CHAPTER 116: 116 PERSONAL CHARM

A comfortable life makes one complacent; it’s enemies who force you to grow.

Through advertising, Lin Bai had bound the players and himself to the same ship.

However, considering the players’ terrifying growth potential, he was unwilling to teach them his Skills. Even if he were to teach them, he would first have to ensure their loyalty.

But now, circumstances compelled him to do so.

In this world, to truly enjoy comfort, one had to grow into a behemoth like the Positive Seven Sects.

It wasn’t until this moment that Lin Bai vaguely sensed the System he carried was constantly pushing him to greater heights—for instance, the Chief Supporting Role System, and the Sect Leader System that appeared later...

Players were a group of creatures easily satisfied.

He taught the combat-type players the Nine-Days True Scripture and the Ten Dragon-Subduing Palms; he taught Basic Pill Refinement Technique to those who followed [Miracle Doctor Flower], and Basic Theory of Magical Items to [Artifact Master].

Lin Bai’s mind then began to continuously reap the players’ happiness.

Those providing him with positive Emotion Value were not only the Beggar Gang disciples around him but also those far away in Jiamucheng—new disciples who had just joined the Beggar Gang.

While Lin Bai led the Beggar Gang disciples into Qian City, a new batch of Pioneers also entered the Novice Villages.

This time, the game company released 100,000 accounts, distributed among more than seventy Novice Villages, with each village accommodating over 1,000 people.

The players who chose Jiamucheng did so specifically for the Beggar Gang and Lin Bai.

After all, Lin Bai had already monopolized Jiamucheng, leaving no other paths. Even though many dissenting voices against Lin Bai later appeared online, numerous people were still willing to follow in his wake, content with the scraps.

Forums and live broadcasts allowed for the rapid transmission of information among players. Individuals like Crazy Man, who had learned advanced internal techniques and Martial Arts, undoubtedly served as a positive inspiration to all Beggar Gang disciples and even the players in Jiamucheng.

Of course, many more players had not entered Jiamucheng, and those who considered Lin Bai a hypothetical enemy were filled with resentment towards him.

But the fruits on the Negative Emotion Tree were too numerous. Lin Bai no longer paid these negative emotions any mind. With so many people hating him, who could he possibly spare a thought for?

The red fruits on the Emotion Tree ripened at a visible speed.

The sky began to darken.

The fruits on the Positive Emotion Tree indicated they were ready to be picked.

[Mature Charm Fruit (Can be Picked): Permanently increases temperament by 10, allowing your Personal Charm to be elevated]

Personal Charm?

Having tasted the sweetness of the Spirit Fruit, Lin Bai didn’t hesitate for a moment when the Temperament Fruit matured. He picked it and popped it into his mouth.

The instant the Temperament Fruit was brought out, the Little White Fox’s nose twitched, and it quickly craned its neck. However, it didn’t even get a clear look at the Temperament Fruit’s appearance before it disappeared into Lin Bai’s stomach.

It subconsciously licked its lips.

Then, as if remembering something, the Little White Fox looked at Lin Bai with wariness in its eyes, afraid he would do something bizarre.

The Little White Fox had personally witnessed Lin Bai using a Spirit Fruit to concoct Pill Medicine before; Zhou Jiang had gone mad immediately after consuming that Pill Medicine...

Ever since then, it knew that Lin Bai’s things were not to be eaten casually.

Sweet, with a faint fragrance.

A very distinct taste, not of the mortal world.

The fruit settled in his stomach. Unlike the Spirit Fruit, Lin Bai barely felt any change in himself.

But in the Little White Fox’s eyes, after Lin Bai ate that fruit, his entire demeanor suddenly softened. Just standing there, he exuded a strong sense of trustworthiness.

Previously, its feelings towards Lin Bai were a mix of fear, shyness, and a desire to please.

Now, Lin Bai was like a family member who had always accompanied and nurtured its growth, making it feel that everything Lin Bai had done for it was perfectly natural.

If it still harbored any resentment, then it must be the one at fault...

Lin Bai picked up the bronze mirror on the table and examined his reflection; there was no difference from before.

What’s going on?

There’s no change at all!

Personal Charm?

Isn’t that too abstract!

"Zhao Yi from the Morning Yuan Sword Sect is here to pay respects to Gang Leader Lin."

A voice suddenly entered Lin Bai’s ears—sharp and full of edge, as if a sword aura was slashing directly at him.

He’s finally here!

Lin Bai put down the bronze mirror and stood up. "Xiao Bai, time to relieve yourself."

"Yes," the Little White Fox responded obediently, flew out the window, instinctively found a hidden corner to relieve itself, then darted back and landed on Lin Bai’s shoulder.

Previously, upon hearing the command to defecate, the Little White Fox, no matter how accustomed, would still feel a trace of shyness.

But now, it felt nothing was amiss, just as natural as when its mother used to carry it and its six siblings out of the nest to relieve themselves when they were young.

Fox Clan Goodwill +1.

Lin Bai, unaware that the Temperament Fruit had already affected the Little White Fox, asked as he walked, "Xiao Bai, you saw Zhao Yi during the day. Are you confident you can charm him?"

The Little White Fox shook its head. "His vitality and blood essence are too powerful; attempting to charm him would result in a backlash. My mother should be able to, though. She’s a Three-tailed demon fox, roughly equivalent to human Golden Core cultivators."

"Your mother, huh!" Lin Bai mused, considering whether he should make a trip into the mountains to recruit some genuine allies.

These past few days, the Fox Clan Goodwill he had accumulated through Xiao Bai was already approaching 100 points.

But the Little White Fox’s strength was too low; it was useless in assisting combat, serving as nothing more than a pet...

"Lin, the Storekeeper, people from the Positive Seven Sects are here to challenge the establishment!" Silver rushed over, colliding with Lin Bai, who was just emerging from his room.

The moment he saw Lin Bai, he blinked involuntarily.

What’s going on?

It’s only been a short while, how did Lin, the Storekeeper, gain such an ethereal, otherworldly aura?

Has encountering a strong enemy finally made Lin, the Storekeeper, get serious?

"How many people came?" Lin Bai asked.

"Five," Silver replied. "Among them is Jiang Qingqin from the Hundred Flower Valley. Our Beggar Gang brothers have already assembled at the entrance..."

"Mm," Lin Bai nodded, then paused. "Has tea been served?"

Silver, feeling as if he hadn’t heard correctly, subconsciously asked, "What?"

"Even those who come to challenge us are guests. If we plan to make our way in Qian City, we mustn’t neglect our etiquette!" Lin Bai stated. "Light the torches, send out refreshments. What’s the use of you all rushing out? With your current abilities, do you really think you can fight them? Are you planning to overwhelm them with numbers? Don’t we still need to earn money?"

Silver paused for a moment. "I understand now."

"Since you understand, go and prepare." Lin Bai glanced at him. "Remember what I told you before: the martial world isn’t just about fighting and killing; it’s about navigating human relationships and social intricacies. No matter how strong I am, I can’t protect you for a lifetime. Besides, you are my Protectorate Clan; now it seems I’m the one protecting you. You go deal with them first. I want to assess your ability to resolve problems. Remember, before you have strength, bow your heads when necessary. Even when you become capable later, you can always strike back then!"

"Yes, I’ll notify them to prepare right away." Today, Lin, the Storekeeper’s words carried exceptional conviction. Silver nodded and dashed off as if taking flight.