Chapter 397: Reason

Crisis.

It is both danger and opportunity.

For the advance team of Ruowosuo Academy, and indeed the entire Ruowosuo Academy, the danger undoubtedly comes from Grand Sage Michel.

Then what about the opportunity?

Initially, upon learning that Grand Sage Michel had accepted funding from the Celestial Court of the Immortal-God Civilization, Dean Friste believed the opportunity lay with the Supreme Council and the other three ninth-level Grand Sages.

Don't be fooled by how bluntly the spokesmen of those three ninth-level Grand Sages refused to his face; behind the scenes, how they view Michel's defection to the Immortal-God Civilization and how they will respond is still up in the air.

Even if they look down on Ruowosuo Academy's advance team, or even on Ruowosuo Academy itself, and are unwilling to join forces.

But Dean Friste believes they will absolutely not stand by and watch Grand Sage Michel succeed in his advancement.

The possibility of them directly intervening to stop him and thereby forming a deadly enmity is not great.

Interfering from the side with the advancement process, delaying the advancement, and showing the Immortal-God Civilization's Celestial Court that they are a more suitable patron—such things are still quite likely.

Dean Friste's request of those three ninth-level Grand Sages is not much; just this.

The key lies with the Supreme Council side.

Some gaps must not be opened.

If Grand Sage Michel, without permission from the five Sages of the Supreme Council, privately contacted the Immortal-God Civilization's Celestial Court and privately accepted its patronage……

If, under the patronage of the Immortal-God Civilization's Celestial Court, Grand Sage Michel truly switched his cultivation and succeeded in advancement……

The seriousness of the matter can be imagined.

How will those ninth-level Grand Sages whose lifespans are ending, or whose advancement is hopeless, or both, view the Supreme Council and view the Wizard Civilization?

The precedent has been set; where do people's hearts lie now?

The saying "When hearts are scattered, the team is hard to lead"—the five Sages of the Supreme Council certainly won't be unaware of it.

Dean Friste firmly believes that after leaking this news to the Supreme Council, the Supreme Council will definitely react.

Whether that reaction is big or small, at least it will be able to divert Grand Sage Michel's attention.

Thus, Ruowosuo Academy's advance team can gain breathing room and operational space, and Ruowosuo Academy can have more time to devise better countermeasures.

However, upon seeing Lotessno restored to a fourth-level Sage, with a greatly changed demeanor and even more unhinged conduct, Dean Friste almost wanted to curse himself.

Indeed, being inside the situation makes one lose oneself.

Possibly it's the effect of Dean Friste constantly proclaiming that Ruowosuo Academy has little desire for Sage reincarnation.

When Dean Friste was calculating how to turn Ruowosuo Academy from danger to safety, he unconsciously overlooked Lotessno's existence and the role he could play.

Figured it out?

Lotessno gave an evil, charming smile; his expression was richer than when he was in the "Transmutation Period".

If Lin Ke saw this, he'd probably blurt out "tyrant CEO".

If he's in a good mood, he might even ask, "Which pond have you taken a liking to? Want to contract it?"

Dean Friste doesn't get these memes, yet he also feels an indescribable emotion.

The five Sages of the Supreme Council, Dean Friste has never met; their personalities and conduct probably aren't too quirky, let alone bizarre.

Ninth-level Grand Sages, or beings equivalent to them, Dean Friste has seen and interacted with quite a few, but few have expressions as eerily strange as Lotessno's.

Eighth-level Grand Sages need not even be mentioned.

In short, Dean Friste feels that the Lotessno he sees now has an image completely different from the Lotessno he knew before and from his conception of a Sage reincarnation.

Yet inexplicably, he feels this is what a Sage reincarnation truly ought to look like.

Pressing down the thoughts floating in his mind, Dean Friste nodded and replied, "I've figured out some things, but I'm not sure if I really have figured them out."

"What else isn't clear enough?"

Lotessno's smile at the corner of his mouth shifted from evil and charming to gentle, as if an elder were answering questions for a dearly loved junior.

Friste felt weird, yet couldn't say exactly what was weird.

At this moment, facing the seemingly revealed nature of this mysterious-system Wizard Sage reincarnation, Friste's emotional perception and self-cognition in certain aspects were subjected to an intangible interference.

And he was unaware of it.

Setting aside the weird feeling, Friste spoke honestly: "I don't understand why you are willing to step forward and face Grand Sage Michel. Logically, what you need most now is recovery time and a stable recovery environment."

"Ah, this!"

Upon hearing this, Lotessno let out a long sigh, his head slightly lifted, as if looking at something, or recalling something, or feeling something.

After a moment, Lotessno locked eyes with Friste and asked, "Do you know what a Sage is?"

"I don't know."

Dean Friste thought carefully, but could only shake his head.

As a seventh-level Grand Sage, not knowing what a Sage is—is that normal?

In the Wizard Civilization, this is quite normal.

Knowledge is not necessarily better the more there is.

Sometimes, knowing too much, knowing things too clearly, is actually not a good thing.

If a seventh-level Grand Sage learns too early what a Sage is, it's highly likely to form a knowledge obstacle or to instill fear.

Thus, the space for later advancement to Sage becomes even narrower.

Although after that battle with the Gods Civilization, the Wizard Civilization has produced no further Sages.

"Then consider whether you want to know."

It's obvious that Lotessno actually already knew Friste didn't know, and he considerately asked about Friste's thoughts instead of just telling him.

Friste seriously considered his chances of achieving Sagehood, found them minuscule, then nodded: "Please tell me."

Unconsciously, when facing Lotessno, Friste had already adjusted his posture and mode of address.

He still hadn't directly addressed him as "Sage"; it was merely the difference between "you" and the respectful "you".

Though this point is minor, it is extremely important.

Translation: "Although this point is minor, it is extremely important."

Attitude remains important when dealing with people and situations.

Translation: "In dealing with people and matters, posture is still very important."

"I won't go into the details."

Translation: ""I won't tell you the specifics.""

Luotesinuo suddenly changed his mind again and said, "Just give a few brief reminders."

Luotesinuo suddenly changed his mind again and said, "Just give a few brief reminders."

"Please go ahead."

Translation: ""Please go ahead.""

Fulisite, of course, had no other opinion.

Fulisite naturally had no other opinion.

As the saying goes, knowing too much isn't necessarily a good thing.

Translation: "It's still the same saying—knowing too much isn't necessarily a good thing."

Luotesinuo said: "First, the wizard civilization currently has five Saints; second, the wizard world's native continent is now divided into five major regions: Central Land, East Coast, West Coast, Southern Border, and Northern Border; third, each major region has subordinate regions and special zones; fourth, each Saint is the pinnacle of a wizard school with tremendous influence."

The wizard civilization currently has five Saints; the wizard world's native continent is divided into five major regions—Central Land, East Coast, West Coast, Southern Border, and Northern Border; each major region contains subordinate regions and special zones; and each Saint is the pinnacle of a wizard school with tremendous influence.

Let's produce: "Luotesinuo said: 'First, the wizard civilization currently has five Saints; second, the native continent of the wizard world is now divided into five major regions: Central Land, East Coast, West Coast, Southern Border, and Northern Border; third, each major region has subordinate regions and special zones; fourth, each Saint is the pinnacle of a wizard school with tremendous influence.'"

Luotesinuo paused, withdrew the smile from his face, his expression turned solemn, and he asked in a serious tone: "So, do you now understand why I am willing to step forward for the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and confront that old brat Michel head-on?"

Luotesinuo paused, withdrew the smile from his face, his expression turned solemn, and he asked in a serious tone: "So, do you now understand why I am willing to step forward for the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and confront that old brat Michel head-on?"

"I kind of get it, but I don't fully understand yet."

Translation: ""I roughly understand, but I haven't fully grasped it yet.""

Fulisite replied truthfully.

Fulisite replied truthfully.

"Huh?"

Translation: ""Huh?""

Luotesinuo let out a sound from his nose, looking puzzled.

Without divulging full details about the Saints' rank, Luotesinuo has said all he can.

Translation: "Without fully revealing the details of the Saint's rank, Luotesinuo had already said everything he could."

Fulisite could become the dean of the Ruiwo Suosi Academy, and under his leadership the academy has grown ever stronger; he is certainly not a fool. The meaning behind his words should be clear enough.

Fulisite could become the dean of the Ruiwo Suosi Academy, and under his leadership the academy has grown ever stronger; he is certainly not a fool. The meaning behind his words should be clear enough.

"Why don't you fully understand then?"

Translation: "How is it that I haven't fully understood?"

Before Luotesinuo could ask, Fulisite spoke up:

Translation: "Before Luotesinuo could ask, Fulisite himself spoke up:"

"You wish to regain the position of Saint; wizard rank and strength are one matter, while the necessary sphere of influence is another."

"You want to regain the position of Saint; wizard rank and strength are one matter, while the necessary sphere of influence is another."

"According to what you said, both are required."

Translation: ""According to your words, both must be complete.""

"But I don't think the Ruiwo Suosi Academy is that important to you."

"But I don't think the Ruiwo Suosi Academy is that important to you."

"At the very least, it isn't important enough for you to face, in an incomplete state, the Great Sage Michel whose life is nearing its end and who will inevitably sacrifice everything to ascend to Saint."

"At the very least, it isn't important enough for you to face, in an incomplete state, the Great Sage Michel whose life is nearing its end and who will inevitably sacrifice everything to ascend to Saint."

Fulisite paused slightly, added some weight to his tone, and continued: "So, I still don't fully understand why you are willing to confront Great Sage Michel. I think there must be another reason, and it is the main one."

Fulisite paused slightly, added some weight to his tone, and continued: "So, I still don't fully understand why you are willing to confront Great Sage Michel. I think there must be another reason, and it is the main one."

"Heh."

Translation: ""Heh.""

Luotesinuo chuckled, "You are remarkably clear-headed. Ordinary people, when faced with a Saint's attention—even just verbal praise—would become so excited as to lose their rational judgment. Or, even if they retain some reason, when faced with the temptation of high returns, they would ignore the risk warnings rising from their subconscious."

Luotesinuo chuckled, "You are remarkably clear-headed. Ordinary people, when faced with a Saint's attention—even just verbal praise—would become so excited as to lose their rational judgment. Or, even if they retain some reason, when faced with the temptation of high returns, they would ignore the risk warnings rising from their subconscious."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Translation: ""Thank you for the praise.""

Fulisite readily accepted the praise in Luotesinuo's words.

Fulisite readily accepted the praise in Luotesinuo's words.

He then stayed quiet, waiting for Luotesinuo to finish what he had to say.

Translation: "Then he kept silent, waiting for Luotesinuo to finish his unfinished words."

Luotesinuo didn't mind, speaking frankly: "You guessed right—there is indeed another reason, and it is the main one. As for what it is, I can only tell you that my willingness to confront that old brat Michel head-on stems from the shared will and interests of all parties, which also includes the will of the wizard world."

Luotesinuo didn't mind, speaking frankly: "You guessed right—there is indeed another reason, and it is the main one. As for what it is, I can only tell you that my willingness to confront that old brat Michel head-on stems from the shared will and interests of all parties, which also includes the will of the wizard world."

"Is that right? Then I won't ask."

Translation: ""Is that so? Then I won't ask further.""

Fulisite decisively switched the topic, asking, "What do you need me and the Ruiwo Suosi Academy to do?"

Fulisite decisively switched the topic, asking, "What do you need me and the Ruiwo Suosi Academy to do?"

"No, there's nothing."

Translation: ""Nothing needed, it's nothing.""

Luotesinuo shook his head, "You just need to respond normally; you don't need to consider my presence and influence."

Translation: "Luotesinuo shook his head, 'Just respond normally; you don't need to take my presence and influence into account.'"

As his words faded, Luotesinuo's figure suddenly vanished, just as it had appeared.

Translation: "As his words faded, Luotesinuo's figure vanished suddenly, just as he had appeared."

This trick, Fulisite and his sister Lisandra often use in front of others.

This trick, Fulisite and his sister Lisandra often use in front of others.

It is also often used by Great Sage Ruiwo and Great Sage Suosi.

It is also often used by Great Sage Ruiwo and Great Sage Suosi.

They both have extensive experience.

Translation: "Both sides have very rich experience."

Thus Fulisite remains unflustered in the face of change.

Thus Fulisite remains unflustered in the face of change.

After Luotesinuo left, Fulisite continued to ponder the earlier question:

After Luotesinuo left, Fulisite continued to ponder the earlier question:

How should the advance team of the Ruiwo Suosi Academy respond to the threat posed by Great Sage Michel and his tower?

How should the advance team of the Ruiwo Suosi Academy respond to the threat posed by Great Sage Michel and his tower?

It's better to rely on oneself than on others.

Translation: "It's better to rely on oneself than to ask others for help."

Luotesinuo's willingness to confront Great Sage Michel directly has indeed sharply reduced Fulisite's pressure.

Luotesinuo's willingness to confront Great Sage Michel directly has indeed sharply reduced Fulisite's pressure.

But the threat from Great Sage Michel's Tower remains extremely deadly.

But the threat from Great Sage Michel's Tower remains extremely deadly.

Even a small mistake can have serious repercussions.

Translation: "A moment's carelessness could lead to dire consequences."

"The High Council."

Translation: ""High Council.""

Muttering to himself, Fulisite ended his thoughts and awaited contact from the internal liaison of the High Council's Parallel Universe Office.

Muttering to himself, Fulisite ended his thoughts and awaited contact from the internal liaison of the High Council's Parallel Universe Office.

Fulisite believed that, given a certain binding of interests, that person in charge would surely contact him.

Fulisite believed that, given a certain binding of interests, that person in charge would surely contact him.

The only uncertainty is how long the wait will be.

Translation: "The only uncertainty is how long he will have to wait."

Just as Fulisite began waiting, Lin Ke and Mo Li had already finished their tasks on this side.

Just as Fulisite began waiting, Lin Ke and Mo Li had already finished their tasks on this side.

After their hectic bustle, the two finally calmed down and had time for peaceful communication.

Translation: "After their bustling activity, the two finally calmed down and had time for peaceful communication."

"When are we leaving?"

We need to keep quotes. Translation: ""When are we leaving?""

Mo Li embraced Lin Ke and asked softly.

Mo Li embraced Lin Ke and asked softly.

"We'll leave shortly."

Translation: ""We'll leave shortly.""

Lin Ke stroked Mo Li's silky-smooth hair and replied softly.

Lin Ke stroked Mo Li's silky-smooth hair and replied softly.

"Shouldn't we say something to Paro Sage and the others?"

"Shouldn't we say something to Paro Sage and the others?"

"Let's say something; there's no need to keep it secret."

Translation: ""Let's say something; there's no need to hide it.""

"Should you say it, should I say it, or should we say it together?"

Translation: ""Should you say it, or should I? Or should we do it together?""

"Let's do it together."

Translation: ""Let's do it together.""

After a brief chat, the two reached an agreement.

Translation: "After a brief chat, the two reached an agreement."

Thereafter, they neither spoke nor busied themselves again, but instead enjoyed a quiet embrace they hadn't had in a long time.

Translation: "Afterward, they neither spoke nor busied themselves again, but instead enjoyed a quiet embrace they hadn't had in a long time."

Until they estimated that Paro Sage and Selin Sage also had free time, only then did the two get up from the big bed that had become a mess, wash up, and change clothes.

Not long after, the founders of the Four Families United Army Corps, Lin Ke and Mo Li, Paro Sage, Serin Sage, and Kodi Sage, gathered together.

Mo Li and Serin Sage were radiant and beautiful.

Lin Ke and Paro Sage likewise had a similar spirited expression on their faces.

Only Kodi Sage's eyes held a hint of resentment.

This was a silent complaint from the single.

Lin Ke and Mo Li, Paro Sage and Serin Sage, these two couples, perfectly in sync, ignored Kodi Sage's resentment.

As the eldest among the five, if Kodi Sage sought to leave single life, his children would likely be two generations older than Lin Ke.

Therefore, Kodi Sage has no right to resent.

Kodi Sage sensed the couples' "indifference", curled his lips, helplessly spoke first: "Alright, you all focus, let's talk about the serious matter."

Having said that, Kodi Sage looked at Lin Ke and asked: "You came over so urgently and called this meeting so urgently; there must be something very important—spill it."

Lin Ke nodded, and in response to Kodi Sage's question, he laid out all the information he knew and the decision he had made.

After hearing this, Kodi Sage, Paro Sage, and Serin Sage all fell into deep thought.

Not long after, Paro Sage broke the silence, saying: "This matter is indeed very troublesome, even difficult to cope with. But why must you take Mo Li and leave the United Army Corps? What are you worried about? Or what do you not believe in?"

"It's not that I'm worried about something, nor that I don't believe in something."

Lin Ke spoke solemnly: "I believe that if something really happens, everyone will firmly stand together and face it. I'm taking Mo Li away for other considerations."

"What considerations?"

Paro Sage pressed further.

Serin Sage's and Kodi Sage's gazes both fell on Lin Ke's face, awaiting his answer.

Lin Ke candidly said: "Fewer people means greater flexibility. If I'm not mistaken, Mo Li and I are the primary targets of the impending strike. Staying in the United Army Corps would be of no benefit and only harm. By then, not only would the United Army Corps suffer a more intense attack, but we would also lose the room to maneuver flexibly."

"If your information is correct, this trouble cannot be avoided. Lin Ke, from what I know of you, you're not someone who runs away at the first sign of trouble."

Serin Sage interjected before Paro Sage, speaking solemnly: "Since you've decided to take Mo Li and leave the United Army Corps first, you surely have your reasons. I won't ask for specifics; I only ask one thing."

"What?"

"Are you confident?"