"Hahaha, this is delightful to see."

"So what if NPCs are intelligent? Players are utterly uncontrollable."

"Whoever pisses them off, they make sure to make them miserable."

"When the players decide to show off, what role does Shopkeeper Lin even have?"

"The glory of Shopkeeper Lin will be replaced by players sooner or later."

"The Beggar Gang is too brazen."

"Congratulations to the Beggar Gang for successfully making Shopkeeper Lin a public enemy! This time, those other sects are in a bind; they'll find it hard to avoid making an enemy of Lin Bai."

"This is what we call a game! Can they be called players if they don't stir things up?"

"If Shopkeeper Lin survives this disaster, I'll really admire him—I'd even spend coin to join the Beggar Gang and earn a bit."

...

The Beggar Gang members were a bit dumbfounded!

What's going on?

Didn't the Beggar Gang just cleverly push out some disciples? How did Shopkeeper Lin become the public enemy all of a sudden?

Enlisting all players in the Beggar Gang would offend all NPCs.

Distributing the players evenly would offend the players.

Damn it.

Playing this game is so hard!

"Old Lonely, what should we do?" Crispy Rice's face was grim.

"What else can we do? Just deal with it," Lonely Old Man snorted. "This was bound to happen sooner or later. Too many people are envious of the Beggar Gang. As long as they don't strike immediately, we have a chance. After all, they're not united, and we have the Jiamucheng Novice Village as our base. As long as Lin Bai doesn't fall, giving us time to grow, we'll have a chance to counterattack. This is actually a good thing for us; it can pressure Lin Bai into teaching us more..."

"I'm afraid they'll target Lin Bai now," Crispy Rice said worriedly. "Two fists are no match for four hands. If those NPCs are incited, we'll be completely isolated, caught between the righteous and demonic factions."

"What I fear most is that they'll actually manage to kill Shopkeeper Lin!" Bitter Melon Vine chimed in. "Back then, Shopkeeper Lin struggled to fight a single Golden Core expert. Now, there are at least ten Golden Core experts!"

"And if the Beggar Gang can't control the situation this time, planning future events will be difficult too." Crazy Man frowned, looking at the instigator, Greg, with undisguised disgust.

Some 'expert'?

Anyone stirring up trouble for Lin Bai deserves to die...

"Have the Beggar Gang members ready their weapons," Lonely Old Man said. "I have a feeling a fight is about to break out. Shopkeeper Lin isn't one to take things lying down."

...

"Master, these people are so annoying," the Little White Fox said, its voice somewhat cold as it looked at everyone in the venue.

It had always been by Lin Bai's side. It witnessed them fawning over Lin Bai before the recruitment fair even began, yet now, in the blink of an eye, these same people had sold him out.

Truly shameless!

"Indeed, they are quite annoying." Lin Bai nodded nonchalantly.

The current situation was actually within his expectations. They weren't really friends to begin with. They acted like brothers when they needed him, but if 'brotherhood' could be exchanged for the allegiance of the Sky-fallen People, then of course they would kick him aside. It was simply that they no longer needed to gain benefits from him. As for the subsequent recruitment fair, the Beggar Gang's presence was irrelevant. They could organize it themselves. If they got rid of him, they might even be able to divide more players among themselves. Ultimately, his strength was still insufficient, and his connections to the interests of the various sects weren't deep enough...

However, the fact that the major sects were currently providing him with positive emotions was enough to prove that these people didn't harbor much hatred towards him. He was happy to reap a wave first...

...

Lin Bai scanned the entire recruitment fair.

Most players were bypassing the Beggar Gang, signing up with the sects they preferred.

Long queues had formed at most sect registration points. Even the City Lord's Mansion recruitment spot had people signing up. Everyone had different goals in the game; not everyone enjoyed leveling up just to fight Lin Bai.

Some were life-skill players, simply wanting to enjoy life in this other world.

It wasn't out of the question that some entered the game aspiring to become officials...

Only the Blood Shadow Sect and Return to Dragon View were exceptions.

Even though Lan Nuotian and Daoist Qingling were shouting themselves hoarse, few players queued at their registration points.

After their clashes with him, the reputations of both sects were ruined...

Lan Nuotian's expression was dark. He glanced at Lin Bai in the venue and frowned slightly. "Little Gold, our terms are generous enough. Why isn't anyone signing up?"

Golden Lion secretly glanced at Qian Jinzu beside him and said with a bitter smile, "Back when Senior Brother Qian and the others intercepted the Beggar Gang and were single-handedly defeated by Lin Bai, the news spread like wildfire among the Sky-fallen People. The image of our senior brothers was too pathetic then. If we can't change that image, I'm afraid no one will want to join our Blood Shadow Sect."

Qian Jinzu's face flushed crimson.

That battle was indeed a disgrace. He hadn't expected all the Sky-fallen People to find out. He shot a glare at Golden Lion. Do you Sky-fallen People have such loose tongues, blabbing about everything!

Lan Nuotian glared at Qian Jinzu and the others.

Qian Jinzu said awkwardly, "Master, you can't blame us. Lin Bai's Martial Power is too high."

Lan Nuotian snorted. "What's the situation with Return to Dragon View over there?"

Golden Lion said, "Daoist Qingling's junior brother, Qing Ming, was also taken out by Lin Bai."

"A Golden Core," Lan Nuotian said, stunned.

"Yes," Golden Lion looked at Lin Bai. "Daoist Qingming didn't last three rounds against Lin Bai. He was eliminated by a Palm Thunder and sealed into a Card."

As the only player in the Blood Shadow Sect, Golden Lion naturally hoped for more companions in the sect, which would be beneficial for future sect wars.

Moreover, with the Blood Shadow Sect nailed to the pillar of shame by Lin Bai, he felt quite embarrassed being the only player in this sect.

Therefore, he naturally hoped his NPC master could defeat Lin Bai and restore the Blood Shadow Sect's dignity.

So, he disclosed as much information about Lin Bai as possible.

"If he can even defeat a Golden Core, then it really wasn't our fault," Qian Jinzu's expression changed as he lamely tried to defend himself.

"..."

Lan Nuotian shot him an annoyed glare, then looked at Lin Bai in the venue, and then towards Daoist Qingling, as if wondering how Return to Dragon View would break this impasse.

Since Lin Bai could single-handedly defeat a Golden Core expert, relying on himself clearly wasn't enough. At this moment, he most hoped Return to Dragon View would make the first move.

Clearing his throat, Lan Nuotian said to Golden Lion, "Little Gold, since you Sky-fallen People have ways to contact each other, if you get any important intelligence in the future, inform me in advance. That way, I can prepare and not be caught off guard like now."

"Can intelligence be exchanged for rewards?" Golden Lion asked lazily, somewhat disappointed that Lan Nuotian hadn't immediately taken action.

Lan Nuotian paused. "If the information is useful to the sect, then naturally."

"Then there's no problem," Golden Lion smiled. "But Master, don't rely too much on intelligence from among the Sky-fallen People. Sometimes, if someone is unwilling to disclose important information, we have no way of knowing. The Sky-fallen People are not a monolithic bloc; there are conflicts of interest among them too."

"Hmm." Lan Nuotian breathed a sigh of relief. It's good that there are conflicts of interest. What I'd fear is if you were all united! Ever since the Sky-fallen People appeared, the old rules probably aren't very useful anymore. It's time to try and adapt to new ways of playing. Lin Bai might have gotten ahead of everyone. But now, it seems he's also playing a bit too recklessly.

At that moment, players from Yimucheng also flooded into the venue.

Watching them quickly head towards the registration points of other sects, Golden Lion grew anxious and blurted out, "Master, I have a piece of information right now that I want to sell to you."

He's perfectly well-behaved in the sect, but the moment he steps out, damn it, all discipline vanishes! Lan Nuotian's face darkened, and he almost couldn't resist slapping his disciple. His eye twitched. "Speak. I grant you seven days of cultivation in the Blood Pool."

"Thank you, Master." Golden Lion cupped his fists respectfully, then looked towards Lin Bai and said slowly, "Find a way to eliminate Lin Bai in the most spectacular fashion possible. That's the only way to salvage the sect's reputation. We don't know when the next wave of Sky-fallen People will arrive. One step behind means always behind. If we can't recruit Sky-fallen People this time, the Blood Shadow Sect might be erased from the martial world."

"..." Lan Nuotian froze. He looked at Lin Bai, who was holding a fox and surrounded by a group of Sky-fallen People, and said calmly, "Little Gold, go to Return to Dragon View and relay this message to Daoist Qingling. Tell him that when I make my move later, I need his cooperation. If we succeed, I will reward you with the Blood Drinking Sword."

"Yes."

Golden Lion agreed and jubilantly squeezed through the crowd, heading towards Return to Dragon View. As he walked, he muttered, As expected, you gain the most by not following the rules. This trip was a massive win!

...

Lin Bai casually chatted with his fans.

But his attention remained focused on individuals like Greg, Golden Lion, and Live under the Crotch.

After all, these guys were the architects of this conspiracy, players on his blacklist...

When Golden Lion's resentment suddenly turned into excitement, and Lin Bai saw him leave the Blood Shadow Sect's stall and run towards Return to Dragon View, he knew his chance had come.

Benefits are built on strength. If he didn't display his capabilities, these sects might actually unite to destroy him just to curry favor with the players. The first to strike gains the advantage! When one's life is threatened, who gives a damn about martial ethics... Of course, first, these foolish NPCs needed to understand what principles were, and what the uncontrollability of players meant... If they didn't play by his rules, then everyone would go down together.

"Xiao Bai, prepare for battle," Lin Bai quietly instructed the Little White Fox, then gathered his Inner Strength. "Crispy Rice, remove the joining requirements! From now on, the Beggar Gang accepts everyone unconditionally!"

His voice, like thunder, rapidly spread throughout the entire recruitment fair.

Crispy Rice reacted instantly, immediately taking down the recruitment requirements poster behind the registration desk.

The players' movements abruptly froze.

"Awesome!"

The first to respond were Lin Bai's fans. They cheered and rushed towards the Beggar Gang's registration point, each eagerly signing up.

The newly arrived players looked at the Beggar Gang, then at the other sects, hesitating. If the Beggar Gang had started recruiting earlier, they might have joined.

But now, Lin Bai had become a public enemy. Wouldn't joining the Beggar Gang now be courting death?

Private messages started flying again:

"Shopkeeper Lin has compromised!"

"Should we still join the Beggar Gang?"

"Let's wait and see. If Shopkeeper Lin doesn't make it through this, the Beggar Gang is finished."

"Let's observe the situation first."

...

Players who had been signing up at various sect points quickly withdrew from the queues and joined the ranks of onlookers.

Seeing this, the leaders of the various sects couldn't help but pale. Their gazes towards Lin Bai became much warier. Although the players hadn't immediately signed up for the Beggar Gang, their hesitation already revealed their stance...

Is this the appeal of the Beggar Gang?...

...

Lin Bai chuckled softly, took Daoist Qingming's Card from his pocket, and flicked it out in front of him.

A flash of light later, Daoist Qingming appeared, unharmed, before everyone, once again capturing all attention.

In Lin Bai's mind, the Card System quickly displayed Qingming's image, with three options: Battle, Guard, Retreat. After his name, the word "One-time" was appended.

Simultaneously, Lin Bai gained access to Daoist Qingming's Golden Core Cultivation and all the Skills he had learned.

At this moment, Lin Bai's strength was unprecedentedly powerful.

He gently patted the Little White Fox. It understood and began to recite the tongue twisters.

Wind Control!

Lin Bai levitated into the air—not the half-baked Morning Flight, but genuine Wind Control.

Seeing the suddenly appeared Qingming, Daoist Qingling's pupils contracted sharply. He exclaimed, "Junior Brother, you're still alive!"

Daoist Qingming stood rooted to the spot, looking dazed, as if he hadn't grasped the situation.

Facing such a scene for the first time, the Little White Fox fumbled the tongue twister after just two lines. It glanced apologetically at Lin Bai and slowed its pace.

"That's right, he's still alive," Lin Bai looked towards Return to Dragon View and declared loudly, "Daoist Qingling, that day you sent Qing Ling to assassinate me without reason. Today, the fact that your Return to Dragon View cannot recruit any Sky-fallen People is my doing. I was prepared to save you some face, but since you insist on a fight to the death, then let us settle this completely. Come! I will give you a chance to kill me..."

Golden Lion had just reached the Return to Dragon View's stall. Seeing Lin Bai's sudden change in tactics, he stood there, momentarily stunned.

"The chance is here!" Greg's heart pounded. He quickly said to Lady Hua Xi before him, "Master, we've already offended Lin Bai by going back on our word. Why not seize this opportunity to eliminate him? The Mysterious Darkness Cult will be the biggest winner..."

Lady Hua Xi turned to look at Greg but didn't move or speak.

Righteousness and evil do not mix.

At this moment, Lin Bai was openly provoking Return to Dragon View. What would it look like if she interfered?

Besides, she hadn't clearly seen what method Lin Bai had used to release Daoist Qingming...

"Senior Brother, let's attack together! Kill Lin Bai first!" Lin Bai issued a 'Guard' command to Daoist Qingming. As he turned, he used Ventriloquism, as he hadn't yet mastered Vocal Techniques.

But that didn't stop him from using Ventriloquism to deceive people in this chaotic venue...

Seeing the unharmed Qingming, Daoist Qingling was overjoyed. He had no confidence facing Lin Bai alone.

But Lin Bai had been foolish enough to release Daoist Qingming! This was his chance.

In his haste, he didn't recognize if it was truly his junior brother's voice, nor did he notice that Qingming, upon leaping into the sky, hadn't launched an attack at all. He just shouted, "Junior Brother, I'm here to help you!"

Attack!

Lin Bai swiftly changed the command.

Daoist Qingming abruptly spun around, his horsetail whisk lashing out. The "Three Flowers Cover the Peak" technique shot towards Daoist Qingling in the sky.

"Junior Brother!"

The sudden attack stunned Daoist Qingling.

The next second, the Little Fox completed its chant.

Lin Bai raised his hand, and a Palm Thunder descended from the heavens. The bewildered Daoist Qingling, caught completely off guard, had no time to raise his defenses before the Palm Thunder struck him on the head.

He plummeted to the dust.

Daoist Qingming's horsetail whisk attack swept through the empty air above the venue, hitting nothing.

HISS!

A collective gasp swept through the recruitment fair.

All the NPCs were dumbfounded. No one had expected Lin Bai's strength to be so terrifying. Daoist Qingling hadn't even lasted a single move against him!

A Palm Thunder that could instantly kill a Golden Core expert, cast at will? Did it not require mobilizing Spiritual Energy or chanting incantations?

And what was the deal with Daoist Qingming?

Why was he obeying Lin Bai's commands?

Releasing Daoist Qingming was a one-time use. Naturally, Lin Bai wouldn't end the battle so quickly. Ignoring the mission completion prompt in his mind, he quickly targeted Lan Nuotian. "Daoist, go kill Lan Nuotian."

Defeating Daoist Qingling wasn't enough to establish his dominance. It was best to take down another. The unloved Blood Shadow Sect was a perfect choice. While other NPCs were providing him with positive emotions, this one had consistently generated negative emotions. His death wouldn't be unjust.

Today, Lin Bai was going to establish his might, truly make his mark in this world. He wanted these people to think twice and weigh their own strength before considering a move against him—to consider if it was worth it.

With his many Systems, he profited no matter what he did...