Chapter 362: 368. Chapter 368 Reunion

The expedition of the Wizard World has become a set pattern.

The first step is projection, meaning the expeditionary legion enters the star system near the target world via large-scale temporary teleportation;

the second step is taking root, meaning the expeditionary legion first finds a suitable planet to establish a rear camp, then breaks into the target world to establish a foothold—frontline positions;

the third step is conquest, focusing on eliminating the target world's main resistance forces, without concern for gains or losses in any single city or territory;

the fourth step is governance, depending on circumstances, either establishing a puppet government to pacify, or ruling directly;

the fifth step is reaping, with servant-soldier source worlds and resource worlds each producing yields, all of which are benefits.

The Grande Sage Legion has just completed the first step and is about to proceed with the second step, taking root.

The star fleet split into two: the main force, centered on the Star Destroyer, advanced toward the target world to establish a defensive line; the smaller unit sought a suitable planet to establish a rear camp.

Before the rear camp is established, contact with the Wizard World's homeland is made, and a teleportation portal is constructed, the Grande Sage Legion will not rashly launch an attack.

The upper limit of the target world is Level 5 Transcendent, and it is not without some fighting strength.

Carelessness can easily lead to defeat.

Lin Ke is not in a hurry at all; taking it slow is fine.

The various departments of the Grande Sage Legion, following the established plan, began to act, advancing step by step.

Training is just training; it needs real combat to be tested.

In the first campaign across the myriad heavens, whether it is Lin Ke or the Grande Sage Legion, both need to accumulate experience and undergo extensive coordination.

Therefore, Lin Ke truly is not panicked at all.

Thus, steady and solid, advancing a little each day, he will eventually achieve the goal.

◆￠o

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

Under Lin Ke's central coordination, the Grande Sage Legion completely crushed the resistance of the target world and fully occupied this water-marsh world with no land, only oceans.

Fish-headed humanoids, once detached from the ocean, will not die but suffer a severe decline in state, making them unsuitable as servant-soldier sources.

However, the aquatic products of this water-marsh world are abundant, so they can provide considerable low- to mid-tier resources.

It has some value, just not that much.

It cannot be called chicken rib, but neither can it be called fatty meat.

In short, Dean Forrester defied the chaotic orders from the Supreme Council, shielding Lin Ke; the cost was the halving of the first reward in the initial conquest world, which was half-task, half-reward.

Lin Ke accepted this gladly.

Now, after full occupation, only two problems lie before Lin Ke.

One is establishing a puppet government to pacify; the other is the trouble he knew about when accepting the mission.

A piece of meat, whether fatty or lean, once eyed, often attracts more than one person.

This water-marsh world with an upper limit of Level 5 Transcendent is no exception.

According to reliable intelligence, the Abyss World has also set its sights on this place.

A water-attribute fourth-tier demon, extremely rare in the Abyss World, seeks to claim this water-marsh world as its own.

For wizards, fish-headed humanoids as transcendent beings are of little use.

But for this newly promoted water-attribute fourth-tier demon, they are the most suitable ethnic conversion fodder.

Regardless of whether Lin Ke cares about the output of this water-marsh world, since it has already been occupied, there is no possibility of losing territory before battle.

Otherwise, if this were to spread back to the Wizard World, Linke Grand would become a great laughingstock.

"Legion Commander, everything is ready."

The recruited head of the Staff Office, Level 3 Wizard Drozan Lowry, entered Lin Ke's tent to report.

The camp does not necessarily have to be dug into the ground; it can also be magnetically suspended.

"Well, then we shall wait at ease and clash with those Abyssal Demons emitting a foul stench."

Lin Ke finished reading the report brought by the chief of staff and issued the order.

The Grande Sage Legion immediately split again: the star fleet, centered on the Annihilation Fortress, established a defensive line in space; the camp, centered on Lin Ke's tent, served as the command hub and reserve force within the water-marsh world.

The three main corps prepared two plans: one, to go to war immediately if the Abyssal Demons arrive; two, to engage in a standoff and war of attrition with the Abyssal Demons.

Either way, waiting at ease benefits the Grande Sage Legion.

However, the entire legion leans more toward the second plan.

This tactic was carefully discussed by the Staff Office, reported upward, and approved by Lin Ke.

It fully utilized the Wizard World's rich experience in ambushing Abyssal Demons.

Especially the Paro Sage Legion's previous brilliantly executed total annihilation campaign.

Repel the enemy from outside, continuously bleed them, one strike to settle the matter.

Soon, on the very day the puppet government was completed, the anticipated Abyssal Demon Legion arrived.

"Damn it!"

The newly promoted water-attribute fourth-tier demon, from afar, discovered that this water-marsh world had already been preemptively occupied by the wicked wizards, and roared in anger.

"Damned wizards! Vile wizards! Wicked wizards!"

"The great Groner will one day crush you all!"

Amid the roars of the water-attribute demon, under the astonished gaze of the Grande Sage Legion up and down, the Abyssal Demon Legion retreated.

"This..."

Chief of Staff Drozan Lowry was stunned.

The head of the Intelligence Department could not figure it out after much thought.

Elite Guard Commander Loken scratched his head, utterly speechless.

Luo Ken still thought, finally able to fight a hard battle, to test the brand-new "Construct" system.

Yes, during Lin Ke's training of the legion, he had already cleared out all the 1.0 version Constructs implanted in Luo Ken's body.

Lin Ke did not have the ability to let Luo Ken retrain, but he could make do.

If a 2.0 version self-generated Construct couldn't be made, he could compromise and go for a 1.5 version Construct.

The so-called 1.5 version Construct is still externally implanted, but it adheres to the ideas of integration, systematization, and modularity.

The so-called integration means that the implanted Construct, whether a single piece or a set, should be combined with what the Wizard has learned to form a whole.

The so-called systematization means that the implanted Construct is continuous, mutually responsive, and interlocking.

The so-called modularity means that the implanted Construct can be combined and matched in different ways depending on the situation.

One-piece casting is indeed good, but it is very difficult to achieve perfection.

Modular assembly, although strength slightly decreases, is more functionally complete and much simpler and convenient.

After Luo Ken was implanted with the brand-new 1.5 version Construct, his combat power secured the second position in the Grande Sage Legion.

Construct activation, transforming into a green giant, super strength, super speed, super agility, super endurance, super resistance, all kinds of killing moves, actually allowed him to fight evenly with Lin Ke in normal mode.

Luo Ken really wanted to measure himself against the newly promoted Water-Attribute Fourth-Tier Demon.

Too bad.

"Legion Commander, pursue or not?"

Chief of Staff Drozan Lowry reacted in time and spoke up to ask for instructions.

"Do not pursue a desperate enemy, just leave it at that."

Lin Ke somewhat lost interest, after issuing the order, he entered his private space.

Not only Luo Ken wanted to verify his strength.

Promoted to Sage, founding the Construct Wizard School, Lin Ke had grand ambitions and also wanted to test himself, while displaying his holiness before others.

Sage Paro, during the campaign to conquer the Fairy World, beheaded a demon, and from then on established supreme prestige within the Paro Sage Legion.

Lin Ke similarly wanted to replicate such a feat. Unfortunately, the Abyssal Demon did not cooperate.

This made Lin Ke very displeased, and he still had to seek another opportunity.

Thus, the Grande Sage Legion's occupation of this Water Marsh World became a settled matter.

After about half a month of guidance, the Wizard World's World Will thoroughly infected the World Will of this Water Marsh World.

The permanent portal construction was completed.

Out of the need for tethered rule, and also due to Lin Ke's certain interests, the structure of the portal is none other than a Floating City.

This move, a fluke that turned out right, actually made the originally somewhat reluctant Fish People tribe completely submit.

Fish People live in the ocean, only able to look up at the sky, when have they ever conquered?

Even the once greatest Sea King, a Level 5 Transcendent existence, never had his palace built in the sky.

And in the final battle, first injured by an ordinary strike under normal mode, then beaten to death by Luo Ken transformed into a green giant, the most recent 4th-Tier Sea King is even more pitiable.

The Grande Sage Legion's first campaign across the heavens, up to this point, can be marked with a period.

Not very satisfactory.

Because the set goal of annihilating an Abyssal Demon Legion was not achieved.

It seems somewhat like a strong start but weak finish.

One can only sigh, life is unsatisfactory eight or nine times out of ten.

Leaving the legion stationed in the Water Marsh World for garrison, maintenance, and continued tactical drills, Lin Ke alone returned to the Wizard World homeland.

This action was, of course, approved by the Academy.

After all, there is a reason for this.

"How is the situation?"

Stepping out of the Cross-boundary Portal, seeing Mo Li coming to greet, the two embraced warmly, Lin Ke immediately asked about the matter.

"Not very optimistic, Sage Celine said she had already done her best, whether survival is possible depends on Christina's own willpower."

Upon hearing this, Mo Li's expression grew somewhat dim.

Yet it was Christina, long out of contact, who suddenly ran to Riverside City, seeking Lin Ke's protection.

When Mo Li found Christina according to the coded agreement, she was already on her last breath, with only a breath left not scattered.

Before losing consciousness, Christina said she had uncovered a piece of news extremely important to Riverside Academy.

Mo Li did not rashly alarm the Academy, but after realizing her medical ability was insufficient to cure Christina, she requested Sage Celine to take action.

As for Lin Ke's return to the Wizard World homeland this time, being able to receive the Academy's approval, it was also not because of the news Christina mentioned.

On the surface, the Academy still temporarily does not know about this matter.

Before handling the temporary task issued by the Academy to Lin Ke, he also dealt with private affairs along the way, no one can interfere.

"Come on, let's go back and take a look."

Lin Ke and Mo Li quickly returned to the North City District villa.

Christina was placed in the underground laboratory.

Sage Celine treated Christina's injuries, sustained her life, then returned to the Academy Headquarters World.

Her potion research has reached a very critical moment, cannot be too distracted.

Entering Christina's sickbed, Lin Ke examined the situation and found that Sage Celine had already done her utmost.

Riverside Academy does not lack better and higher medical technology, but Christina's current condition cannot support such consumption.

"We can only wait."

Lin Ke's conclusion is the same as Sage Celine's.

Mo Li had long known this, and was not surprised.

Lin Ke paused, then asked: "Does Galona know?"

Due to some past events affecting her, Galona's growth has been far faster than that of her peers.

Now she can walk, run, jump, and speak, and has already begun her enlightenment studies.

Moreover, based on Galona's special circumstances, Lin Ke decided to develop her as the first apprentice of the Construct Wizard School.

Coincidentally, the special suit "Shadow Demon Snake's Bite" originally given to Galona unintentionally aligned with the 2.0 version of construct thinking; a slight adjustment would allow it to shift from external implantation to internal self-generation.

And Lin Ke, drawing on some methods from the Intellectual Machine Wizard, along with Selin Sage, devised a means to resolve Galona's hidden danger, granting her mental power far surpassing that of ordinary people.

Whether in quality and quantity, or in fine control ability.

Furthermore, because Asande Cornett's wife, Renee Clark, is about to give birth, Mo Li took the opportunity to bring Galona to her own home to raise her.

"The little one is very smart, and moreover, there is a special bloodline connection between her and Christina; she knew it from the first day she arrived."

Mo Li said this, and couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

After discovering her biological mother was severely wounded and near death, Galona showed no emotional change whatsoever; she simply did what needed to be done.

Every action and movement interpreted what it means to be a cold-blooded creature.

Although Lin Ke and Selin Sage had initially exerted their full effort, it seems they still failed to completely eradicate the influence of the Magic Snake Bloodline.

"Just keep a close watch on it."

Lin Ke could only arrange it this way; after speaking, he looked at Mo Li with an apologetic gaze.

The emergency task temporarily issued by the Academy was quite urgent; after a hasty gathering, they had to separate again.

"You may go; just pay attention to safety."

Although Mo Li was reluctant, she did not insist on keeping him, merely giving a few reminders.

"Hmm."

Lin Ke left the underground laboratory and came to the villa's gate.

The aircraft arranged by the Academy was already waiting here, and could not be delayed any further.

Mo Li stood at the villa gate, hands resting on her lower abdomen, seeing off the aircraft as it ascended.

The aircraft flew eastward all the way, crossing the entire West Coast, arriving in the Central Lands.

The destination of this journey is the Supreme Council.

Strictly speaking, this is still Lin Ke's first time in the Wizard World homeland experiencing such a long-distance movement without using teleportation.

Although he felt somewhat puzzled—why not use the convenient teleportation, but instead endure such a lengthy flight—

Lin Ke remained silent and did not voice his question.

The aircraft docked at a certain airport; Lin Ke, traveling alone, stepped out of the cabin and immediately saw the person coming to meet him.

"Long time no see, Iris."

Lin Ke greeted him as he descended the gangway.

"Long time no see, Lin Ke."

Iris, however, was very enthusiastic, running straight forward and giving him a big hug.

The large fruit on the branch pressed firmly against his chest; Iris buried her head deep in Lin Ke's neck, took a deep breath, and frowned slightly.

She smelled Mo Li's scent.

And...

Suppressing the inexplicable sourness in her heart, Iris whispered softly into Lin Ke's ear:

"Thank you for killing me, Lin Ke."