Chapter 408: One Small Step

One point is very important.

The will of the Wizard World never refuses the emergence of a new Saint.

Since the ancient war between Wizard Civilization and Gods Civilization, no new Saint has appeared, and there are many reasons.

Among them, two points are extremely important:

First, Wizard Civilization suffered heavy damage, needs time to recover, cannot produce too many top-tier resources for high-ranking wizards to use freely;

Second, the will of Wizard Civilization welcomes a new Saint who must open a new school and reach its peak, not a Saint who "seizes" or "snatches" the positions of the four fallen Saints.

Luo Te Si Nuo said Mi Xie Er was too hasty, made mistakes in his haste, based on these two points.

If Mi Xie Er had not, due to his lifespan nearing its end, panicked and used unconventional life-extending methods, and had not, wanting to quickly ascend to Saint, gone to seize the position of the Mystic School Wizard Saint, with his talent, ability, and performance of successfully switching cultivation and ascending to Heavenly Venerable under the Heavenly Court's support, he would have a high probability of normally ascending to Saint.

That is, to create a new Wizard school and reach the pinnacle on that school's path.

You should know that the treatment Lin Ke now enjoys was once given to Mi Xie Er by the Wizard World's will, and that was many years ago.

Mi Xie Er never lacked the time to walk to the peak on the path of the Wizard school he founded; what he lacked was courage, confidence, and patience!

Hasty pursuit of success easily leads to mistakes; Mi Xie Er fell exactly that way.

Of course, Lin Ke is not very clear about this point.

Getting back to the main topic.

The Human Immortal Martial Arts World took root in the Storm Sea of the Wizard World's mainland, but it was not detached from Lin Ke's Sea of Consciousness.

As a world spirit, Fu Lan Duo can still freely travel back and forth among the Human Immortal Martial Arts World, Lin Ke's Sea of Consciousness, and the Wizard Civilization world, as long as Lin Ke is in the universe where the Wizard Civilization resides.

The only difference is that the fusion process between the Sea of Consciousness Small World and the Human Immortal Martial Arts World has been halted.

From now on, the Sea of Consciousness Small World is the Sea of Consciousness Small World, and the Human Immortal Martial Arts World is the Human Immortal Martial Arts World.

Their boundaries are clear, each independent.

However, the substantiation brought to the Sea of Consciousness Small World by its fusion with the Human Immortal Martial Arts World has not been reversed, and it can still continue.

The Fire Elemental Spirit Ke Na Li Ya, who has transformed into a Three-legged Golden Crow, must now become independent and can no longer cling to Fu Lan Duo.

Regarding this, Fu Lan Duo knows it clearly; the sleeping Ke Na Li Ya, who is snoring loudly, merely has a faint feeling in her dream, then turns over and continues to sleep.

The best way for a Three-legged Golden Crow to develop and grow is to sleep.

The better the sleep, the longer the sleep, the fuller the sleep, the faster and more complete the Three-legged Golden Crow's development and growth.

For the Sea of Consciousness Small World to fully transition from the "illusory" to the "real," the development and growth of the Three-legged Golden Crow Ke Na Li Ya are crucial.

The reason is simple.

The Three-legged Golden Crow dwells within the "sun," and the operation of the "solar system" and the growth of all things need the sun to provide gravity, light, and heat.

Lin Ke can easily understand this, and thus, in the process where the amber-like inner light flows and merges with the reefs beneath his feet, he has constantly maintained Ke Na Li Ya's sleep environment with care.

This action made Fu Lan Duo a bit jealous.

Fortunately, Fu Lan Duo is a considerate, well-behaved girl; even if her jealousy overflowed, she did not cause a scene or delay the master's affairs.

Fu Lan Duo merely thought that after the master finishes his work, she would give him a good "lesson".

The master may dote on and protect Ke Na Li Ya, but he must not neglect Fu Lan Duo!

Setting aside these details, Lin Ke's first matter upon returning to the universe where the Wizard Civilization resides has already been completed.

And it was completed very well.

Not only did he obtain the result he wanted, but the benefits gained far exceeded his previous expectations.

However, just as no gain comes without effort, having gained something naturally requires giving something in return.

Applied to Lin Ke, this is also the case.

He has received the highest-level favor from the Wizard World's will and accepted such a grand gift from it; he must do something for the Wizard World's will.

This cannot be changed, it is unshakable.

Luo Te Si Nuo, as a Saint reincarnation, also must seek the stars and that beam of light for the Wizard World's will to repay its help.

How could Lin Ke possibly have an accident?

As for the task given to Lin Ke by the Wizard World's will...

Saying it's hard is also simple; saying it's simple is actually very difficult.

That is, to ascend to Saint as quickly as possible, helping the Wizard World's will restore the magic level of the Storm Sea.

Lin Ke lowered his gaze to the reef under his feet, which had increased in area due to anchoring the Human Immortal Martial Arts World, then lifted his head and looked all around at the Storm Sea, which is silent in its subtlety and tumultuous in its grandeur, as if gaining some insight.

After the great war with the Gods Civilization, the Wizard World's mainland shattered and also lost much territory.

Leaving aside the territory, after the mainland was reshaped, it became habitable.

After the reshaping, the mainland continent was divided into five parts: Central Land, East Coast, West Coast, North Border, and South Border, each part sustaining one Saint.

Beyond the mainland continent lie the Endless Sea, Storm Sea, North Ocean, and South Ocean.

According to this division and Luo Te Si Nuo's words, the Endless Sea, Storm Sea, North Ocean, and South Ocean should have been deliberately reserved during the reshaping of the Wizard World's mainland for the four fallen Saints to be reborn and retake their Saint positions, or for newly promoted Saints.

In other words, the current Wizard Civilization can simultaneously support nine Saints.

This is exactly the same as before the great war.

Luo Te Si Nuo, as a Saint reincarnation, was born in this lifetime in the Storm Sea, which is clearly not a coincidence.

Lin Ke has reason to suspect that Luo Te Si Nuo came aiming for the Storm Sea.

For some unknown reason, the Wizard World's will actually anchored Lin Ke's Saint's Foundation in the Storm Sea.

This, in fact, makes it highly likely to cause competition and opposition between Lin Ke and Luo Te Si Nuo.

"We'll talk about later matters later."

Lin Ke muttered to himself, suppressing his chaotic thoughts.

The ascension is already over; then let's go on to finish other matters.

With a thought, Lin Ke communicated with the still-sulky Fu Lan Duo, letting her retrieve an all-weather, all-terrain transport vehicle from the Sea of Consciousness Small World.

"Master just knows how to order Fulan Duo around, not caring at all about Fulan Duo's feelings."

"Fulan Duo pouted, murmured a complaint, but her hands didn't stop moving."

"Before the words had even faded, a transport vehicle meeting Lin Ke's requirements appeared before him."

"\"How could the master not care about Fulan Duo's feelings? \""

"Lin Ke got into the vehicle while teasing Fulan Duo."

"Compared to the identity of the World Spirit, Fulan Duo is more like Lin Ke's eldest daughter."

"Even though Lin Ke 'picked up' Fulan Duo, strictly speaking, she was only twelve years old."

"Even though Fulan Duo's form is increasingly close to human, her essential nature still differs."

"\"Hmph! \""

"Hearing Lin Ke's perfunctory words, Fulan Duo became even more annoyed."

"The corner of her mouth turned up so much it could hang an oil bottle."

"The all-weather, all-terrain transport vehicle started up then; Lin Ke entered the destination coordinates, selected autonomous driving mode, and then paid no further attention to it."

"During the ensuing time, until the transport vehicle reached its destination, Lin Ke thought of nothing, focusing on chatting casually with Fulan Duo."

"Girls, after all, often just need companionship and sincerity."

"Sincere companionship best soothes a girl's heart—except for gold-diggers."

"This all-weather, all-terrain transport vehicle was purchased by Lin Ke during his period of lying low… uh… being sidelined for over two years."

"It is high-end, powerful, and fast."

"In less than half a day, Lin Ke went from a remote corner of Storm Sea to the western coast of the mainland."

"Lin Ke reported to the academy, then rode the transport vehicle back to his home."

"When his adopted daughter Jialuona and daughter Meiliya saw Lin Ke, they were both very happy."

"Only Meiliya's personality is more extroverted, her emotional expression more outward, while Jialuona's is more introverted, her emotional expression more restrained."

"Meiliya bounced over, threw herself into Lin Ke's arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, laughed loudly, her small body shaking with laughter."

"Jialuona merely called out softly 'Father,' then stood silently to one side, twisting her fingers together."

"Seeing his daughters, Lin Ke was naturally delighted; he enjoyed Meiliya's affection but did not overlook Jialuona."

"He held Meiliya with his left hand, freed his right hand to gently rub Jialuona's head, and the three of them walked home together."

"That evening, the three of them sat down together for a hearty dinner."

"They chatted on and on, until the moon was high overhead, until Meiliya had yawned twenty-odd times and could no longer stay awake."

"After the chat, Lin Ke first lulled Meiliya to sleep, then escorted Jialuona to her bedroom door."

"\"Rest well, Jialuona. \""

"He gently patted Jialuona's head, Lin Ke said softly."

"Jialuona stepped back, lifted her head, and stared straight into Lin Ke's eyes, then asked seriously: 'Father, will you only stay a few days this time before leaving again? And if you leave, will you be gone for a very long time?'"

"Lin Ke fell silent for a moment, crouched down, levelled his gaze with Jialuona, and asked softly: 'Jialuona, why do you feel this way?'"

"Jialuona shook her head: 'I don't know why either; I just have this feeling.'"

"\"Mmm... \""

"After a moment's thought, Lin Ke replied honestly: 'Father won't lie to Jialuona—her feeling is correct; I'll have to leave soon, and indeed I will be gone for a very long time.'"

"\"Where is Father going? \""

"Jialuona's pupils contracted slightly as she sniffed lightly: 'Are you going to a very faraway place? Will it be dangerous?'"

"Lin Ke answered seriously: 'I don't yet know exactly where I'll end up, but it should be very far away. As for danger…'"

"Lin Ke answered in earnest, without being perfunctory, yet also without finishing his thought."

"\"Danger is everywhere, at all times. \""

"Having made the decision to face the 'predetermined fate' head‑on, the dangers one might encounter could be greater and more numerous than before."

"Although Jialuona is mentally mature, not an ordinary child, Lin Ke still does not wish to place such a cold fact before her."

"\"If Father does not want to say, or cannot say, then let it be unsaid. \""

"Jialuona sniffed again, lowered her head slowly, and muttered: 'It's getting late; Jialuona is going to sleep.'"

"Saying that, Jialuona turned and walked toward the bed in the darkness."

"Lin Ke remained crouched, watching Jialuona's silhouette droop little by little."

"When she reached the bedside, Jialuona stopped, did not turn back, and spoke in a muffled voice: 'Father, you won't be like that woman, never to return, never to want Jialuona again, will you?'"

"\"No. \""

"Lin Ke answered without hesitation: 'Rest assured, Jialuona—Father will surely return.'"

"\"Mm. \""

"Jialuona nodded, climbed onto the bed, burrowed under the covers, and said: 'Good night, Father.'"

"After saying that, Jialuona pulled the blanket over her head as well."

"Lin Ke looked a while longer, then rose, and closed the bedroom door."

"When going downstairs, Lin Ke took out the Portable Smart Brain he hadn't used since entering the parallel universe, and browsed the messages of this period."

"Suddenly, a short message caught Lin Ke's eye, making his steps pause for a moment."

"Christina, who had been busy with revenge all these years, finally completed her revenge—but at the cost of her own life."

"No wonder Jialuona's mood has been off just now."

"\"Ah! \""

"He let out a long sigh, then continued downstairs."

"Seeing the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master sitting loosely in the living‑room sofa, Lin Ke asked: 'Heavenly Master, when did you arrive? You didn't even say hello after arriving.'"

While speaking, Lin Ke summoned the intelligent butler to serve milk tea to the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master.

I just arrived not long ago, saw you chatting with your daughters, so I didn't disturb you.

The Void Tranquil Heavenly Master took the milk tea from the intelligent butler, took a slight sip, frowned slightly, and said, "What kind of tea is this? The taste is weird."

It's milk tea. You drink it for this weird taste.

Lin Ke also took a cup of milk tea, took a big gulp, and replied cheerfully.

I'm not used to it, but the taste is okay; I can accept it.

The Void Tranquil Heavenly Master put down the teacup, clasped his hands, said that, yet showed no intention of taking another sip.

If you can accept it, drink a few more sips; drink enough and you'll get used to it.

Lin Ke likewise put down the teacup and clasped his hands.

The two exchanged a few brief words, tacitly avoiding mention of how the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master had bypassed the villa's defense system and Lin Ke's perception to enter the villa silently.

In terms of status, the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master is equivalent to a ninth-level grand sage of the Wizard Civilization.

Achieving that is extremely easy.

But whether doing so conforms to etiquette is another matter.

Although the Daoist School of the Immortal God Civilization advocates carefree non-action, it also values propriety.

The Void Tranquil Heavenly Master is a person who observes propriety; in previous interactions, he had never acted so rudely.

Tonight he did this; either there is a reason, or...

Just as Lin Ke was wondering whether the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master had developed a mischievous streak and wanted to get revenge, the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master suddenly spoke, interrupting Lin Ke's train of thought.

Congratulations, Grand Wizard.

Congratulations for what?

Lin Ke asked knowingly.

Hehe... naturally it's to congratulate the Grand Wizard for breaking through his inner barriers and taking the most difficult step toward becoming a Sage.

The Void Tranquil Heavenly Master first gave a light laugh, then suddenly turned serious, saying something that surprised Lin Ke: "As for the current Michel Heavenly Venerate, back then he stumbled when taking that step."

What does it mean to take that most difficult step toward becoming a Sage?

Why did Michel stumble, then?