Chapter 411: with translation of chapter title

Lin Ke entered a wondrous state.

In this wondrous state, the promotion just completed quickly solidified.

Defeating an ordinary sixth-level sage isn't just easy—it takes virtually no effort.

After all, during the over two years of lying low, Lin Ke had previewed all the fifth- and sixth-level magic possessed by the Ruiwo Sisu Academy.

His self-created Construct Wizard School had also conducted preliminary research on the means of attack, defense, movement, and support for the fifth- and sixth-level sage stages.

Coupled with an almost habitual multithreaded-thinking mode, Lin Ke can multitask.

Therefore, although he had only become a fifth-level sage less than two days ago, Lin Ke is thoroughly familiar with all the states of a fifth-level sage and can fully exert the combat power befitting that stage.

A wondrous state similar to what the immortal-god civilization calls 'harmony between heaven and man' has arrived, merely serving as a catalyst for improvement, not the main cause of a qualitative leap.

However, Lin Ke is still deeply grateful for the timely arrival of the will of the wizard world.

Congratulations.

At some point, Xu Jing Heavenly Master, having parted company with the Ruiwo Grand Sage and the Sisu Grand Sage, appeared beside Lin Ke and offered sincere congratulations.

Congratulations for what?

Lin Ke tilted his head and calmly asked.

Congratulations on clearing a mental obstacle; you can now go into battle lightly.

Xu Jing Heavenly Master replied thus.

Hmm.

Lin Ke nodded, returned the salute, and said, "Thank you."

After saying those few words, Lin Ke no longer wished to speak.

He simply walked in silence.

Seeing this, Xu Jing Heavenly Master also remained silent.

Not long after, the two arrived at a blue lake.

The lake water was clear, the surface expansive, with only a floating pavilion in the center.

The Ruiwo Grand Sage and the Sisu Grand Sage were seated in the pavilion, facing each other while drinking tea.

Speaking of which, the prevailing tea-drinking custom in the wizard world was started by Lin Ke.

Grand's tea has become Lin Ke's main source of income, even more important than the output of his three resource-type worlds.

Actually, the wizard civilization has not lacked people who, in the course of conquering the heavens, discovered similar tea ingredients and food culture.

It's just that no wizard was willing to transplant those tea ingredients and food culture into the wizard civilization.

The wizards' horizons are not narrow; rather, they are quite open and inclusive.

Regarding other civilizations' knowledge and culture, even those of civilizations easily conquered by themselves, they do not simply discard them like worn-out shoes, but carefully screen and select.

Discard the dross, retain the essence.

Thus, through continual inclusivity, the wizard civilization becomes ever more brilliant and radiant.

However, just as alchemists rarely pay attention to female wizards' desire for beauty, many culturally insignificant customs that could enhance the civilization's foundation and strength are unintentionally overlooked.

Consequently, tea drinking only became widespread when Lin Ke promoted it for his own enjoyment and to earn magic stones.

The Diomande family, from the Ruiwo Grand Sage and Sisu Grand Sage down to the fourth and fifth generations, many of them greatly enjoy drinking tea.

Do you have business with them?

Xu Jing Heavenly Master glanced at the pavilion, and with a light swipe of his right hand, made his voice audible only to Lin Ke.

From that tone, Lin Ke could tell that Xu Jing Heavenly Master did not wish to have further contact with the two grand sages.

Thus Lin Ke said, "Indeed I have business; I must go over. If you don't want to go, wait for me somewhere else?"

I'll just wait here.

Xu Jing Heavenly Master immediately gave a reply.

From this, it's clear that Xu Jing Heavenly Master truly does not want to deal with the two grand sages anymore.

One doesn't know what happened between them.

Lin Ke guessed casually and then stopped worrying about it.

Without seeing Lin Ke move, his whole person vanished from the lakeside and appeared in the pavilion in an instant.

I've seen the Ruiwo Grand Sage, I've seen the Sisu Grand Sage.

Though multiple greetings are not considered rude, Lin Ke still, according to his old habit, actively paid his respects to the Ruiwo Grand Sage and the Sisu Grand Sage.

The Sisu Grand Sage nodded in return as a greeting.

Grand Wizard, no need for so much ceremony; please have a seat.

The Ruiwo Grand Sage gestured with his hand, pointing to the seat on his left, and said with a smile.

Thank you.

Lin Ke said this while sitting down.

Won't Xu Jing Heavenly Master come over to chat?

At that moment, the Ruiwo Grand Sage glanced toward the lake and posed a question.

He's not coming over.

Lin Ke nodded and then preemptively said, "I don't know the reason, and I didn't ask."

Hmm.

The Ruiwo Grand Sage likewise nodded, indicating understanding.

The Sisu Grand Sage picked up the teapot and poured Lin Ke a cup, saying while pouring, "We also need to thank the Grand Wizard for developing tea, which has given us an additional enjoyment in life and brought the academy an extra source of income."

After the Michel District was renamed the Ruiwo Sisu District, setting aside the Central Land, East Coast, Southern Territory, and Northern Territory, the tea business on the West Coast has been completely monopolized by the Ruiwo Sisu Academy.

More than two years ago, Lin Ke and the academy signed a new agreement.

According to that agreement, the academy holds absolute dominance in the tea beverage business, and Lin Ke enjoys a considerable share of the dividends.

So far, the tea beverage business has grown larger and larger, the returns have increased, and the number of suitable planets/worlds for planting tea trees has also increased, causing Lin Ke's dividends to rise steadily.

In this business, Lin Ke, the academy, the market, and the customers can be said to have achieved a win-win.

"It's all thanks to the academy."

Lin Ke said lightly, then lifted the teacup and took a slight sip.

But after finishing the drink, Lin Ke's brows furrowed tightly.

The tea was too strong and bitter, somewhat hard to get used to.

"Ah!"

Grand Sage Suosi noticed Lin Ke's reaction and apologetically said, "Wizard Grand, I'm truly sorry. At our level of existence, ordinary tea has no flavor, so..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Ke understood the meaning.

Official wizards, sages, grand sages, and saints are all people, but they belong to different levels of existence.

A sage can drink and find the tea pleasant, but an official wizard cannot tolerate it.

Likewise, a grand sage can drink and find the tea pleasant, but a sage cannot accept it.

This means Lin Ke is not only an ordinary fifth-level sage but also a saint embryo certified by the will of the wizard world, which he can barely accept.

"It's fine."

Lin Ke set down the teacup, waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind. Grand Sage Ruiwo and Grand Sage Suosi exchanged a glance, understanding each other's intentions.

"Indeed, a saint embryo!"

"No deception!"

At this moment, Lin Ke used the natural motion of lowering his head as he set down the teacup to let his eyes escape the gaze of the two grand sages, and recalled some things.

Not long ago, Lin Ke accompanied Luotesnuo to the Heavenly Master's residence and fortunately drank a cup of tea brewed from tea leaves personally planted, picked, and roasted by the Ancestral Heavenly Master.

Tea made by a saint is mellow and pleasant, delicate and enduring, with an endless aftertaste.

It is nothing like the tea just drunk, which was too strong and bitter, and its strong bitterness was extremely deliberate, as if testing something.

At this juncture, what the two grand sages want to test goes without saying.

It is nothing more than whether Lin Ke has truly become the "saint embryo" spoken of by the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master, and his sense of belonging to the Ruiwo Suosi Academy now.

After a little thought, Lin Ke understood this point.

Lin Ke had no particular feelings about Grand Sage Ruiwo and Grand Sage Suosi doing this.

If they want to test, let them test.

After all, worldly affairs are mutual, just like the action of force.

Grand Sage Ruiwo and Grand Sage Suosi are testing Lin Ke, and Lin Ke can also use this opportunity to test the two grand sages.

After drinking the tea and conducting the test, the three moved on to the main topic.

Lin Ke took the initiative to say, "Grand Sage Ruiwo, Grand Sage Suosi, I have come to see you two this time because there is a matter I need to lay bare with you."

"Oh? What matter?"

Grand Sage Ruiwo set down his teacup, sat upright with solemnity, showing he attached importance.

Grand Sage Suosi, on the other hand, still held his teacup, his beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Ke, waiting for him to speak.

Facing the gaze and expectation of the two grand sages, Lin Ke quickly organized his words and calmly said, "Because of some matters, I must distance myself from my family, friends, and the academy. During this period, I ask the two grand sages and the academy to pay a little attention to my family, especially the safety of my two daughters. As for..."

After a pause, Lin Ke continued, "As for my wife Mo Li, a member of the 'Do Anything Freely' group, and the three sages Kedie, Paruo, and Selin, who are all wizards belonging to the academy, the academy should handle them as it sees fit; no special care is needed."

After hearing Lin Ke's words, Grand Sage Ruiwo and Grand Sage Suosi did not rush to give a reply, but continued to silently gaze at Lin Ke, waiting quietly.

After a moment, Lin Ke said, "All I can offer the two grand sages and the academy is a single promise."

"What promise?"

Grand Sage Ruiwo asked aloud.

Lin Ke's voice sank slightly as he solemnly declared, "By the will of the wizard world as witness, from today onward I, Linke Grand, will never take the initiative to engage in armed conflict with the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and the Di'aomande family, a matter of life and death!"

The two grand sages were moved upon hearing this.

Wizards place great importance on oaths.

However, normally, when a wizard needs to swear an oath, unless compelled, they would never use the will of the wizard world as witness.

This is the highest-level oath in wizard civilization.

If violated, the will of the wizard world will naturally intervene to punish the oath-taker.

Its binding force is extremely strong.

Not to mention a mere fifth-level sage; even a ninth-level grand sage could not escape unscathed after violating an oath sworn by the will of the wizard world.

With this oath, Lin Ke has thoroughly bound himself deeply to the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and the Di'aomande family.

From now on, as long as the leaders of the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and the Di'aomande family do not act recklessly, the academy and the family will gain absolute favor and perpetual support from a saint embryo bound by oath.

For the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and the Di'aomande family, this oath is none other than the best news.

For Linke Grand himself, this oath is none other than the tightest bond.

Grand Sage Suosi gently set down his teacup and spoke softly, "Wizard Grand, you weigh too heavily. Looking after members' families is naturally the academy's duty. As the Di'aomande family, the smallest unit that benefits most within this great collective of the academy, it should all the more take good care of the families of outstanding members. While the will of the wizard world has not yet responded, Wizard Grand, withdraw this oath."

"Yes! Yes!"

Grand Sage Ruiwo chimed in from the side, "There's no need to make such a fuss; we're all one family."

Lin Ke smiled, then proactively guided the arrival of the will of the wizard world.

The oath was thus fully enacted.

Grand Sage Ruiwo and Grand Sage Suosi exchanged a glance.

Thereafter, Grand Sage Ruiwo extended his right hand to Lin Ke, gripped it firmly, and solemnly said, "Wizard Grand, I am Ruiwo Di'aomande, an eighth-level grand sage, founder of the Ruiwo Suosi Academy, and here I represent the Ruiwo Suosi Academy and the Di'aomande family in promising you that the academy and the family will surely take good care of your family and your two daughters, Jieluona Grand and Meiliya Grand, during your time away seeking the Dao."

"Thank you, Grand Sage Ruiwo."

Lin Ke also firmly gripped Great Sage Ruiwo's hand.

The deal was made.

Everyone's time is precious.

Lin Ke didn't want to keep Celestial Master Xu Jing waiting, so he said his goodbyes.

Great Sage Ruiwo and Great Sage Suosi escorted Lin Ke to the lakeside, politely greeted Celestial Master Xu Jing, then returned to the Lake Center Pavilion.

Celestial Master Xu Jing merely gave a slight nod in response.

Between them, things felt extremely unfamiliar.

Lin Ke observed all this, feeling doubtful.

What exactly happened before that made the relationship between the two Great Sages and Celestial Master Xu Jing so stiff?

Weren't they warmly welcoming at first?

Even if they were just putting on a show back then, they don't bother now?

Doubt lingered in his heart; Lin Ke neither voiced his questions nor sought to investigate.

These are private matters between Celestial Master Xu Jing and the two Great Sages, unrelated to Lin Ke, so there's no need to pay too much attention.

If there's a chance to gossip later, we can do it then.

"How did the talks go?"

Celestial Master Xu Jing raised his right index finger, preventing the two Great Sages from hearing his conversation with Lin Ke.

"Very smoothly."

Lin Ke replied briefly, then walked toward where the vehicle was parked.

On this return trip, there are still some things left undone; we must hurry and not delay.

"Hmm."

Celestial Master Xu Jing kept pace with Lin Ke's steps and asked, "What promise did you make that got them to agree to your demands? Ah, right... what exactly did you ask of them?"

Nothing is unspeakable.

Lin Ke spoke truthfully: "I ask them to take good care of my daughter, my wife, my friends, and my foundation. In return, from today onward, I will not actively provoke conflict with the Ruiwo Suosi Academy or the Diomande Family."

"Heh..."

Upon hearing that, Celestial Master Xu Jing gave a light laugh but said nothing—what exactly was he laughing at?

Fortunately, Lin Ke didn't want to know either, so let it be.

He opened the door, boarded the vehicle, Lin Ke quickly switched to top speed, and headed for the cross-world transmission gate.

Before returning, Lin Ke had a thorough exchange with Sage Meidiqi, reaching several agreements.

Now it's time to make a trip to see the West Coast Elemental System Wizard Saint and meet some people.

Time waits for no one.