Chapter 147: Speaking Bluntly

In order to pursue realism, players have no way to engage in long-distance private chats within the game.

To communicate with each other across thousands of miles, there are only two ways: one is to communicate offline via forum mail; the other is for one person to start an encrypted livestream online while others watch offline.

Neither method is very convenient, but it is already much more efficient than the NPCs.

Amidst the disjointed, nonsensical responses, Lin Bai understood the plan of 【Gugao Laoren】, and 【Gugao Laoren】 also figured out Lin Bai's attitude.

Both sides hit it off immediately.

However, the specific execution process still depends on the players' operations and plans.

Regarding this.

Lin Bai does not intend to intervene.

As long as it meets his mission expectations and provides him with benefits, he is happy to act as a tool.

Players are playing a game; one must let them experience the fun of the game, after all.

Lin Bai likes this feeling of a win-win situation.

As long as it allows him to live comfortably in this world, Lin Bai does not mind coexisting peacefully with the players.

Of course.

The prerequisite for everything is to ensure his own safety.

Just as Lin Bai told the City Lord, the players' growth must be restricted.

At the very least, the players' growth must be lower than his.

Otherwise, when the grown-up players can no longer find fun, he will turn from a plot NPC into a BOSS, and from a tool into a toy.

……

"Excluding those in seclusion or traveling, Huilong Temple currently has over 130 Golden Core Disciples and over 2,000 disciples below the Golden Core stage who are responsible for the chores of Huilong Temple..."

"The Temple Master is called Daoxu, who possesses Nascent Soul cultivation and is currently in seclusion to comprehend the Dao Method. The one responsible for presiding over the general affairs of Huilong Temple is his eldest disciple, Qingyu, who possesses Golden Core Peak cultivation and may undergo Tribulation Transcendence to become a Nascent Soul at any time..."

"Longxi and the others have already gained Qingyu's trust and are currently inciting him to mobilize everyone to ambush you..."

"At the pace of Golden Core True Persons, plus their planning and preparation work, they can arrive at Qian City in about seven or eight hours..."

"It has been confirmed that Daoist Qingyu is leading 100 Golden Core True Persons to rush over overnight. They want to beat the five great evil sects to it and restore the reputation of Huilong Temple. After arriving, they will set an ambush in Xishan. As long as Longxi and the others lure you out, they will take action..."

"The method we are adopting is to go offline... first return to our world. When the Daoists of Huilong Temple think they have victory in their grasp, we will suddenly descend, unexpectedly chant the incantation for Palm Thunder, wipe them all out, and then choose the Beggar Sect disciples with the best cultivation to launch a surprise attack on Huilong Temple at the fastest speed..."

"Our pace is too slow. If Shopkeeper Lin could teach us the Wind Riding skill, that would be even better..."

……

At dusk.

【Gugao Laoren】 frequently went offline to report all the plans to Lin Bai.

Lin Bai performed a Divination in his heart and found that the plan customized by 【Gugao Laoren】 had a very high probability of success.

The only drawback is that the foundation of the Beggar Sect disciples is too weak, relying entirely on his Palm Thunder.

If he fails, then the entire Beggar Sect will inevitably fall apart and will definitely be hunted by the crazed Huilong Temple until they quit the game.

Another unstable factor is the secluded Daoxu Zhenren of Huilong Temple; Lin Bai does not know how large the gap is between a Nascent Soul True Person and a Golden Core.

Actually, now is not the best time to go to war with Huilong Temple, but things have reached this point.

If he doesn't fight Huilong Temple, the five great evil sects will come to fight him instead...

Therefore, annihilating Huilong Temple to establish his authority is already the best choice.

The Beggar Sect relies on Lin Bai, but isn't Lin Bai's confidence also based on these Beggar Sect disciples?

……

The sky turned dark.

A notification of mission completion arrived in Lin Bai's mind, and he harvested the ventriloquism skill rewarded by the Great Language System.

This ventriloquism is true ventriloquism, used to imitate other people's pronunciation and tone.

The system directly provided it at the Great Accomplishment realm; he can imitate men, women, birds, beasts, insects, and fish, and it is vivid and lifelike, making it impossible to tell the real from the fake.

Combined with Ventriloquism, Lin Bai can perform a crosstalk routine all by himself.

【Honesty is the first element: You have already experienced the charm of lies; the truth is the most unpleasant to hear, and the truth is the most uncomfortable, but the world cannot be without the truth. To speak as things are, to call a spade a spade, can allow you to truly see this world clearly; please speak the truth for twelve hours; Reward: Truth Spell (can force one designated person to speak the truth once a day)】

After the lie mission was completed.

The Great Language System launched a new mission.

Then.

Lin Bai fell into silence.

Warm words, malicious words, sweet nothings, and even lies—he could spout them all instantly. Although the process might be a bit awkward, it wouldn't cause him any loss.

Only the truth is Lin Bai's Achilles' heel; no matter when, the truth is the most hurtful and the easiest way to offend people.

But the Truth Spell really looks so tempting!

Although he can only designate one person a day, if used well, this spell can definitely turn the tide. In this world, how many people are truly consistent inside and out?

Do it!

Lin Bai immediately made up his mind.

Trading one day of truth for a skill that makes others speak the truth at any time is worth it no matter how you calculate it!

Besides, he, Lin Bai, the dignified little master of the system, when has he ever been afraid of offending people?

Speaking bluntly is also his strong suit; if done well, he can even collect Negative Emotion on the side!

But before doing the mission, some things still need to be explained clearly. After all, Lin Bai is no longer a loner and needs to handle the aftermath before starting the mission.

He first found the little white fox who was practicing hard: "Xiaobai, we will face more and more strong enemies next, and I must accelerate my practice of 'Words Manifesting into Reality'. During this process, if I say anything that offends you, don't take it to heart, because it's all fake."

"I understand!" The little white fox remembered the sweet nothings that lasted all night in the forest, and her little face turned red for no reason. "Master, you don't need to emphasize it to me deliberately; I don't mind anything you do to me."

"That's good." Lin Bai smiled and glanced at the little fox, looked at the daily tasks in the Pet System, and gave a light cough, "Xiaobai, I think you should go relieve yourself!"

The favorability of fox-types won't drop, but there's no harm in grinding a bit more.

The little white fox's face flushed slightly, and she changed from her human form back into a fox, disappearing before Lin Bai in a few leaps. She had originally been trained by Lin Bai to be thick-skinned, but after her Form Manifestation, she suddenly became shy and didn't want Lin Bai to see certain things...

……

"Qingqin, for the next day I will be practicing 'Words Manifesting into Law', so if I say anything inappropriate, please don't take it to heart," Lin Bai sought out Jiang Qingqin again and cautioned her.

"It's fine, say whatever you want; I won't be able to hear it anyway," Jiang Qingqin looked at Lin Bai and smiled.

"Are you returning to the Hundred Flowers Valley base?" Lin Bai asked.

"Mm." Jiang Qingqin nodded, looking at Lin Bai triumphantly, "After saying those things to you today, my mental block was suddenly cleared. All day today, the Spirit Qi in my body has been restless; I feel like I'm about to form a Golden Core. I know the mental cultivation method for forming the core, but I'm not clear on some of the precautions. I need to go back and ask my master to help me guard the process. Although I don't think much of my master's behavior, she is my master after all. You won't mind, will you?"

"That's a good thing! Why would I mind you forming a Golden Core?" Lin Bai smiled.

"You... what kind of women do you like?" Jiang Qingqin's face suddenly turned red, her hands clasped together, not daring to look at Lin Bai, "You know, the Hundred Flowers Valley's techniques allow for one chance to reshape one's form after forming a Golden Core. I could turn myself into the kind you like..."

Lin Bai was stunned.

Jiang Qingqin said shyly, "Back then, when Xiaobai underwent Form Manifestation, you gave her so many requirements; you can tell me too."

"Xiaobai is a fox and didn't know what she should turn into, so I taught her. You are already perfect; you are fine just as you are, no need to change," Lin Bai was glad he hadn't started the 'Truth' mission yet; sweet nothings slipped right out of his throat.

"Then I'll just make some slight adjustments to the original foundation." Jiang Qingqin looked at Lin Bai, her eyes seemingly dripping with honey. She leaned close to Lin Bai and said in an almost imperceptible voice, "Actually, even if you don't say it, I know what kind you want. I know where my shortcomings are; I will make myself a bit bigger..."

"……" Lin Bai subconsciously looked at her chest, "Don't let it affect combat."

"Hateful." Jiang Qingqin glared at Lin Bai and gave him a light hug, "I'm leaving. Next time we meet, I'll give you a surprise."

"Natural is also quite good!" Watching Jiang Qingqin's departing back, Lin Bai muttered, pulling back the thoughts that had been disturbed by her.

A great battle was imminent.

He could not let his heart be disordered by romantic entanglements.

Moreover, to be honest, Jiang Qingqin was intoxicated by sweet talk, and behind her still lay the ties to Hundred Flowers Valley.

Although she kept saying she wanted to live in the Beggar Sect for a long time, how could she truly cut ties completely with the place that taught her skills?

If that were really the case, Hundred Flowers Valley would have been picked clean by others long ago.

Lin Bai did not think highly of this relationship; with the nature of Beggar Sect Disciples, once they tasted the sweetness, they would inevitably unify the sects around Qian City...

Players and native sects were naturally in an antagonistic relationship.

Furthermore, if no new players joined, the Beggar Sect could be said to be the sole dominant force; it would be unreasonable not to unify.

Not to mention, there was still the system mission forcing the big brother to become the best in the world.

……

Under the instigation of the players.

The acting temple master of Huilong Temple, Qing Yu Daozhang, led over a hundred Golden Core Disciples and marched toward Qian City in a grand, imposing manner.

Longxi had misjudged Qing Yu Daozhang; involving the Lingjie Fengxi and the Heavenly Descended, it was impossible for Huilong Temple to seek peace with Lin Bai.

Their backer was the Heavenly Dao Sect, the leader of the Righteous Sect.

They had their own arrogance and confidence.

Killing Lin Bai before the evil sects did, making a name for Huilong Temple, and incidentally re-dividing the Heavenly Descended was what truly aligned with Huilong Temple's interests.

Whether it was the righteous or evil sects, being able to gain a foothold in the Cultivation World and make a name for oneself was something fought for step by step, not something yielded.

Qing Yu Daozhang had learned about the events of the recruitment fair from various aspects and deduced that Lin Bai's strength was roughly equivalent to a Golden Core True Person.

He relied on nothing more than Palm Thunder and sharp weapons that specialized in breaking Dharma Treasures.

By isolating the help of the Heavenly Descended, even if a few Dharma Treasures were destroyed, over a hundred Golden Core True Persons would be enough to pile Lin Bai to death. Even if there were truly Heavenly Descended helping, the Golden Core True Persons could simply kill them first...

What made Qing Yu Daozhang determined to attack was the persuasion of Longxi.

Before the recruitment fair, Longxi, who had traveled to Huilong Temple with great difficulty, had told him that only by mobilizing the entire sect could they kill Lin Bai, but he hadn't taken it seriously at the time.

After all.

At that time, Qingling was still presiding over the overall situation.

But it never occurred to him that Lin Bai would actually dare to kill Qingling along with the five evil sects...

When the same strategy was proposed by one person, there would naturally be no problems, and Longxi had been at Huilong Temple from beginning to end; he could find no reason for Longxi to betray him...

……

At the same time.

Gugao Laoren was also rushing to prepare for the decisive battle against Huilong Temple with the people of the Beggar Sect.

Three thousand Beggar Sect Disciples were re-assembled and given new tasks and confidentiality protocols.

For the players, confidentiality protocols were as good as non-existent.

Every move they made was watched by someone, let alone the mobilization of three thousand people.

However, Gugao Laoren didn't intend to hide it from the people in the city; it didn't matter if others knew the Beggar Sect had new actions, as long as outsiders didn't know the Beggar Sect was attacking Huilong Temple.

He needed a one-night time difference; by the time they were truly fighting Huilong Temple, it would be too late for other players and sects to come and cause trouble.

Gugao Laoren knew that doing this would make the Beggar Sect a target for everyone, but the current situation was pushing him forward; if the Beggar Sect didn't strike out, Huilong Temple and the five evil sects would strike in.

Since it was unavoidable, then take the initiative to attack.

In the game, mastering resources was more important; as long as the Beggar Sect people kept the lead, others wouldn't be able to catch up even if they wanted to.

Like Lin Bai, Gugao Laoren also had the dream of building the game's number one sect, even if he wasn't the leader of the Beggar Sect.

Now, they were using Lin Bai to strengthen themselves.

In the future, when the Beggar Sect grew big, they could still kick Lin Bai away. If they could fight Huilong Temple, they could fight the Righteous Sect; who stipulated that one must join the Righteous Sect to learn skills?

……

The Beggar Sect had the Token of the Immortal Supervision Department, making it very convenient to enter and exit the city gates. Wave after wave of Beggar Sect Disciples, carrying bows and arrows and holding torches, exited the city gates and vanished into the mountains and forests.

……

"What is the Beggar Sect trying to do?" Zhao Ang sensed the movements of the Beggar Sect, a bad premonition erupting in his heart, and he found the players at the first opportunity to ask.

"I don't know." The 【Sword Immortal】 shook his head. They had also noticed the Beggar Sect's movements, went offline to take a look around, but there was no activity on the forums, and no one from the Beggar Sect was livestreaming.

"Are the people from the evil sects about to attack?" 【Taiyang Yitian】 asked with a frown. At the same time, he opened a private chat, "Are there still players in those evil sects? Why is there no movement at all?"

"What kind of players? They were wiped out by Lin Bai long ago," 【Jue Ye】 said. "Next time Lin Bai recruits people, we should plant a few undercover agents inside. Otherwise, we're too passive. The NPCs in our sects are like blind men, relying entirely on us to gather information; they're too stupid. I always feel like the Beggar Sect's pace is one step ahead of ours, as if we aren't even playing the same game."

"One step slow, every step slow. The NPCs on our side have no way to hold their own like Lin Bai!" 【Sword Immortal】 said calmly. "Are there any players in Binghuo Cheng who haven't come over yet? Tell them to find a way to join the Beggar Sect!"

"You all don't know?" Zhao Ang asked.

"Senior Brother Zhao, why don't you just go over and take a look?" 【Sword Immortal】 didn't hide the disdain in his eyes. "Senior Brother Zhao, if you're afraid of death, then let us go..."

"Fine, then you go." Zhao Ang glanced at him and said decisively, "Once you get useful information, contact me immediately. It would be best to notify Senior Brother Tong about the Beggar Sect's anomalies; he is at the Chaoyuan Sword Sect, so he might know something. I will go to other sects to gather information..."

The Beggar Sect's movements were too large.

Guo Yuan did not summon Lin Bai; he brought his advisors and hurried to find the Beggar Sect. Upon finding Lin Bai, he asked bluntly, "Shopkeeper Lin, what are you all trying to do again?"

"Wipe out Huilong Temple." With the arrow on the string and having to be fired, Lin Bai was racing against time to complete his tasks and did not intend to drag it out for many days like the lying task.

"Attack Huilong Temple?" Guo Yuan was stunned.

A sense of exhaustion quickly washed over his heart. He didn't know why the Yunyang County Princess had chosen such a person; he was too troublesome and didn't give him a moment to catch his breath!

"Yes, we have arranged a plan to coordinate from within and without, luring the Taoists of Huilong Temple to Qian City, intending to wipe them out in one go. I hope the City Lord will not tell anyone else."

The Great Language System's task had quantity requirements, and Lin Bai didn't mind saying a few more truths to the City Lord.

The old City Lord and Huilong Temple were not on the same side; he was one of the few NPCs who could hear him speak the truth without causing any major problems.

Guo Yuan took a deep breath: "I warned you yesterday that those who are too rigid are easily broken. Why won't you listen!"

Lin Bai looked at the City Lord: "Because I didn't take what you said to heart at all."

"You..." Guo Yuan choked on his words, glaring at Lin Bai. "Fine, since you didn't take what I said to heart, why did you tell me about the matter with Huilong Temple? Are you certain that I will support you?"

Damn, how do I answer this?

Lin Bai thought for a moment and smiled: "Because you asked me!"

The City Lord was so angry he laughed: "I ask you, and you just tell me?!"

Lin Bai nodded: "Yes."

Guo Yuan looked deeply at Lin Bai, sneered, and asked: "Fine, tell me, where is the Justice Sect?"

Lin Bai looked at Guo Yuan, shook his head, and smiled: "There is no such thing as the Justice Sect in this world; I was just lying to you all..."

【Resentment from Guo Yuan; +1+1+1】

"..." Guo Yuan snorted. "Lin Bai, you'd better behave yourself! Making trouble is one thing, but I don't want you to play with fire, and I certainly don't want you to bring disaster to Qian City. Otherwise, regardless of whether you are burdened with a mission, I will be the first one who won't spare you."

After speaking.

Guo Yuan left in a huff.

Watching Guo Yuan's departing figure, Lin Bai sighed silently and thought to himself, see, telling the truth really does offend people!

If it were yesterday, he definitely would have fooled the old City Lord into being happy; setting the location of the decisive battle outside the city, wouldn't that be considered looking out for the people of Qian City?

(End of this chapter)