Chapter 391: Searching the Crowds a Thousand Times

"Wind Gathering" quietly begins.

Lin Ke wandered aimlessly with Luo Te Si Nuo, passing many planets under the Immortal God Civilization.

In these places, Lin Ke took in much natural scenery and cultural customs.

This was quite an unusual experience, giving Lin Ke quite unusual emotional feedback.

It couldn't be called a soul‑purifying journey, yet it was completely different from waging war across the heavens.

There was no war, no slaughter, no conquest or being conquered, no need for scheming—just wandering about with a peaceful mind.

Aside from contacting Mo Li once a day to exchange updates, Lin Ke had completely distanced himself from slaughter and war.

This was a very rare stretch of peaceful time.

Beneath the calm, the only thing not very harmonious was that suppressing his realm was becoming increasingly difficult.

Before setting out on the "Wind Gathering", Lin Ke already had no obstacle to advancing from fourth‑rank sage to fifth‑rank sage.

It was only that Lin Ke did not want to complete the advancement in the parallel universe, so he had been suppressing it all along.

He did not want, after advancing, to return to the universe where the Wizard Civilization resides and still have to figure out how to communicate with the Wizard World Will to make up the "price difference".

In fact, this would simply be undergoing another advancement, which would truly be a waste of time and energy.

There was no need to do extra things.

Fortunately, although suppressing it was becoming harder, it was not impossible to suppress.

Lin Ke endured with great difficulty, but in the end he could bear it.

"Don't hold it in; if you can't bear it, just don't."

The Luo Te Si Nuo traveling alongside him now had a very rebellious nature, loving to provoke Lin Ke and oppose him.

Whenever he noticed Lin Ke suppressing his realm, he would speak up, urging Lin Ke to complete the advancement.

Lin Ke gave no strong reaction, merely casting a light, dismissive glance at Luo Te Si Nuo.

Having traveled together all this way, how could Lin Ke not know that Luo Te Si Nuo was also at a very critical juncture—the "Transformation Phase" before a third‑rank wizard advances to fourth‑rank sage?

As for Luo Te Si Nuo's occasional "going mad", he therefore paid it no mind.

After realizing this, Lin Ke was actually quite surprised.

The essence of the "Transformation Phase" is that wizards and the Wizard World Will engage in initial communication, letting each become familiar with the other.

Of course, the main point is still to let the wizard become familiar with the Wizard World Will, and to let the Wizard World Will remember the wizard.

Luo Te Si Nuo, as a reincarnated saint, is still a wizard.

Logically, even as a saint's reincarnation, the "Transformation Phase" ought to be spent within the radius of the Wizard World Will's influence.

It would be best to spend it on the native soil of the Wizard World.

So the question arises: why did Luo Te Si Nuo choose to spend the "Transformation Phase" in the parallel universe?

The Wizard Civilization indeed stands at the pinnacle of one universe, and the Wizard World Will is that universe's unique, extraordinary existence, possessing vast supernatural powers.

But no matter how vast the Wizard World Will's supernatural powers, it cannot seep into the parallel universe.

Not to mention the difficulty of crossing between the two universes.

Setting that aside, suppose the Wizard World Will really extended its tendrils into the parallel universe—would the Immortal God Civilization's "Heavenly Dao" have no reaction?

Even if the Immortal God Civilization's "Heavenly Dao" had no reaction, what about the Demon Civilization's "Heavenly Dao"?

Therefore, Lin Ke believed that Luo Te Si Nuo spending the "Transformation Phase" in the parallel universe must certainly have both reliance and helplessness, leaving him no choice.

"What are you muttering about?"

Luo Te Si Nuo keenly sensed that Lin Ke was thinking about something related to him.

Mystic‑system wizards specialize in prophecy and curses.

Speaking of prophecy and perceptive ability, the God‑devouring Insect, once the mightiest of the Insect Clan Civilization, would not deserve a place before Luo Te Si Nuo.

Although Luo Te Si Nuo currently lacks a "restarted" saint's status, he still possesses extremely strong precognitive ability.

At such close range, Lin Ke's "murmuring" of Luo Te Si Nuo naturally allows Luo Te Si Nuo to "hear" it.

"I'm thinking, you'd better not end up failing to find the stars, failing to find that beam of light, and then also failing to have a good 'Transformation Phase'."

He gave a light grin, showing his white teeth, and Lin Ke spoke his mind frankly.

"Pah! Are you cursing me?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Te Si Nuo's eyes flared with anger, he glared fiercely at Lin Ke, and snapped irritably, "You're the one who can't find the stars, can't find the light, and can't even get through the 'Transformation Phase' properly!"

The smile on Lin Ke's face grew ever more cheerful.

The corners of his mouth could no longer be held back, stretching nearly to the base of his ears.

After laughing a while, Lin Ke said lightly, "All right, all right, all right—I can't find the stars, I can't find the light, I can't even get through the 'Transformation Phase'… but…"

His tone shifted, becoming lightly mocking: "I guess I don't need to look for the stars, don't need to look for the light, and don't need to go through the 'Transformation Phase'! Those are things someone else has to do, nothing to do with me."

"Hmph!"

Faced with Lin Ke's mockery and ridicule, Luo Te Si Nuo chose to temporarily avoid the spotlight.

It wasn't that Luo Te Si Nuo lacked an angle to counter‑ridicule; rather, he'd been hit where it hurt.

Even if he succeeded in counter‑ridiculing, what would it change?

The sore point remains there, the problem remains there, and it has not been effectively resolved.

Lin Ke won a small victory, but in fact he didn't pay it much heed.

Strictly speaking, Lin Ke's question—why Luo Te Si Nuo had to spend the "Transformation Phase" in the parallel universe—still had not been answered.

But Lin Ke also didn't press the matter, just as he hadn't openly asked.

Everyone has secrets.

Everyone also has curiosity.

But having curiosity does not mean one must investigate every secret.

Some things, let them take their course; when the time comes to know, you will naturally know.

"You're curious why I came here to spend my 'transformation period', right?"

At this moment, Lotesnuo suddenly brought up the topic.

"Yes."

Facing Lotesnuo's question, which was more affirmation than doubt, Lin Ke readily admitted.

Just curiosity; it's not something shameful.

"Want to know the answer?"

Lotesnuo raised his eyebrows, and the expression in his eyes and his tone suddenly became a bit frivolous.

He resembled a roguish, spirited youngster on the street, opening his coat to sell the questionable discs hidden in the lining on both sides.

"If you're willing to speak, I'll listen; if not, or if you'd only speak after I agree to some condition, I won't listen. Speak if you want, stay silent if you don't—it's entirely up to you."

Lin Ke gave his attitude very directly, being quite firm.

The firmer he was, the more he could provoke. Lotesnuo actually choked a bit, feeling something stuck in his throat, very much wanting to spit it out but unable to.

From this conversation between the two, it can be seen that Lotesnuo was actually seeking to be contradicted.

One word: deserved!

So Lotesnuo finally swallowed this anger, neither complaining nor retorting.

After taking a few deep breaths to steady the emotions that easily fluctuate during the 'transformation period', Lotesnuo voluntarily revealed the answer: "I came to this parallel universe to undergo the 'transformation period' for two reasons. First, my true spirit is unharmed, and my connection with the will of the wizard world is actually quite tight; undergoing another 'transformation period' resonance would be harmful and useless. Second, the wizard civilization previously could support nine sages coexisting, but that may no longer be the case."

After a pause, Lotesnuo grew solemn, locking eyes with Lin Ke, and said in a deep voice: "You're walking the path of your self-created construct wizard school. I've examined all your publicly available materials; I think it's excellent and very promising. If it continues to develop well, without deviation, you might even have a chance to reach sagehood."

"'But then?' Usually when someone talks like this, there's definitely a turn coming; I'm waiting to hear your 'but'."

Lin Ke did not let the praise from the reincarnated sage for his self-created construct wizard school go to his head; he remained very calm.

He was even actively pouring cold water on himself.

"Ha."

Lotesnuo chuckled, greatly appreciating Lin Ke's steady mindset, "Since you want to hear the but, then I'll say it."

After a pause, Lotesnuo sighed softly: "But, it's not that the more sages there are, the stronger the wizard civilization's overall strength. Wizards are people; no matter how high their rank, their essence remains human, unlike the gods of the enemy god civilization who discard all humanity in pursuit of power and rules. Moreover, wizard civilization pursues freedom. Being human and yet seeking freedom, what situation does that easily lead to?"

"'Divergence!'"

Lin Ke thought for a moment and spat out a word.

"'Exactly, it's divergence!'"

Lotesnuo affirmed Lin Ke's view, then continued: "Not all disagreements can reach consensus; arguments follow, then confrontation, then game-playing. In other words, internal consumption follows. Whether nine sages or five sages, though each is a singular number, when consensus cannot be reached, they can decide how to handle the disagreement by vote. But..."

"'But nine is greater than five, so uncertainty and game complexity are also greater.'"

Like a straight man in a comedy duo, Lin Ke once again precisely caught the line.

Lotesnuo nodded, acknowledging Lin Ke's response, then threw out a reminder or admonition: "So if you harbor great ambitions and want to reach sagehood, you must shift your development focus to the parallel universe. The dharma-ending age of the immortal-god civilization is not the same as that of the wizard civilization, understand?"

"'Not very clear.'"

"'To know what you know and to not know what you don't know'—Lin Ke didn't pretend to know what he didn't; he frankly exposed his ignorance."

Afterward, Lin Ke made a request: "Could you please explain this sentence in detail?"

"'Let me explain.'"

Suddenly, a third voice interjected into Lin Ke and Lotesnuo's conversation.

Before the sound had even faded, a figure had already descended.

The person who arrived was none other than the Heavenly Master Xu Jing, whom I hadn't seen in a long time.

Given the Heavenly Master Xu Jing's stature, realm, and strength, it was only natural that Lin Ke didn't notice his arrival.

So, did Lotesnuo notice?

The rank of the Ancestral Heavenly Master is equivalent to that of a sage in the wizard civilization.

Given Lotesnuo's current strength, it's understandable that he has no means to counter many of the Ancestral Heavenly Master's techniques.

However, it absolutely should not be the case that even when the Heavenly Master Xu Jing is close at hand, he cannot be detected.

Lin Ke thought it over and immediately realized that Lotesnuo's statement "The dharma-ending age of the immortal-god civilization is not the same as that of the wizard civilization" was deliberately said for the Heavenly Master Xu Jing to hear.

Even more suspiciously, could Lotesnuo's occasional mentions of Lin Ke's self-created construct wizard school and its development potential also be intentional?

That possibility is quite real.

But people's hearts are hidden; Lin Ke merely guessed this, not daring to be certain.

In the flash of an instant, with countless thoughts racing through his mind, Lin Ke calmly suppressed them, maintaining a composed demeanor to face the Heavenly Master Xu Jing's sudden appearance and interruption, politely bowing and requesting: "Please, Heavenly Master Xu Jing, do not hesitate to instruct."

"'I dare not accept such instruction; let's just exchange ideas.'"

Heavenly Master Xu Jing nodded in return, then said: "This isn't a good place to chat. You two have been wandering around for so long; you must be tired. Why not come to my Heavenly Master's residence to rest?"

Lin Ke did not immediately give his answer, but instead looked at Lotesnuo.

No matter what, Lotesnuo is a reincarnated sage, and this must be fully respected.

This is called 'position,' and also 'emotional intelligence.'

"'I have no objection, what about you?'"

Lotesnuo shrugged, showing an indifferent attitude, yet also gave Lin Ke respect in return.

Lin Ke understood, smiled, and said: "Heavenly Master Xu Jing warmly invited us; refusing would be impolite, so we'll impose."

"'Please, both of you.'"

Heavenly Master Xu Jing didn't continue with pleasantries, just gestured with his hand.

As his words fell, a light gate leaning toward the wizard civilization's style appeared out of thin air.

"'What is this?'"

At the first sight of the light gate, Lin Ke felt a question arise in his heart.

Luotesinuo carefully examined the Light Gate a few times, his brows slightly furrowed, then relaxed, looking at Xu Jing Heavenly Master with a smiling expression, waiting for Xu Jing Heavenly Master's explanation.

Xu Jing Heavenly Master said calmly: "Just as the Sage said, the Age of Dharma Decline of the Celestial Divine Civilization does not equal the Age of Dharma Decline of the Wizard Civilization. Faced with the arrival of the Dharma Decline crisis, the Celestial Divine Civilization, up and down, is determined to survive, and naturally will try every possible method. Cooperating with the High Council of the Wizard Civilization, forming allies, each occupying a habitat in the other's universe, is one method. Actively absorbing the Wizard Civilization's knowledge, taking strengths to offset weaknesses, renewing and reforming, striving to endure the Dharma Decline crisis, is another method. This Transmission Gate is a new spell developed by the Heavenly Master's Abode after learning the strengths of the Wizard Civilian's cross-world Transmission Gate and combining it with the Celestial Divine Civilization's own Transmission Array."

After hearing Xu Jing Heavenly Master's explanation, Lin Ke's doubts vanished instantly.

At the same time, Lin Ke also noticed that the halo forming the base of the Light Gate was indeed different from the Wizard Civilization's cross-world Transmission Gate's rune formation.

"Western learning spreading eastward, Sino-foreign integration?"

"Out of the blue, a segment of past-life history surged into Lin Ke's mind, prompting him to recall these eight characters."

"Immediately, Lin Ke reacted, taking a deep look at Xu Jing Heavenly Master."

"Having been affected several times by the True Spirit Wizard's path, Lin Ke pays special attention to the defense of his own mind."

"Recalling the process and feeling of these eight characters, it seemed familiar, and he suddenly awakened."

"Is this just empty talk, or is there another agenda?"

"Xu Jing Heavenly Master returned a composed smile, not feeling that he had used any petty tricks, and so on."

"To save the nation and seek survival, without hesitation."

"Please."

"Again, he extended a hand to guide; Xu Jing Heavenly Master first stepped into the Light Gate, then waited on the other side for Lin Ke and Luotesinuo."

"Luotesinuo gave Lin Ke a wink, made a strange look, and followed him into the Light Gate."

"Faced with Luotesinuo's sudden mischief, Lin Ke was completely unfazed, calmly heading to the other side."

"Xu Jing Heavenly Master waved his hand, dispelling the Light Gate, leading the way, and directly brought Lin Ke and Luotesinuo into a solemn and majestic grand hall."

"The grand hall was extremely spacious, with only one person present—none other than the Ancestral Heavenly Master with whom they had previously had a brief encounter."

"In the Ancestral Heavenly Master's hand lay a dull, gray little stone."

"The moment Luotesinuo saw this little stone, his eyes widened and he exclaimed:"

"Stars!"