Chapter 291: The Alliance's Future Strategy

In the Justice Alliance meeting hall, everyone took their seats as hosts and guests.

Lin Bai sat in the Alliance Leader's seat and scanned downward; Ye Song, the Purple-Clad Ancestor, Xiao Yu, Zuo Lan, Cen Qing, and several other Great Vehicle Realm experts sat in the front rows.

He Qin, Xin Shang, Long Lin, and other veteran alliance members sat in the lower seats; seeing their matter-of-fact demeanor, Lin Bai had no intention of breaking this spontaneously formed balance.

The capable should occupy the higher positions; if he were to forcibly elevate those Golden Core stage cultivators to sit on equal footing with the Great Vehicle Realm experts, they would likely feel uneasy themselves.

The expression on everyone's face was different, each harboring their own thoughts.

Fighting one against a hundred, winning against the strong with the weak—everyone was still immersed in the shock brought to them by the Fazhe Zhidao, especially the later Culinary Dao, which had dealt such a powerful blow to their hearts, and that taste still left one reminiscing...

The players, however, did not care; they remained on equal footing with the many Great Vehicle Realm experts. Unless they could obtain benefits from the NPCs, acting out distinctions of status in a game was too stifling.

"Since you all have abandoned darkness for light to join the Justice Alliance, and with the Taiyi Kingdom fighting alongside us, the alliance's strength has grown increasingly robust." Lin Bai took in everyone's expressions and spoke a polite, perfunctory phrase.

Immediately following, his tone shifted, and he said sorrowfully, "It has not been easy for the alliance to reach this day! It is true, we fought a victorious battle, but do not forget, also on this day, nearly a thousand members of the alliance were harmed by the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects.

This is my dereliction of duty as Alliance Leader. They sacrificed themselves in the promotion of the Law of Cultivation, and the Justice Alliance will remember them forever. I ask all members present to stand together and observe a ten-breath silence for the thousand-plus colleagues who have passed."

As he spoke.

Lin Bai stood up first, facing the direction of the Culinary Dao competition venue, and stood quietly.

You, after finishing the battle, were busy grilling and cooking—where did you ever keep them in your heart?

Now you come to put on a show.

Besides.

On the path of cultivation, falling is a common occurrence; everyone's state of mind has long been tempered to be as firm as rock. Is there any point in doing this?

Complaining is just complaining.

But everyone still followed Lin Bai's example, standing silently with expressions of grief.

A moment later.

Everyone sat down again.

Lin Bai looked around at everyone and said, "For a long time, the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects have held the discourse power of the Cultivation World, doing whatever they pleased. The Justice Alliance has struggled to survive under their suppression, adopting passive defense, which has led to our current predicament of being unable to move a single step.

Now, although we are still weak, with all you Great Vehicle Realm experts joining and my Fazhe Zhidao having achieved minor success, it is time for us to strike back.

As the saying goes, throw one punch to avoid a hundred punches. Only by making them hurt and feel pain can we cultivate and spread the Law of Cultivation in peace and do what we want to do. Peace is fought for, not guarded. We cannot let the thousand-plus heroic spirits sacrifice themselves in vain; we must take revenge and let them rest in peace in the Nine Springs."

Unable to move a single step?

You alone spent over two months turning the entire world upside down, and you call this struggling to survive?

A tiny Justice Alliance forcing the behemoths above into a dilemma, and you call this being unable to move a single step?

You even feel aggrieved? The Proper Seven Sects are the ones who should feel aggrieved, right?

Can you have some shame?

He Qin and the others did not mind, but after Lin Bai finished this speech, the expressions on the faces of Ye Song and the others could barely be maintained.

Moreover, Lin Bai's argument of throwing one punch to avoid a hundred was clearly intended to go out and stir up trouble!

At the thought of Lin Bai's various bizarre Fazhe Zhidao descending upon their own sects, the several Great Vehicle Realm experts could no longer sit still.

They had indeed surrendered to the Justice Alliance.

But without their sects, they would have nothing of what they have now; hundreds of years of sentiment could not be discarded just like that.

The Purple-Clad Ancestor was the first to stand up, deliberated his wording, and said, "Alliance Leader, I believe this matter requires long-term consideration. The reason the Justice Alliance suffered so many losses is largely because its own reserves were insufficient, allowing the Demonic Five Sects to take advantage of the void.

This time, the Alliance Leader has already established his prestige, and presumably, the Demonic Five Sects and the Proper Seven Sects will have their misgivings.

At this time, we should settle down, diligently manage ourselves, and stabilize our existing territory. Advancing step by step is the royal road. Rashly provoking disputes and neglecting one thing for another—I fear similar things will happen again."

Ye Song said, "Brother Ziyuan's words are very true. Each sect has, after all, been operating for tens of thousands of years and has a profound foundation. Although we few Great Vehicle Realm experts have joined the Justice Alliance, compared to the sects, we are still like mayflies to a great tree. Attacking at this time is no different from throwing an egg against a rock. It would be better to settle down and have the people in the alliance cultivate the Law of Cultivation more. When everyone has achieved success, it would not be too late to make other plans."

Cen Qing said, "Alliance Leader, we are indeed in the Great Vehicle Realm. But there are even more Great Vehicle Realm experts in the sects. In the Justice Alliance, only the Alliance Leader can guarantee victory. We cannot; if we take the initiative to attack and annoy the twelve sects, I fear the losses will be even more disastrous. Especially since the sects have Tribulation Transcendence Stage experts; although they will not act due to their own reasons, their spirits are one with the Heavenly Dao. Once they are forced into a corner, their actions will surely be earth-shattering. Even the Alliance Leader, I fear, would be unable to resist."

Xiao Yu looked at Lin Bai and said, "Unless an ancestor of the Justice Gate is willing to appear and assist, otherwise, with the current strength of the Justice Alliance, I fear we cannot shake the status of the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects."

The Purple-Clad Ancestor had a lover and did not want to fight, Ye Song's mind was on the Law of Cultivation, Cen Qing was afraid of death, and Xiao Yu hoped to drag the Justice Gate into the water.

Lin Bai analyzed their thoughts in an instant, shook his head, looked at the Duke of Zhen, and asked, "Duke, what do you think?"

"We must fight, that is certain." The Duke of Zhen looked at Lin Bai and said, "But large-scale warfare is not advisable. The Justice Alliance is small in size and can retreat unscathed regardless of victory or defeat, but the Taiyi Kingdom is tied to the Justice Alliance. Once they bypass the Justice Alliance and strike at the Taiyi Kingdom, where should the billions of people of the Taiyi Kingdom go? The foundation of the Justice Alliance lies in the common people. The Alliance Leader should consider this point. Once the Justice Alliance causes massive losses to the people, losing the hearts of the people will make it difficult to recover."

"Master, Father is right." Xu Longyun said, "Even if we have the Magpie Bridge, we cannot look after the entire country. After all, you are the only one in the alliance who can steadily win against the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects. Once you are exhausted from running about, they will always find an opportunity to exploit. The most urgent task is to find a suitable opportunity between war and peace; it is not advisable to start a war lightly again."

"It's here, the time to decide the players' stance has come," said 【Crazy Man】.

"Maintaining war at all times is what is most beneficial to us. Once peace comes and the cake is divided, with the Justice Alliance becoming the new giant, that is when they will turn their blades on the players," said 【Silver】. "It is best if both sides keep fighting, fighting to a stalemate, until experts above the Great Vehicle Realm start to die and collapse; only then will we have a chance to enter the stage."

"Right, nominally it is the Proper Seven Sects and the Justice Alliance fighting, but from beginning to end, it has been small-scale skirmishes. To be precise, it is Lin Bai alone fighting the vanguards sent by the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects," said 【Bitter Gourd Vine】. "All the players are watching the show, and this is not normal. During the original God-Demon War, experts fought experts, rookies fought rookies, every inch of land was contested, and every cultivator could find their own Positioning on the battlefield. That was the true era of war. The current situation is far from enough."

"War has never been a one-man affair," said 【I Am Not a Smurf】. "Shopkeeper Lin is taking on too much; he has not yet learned how to be a commander, to deploy troops and generals. The current Justice Alliance is more like a Knight Order, fighting wherever they go, without a fixed piece of territory of their own. If Shopkeeper Lin does not realize this, the Justice Alliance will never be able to grow to the level of the Proper Seven Sects. Shopkeeper Lin is still young after all."

"Have you ever thought that Shopkeeper Lin never intended to be the master of the world from the beginning, and his goal is only to cultivate the Heavenly Dao? He is deliberately creating difficulties to temper himself," 【Huangye Lang】 suddenly interjected. "Looking at Shopkeeper Lin's growth process, there were several times he could have laid low and developed slowly, but in the end, he was the one who broke the peace with his own hands. Shopkeeper Lin might not want peace in the world at all."

The players were silent for a moment, then one after another agreed: "Makes sense."

"I saw it back in Qian City; Shopkeeper Lin is a troublemaker. Others turn big problems into small ones, but he is the type to create trouble even when there is none..."

The players' opinions did not need to be considered.

In the eyes of outsiders, they were quiet, but to Lin Bai, their mouths never stopped, and all information and thoughts were transparent.

He looked around at everyone.

Lin Bai sighed and said, "I know that recuperating is the right thing to do, but you are all wrong. The Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects are used to being overbearing; they won't give me that chance!"

Now, they have come out in full force; what is it for, if not to take advantage of the Justice Alliance while it is weak and nip us in the bud?

Those people are used to being arrogant and won't stop their invasion just because I took down a few in the Great Vehicle Realm; that would also be detrimental to their reputation.

The dignified Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects have already set out, only to be scared back by a tiny Justice Alliance. Once that spreads, what will the world think of them? Putting myself in their shoes, if I were in their position, I would risk my life to suppress the Justice Alliance."

"..." Ye Song and the others frowned.

It had to be said, what Lin Bai said made a lot of sense.

It would be one thing if the Proper Seven Sects hadn't set out, but now that the Heavenly Descended are all over the world, making everything known to everyone, retreating in disgrace would also require immense courage.

Riding a tiger and finding it hard to get off—that is exactly the state the sects are in right now.

"The Justice Alliance is indeed weak. But being small has its advantages; we don't have that many burdens and don't need to be weighed down by reputation." Lin Bai chuckled and continued, "The barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes. Our territory is barren, so what if we defend it? It's not like we have anything to lose.

Instead of that, it would be better to use the advantage of the Magpie Bridge to come out in full force and, while they are out, pull a 'base-swap' tactic on them. If we are going to defend something, we should defend a wealthy sect; wouldn't that provide a better foundation for development?"

Hiss!

Everyone gasped.

The Purple-Clothed Ancestor said: "Alliance Leader, even if the plan to raid their base succeeds, we people cannot hold it!"

"If we can't hold it, then we won't." Lin Bai said, "Once we've gathered good things, we'll just use the Magpie Bridge to run away, and next time we'll swap to another base to raid, raiding them until they are too afraid to come out of their homes. That is what you call stability. As long as they dare to send out small groups, we will eat up however many come."

"When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue. By sticking to this tactic, even if the Justice Alliance only has me as a true combat force, sooner or later, we will be able to wear down the behemoths that are the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects. What do you all think of my strategy?"

Several in the Great Vehicle Realm looked at each other, fine beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads. According to Lin Bai's plan, it was truly possible for him, by his own strength, to drag the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects to ruin.

"Holy crap, Shopkeeper Lin's tactics are fierce, he's a grand strategist level!"

"A master of military arts. Who was it that said just now that Shopkeeper Lin couldn't command troops? He has already played the art of war to perfection, alright!"

"Putting myself in their shoes, if I were in the position of the Proper Seven Sects' sect masters, I would be annoyed to death by him. I can't think of a good countermeasure."

"The mobility of the Magpie Bridge is too strong; it's practically tailor-made for Shopkeeper Lin's tactics."

"I'm convinced."

"There are no secrets among players. Once the content of today's meeting spreads, the Proper Seven Sects will have enough to worry about. Let's see how they respond!"

"Lin Bai, your tactics are indeed good, but where do you place the Taiyi Kingdom?" The Duke of Zhenbei frowned, "The Justice Alliance can indeed advance and retreat freely, but the Taiyi Kingdom is placed right here. If they vent all their anger on the Taiyi Kingdom, how should we respond? This time, the Justice Alliance fell into trouble, and the Taiyi Kingdom bore immense pressure to fight side-by-side with you. You cannot do this 'burning the bridge after crossing it' thing!"

"The Duke should just put his heart at ease. Lin Bai is not a person who forgets favors. Furthermore, with Xu Longyun here, it is impossible for me to ignore the safety of the Taiyi Kingdom." Lin Bai smiled and said, "Even if we go to attack the Proper Seven Sects, it will be after the Magpie Bridge is laid out. With the Magpie Bridge, I guarantee that no one will be able to do anything to the Taiyi Kingdom."

As he spoke.

Lin Bai sent a voice transmission to the Duke of Zhenbei, quietly using his 'Brainwashing' Skill: "Duke, don't undermine me. If we don't put on a posture of 'the fish dies and the net splits,' how could the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects possibly withdraw their troops? Only by bluffing them and making them fear the consequences can the Taiyi Kingdom be truly safe and completely rid itself of the control of the Proper Seven Sects..."

The Duke of Zhenbei's smile froze on his face. He looked deeply at Lin Bai and said: "Good, the Taiyi Kingdom will gamble with my good son-in-law. When my son-in-law attacks the Proper Seven Sects, all of the Taiyi Kingdom's key strongholds will be in a state of level-one defense, and the Zhenbei Army will remain with the Justice Alliance, ready to await the orders of you, Alliance Leader..."

Son-in-law?

Is he trying to bind himself to me and use my name to protect himself?

Lin Bai's eyebrows lifted. He looked back and saw Xu Longyun's shy face, then nodded: "That is excellent. My father-in-law is indeed a man of great wisdom."

With one sentence.

Xu Longyun's face turned even redder.

Jiang Qingqin's expression, however, changed slightly.

Ye Song and the others looked at each other and sighed in unison. With Lin Bai making such a ruckus, a chaotic world is coming!

"Since everyone has no objections, it is happily decided then." Lin Bai slapped his palm against the back of his chair, looked toward the players, and instructed, "Huangye Lang, there is no need to hide today's meeting. Polish it up and publish it through the *Justice Weekly*."

"Additionally, demand war reparations from the Proper Seven Sects and the Demonic Five Sects. Make them hand over the culprits who incited this war, Ancestor Chilian and Song Yaoqing. Having bullied our Justice Alliance, how could we possibly allow them to walk away unscathed?"

(End of chapter)