Chapter 326: 326 Account
"Look on the bright side." Lin Bai heard Zheng Tong’s grumbling. "Even if you undergo Body Snatching, you can still live with the body from the game. Besides, that’s an Undying Body..."
"What if the game company is dissolved after Body Snatching? I wouldn’t be able to come back," Zheng Tong protested, his eyes red. "This must be a grand conspiracy."
Wanting benefits but unwilling to take risks! In your dreams!
Lin Bai muttered to himself before saying, "So, for the peace of the two worlds, we must figure out what the game company is really up to. Zheng Tong, for our shared world and a brighter future, we must understand the principle of Body Snatching."
"Hmm," Zheng Tong responded, deeply troubled.
"Wise up. Don’t chatter about anything and everything once you log in," Lin Bai said. "If you can avoid talking, just keep quiet, especially about the secret of Body Snatching. You’re still under the effects of the Truth-telling Technique!"
"If you’re worried I’ll spill the beans, why don’t you help me remove the Truth-telling Technique?" Zheng Tong asked resentfully.
"Do you think the Laws are to be applied and removed at will?" Lin Bai snorted dismissively and urged, "Stop hesitating and log in quickly. When the time comes, I’ll help you remove it."
So this is what they call cooperation! Damn Lin Bai!
Zheng Tong cursed under his breath, lay back in his game pod, and logged into the game.
Upon entering the game, a sense of fulfillment surged from his Divine Soul, and Lin Bai regained control over Zheng Tong’s body.
This time, he did not move as he lay in the nutrient solution of the game pod. He didn’t know what the solution was made of, but even with his mouth and nose submerged, he felt no suffocation at all.
Lin Bai examined the interior of the pod. There were no neural connection cables or machinery inside. The only thing he could see was a manually operable button labeled "Enter Game."
Staring at the "Enter Game" button, Lin Bai suddenly reached out and pressed it.
The scene before his eyes changed.
The next moment, the game pod was replaced by an empty room.
There was a table in the room.
On the table was a row of virtual buttons: "Enter Game," "Forum," "Live Broadcast," "Personal Attributes," "Mailbox," "Game Friends"...
The number 19 was marked on the mailbox, probably indicating unread emails.
The friends list blinked incessantly. Someone was requesting to connect...
Lin Bai ignored the friend request, instead staring at the game’s login interface and sighing, "If there were such a game on Earth, many people would stake their lives to be engrossed in it. How could anyone quit just because of Body Snatching?"
Shaking his head, he chose to enter the game.
The scene changed again, and Lin Bai returned to the Immortal World.
This was a cave on the periphery of the Blood Sect.
Luo Xue, He Qin, and the others, their faces etched with worry, gazed towards the Blood Sect.
"Luo Tianjiao, the Alliance Hierarch failed in Body Snatching, and the Blood Sect is now controlled by the Descended. Where can we go?" He Qin asked.
"There’s no place for us in this vast world. Even an extraordinary figure like the Alliance Hierarch couldn’t escape the disaster of Body Snatching..." Zhao Tulong said.
"When that person returns, we’ll kill him and avenge our Alliance Hierarch. Then, we can join the Alliance Hierarch in the Holy Extreme Sect to undergo the Tribulation. Perhaps there’s still a sliver of hope for survival," Xin Shang proposed.
As they were talking, a sound suddenly came from within the cave. They whirled around and simultaneously launched their attacks at Lin Bai.
WHOOSH!
Lin Bai’s reaction was even swifter.
In the span of a thought, several belts flew out automatically, binding them all and suspending them in mid-air.
"You scoundrel..." Luo Xue began, then stopped mid-curse as she looked at Zheng Tong. Her eyes widened, and she asked tentatively, "Alliance Hierarch?"
"Did you succeed in Body Snatching?" Xin Shang asked excitedly. He was trussed up in a Turtle Shell Binding but had forgotten to struggle.
"You could say so," Lin Si Bai smiled, nodding.
The group couldn’t help but smile; even He Qin and the others, who were forced to smile, were visibly overjoyed.
This was Lin Bai’s unique ability, impossible for others to emulate.
It was unmistakably Lin Bai.
"Wonderful! I knew our Alliance Hierarch was a peerless genius! How could mere Body Snatching possibly confound you?" Shen Kuang gushed, fawning excitedly.
"It’s a shame this Descended One’s body isn’t as handsome as the Alliance Hierarch’s original," He Qin laughed. "Regardless, the Alliance Hierarch is finally alive and seemingly unharmed, still able to use the Way of Laws. This is an honor for our Justice League..."
"Even if the Alliance Hierarch had truly perished in the Heavenly Tribulation, as long as the Alliance Hierarch is here, it won’t take long for us to rise again and become the nightmare of the Righteous Seven Sects and Demonic Five Sects once more," Zhao Tulong said, rubbing his hands. Mid-sentence, he realized his words were inauspicious, gave an awkward laugh, and trailed off.
"The Descended One has all meridians open. Snatching his body isn’t necessarily a bad thing," Ma Changcheng stated.
"Brother Ma, you’re mistaken," Cao Ruan said, breaking free from his bonds and laughing. "Compared to the Alliance Hierarch’s Laws, all meridians open are worthless!"
Everyone chattered excitedly, their spirits lifting instantly upon seeing Lin Si Bai’s return.
They had almost given up hope for Lin Bai in the Heavenly Tribulation.
Their original Sects would no longer have them, and the Descended One hadn’t taken them seriously.
If they didn’t find a new patron, they feared their only path would be to retreat into the wilderness.
But cultivation required resources, Cultivation Techniques, and connections. They weren’t at the Great Cheng Realm; retreating meant stagnation for the rest of their lives, an outcome none of them would willingly accept.
"Alliance Hierarch, that Descended One left and returned shortly after, his mind still clear. Why did he suddenly change into you?" Luo Xue asked curiously. "Did the Descended One disappear by returning to his original world?"
Lin Bai was studying the Player template.
The Player’s operational template was very simple, with only a few basic options: private chat, team chat, and toggles for starting and stopping live streams.
There was also the Player Level. After the name "Sky Falcon" was a long experience bar, followed by the number—73.
But this was just a number with no practical function. If one had to assign it a purpose, it was that the experience bar let him know when he would level up.
All other features were absent; the game interface was as spartan as could be.
Spiritual Power was stored in the Dantian, similar to the natives, but the various Cultivation Techniques likely existed in the Player’s mind.
At this moment, Lin Si Bai shared all of Lin Bai’s Card-based Cultivation Techniques, far more than those the Sky Falcon possessed. However, the Sky Falcon’s Realm was only at the Divinity Transformation Stage. Many powerful Divine Skills, even if Lin Bai knew them, he couldn’t use...
"Yes, he returned to his original world," Lin Bai said. "I also took a brief look at their world just now."
"What is that world like?" Luo Xue paused, asking in shock, "Is everyone there as powerful as a dragon? Are there super experts everywhere?"
It wasn’t strange for the natives to have such thoughts.
After all, every Descended One who entered this world was an outstanding talent, undying and indestructible.
Moreover, the ability to transport so many people across worlds was a feat beyond their imagination. In the mind of every Cultivator, the Player’s world had long been envisioned as a terrifying place teeming with mighty beings.
"I only stayed in that world for a moment before returning, so I’m not yet clear on the situation there," Lin Bai said after a moment of contemplation.
He knew that world was full of ordinary people, but he hadn’t decided whether to let the two worlds collide prematurely. After all, Body Snatching a Player entailed high risks. Moreover, if people from the Immortal World went there, they wouldn’t be able to use Spiritual Power. They would merely become like a disembodied mentor, unable to play a significant role, and might even expose him, causing unnecessary chaos.
"Alliance Hierarch, each of the Descended Ones is incredibly powerful. In my opinion, now that you’ve succeeded in Body Snatching, it’s better not to go to their world," Xin Shang said. "Speaking of which, your sudden decision to perform Body Snatching on a Descended One was rather reckless."
"Indeed, it was reckless. Strictly speaking, I’ve only completed half of the Body Snatching," Lin Bai said, deciding to reveal the actual situation to them.
Currently, it seems that when he and Zheng Tong return to the real world, Zheng Tong has control of the body. If Zheng Tong enters the game world, he (Lin Bai) gains control of the body in the outside world. However, if he (Lin Bai) enters the game world, Zheng Tong is forcibly ejected. This meant that both could exist in the real world simultaneously, but they couldn’t coexist in the game world. This implied that if he wanted to use Zheng Tong’s body to operate in the real world, Zheng Tong had to enter the game. At that time, Luo Xue and the others would mistake Zheng Tong for him, which could lead to accidents. Lin Bai didn’t want such a thing to happen. These few people had proven their loyalty by rescuing him from the Players’ hands under such dire circumstances.
"Alliance Hierarch, what do you mean by ’half’?" Their hearts sank again as Xin Shang asked.
"Sometimes I control this body, and sometimes the Descended One does..." Lin Bai replied.
As his words fell, their hearts plummeted, and their faces turned increasingly pale.
They exchanged glances, speechless. This outcome was beyond any of their expectations.
"Can he be completely eliminated?" Luo Xue asked.
"No," Lin Bai shook his head. "However, I’ve reached an agreement with him. He will obey my commands."
"The Descended Ones cannot be trusted," Xin Shang said nervously. "If he reveals your Body Snatching situation to others, the consequences will be dire..."
"The Alliance Hierarch established the Justice League single-handedly. I’m merely dealing with a single Descended One; I’m confident I can handle him," Lin Bai smiled, reassuring them. "Next, I plan to contact them using the identity of a Descended One. This way, I can control the Descended Ones within the Blood Sect and eventually become the leader of all Descended Ones. You can assist me from the sidelines..."
Only then did they remember that the real Lin Bai was still undergoing the Tribulation. The one before them was merely a Divine Soul Avatar of Lin Bai. Their future suddenly seemed even more uncertain.
Xin Shang looked at Lin Bai and, changing his form of address, asked, "Martial Uncle, how does your mastery of the Laws compare to the Alliance Hierarch’s?"
Lin Bai glanced at him and said, "Not much different. It’s just that my Cultivation Level isn’t as high as his. With your help, dealing with the Descended Ones shouldn’t be a problem."
"The Way of Laws is so distinct. How could those Descended Ones believe you?" Zhao Tulong said. "Martial Uncle, in my opinion, why not just use this Descended One’s body and operate under the Alliance Hierarch’s name? It would be more convenient than going undercover among the Descended Ones."
"So, we should just hand over the Blood Sect that the Alliance Hierarch worked so hard to establish?" Lin Bai snorted. "And abandon the Justice League Disciples within the Blood Sect? My mind is made up. You just need to cooperate. Besides, I also need to investigate the world of those Descended Ones. Infiltrating their ranks is more advantageous for me."
"As you command, Martial Uncle." They exchanged helpless glances before bowing to Lin Bai.
At this moment, the sound of a Blood Boat flying past came from outside the cave, and beams of light swept back and forth through the forest.
Luo Xue and the others showed looks of disgust and said no more.
"Wait here for me. I’ll go back and inform the Shocking Sky Falcon of the plan, then return to go to the Blood Sect with you," Lin Bai instructed before logging out of the game.
Watching Lin Si Bai disappear, Xin Shang sighed. "This incarnation is as willful as the Alliance Hierarch! He has the Alliance Hierarch’s temperament but lacks his abilities. It’s hard to say if this is a blessing or a curse!"
He Qin said, "Brother Xin, do you really think he’s the Alliance Hierarch’s avatar?"
Xin Shang was taken aback.
He Qin shook his head. "He’s likely the Alliance Hierarch himself, having made preparations. Don’t forget, the Alliance Hierarch possesses the ability of Blood-drop Reincarnation. He knew he might not survive the Heavenly Tribulation. Three White, Four White... these are merely his methods of rebirth through another’s body."
Ma Changcheng added, "The Alliance Hierarch was too ostentatious before, which led to this Tribulation. This incarnation might be his way of evading disaster. The Descended Ones are exceptionally gifted; their Cultivation Levels surpassed ours in mere days. It might not be a bad thing for the Alliance Hierarch to integrate with them and use them against the Righteous Seven Sects and Demonic Five Sects."
Zhao Tulong said, "I just fear he’ll become too powerful to control."
He Qin continued, "If this incarnation is indeed the Alliance Hierarch, then the Righteous Seven Sects and the Descended Ones will eventually fight to a mutual ruin. We just need to assist the Alliance Hierarch." He paused, then looked at Cao Ruan, who had already broken his bonds. "Brother Cao, since you’re free, could you please help me with these ropes? This is my only belt, and it’s a Magic Treasure. It would be a pity to damage it..."
"Please help us too, Brother Cao," Xin Shang and the others chimed in.
"..." Cao Ruan, the first to break free, only then noticed everyone else was still tied up, his own robes hanging loosely. He grumbled, "You crafty foxes! I’m not untying you. If you enjoy being trussed up, then stay that way!"
"Brother Cao, that’s not right," Ma Changcheng said with a smile. "The Alliance Hierarch is taking us back to the Blood Sect later. The Descended Ones all know of his Divine Skills. If all of us are missing our belts, wouldn’t that make the Descended Ones suspicious of the Alliance Hierarch? You wouldn’t want to spoil the Alliance Hierarch’s plans right at the start, would you?"
"..." Cao Ruan snorted and turned to Luo Xue. "Luo Tianjiao, let me untie yours!"
SNAP! Luo Xue channeled her energy and broke the belt binding her. She then casually drew a new one from her sleeve, smiling. "No need to trouble you, Daoist Brother Cao. Ever since I learned of the Alliance Hierarch’s Laws, I always keep a spare belt on me. I didn’t break free just now because I wanted the Alliance Hierarch to look at me a little longer..."
"..." Everyone was speechless.
...
Lin Bai exited the game, braced for the effort of performing Body Snatching once more. Unexpectedly, he slipped into Zheng Tong’s body with incredible ease, perfectly smooth.
Zheng Tong had already climbed out of the game pod and was sitting alone at his desk, looking dejected. He would occasionally call out, "Lin Bai, are you still there?"
"I’m here," Lin Bai replied using the Mind Reading Ability.
For a moment, Zheng Tong’s expression turned exceedingly grim. But he quickly composed himself and sighed, "I was kicked offline by you just now, wasn’t I?"