Ten Thousand Ways To Eliminate Players

Are you satisfied? You didn't listen to anyone's opinion at all! The Justice League is basically a one-man show, isn't it?

The crowd grumbled simultaneously.

However, seeing that Lin Bai had already made up his mind, they refrained from voicing any further objections. In the end, they had just joined the Justice League, and Lin Bai's dominance was unpredictable. Blind opposition, and angering him, wouldn't be beneficial. After all, Lin Bai had the ability to turn people into puppets, a skill that could deter everyone.

Lin Bai looked around at everyone and said, "Upon joining the Justice League, you become a part of it. The Justice League belongs to everyone, not just me alone. Within the league, you won't be punished for speaking out. If anyone has any beneficial suggestions for the league, feel free to voice them without hesitation."

"Alliance Hierarch, now that the war is over, could you release Hu Qing? I want to take this opportunity to practice the Way of Love. Maybe in the future, I can contribute to the league," an elder in a purple robe said with urgency. "To cultivate the Way of Love, I would appreciate it if the Hierarch could provide guidance."

"The cultivation of rules derives from the heart; there are no tricks." Lin Bai glanced at the elder in the purple robe, released Hu Qing, and said, "In the beginning, I wrote a poem 'Magpie Bridge Immortal' for Xu Longyun and disseminated it through the 'Heavenly Remnant Collection', making it widely known. Later, I comprehended the Divine Power: Magpie Bridge.

"I cultivated the Dao of 'Spoken Law Follows.' I unburdened my feelings to Jiang Qingqin and Little White Fox for an entire day and night. Through 'Justice Weekly,' our story was circulated throughout the world. After separating and reuniting with Jiang Qingqin, I comprehended the Divine Power: Love Parting…

"If there's a trick, it's probably public recognition. If Brother in Purple Robe wishes to cultivate the Love Principle, you can aim in this direction and publicize your passionate love with Hu Qing."

"Recognition?" the elder in purple robe murmured thoughtfully.

"This is just a guess of mine." Lin Bai, gently persuasive, explained that his Moon Elder task involved promoting a cross-species love story. He believed inventing one wouldn't be as authentic or accepted as letting the involved parties create their own. "Brother in Purple Robe, the Ninth Ancestor of the Righteous Door saw an unusual event of a white snake repaying a kindness during his divine soul's journey through the Vast World, which seems similar to your situation. Come find me after the meeting; I can tell you about it, which may inspire you."

"Thank you, Alliance Hierarch," the elder in the purple robe was overjoyed and thanked him immediately.

A divine soul's journey around the Vast World?

Ye Song and others jolted as if they had heard something significant.

Xiao Yu asked, "Alliance Hierarch, what is the Vast World?"

This world doesn't have the concept of the Vast World? How has the Buddha Spirit Sect been getting along? After all these years, they haven't formed their own theory? No wonder in this world, there is only the war between gods and demons, and the Buddhist sect is just a small sect among the Seven Orthodox Sects, without the ability to compete with Taoism and Demonism. I remember the Buddhist Revival System that once popped into my mind and then disappeared. The appearance of that system was probably to let me complete the world's Buddhist sect and propagate Buddhism in this world!

"The so-called Vast World is the worldview derived by the founding ancestor of the Righteous Door from observing the universe. As the saying goes, 'A world in a flower, a Bodhi in a leaf.' In the vast universe, there are three thousand small worlds, three thousand medium worlds, and three thousand great worlds, each world having its own civilization. Our Righteous Door does not have a prominent reputation in the world because many of our ancestors' divine souls are wandering in the Vast World, comprehending many divine skills."

Lin Bai surveyed the crowd and said, "The Way of Rules is the divine skill our ancestors comprehended after observing all living beings. Our Righteous Door's color printer, recording pen, and video camera are Magic Treasures forged by our ancestors, referencing the cultures of other worlds."

"There are countless other worlds in the universe?" Everyone was shocked; the hall instantly descended into chaos.

"That's only natural. Where else could the Heavenly Descended originate from?" Lin Bai glanced at the masses of players and chuckled lightly. "Initially, when the Ninth Ancestor foresaw the arrival of the Heavenly Descended bringing catastrophe to the world, he began wandering the starry skies, searching for the Heavenly Descended's origin world to solve the problem at its roots. He has been drifting out there for decades now…"

"Damn, the official explanation about the Righteous Door is out: they're cosmic civilization observers, how freaking awesome!" Silver stated. "All the forum gurus got it wrong."

"No wonder the backdrop when the Ninth Ancestor of the Righteous Door appeared was the starry sky. The Righteous Door isn't from this world after all. All of Storekeeper Lin's odd thoughts and actions instantly make sense," Bitter Melon Vine said. "However, assigning the Ninth Ancestor of the Righteous Door the task of finding the game's external world might be a bit over the top. No matter how powerful an NPC is, it can't jump out of the server, can it?"

"With such a freaking amazing setting for the Righteous Door by the officials, and Lin Bai alone already turning the world upside down, if they don't send those old ancestors away, how could the Seven Orthodox Sects possibly survive?" Silver replied.

Ye Song and the others felt a bitter taste in their mouths.

Only when the Heavenly Descended arrived did the Seven Orthodox Sects and Five Demonic Sects begin to consider countermeasures. Yet, the Righteous Door had foreseen this disaster decades ago and had already started making arrangements!

At this moment, they suddenly began to understand Lin Bai's actions somewhat. The Righteous Door was already so far ahead of this world; why should they accommodate the thoughts of those lagging behind?

The Ninth Ancestor and the other elders of the Righteous Door probably haven't appeared because they are all in the Vast World looking for the origin of the Heavenly Descended! Poor Lin Bai, left alone to carry the banner of promoting the Way of Rules...

"Alliance Hierarch, does all cultivation of the rules require the approval of the masses?" Ye Song stared at Lin Bai, asking.

He couldn't help but ask. Since the appearance of the Way of Rules, countless people had been trying to cultivate it, but only Lin Bai had progressed rapidly. As Lin Bai's cultivation progressed, so did his reputation. Even when he preached the Way of Cooking, he actively promoted it, even organizing a cooking contest. This seemed to be the only difference between Lin Bai and others in cultivating the Way of Rules.

"Perhaps!" Lin Bai looked at Ye Song, answering ambiguously. "When I entered the world, my master told me that to cultivate the Way of Rules, one needs the heart of a child. He commanded me to act impartially and do my utmost to propagate the Way of Rules to the world. I have been adhering to my master's requirements, and various Powers of Rules have followed one after another.

"Perhaps it really is related to the world's approval, but I'm not certain. When you all cultivate the Way of Rules, you can use 'Justice Weekly' and 'Heavenly Review' to test this theory. For so long, apart from myself, no one else has made any achievements in the Way of Rules, which makes me seem like a deceiver. I must admit… I've been quite anxious…"

Ye Song pondered.

Players whispered to one another.

"The Way of Rules seems to be like the path to becoming a god through faith," I'm Not an Alt Account commented.

"For natives, it's fame; for players, it might be reputation points. Remember? When the Way of Rules was first introduced, Storekeeper Lin once advised the upper echelons of the Beggar Gang to hobnob with celebrities in Qian City, deliberately promoting Crispy Rice's fame. I think that was the clue Storekeeper Lin was hinting at all along; it's just that none of us ever caught on," Mad Man proposed. "As a result, after all these events, nearly three months have passed since we started playing, yet no player has managed to build any significant reputation."

"Who among those following Storekeeper Lin could gain any reputation?" Dragon Breath glanced at Dumbelldore and said, "Even Dumbelldore, who is nominally the chief disciple of the Righteous Door, is still overshadowed by Storekeeper Lin and remains obscure. Storekeeper Lin is just too dazzling."

"..." Dumbelldore glanced at Dragon Breath, frowned slightly, and said nothing.

"If reputation is indeed the key to unlocking the Way of Rules, we really should start building our fame," Silver suggested.

Lin Bai glanced in the direction of the players. Now that the momentum is building, it's time to work on the 'Enjoying Being a Teacher' task as well. He looked towards Ye Song and asked, "Ye Song, do you still want to be my disciple?"

"..." Ye Song froze.

To be honest, the moment Lin Bai admitted there were no secret techniques to cultivating the rules, his desire to become a disciple had waned. After all, he was an old man of several hundred years; being apprenticed to someone in their twenties wouldn't sound good!

Lin Bai laughed and said, "By the way, I also cultivate the Art of the Mentor. If you become my disciple, your cultivation speed increases by fifty percent."

The crowd was in an uproar.

Dumbelldore had not expected Lin Bai to suddenly reveal this. His complexion changed dramatically; his plan to make a stunning debut was thwarted.

The gazes of the other players towards Dumbelldore turned somewhat hostile.

"Old Deng, you've hidden this from us for so long!" Dragon Breath said sourly. "Making a fortune in silence, eh? No wonder you stood by Storekeeper Lin, no matter how he tormented you."

"The bonus was added later; it wasn't there at first," Dumbelldore explained with an embarrassed smile.

Another Art of the Mentor? A fifty percent bonus... That's even more terrifying than pill medicine!

Ye Song swallowed, his voice quivering, "Alliance Hierarch, this fifty percent increase you speak of, what is it based on?"

Lin Bai replied, "It is naturally based on your own cultivation speed."

BUZZ!

The hall once again erupted with chaotic noise. Everyone in the hall, whether locals or players, even the people from The Northern Army, looked at Lin Bai with fervent eyes. The Way of Rules was elusive, and they didn't know where to begin cultivating it, but a fifty percent increase in cultivation speed was a tangible, visible benefit! And this incredible boon could be obtained simply by acknowledging Lin Bai as a master? Was there any fairness left in the world?

No wonder Lin Bai made all his wives his disciples. It wasn't out of some perverse interest, but because such an amazing benefit existed...

With this Art, it wouldn't take long for the Justice League to close the gap with the Seven Orthodox Sects. If word of this got out, the Seven Orthodox Sects and the Five Demonic Sects would want to eliminate Lin Bai as soon as possible.

Duke Zhenguo frowned, seemingly blaming Lin Bai for his recklessness. He was revealing too many important details, many of which were completely unnecessary...

"I am willing to acknowledge the Alliance Hierarch as my master," Xiao Yu stepped out from the crowd, speaking first.

"Brother Xiao Dao, are you trying to make an enemy of me?" Ye Song scanned Xiao Yu with a cold gaze. "The Alliance Hierarch asked me first. Besides, I am the rightful third-place winner of the Cooking Contest. When it comes to becoming his disciple, it's my prerogative, not yours."

"Storekeeper Lin didn't say he could only take one disciple, did he?" Xiao Yu retorted. "You can become his disciple, why can't I?"

"You really can't," Lin Bai looked at Xiao Yu and shook his head. "My cultivation in the Art of the Mentor is still shallow. At present, I only have the ability to boost the cultivation of five disciples. Any more would just be disciples in name only, and they wouldn't enjoy the substantial benefits. Right now, my five disciple slots are full. If Ye Song wants to become my disciple, one of the current disciples would need to be removed."

Fortunately, only five disciples can enjoy this honor; that isn't too excessive...

Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Only Dumbelldore's face turned extremely ugly in an instant. His earlier smugness suddenly froze, and he felt as if he had fallen into a bottomless pit. The words "remove one" kept echoing in his mind.

Remove one! Who else could it be? Of Lin Bai's five disciples, three are his women, and one is his mother-in-law. Besides me, who isn't related by blood or marriage, who else could be removed?

The group of players who had just envied Dumbelldore suddenly shifted their gazes from envy to sympathy.

Indeed, the fellow truly lived up to his name, Deng Cancan!

Shaking his head, Dumbelldore tried hard to clear his mind. He looked at Lin Bai with a face full of despair and said, "Master, didn't you say that once someone joins the Righteous Door, even if a disciple behaves atrociously or makes grave mistakes, they won't be expelled from your tutelage? You said that good disciples carry on their skills, and poor disciples serve as a warning to oneself! Master, since I became your disciple, I have been diligently cultivating and have never done anything to disappoint you or the Righteous Door. You cannot expel me from your tutelage just because Ye Song has a higher level of cultivation than me!"

"Little Deng, I haven't even said who I'm going to remove yet. Why did you jump out?" Lin Bai looked at Dumbelldore strangely, asking, "Why do you have so little self-confidence?"

"It's not me?" Dumbelldore's despair turned to joy.

"I told you, you have no self-confidence." Lin Bai shook his head. "Be confident. Yes, it's you."

"..." Dumbelldore.

[Resentment from Dumbelldore; +1+1+1...]

The crowd was speechless.

"Why?" Dumbelldore asked. "Master, you must give me a reason!"

"Virtue." Lin Bai teased, then looked at Dumbelldore regretfully and said, "Along this journey, I've encountered many dangers. As my disciple, you have never once stepped forward to protect me. I know you might not have the ability, but you can't even have the heart to do so!

"Never mind the past. Just now, when I stepped outside the city wall, which of your junior martial sisters wasn't worried about my safety? Yet you, who even possess an Undying Body, were indifferent. Do you think such actions conform to the Way of a Disciple? Honestly, seeing the first disciple I chose be so cold-blooded, your master's heart is deeply wounded. You didn't even bring your master a cup of tea afterwards…"

Damn it! Dumbelldore cursed inwardly. Those are all your women; am I supposed to jump out and compete with them for the spotlight? I wanted to bring you tea, but you never gave me a chance!

"But the rules of the Righteous Door..." Knowing that Lin Bai was just making excuses, Dumbelldore still reluctantly brought up the sect rules.

"Those are the rules of the Righteous Door. Now I am cultivating the Art of the Mentor. If a disciple doesn't meet its requirements and hinders its progress, I will naturally remove them from my tutelage." Lin Bai looked at Dumbelldore and sighed to himself. "Little Deng, you shouldn't have relaxed your standards for yourself."

"You just regret accepting me! Tell me, what have you taught me since I became your disciple? What kind of Art of the Mentor only accepts one's own women as disciples? Art of the Mentor, my ass! Disgusting! You want to accept disciples? Hell, I don't even want you as my master anymore!"

Knowing that the situation was irretrievable, Dumbelldore, having fallen from heaven to hell, thought of all the events since he started following Lin Bai. All his dreams shattered in an instant. Unable to bear the huge psychological blow, he burst out cursing.

"Shut up..." Xu Longyun glared at Dumbelldore.

"Little Deng, indeed, you don't have a shred of respect for me, your master! I was considering keeping your slot, waiting until my Art of the Mentor improves, and then taking you back into the sect. Now it seems there's no need." Lin Bai looked at Dumbelldore, his words like daggers to the heart. "I also cultivate the Way of Belief. Members who see me, their master, as an idol have their combat power automatically increased by ten percent. Joining the Supporting Group wouldn't be a bad option for you either. But I guess you don't have much admiration for me, do you!"

"..." Dumbelldore froze. He looked at Lin Bai, his throat bobbed, and then he coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with a desolate expression.

At this moment, he had a bitter taste in his mouth. Only one thought remained: I'm really not suited to play this game!

Dumbelldore looked around, seeing faces that seemed to be watching him as if he were a joke. He closed his eyes in despair, and his figure disappeared from the hall.