Chapter 383: Settle

Trouble arrived as scheduled.

While Lin Ke and Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke were chatting, the Ruowosi Suo Academy office stationed at the High Council welcomed a large number of visitors.

The visitors were mostly fourth- or fifth-rank sages, with fourth-rank sages being the majority.

Their demand was only one: to have Linke Grand come out to meet them.

For the mages of the office, dealing with these fourth- and fifth-rank sages was actually not difficult.

After all, stationed at the office were one seventh-rank great sage, four sixth-rank sages, and a full ten fifth-rank sages.

Working together, they could easily sweep away these young fourth- and fifth-rank sages.

But there's always a however.

Sweeping away these fourth- and fifth-rank sages is easy, but to pacify the figures and forces behind them is another matter—not even the office can do it, let alone the Ruowosi Suo Academy.

Therefore, the seventh-rank great sage stationed at the High Council directly told Dean Furisute: "Either the academy loses face, or let Linke Grand or Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke go out to settle the trouble they caused."

Dean Furisute had no choice but to ask Lin Ke to step forward.

After all, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, through constantly shuttling between parallel universes over the past two years, has earned the academy enough merit, and her current status is extremely special.

As far as the Ruowosi Suo Academy is concerned, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke already holds a semi-independent position.

Given Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's special status, in many matters she can completely consider only her own will and interests.

As for Lin Ke, Dean Furisute and the academy naturally respected him just as much, and did not act high-handedly.

This time was no different.

Dean Furisute used 'please', not 'let'.

"I heard you were looking for me?"

Arriving outside the office on the main street, facing over forty fourth- and fifth-rank sages swarming forward, Lin Ke remained very composed.

This attitude was just like several years ago, when Lin Ke, invited by the academy and Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, screened the remaining four members of the five-person mentor team, facing these contemporaries' young talents without worrying at all about being defeated.

The only difference was that, back then, Linke Grand was the first among his contemporaries' young genius mages to advance to fourth-rank sage.

Now, however, there are plenty of latecomers who have surpassed him, like Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, who overtook Linke Grand and became a fifth-rank sage first.

That's why these people look down on Linke Grand, who has been holed up in the academy for over two years without seeking improvement.

"It's you we're looking for."

Seeing Lin Ke still wearing that outwardly frank but inwardly dismissive expression, a fifth-rank sage immediately stepped forward from the crowd: "When we first met, you were a fourth-rank sage and I a third-rank mage; now upon reunion, you remain a fourth-rank sage while I have become a fifth-rank sage. This is truly… rather sigh-inducing. I really want to ask: have you been hiding at home drinking milk these past few years?"

Hearing the other's frivolous words, Lin Ke's brows involuntarily furrowed.

Too low-class.

His speech is truly too low-class.

Even though he is a fifth-rank sage, how could he utter such vulgar, lowly words?

Even if he wanted to provoke Lin Ke, he shouldn't have.

Lin Ke's gaze toward the other couldn't help but shift toward the direction of 'looking at an idiot'.

Perhaps he leveled up too quickly, his temperament failing to keep up with his strength, truly becoming an idiot, right?

"What kind of look is that?"

The other's perception was still very keen, and he immediately noticed the change in Lin Ke's gaze.

"Nothing."

Lin Ke slightly shook his head, trying to suppress his contempt as much as possible, then said, "Alright, everyone's time is precious; there's no need to waste it here. Make a move—today, however you want to proceed, I'll accompany you to the end."

As soon as he said that, it immediately provoked an uproar.

The swarming fourth- and fifth-rank sages' impression of Lin Ke, on top of old grudges, added new hatred.

They could no longer tolerate Lin Ke's attitude of not taking them seriously!

For a moment, the crowd's emotions ran high.

Yet, no one stepped forward to challenge Lin Ke first.

Including the mage who had just stepped forward to provoke Lin Ke, he also did not become 'the first to eat the crab'.

Behind Lin Ke, in the office's high-rise building, Dean Furisute and the office's seventh-rank great sage stood side by side, watching what was happening outside.

Dean Furisute considered himself well-informed, yet he had never seen so many fourth- and fifth-rank sages gathered with problems in their temperament.

"Is there still hope for them?"

After watching for a while, seeing that Lin Ke and those mages couldn't start a fight anytime soon, Dean Furisute asked leisurely.

"Yes, it depends on how they choose."

The one answering Dean Furisute was not the office's seventh-rank great sage, but Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke seated on a soft chair not far behind the two.

It turned out that these swarming fourth- and fifth-rank sages had all completed their advancements in the parallel universe over the past few years.

Changing universes, the advancement process naturally differs somewhat.

The biggest difference is that these fourth- and fifth-rank sages lack a process of resonating with the will of the mage world.

Or more accurately, these fourth- and fifth-rank sages advanced to fourth- or fifth-rank extraordinary beings in the parallel universe, then upon returning to the mage world universe, the mage world's will supplemented their sage 'certification'.

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's remark 'watch how they choose' also has a simple meaning.

As long as these mages, before advancing to sixth-rank sage, no longer seek the convenience of advancement, stop going to the parallel universe to complete their advancement, and instead solidly lay a foundation for several years, they still have hope of becoming true sage-rank mages.

Otherwise, even if some people can continue to advance easily, becoming fifth- or even sixth-rank sages, they would merely be hollow fifth- and sixth-rank sages.

Faced with truly meaningful, step-by-step, rock-solid advancement of same-rank mages, they have no chance to win in a single battle.

"Is that so."

Dean Furisute sighed, then turned his gaze seriously toward the outside.

"Hurry up, one by one or all together?"

Outside the office, Lin Ke saw that those mages were still delaying putting their provocations into action, and he grew a bit impatient.

This posture further enraged the swarming fourth- and fifth-level sages.

Then finally someone dared to act on their dissatisfaction with Lin Ke.

What made Lin Ke dissatisfied was that the person who stepped forward to formally challenge him was still that earlier person.

Frankly, having developed to this point, it has already made Lin Ke look down from the bottom of his heart on the young mages blocking the office door.

His attitude reflected in his words and actions, showing Lin Ke becoming increasingly impatient.

Originally, Lin Ke still thought to give these people some face this time, but now Lin Ke decided not to.

What followed became somewhat brutal.

Lin Ke proved to these contemporaneous young genius mages with facts that your elder brother is still your elder brother.

Whether you are a fourth-level sage or a fifth-level sage, whether you truly deserve the title or not, whether you step forward actively or wait passively, Lin Ke treats these contemporaneous young genius mages all the same.

Construct activation, a direct punch knocks them down, simple and brutal.

There is none of the grand scene and high prestige expected in a battle between sage-level mages.

It is more like a street brawl of mundane society, comparing whose fists are faster, harder, and more ruthless.

"Anyone else?"

After beating down the dozens of fourth- and fifth-level sages who came to block the office door, Lin Ke stood at the entrance and asked gently. The contemporaneous young mages lay scattered on the ground, no one making a sound.

Lingering in their eyes were only shock and shame.

How did things come to this point?

Wasn't it agreed upon by everyone to come together and let Linke Grand suffer a great embarrassment?

How did it turn into Linke Grand using a "wheel king eight" punching style to beat everyone up?

Lin Ke couldn't care less about what those arrogant, shortcut-taking contemporaneous young genius mages who caught up or even surpassed his level thought in their hearts.

Receiving no response, Lin Ke assumed they dared not reply and leisurely walked into the office.

With a bang.

The office door was shut hard by Lin Ke.

Outside, the fourth- and fifth-level sages lying on the ground only then regained their ability to move.

One by one, they dared not stay longer, lest they lose more face.

"Why are you so irritable?"

Inside the office, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke greeted the returning Lin Ke with a smiling inquiry.

"Nothing."

Lin Ke didn't really want to talk about what just happened, choosing to brush it off.

"You're going to become famous again."

Regarding Lin Ke's attitude, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke didn't mind, her face still wearing a brilliant smile.

"Haven't I always been famous?"

Lin Ke countered.

"That's also true."

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke shrugged.

The two didn't continue chatting in the hallway, walking side by side into the conference room.

Dean Frister and the seventh-level great sage from the office were waiting inside.

The meeting, delayed by the little incident, officially began.

The seventh-level great sage briefly introduced recent hot matters occurring in the Supreme Council, as well as various aspects of the progress of the Parallel Universe Immortal-Deity Civilization Vanguard Legion.

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke recounted the latest developments and noteworthy people and events from the Parallel Universe Immortal-Deity Civilization that she had learned about.

After hearing both of them, Dean Frister began to state the various matters concerning the academy's entry into the Parallel Universe.

Lin Ke brought only his ears, no mouth, listening attentively and silently throughout, not uttering a word.

The meeting lasted over an hour, during which Lin Ke maintained his silence for over an hour.

Only after the main business was finished and the meeting dispersed, under Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's initiative, did Lin Ke finally speak, chatting with her intermittently as they walked out of the conference room.

It was then that the name Linke Grand, which had been silent for over two years, nearly three, shone once again in the Supreme Council.

Forty-seven contemporaneous fourth- and fifth-level sages, even if they had taken shortcuts and completed their promotion in the Parallel Universe, not a single one could withstand Linke Grand's outwardly simple and unadorned punch.

This matter itself is extremely shocking to hear!

Originally, some people harbored doubts about this matter, thinking it too exaggerated.

A certain enthusiast posted the full video of this incident occurring outside the office of the Rui Wo Suo Si Academy stationed at the Supreme Council onto various forums within the Supreme Council's scope, further boosting Linke's reputation.

The video clearly shows how Lin Ke, appearing slow but actually fast, struck those fourth- and fifth-level sages with a speed they could not capture and a force they could not withstand, knocking them out with a bang.

Those who had doubted were now completely convinced.

It was in such an atmosphere that Lin Ke followed Dean Frister to attend several different meetings.

Before the first batch of members from the Rui Wo Suo Si Academy's expedition to the Parallel Universe set out, Dean Frister deliberately came to the Supreme Council, of course not to let Lin Ke gain fame again.

There were plenty of proper matters to attend to.

Bringing Lin Ke along also served his purpose.

Unfortunately his plan fell through; the person he wanted to bring Lin Ke to see was not present in the Supreme Council during this period.

"It's not very coincidental; we have to go to the Parallel Universe to meet."

After the third visit came to nothing, Dean Frister said helplessly.

"Then let's meet again there."

Lin Ke had never been clear about who Dean Frister wanted him to meet and what significance it held.

It was simply because Dean Frister attached great importance to it, and greatly valued it.

So even after three futile trips, he didn't mind the trouble and give up.

He also turned around to comfort Dean Fu Li Si Te.

That's all we can do.

Dean Fu Li Si Te nodded.

After that, the two of them stayed at the Supreme Council for a few days, until all other matters were settled.

No need to return to the academy.

Dean Fu Li Si Te took Lin Ke and directly went to the parallel universe through the passage opened up from the Supreme Council.

Accompanying them was also Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke.

And also a team dispatched by the Supreme Council.

Lin Ke unsurprisingly became a double 'tool person' for the Supreme Council and Rui Wo Suo Si Academy.

Both the Supreme Council and Rui Wo Suo Si Academy wanted to get something from Lin Ke.

However, the Supreme Council's intentions were great and not very clear;

Rui Wo Suo Si Academy's purpose was very clear, namely to obtain benefits that would allow the academy to develop long-term.

Lin Ke wasn't exactly willing to be a 'tool person', but rather felt that by playing the role well, he could gain more advantageous things.

Going through the passage connecting the two universes, the experience wasn't very wonderful.

Also not at all familiar, the experience was completely different from that of the interworld teleportation gate.

Travel between the two universes was like squeezing a dough from one end of a tube to the other and squeezing it out.

Lin Ke's first experience, he felt a long-lost feeling of dizziness and vertigo.

The last time he felt this uncomfortable was still the first time he went through the interworld teleportation gate.

The dough squeezed out from the other end, Dean Fu Li Si Te, Lin Ke, Ai Rui Si, and the Supreme Council team arrived at the parallel universe long heard of but never seen.

Lin Ke's first reaction was familiarity.

Yes, familiarity.

At the entrance of the passage on this side of the parallel universe, it was originally supposed to be very empty, but now it's a star field crowded with various mage forces' camps.

What met the eye showed not a trace of the characteristic architecture of the parallel universe's immortal god civilization; it was all characteristics of the mage world.

It was like after great hardship leaving the country and arriving at New York's Flushing.

Full view of Chinese signs and Chinese speech.