him another hard stare, made a 'I'm watching you' gesture, and went off to do her biology experiments on her own.

After more than a month of hard work, Mo Li was finally about to produce a research result that was extremely important to her.

Based on the bloodline inheritance memory of the God‑Eating Worm's larvae, they cultivated the 'Heaven's Butterfly', which specializes in insect‑tribe communication and coordinated combat.

These 'Heaven's Butterflies' are small in size; the largest queen is only palm‑sized, while the smallest can be as tiny as a pinky fingernail, making them ideal for transmitting messages across various terrains—and even in outer space.

With a gradually enlarged mother nest serving as a container, the God‑Eating Worm's larvae as overseers, and the Heaven's Butterflies coordinating in the center, Mo Li only needs to contract or rear enough of the various insect tribes to achieve the feat of one against ten, a hundred, or a thousand.

In terms of group combat ability, it will not be inferior to that of the Machinist Wizards and Elemental Wizards.

Lin Ke let out a breath of relief and then gave an embarrassed smile.

Lately he's really been letting himself go, even blurting out his inner thoughts, which is really not appropriate.

After doing some self‑reflection and review, Lin Ke turned and entered his own office.

Not long ago, Lin Ke had obtained a 4‑ring gravity field spell from Dean Friest as a reference.

One purpose was to develop a Construct set similar to the 4‑ring spell, and the other was to inspire his own creation of a 4‑ring spell.

The latter has seen little progress so far, while the former is about to finish its design.

Unfortunately, limited by his fragmented grasp of the rules, his insufficient knowledge, and the referenced 4‑ring spell not being powerful enough, the Construct 4‑ring set Lin Ke designed fell short of expectations in function and effect.

After careful consideration, Lin Ke named the first 4‑ring set he designed 'As You Wish'.

Its function is to adjust the gravitational acceleration within a certain range.

In theory, as long as the wizard wearing the As You Wish set can withstand it physically and has sufficient mental and magical reserves, they can freely control gravity.

Of course, this is only theoretical.

After completing the design of the As You Wish set, Lin Ke found himself in a dilemma.

Only a third‑rank wizard can bear a 4‑ring set.

And the As You Wish set works best only for a third‑rank body‑cultivation wizard.

Among the wizards Lin Ke knows, there happens to be one who meets this condition.

One could even say that person is a perfect match for the As You Wish set.

"Damn, what the hell are we supposed to do?"

Sitting in the office, after another consideration, Lin Ke no longer hesitated and decided to kick the ball out.

Those who pay attention to the 4-ring Construct Set also include Sage Selin and Dean Frister.

Dean Frister is swamped with work and doesn't necessarily think much of a mere 4-ring Construct Set, unless Lin Ke achieves a standardized implantation process and drives the cost down to extremely low.

Therefore, Lin Ke intends to have Sage Selin make a decision for him.

By the way, he also asks Sage Selin to step forward and claim the benefits that are due.

This time, Lin Ke won't suffer a loss just for show.

Via the Portable Smart Brain, he sent all the data on the functions and effects of the Wish-Fulfilling Set to Sage Selin, then waited quietly for a reply.

Not long after, Sage Selin sent a communication request.

"Linke Grand, you're going too far!"

As soon as the video call connected, Sage Selin immediately launched into a tirade, "Again and again, what do you take me for?"

"Sis, Sister Selin, good sister."

Lin Ke completely changed his usual steady persona, grinning foolishly, behaving improperly.

"Hmph!"

Sage Selin gave Lin Ke a fierce glare, still angry.

Lin Ke wore a smile, waiting until Sage Selin's anger faded before speaking: "Sis, just tell me—although I've brought you a troublesome matter, if we handle it well, can you profit from it?"

"Is it me who profits, or you who profits?"

Sage Selin glared at Lin Ke and asked coldly.

"Win-win! Win-win! Everyone profits, everyone profits!"

Lin Ke continued to act like a rascal.

Fed up with Lin Ke's disregard for his persona and image, Sage Selin, huffing angrily, said, "Just wait—I'll let you know."

After saying that, Sage Selin hung up the communication. Lin Ke slapped his thigh and muttered triumphantly, "Isn't that settled then?"

Not long after, Sage Selin sent a text notice telling Lin Ke to go to the teaching and research building's experimental lab right away.

"Mo Li, I'm heading out for a bit—you keep busy."

After greeting her, Lin Ke left his own lab and drove straight to the teaching and research building's experimental lab.

Basement level three.

Sage Selin and Wizard Locke, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, were already waiting there.

After the previous ordeal, having luckily advanced to third-level wizard, Locke no longer pestered Sage Selin and even planned to quit the teaching and research group.

It was as if he had experienced a sudden enlightenment like Lu Zhishen.

"Grand, I still haven't thanked you for saving my life and helping me preserve those talents."

Upon meeting, Wizard Locke did something he would never have done before.

He apologized to Lin Ke, and quite formally.

"It's all in the past; don't dwell on it."

Lin Ke waved his hand, indicating that Locke needn't worry about those things.

"One should still express thanks."

Wizard Locke spoke very seriously, then immediately bent his sturdy waist and bowed to Lin Ke.

Such an attitude actually made Lin Ke a bit embarrassed.

He had previously been scheming against Locke.

Sage Selin witnessed this from the side, even noting the subtle changes in Lin Ke's expression that outsiders could hardly detect, seeing them clearly and feeling secretly amused.

But precisely because Lin Ke isn't always profit-driven and retains various human qualities, Sage Selin has never rejected his closeness from the start.

For wizards, preserving one's humanity is common sense.

But few manage to do it well and thoroughly.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many wizards failing during the transition before advancing to sage.

Let's not stray from the topic.

Sage Selin said, "Alright, let's not talk about that. Locke, you should consider carefully. Lin Ke, please describe the Wish-Fulfilling Set in detail for Locke's reference."

"Yes."

Lin Ke pulled out his Portable Smart Brain and projected the design schematics of the Wish-Fulfilling Set.

Then he pointed to each Construct component and began explaining his design concept, expected function, expected effect, and pros and cons.

After the explanation, even though Wizard Locke's temperament had become much steadier, he still listened with eyes shining and breathing heavily.

Wizard Locke imagined that, if he implanted the Wish-Fulfilling Set and combined it with his many physical talents, witchcraft, and magical devices, he could unleash an attack power comparable to a full-force strike from a fourth-level sage.

Even though this attack power could hardly injure or kill a fourth-level sage, using it to dominate among third-level wizards is still no problem.

As long as he doesn't run into a freakish monster like Linke Grand.

"What conditions are needed?"

After taking a few deep breaths to steady his mood, Wizard Locke got straight to the point and asked.

"Lin Ke, don't go overboard."

Sage Selin fixed her gaze on Lin Ke's eyes and earnestly cautioned.

This isn't her favoring Locke; she simply doesn't want to see Lin Ke turn something beneficial for everyone into an awkward situation.

In the end, not only would he gain no favors, but he'd also make the relationship even more strained.

"I understand, but thanks for the reminder, Sister Selin."

Lin Ke first stated his position, then looked at Wizard Locke with a solemn expression and said, "Locke, you should be able to figure out the value of the Wish-Fulfilling Set. I won't ask for an exorbitant price, and you shouldn't try to get away with paying nothing. Let's be straightforward—you name a price, in any form, and I won't haggle; I'll accept it right away."

This declaration was indeed full of sincerity.

Luo Ken Wizard scratched his bald head, hesitated a moment, and asked in a buzzing voice: "Is your 'Do Anything Free' still lacking members? Why don't I join 'Do Anything Free'?"

This...

Lin Ke was somewhat dazed by Luo Ken's answer.

Clearly we were discussing the price of the 'Ruyi Set', but the topic suddenly jumped to 'Do Anything Free'.

Serin Sage explained from the side: 'Luo Ken plans to leave the Teaching and Research Group, and he doesn't want to go back to Paro, so...'

Before she finished speaking, Lin Ke understood Serin Sage's meaning.

It's nothing more than: since we have to join some organization anyway, we might as well join one we somewhat know, which is more appropriate.

After weighing the options, we settled on 'Do Anything Free'.

Lin Ke pondered, then said seriously: 'These are two different matters.'

Indeed.

Serin Sage nodded upon hearing that, 'Indeed, they are two different matters. Luo Ken, give a new price. It doesn't have to be outrageous, just acceptable.'

Luo Ken scratched his bald head again, thought for a while, a flash of light appeared in his eyes, and he loudly said: 'I'll be your Captain of the Guard.'

That works.

Before Lin Ke could state his position, Serin Sage gave her opinion first.

That's fine too.

Lin Ke thought it over and agreed.

The Academy does not keep idle people.

Generally, a Second-level Wizard who finishes advanced studies has two options.

One is to choose a Sage-level Legion to join on their own and go to the frontline battlefield for tempering; the other is to be assigned a Sage-level Legion by the Academy and go to the frontline battlefield for tempering.

Lin Ke's strength is special; the Academy obviously cannot arrange him according to the norm.

Therefore, the greatest possibility is to let Lin Ke, like a senior Third-level Wizard, organize a Main Force Regiment, then lead that regiment, and have the Academy integrate it into the unit of a newly promoted Sage.

The Paro Sage's legion came about in this way.

With Luo Ken's mind delayed by body refinement, realizing this point is truly not easy.

Alright, let's begin.

Although Serin Sage specializes in pharmacology, she has been following the 'Construct' concept ever since she learned of it.

Apart from Lin Ke himself, Serin Sage can be considered the person who understands the Construct system best.

Thus, after Lin Ke passed the dilemma of persuading Luo Ken to voluntarily be the first to implant the 'Ruyi Set' and bear the cost to her, Serin Sage, though complaining, exerted great effort to make it happen.

Now is the time to reap the reward of personally witnessing the implantation process of the 'Ruyi Set'.

Luo Ken, without hesitation, actively took off his clothes, revealing his broad, muscular upper body, and lay on the operating table.

Lin Ke took out the various instruments and medicines prepared in advance from the real 'Small World'.

The instruments, all designed and crafted by Lin Ke himself, are for pioneering standardized implantation of the Construct.

The medicine is a newly developed implantation carrier, the 'Tattoo'.

The name is simple and easy to understand.

Pay attention.

After completing all preparations, Lin Ke called out and began implanting the 'Ruyi Set' into Luo Ken.

Considering that Luo Ken was about to become his Captain of the Guard, Lin Ke exerted utmost care.

After all, his own life is the most important.