CHAPTER 360: GENERAL NAN, THE HONEST 360

Phew! Lin Bai let out a long sigh of relief. At this moment, he had a feeling of complete exhilaration. Indeed, experts grow through constant battles. Someone like Qing Yun, who had been hiding like a turtle for tens of thousands of years, no matter how high his cultivation, would probably lose when facing an opponent of the same Level... In the Mortal World, I crushed the Crossing Tribulation Realm with ease, never realizing that Bondage could be used for attack, nor did I think that provoking while cooking could snap a person’s neck... It turned out that the way of using Skills was never absolute; control techniques could be transformed into attack techniques, and good use of taunts could also become control techniques, even transforming into attack Skills. All along, I was solely focused on completing missions to increase the number of Skills, but I had never thought of developing new ways to use them. This time, the battle against Nan Lingtian has opened a new door for me.

「...」

Nan Lingtian let out a painful roar, unleashing a far-reaching Divine Skill as he decided to escape Lin Bai’s grasp first. Lin Bai summoned ten Immortal Puppets to guard him. Then, using provocation again, he shouted Nan Lingtian to his side with just one sentence. Nan Lingtian also possessed pupil techniques; the moment Lin Bai got close, his eyes shot out golden light. However, having learned from his experience with White Maple, Lin Bai had predicted his attack. Using Flash, he dodged the golden light, extended a hand, touched Nan Lingtian, and activated Absolute Food Control, completely sealing him.

Unfortunately, Food Control required constant processing of the ingredients. It wasn’t possible to just dump them aside and do something else, which was quite inconvenient... Especially since Nan Lingtian is two Levels higher than me and I can’t use a Card Seal on him, I have to be more careful than when I handled White Maple. Otherwise, if Nan Lingtian dies accidentally, I’d be short an assistant...

The Body of the War God Flashed over, standing motionless by Lin Bai’s side like a follower.

[Crisis Breakthrough; Reward: Agility 300 (already issued)]

The Extreme Kill-Back System retreated quietly once again after issuing the reward. Actually, I quite like this System. It’s normally quiet and doesn’t issue any missions. It proactively jumps out to issue rewards when I’m in danger. For someone like me, who’s always on the brink of life and death, such a System is like a godsend.

SWISH, SWISH, SWISH! After a few slashes, the handsome Nan Lingtian had become bald.

At this moment, General Nan had effectively become a fish on the chopping block. All his abilities were sealed, leaving him completely at the chef’s mercy. Unable to use any techniques, his broken neck and limbs had stopped healing. Excruciating pain wracked Nan Lingtian’s entire body. He stared straight at Lin Bai, gritting his teeth against the pain, and asked, "Who the hell are you? People from the Lower Realm couldn’t possibly possess your Divine Skills, let alone fight Immortals despite being outleveled!"

Feeling Nan Lingtian’s desperation, Lin Bai slowly helped reset his neck and retrieved one Red String, leaving only the Turtle Shell Binding. This allowed his broken limbs to return to their normal positions. Nan Lingtian still has his uses; I can’t afford to kill him accidentally. After some consideration, Lin Bai said, "I am the future Tenth Heavenly King."

"Impossible! Heavenly Kings can only be Immortals; they would absolutely never be born from you lowly humans." Nan Lingtian looked at the ten Puppets beside Lin Bai and asked in surprise, "Are they the Immortals from the Guiding Pool? You ascended from the Lower Realm!"

"That’s right." Lin Bai nodded, his gaze sweeping to the Body of the War God beside him. "The tenth host body you’re looking for isn’t in the Black Stone Mountain Range, but in the Lower Realm you despise. Unfortunately, that host body fell under my control, and the first Immortal born from it is also under my control."

Under the influence of Sophistry, Nan Lingtian stared at the dazed Body of the War God and exclaimed, "So, it was you who stole his Power of Laws Holy Artifact?"

"That’s right," Lin Bai nodded.

"The Power of Laws of the Tenth Heavenly King has actually fallen into the hands of a filthy mortal like you! The Heavenly Dao is unfair!" Nan Lingtian looked at Lin Bai, his gaze filled with undisguised jealousy. "What is the Power of Laws of the Tenth Heavenly King?"

"It is Control," Lin Bai said.

Remembering the unbreakable Red String tied to him, the stupefied Body of the War God, and the technique that completely suppressed his Spiritual Power, Nan Lingtian instantly chose to believe Lin Bai. He fell silent for a moment. "What are your intentions?"

"Naturally, to make the name of the Tenth Heavenly King known in this Fairy World and secure a place for the Immortals from the Lower Realm to live," Lin Bai said. "General Nan, the Heavenly Dao is cyclical, and retribution is unfailing. After oppressing us for so many years, it’s time you paid your due."

"With just you?" Nan Lingtian canted his head, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his eyes full of disdain. "The Power of Laws is indeed powerful, but it took both of you great effort just to take me down, let alone higher-Level Immortals. Besides, the tenth host body was born in a place with scarce Spiritual Energy. Apart from being imprinted with language, it lacks all Skill Nameplates. You are a mortal. As soon as you two appear, you’ll be as conspicuous as the moon in the Starry Sky. It might be fine in Pine stone city, but if you go to a higher-Level town, I’m afraid you’ll be captured the moment you show up."

Lin Bai shook his head unconcernedly and continued, "General Nan, I heard that Ascenders from the Lower Realm gather in the Ruin Lands. May I ask where the Ruin Lands are?"

"So that’s your plan." General Nan grimaced into a forced smile. "The so-called Ruin Lands are nothing more than a game played by Immortals and those ’toys.’ Otherwise, with the numbers and cultivation of those Ascenders, how could they withstand a few expeditions from the Immortal army? If I were you, I’d gather strength in the Lower Realm, control more Immortals born from host bodies, raise your Level to the Star-glowing Realm, and then ascend. You might be able to carve out a place to live using Martial Power."

Under the Truth-telling Technique, Nan Lingtian told all. Of course, perhaps it was also related to his desire to get more information about the host bodies from Lin Bai.

Before Lin Bai could speak, Nan Lingtian continued, "However, the Lower Realm is deficient in Spiritual Energy. Reaching the Bronze Mirror Realm is already the peak. Any further progress involves facing Heavenly Tribulations everywhere. You are helpless. You probably didn’t even anticipate that Bronze is merely the lowest Level in the Fairy World! Now that you’ve ascended to the Heaven Realm, there’s no going back for you. The Power of Laws in your hands is a complete waste."

Lin Bai recalled Nan Lingtian suddenly attacking after hearing the Red String was his protective Magic Artifact. The kitchen knife in Lin Bai’s hand lightly grazed Nan Lingtian’s eyelashes as he asked, "Can the Power of Laws be snatched away?"

"The Power of Laws cannot be seized, but Holy Artifacts can." Nan Lingtian’s mouth was dry, and he dared not even blink. "Every Heavenly King possesses a Holy Artifact. When a Heavenly King falls, the Holy Artifact changes hands. The next Heavenly King can then comprehend the Dao of Laws from the Holy Artifact. Otherwise, why would there be Heavenly King Contention Wars?"

"So it can be snatched!" Lin Bai murmured, his eyes lighting up.

At this moment, the Big Antagonist System issued a new mission: [As a super antagonist, how can you allow powerful Holy Artifacts to fall into the hands of others? Successfully snatch a Holy Artifact from any one of the Nine Heavenly Kings; Reward: Shadow Following]

Seeing the kitchen knife move away from his eyelid, Nan Lingtian exhaled lightly and said disdainfully, "The Power of Laws is linked to cultivation. For a mere Bronze like you, killing someone above your Level is already very impressive. If you hold a Power of Laws Holy Artifact, it’s like a child holding gold in a bustling market—everyone will be alerted. The moment a Star Diamond powerhouse makes a move, you’re as good as dead. Snatch others’ Holy Artifacts? You’re incredibly lucky you haven’t been robbed yet."

Lin Bai sneered. "What are the Holy Artifacts held by the Nine Heavenly Kings?"

"You really intend to steal them?" Nan Lingtian asked incredulously.

"Why not? One must always have dreams." Lin Bai didn’t stop moving his knife. Gazing at Nan Lingtian’s head, now shaved smooth as an egg, he began to scrape the hair off his arm. "Besides, nine Heavenly Kings are too many. I think one Heavenly King is enough for the Fairy World."

"Arrogant," Nan Lingtian said.

"Just tell me. Whether I do it or not is my business," Lin Bai said. "The Holy Artifacts of the Nine Heavenly Kings can’t be much of a secret. Besides you, there probably aren’t any other experts in Pine stone city. If you’re unwilling to talk, I can just grab someone else to ask."

"The Fire Heavenly King’s Staff; the Water Heavenly King’s Holy Grail; the Earth King’s Endless Soil; the Gold Heavenly King’s Sacred Sword; Mu Tianwang’s Divine Gourd; the Light King’s Sun Wheel; the King of Darkness’s Star Coin; the Thunder Heavenly King’s Thunder Hammer; and the Dream Heavenly King’s Ruyi." Nan Lingtian quickly spilled the details of all the Holy Artifacts held by the Nine Heavenly Kings.

These are sounding more and more like divine items from a game.

Lin Bai sighed inwardly and asked, "Apart from these nine Holy Artifacts, are there any other renowned Magic Artifacts in the Fairy World?"

"Certainly, but powerful Magic Artifacts are all in the hands of Star Diamond Level experts or stronger. It won’t be easy for you to snatch them," Nan Lingtian said. He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "You hold a Power of Laws Holy Artifact, so you’re destined for a difficult time in the Fairy World. In my opinion, why not hand over the Holy Artifact to me? Let me comprehend the Power of Laws. As the City Lord, protecting you both would be easy for me. Once I’ve fully mastered the Power of Laws, I can also protect the Immortals from your Lower Realm. How about it?"

Under the effect of the Truth-telling Technique—

So, these are Nan Lingtian’s true feelings! Seriously, is this something a City Lord would say?

Lin Bai sneered, "Do you think I’m an idiot?"

"You have no better choice. Mortals cultivate too slowly. By the time you comprehend the Power of Laws and become a Heavenly King, thousands of years will have passed. Can you wait that long? Besides, the host bodies will continuously produce Immortals. When those Immortals ascend, you won’t be able to hide it," Nan Lingtian said. "Right now, you can’t even deal with its Nameplate. I, on the other hand, am a City Lord with unique advantages. If I become the Tenth Heavenly King, I’ll need the host bodies to continuously produce Immortals to maintain my position. I need the host body in your world. We can definitely cooperate. I can even promise you the title of King of the Lower Realm..."

Did this guy get his head kicked by a donkey? Or has being an Immortal for so long made him completely look down on those who ascended from the Lower Realm? But he said all this under the Truth-telling Technique, which means these are his genuine thoughts! This is utterly preposterous! After hearing Nan Lingtian’s words, I feel like even my own grand deceptions are becoming unconvincing.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright, we can cooperate. But to show your sincerity, you need to tell me how many other Immortals of different Realms are there in Pine stone city, besides yourself."

"Six in the Golden State and thirty-seven in the Silver Realm." Nan Lingtian had intended to lie but blurted out the truth instead. Startled, he asked, "Can the Control Law not only control Spiritual Power but also manipulate thoughts?"

"Of course, all things can be controlled," Lin Bai said. "People bound by the Rope of Binding must speak the truth. Otherwise, why do you think I would easily trust you and agree to cooperate with you?"

"So that’s how it is." Nan Lingtian heaved a sigh of relief. "So the Power of Laws Holy Artifact of the Tenth Heavenly King is called the Rope of Binding?"

"Yes," Lin Bai confirmed.

By this time, Lin Bai had removed all remaining hair from Nan Lingtian’s skin. He found a nearby water source, then, carrying Nan Lingtian, Flashed over and began to wash him in the water.

Lin Bai’s actions were rough, making contact with Nan Lingtian’s wounds. He yelped in agony, "Since you’ve agreed to cooperate with me, why don’t you free me? Why are you humiliating me like this?"

"Because I still have questions for you. General Nan, people’s minds can change. What if you comprehend the Power of Laws, change your mind, and turn against me?" Lin Bai said. "Moreover, I’ve just entered the Fairy World and have only seen Pine stone city. I haven’t visited other towns, so I need more information to judge if you’re qualified to cooperate with me. If not, I can always find someone else."

"Apart from me, no one else can provide you with such favourable conditions. The Star of Platinum has always been known for its integrity in sticking to its word," Nan Lingtian retorted. "Seeking anyone else would be a death wish."

"Who are your confidants in Pine stone city? How many in the Silver Realm? How many in the Golden State? What are their names?" Lin Bai asked. "General Nan, the matter of the Tenth Heavenly King is of utmost importance. If word leaks, it will cause a massive upheaval. I must use this to verify if you truly have absolute control over Pine stone city."

"That does make some sense." Soaked in the water, the pain somewhat lessened, Nan Lingtian looked up at Lin Bai. "Rest assured, I have absolute control over Pine stone city. The six individuals in the Golden State grew up with me as my martial brothers. Among those in the Silver Realm, twenty-five are my confidants, placed in important departments within Pine stone city. The rest were left by the previous City Lord; they have no hope of advancing to the Golden State in this life and hold minor, leisurely positions in Pine stone city, basically doing nothing..."

Nan Lingtian then described the detailed layout and power structure of Pine stone city to Lin Bai.

With this information, the Body of the War God stepped onto the Magpie Bridge, silently departed, and made its way back to Pine stone city.

No Truth-telling Technique or agreement is as reliable as a Card Puppet!

Nan Lingtian and I are too far apart in terms of Levels. I need a couple of intermediaries, and his subordinates are the most suitable candidates.

Catching sight of the War God stepping onto the Magpie Bridge and vanishing, Nan Lingtian was taken aback. "How did the First Immortal leave?"

"The Magpie Bridge, a teleportation Divine Skill within the Control Law," Lin Bai explained. "One can never truly know another’s heart. I’m having the War God return to Pine stone city to bring back two people in your name, so we can verify their loyalty. General Nan, I’ll need your cooperation then. If they are indeed as loyal to you as you claim, I’ll release you and hand over the Rope of Binding with both hands. However, there are two Ropes of Binding. I’ll only give you one and keep the other for myself, just in case you decide to go back on your word..."

"If you’re giving the Power of Laws Holy Artifact, you should give all of it! What’s the logic in giving only half?" Nan Lingtian frowned. But then, as if a thought struck him, he blinked. "Alright, your decision isn’t bad. If you were to hand me the Rope of Binding without any precautions, I’d actually be more worried."