Once again, Lin Bai unleashed a sword qi strike, aiming it at Cen Qing, who was surrounded by a crowd of suitors.
Cen Qing instinctively dodged, and all her suitors moved with her, creating a chaotic scene.
"Lady Cen, please don't move. Testing the new Power of Rules will allow us to better combat our enemies," Lin Bai advised, stopping his actions.
DAMN IT!
Cen Qing said with a dark expression, "Alliance Hierarch, test the skills if you must, but can we please not use sword qi?"
A group of people were dancing and singing around her, which was extremely embarrassing for her. As domineering as the Love Principle was, she felt it was being completely misused here.
"Sorry, Lady Cen, it was my mistake. I'll try a different approach," Lin Bai said, smiling awkwardly, before launching a palm seal.
Sharing the skills of so many people, he was like a humanoid skill library at this moment, proficient in all sorts of techniques and Divine Skills!
THUD!
This time, the palm seal didn't dissipate; it landed directly on Cen Qing.
Cen Qing, startled, hurriedly cried out, "Alliance Hierarch, stop testing! The Power of Rules of Phoenix Seeks Phoenix isn't protecting me!"
"So, someone who can move isn't protected. In other words, if Cen Qing is killed, those affected will regain their freedom. There's indeed a flaw!" Lin Bai murmured to himself.
[Resentment from Cen Qing: +1 +1 +1...]
[Resentment from Xiao Yu, Zuo Lan, Ye Song... I'm Not an Alt Account, and Mountain Tiger: +1 +1 +1...]
Before he could finish speaking, a wave of negative emotions flooded Lin Bai's mind.
...
I'm Not an Alt Account glanced at Lin Bai and muttered softly, "If you don't leave some flaws, how are others supposed to survive?"
Xu Longyun stared intently at the people still singing and dancing, her mind racing with several attack strategies that would complement this Power of Rules, each incredibly difficult for an enemy to counter. Seeing Lin Bai still unsatisfied, she said somewhat helplessly, "Master, this is already incredible. With this Power of Rules, defeating the Blood Sect will be no problem at all."
"Alliance Hierarch, the Divine Skill has been thoroughly explored, shouldn't you release us now?" Xiao Yu cried out woefully.
He was a Great Cheng cultivator, after all! Dancing bare-chested in front of everyone like this was unbearable, utterly humiliating.
At this moment, he deeply regretted joining the army and learning war dances in his youth.
This Power of Rules actually dug out things hidden deep in his memories to display, and used them for courtship of all things? This Alliance Hierarch of theirs was truly a piece of work!
If he had known joining the Justice League meant enduring such humiliation, he shouldn't have resisted when Lin Bai wanted to turn him into a puppet.
Look at Qiu Liang, dancing so naturally, completely oblivious to how much of a fool he's making of himself...
So being a puppet wasn't torture; it was a form of protection!
...
Lin Bai tried to deactivate Phoenix Seeks Phoenix, only to find that this skill, much like Bondage, was uncontrollable; once used, it couldn't be retracted.
After carefully considering the skill's description, Lin Bai said to Cen Qing, "Lady Cen, why don't you try choosing someone who catches your eye from the group in front of you?"
"..." Cen Qing was stunned.
Xiao Yu and the others began to silently contribute negative emotions to Lin Bai again.
"Lady Cen, they are showcasing their talents for you. You should express your stance, whether you accept or not. Leaving them hanging like this is disrespectful to love," Lin Bai said righteously.
Did I ask them to perform?
Weren't you the one who made them perform their talents for me?
And now you're using moral blackmail in courtship...
Don't tell me if I choose someone, I'll be bound just like with that 'Predestined Marriage' skill!
Cen Qing, on the verge of tears but unable to cry, felt utterly wretched. She glanced at Xiao Yu, then at Zuo Lan, and finally at the Heaven-sent people winking and making faces at her. After a moment of struggle, she declared, "None of them suit my fancy!"
As soon as she spoke, everyone was released from their performances.
Xiao Yu and Zuo Lan quickly retreated to their ranks, glaring resentfully at Lin Bai, daring to be angry but not to speak.
Cen Qing let out a long sigh of relief.
Players like Silver, however, seemed nonchalant, even finding the time to discuss the skill's effects.
Wild Wolf said, "This is another strong control skill. The vulnerability is with the woman. It appears she has the initiative, but she's also at the center of danger. Not only will she become a priority target, but after the skill ends, she'll also quickly draw attacks from those who were controlled."
Silver said, "A game that pursues realism will inevitably infringe on privacy. If word of this gets out, it's highly probable that some people will quit the game or boycott it!"
Wild Wolf said, "Speaking of privacy, the privacy of those corporate executives should be more important than ours. If even they don't care, why would anyone care about what we commoners think? Let's see how the game officials and the government handle this. I always feel the government is a bit too indulgent towards game companies..."
...
So, whether one refuses or accepts, the courtship ritual ends...
Lin Bai now understood the mechanics of Phoenix Seeks Phoenix. He looked at Cen Qing and cupped his fists. "Lady Cen, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you greatly in the upcoming battles."
"..." Cen Qing instinctively glanced at Xu Longyun and the others beside Lin Bai. She hesitated, not daring to speak her true thoughts. She feared that if she did, Lin Bai would turn her into a puppet in the very next second. Sighing inwardly, Cen Qing returned the courtesy with a pained expression. "It is my duty."
"Lady Cen, don't worry, I will do my utmost to ensure your safety," Lin Bai promised with a smile. Then, he looked at everyone. "With this Power of Rules, do you all still fear the upcoming battle?"
Separation of Love, Bind the Immortal, and now this courtship skill…
Whether they could win the battle or not was one thing; the Justice League was now certain to become the public enemy of the entire Cultivation World.
"The Alliance Hierarch is wise."
"Justice League will surely rise to the top."
"The Blood Sect is nothing but dust..."
...
Amidst a barrage of what sounded like nonsensical flattery, Lin Bai casually released Qing Yu's Card. A Magpie Bridge immediately unfurled, and the Justice League set off on their journey once more.
This time, no one was urging Lin Bai to be cautious anymore.
The conflict between them was already irreconcilable. Faced with such an outrageous Power of Rules, no one would continue to exercise restraint.
Besides, if the Justice League could truly unify the world, they would be the ultimate beneficiaries. They would no longer have to follow Lin Bai in constant trepidation, nor bear the guilt of betraying their sects.
...
The Blood Sect had received the news almost immediately.
The Great Cheng cultivators who had returned to the Sect instantly grew tense. They hastily began discussing countermeasures against Lin Bai's various Powers of Rules with the Heaven-sent people within the Sect.
Tu Yan, the Vice Sect Master in charge of sect affairs and a Great Cheng cultivator, immediately activated the mountain-protecting Sea of Blood, enveloping the entire Sect in a bloody mist.
He rushed to the secluded cultivation grounds of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage Ancestors in the rear mountains. He forcefully roused the Ancestors from their closed-door cultivation and reported all recent events to the Sect's most senior Ancestor.
The Blood Sect had eight cultivators at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. They were no longer responsible for daily sect affairs. Their usual practice was to suppress their Cultivation Level, tempering their physical bodies and Divine Souls in preparation for their impending Tribulation and ascension.
"The Dao of Rules? Unheard of! Has our Sect been pushed to this state by a mere twenty-something brat using a few unorthodox tricks? The Blood Sect is truly declining with each generation!" An old man, wizened like dried wood, floated above the Blood Pool. His voice, sharp as scraping metal, was filled with displeasure at having his peaceful cultivation disturbed.
"Patriarch Tuohai, it's not that the Blood Sect is incompetent. Even the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Evil Sects combined are helpless against him," Tu Yan said, standing respectfully outside the Blood Pool. "His Dao of Rules is simply too bizarre. It's impossible to defend against, and we have found no way to counter it."
"Why have you come? Do you expect us old fossils to intervene and avert this disaster for the Blood Sect?" another gloomy voice emanated from a churning black mist that showed no human form.
"The Blood Sect has been passed down for tens of thousands of years, with countless cultivators within its ranks and the protection of the Sea of Blood. Even the combined forces of the Seven Righteous Sects wouldn't dare claim they could conquer our Blood Sect. What ability does Lin Bai possess to lead a band of rabble to breach our gates?" another black figure said coldly. "If we old men, who could trigger a Heavenly Tribulation at any moment, must intervene in every matter, what use are you younger generations? If word of this spreads, what would the old fogeys from other sects think of the Blood Sect?"
"If that Lin Bai could truly annihilate the Blood Sect single-handedly, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the world's foremost expert. Our intervention at that point would be futile..."
The Transcendance Tribulation Stage Ancestors berated him one after another, none of them taking Lin Bai seriously. They were more annoyed with Tu Yan for disturbing their peaceful cultivation. To them, successfully overcoming their Tribulation and ascending to immortality was the paramount concern.
Tu Yan didn't dare to retort to the Transcendance Tribulation Stage Ancestors. He waited patiently for them to finish before saying, "Esteemed Patriarchs, it's not that this disciple fears Lin Bai. But his Dao of Rules is truly bizarre. I came to the Blood Pool not to ask for your direct intervention, but to request that you oversee and support our Sect's disciples when Lin Bai attacks."
"With your profound insight, Patriarchs, you will surely be able to discern a way to counter Lin Bai's Dao of Rules, thereby minimizing our Sect's losses. To date, the Seven Righteous Sects and Five Evil Sects have already lost over a dozen Great Cheng cultivators to Lin Bai. Our Sect now has just over thirty Great Cheng cultivators remaining. If we suffer more losses, even if we defeat Lin Bai, the Blood Sect will likely fall to the bottom rank among the Five Evil Sects."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "The Dao of Rules is miraculous and completely different from the current cultivation path. Perhaps, Patriarchs, you might gain some inspiration from it that could aid your Tribulation."
There was a moment of silence.
Ancestor Tuohai looked skeptical and asked, "Is Lin Bai truly that formidable?"
"In a mere three to four months, he has grown from an unknown individual into a Great Cheng cultivator, single-handedly rendering the Seven Righteous Sects and Five Evil Sects helpless. 'Formidable' doesn't even begin to describe him; he's a monster!" Tu Yan said, his face grim as he deliberately exaggerated Lin Bai's threat. "Otherwise, this disciple wouldn't dare disturb your peaceful cultivation, Patriarchs. To put it gravely, the Blood Sect may very well be at a juncture of life and death."
The Transcendance Tribulation Stage Ancestors exchanged glances. Ancestor Tuohai said, "If that is the case, then tell us in detail about this Lin Bai's Dao of Rules. Do not omit a single thing."
"This disciple came prepared." Tu Yan extended his hand, and a stack of Justice Weekly appeared. He respectfully presented it with both hands, saying, "Lin Bai and the Heaven-sent people emerged in the world simultaneously. His methods are entirely different from those of our era. This Justice Weekly is the instrument Lin Bai uses to propagate his Dao of Rules. His entire history is documented within these pages..."
...
Lin Bai had the Magpie Bridge, so his travel speed wasn't slow, but the continent was simply too vast.
「Previously,」
when the Great Cheng cultivators of the Five Evil Sects mobilized from their sects to Zhen City, it took them seven to eight days. Lin Bai, using the Magpie Bridge to lead his large contingent, traveled at a speed no slower than that of a Great Cheng expert, yet it would still take roughly three to four days.
During these three to four days, the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Evil Sects stationed at the Taiyi Country border were not idle. They gathered cultivators from Taichu Country and Taihao Country and, group by group, steadily infiltrated Taiyi Country.
They infiltrated various towns, seizing control of all internal Magpie Bridges, poised to strike at any moment and disrupt Lin Bai's rear.
Knowing that Lin Bai's Magpie Bridge could negate distances, they didn't attack hastily. Everyone was waiting for the opportune moment.
Taiyi Country was powerless to stop this. Firstly, they lacked sufficient Spirit Stones to activate defensive arrays in all towns. Secondly, even with its one hundred thousand soldiers, The Northern Army couldn't possibly guard every town. Taiyi Country alone had over seventy major towns. Spreading the army so thin would leave few soldiers per town. Furthermore, most soldiers in The Northern Army were Transforming Spirit Stage Monks. Without defensive arrays, they stood no chance against enemies who were at least at the Void realm.
After a few days, Taiyi Country had been infiltrated by more than a dozen sects, riddled with holes like a sieve.
It was vulnerable from all sides; almost every city now harbored infiltrated cultivators. Activating defensive arrays at this point would be largely ineffective.
Even Duke Zhenguo felt he was being watched. In just a few days, more than half his hair had turned white from anxiety. Only now did he realize that without overwhelmingly powerful Divine Skills like Lin Bai's, Taiyi Country's years of preparation were a complete joke before the formidable strength of the sects—utterly vulnerable…
The Lin Bai Support Group stationed in Zhen City, along with numerous players from the Beggar Gang, once again felt that palpable sense of an impending storm. Everyone was desperately grinding levels, ready to log off at a moment's notice.
The secrecy around Phoenix Seeks Phoenix was exceptionally well-maintained. Everyone in Taiyi Country, from top to bottom, believed Lin Bai had acted too rashly this time.
...
「Meanwhile,」
Great Cheng cultivators from Sky Demon Mountain, Holy Extreme Sect, Valley of Thousand Souls, and Poison Sect also departed from their respective sects. They converged on the Blood Sect from all directions, prepared to cut off Lin Bai's escape route at any time.
As the saying goes, "we'll either rise together or fall together."
The sects of the Five Evil Sects would not sit idly by and watch the Blood Sect be destroyed by Lin Bai.
Lin Bai possessed a Divine Skill for creating puppets. If the Blood Sect fell, it would mean a significant boost to Lin Bai's power, and no other sect would be able to resist being absorbed by the Justice League.
Even if the Blood Sect wasn't destroyed, Lin Bai, relying on his Magpie Bridge, could harass them intermittently, and the various sects would find this intolerable.
No one wished for such an outcome.
After a brief period of calm, the Justice League used the Song Yaoqing incident as a pretext to aggressively attack the Blood Sect. This rapidly escalated into what seemed like a decisive war pitting both the righteous and evil paths against the Justice League.
Apart from Justice Weekly, which continued to condemn the Blood Sect and Poison Sect for harboring war criminals, the periodicals of all other sects ceased publication, disdaining to engage in a war of words with Justice Weekly.
Victory would make them kings, defeat would make them outcasts.
The victors of this war could dictate the narrative. Engaging in verbal sparring at this juncture was pointless, a waste of energy and time.
The various conglomerates that had entered the game fell temporarily silent. They were simultaneously contacting the higher echelons of Taichu, Taihao, and other nations, searching for materials to try and replicate modern weaponry, all while awaiting the war's outcome.
In this conflict between the orthodox and demonic sects versus the Justice League, players were once again marginalized. Their current levels were insufficient to participate in a war of this scale.
On the Immortal World forums, a new round of discussions erupted regarding the game's progression and the future role of players. However, a consensus emerged: the battle at the Blood Sect would decisively shape the future of the game world...