Chapter 412

You're a bit impatient.

When the transport vehicle stopped beside the interworld teleportation gate, Void Quiet Heavenly Master suddenly spoke.

How so?

Lin Ke's motion to open the car door halted.

Many things don't need to be this rushed; even if you're eager to accomplish them, give yourself some time, take it slow, don't panic.

Void Quiet Heavenly Master's voice was as gentle as ever; hearing it, Lin Ke felt an unprecedented sincerity.

This was the first time Lin Ke felt such sincere emotion and treatment from Void Quiet Heavenly Master.

No scheming, no ulterior motives.

Pure concern for him, pure desire to give him good advice.

With a bang.

Lin Ke closed the door, turned to look at Void Quiet Heavenly Master, and asked with the same serious attitude: "Void Quiet Heavenly Master, give me a straight answer—do you really think I have the qualifications not to be so rushed?"

Void Quiet Heavenly Master remained silent.

Lin Ke continued: "Luòtèsīnuò, my cheap younger brother, the reincarnation of the Nuòsītèluòdámǔ Sage, the prophecy he made before the extinction has now come true; the great change unseen in millennia has arrived. Wizard Civilization is expanding into the universe where the Immortal God Civilization resides, and the Immortal God Civilization is expanding into the universe where Wizard Civilization resides. The Immortal God Civilization's mortal enemy, the Demon Monster Civilization, will not accept this, and the Wizard Civilization's mortal enemy, the Gods Civilization, will not sit idle. An unprecedented catastrophe is imminent—war, endless war, war with no upper limit in intensity is coming. I have lain low for nearly three years; I can no longer stay hidden, lest I miss many development opportunities."

He paused, Lin Ke added: "I don't know what the Heavenly Master's Mansion is up to, I don't know what plans the Heavenly Court has, I don't know what the Supreme Council is pondering, and I don't want to know. I only know that even if a 'predetermined fate' awaits me, impossible to resist, I must face it directly."

Hmm…

The Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master pondered for a moment and said, "You indeed don't need to know these; just doing well yourself is enough. But easing up a bit is not harmful."

Is that so?

Lin Ke remained noncommittal.

After waiting a moment, seeing the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master had nothing more to say, Lin Ke pushed the door and got out of the car.

The meeting time with the West Coast Elemental System Wizard Sage's subordinates had already been arranged early through the Mei Di Qi Sage.

Time is almost up; we cannot break the appointment.

The Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master did not delay, nor did he intend to get out of the car.

Lin Ke, seeing that, glanced back, closed the car door, and walked alone to the agreed location.

The agreed location was a seaside villa.

I don't know why, but many people like to build vacation villas in mountains, forests, cliffs, and by the sea.

Speaking from the heart, Lin Ke also quite wanted to own one or several such vacation buildings.

After being busy and on the move for a long time in life, it's appropriate to relax a bit, balancing work and rest.

As for the cloud villas he once longed for, perhaps because he has flown a lot and traveled in space a lot, he no longer likes them as much.

Before entering the villa, Lin Ke actually also did not know who he was about to meet.

He never imagined that the person coming to see him would be the Elemental Sage himself.

"Linke Grand has met the Sage."

After a brief surprise, Lin Ke immediately performed a courteous greeting according to etiquette.

"Grand Wizard, no need for much courtesy, please sit."

The Elemental Sage was very amiable, gesturing to the seat in front.

"Thank you, Sage."

Lin Ke pulled out the chair and sat down.

Proper etiquette must be observed, but there's no need to sit only half on the chair.

However comfortable and proper, Lin Ke would do it that way.

"Is the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master not coming up?"

The Elemental Sage casually asked, "Can we sit together and have a cup of tea?"

Lin Ke lightly replied, "That's the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master's own affair; I cannot interfere."

Hmm, that's right.

The Elemental Sage gave a light laugh, agreeing with Lin Ke's statement.

Afterwards, the Elemental Sage ended the small talk and got straight to the point: "Medi Chi Sage told me that Linke Grand Wizard wants to meet and talk with the person in charge under the Elemental System Sage. I'm quite curious what the Grand Wizard wants to discuss, so I came personally to see the Grand Wizard."

"I see."

Lin Ke made an expression of sudden realization, then said, "Then I don't know whether I should talk directly with the Sage, or after meeting the Sage, talk with the person the Sage designates."

"Just talking with me is fine."

The Elemental Sage smiled, his attitude very amiable, without the slightest arrogance.

Hmm…

Lin Ke pondered a moment, organized his words, and spoke bluntly: "Since the Sage has spoken, I will speak directly. I came regarding the attack by the Mi Xie Er Grand Sage's Tower on the Rui Wo Suo Si Academy's vanguard."

"This matter?"

The Elemental Sage's smile showed no diminishment, he countered, "This matter has already happened; there must be a reason for it. I don't know whether Grand Wizard has any doubts, or wants to question something."

"I dare not question, just have a few doubts."

Upon hearing that, Lin Ke first stated his position, then asked: "According to what I know, our Rui Wo Suo Si Academy's dean and also commander of the Parallel Universe Pioneering Vanguard, Fu Li Si Te. Di Ao Man De Wizard, upon learning in advance that Michel Grand Sage had secretly received funding from the Immortal God Civilization's Heavenly Court, appears to have signs of betraying the Wizard Civilization and the Supreme Council, and is highly likely to launch an attack on the vanguard; after receiving this news, I immediately reported it to the internal officer of the Supreme Council's office stationed in the Parallel Universe. However…"

Saying this, Lin Ke paused, glanced at the Elemental Sage's expression.

Although knowing that wizards, especially high-ranking wizards facing mid- or low-ranking wizards, can control their facial expression and gaze as much as possible, even completely.

True thoughts and true emotions cannot leak from eye expression and facial expression.

Unless this wizard is in the "transformation period" of a formal wizard advancing to sage-level wizard.

But Lin Ke still made that gesture; he himself does not now know why.

Nervous?

Maybe.

After all, strictly speaking, this is still Lin Ke's first close contact with a Saint-level figure, and he is also having a relatively in-depth conversation.

Undoubtedly, Lin Ke saw the Elemental Saint's unchanged face.

Still amiable, still smiling, still attentively listening to Lin Ke's words.

Lin Ke suppressed his thoughts and continued: 'However, the response of the Supreme Council's Parallel Universe Office completely disappointed everyone in our Rivorsith Academy's vanguard.'

'Disappointed?'

The Elemental Saint interrupted Lin Ke then, puzzled and counter-questioning: 'The Supreme Council's Parallel Universe Office, or simply put, what should the Supreme Council do to satisfy Rivorsith Academy? Should we just believe your one-sided account and directly detain Grand Sage Michelle at that time? Or should we intercept the actions of Grand Sage Michelle's Tower against Rivorsith Academy?'

Lin Ke decisively replied: 'Of course, intercept first, then investigate; if our report is true, then take action against Grand Sage Michelle personally.'

'Hmm...' The Elemental Saint fell into thought, then after a moment said: 'What you say makes sense, but the Supreme Council could not do that at that time.'

'Why?'

Lin Ke followed the Elemental Saint's lead and asked directly.

'Heh...'

With a light chuckle, the Elemental Saint gathered all smiles from his face and said seriously: 'In the eyes of the Supreme Council, if Michelle could, with the aid of the Immortal-Deity Civilization, successfully ascend—even if after switching cultivation—his value would be greater than that of Rivorsith Academy combined.'

'But Grand Sage Michelle had already substantially betrayed the Wizard Civilization and the Supreme Council at that time.'

When he said this, Lin Ke's face was full of incomprehensible 'innocence' and 'purity'.

Just like a child who knows nothing of the world.

'Mmm...'

Strictly speaking, the total years of Lin Ke's two lifetimes of memory added together are still less than a fraction of the Elemental Saint's current age.

Before the Elemental Saint, Lin Ke is truly just a child.

Likewise, before the Elemental Saint's life experience, no matter how 'pure' and 'innocent' Lin Ke is, it still holds.

Precisely based on this mindset, Lin Ke just decided to seize the opportunity that came by chance and get to the bottom of some matters.

Thus, on one hand it can give an account to Rivorsith Academy, the vanguard, and the Four House United Legion; on the other hand, it can also provide some reference and guidance for his own future actions.

After hearing Lin Ke's 'innocent' and 'pure' words, the Elemental Saint's face again showed a smile, and he said with implication: 'Who can be certain that Michelle had already betrayed the Wizard Civilization and the Supreme Council then? Who told you that Michelle had already betrayed the Wizard Civilization and the Supreme Council?'

These two questions, in fact, did not surprise Lin Ke much.

However, the psychological impact on Lin Ke was still unusually great.

One can only say that Michelle's acceptance of aid from the Immortal-Deity Civilization's Heavenly Court involves too many and too great matters; Lin Ke's current status and level are too low, so he can only glimpse a fragment and cannot know the full picture.

Often, the information gap is the most deadly point.

Lin Ke took a deep breath, not letting his thoughts follow the Elemental Saint's implication toward suspicion of Heavenly Master Xu Jing and suspicion of the Heavenly Master's Manor.

It's not that Lin Ke trusts Heavenly Master Xu Jing and the Heavenly Master's Manor to any great extent, nor that he trusts them more than he trusts the Elemental Saint and the Supreme Council.

But right now, Lin Ke just wants to believe in himself.

After a moment of silence, Lin Ke's voice became slightly hoarse: 'So, in the eyes of the Supreme Council, are the casualties of Rivorsith Academy's vanguard and the losses of Grand Sage Michelle's Tower acceptable costs? For...'

He paused, then slowly closed his eyes: 'For greater benefits?'

'For greater benefits.'

The Elemental Saint calmly replied, his tone without ripple, his gaze without ripple.

'Whose greater benefits?'

Lin Ke opened his eyes and asked seriously.

'Your greater benefits, my greater benefits, the Supreme Council's greater benefits, and the Wizard Civilization's greater benefits.'

He pointed at Lin Ke, then at himself, then gestured in all directions; the Elemental Saint answered Lin Ke's question with a more serious attitude.

Lin Ke opened his mouth, had something to say, but ultimately swallowed it back.

He wanted to ask: does the Wizard Civilization's greater benefits not include those wizards who pointlessly sacrificed themselves in the battle where Grand Sage Michelle's Tower attacked Rivorsith Academy's vanguard?

'Sacrifice' is precisely the main reason Lin Ke swallowed his words.

To gain something, one must pay a price.

This principle has been thoroughly implemented in the wizard education of all factions within the Wizard Civilization from start to finish.

Rivorsith Academy is no exception.

Lin Ke's thoughts are likewise.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

Lin Ke does not feel he has the qualification to blame anything or anyone.

Today, after meeting the Elemental Saint and asking so many questions that seemed to be speaking up for those sacrificed wizards and for the heavily damaged Rivorsith Academy vanguard, it was actually still out of self-interest.

'After asking these questions, does your mind feel at ease?'

After glancing at Lin Ke, who wanted to speak but held back, the Elemental Saint lightly said, easily perceiving Lin Ke's ulterior motive.

'Still a bit lacking.'

Lin Ke frankly stated his condition.

Yes, he asked those just-mentioned questions, seeking only to smooth his own feelings.

Not letting the sacrifices of the Four House United Legion, not letting the casualties of Rivorsith Academy's vanguard linger in his heart, turn into shadows, and affect his progress.

At the bottom line, Lin Ke is an extremely selfish person.

If it weren't for Mo Li's appearance, if it weren't for Mo Li's perseverance, if it weren't for Mo Li's contributions, if it weren't for Mo Li's repeated steadfastness, the further Lin Ke walks on the wizard's path, the more emotions he might lose.

He will become increasingly cold.

To achieve his goals, anything can be sacrificed.

Just like Michelle, in order to prolong his lifespan and ascend to Saint, everything of Grand Sage Michelle's Tower—whether person or object—is, in his eyes, merely a disposable tool to be used and discarded.

Suddenly, Lin Ke recalled Heavenly Master Xu Jing's words: 'The present Michelle Celestial Venerable, back then, actually stumbled when taking this step.'

When he got out of the car earlier, those reminders from Void Tranquil Heavenly Master also surged into his mind.

You're a bit impatient.

Many things don't need to be rushed like this; even if you're eager to accomplish them, give yourself some time, take it slow, don't panic.

Slowing down a bit appropriately isn't bad.

Now recalling these words, Lin Ke's insight is completely different from before.

Lin Ke seemed to have realized something.

Watching Lin Ke suddenly fall into epiphany, and seeing the faint light barely emanating from Lin Ke's body, the Elemental Sage smiled faintly.

With this encounter, it wasn't a waste for him to specially take time to personally come see Linke Grand, this little guy.

The Elemental Sage raised his right hand, joined his index and middle fingers, and lightly touched the faint light that even a Ninth-level Grand Sage might not necessarily see.

Afterward, the Elemental Sage rose and walked outward.

While moving, the Elemental Sage created an environment extremely conducive to epiphany for Lin Ke, without any trace of worldly fire.

The Elemental Sage himself quickly came outside the villa, tapped the car window, gestured to the Void Tranquil Heavenly Master sitting in the car about the faint light on his hand, and then his figure disappeared.

Void Tranquil Heavenly Master clearly saw the faint light on the Elemental Sage's hand, and was not at all panicked.

You have Yang Pass Road, I have Log Bridge.

Whoever achieves the goal first, and both say,

Let's wait and see.