It finally happened!
Looking at Xiao Yun dangling from his waistband, Xu Longyun's face turned slightly red. However, when she heard Lin Bai name the new Divine Skills using the name she had casually suggested, a subtle thrill coursed through her. In that instant, she even felt that being tied up by that rope wouldn't be entirely unacceptable.
Little did she know, as soon as Bind the Immortal was unleashed, Players both inside and outside the game erupted.
What in the world is Bind the Immortal? We're all LSPs here! Who actually ties people up like this in reality? This is... quite the technique!
Parents with young children promptly shut off the live stream, muttering about the game leading the youth astray. Then, finding an excuse to send the children away, they quickly reopened the stream. It had to be said, the game developers truly knew their stuff; these techniques were worth learning!
The members of the Lin Bai Support Group fell silent. A moment later, half of them blushed. Who would have thought they could learn so much just from playing a game!
「...」
Hu Qing's palm strike landed on Xiao Yu's forehead. The resounding crack of his Body Protection Treasure shattering finally jolted him awake. His Spiritual Power erupted from his body, instantly snapping the waistband that bound him. He roared in humiliation and fury, "You cur! I swear, I will not rest until you are destroyed!"
At this moment, Xiao Yu completely lost his composure. He no longer cared about the Brother in Purple Robe's feelings and raised a hand to strike Hu Qing, who was nearby and had just attacked him.
The Brother in Purple Robe hailed from the Heavenly Sword Sect, whose offensive techniques were renowned as second to none in the world. He would not allow Xiao Yu to harm his lover in his presence. A blast of sword Qi intercepted Xiao Yu's attack, followed by another sword strike that nearly severed Xiao Yu's arm.
Normally, he wouldn't have been so easily wounded. However, Xiao Yu's protective vestments had just been destroyed by the Blacksmith's six-piece set, leaving him to rely solely on his own Spiritual Power for defense, with no external protection whatsoever.
Consequently, Hu Qing attacked Xiao Yu without reservation. Xiao Yu, in a frenzy, retaliated against Hu Qing. The Brother in Purple Robe, to protect Hu Qing, was forced to intervene against Xiao Yu. The three of them became entangled in a chaotic melee, stunning the members of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Valley of Thousand Souls. No one knew whether to continue attacking Lin Bai or to aid their own Great Cheng expert.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. What in the Nine Hells kind of battle is this?
「...」
Lin Bai looked at Ye Song and, with a smile, parroted the instigating words he'd heard from the crowd, "Ye Song, if not now, then when?"
"..." Ye Song glanced at the battered Xiao Yu, sighed inwardly, and voluntarily stepped out of the defensive formation. Lin Bai had already shown him the way. If he continued to cling to Lin Bai without taking action, his joining the Justice League would appear highly suspicious. Look at what happened to the Brother in Purple Robe. Who knows what Lin Bai might do to me? Besides, I can't possibly give up the sweet temptation of becoming a Heavenly Dao Guardian God!
Seeing Ye Song step out of the defensive formation, Lin Bai turned and called out to Duke Zhenguo, "Duke, don't just stand there watching! Fire the Destroy Immortal Artillery! Now is the time to demonstrate the might of our Taiyi Country!"
The moment Xiao Yu was hoisted up, the giant skeleton ceased its attack. This made Lin Bai realize that the seemingly useless Bondage actually served a powerful purpose. Though not particularly durable, it could interrupt any Technique or move. No one could channel their energy or attack while bound by the ropes. In a clash between masters, the slightest misstep could lead to a disastrous outcome. That single moment of Bondage was enough to inflict severe damage.
「...」
Duke Zhenguo was stunned, still trying to understand what was happening.
Outside the city, waves of astonished cries erupted. One by one, Cultivators' belts flew off, automatically binding their owners in an array of suggestive poses. Male or female, none could escape. The pressure on the Zhen City Defense Array vanished instantly.
Watching the bizarre scene unfold outside, Duke Zhenguo's old face darkened. Though he felt launching an attack at such a moment was somewhat dishonorable, his professional duty compelled him to give the order, "Fire."
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The Destroy Immortal Artillery and Killing Immortal Artillery roared as their Spiritual Power tore through the air. Columns of Spiritual Power, as thick as water barrels, shot towards the unsuspecting Void Cultivators who were caught off guard by their own belts, bound in place. Some Cultivators managed to break free from the ropes in time to evade the bombardment. Others, slower to react, were struck directly by the Spiritual Power Columns, forcing their Body Protection Treasures to activate. One after another, brilliant explosions lit up the sky like fireworks.
The Cultivators besieging Zhen City were, needless to say, utterly chagrined. They had anticipated that Lin Bai's Way of Laws might cause them some trouble, and had even taken precautions against Separation of Love. Yet, they had never imagined Lin Bai would develop such Divine Skills; it was truly impossible to guard against. Those binding poses were clearly not designed for combat!
However, this was merely the beginning. Once Lin Bai began his assault, he showed them no mercy. The ambush that had killed over a thousand members of the Justice League had filled him with a bellyful of fire. Since his debut, everything had been smooth sailing; when had he ever suffered such a grievous loss? If they wanted a fight, he would give them one they wouldn't forget! He would also demonstrate his strength to the Taiyi Country.
The ropes previously piled before the arena's viewing platform flew out one after another, ensnaring their targets. These ropes, longer than waistbands, created even more elaborate bindings.
The wild straight-arm binding; the time-consuming Four-Horse Binding; the alluring Turtle Shell Binding, which best showcased a graceful figure; the extremely challenging reverse Guanyin bind; the rather painful monkey tie and crab tie...
「...」
Accompanied by the dazzling Spiritual Power fireworks from the Destroy Immortal Artillery, Lin Bai orchestrated a spectacular artistic display on the battlefield using Falling Star Hammers and Flying Ropes.
The well-trained soldiers of The Northern Army, after a brief moment of shock, had their eyes gleam with excitement as they manned the Destroy Immortal Artillery, aiming for the "poses" they found most appealing. Whistles from the spectating Players rose and fell, as nearly all the male Players fixed their gazes on the direction of the Moon Spirit Sect. Those fairies, who had meticulously maintained their figures and used Shaping techniques to achieve perfection, looked even more captivating under the ropes' artistry, a sight one couldn't tear their eyes from. This was especially true for the fairies whose Body-Protecting Law Clothing had been shattered by the Destroy Immortal Artillery, making them appear all the more pitiably alluring. Countless screenshots were saved, no doubt for... future study material.
The Cultivators of the Justice League Army were dumbfounded. Watching this unconventional battle, they had all but forgotten their fallen comrades, their eyes wide with disbelief, utterly speechless.
The Lin Bai Support Group was silent. Faced with such a scene, even the most die-hard fans didn't know what kind of slogan to chant for their idol. This is too shameful! How can our idol be like this?
「...」
While using his Skills, Lin Bai discovered a nuance: the ropes could indeed be easily broken and escaped by Cultivators of higher Realms. However, the ropes he specifically targeted would instantly appear on the victim like a Magpie Bridge, giving them no time to react. Furthermore, during the binding process itself, the victim could not destroy the rope. Even Cultivators with Flash techniques couldn't dodge the binding. Thus, to buy more time for the Destroy Immortal Artillery, Lin Bai began to employ more complex techniques like the Four-Horse Binding, Group Binding, and Reverse Group Binding, all of which required completely immobilizing the target.
Of course, he wasn't idle while unleashing the ropes. His five recording pens blared at full power as he flung out his left hand. Lightning rained down upon the Void Cultivators ensnared by the ropes. The Destroy Immortal Artillery were too few; every little bit of extra damage helped. Simultaneously, the Blacksmith's six-piece set danced through the air above, wantonly shattering the Cultivators' Magic Treasures.
「...」
Ten Sects participated in this assault, each led by one Great Cheng expert accompanied by twenty or thirty Void Cultivators. Because they were all high-level masters, their total numbers weren't overwhelming. The ropes contributed by The Northern Army were more than sufficient.
Each Cultivator was trapped in an endless, frustrating cycle: bound by ropes, struck by the Destroy Immortal Artillery, breaking free, only to be bound again. The pain and humiliation were immense. No one had imagined that a proper war would devolve into such a bizarre spectacle. What was more infuriating was that during this incessant binding, they couldn't even launch a counterattack because the ropes flew too quickly.
The only group still relatively organized was the Beast Taming Sect. Due to the limited number of ropes, Lin Bai prioritized binding the Cultivators; the thousands of large Demon Beasts were, for the moment, outside his consideration. However, these sentient Demon Beasts were witnessing such a scene for the first time. They stood frozen in place, unsure whether to continue their attack, help their masters escape, or if advancing meant they too would be ensnared by those ropes.
「...」
Ye Song didn't go out of his way to provoke the Great Cheng experts. He weaved effortlessly among the numerous Void Cultivators struggling against the ropes. Each time he neared one, a palm strike would send a Void Cultivator plummeting from the sky. The terrifying killing efficiency of a Great Chariot expert was on full display.
"Ye Song, you'll die a horrible death!"
"By attacking my Tool Refining Sect, aren't you afraid of igniting a war between the righteous and demonic paths?"
"Ye Song, you traitor!"
「...」
Ye Song was dispatching them too quickly. Watching the Cultivators fall one after another, Lin Bai felt a twinge of heartache and quickly shouted, "Ye Song, heaven values life! Just injure them severely, to the brink of death. There's no need to take their lives!"
Ye Song paused, then understood Lin Bai's intention and ceased his lethal attacks. Thus, Void Cultivators who would have been killed in one blow were now left grievously injured and on the verge of death. This was hardly good news for them. Because the moment they lost consciousness, a Card would descend from the sky onto their unconscious bodies. A white light would flash, and they would be absorbed into the Card.
The Void Cultivators were terrified. The thought of escape blossomed in their minds; Lin Bai's methods were too horrifying.
Ye Song watched Lin Bai collect the Puppets, a dark expression on his face. So this is what you call 'heaven values life'?
「...」
Hard-pressed by the Brother in Purple Robe's assault, Xiao Yu stole a glance at the unbearably grim battlefield and was instantly filled with regret. When Lin Bai had been collecting ropes earlier, they had known about it, but no one had paid it any mind. Had they known the ropes were for *this*, they would have ordered their Undercover agents to destroy the ropes first, instead of slaughtering those insignificant Cultivators from the Justice League! Which bastard claimed that clipping Lin Bai's wings would render him powerless? This damn Lin Bai doesn't even seem to need subordinates!
Xiao Yu, bound once more and bleeding from another of the Brother in Purple Robe's slashes, broke free and pleaded wretchedly, "Brother in Purple Robe, ultimately, we bear no grudge against each other! We were both provoked by Lin Bai, leading to this current mess. If we continue fighting, Lin Bai will just laugh at us. Why don't we stop? I won't attack Hu Qing, and you don't attack me. We can then work together to find a way out of this predicament. What do you say?" He was bound in a Group Bind again, took another sword strike from the Brother in Purple Robe, and after struggling free, he wailed pitifully, "We've already suffered a terrible defeat, and the reputations of both the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Demonic Sects are in tatters. Even if you kill me, you'll be seen as the main instigator. If the Seven Righteous Sects can't kill Lin Bai, do you think they can't kill you? When that time comes, you won't be able to maintain your association with Lin Bai either!"
Hearing this, the Brother in Purple Robe's attacks visibly slowed. He had indeed been holding back, wary of the consequences. Otherwise, with the massive openings Xiao Yu presented each time he was bound by the ropes, he could have killed him ten times over. Seeing the Brother in Purple Robe ease his assault, Xiao Yu inwardly sighed in relief. He endured Hu Qing's continuous palm strikes, using the opportunity to pop a healing Pill Medicine into his mouth without retaliating. Hu Qing was merely in the Hollow Realm and was a Fox Spirit skilled in Charm. Ten of his blows wouldn't inflict as much damage as a single sword strike from the Brother in Purple Robe.
That damn Brother in Purple Robe fought with such viciousness! Even though Xiao Yu had been defending, in just this short time, there wasn't an uninjured spot left on his body. As another rope snaked towards him, Xiao Yu was on the verge of tears. He looked up at the Brother in Purple Robe. "Brother in Purple Robe, you've seen the situation on the field. As things stand, I'm afraid only you can resolve this crisis."
The Brother in Purple Robe snapped out of his love-induced daze. Surveying his surroundings, he was left speechless, a newfound awe for the Law of Love blooming within him. But what the hell can I solve? Previously, he had entertained the thought of killing Lin Bai and starting anew with Hu Qing on the Way of Love. That idea had now vanished without a trace. He even had the bizarre notion of defecting to the Justice League, taking Lin Bai as his master, and joining the Righteous Door.
The future will undoubtedly belong to the Way of Laws. After this thought flashed through his mind, a glint of determination appeared in the Brother in Purple Robe's eyes. He looked at Xiao Yu. "Brother Xiao Dao, I do have a plan, but it requires your cooperation."
"Speak!" Xiao Yu said, his expression brightening.
"I heavily injure you," the Brother in Purple Robe said. "Then I use your defeat to curry favor with Lin Bai, pretending to join the Righteous Door. We trick them into lowering the defensive formation, and once inside, we kill him. What do you think?"
"..." Xiao Yu froze. Staring at the Brother in Purple Robe's ferocious gaze, he silently cursed his eighteen generations of ancestors. He desperately broke free from the rope, used Flash multiple times to distance himself from the Brother in Purple Robe, and sprinted towards the Zhen City Defense Array. As he ran, he yelled, "Alliance Hierarch Lin, don't attack! I, Xiao, am willing to join the Justice League and serve as a mere dog for the Righteous Door!"
"Alright!" Lin Bai looked at Xiao Yu, who was practically delivering himself to their doorstep. He unceremoniously flung out a meticulously crafted rope, binding Xiao Yu tightly. Then, he recalled Hu Qing to his side, used Magpie Bridge to bring the Brother in Purple Robe over, and then called out, "Ye Song, Brother in Purple Robe, first beat Xiao Yu until he's severely injured! We'll take them down one by one. Not a single Great Cheng will escape! The Justice League is getting new members today!"
After causing such a massive commotion, isn't Lin Bai just aiming to elevate his own strength to the Great Cheng Realm?
The Brother in Purple Robe hesitated for a moment but didn't make a move. Ye Song, who had flown back, also paused when he saw Xiao Yu trussed up. It was common knowledge that Lin Bai's Cards could seal Puppets. Capturing a few Hollow Realm Puppets was one thing, but if he managed to acquire a Great Cheng expert as a Puppet, it would be like giving Lin Bai wings. Suppressing him by force in the future would become nearly impossible. Moreover, they had to consider the potential backlash. If Lin Bai possessed a Great Cheng Puppet and turned on them, armed with his impossible-to-defend-against Bind the Immortal, they themselves might not be able to resist.
Xiao Yu's face turned deathly pale. His Spiritual Power surged as he struggled violently against the rope. To his astonishment, he didn't break free immediately. Channeling his Spiritual Power once more, he roared, "Wen Ba, Cen Qing, Zuo Lan, Gu Yi! Are you still not making a move? Are you just going to wait for Lin Bai to pick you off one by one and turn you into his Puppets?"
His shout was a catalyst. The Great Cheng Cultivators from the Pill and Spirit Sect, Tool Refining Sect, and others he had named didn't hesitate for a moment. After breaking the ropes binding them, they abandoned their disciples, turned, and fled in the opposite direction of Zhen City, burning their Spiritual Power to escape at maximum speed. Better to save our own skins! Xiao Yu is right. In this situation, there's clearly no hope of victory. Should we stick around and wait for Lin Bai to turn us into Puppets?
Xiao Yu, ever observant, had already noticed the scene outside. Utter despair washed over him; he couldn't even be bothered to struggle against the ropes anymore. His face contorted with fury as he roared at Lin Bai, "Lin Bai! I willingly submit to becoming your Puppet! But you must promise me this: capture every single one of those deserters and turn them into Puppets to keep me company!"
"No problem. None of them will escape," Lin Bai declared, glancing disapprovingly at Ye Song before producing a gold Card. "Whoever offends my Justice League will be hunted down, no matter how far they flee! Brother Xiao Dao, relax. When the gold Card envelops you, do not entertain any thoughts of resistance!"