The expressions of Ye Song and the Elder in the Purple Robe instantly turned very grim. They wanted to stop Lin Bai but didn't know how to begin.
At this point, they were in over their heads.
Ye Song, especially, had been waiting for Emperor Zidewei to fall into peril so he could intervene, save him, and thereby earn Lin Bai's favor. Now, he was inwardly cursing the so-called Moral Heavenly Respect. Lin Bai was effortlessly manipulating seven Great cheng Cultivators as if they were toys. There wasn't the slightest sign of him being in danger!
It's others who are in danger!
Others?
Ye Song suddenly froze, a terrifying guess forming in his mind. Could it be that the so-called reincarnation of Emperor Zidewei doesn't refer to Lin Bai?
Did I... misunderstand?
That must be it!
That had to be the case. Lin Bai has the backing of the Righteous Door; even if a message were sent to him, it should be from an Ancestor of the Righteous Door, not from the Moral Heavenly Respect.
How could the Righteous Door, which cultivates natural law and doesn't ascend, possibly have any connection with people from the Fairy World?
What Lin Bai is doing doesn't resemble a Heavenly Venerate at all; he's more like a Devil's Head!
Ye Song turned his head to look at the escaping Great cheng Cultivators and the scattering Hollow Realm Cultivators, sweat pouring down like rain. Damn it, why all this deliberate mystification? Wouldn't it be better to just tell me directly who the reincarnation of Emperor Zidewei is?
[Resentment from Ye Song: +1+1+1+1...]
What to do? What should I do?
Could it be that because of my negligence, I've endangered the reincarnation of Emperor Zidewei?
But now, the best opportunity to make a move against Lin Bai again has already been lost!
Watching Lin Bai inside the protective shield, Ye Song's gaze was fraught with anxiety and conflict, deeply lost in uncertainty about the future...
A Gold card hovered over Xiao Yu's head.
A flash of golden light.
The Gold card fluttered to one side.
Sealing failed.
An awkward smile touched the corners of Xiao Yu's mouth. "Alliance Hierarch Lin, can we try one more time?"
"Brother Xiao Dao, it seems you're still unwilling to be a Puppet," Lin Bai shook his head, retrieving the Gold card and the Card used to seal Hu Qing. "Brother in Purple Robe, please trouble yourself to beat Brother Xiao Dao to near death. If he can't make up his mind, we'll help him."
The Elder in the Purple Robe wore a conflicted expression but didn't act.
"Ye Song, you previously said you wished to become my disciple and study the way of natural law, yet your sincerity is lacking!" Lin Bai sighed and turned to Ye Song. Indeed, a Puppet not under my own control is difficult to use. I still need to rely on my own personal strength!
"Master, cultivation to the Great cheng realm is not easy. Since Brother Xiao Dao is willing to submit, why must you turn him into a Puppet? 'Where it's possible to forgive, one should forgive and forget.' This will make the future path of the Justice League smoother." Ye Song looked at Lin Bai, gently persuading, "You were able to accommodate He Qin, Xin Shang, and others, so why not Brother Xiao Dao? If Brother Xiao Dao surrenders to the Justice League only to meet such a fate, any other Great cheng Cultivators considering surrender will surely hesitate at this prospect. If fighting means death and not fighting also means death, they would all rather fight to the death. The loss would outweigh the gain..."
A spark of hope ignited in Xiao Yu's eyes. He glanced gratefully at Ye Song. Who would willingly become a controlled Puppet if there was even the slightest alternative?
Lin Bai looked at Ye Song, pondering for a moment. "What you say does make some sense." Then, he turned to Xiao Yu. "Brother Xiao Dao, are you certain you sincerely wish to join the Justice League?"
Xiao Yu nodded repeatedly. "Absolutely."
Lin Bai continued, "Joining the Justice League means you will break with your past. You may have to fight against your former Sect. Can you do that?"
Having been pushed this far, disagreeing meant death. Did he have any other choice? Xiao Yu looked at Lin Bai and affirmed, "Naturally, that won't be a problem."
"You betray the very Sect that taught you skills and nurtured you to the Great cheng realm. You are truly disloyal and unrighteous. Today you betray your Sect to survive; tomorrow you could betray the Justice League for personal gain." Lin Bai looked at Xiao Yu and snorted coldly. "Ye Song, Brother in Purple Robe, it's still more reliable to subdue him and make him a Puppet."
Damn it!
[Resentment from Ye Song, Xiao Yu, and the Elder in the Purple Robe: +1+1+1+1...]
So you asked those questions just to find a suitable excuse for yourself?
Xiao Yu glared resentfully at Lin Bai and abruptly struggled free from the ropes binding him. "Lin Bai, why bother playing games with me? Today, I'd rather self-destruct than let you succeed..."
Before he could finish his sentence.
Another rope expertly snaked out, binding him tightly before hoisting him into the air.
"Brother in Purple Robe, if you don't act, I'll tear up Hu Qing's Card," Lin Bai threatened, pulling out Hu Qing's Card and making a gesture as if to rip it.
"Don't!" The Elder in the Purple Robe's face changed drastically. He raised his sword. "I'll kill him..."
Just then, DING!
"System of making good contracts: More friends mean more paths; more enemies mean more walls. Taking things too far will inevitably cut ties short. Acting unscrupulously often means cutting off your own retreat. The best way to deal with enemies is to turn them into friends. Love and tolerance can make your life smoother. Why not learn to be a tolerant and magnanimous ruler?"
[Forgive the enemy before you. Reward: Fortune and Virtue +10.]
What on earth?
I've already pushed him this far, and now you're telling me to cultivate good relations?
Are you kidding me?
But I have to admit, this new System is truly perceptive. It saw my good nature at a glance—far more discerning than the Big Antagonist System or the Demon King System!
Why did a System so perfectly suited to me only appear now?
Regardless, this reward is mine for the taking!
Just as the Elder in the Purple Robe's sword was about to reach Xiao Yu's neck, a rope suddenly shot out, expertly weaving around and hoisting the Elder in the Purple Robe into the air.
Xiao Yu, who had just broken free and was hesitating between self-destruction and counter-attack, was momentarily stunned by this scene.
"Brother Xiao Dao, don't be angry. I was just joking with you earlier. Throughout my journey, how many of those who joined the Justice League were truly sincere from the start?" Lin Bai looked at the three of them with a gentle smile. "But in the end, every member of the Justice League becomes genuinely convinced by me. The reason I acted this way was merely to let Brother Xiao Dao experience the consequences of indecisiveness beforehand.
You wouldn't mind, would you?
Life is indeed precious. Why not preserve this useful body and do something more meaningful? Don't you want to teach those scoundrels who abandoned you and fled the battle a lesson?"
Xiao Yu forced a smile, his brow furrowed tightly.
"Don't you want to see the looks on their faces when they're dragged back, only to find you completely unharmed?" Lin Bai coaxed.
Ye Song looked at Lin Bai, completely unsure of his intentions now. Just moments ago, the Elder in the Purple Robe had clearly been about to strike Xiao Yu.
"Alliance Hierarch Lin, will you truly not seal me again?" Xiao Yu asked skeptically.
"Of course not. As Ye Song said, if I sealed you, wouldn't those who willingly surrender in the future live in constant fear? I'm afraid even Ye Song and the Elder in the Purple Robe would live restlessly." Lin Bai looked at Ye Song and the Elder in the Purple Robe and smiled. "Even with my Divine Skills, I can't turn everyone in the world into Puppets! However, all things in the world are fair. Brother Xiao Dao, since you caused me to lose a Puppet, you should compensate me with another! I trust Brother Xiao Dao doesn't harbor any pity for those who deserted you in battle?"
"Naturally not." Xiao Yu forced a smile, but a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. Those Great cheng Cultivators were from other Sects, true, but in battle, they were supposed to be on the same side. Yet, when I was in peril, they all abandoned me and fled. They deserve to be punished! Why should I be the only one to bear the consequences?
"Then I'll entrust this matter to Brother Xiao Dao shortly," Lin Bai said, looking at Ye Song and the Elder in the Purple Robe with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"Leave it to me," Xiao Yu affirmed with a nod.
Ye Song and the Elder in the Purple Robe were suddenly jolted, understanding Lin Bai's intention. He was dissatisfied with them! Look at how Lin Bai, with a series of offensive and defensive maneuvers, had bound Xiao Yu to his war chariot.
Ye Song knew.
It was time for him to make a choice between Emperor Zidewei and Lin Bai.
Actually, there was no real choice to make.
If I continue trying to save Emperor Zidewei, I'll probably be turned into a Puppet by Lin Bai first!
To hell with that Moral Heavenly Respect!
If they were capable of intervening, why would they need me to help the so-called reincarnation of Emperor Zidewei?
That so-called Heavenly Dao Guardian God? They're probably just tricking me into being the fall guy!
Ye Song instantly grasped the key points and offered Lin Bai his most sincere smile. "Master, you are right. When you wanted to seal Brother Xiao Dao earlier without distinguishing right from wrong, it truly made me apprehensive. After all, we haven't established genuine trust. Now that things are clear, I can also dedicate myself to the Justice League with peace of mind. Next, I will show you my sincerity."
"As do I!" The Elder in the Purple Robe's gaze remained fixed on Hu Qing's Card in Lin Bai's hand.
"We've been delayed for so long; they've probably fled far by now. With our speed, I doubt we can catch up," Xiao Yu suddenly sighed, his voice tinged with regret.
[Forgive your enemy before you (Completed). Reward: Fortune and Virtue +10 (distributed).]
[Make your enemy submit to you wholeheartedly. Reward: Fortune and Virtue +20.]
The new System notifications popped up one after another.
Lin Bai glanced at the new task and said calmly, "The Justice League isn't a place they can come and go as they please."
At that moment, a voice came from afar, "Ye Song, we've come to surrender! Can you ask the Grandmaster to hold his fire and stop bombarding us?"
Lin Bai looked over.
A ship adorned with the character "Saint" was anchored about fifty miles outside Zhen City. At the bow, a woman in white with disheveled hair was shouting in their direction, wearing a Milky Way Ring identical to theirs.
Theirs was the only vessel that hadn't fled; The Northern Army's Destroy Immortal Artillery had been relentlessly bombarding them.
However, upon hearing Ye Song's name, the Destroy Immortal Artillery instantly fell silent.
Lin Bai looked at Ye Song.
Ye Song said awkwardly, "She is my disciple."
"Lover?" Lin Bai asked curiously. His eyesight was excellent, and he had long since seen Ye Lan's face, as pale as a corpse. He couldn't help but admire Ye Song's taste.
"No," Ye Song shook his head decisively.
Suddenly, a Magpie Bridge materialized from beneath Ye Song's feet, extending directly to the bow of the Holy Extreme Sect's ship.
Ye Song's old face darkened.
The next second.
Ye Lan had already reached Ye Song. The Magpie Bridge connected all things, so the Milky Way around them didn't activate.
"Well, well, Ye Song. I always knew you harbored improper designs on me," Ye Lan said, blinking her eyes as she looked at Ye Song, her face devoid of expression.
"Ahem, you're getting more and more impudent! Address me as Master," Ye Song chided.
"From the moment you developed such thoughts about me, you were no longer fit to be my Master," Ye Lan retorted, full of self-assurance.
"The Milky Way between two people in love will repel each other." Ye Song frowned slightly, looking at the Milky Way on their bodies, which had almost merged into one.
SNAP!
Lin Bai snapped his fingers.
The Magpie Bridge connecting the two vanished.
The Milky Way instantly surged, pushing the two in opposite directions.
Ye Lan's voice carried from afar, "Thank you, Grandmaster. Ye Song, do you have anything else to say?"
Ye Song remained silent.
Lin Bai smiled and canceled the Milky Way on both of them.
Ye Song flew back, his face dark.
A moment later.
Ye Lan also flew back. She nodded at Lin Bai and then, as if staking her claim, stood beside Ye Song.
Her beltless, loose white robe, disheveled hair, pale face, and vacant eyes made her look as if Ye Song was being haunted by a fierce ghost.
Lin Bai smiled at Ye Song. "Don't thank me. What I enjoy most is helping to bring lovers together."
"Lin Bai, do you really intend to leave the city to pursue the fleeing enemies?" Duke Zhenguo approached Lin Bai, still finding it hard to believe that the ten-Sect alliance had been defeated so easily. His expression had relaxed considerably, yet he still dared not deactivate the defensive formation.
He didn't believe the three Great cheng Cultivators outside had truly submitted to the Justice League; he had to be responsible for The Northern Army within the city.
"Chase them? Why bother? I'll just call them back," Lin Bai said with a laugh, glancing back at Duke Zhenguo. Ever since he had obliterated a hundred-mile radius of forest with a single shout, he had become exceptionally confident in his voice.
Everyone was stunned.
Lin Bai had already soared into the air. Adjusting his volume, he activated his Skills of 'Decibel Doubler' and 'Taunt': "Everyone, do you take the Justice League for a public bus, to come and go as you please? You have all been marked by me. To the ends of the earth, wherever you may be, upon hearing my call, you shall return to my side! Come back! Oh, come back! The Justice League issues a heartfelt summons to you! Wanderers lost at the ends of the earth, come back! Even if the road home is long, the Justice League is your true home! The clouds and winds of the League can still soothe the wounds in your hearts..."
The Taunt Skill required Lin Bai to speak ceaselessly; if he stopped, its targets would break free from his control. However, Lin Bai had taken a moment to complete a System task, which caused a slight delay. Consequently, the faster Cultivators had already fled a great distance. After shouting a few harsh phrases and seeing no one in the distance, Lin Bai had no choice but to begin reciting his unique incantation...
The sound spread.
It was as if a gale had swept through the heavens and earth.
At the deafening sound, Ye Song and the others immediately clapped their hands over their ears. They looked up at Lin Bai in the sky, lines of exasperation forming on their foreheads. And here we thought he had some clever method!
Turns out it's all just about being loud?
Calling people back like this?
It would be a miracle if this could actually call people back! Don't tell me Lin Bai didn't annihilate the vast forest with the way of natural law, but with a Sound Wave Technique?
Inside the city.
Luo Xue and the people from Wash Flower Valley flinched. Unpleasant memories resurfaced. Has the Alliance Hierarch's Cultivation Level improved again?
He doesn't even need to project his voice anymore; he can directly lure people back?
Too terrifying!
Damn, is that a taunt?
Forcefully taunting without even seeing a target, and still managing to pull them in—isn't that a bit too outrageous?!
Is that a volume a human can even produce?!
My ears are about to be deafened!
Damn, he really pulled the targets back! Lin, the Storekeeper is invincible!
Amidst Lin Bai's incessant chanting, the Cultivators who had just thoroughly escaped, one by one, with bloodshot eyes, turned back and charged ferociously. A barrage of various Techniques slammed into the defensive formation. History seemed to be repeating itself, as if those who had fled in disarray moments ago were not them at all.
The soldiers of The Northern Army were dumbfounded. One by one, they lowered the hands covering their ears. He actually called them back!
"Welcome back." Lin Bai smiled faintly. With a downward wave of his hand, various ropes flew out, putting on a 'bondage show' for the Cultivators who had rushed back. Then, he deactivated the Taunt state.
The moment the Taunt state ended.
The Cultivators instantly regained their senses. Seeing the scene before them, they were all terrified out of their wits. We had just barely escaped, why on earth did we lose our minds and charge back?