"What are your future plans for the development of the Righteous Door, Shopkeeper Lin?" Jiang Yuru smiled, looking at Lin Bai as she subtly probed him.

Lin Bai was no longer the obscure, insignificant figure he had been when he first arrived in Qian City.

He had single-handedly challenged Return to Dragon View, angered the Evil Five, and commanded a host of obedient Heavenly-ascenders, all with the unfathomable Righteous Door backing him.

Any decision made by such a man could cause turbulence among the several sects surrounding Qian City; how he was regarded could not be overstated.

Zhao Yi and the others pricked up their ears in unison, looking at Lin Bai.

Lin Bai's actions were too swift; they were constantly on the defensive, unable to keep up with his pace. If they could learn about his future plans from him...

Whether it was true or false, it would give them something to report back to their sects.

"I seek stability and aim to further glorify the Righteous Door," Lin Bai said with a smile, looking at them.

"You can still seek stability in your situation?" Jiang Yuru blurted out.

"Beat them until they're afraid, then things will naturally stabilize," Lin Bai chuckled.

...

Jiang Yuru's mouth twitched; she almost slapped Lin Bai across the face.

Are you kidding me? You call that seeking stability?

Zhao Yi and the others were also speechless. Those are the Five Great Evil Sects with whom they had been deadlocked for millennia. Who gave you this confidence?

"Sect Leader Lin, even if you are only in the Nascent Soul Realm, I fear that even with us, we still wouldn't be a match for the Five Great Evil Sects." Daojing glanced at Lin Bai, casually revealing his cultivation realm to Jiang Yuru and the others. To avoid arousing Lin Bai's suspicion, he continued, "For a long time, we, along with the five righteous sects, have only just managed to maintain a balanced situation by watching out for and helping each other…"

So, I don't have any friends, right?

Lin Bai chuckled and looked at Jiang Yuru and the others. "Fellow Daoists, all righteous sects in the world are one family. If the evil sects come to attack, you will help me, won't you?"

"Daoist Lin, Qingqin admires you with all her heart. If it were solely up to me, I would be duty-bound to help. However, regarding sect affairs, I cannot make the decision. I must return and ask the Valley Master," Jiang Yuru said, looking at Lin Bai, her words carefully chosen.

"Indeed, we are all minor figures in our sects; it's not up to us to decide," Zhao Yi and the others chimed in, secretly giving Jiang Yuru an approving glance.

"No worries." Lin Bai grinned. "When I was young, my master told me that a wise man does not stand beneath a collapsing wall. If I really can't beat them, I'll lead the Heavenly-ascenders to join them. I have more than enough bargaining chips; I'm quite sure the evil factions won't mind what I did at the job fair."

Jiang Yuru and the others froze simultaneously.

Is this a threat? This is definitely a threat!

He had taken down Return to Dragon View and made an enemy of the Evil Five. Jiang Yuru had thought that if Lin Bai wanted to survive, he would have to lower his stance and cooperate with them to navigate the current crisis…

But what did he mean by joining the other side if things didn't go his way? If he joins the other side and then turns to fight them, it would become the Six Evil Sects against their Four Righteous Sects. The balance would be completely shattered! Why on earth do such shameless people exist? Aren't you from the Righteous Door? Where is your righteousness?

"Shopkeeper Lin, the Evil Five acts unscrupulously. You've offended them and made them lose face completely. Even if they temporarily accept you, without us to check them, they will eventually move against you. By then, I fear you won't have a single ally," Jiang Yuru said, steeling herself.

"You yourself said just now that because you annihilated Return to Dragon View, the Heavenly Dao Sect might move against you at any time. You surely don't want the entire world as your enemy!" Sun Lie interjected.

"Once you're isolated, how many nails can you drive even if you're made of iron?" Peng Ze added. "You've seen it yourself. The Heavenly-ascenders have not yet matured. A few Nascent Soul cultivators can wipe them out at will. Even if they have Undying Bodies, I'm afraid they can't help you much!"

"If all else fails, I'll just run!" Lin Bai shrugged indifferently. "My master once told me I'm a peerless genius, the kind that appears only once in ten thousand years. My demise would be a loss to the entire world; they wouldn't ignore me. If things really become dire, I'll hide back in the Righteous Door, cultivate for another ten or twenty years, then re-emerge to seek revenge."

...

Jiang Yuru and the others exchanged glances, completely at a loss for words when faced with Lin Bai's shameless attitude. This fellow clearly has no idea what morality or integrity even means! Talking to him is exhausting! Are you sure the Righteous Door didn't just kick you out because they couldn't stand you?

「」

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it; there will always be a way through a crisis." Lin Bai smiled nonchalantly and looked at Jiang Yuru. "Daoist Jiang, shall we discuss something more pleasant?"

"What topic?" Jiang Yuru asked subconsciously.

"Daoist Jiang, your beauty is no less than Qingqin's. Now that even Lady Hua Xi and Daoist Qingyu are together, have you ever thought about finding a Dao companion or something?" Lin Bai asked expectantly.

The Matchmaker System had been a great help in this battle. He had to consider creating another CP for the world and obtaining Cupid's Arrow of Resistance.

...Jiang Yuru.

...Zhao Yi, Peng Ze, Sun Lie, Daojing, and the others all stared at Lin Bai with peculiar expressions.

What's wrong with him? Not only arrogant but also lecherous? Didn't she just say her disciple admires him? Why is he hitting on her now? Is he interested in both old and young?

Daojing peeked at his Senior Brother Dao Xu, who stood beside Lin Bai, and quietly gulped. It seems he's not just interested in all ages but doesn't discriminate by gender either! However... this Devil's Head is actually lecherous! Maybe this can be used as a breakthrough...

"Daoist Lin, please don't joke. It wouldn't be good if my young disciple Qingqin heard this," Jiang Yuru demurred, her face flushing with an embarrassment that was hard to conceal. Yet, as she stole a glance at Lin Bai, a tiny flicker of delight sparked in her heart. Indeed, her charm was greater than that of her foolish disciple.

"Daoist Jiang, don't misunderstand. I have no such feelings for you. I simply wish to act as a matchmaker for you," Lin Bai said, shaking his head. "To tell you the truth, I single-handedly arranged the marriage between Daoist Qingyu and Lady Hua Xi."

[Resentment from Jiang Yuru, Daojing... +1+1+1]

Jiang Yuru's expression immediately darkened. "I appreciate your concern, Daoist Lin, but I currently have no plans to find a Dao companion."

"That's truly a pity." Lin Bai shook his head. "With so many female cultivators in Hundred Flower Valley, I thought I could help you comprehend the Great Path of Love!"

"What is the Great Path of Love?" Jiang Yuru asked, taken aback.

"It's a law that appears to be a Charm Technique on the surface, but it essentially touches upon the principles of marriage. After cultivating it, one can, with a mere thought, make others fall hopelessly in love, making it very suitable for female cultivators." Lin Bai looked at Jiang Yuru and added, "It complements the cultivation techniques of your Hundred Flower Valley very well."

He glanced at Dao Xu standing beside him and shook his head. "I'm not afraid of being ridiculed, my friends, but this cultivation technique played a crucial role in our smooth takeover of Return to Dragon View. Regrettably, Jiang Qingqin and I had only just begun to develop some affection for each other and hadn't yet understood the true essence of love. Therefore, our cultivation of this technique was slightly flawed. Otherwise, everyone in Return to Dragon View, from top to bottom, probably wouldn't have harbored any hostility towards me."

The complexions of Daojing and the others changed drastically. They involuntarily stepped back, looking at Lin Bai as if he were an Evil Spirit.

"Don't be afraid. Like Spoken Law Follows, this is one of the Principles of the Great Tao; it's neither righteous nor evil," Lin Bai explained, glancing at them. "I've merely touched the fringe of the marriage principle and haven't truly mastered it. If one can truly master this law, they would be the world's true Cupid, capable of manipulating all worldly unions. Once Cupid assumes their rightful place, they can control matrimonial destinies at will."

"Cupid? Assumes their place?" Jiang Yuru frowned, her face a mask of confusion.

"You don't know?" Lin Bai looked at them strangely.

"Please enlighten us, Daoist Lin," Jiang Yuru requested.

"Once Spoken Law Follows is cultivated to perfection, it can define the Principles of the Great Tao," Lin Bai explained. "I see the Heavenly-ascenders are all cultivating Spoken Law Follows, so this cultivation technique must have spread. I previously told Jiang Qingqin that the cultivation method for Spoken Law Follows is too bizarre, and I feared none of you would believe it. Therefore, I used the Heavenly-ascenders to compel the Cultivation World to practice it. Ultimately, if even one person in our world succeeds, it could resolve the current crisis caused by the Heavenly-ascenders' descent into chaos."

Daojing and the others listened intently, their ears pricked up for this monumental secret. Following the revelations about the Heavenly-ascenders, it was as if Lin Bai had opened a door to a new world for them.

"Jiang Qingqin never told me about this," Jiang Yuru said with a frown.

"Perhaps she forgot. Don't blame her," Lin Bai chuckled. "That day at the recruitment fair, when you stopped her from saving me, she likely held some resentment towards you. Young girls are like that. I've already spoken to her about it."

"But what does this have to do with Cupid?" Jiang Yuru asked, glancing at Lin Bai.

"The Righteous Door never cultivates Taoist law; we only temper principles." Lin Bai surveyed the group, an air of pride about him. "All our cultivation methods are derived from these principles.

When I was in Jiamucheng, my strength was merely comparable to Daoist Priest Qingfeng's. By the time I reached Qian City, I was at most on par with Daoist Zhao Yi. But when I left Qian City, I could already fight a hundred Golden Core cultivators. Upon arriving at Return to Dragon View, my strength had reached the Nascent Soul Realm. All of you have cultivated for many years; have you ever seen any cultivator progress at my speed?"

Jiang Yuru's expression shifted subtly; she unconsciously shook her head.

Zhao Yi and the others stared at Lin Bai with wide eyes, so envious they could have cried. Indeed, comparisons are odious; it's like comparing people to people and goods to goods—some are just bound to be inferior! No wonder Shopkeeper Lin is so arrogant. If they possessed such a cultivation speed, they might be even more arrogant than Lin Bai!

Daojing and the others fell into silence.

"To be precise, I am not cultivating; I am comprehending the Dao," Lin Bai smiled and continued. "Each time my understanding of a law deepens, my cultivation level soars. When I thoroughly comprehend the Power of Laws, I will become the deity governing those laws. Beneath these laws, all rules will be dictated by me, and no one will be able to defy them."

"Deity?" Zhao Yi mumbled.

"Correct. You are cultivating immortality; I am cultivating divinity," Lin Bai said, glancing at him approvingly. "Currently, the order of Heaven and Earth proceeds naturally. However, once one masters a law, one can act on behalf of Heaven."

"You still haven't explained what Cupid is all about?" Jiang Yuru asked tentatively.

"Cupid is the God of Marriage, governing the unions of all beings between Heaven and Earth." Lin Bai explained, "Mastering the Law of Love allows one to make men and women fall in love at will, sever their emotional bonds, even cause men to love men, women to love women. If you wished, you could even make humans and demons fall in love…"

The Little White Fox flinched, looking up at Lin Bai, a thoughtful expression on her small face.

GULP!

Jiang Yuru swallowed hard.

"Spoken Law Follows is the King of all Gods; Cupid is merely one of the divinities under its domain." Lin Bai smiled. "I also told Jiang Qingqin about the Way of Incompleteness. I presume she didn't tell you that either!"

Jiang Yuru shook her head.

"The Great Path has fifty aspects, Heaven Stretches Forty-nine, and one is elusive to man. From Incompleteness, one can comprehend the Method of Heaven's Will," Lin Bai stated.

"So that's why you cause destruction everywhere," Zhao Yi commented.

"Merely comprehending the Dao," Lin Bai chuckled.

To increase his Inner Strength, he had resorted to any means necessary. Relying solely on the Beggar Gang wasn't enough. If he could promote the Way of Incompleteness and the whole world engaged in destruction, he might become a saint on the spot.

No one was better at completing System tasks than him.

「」

Another fact was seemingly proven.

Everyone's minds buzzed; they were utterly stunned.

Everything Lin Bai had said completely overturned their understanding of cultivation.

They didn't want to believe it, yet they dared not disbelieve.

After all, Lin Bai was a living example, and his deeds were plain to see, each one aligning with his claims.

Cultivating the Dao... have cultivators been practicing incorrectly for tens of thousands of years?

"How does one become Cupid?" Jiang Yuru asked, bewildered.

"First, find a Dao companion and experience true love. If one has never experienced love, how can one comprehend the Path of Marriage?" Lin Bai replied.

The Matchmaker System constantly urged him to form CPs. So, he decided to go big: get everyone around him to actively form CPs. That way, he could just sit back and collect the rewards.

To complete System tasks, one must seize the initiative. Staying ahead of the System is the best strategy.

"There are so many couples in the world. Why has no one ever comprehended the Way of Love?" Peng Ze, who had been silent, asked, his eyes bloodshot.

"Firstly, they are unaware of the Path of Marriage's existence!" Lin Bai said. "Secondly, love in this world is rarely pure; it's often tainted by too many conflicting interests, fickle affections, and infidelity. If such worldly individuals could comprehend the Love Principle, then mastering laws would be far too easy."

"Pure?" Jiang Yuru murmured.

"Correct. Like Jiang Qingqin and me. We are willing to give everything for each other. I can risk my life for her, and she can give her life for me. There's nothing else mixed into our bond. I can tell her all my secrets without reservation, including Spoken Law Follows, the Way of Incompleteness. I even love what she loves, treating her master as my own kin, and I'm even thinking of finding her master a Dao companion so she too can experience the Way of Love."

A sweet expression appeared on Lin Bai's face as he asked, "Can any of you do what I've described for your loved ones?"

Jiang Yuru and the others unconsciously shook their heads.

Too hard! In this world, who could bare their heart to another person without reservation? As Lin Bai said, there were too many tangled interests between them...

"No, you're wrong! By spreading the cultivation method for the Principle of the Great Tao, wouldn't you create a multitude of Cupids in the world?" Peng Ze, his understanding of cultivation completely overturned, felt his Dao heart waver and his composure shatter. He cried out hysterically, "You're lying!"

"Laws are unique. Once someone masters one, unless that person perishes, a second god of the same law will not arise," Lin Bai stated.

"Why are you so selfless, publicizing matters of these laws?" Peng Ze demanded. "I don't believe anyone in this world is that selfless."

"Firstly, the Heavenly-ascenders are causing chaos in the world; people who master these laws are needed to counter them. Secondly, my goal has always been to become the supreme god by cultivating Spoken Law Follows to perfection. I barely regard the other laws; they are merely things I practice casually," Lin Bai said, glancing at him disdainfully.

"But your actions are not those of a righteous person! You've committed too many evil deeds!" Peng Ze retorted. "You even said you might join the evil factions!"

"From this, you conclude I am an evil person?" Lin Bai looked at him with a smile and shook his head. "Old Peng, perhaps in the eyes of mortals, there's a distinction between righteous and evil. But in the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, there is none. Black and white, good and evil—they all exist normally. Without any one of them, the world cannot function properly. I am simply following my heart's choice. All of you are too constrained. If you wish to comprehend the Dao, you must become a pure person…"