Chapter 318: Who Says You Can't Control the Situation During a Heavenly Tribulation

"There are plenty of fruits, enough to keep you full. Remember to call me Master next time." Lin Bai corrected Qingyun's form of address tirelessly. Although he was determined to seal her, he had to exhaust her potential before the sealing to maximize his benefits.

During the intervals when the Heavenly Tribulation paused, the more feedback from the Teacher Dao, the better.

"Throw the fruits onto my true form," Qingyun said crossly. She had been forced to call him Master before, but now that she held the initiative, how could she still follow Lin Bai's wishes?

Lin Bai did not push her too hard and scattered a large handful of Spirit Fruits onto the true form of the Green Wood.

The Spirit Fruits dissolved the moment they touched the wood.

Qingyun in the sky couldn't help but let out a "Ying-ning" sound. The soft, tingling voice instantly attracted the gazes of all the male Cultivators nearby.

"Master, give me more. These fruits can make up for my innate deficiencies. If there are enough of them, it is not impossible to transcend the Heavenly Tribulation," Qingyun urged anxiously.

In order to eat the fruits, she could no longer afford to be haughty.

With the word "Master," the Virtue Value increased, and the Spiritual Power feedback from the Master's Path System reached three percent.

"Next time you ask Master for something, remember to use honorifics." Lin Bai tossed out another handful of Spirit Fruits, continuing to discipline his Disciple.

Opportunity and risk coexist.

Once this Heavenly Tribulation was safely transcended, he would truly usher in a great harvest and could walk sideways across this world.

Ye Song and the others were deeply shocked to see Lin Bai throwing away Spirit Fruits as if they were worthless.

The Concentration Fruits of the Justice Alliance were truly endless. The Shengji Sect had relied on the Green Wood to continue for tens of thousands of years; the foundation of the Justice Alliance was not a bit inferior to the Shengji Sect!

"Mm~ Master, more, I want more!" Qingyun's tone became increasingly urgent, and the Green Wood trembled in waves along with her.

Xu Longyun glanced at Lin Bai, her eyes filled with resentment.

She felt that the crazy woman in the sky was doing it on purpose.

Her voice was so charming, and she was Lin Bai's Disciple; she hoped her own Lin-lang wouldn't be seduced away by her, and she had to find a way to take precautions.

Otherwise.

Qingyun's cultivation was heaven-defying; if she occupied Lin Bai, what would be left for her?

"Use honorifics." Qingyun's voice also made Lin Bai's heart flutter, but in front of his own Disciples, he had to maintain the dignity of the Teacher Dao.

Thus, he pretended nothing had happened, experimentally swapped the Spirit Fruits for Temperament Fruits, and continued to instruct Qingyun.

Qingyun's true form was the Green Wood.

And the two trees in Lin Bai's mind—one producing Spirit Fruits and one producing Temperament Fruits—should be of a higher grade than the Green Wood. He didn't know their origins, but if he had known the Green Wood needed these, he might have conquered her long ago by taking out the fruits, without needing to go through the trouble of coercion and intimidation!

"Ying?!"

Another involuntary moan. Qingyun looked at Lin Bai, feeling a wave of relief. The Old Immortal was right; Lin Bai was her opportunity. Whether she could transcend the Heavenly Tribulation depended on him.

What restraint? What haughtiness? Qingyun threw them all to the back of her mind.

If he wanted honorifics, she would use them. She didn't hesitate to switch to a soft voice: "Master, please grant this Disciple fruits, the more the better..."

The players broadcasting in secret whispered to each other.

"Damn, this voice. Those who see it know Lin Bai is feeding her fruits; those who don't would think they were doing 'that'. This damn Heavenly Tribulation... it feels like they're flirting..."

"I really want a tree spirit like this Green Wood. Not to make her fight, just to listen to her act spoiled when I'm bored."

"A loli little white fox, a haughty County Princess, a big-breasted fairy, and now another 'ying-ying-ying' tree spirit. The game's treatment of Lin Bai is getting better and better."

"Don't forget, he still has a support group of thousands of players, all of whom are his true fans..."

"F*ck! I'm jealous. Lin Bai must die."

"I'm afraid he won't die. The fruits in Lin Bai's hands—Qingyun is getting more and more high on them. Maybe he really can help her transcend the Heavenly Tribulation..."

Lin Bai heard the players' private chats but couldn't be bothered to pay attention to them.

He needed these people to broadcast it to the outside world.

The Beggar Sect players were struck dead by lightning and returned to the Blood Sect Resurrection Point.

The Matchmaker quest required him to facilitate marriages for couples. To ensure the survival of the couples, he had removed the Magpie Bridge leading from the Shengji Sect to the Blood Sect; the Beggar Sect players couldn't cross even if they wanted to.

With the Heavenly Tribulation overhead, Lin Bai wouldn't go out of his way to open a Magpie Bridge just to pick up Beggar Sect players and give them a chance to livestream and make money.

Qingyun was like a large umbrella, shielding everyone from all the lightning strikes. The little white fox's nervous mood relaxed slightly, and she stuffed a Spirit Fruit into her mouth: "Master, with Senior Sister Qingyun here, we will definitely be able to transcend the Heavenly Tribulation, right?"

"We have made so many preparations, there will definitely be no problem." Lin Bai tossed another handful of Spirit Fruits onto the Green Wood and nodded affirmatively.

"Alliance Leader, we cannot let our guard down." Ancestor Tuohai twisted his waist, looking worriedly at the thick Tribulation Cloud in the sky that covered who knew how many miles, and said, "When ordinary people transcend the tribulation, the Tribulation Cloud covers at most five to ten miles. Cultivators only need to hold on under the Tribulation Cloud for three days.

Under the Tribulation Cloud, the intensity of each round of Tribulation Lightning increases compared to the previous one. The intensity of the final set of Tribulation Lightning is at least a hundred times stronger than the first bolt;

Even so, the chance of ascension is only twenty or thirty percent. Nearly seventy percent of those in the Tribulation Transcendence Realm perish in the Heavenly Tribulation, without even the chance to attempt Soul Possession and start over. This is why those in the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, without absolute certainty, would rather linger in the mortal world than risk transcending the tribulation.

Now that ten thousand of us are transcending the tribulation at the same time, and among us are big shots like Senior Qingyun who have hidden for who knows how many years, the intensity of the Heavenly Tribulation is many times higher than a normal one. Don't be fooled by how relaxed Senior Qingyun looks now; it's because the power of the Tribulation Cloud hasn't increased yet. When the power increases and even Senior Qingyun can no longer hold on, that is when we will truly face the test."

"Three days for one person, and we have over ten thousand people, wouldn't that be over thirty thousand days?" The little white fox widened her eyes in surprise.

"It won't be thirty thousand days. Throughout history, no one has ever taken a hundred years to transcend a tribulation. Nine is the extreme of numbers; I suspect our Heavenly Tribulation will last at most eighty-one days," Ancestor Tuohai said.

"So long?" Xu Longyun frowned. She subconsciously looked at Lin Bai and asked worriedly, "Master, what about the Taiyi Kingdom?"

The Taiyi Kingdom's safety relied entirely on Lin Bai's deterrence. If Lin Bai was trapped by the tribulation, she dared not imagine what would happen.

In three months, too many things could happen.

"At a time like this, why worry about others? How to survive the current hunger is what we should be considering..." Ancestor Tuohai raised his right hand high, walked in circles with small steps, and occasionally made "Ou-ou" sounds.

Now.

He danced in the Fengqiuhuang Group willingly, and even felt a trace of pleasure in his heart. Being able to ensure his own safety during the Heavenly Tribulation made him willing to dance for three years.

"Don't worry, we are just transcending the tribulation, not dead." Lin Bai glanced at the players' direction and smiled, "The Justice Alliance has the Magpie Bridge. Whoever dares to touch the Justice Alliance's cake, we will bring the Tribulation Cloud and go have a 'heart-to-heart' talk with them.

Since there are already over ten thousand people in the Heavenly Tribulation, it doesn't matter if we drag a few more in.

Perhaps if we pull everyone in the world in, the Heavenly Tribulation will stop automatically. Heaven sends down the Heavenly Tribulation to help people ascend; surely it won't use Tribulation Lightning to commit a World Destroyer...!"

"..."

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Even Ancestor Peach stopped cursing.

Everyone was terrified by Lin Bai's insane idea.

To even utilize the Tribulation Lightning—are you still human?

And you still say you aren't a demonic being!

……

Lin Bai was held captive by the Tribulation Cloud.

Both the Seven Righteous Sects and the Demonic Five Sects were racing against time to discuss how to restore the world order that Lin Bai had disrupted.

Then.

They heard this arrogant statement from Lin Bai through the players.

Consequently.

Everyone froze.

After a long while, Ancestor Yuan Qing finally came to his senses. His mouth twitched a few times, and he flew into a rage: "How can a person be this shameless? Is he not afraid that the Tribulation Lightning will slaughter everyone in the world?"

The Sword Saint of Frost and Cold said gloomily: "He really isn't afraid. Lin Bai could die at any moment; what is there for a dead man to fear? Besides, if you count it up, we are his enemies. If I knew I were going to die, I would also be willing to drag my enemies down with me to the grave."

"He is outside, and we can do nothing to him. Even after trapping him in the Tribulation Lightning, we are still being threatened by him. Is Lin Bai truly our nemesis?" Yi Wuji said angrily. "Could it be that if he fails to transcend the Tribulation Lightning and becomes a ghost, he can still oppose us?"

Everyone glared at him.

Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Yi Wuji gave a sheepish smile at the crowd and fell silent.

Qiushui Chen of the Moon Spirit Sect was silent for a moment, then said: "Fellow Daoist brothers, Qingmu of the Shengji Sect is being manipulated by Lin Bai, and Qingmu has the resources of the Justice Alliance to support him. Is it possible that he could truly transcend the Tribulation Lightning?"

"A ten-thousand-person Tribulation Lightning—if he can easily transcend that, then he is undoubtedly the number one in the world. We shouldn't even think about opposing him; we might as well burn incense, bathe, and surrender to his Justice Alliance directly. That way, we won't have to be in such a difficult position," said Elder Bahuang of the Beast Taming Sect.

The Sect Masters of the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect glanced at the Elder of the Beast Taming Sect without answering. They had their Daoist seeds and Jianxin; even if Lin Bai lived, there was still hope. But the Beast Taming Sect had nothing at all...

"Qingmu and Lin Bai were forced into the Tribulation Lightning, and neither of them had any preparation. The Tribulation Lightning is also unprecedentedly powerful. If they can transcend the Tribulation Lightning, I will read my name backward," Gu Shang said disdainfully.

"Everyone, let's stop with these useless words." Ancestor Yuan Qing coughed lightly and said weakly, "Have someone notify the Demonic Five Sects. During the time Lin Bai is transcending the tribulation, try to appease him as much as possible and do not provoke him, lest you bring disaster upon the world."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Ancestor Yuan Qing glanced at Gu Shang and said: "The Fazhe Zhidao of the Justice Alliance is bizarre. Moreover, now that Lin Bai is in trouble, there is no guarantee that an ancestor of the Justice Alliance won't come forward to rescue him. If he truly escapes the Tribulation Lightning, it will be our disaster. We must be on guard. Keep a close watch on the situation of the Tribulation Lightning, and do not slacken in the cultivation of the Heavenly Descended. Make all plans for after Lin Bai is freed."

……

At the same time.

The top executives of conglomerates like Xinjin, Jingke, and Fengda also held an emergency meeting to discuss two sets of plans: one for if Lin Bai transcends the Tribulation Lightning and one for if he does not.

"Lin Bai's tribulation will take at least eighty-one days. During this period, the Seven Righteous Sects and the Demonic Five Sects are threatened by Lin Bai and dare not act rashly. This is our best opportunity. If we cannot seize this chance to rise, we will be suppressed by the Seven Righteous Sects if Lin Bai dies, and suppressed by the Justice Alliance if Lin Bai lives. In this game world, we will never have another day to get ahead," said 【Eagle of Foresight】.

"Our initial investment has already been significant; it is time to see returns," 【Sun at High Noon】 said in the barrage.

"I suggest that, on one hand, we concentrate all our resources to strive to create a batch of Tribulation Transcendence Stage experts among the players within three months. That way, we will have a nuclear weapon to deter the Seven Righteous Sects and the Demonic Five Sects;

On the other hand, we send players to infiltrate the Seven Righteous Sects, the Demonic Five Sects, and all the countries on the continent to establish our brand culture and industrial chain. We will control the countries within the game economically and do our utmost to make the natives adapt to us and accept us..." said 【Chengfeng】.

"Facts have proven that the game world has no plot at all. Things like the Magpie Bridge teleportation stop whenever they want. The struggle between Lin Bai and the Seven Righteous Sects is even more magical than the Real World, with no logic to speak of. The origin of the Game Company remains a mystery to this day. Now, everyone should cast aside selfishness and work together to invade this world. Once we have gained a firm foothold, we can discuss how to divide the cake."

【Eagle of Foresight】 said, "Everyone heard me correctly; I used the word 'invade'. From now on, I hope everyone will stop treating this as a game. Treat this as a real world, and only then can we give it our all."

"We are businessmen; profit is the foundation," 【Sun at High Noon】 said. "One day, the Game Company won't go to such great lengths just to let it end like this. In the later stages, they will definitely issue more accounts, and more people will enter this world. In the future, the lives of everyone in our world will be divided in two: half in reality, half here. You all know exactly how much profit is involved, so we must win this battle."

"If Lin Bai dies, we will take his place," 【Chengfeng】 said. "The Seven Righteous Sects are our enemies. Then we will destroy this world. Lin Bai might not use the Tribulation Lightning to flatten this world, but we can. Even if it is just a pile of Ruins, as long as there are only players in the world, it will still have huge value. By that time, the game plot and even the mode will truly be determined by us."

【Eagle of Foresight】 said: "The situation is roughly like this. If you have any good suggestions, you can type them on the screen, and we will discuss the feasibility together..."

……

Blood Sect.

The resurrected 【Silver】, 【Huangye Lang】, and others gathered together, each remaining silent.

【Silver】 sighed, breaking the silence, and said: "Shopkeeper Lin will take eighty-one days to transcend the tribulation. From now on, the Beggar Sect has no more backing; we can only rely on ourselves."

【Lao Mi】 looked around at everyone and said: "We can also rely on the conglomerates. People from the Xinjin Group contacted me earlier; they want to borrow the Blood Sect's territory to cultivate players. I didn't agree, as I wanted to hear your thoughts."

【I Am Not a Smurf】 said: "We can cooperate. Shopkeeper Lin is trapped in the Tribulation Lightning, and the Beggar Sect's advertising business is basically paralyzed. The Beggar Sect's source of wealth is cut off. Constantly paying salaries has spoiled the members of the Beggar Sect; once it stops, the Beggar Sect will fall apart one day. Cooperating with the conglomerates might be a way out."

【Huangye Lang】 pondered for a moment and said: "Isn't it a bit excessive for us to do this? Shopkeeper Lin has been good to us, and even while trapped in the Tribulation Lightning, he still doesn't forget to protect us. If he finds out we are cooperating with the people from the conglomerates, what will he think of us?"

"Old Wolf, he's just an NPC. Whether he can survive the Tribulation Lightning is another matter, yet you actually take his opinion seriously," 【Lord】 said. "Even if he can come out, it's eighty-one days away. Are we just going to wait for him like this? Be realistic. Without a backbone, how could we possibly hold together so many members of the Beggar Sect with just our cohesion?"

【Longxi】 nodded: "Old Wolf, wake up. We and Lin Bai are ultimately people from two different worlds. The conglomerates are still discussing with us now, but once they lose patience, they will throw huge amounts of money at us, and it's possible we could be killed out of the game..."

【Huangye Lang】 fell silent. 【Longxi】 was right; they had their current status not because of how capable they were, but because Lin Bai had arranged them in these positions. With Lin Bai gone, it would be easy for those below to overthrow them.

【Lao Mi】 looked around at everyone and said: "Since you have no objections, I will reply to the conglomerates. Don't worry, everyone; I will demand that they retain our current positions..."

(End of this chapter)