Chapter 120: Lin Bai Offers Advice

The "Heavenly Mandate Person" is a versatile trope.

Regardless of whether it is the modern era, ancient times, the interstellar age, or the world of cultivation, in every era, some trendsetters will emerge to either end conflicts or lead the world's development.

Setting aside their personal efforts, from the perspective of ordinary people, these individuals are the protagonists of fate, shrouded in a halo of luck, looking on from afar but unreachable.

In a world invaded by the "Heavenly Descended," throwing out the theory of the "Heavenly Mandate Person" undoubtedly hits the pulse of the natives.

It allows this group of lost NPCs, who cannot see their future, to find a direction in life.

Of course.

It also aligns with the brainwaves of the players, giving them a new understanding of the game's plot and a deeper sense of anticipation.

……

"I am probably one of the Heavenly Mandate Persons that Shopkeeper Lin spoke of."

【Lao Mi】, 【Deng Li Buduo】, 【Gengmi】, 【Gugao Laoren】, 【Crazy Man】, 【Weapon Refinement Master】, and others—the same thought popped into the minds of these players simultaneously.

Fine!

In the game world, apart from casual players, about five out of every ten remaining players would think they are the protagonist...

……

"Heavenly Descended?" Qingming Daozhang's gaze swept across the courtyard full of players, and he gave a cold snort, "In that case, is it possible for a Heavenly Mandate Person to be born in every sect?"

"That's right! Heroes rise together, and everyone has a chance," Lin Bai smiled, "It's not just in the sects; they might also appear in the official ranks."

"Since the Righteous Sect has the Deduction Art, can Shopkeeper Lin tell us who the Heavenly Mandate Persons of the Seven Righteous Sects will be?" Peng Ze asked, "Are they those heaven-gifted children?"

"I have also asked my master this question, but my master told me that the Heavenly Dao cannot be leaked. Leaking too much easily invites divine retribution," Lin Bai sighed softly, "Moreover, fate is impermanent, and even the Heavenly Dao can be interfered with. Who can truly understand destiny? It is nothing more than taking one step at a time! My master told me that the advent of the Heavenly Descended would trigger a catastrophe, but to this day, I don't even know what the catastrophe is."

"At first, I thought the Heavenly Descended were a disaster," Lin Bai looked around at the players beside him and said, "But after spending some time with them, I feel they are very easy to get along with, and I am very happy staying with them. Giving them proper guidance is enough to make them a part of this world..."

How could he not be happy?

So many people are fawning over you, catering to you, and even stuffing money into your hands...

Who wouldn't be happy?

You're having more fun than we are!

The players cursed Shopkeeper Lin for being shameless, a damn plot NPC!

"Shopkeeper Lin compares the Heavenly Mandate Person to the heroes of a chaotic world; does that mean the Heavenly Mandate Person can fall?" Zhao Ang, having completely forgotten the awkwardness of being isolated, asked coldly.

Idiot!

Isn't it better to value harmony?

Those who drown are usually the ones who can swim, and those who are beaten to death are usually the ones with stubborn mouths.

With your personality, you will eventually be swarmed to death by players...

Glancing at Zhao Ang, Lin Bai ignored him and looked back at Qingming Daozhang: "Daoist, the Heavenly Mandate Person is, after all, a theory of destiny. If we speak of destiny, everyone is a marionette under the Heavenly Dao. But we cultivators are going against the heavens to begin with. I prefer to believe that my fate is determined by me, not by the heavens. Otherwise, I would not have walked so closely with the Heavenly Descended."

"A fine 'my fate is determined by me, not by the heavens'," Sun Lie, who had not said much, suddenly had his eyes light up and clapped his hands, "Shopkeeper Lin, only now do I find you somewhat pleasing to the eye."

"I am unworthy of such praise from you, Senior Brother," Lin Bai smiled and cupped his hands at him, "I also know the intention of you senior brothers coming here; it is nothing more than the matter of the Heavenly Descended being abducted by the evil sect. Actually, there is no need to worry about this. There is no telling how many Heavenly Descended there are; today, thousands more Heavenly Descended have descended upon Basic City. How many can the evil sect possibly abduct?"

"Shopkeeper Lin, that is where you are wrong," Peng Ze said, "The Heavenly Descended have Baimaicutong; a single day of cultivation often equals months or even years of effort for an ordinary person. The evil sect's massive encroachment on the Heavenly Descended is to seize the initiative—one step slow, every step slow. And the Heavenly Descended only appear in Basic City, which is under the control of the Seven Righteous Sects..."

Qingming Daozhang coughed lightly, interrupting Peng Ze, and said: "The reason we dare not make a big scene and pull people from Basic City is that we are worried about causing panic among the evil sects, leading to a mutual destruction. The evil sects have always been suppressed by the Seven Righteous Sects, but once they get a taste of the benefits of the Heavenly Descended, there is no guarantee they won't take a risk and directly seize Basic City. If a war between righteousness and evil were to break out again, it would be a disaster for the world."

Wanting to occupy everything while fearing everything—what a coward!

What the players want is the opposition of factions!

Lin Bai thought to himself, then smiled: "Daoist, your worries are overthinking it. The Heavenly Descended are naturally free-spirited; even if they enter the evil sect, I fear they will not be easily controlled by them. Take the Heavenly Descended of the Beggar Sect, for example—even if I, Lin, were to hand them over to you on a silver platter, could you really lead them into your respective sects?"

"Impossible, no one can force our will," 【Lao Mi】 said, "Shopkeeper Lin, just now, we already expressed our attitude to the various Immortals."

"See!" Lin Bai smiled, "The Heavenly Descended have no attachments in this world and are born free and easy. The more you force them, the easier it is to trigger their rebellious hearts. Don't look at how the evil sect people snatch them away; once there are Heavenly Descended who are unwilling to join the evil sect, even if they learn their techniques, they might cause a scene within their sect, perhaps even killing their masters and destroying their ancestors."

"Exactly, exactly," the players echoed.

"That's not how you put it," Zhao Ang said, "The people of the evil sect are not fools; they will just send away those they identify as unwilling."

"Is that so?" Lin Bai smiled and looked at the players beside him, "Laobai, Laojing, Lao Gu, how about you three leave the Beggar Sect and go undercover in the Chaoyuan Sword Sect?"

"We dare not disobey," the three players said with smiles.

"..." Zhao Ang's expression changed abruptly.

"Senior Brother Zhao, congratulations to the Chaoyuan Sword Sect for gaining three Heavenly Descended," Lin Bai cupped his hands to Zhao Ang, "You may take them away later!"

【Anger from Zhao Ang; +1+1+1】

"Is this the result you senior brothers wanted?" Lin Bai swept a look of disdain at Zhao Ang and shook his head, "I played along with you, pretending to be defeated by you, and sent Beggar Sect disciples into your sects. When they return after learning your skills, they will still be the elite of my Beggar Sect. What will you do then?"

Qingming Daozhang and the others fell into silence simultaneously.

"This is why I did not enter the Immortal Supervision Bureau today," Lin Bai smiled, "A forced melon is not sweet. Now, the conflict between you and the Heavenly Descended lies in mutual ignorance, coupled with the interference of the evil sect, which has led to the current predicament."

"Does Shopkeeper Lin have a solution?" Qingming Daozhang asked.

"I do," Lin Bai nodded and looked at them, "First, let the evil sect enter Qian City and, just like you, establish recruitment points..."

"Impossible." Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Zhao Ang, "The righteous and evil sects are irreconcilable. If we let them enter Qian City, wouldn't that mean our righteous sect has lowered its head?"

"Does Senior Brother Zhao have a better plan?" Lin Bai smiled and looked at Zhao Ang, asking.

"I..." Zhao Ang stammered, unable to speak.

"Junior Brother Zhao, it wouldn't hurt to let Shopkeeper Lin finish," Qingming Daozhang looked back at Zhao Ang and said faintly, his tone clearly carrying displeasure.

Zhao Ang glared at Lin Bai with a livid face and stopped talking.

Lin Bai smiled and cupped his hands at Qingming Daozhang: "Secondly, open up the road from Basic City to Qian City to make it easier for the Heavenly Descended to travel between the two. After all, there are more and more Heavenly Descended, and there are many wild beasts and bandits on the road; we cannot have the Seven Righteous Sects escorting them at all times."

"The skills the Heavenly Descended learn in Basic City are probably useless in your sects anyway. Opening the road between Basic City and Qian City can save time for both sides," he paused, "If the evil sect enters Qian City, it can cut off the hidden danger of them abducting people along the way and alleviate the conflict between the righteous and evil sects. With fewer escorts, it won't lead the evil sect to suspect the righteous sect of stealing from their own."

(End of chapter)