"Master, Qi has told me everything. I'm grateful for your care towards Qi during this time." Hu He's eyes were flirtatious, her cheeks blushing slightly as she spoke. Sharing a master with her daughter still made her feel a little shy.

She had verified that after becoming Lin Bai's disciple, the speed at which she absorbed the world's spiritual energy had indeed increased by fifty percent. The immediate results made her believe everything Little White Fox had said, including about the Laws.

At this moment, in her eyes, Lin Bai had evolved into an unparalleled expert, and the Righteous Door had become the most powerful Hidden Clan.

Being captured by sects like the Beast Control Sect and forced to become pet beasts was unacceptable. But the prospect of her family joining such a powerful sect filled Hu He with anticipation for the future.

Most importantly, she sensed not even a hint of malice from Lin Bai.

Even if Lin Bai had ordered people to capture her from the forest, she now felt it was justified; the forest was vast, how could they possibly have found her family without some method?

As for Lin Bai's actions, from Little White Fox's perspective, those they affected had brought it upon themselves. Lin Bai was always benevolent, doing everything to save the world. He didn't even punish the wicked; instead, he established the Justice League to guide them toward goodness...

Repaying grievance with virtue.

There was no one nobler than Lin Bai in the entire world.

To follow such a person was an honor for her and her entire family.

"Young Master, we also want to become your disciples," the little foxes chirped.

"Young Master, please accept us! We're very obedient."

"We also want to transform like Little White Fox..."

The six little foxes were chattering around Lin Bai.

Nominally, they were Little White Fox's older brothers and sisters, but in reality, they were all from the same litter. To be precise, they were septuplets, born from the same mother.

They looked almost indistinguishable, all possessing smooth, immaculate white fur, a stark contrast to the foul-smelling monsters outside.

"My comprehension of the Laws of Mastership is still insufficient. Accepting you as disciples now would not benefit your cultivation. When my cultivation level rises, I will take you in." Lin Bai gazed at the circle of little white foxes, his tone gentle. He didn't dislike these little ones. Though their cultivation was not high, they would never betray him, and that was enough.

Lin Bai's enterprise was now large and sprawling; he lacked his own trusted people to manage it. Besides, he currently relied on puppets for combat. If it came down to his disciples and pets fighting, his side would have likely collapsed long ago.

With his name protecting them, who would dare bully these foxes? Even if someone did, given how adorable these creatures were, the players would risk their lives to protect them.

Therefore, compared to loyalty, cultivation level was the least important thing.

"If it doesn't increase our cultivation, can we still become your disciples just in name?" Fox Three asked timidly.

"The Tao of the Master has stringent requirements for disciples. Accepting disciples indiscriminately would be of no benefit to my own cultivation," Lin Bai stated gravely, looking at him.

"Then, when your cultivation improves, you must remember to take us as your disciples!" Fox Four urged.

"Mm," Lin Bai nodded.

"A promise is a promise," Fox One said, blinking, its tail swaying behind it.

"A promise is a promise," Lin Bai said with a smile.

"Young Master, can we transform too?" Fox One asked, blushing.

Jiang Qingqin stared at the increasingly audacious Fox One, her brows furrowing.

A Little White Fox was already vying for her man day in and day out. Now there was Hu He, whose charm was natural and captivating—even she felt a slight stirring in her heart looking at her. If more little white foxes like Xiao Bai started clinging to Lin Bai, with so many rivals for his affection, how could she possibly cultivate the Love Principle? After all, Lin Bai had said that to love him meant to love everything about him—purely and selflessly! But how could she achieve that? Was she fated to never master the divine skills of the Love Principle?

"Transformation Pills are too precious to be handed out so casually. However, since your family is reunited, I will give you one pill out of consideration for Little White Fox. The rest will depend on your contributions. Perform well, and each of you will have the chance to transform." Lin Bai didn't refuse Fox One but instead stated his conditions.

These little foxes were like children; it was perfectly normal for them to ask for things from those they felt close to. However, he didn't want to encourage a habit of expecting rewards without effort. He was giving them one Transformation Pill primarily because he needed a newly transformed demon beast to motivate the players of the Beggar Gang. Besides, he genuinely didn't have many Transformation Pills left. The System had only rewarded him with three Transformation Pills in total. He needed to keep one in reserve, leaving only one available to give out. Their fox forms were clearly less suited for handling tasks than human forms. But now... it seemed necessary to start working on the long-neglected Pet System quests. Of course, the God Doctor System quests could also be tackled. Perhaps, if he analyzed the components of the Pill Medicine, he might even be able to concoct it himself eventually.

"Only one?" Fox One sounded somewhat disappointed.

"AHEM!" With a light cough, Hu He's expression turned stern, and the chattering little foxes instantly fell silent. She looked at Lin Bai apologetically. "Master, I usually fail to discipline these children strictly. Please don't hold it against them. I will guide them properly from now on. In my opinion, they don't need a Transformation Pill now. Let them follow Qi and do whatever work they can. Whoever makes a meritorious contribution can then be rewarded by you, Master!"

"Mother!" Fox One was stunned, tears instantly welling up in its eyes. "I didn't mean that, I..."

"Silence!" Hu He rebuked.

"It's alright; it's just childish nature," Lin Bai chuckled, taking out a Transformation Pill and handing it to Hu He. "I won't go back on my word. Decide which child you think is most suitable, and let it transform. I have only one requirement for the transformation: they must retain their ears and tail, just like Little White Fox."

Hu He was taken aback.

Jiang Qingqin pursed her lips.

"Mother, please listen to Master!" Little White Fox said with a smile. "Master says that retaining our ears and tail better complements our Charm Technique. He also said this is a major future trend for the Monster Race, cautioning us not to forget our origins even when we transform into humans."

"Oh." Hu He accepted the Transformation Pill thoughtfully, saying nothing more. Having cultivated for a thousand years, she had long discerned that this requirement to retain ears and tail post-transformation was clearly Lin Bai's personal preference, unrelated to any talent or trend. But when following such a formidable expert, how could one expect not to make some concessions? Besides, Lin Bai seemed to radiate a captivating aura that drew her in, making it impossible for her to refuse.

"May I ask, Master, what tasks can we undertake on a daily basis?" Hu He inquired.

"You are new and unfamiliar with the workings of the Justice League. For now, follow Xiao Bai, observe, and learn more about the temperament of the Heaven-descended individuals and the general structure of the Justice League. In your spare time, collaborate with the 'Justice Weekly's' Heaven-descended staff on promotional activities. The goal is to attract more members of the Monster Race, particularly Fox Demons." Lin Bai continued, "The Ninth Progenitor of my Righteous Door excels in the Art of Divination. Before I left seclusion, he told me that the Monster Race has endured hardship for millions of years. With the arrival of the Heaven-descended individuals, the Monster Race has an opportunity to rise. While they cannot supplant humanity, they can secure a place for themselves. The Fox Clan, he prophesied, could even become the rulers of all monsters."

Little White Fox's eyes suddenly lit up.

Jiang Qingqin stared at Lin Bai in astonishment, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes as to why he showed such particular favor to the Fox Clan.

"Master, is this truly what he said?" Hu He asked, her breathing quickening slightly.

"The workings of the Heavenly Dao are fraught with variables, but most prophecies made by the Ninth Progenitor have indeed come to pass thus far," Lin Bai chuckled. "Success ultimately depends on one's efforts."

Heaven-descended individuals, Transformation Pills, Heavenly Dao Laws, the Tao of the Master... All these previously unheard-of concepts flashed through Hu He's mind. A sense of enlightenment washed over her, and she nodded gravely. "I understand, Master."

"However, those matters are secondary," Lin Bai said, his gaze sweeping over them. "The paramount task is to assist me in cultivating the Dao of Rules. The Justice League was assembled by me on short notice, and most members are not truly aligned with my heart. Some even secretly hope for my downfall. After all, my demise would hardly affect them; in fact, freed from my constraints, they would be more at ease. But your situation is different. Your fates are inextricably linked with mine—we prosper together and perish together. If any misfortune befalls me, none of you will be spared. Therefore, aiding my cultivation surpasses all other priorities."

"I understand," Hu He affirmed solemnly.

"Master, I too will always stand by your side," Jiang Qingqin hastily declared.

"Mm." Lin Bai glanced at her and nodded, then turned to Little White Fox. "Xiao Bai, you've been with me the longest and are the most familiar with the Laws. When you have leisure, explain them to your mother and the others."

"Understood," Little White Fox nodded earnestly.

A player was saying, "...Big Bear, in your current form, you're huge and ferocious, like a terrifying guardian deity. When you fight, opponents naturally become extremely wary, terrified of being hurt by you. But what if you became a beast-eared lady? Who would be on guard against a cute and adorable beast-eared lady? They might even want to pat your head! Then, BAM! You suddenly lash out with a claw, and they'd die without ever knowing what hit them."

"You must have heard about us Heaven-descended individuals, right? We're immortal and indestructible, with all our meridians open. Give us time, and we'll become the most formidable beings. Following us means a life without worries. Plus, we're not like those inhumane fiends from the Beast Taming Sect who treat you as mere battle tools. We genuinely cherish you! We'll spend money on Pill Medicine and equipment for you. We see you as companions, as family! You might not even have to fight. Just think, isn't that far more comfortable than your life in the wild? Given such generous treatment, asking you to change your appearance a little isn't excessive, is it?"

"Why can't you get it through your thick skull? Beast-eared ladies are the future! Eventually, every Heaven-descended individual will have one. If you stay this stubborn, you'll be the odd one out, destined to become target practice for others' Daoist Martial Arts. Isn't that a pathetic fate? Don't think I'm just fearmongering. We Heaven-descended individuals are immortal; our very existence is about seeking enjoyment. If we can't find joy with beast-eared ladies, we'll find it by slaughtering creatures like you! Two paths lie before you. As a clever bear, it shouldn't be difficult to make the correct choice, should it?"

The journey from Qian City to the Morning Yuan Sword Sect would take over a day.

The journey was tedious and dull, but the addition of several monsters provided the players with new "toys."

A large contingent of players fervently tried to persuade them to adopt the beast-eared lady form, resorting to threats, bribes, and even self-mockery. They were particularly spurred on after Fox Three consumed a Transformation Pill and likewise transformed into an adorable beast-eared lady. The players' enthusiasm soared even higher.

However, little did the players know that the more insistent they became, the more resolute the monsters were in their refusal. The monsters had initially been tempted by the Pill Medicine, even planning to feign compliance to get their hands on the pills. But upon learning of the Heaven-descended individuals' immortality, a chill went down their spines.

They couldn't match them in growth rate or cultivation speed. If the players reneged on their promises later, who knew what terrible torment awaited them? It was better to resist to the bitter end; perhaps there was still a sliver of hope for survival. Their resistance grew even stronger, especially after witnessing Fox Three's transformation into a beast-eared lady.

It was utterly humiliating! That form was nothing more than a plaything! They had cultivated for at least a thousand years; each was a demon king ruling its own territory. To expect them to mince about and act like coy maidens—what an outrage! How could they maintain any dignity? And judging by the players' fervent expressions, who knew what disgusting ordeals awaited them if they did transform into beast-eared ladies? They were venerable demon kings! Death before dishonor!

The players, however, relentlessly persisted in their attempts to "bend" these burly monsters, driven not only by their own amusement but also by their accursed competitive spirit. There was nothing more gratifying than achieving this. Wasn't gaming all about making the impossible possible?

While the players were thus occupied, Lin Bai wasn't idle either. Such prime time was perfect for completing quests, what else? It only went to show that no System was truly useless; rewards that seemed inconsequential in one situation could prove decisive at a critical juncture.

The members of the Blood Shadow Sect quickly gathered ten types of rare ingredients for Lin Bai. Many hands make light work. Capturing a few wild beasts in the forest posed little difficulty for these Golden Core Monks. To inject some excitement into the journey, they even deliberately captured some low-intellect demon beasts. After all, for cultivators, the meat of demon beasts was far more nourishing than that of ordinary animals.

The Cooking God System's criteria for "rare ingredients" were surprisingly mundane: bear paws, tiger tails, leopard gallbladders...

When these ingredients were laid before Lin Bai, the System quest completed automatically, and Lin Bai mastered the miraculous skill of making food radiate light.

To test the actual effects of this "glowing food," Lin Bai personally took up the cleaver and prepared a sumptuous feast aboard the Hundred Flowers Shuttle.

The instant the dishes were ready, a brilliant radiance erupted, piercing through the clouds, creating the fantastical illusion of a priceless treasure being unearthed.

Players and natives alike were dumbstruck by the luminous cuisine.

"What's going on? A new skill?"

"It's not a skill; Shopkeeper Lin's cooking is literally glowing!"

"Holy crap! If I didn't know this was a game, I'd swear I was watching a culinary anime! This is too damn over-the-top!"

"What kind of bizarre stuff does the Righteous Door even collect? Ever since we met Shopkeeper Lin, aside from that initial Dragonfall Palm, every subsequent skill has been more outlandish than the last! I'm speechless."

"Wrong! The Dragonfall Palm isn't normal either! Those dragons are all flawed. I suspect it's a product of the Way of Incompleteness."

"Dead wrong! I think cooking is Shopkeeper Lin's true calling. Remember the Chef's Divine Food Stall? Shopkeeper Lin started his career in a restaurant!"

"And remember that cooking competition Shopkeeper Lin had with those chefs in Qian City? I bloody well thought it was just his hobby! Never imagined it was an actual skill too!"

"So, the Way of Cooking... it's actually real!" Xin Shang stammered, dumbfounded and breaking out in a cold sweat. His worldview had once again been violently shaken. Every time he scoffed at Lin Bai's supposed mastery of Laws, Lin Bai would invariably unveil some outrageously exaggerated spectacle that left him reeling, almost as if done deliberately to spite him! Combined with all the bizarre tales about Lin Bai that the sect had gathered, Xin Shang no longer harbored any doubt. The Dao of Cultivation Law was undeniably real, and its methods were just as peculiar as they seemed. He now had to seriously contemplate which Law he himself should choose to cultivate. Though the cultivation of these Laws seemed absurd, it was vastly simpler than the centuries of arduous training they had endured for their current cultivation levels... And these past few days, having witnessed the outlandish behavior of the Heaven-descended individuals, Xin Shang felt an urgent need to adapt to the changing tides of the world. Only Laws could counter such abnormality!

Cultivators from the Five Evil Sects and the Hundred Flower Valley shared his conviction. They had no choice but to believe, for Lin Bai consistently presented one irrefutable piece of evidence after another, proving the reality of these Laws.

"Dragon Breath... I missed out on a treasure!" Staring at the celestial glow emanating from the dishes, Dumbelldore's face paled, his lips trembling. When Storekeeper Lin taught me knife skills, I dismissed them! Instead, I chose the Dragonfall Palm, which turned out to be as useless as chicken ribs! I traded a watermelon for a sesame seed! I never imagined that what Storekeeper Lin taught me from the very beginning was a hidden skill!