Ten Thousand Ways To Eliminate Players

Not long after the new issue of *Heavenly Review* was released, *Heavenly Dao Walk* and *Buddha's Sayings* simultaneously published articles in rebuttal.

*Heavenly Dao Walk* disputed that the critique of Zhou Zhu by *Heavenly Review* was completely one-sided, based purely on speculation. A thousand years ago, in the Heavenly Talent competition, Patriarch Zhou Zhu had rightfully become the best in the world. There had never been any private duels outside of the competition, and the idea of him converting to Buddhism was utterly baseless. The current campaign against Lin Bai was initiated by Patriarch Zhou Zhu himself; he had not stolen anyone's place...

*Buddha's Sayings* followed by defending their Zen Master. Zen Master Forget possessed a firm Buddhist heart and had never been attached to victory or defeat. The Heavenly Talent competition was a thing of the past and should not be brought up again. He and True Master Zhou Zhu were privately close friends. Although *Heavenly Review* ranked him first, deep down, he believed True Master Zhou Zhu was indeed the rightful first among the twelve. He also advised everyone not to be misled by *Heavenly Review*, as rankings held no real significance.

*Saintly Periodical* published an article stating that the ranking was just for laughs. Demon Ancestor Ye Song was the weakest in the Holy Extreme Sect, yet among the twelve, he could rank third. This showed just how subjective the ranking was...

*Moon Flower Monthly* published an article arguing that *Heavenly Review* had unfairly ranked Fairy Cen Qing last, relying too heavily on the Moon Spirit Sect's Cultivation Technique rather than actual strength.

...

The frenzy quickly escalated. In modern terms, the twelve Mahayana Realm experts dispatched by the Righteous Seven Sects and the Devil Five Sects had all made the trending list.

In a world nearly devoid of entertainment, the public was quite enthusiastic about rankings. In ancient China, there were rankings such as Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and the eighteen heroes of the Sui and Tang dynasties; this world was no exception. Thus, the first issue of *Heavenly Review*, with its individual rankings, immediately triggered a fervent reaction among the populace.

People eagerly compared the data, Cultivation Techniques, and other details published by the *Tao of Heaven Review*. They selected their favorite figures based on personal preference, speculating on the exciting stories that might unfold when these individuals eventually encountered Lin Bai.

Since the establishment of the Justice League, the daily lives of the common people hadn't seen much change, but their entertainment options had significantly increased. Every day brought fresh news. Lin Bai's fame among the people was now Like the Midday Sun, far surpassing everyone else in the Cultivation World.

...

"Even such old, trivial matters can be dug up by Lin Bai and turned into an article. This child is truly a remarkable individual. If he could be brought into our Buddha Spirit Sect, how could we worry about Buddhism not flourishing?" Zen Master Forget, clad in a moon-white monk's robe, appeared middle-aged. He twirled his Prayer Beads. Before him lay several publications: *Justice Weekly*, *Heavenly Dao Walk*, *Buddha's Sayings*, *Saintly Periodical*, and more.

At this moment, the page spread open before him was the *Heavenly Review* article about him:

Zen Master Forget:

Age: 1,202 years old;

Height: Six feet, three inches;

Cultivation: Guan Xin Realm (equivalent to Mahayana Realm);

Magic Treasures: Embroidered Kasaya, Demon-Subduing Prayer Beads, Purple-Gold Bowl;

Cultivation Technique: Vajra Subdue Demons.

Personal History: Entered Diamond Temple at age nine, reached the Samanera realm the same year; reached the First Dhyana realm at age ten, chosen as a prodigy by the Buddha Spirit Sect, becoming a disciple of Zen Master Hui Tong; reached the Arhat realm at age eighteen, ranked first among the Golden Body Arhats in the Buddha Spirit Sect's internal selection...

...

This child wants to roast this Poor Monk over a fire! Zen Master Forget chuckled wryly, the joy in his eyes impossible to conceal.

Being ranked first among the twelve Mahayana Realm cultivators, although he knew it was Lin Bai's ploy to sow discord, had already brought considerable glory to the Buddha Spirit Sect. If he could now induct Lin Bai into Buddhism, it was not impossible for the Buddha Spirit Sect to replace the Heavenly Dao Sect as the foremost orthodox sect.

Yes. Zen Master Forget's purpose for this trip was not to kill Lin Bai, but to convert Lin Bai to Buddhism. His true expertise was never Vajra Subdue Demons, but Vajra Overcoming Demons. Otherwise, after the Heavenly Talent Competition, he wouldn't have nearly succeeded in converting Zhou Zhu. Back when he was only in the Arhat realm, he had been able to sway Zhou Zhu with Vajra Overcoming Demons. Now that he had reached the Guan Xin Realm, bringing Lin Bai into the fold should pose no problem. Zen Master Forget did not believe that a young man barely in his twenties could possess a Dao heart firm enough to resist a Mahayana Realm cultivator.

...

「Heavenly Dao Sect.」

True Master Zhou Zhu stood against the wind, a trace of ferocity in his eyes. "Lin Bai, Forget, you have gone too far!"

Behind him, a Hollow Realm Disciple named Jing Ming cautiously advised, "Master, this is Lin Bai's trick to sow discord..."

"I know." Zhou Zhu did not turn his head. "That old wretch Forget, and Qiu Liang from the Beast Taming Sect, those two definitely intend to protect Lin Bai and profit from him. If they reach Lin Bai before us, it will be quite disadvantageous for our Heavenly Dao Sect. I will go ahead and kill Lin Bai before anyone else, dashing their hopes. You all catch up later."

"Master, the Sect Master said to plan carefully before acting," Jing Ming hurriedly interjected. "Lin Bai has now also demonstrated Mahayana Realm strength. Perhaps we should wait for the Magic Gate to make the first move, ascertain Lin Bai's true capabilities, and then make our plans."

"Probe, always probing! Lin Bai is intentionally laying a confusing trail. If we wait any longer, the opportunity will be lost entirely. If even Mahayana Realm cultivators are this timid and hesitant, we might aswell cede the world to the Righteous Door sooner; then everyone can be at peace!" Zhou Zhu scoffed derisively, then took a step forward. When he reappeared, he was already ten miles away. After a few more strides, he vanished from the sight of the Heavenly Dao Sect disciples.

Jing Ming watched his master's disappearing figure, his brow furrowed with worry. "Master has indeed fallen for Lin Bai's goading. Lu Dao, inform the Sect of Master's situation!"

...

「Heavenly Sword Sect.」

The Purple-Robed Patriarch learned of the rankings in *Justice Weekly* and smiled faintly. He tossed the periodical aside, paying it no further heed. Instead, he focused his attention on Bright Moon, who was standing on the street, holding a small booklet and offering warm blessings to passersby.

He had underestimated the influence of *Justice Weekly* and the difficulty of cultivating Spoken Law Follows. In Chen Earth City, practicing Spoken Law Follows had become the latest trend. Walking down the street, one wouldn't go far before encountering one or two crazed-looking Scholars or Knight-Errants practicing it. Bright Moon, amidst them, did not particularly stand out, and the citizens of Chen Earth City were already accustomed to such sights. It had even spawned a group of idlers who specialized in teasing them.

"...Your efforts will be solidified by time. In the future, when the moment is ripe, the hardships you have endured will transform into sweetness, returned to you a hundredfold," Bright Moon had just mustered the courage to offer this warm sentiment to the person opposite him.

The person glanced at him disdainfully. "Wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Bright Moon asked reflexively.

"There, now it's wrong. Your cultivation has been interrupted," the man laughed heartily, as if immensely pleased, and swaggered off.

Bright Moon was left dumbfounded, his fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly. It took him a long while to recover.

The Purple-Robed Patriarch observed from afar as Bright Moon, who had been cultivating for no more than four hours, was forced to restart ten times. Putting himself in Bright Moon's position, he suddenly realized his own outcome might not be much better. Perhaps an unprovoked taunt from a passerby would have long since driven him to unleash a bloody slaughter.

Spoken Law Follows not only demanded a vast vocabulary but also sufficient mental agility to remain undisturbed by anyone's words, and more importantly, an unshakeably firm heart...

Ordinary people might give up after a couple of setbacks. But for cultivators, if they failed repeatedly in their practice, once the Heart Demon of self-doubt took root, it could lead to a proliferation of inner demons, resulting in madness at best, or utter ruin at worst.

Either the Way of Law is real, or it's a conspiracy against the Cultivation World. The Purple-Robed Patriarch pondered for a moment and reached a chilling conclusion.

Thinking of this, the Purple-Robed Patriarch took one last look at Bright Moon, then vanished from Chen Earth City in a few flashes. Returning to the Sword Boat, he summoned a heaven-sent one. "Send a message to the Sect: our prodigies must exercise extreme caution when practicing Spoken Law Follows. Lin Bai's Way of Law could very well be a seed for the destruction of the Cultivation World."

After saying this, he turned to his eldest disciple. "Song Guangxiao, are you willing to verify the Way of Love for your master?"

Song Guangxiao's expression changed, and he stammered, "Master, your disciple is willing to verify the Way of Love. But, Master, could you perhaps not cripple your disciple's cultivation?"

"..." The Purple-Robed Patriarch glanced at him. "Bright Moon's mind is unsettled, which is why I decisively shattered his cultivation to solidify his Dao heart. You have reached the Hollow Realm; your Dao heart is sufficiently firm. Whether your cultivation is crippled or not is irrelevant. The Way of Love requires mutual affection. If you become a cripple, what will you use to attract women who admire you?"

Song Guangxiao let out a long sigh of relief. "Your disciple is willing to cultivate the Way of Love."

The Purple-Robed Patriarch instructed, "Good. Take a heaven-sent one with you, leave the main party, and go to the Dian Cang Sword Sect to find a Dao companion. From this moment on, you need not concern yourself with Lin Bai's affairs. Devote yourself entirely to the Way of Love. The heaven-sent ones are resourceful; you can have them devise strategies for you..."

...

「Holy Extreme Sect.」

Ye Song, tall and handsome, gazed at *Justice Weekly*. After a long period of contemplation, a smile touched his lips. Being hunted by both the righteous and demonic paths, yet still finding time to hold a culinary competition—what an interesting little fellow. Compared to him, those in the Demonic Way are too conventional.

As he spoke, the muscles on his face seemed to inflate, and his original height of 1.8 meters compressed downwards. In a short while, he had transformed into a 1.7-meter-tall, chubby man. With his transformation, the intimidating aura around him also vanished, retracting into his body.

Once the change was complete, Ye Song looked at the disciple standing respectfully beside him and asked with a smile, "Xiao Lan, do I look like a chef?"

"You do." The disciple called Xiao Lan was a voluptuous woman, wreathed in black energy, her face as pale as a corpse, giving her a deathly, somber appearance. Her gaze was vacant as she turned to her master. "Master, are you going to participate in the culinary competition?"

"With so many Cultivation Techniques available, why did you have to practice the Death Sutra, making yourself look like neither human nor ghost? It's because of these nonsensical techniques that the Magic Gate can't gain mainstream acceptance. In the future, when the Way of Love becomes popular, it'll be a miracle if anyone finds you attractive." Ye Song chided his female disciple, then shook his head helplessly before proudly declaring, "That's right. Your master here enjoys roaming the mortal world, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and all culinary arts. Those so-called righteous people are all scheming and plotting; some want to kill Lin Bai, some want to recruit him, and others covet his Cultivation Techniques. They are all utterly foolish and will be defeated by Lin Bai one by one. I, however, will do the exact opposite. I will go and take Lin Bai as my master, join his Righteous Door, and together we will wreak havoc upon the world, dismantling the Righteous Door from within!"

"The Righteous Door possesses the Doctrine of Divination," Xiao Lan stated icily. "In Qian City, Lin Bai could identify everyone by name instantly. Going there is like walking into a trap."

"There are many people in the world named Ye Song. How would he know that I am the renowned Master of Metamorphosis?" Ye Song said dismissively. "And so what if he sees through my disguise? You don't actually think your Master can't defeat him, do you?"

I'm not afraid that you can't beat him; I'm just worried that you'll fall in love with him! Xiao Lan maintained her deathly pale expression. "Love is the deadliest poison. If you're struck by his Arrow of Love, even I won't be able to save you."

"..." Ye Song was stunned for a moment. Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have brought you with me.

Xiao Lan looked directly at him. "I'm saying this for your own good. I advise you to abandon this unreliable idea."

"My mind is made up; you don't need to persuade me further." Ye Song glanced at her. "Say something pleasant for a change, see me off."

"Within your heart lies a pure land; within your eyes, a touch of innocence. Your good fortune is all due to your accumulated daily efforts." Xiao Lan paused for a moment, then retrieved a small booklet filled with warm words from her sleeve. She flipped to a random page and read the sentences aloud with a completely serious expression.

"..." Ye Song stared blankly at the booklet in Xiao Lan's hand, his brow furrowed in anger. "Well, well, Ye Lan! So you've also been secretly practicing Spoken Law Follows! Aren't our Sect's Cultivation Techniques enough for you? I truly misjudged you! I hereby declare that, starting today, you are expelled from the Sect!"

"If you dare expel me from the Sect, I'll tell the heaven-sent ones about you participating in the culinary competition," Xiao Lan replied calmly, closing the booklet in her hand.

"Hahaha!" Ye Song suddenly burst out laughing. He reached out and patted Ye Lan's shoulder. "Master was just joking with you, how could you take it seriously! So, it's happily decided! Your cultivation is already sufficient; the task of leading the team this time falls to you. Go ahead and parade around under your Master's banner to create a diversion for me."

After he finished speaking, a cloud of black mist exploded in front of Ye Lan, and then Ye Song vanished completely.

Ye Lan was left alone. She looked up at the sky and murmured softly, "Go with peace of mind, Master. If you fall in love with Lin Bai, the very next day, I will lead all your disciples to join our Master's wife."

...

「Moon Spirit Sect.」

Before Cen Qing, a few Players were gathered, chattering animatedly.

"Fairy Cen, Lin Bai is blatantly discriminating against our Moon Spirit Sect! What's wrong with women? Women can hold up half the sky! The harmony of yin and yang is a fundamental principle of the universe. Why does he look down on our Moon Spirit Sect?" [Scholar Soul Beauty] declared indignantly. "We must avenge this slight and clear our Moon Spirit Sect's name!"

"And how do you propose we do that?" Cen Qing asked, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she looked at the Player before her.

"Give him a taste of his own medicine," [Scholar Soul Beauty] said. "Only by defeating Lin Bai head-on can we wash away the slander he has heaped upon us."

"Scholar is right," [Phoenix in Flight] chimed in. "However, Lin Bai's Way of Law is truly bizarre and impossible to guard against effectively. We need a foolproof plan. Acting rashly will mean falling into Lin Bai's trap, which would be far from ideal."

"'Know thyself, know thy enemy, and you will never be defeated.' We should first try to comprehend Lin Bai's Laws. Even if we cannot grasp his Divine Skills, understanding how to counter them would be beneficial to us," [The Impatient Hands] suggested. "Lin Bai, in his overconfidence, made his Way of Law public. We still have time; we might as well give it a try..."

[Most Loved Fairy] of the Wash Flower Valley had been recruited by Lin Bai, but his feat of conquering an NPC had spread like wildfire among the Players. Every LSP who joined the Moon Spirit Sect had altered their game strategy, following that example to embark on their own new path of conquering NPCs.

Fight Lin Bai? That's just an excuse to woo NPCs! If they could win the heart of a Fairy, who the hell would want to fight Lin Bai...