Chapter 425: with translation of chapter title

431. Chapter 431 Hand Seal

The so‑called seizing of a body is the term used by the immortal‑god civilization.

This set of arcane devices forged by the True Spirit Saint, the Machinery Saint, the Body Refinement Saint, and the Elemental Saint still fundamentally follows the principle of the "Foreigner".

Or, more accurately, it is the reverse of the Foreigner's process.

After hearing the Elemental Saint's words, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's expression changed immediately.

She couldn't hold back, stepped forward, stood before the Elemental Saint, and bluntly asked: "So, did I go to another universe and become a Foreigner back then, not by accident, right?"

Anything's development follows a process.

Even as a Saint, one cannot simply pull out a method that can bypass the defense system of an equal‑rank existence.

From the birth of an idea, to confirming the method, to implementation and refinement, and finally obtaining results, there will be a clear context.

Seeing these six sets of Seizure arcane devices and hearing the Elemental Saint's words, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke couldn't help but think more.

The Elemental Saint did not directly answer Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's question, merely saying lightly: "For the sake of greater benefit."

Upon hearing that, how could Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke not understand?

Or rather, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke already understood before she even asked that question.

What she wanted was not the Elemental Saint's acknowledgment or denial, but for her own feelings to be smooth.

After receiving a reply from the Elemental Saint, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke gave a cold laugh and retreated.

Lin Ke watched coldly from the side, his heart undisturbed.

"No delay, let's begin now."

The Elemental Saint was unaffected by Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's questioning, continued to push the set process, glanced at Lin Ke, Mo Li, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, Freest. Diomande, Lotesno, and Medici, and spoke calmly.

"Oh… ha…"

Lotesno let out a strange cry, waving his arms and kicking his legs as he rushed toward a Seizure arcane device's sleep chamber, shouting, "New world! I'm coming!"

This impatient, exuberant look was exactly like that of an elementary school student who can't wait to go on a spring outing or a picnic.

His temperament grew ever stranger, his behavior ever more frenzied, making it hard to bear watching.

"Saint, I'm going."

Medici Sage solemnly bowed to the Elemental Saint, then turned and walked toward the sleep chamber on the far right.

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke glanced at the Elemental Saint, walked to the third sleep chamber on the left, lifted the hatch, and lay down inside.

"Let's go too."

Lin Ke and Mo Li exchanged a glance, held hands, and walked toward the first and second sleep chambers on the left.

Upon reaching the sleep chambers, the two released their clasped hands and gazed deeply at each other.

"Lin Ke."

Mo Li suddenly spoke.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Lin Ke responded in time.

"Really good."

After uttering that nonsensical remark, Mo Li gave Lin Ke no chance to reply and lay down in the sleep chamber.

Lin Ke, however, understood what Mo Li meant.

They can fight side by side, without having to leave her waiting alone in the rear, longing for her return—how wonderful!

Perhaps Paro Sage, in order to save Serlin Sage, did not hesitate to suffer heavy injury and shock, while Serlin Sage, in order to treat Paro Sage, didn't even have time to deal with disfiguring injuries—these two events must have deeply moved Mo Li.

This made Mo Li's desire to be a lone kapok tree rather than a clinging trumpet vine grow ever firmer and more urgent.

Now that she has the chance to realize this wish, Mo Li feels joy from the bottom of her heart.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Ke's mouth, but it vanished instantly, instead strengthening his resolve to protect Mo Li.

Fighting side by side does not mean Lin Ke can tolerate Mo Li coming to harm.

After calming his mind, Lin Ke lay down directly in the sleep chamber, without looking back at the Elemental Saint or the perpetually silent Xu Jing Tian Shi.

Freest. Diomande stayed until last, and only after the other five sleep chambers' hatches were closed did he take a few steps forward, approach the Elemental Saint, and perform a respectful bow.

During this, Freest. Diomande said nothing, and after finishing the bow he gave no further sign, directly entering the sleep chamber.

But at this moment, silence speaks louder than words.

Freest. Diomande, representing the Diomande family and the Livosith Academy, demonstrated through concrete action to the Elemental Saint, the Supreme Council, and the Will of the Wizard World that the Diomande family and the Livosith Academy will always be of value to the Elemental Saint, the Supreme Council, and wizard civilization!

Rather than discard it, it's better to make good use of it!

"Clever fellow!"

Xu Jing Tian Shi suddenly spoke, uttering the first words since entering this spherical space, praising Freest. Diomande.

"This little guy is indeed not bad."

The Elemental Saint agreed with Xu Jing Tian Shi's words, then said, "I hope he can gain a good harvest this time."

As his words fell, the Elemental Saint raised his right hand and lightly clenched his fist.

The indivisible points making up the inner spherical surface of the spherical space emitted beams of light so fine they could not be finer.

Below the Saints, an incalculable number of light beams converged onto the six sleep chambers and were then completely swallowed.

In an instant, the spherical space shifted from a 'white hole' to a 'black hole'.

During the process from white hole to black hole, the six individuals lying in the sleep chambers—Lin Ke, Mo Li, Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, Freest. Diomande, Lotesno, and Medici—fell into a peaceful sleep.

Their True Spirits remained within their bodies, yet under the influence of the Seizure arcane device, a clone was generated and sent into a mysterious, ineffable passage.

"Is that it?"

When the spherical space returned to its normal appearance, Xu Jing Tian Shi spoke up and asked.

"Hmm."

The Elemental Saint calmly affirmed.

"Then we'll just wait, right?"

The Void Tranquil Celestial Master asked again.

"Of course not."

The Elemental Saint said in a light tone, "The center blossoms, inside and outside correspond, clearing obstacles isn't that simple. During this time, what do you heavenly court plan? I can't control it, but the Supreme Council has decided to increase suppression of the demon civilization and simultaneously launch an offensive against the god civilization."

"Opening two fronts, can we handle it?"

The Void Tranquil Celestial Master frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled, "The one facing the end-times crisis is our Celestial Immortal Civilization; the urgent party should be our heavenly court. Why does it feel like your Supreme Council is even more urgent than us? Is there something I don't know?"

The origin of wizard civilization is much later than that of the immortal‑god civilization and demon civilization of this universe, and also much later than the insect‑race civilization, the myriad‑gods civilization, and the abyss civilization of our universe. You say, why did wizard civilization manage to rise to the top later, not only reaching the pinnacle of our universe but also leading the extermination of the insect‑race civilization?

The Void Tranquil Celestial Master thought seriously, had a guess in mind, but didn't say it outright.

Seeing this, the Elemental Saint curled the corner of his mouth into a slight smile and flashed away from the spherical space.

This is the greatest difference between the Wizard Civilization and the Celestial Immortal Civilization.

One is direct, the other is reserved.

One never settles for the status quo, actively expands; the other, unless necessary, never stirs up trouble.

Fundamentally speaking, the Wizard Civilization and the Celestial Immortal Civilization have fundamentally different natures, like the difference between pirates/nomads and farming.

... This is Lin Ke's second time experiencing this feeling.

The first time was accepting the summons of the Supreme Council, participating in the Supreme Council's support or interference in Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's trial, entering via reincarnation into the mortal immortal martial world that was in a special state at that time.

The first time was accepting the summons of the Supreme Council, participating in the Supreme Council's support or interference in Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's trial, and entering via reincarnation into the immortal‑martial world that at that time was in a special state.

If back then it was like stuffing a person into a rotating drum washing machine, this time it's like stuffing a person into a meat grinder.

The former merely made one's head dizzy, while the latter inflicted excruciating pain.

The former merely causes dizziness, while the latter induces excruciating pain.

So painful!

My head hurts so much!

I don't know how long passed, I don't know what happened; all other sensations vanished, Lin Ke only had this feeling left.

Aside from feeling pain, the whole person could no longer sense anything else.

Again, I don't know how long passed, I don't know what happened; the pain gradually subsided.

A strand of cool, refreshing airflow entered the head, beginning to repair the 'brain' that had been jumbled into fragments.

Unfortunately, the amount of this cool, refreshing airflow is insufficient; it cannot completely repair the fragmented 'brain' all at once.

In a hazy, muddled state, Lin Ke roughly judged that he would need another five or six such amounts of cool airflow.

Fortunately, the subsequent five or six streams of cool airflow indeed arrived, repairing the fragmented 'brain'.

Sensation above the neck finally returned.

His eyes still couldn't open, but he could hear sounds, smell odors, and taste flavors.

The eyes still cannot open, but one can hear sounds, smell odors, and taste flavors.

Hearing the heavy footsteps, Lin Ke knew that a monk named Liao Chen had arrived; it was time to take medicine again.

Hearing the heavy footsteps, Lin Ke knew that a monk named Liao Chen had arrived, and it was time to take medicine again.

A tray was placed on the cabinet beside the bed.

Lin Ke's body was lifted by a pair of sturdy hands and he was propped up sitting on the bed.

A towel was placed under his neck, and his mouth was pried open.

Immediately, a spoonful of extremely bitter medicinal broth was poured into his mouth, and he gulped it down with a glug.

"Junior Brother Liao Fan, Senior Brother knows you've awakened."

Monk Liao Chen, while feeding Lin Ke medicine, muttered, "Just now you can't open your eyes or speak, but whatever senior brother does or says, you can understand. Senior brother tells you, you need to wake up completely soon. Otherwise..."

While feeding Lin Ke medicine, the monk Liao Chen muttered, "Just now you can't open your eyes or speak, but you can still know everything your senior brother does and says. Senior brother is telling you, you need to wake up completely as soon as possible. Otherwise..."

A gentle and broad voice came from behind Monk Liao Chen.

Monk Liao Chen seemed not to notice anything odd, he just kept feeding Lin Ke medicine and muttering to himself: "Otherwise, you won't have a spot in this Dharma Hall selection. That guy Liao Xin is definitely aiming for this slot in the Dharma Hall, so he deliberately made you fall off the cliff and crack your head. Junior brother, you need to wake up quickly, defeat that scoundrel Liao Xin, and thwart the scheming of those petty villains."

The monk Liao Chen seemed not to notice anything unusual, he kept feeding Lin Ke medicine and continued muttering, "Otherwise, you won't have a place in this Damo Hall selection. That guy Liao Xin is definitely targeting this slot in Damo Hall, deliberately making you fall off the cliff and injure your head. Junior brother, you need to wake up quickly, defeat that scoundrel Liao Xin, and thwart the scheming villain's plot."

The gentle and broad voice sounded again, carrying some dignity and some resentment, rebuking, "Liao Chen, when did this poor monk teach you to speak ill of your fellow disciples behind their backs?"

The warm, broad voice sounded again, carrying some dignity and some resentment, rebuking, "Liao Chen, when did this humble monk teach you to speak ill of your senior brothers behind their backs?"

Monk Liao Chen finally reacted, hurriedly turned the medicine bowl, stood up and bowed, "Liao Chen pays respects to his master."

After finishing the salute, Liao Chen was completely embarrassed, his expression awkward, not knowing what to say.

He truly hadn't noticed the master silently entering Junior Brother Liao Fan's bedroom; earlier he also hadn't recognized that the voice speaking was the master's.

"Go out, go to the Discipline Hall yourself to receive punishment."

The gentle and broad voice gave the punishment to Monk Liao Chen, yet it let Monk Liao Chen breathe a sigh of relief.

The warm, broad voice pronounced punishment for the monk Liao Chen, yet it let Liao Chen breathe a sigh of relief.

Monk Liao Chen, feeling relieved, gave another bow, then hurriedly fled.

Going to the Discipline Hall to receive punishment is much easier than listening to the master chant sutras.

Lin Ke, now able to perceive external movements, heard Monk Liao Chen's master approach step by step to the bedside, sit down, pick up the bowl and continue feeding him medicine, without speaking.

In silence, a bowl of bitter medicinal broth was poured into his stomach, giving rise to a strand of cool airflow that repaired the injuries to his torso and limbs.

This medicinal broth is truly miraculous; the injuries to his torso and limbs are also lighter than those to his head.

Just a single strand of cool airflow restored Lin Ke's sensory function.

If another bowl or two were to come, his motor function would likely be fully restored as well.

If I were to have another bowl or two, my motor function would probably fully recover.

The teacher of Monk Liao Chen finished feeding the medicine, set the bowl aside, neither leaving nor speaking, just silently watching Lin Ke.

Or rather, in watching his disciple, Monk Liao Fan.

Lin Ke controlled his thoughts, not letting even the slightest fluctuation leak out.

After a while, a gentle and broad voice sounded: "Namo Amitabha. Liao Fan, you have remembered, those in the Buddhist gate must have a bodhisattva's heart and also employ vajra means. The matter of Liao Xin harming you cannot be settled; if it cannot be settled, then it is not settled; settling Liao Xin is the way. After you fully recover, come to my place, and I will teach you the Sumeru Supporting Palm."

Having said that, the teacher of Monk Liao Chen rose and left.

Lin Ke didn't understand completely, yet he only obtained partial information.

After all, he had not obtained the previous life's memories during the body‑snatching process.

Simply from the two monks' words, he sorted out a useful point: his previous incarnation, Monk Liao Fan, had been harmed by another Monk Liao Xin, causing him to fall off a cliff and sustain such serious injuries.

And Monk Liao Xin's motive for harming Monk Liao Fan was to eliminate a rival in advance, thereby "reserving" the quota for entering the Damo Hall.

Indeed, the world is bustling, with no place of tranquility.

However, the most important thing for Lin Ke right now is not settling Liao Xin or fighting over the quota to enter the Damo Hall, but healing his injuries and coming up with a plausible excuse that won't give him away.

Or perhaps, amnesia?

Anyway, Monk Liao Fan's head suffered the worst injury; only after gulping down seven bowls of medicine soup was his head injury healed.

A head injury is also the most likely to cause amnesia, so using this reason to disguise oneself holds up.

"Wait a bit longer."

After thinking for a while, Lin Ke stopped pondering and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Monk Liao Chen still came to give Lin Ke his medicine, following the same routine, muttering while feeding him the medicine.

From Monk Liao Chen's muttering, Lin Ke learned the teacher's dharma name: Yuan Zhi.

He also learned that Monk Liao Chen had been struck ten times with the discipline stick in the Precepts Hall the day before, leaving his buttocks sore.

After finishing this bowl of medicine soup, the torso and bodily motor functions had not fully recovered, but his eyes could open and he could speak.

This made Monk Liao Chen very happy.

However, Lin Ke's deliberate display of dull stupidity also worried the hulking Monk Liao Chen, who resembled a twelve‑zhang golden vajra, prompting him to hurriedly invite his teacher, Monk Yuan Zhi.

"Master, what's wrong with my junior fellow disciple?"

Monk Liao Chen paced back and forth, making the wooden floor creak, and asked anxiously.

"It's fine."

Monk Yuan Zhi carefully examined Lin Ke's feigned dull stupidity, then said gently, "A head injury is not easily healed by medicine soup alone; wait for me to cast a spell, and I can fully awaken your junior fellow disciple."

Speaking, Monk Yuan Zhi extended his right hand, formed the Fearless Seal, and tapped the point between Monk Liao Fan's eyebrows in midair.

In the next second, Monk Liao Fan's life memories revived, and Lin Ke absorbed them all.

Thanks, old iron!