The Chaoyuan Sword Sect Alliance was methodically making various preparations to meet the enemy.

In contrast, consider the Justice League's side.

Players were luring monsters and holding up billboards for promotions. Alliance members were either scampering around, seeking suitable love interests among the fairies of Hundred Flower Valley, or whispering tender words and learning from Lin Bai Xi about Spoken Law Follows. Others bought vegetable knives from Players, gathering wild vegetables and meats from the mountain forests to practice their knife skills. To top it all off, the Alliance Hierarch kept uttering all kinds of nonsensical comparisons...

It was less like the Justice League and more like the Justice Insane Asylum.

Exactly. Under Lin Bai's hands-on leadership and fact-based reasoning, all alliance members had come to thoroughly believe that the Law was real.

「...」

The Morning Yuan Sword Sect was likewise situated in deep mountains and dense forests.

From afar, the main peaks looked like swords thrusting towards the sky. Viewed up close, dozens of Sword Boats floated in the outer perimeter of the Morning Yuan Sword Sect. Many red banners hung from the boats, bearing bold golden inscriptions:

"Feipeng Car wishes the Morning Yuan Sword Sect a successful defense! You fly swords, we fly with Feipeng!"

"Jiangling Pharmaceuticals, along with Medicine King Valley, wish the Morning Yuan Sword Sect a successful defense! You just fight; we have the medicine!"

"Give your computer a galloping heart with Langchi Chips! Changing the world, one tiny detail at a time."

「...」

The Justice League was no less competitive.

Disciples of the Beggar Gang had also erected large flags and hung banners on their transportation vehicles, such as the Hundred Flowers Shuttle, Flame Boat, and Levitation Talismans.

"Your life, accompanied by us. Healthy Dentist Toothpaste, proud sponsor of the Battle for Justice!"

"Silky smooth, divinely fragrant—the ultimate indulgence from tongue to heart. Furong Chocolates: sweeter even than Lin Bai's eloquence!"

「...」

The numerous advertising banners made the battlefield look like the opening ceremony of a sports meet.

Players couldn't play a significant role in this kind of battle, but they weren't idle. Scattered in various corners of the battlefield, they started live broadcasts, documenting the entire battle, chanting advertising slogans while providing running commentary and interacting with the live comments...

At first, they remained silent, interacting with the audience through private messages. But when one Player unintentionally spoke aloud in the game, it attracted the attention of nearby low-rank Cultivators, who were also unqualified to participate in the battle. This incident resulted in a surge of viewership.

The Players, seemingly having found the doors to a new world, no longer stealthily used private chat to commentate. They let loose, engaging in "intimate" interactions with the surrounding NPCs.

"Lan Xin chewing gum, for fresh breath all day long! Senior Brother Qian, I believe you've read Justice Weekly, so you should be somewhat familiar with Lin Bai. How long do you think our Sword Sect can hold out under the iron hooves of the Justice League?"

The interviewed Senior Brother Qian's eye twitched violently. He glared fiercely at the Player and retorted coldly, "The Morning Yuan Sword Sect will definitely win!"

"Senior Brother has a lot of confidence in our Sword Sect, doesn't he?" Ximen Sword Saint chuckled and continued, "You also know that Lin, the Storekeeper, possesses the Bow of Love. Would you like to predict who our Sect Leader He will successfully be matched with? Or, who on the battlefield do you hope Sect Leader He will form a Daoist couple with?"

"..." With large forces pressing the border and the future uncertain, Senior Brother Qian was already on edge. The Player's meddling made him burst into anger. He abruptly pulled out his sword. "Get out of my way! Spout any more nonsense, and see if I don't cut you down!"

"I'm sorry, Senior Brother. I'll get out of your way and won't disturb your observation of the battle," Ximen Sword Saint apologized with a placating smile, then mumbled under his breath, "Everyone can see, compared to the relaxed atmosphere on Lin, the Storekeeper's side, the morale of the Morning Yuan Sword Sect's rank-and-file cultivators has already collapsed..."

"..."

Senior Brother Qian tightly gripped his sword. If not for the fear that acting rashly would affect the overall situation, he would have long since cut down this blabbering junior brother with a single stroke.

He had just taken a breath to calm himself when another voice reached his ears: "Senior Brother, have you considered joining the Righteous Door after we lose the battle?"

「Morning Yuan Sword Sect.」

He Qin, clad in black with only his eyes visible, gazed at the stage-like battlefield with a complicated expression, his brow twitching unconsciously. What a sacrilege! Look what this bunch has turned this fine world into!

"They've all been led astray by Lin Bai," Guan Pengfei sighed. "Although the initial Players were unconventional, they still observed some order. After Lin Bai established the Beggar Gang and created those blasted advertisements, all the Players started imitating him. It was like a spark setting a prairie ablaze; things quickly got out of hand."

"If we can deal with Lin Bai this time, we must thoroughly rectify this advertising chaos," He Qin said, his gaze cold. "It's a pestilential atmosphere. With these troublemakers, the Sword Sect will have no peace and will sooner or later reach a dead end."

"I'm afraid it won't be easy to resolve," Guan Pengfei said. "Unless someone powerful enough to command respect in both the righteous and evil paths emerges to set down rules, the problems with the Players will never be solved…"

His voice trailed off, and a thin layer of sweat beaded on his forehead. Isn't Lin Bai's Justice League doing precisely that?

The root of the problem has turned out to be the miracle cure for it. This is bloody surreal!

Clearly, He Qin had also realized this. He turned to look at Guan Pengfei. "Stay calm and focus on the battle. There will always be a way to resolve things."

「...」

The Justice League's side was relatively stable. After all, when with Lin Bai, the Players' various antics seemed insignificant and didn't affect their mentality at all.

Compared to He Qin and his contingent, members of the Justice League like Zhao Tulong were more worried about being plotted against by their own Alliance Hierarch on the battlefield. After all, Lin Bai's Path of Laws was impossible to guard against, and Lin Bai possessed a pure and innocent heart; it wouldn't be surprising for him to do anything!

Xin Shang and the others on the battlefield began to regret not having taken the time to curry favor with Lin Bai and prove their importance when they were in Qian City. Perhaps then he might have shown them mercy...

「...」

Lin Bai stood at the bow of the Hundred Flowers Shuttle, holding the Little White Fox in his arms. Behind him were the two puppet warriors, Dao Xu and Pei Yanzong, as well as the Card Warriors captured in the previous battle.

These Card Warriors all possessed Golden Core Cultivation. After Lin Bai shared the power of Pei Yanzong and Dao Xu with them, their individual Spiritual Power could then only be regarded as icing on the cake. What Lin Bai truly valued were the various Skills they had mastered. On the battlefield, more Skills meant a greater chance of survival…

Ostensibly, his forces held the advantage, but Lin Bai knew the strength he had gathered was unreliable. If he were to fall into a disadvantageous position, Xin Shang and the others might very well turn against him.

Moreover, his trump cards—Cupid's Arrow, the Red Thread of Fate, and his Cards—were limited in number...

「...」

"Master, what can I do?" Hu He stood beside Lin Bai. Feeling the overwhelming killing intent emanating from the Morning Yuan Sword Sect, her voice quavered. She was just a Three-tailed Demon Fox cultivating in the mountains; her Charm Technique wasn't suited for direct combat. Whenever she encountered human Cultivators, she would invariably turn and flee. She had never witnessed such a grand scene. If not for her instinctive desire to be close to Lin Bai and protect him, she would have already taken her family and fled into the mountains to seek refuge.

"Hide in that coffin-like room at the back, protect those children of yours who are like delicate flowers, and quietly admire the dashing and heroic bearing of your god-like Master," Lin Bai turned and smiled gently at her.

Hu He managed a helpless smile. She looked at the opposing Morning Yuan Sword Sect and said, "I want to protect Master, like Qi."

"My embrace, as warm as a furnace, can only hold one person!" Lin Bai said. "Make the right choice. Don't be as stubborn as a mouse and become a burden."

A burden?

Hu He's expression dimmed. She nodded and retreated. "I understand."

「While talking.」

Mist began to rise from the mountain forests, gradually shrouding the gates of the Morning Yuan Sword Sect.

Unlike the Five Evil Sects, the Morning Yuan Sword Sect Alliance adopted a completely defensive stance, in no hurry to attack. After all, the longer they delayed, the more reinforcements they would receive, and the greater their chances of victory.

"Sect Leader He, is hiding your head like a turtle your way of welcoming guests?" Lin Bai hadn't completed his vocal strength task, so he bellowed with all his Inner Strength, "My goodwill is like the gentle spring rain, capable of moistening your heart, which is as dry as a desert. Why not open your gates wide? We can open our hearts to each other, like a top courtesan and her favorite patron, long separated and eager to reconnect, and discuss the matter of you joining the Justice League. How about it?"

He Qin's brow furrowed. He lowered his voice and asked, "Tong Cha, does Lin Bai always talk like this?"

"He's probably practicing Spoken Law Follows," Tong Cha replied. "He usually speaks quite normally."

"Spoken Law Follows?" He Qin was stunned.

"Sect Leader, he's still cultivating Spoken Law Follows on the battlefield. Could there be some scheme?" Guan Pengfei asked anxiously.

"Stay calm. Don't be intimidated by him. We'll counter all their moves by sticking to our established plan," He Qin said. "Proceed according to the original strategy. As long as he doesn't attack proactively, we'll drag this out until the reinforcements from the Seven Righteous Sects arrive. Then our chances of victory will be even greater."

"The Justice League is the greatest alliance, as majestic as a snow-capped mountain, pure and sacred! Why do you act like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, rejecting new things?" Lin Bai wasn't about to overthink it. "I've come with the utmost sincerity, as genuine as the first glass of milk in the morning...

"Let down your guard, just as a fledgling bird doesn't distrust the food its mother brings to its beak. I promise that after the Morning Yuan Sword Sect joins the Justice League, I will treat every one of you well, just as I wouldn't harm an ant on the ground.

"If it really comes to a fight, I will be as ruthless as the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves! Do you know who I have on my side? Sect Leader Xin of the Blood Shadow Sect is as sturdy as a wild bull; Sect Leader Shen of the Mysterious Darkness Cult is as venomous as a great python in the forest..."

「...」

Lin Bai shamelessly practiced Spoken Law Follows before the two armies. Xin Shang and the others felt embarrassed, and while they admired Lin Bai's thick skin, they didn't particularly object.

But when Lin Bai's analogies were applied to them, several of them couldn't bear it any longer, their faces flushing as red as a monkey's backside.

Sure enough. The Alliance Hierarch never cared a whit about their reputation or dignity!

What the hell is this?

Is he trying to make the enemy die of laughter?

Insults are supposed to be for the enemy! What the hell is this, picking on your own people to insult?

You don't actually think 'fierce eagle' and 'giant python' are compliments, do you?

"Alliance Hierarch, why don't we just fight!" Xin Shang said through gritted teeth. "If it comes down to it, the Blood Shadow Sect can act as the vanguard and probe their true strength for the Justice League!"

"Sect Leader Xin, no need to be as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Wait for my Spoken Law Follows to mature naturally, like fruit in autumn. Then, with just a few words, I can snatch He Qin from his mouse hole as easily as catching a turtle in an urn." Lin Bai glanced at Xin Shang, smiled, and continued, "The blood of Justice League members is as precious as gold; it cannot be spilled needlessly."

Xin Shang's face was wreathed in smiles, but his voice dripped with bitterness. "Alliance Hierarch, if you wish to cultivate Spoken Law Follows, you could try berating the enemy. Perhaps you can provoke them into coming out."

"Sect Leader He, I once believed Sword Immortals were as lofty and aloof as the pines on a mountain. Only upon seeing you today did I realize a Sword Immortal's courage can be as timid as a rabbit's. A Flying Sword should be incisive, sweeping all before it like a red-hot poker plunged into snow. Yet, in Sect Leader He's hands, it's less effective than an old woman's fire-stirring stick..."

"Sect Leader," Guan Pengfei said.

"Ignore him," He Qin chuckled. "The more he clamors like this, the more it proves he doesn't dare to attack. Indeed, these are merely unpresentable, childish tactics."

「...」

"Damn it, aren't either of them going to fight?"

"Shopkeeper Lin, where's your Lightning Storm? Go blast them!"

"We came to watch an epic immortal battle, not to listen to your language arts class!"

"Lin Bai wants to achieve victory without fighting. Meanwhile, the Morning Yuan Sword Sect is stalling for time, waiting for reinforcements. This is currently the best option for both sides."

"Have you ever seen a real martial arts fight? It's nothing like in the movies; it's not exciting at all. Real fights often look more like street brawls—not pretty to watch."

"I bloody well know it's the best choice, but if they drag it out for a day, are we supposed to wait for a day? Who knows when Lin, the Storekeeper, will master his Spoken Law Follows?"

"Exactly! Even a street brawl is better than watching nothing! We watched a whole lot of nothing! Isn't our time money?"

"Where are the Beggar Gang people? Urge Shopkeeper Lin to start the fight! If the battle isn't exciting, who will watch your livestreams in the future? Who will pay for ads on your stream?"

"If this drags on any longer, I'm unfollowing!"

"I have an idea to break the stalemate, but it might make the Beggar Gang offend Lin, the Storekeeper."

"Speak."

"Have the Beggar Gang Players chant the incantation for Palm Thunder. There are about a thousand Beggar Gang Players here. If they all chant the incantation simultaneously, Lin, the Storekeeper's lightning won't just stay in his hand, and he's unlikely to throw it at his own people!"

"Brilliant!"

"666!"

"Chant the incantation!"

"Chant the incantation!"

「For a moment.」

The bullet screens in front of the Beggar Gang Players were all flooded with the same message. Lin Bai's elaborate analogies were no match for the excitement of a real, full-contact fight!

On the Hundred Flowers Shuttle, the Beggar Gang Players looked at each other, and private messages flew: "Do we chant or not?"

"Let's do it. We need to make money. If this drags on, the advertisers will definitely complain. The ad banners on the Morning Yuan Sword Sect's side are already obscured by mist, and the advertisers are already raising objections."

Soon, the Beggar Gang Players reached a unanimous decision.

One couldn't argue with money.

As for Lin, the Storekeeper, he would still need to rely on Players in the future. Offending him probably wouldn't be a major issue...

Damn it!

Lin Bai heard the Players' private chats and couldn't help but curse inwardly. They were messing things up, disrupting his plan! Since he had come to the Morning Yuan Sword Sect, he had no intention of dragging things out for a whole day.

He had originally planned to use this confrontation between the two armies to further temper Xin Shang and the others, thoroughly securing their loyalty.

Now, everything was ruined by the Players.

When the tongue twister, "Cui Thick Leg stands before the mountain..." suddenly resounded from the opposing side.

An uproar erupted within the Morning Yuan Sword Sect. He Qin looked pleasantly surprised and chuckled smugly. "These Players truly are a disorderly mob!"