CHAPTER 402: 402 VAGUE AND CONCRETE

Following player probes, it was confirmed that the Water, Fire, and Golden Heavenly Kings were indeed not in Fairy World. Hence, Lin Bai severed the Magpie Bridge connecting Fairy World to the Continent of Gods and Demons, trapping his quarry.

Xu Longyun was secretly establishing an intelligence network on the Continent of Gods and Demons, closely monitoring the movements of various Sects.

「...」

In the real world, Cheng Xunyun worried that the Players, in a moment of impulsiveness, might do something to incur Lin Bai’s wrath.

Through various media outlets, he urged Players to play peacefully and cherish their lives.

Simultaneously, both inside and outside the game, a registration process was launched for Players. Game IDs were linked to real-life identities, further exerting psychological deterrence.

The mandatory pressure from officials led to even fiercer resistance from the Players.

Thus, more Players flocked to the game forums to protest the unsafe conditions of the game cabins.

Compared to the Players of the Eastern Continent, those on the Western Continent were in a somewhat better situation.

After all, they hadn’t received any tasks from Fairy World. Plus, Lin Bai had just invaded the Continent of Gods and Demons en masse—the perfect time for them to take advantage of the chaos.

「...」

Over the next two days, Knight Groups, Elven Armies, Druids tending the forests, the widely despised Undead Legions, and even Demon Beasts lurking in the underworld or the Abyss rapidly assembled across the Continent of Gods and Demons, preparing for battle.

The Cultivators who had come to the Continent of Gods and Demons learned of the developments there through the Players. They all sharpened their skills and engaged in intense cultivation, ready for battle at any moment.

If they were no match for the gods, surely they could defeat the soldiers under them?

The older generation of Cultivators had experienced the God and Demon War, so they were no strangers to warfare.

War meant resources.

The Justice League had always treated the Cultivators under them fairly. Resources previously out of reach were now freely accessible. After joining Xu Longyun, their cultivation speed had even increased by fifty percent.

Everyone was willing to fight for the alliance.

The younger generation of Cultivators had not experienced the God and Demon War. However, over the past year, the Players had occupied much of their attention.

This forced migration was also because Fairy World had issued an order for Players to hunt them. The Cultivators originally held a privileged social status, but due to the Players, it had plummeted. Even ascending would mean becoming slaves to the Celestials. Each of them harbored a bellyful of resentment, desperately needing a war to vent their frustrations.

Naturally, Xu Longyun was taking precautions.

She wouldn’t stand by and watch as the foundation Lin Bai had painstakingly built was thrown away for nothing.

Through the Sect Leaders, she urged everyone to urgently find partners and practice linking hands in emergencies.

After all, only when hands were linked could the Magpie Bridge transport everyone away in an instant.

「...」

Lin Bai was refining his Skills. He had created another Divided God, implanting it with a Dark Divine Seal.

Lin Bai now had countless fans across various worlds. The strong Faith Power fueled different Divine Statuses, with no signs of incompatibility.

Once implanted with the Dark Divine Seal, the Divided God displayed power even more tremendous than that of the original God of Darkness.

Originally, under sunlight, the Divided God’s energy consumption was rapid. However, possessing the Dark Divine Seal granted it an indestructible property, making the Divided God unafraid of sunlight.

At least three Heavenly Kings were coming from the other side. However, among Lin Bai’s Puppets was the original God of Darkness. By sharing the God of Darkness’s Divine Power, Lin Bai now had a Divided God version of the God of Darkness, and moreover, The Curse God.

In a direct comparison, the strength of both sides was almost equal.

Plus, with his System skills, Lin Bai believed he had the advantage. This was why he was confident enough to face the three Heavenly Kings head-on.

「...」

"The Elf Army and Druids of the Forest Goddess have gathered in the Teutonic Forest, numbering approximately 100,000. It would likely take them two days to arrive here from the Teutonic Forest."

"The Earth Goddess’s Temple Legion is gathering in Purple Canyon, also numbering around 100,000. It would take three days to reach us from Purple Canyon."

"The Undead Lord’s Undead Army is gathering in Ghost City; their numbers are countless."

「...」

Information gathered by the Players flooded onto Xu Longyun’s desk like snowflakes.

In front of her was a map of the Continent of Gods and Demons. Xu Longyun frowned as she looked at the various army assembly points marked on the map. After pondering for a moment, she called Little White Fox, laid a Magpie Bridge, and went directly to Lin Bai’s side.

Little White Fox habitually transformed back into a Little Fox and jumped into Lin Bai’s arms.

Her growth rate wasn’t fast. Although she held the title of Queen Demon, Xu Longyun managed most of the Demon Country’s affairs. All Little White Fox could do was avoid causing trouble and transform into a pet to enjoy her master’s affection.

"My lord, I’ve studied the history of the Continent of Gods and Demons," Xu Longyun said, spreading the map before Lin Bai. "Based on the current situation, I infer that the various gods of the Continent of Gods and Demons have likely formed an alliance. However, they don’t have a Magpie Bridge. Should we strike first and defeat them individually?"

Lin Bai didn’t reply.

The God of Darkness beside him, however, spoke, "The Earth Goddess and the Lord of the Abyss both possess teleportation abilities. No matter who we target, we’ll face a combined assault from all the deities."

Xu Longyun was stunned.

Lin Bai twirled the Ruler in his hand, saying, "The information from the Players is too scarce. So, I managed to persuade the God of Darkness and took him as my Disciple. Xiao Yun, you can call him your junior brother."

The God of Darkness shivered, his eyes fixed on Lin Bai with unconcealed fear. Clearly, Lin Bai’s method of persuasion hadn’t been pleasant.

"Little junior brother?" Xu Longyun looked at the God of Darkness.

"Hello, senior sister," the God of Darkness greeted obediently.

"The Divine Status of each deity has a unique function; its corresponding Divine Status allows control over relevant world rules," Lin Bai explained. "The God of Earth can teleport armies to any place with land, and the Lord of the Abyss can open portals around the world, sending creatures from the Abyss. They haven’t acted yet, likely because they’re waiting for us to make the first move. Once we do, I’m afraid we’ll be attacked from all sides."

"..." Xu Longyun’s expression changed. "So, we have to face a pincer attack from both the Heavenly Kings and the native gods?"

"No. The Abyss faction and the Earth Goddess’s faction are mortal enemies; they don’t get along. Everyone, including the Heavenly Kings, is probably hoping the other side will engage us first so they can profit from the aftermath," Lin Bai smiled. "Every world has a complex web of forces; there’s never absolute unity."

"Should we wait too?" Xu Longyun asked hesitantly.

"No need to wait. All the deities’ armies are mobilized; it wouldn’t make sense to let them disperse now. I’ve decided to travel around a bit and see if I can arrange a wedding," Lin Bai said.

"..." Xu Longyun was stunned. "My lord, are you going to practice the Love Principle again?"

"Close enough!" Lin Bai chuckled, glancing at Xu Longyun. "Haven’t you been making them practice holding hands these past few days? Build a Magpie Bridge and send everyone to the real world! You’re not needed here anymore!"

"But those deities have gathered so many forces..." Xu Longyun said in surprise.

"Exactly! The fish have taken the bait; should we really let them swallow it whole? Xiao Yun, it wasn’t easy for me to build up this foundation; I can’t squander it so quickly." Lin Bai looked at her. "The art of war is about feints and deception—appearing weak when strong, and strong when weak. Next, it’s my turn to perform. Without you all, I’ll be more mobile and harder to detect."

"..." Xu Longyun fell silent for a moment, then said, "Should we Disciples stay to help? After all, we also understand the principles of laws."

"No need. A war between deities is not something you can participate in." Lin Bai put on his disguise glasses and, under Xu Longyun’s watch, transformed into the Thunder Heavenly King. He then took out another pair of glasses, put them on Xu Longyun, and hugged her lightly. "Go now. Leave looking like me. Go to the real world and use public opinion to build momentum for me."

「...」

A Magpie Bridge was extended to the real world.

After a while, the Cultivators from the Immortal World had all departed, leaving everything in disarray. It was as if their grand mobilization had been merely for a sightseeing tour of the Continent of Gods and Demons.

After everyone had left, Lin Bai severed the Magpie Bridge to the real world, isolating the Continent of Gods and Demons.

「...」

"What’s going on? Why did they suddenly leave? Did Lin Bai also leave?"

"He did leave. I saw the Magpie Bridge he set up with my own eyes, and he was the first one to step onto it."

"Yes, Lin Bai has appeared in the real world. He went to the council, met the God of Darkness there, and even announced that he would be holding a press conference in three hours to answer questions about the future development of the three worlds."

"Why didn’t he go directly to the real world? Why did he have to detour through the Continent of Gods and Demons? Is he just messing with us?"

"Maybe he was scared away! After all, no matter how powerful he is, he can’t possibly fight all the deities."

"He got everyone fired up and then just ditched them. So disappointing."

"I heard the Fire Heavenly King, Water Heavenly King, and Golden Heavenly King from Fairy World all came to the Continent of Gods and Demons. Lin Bai cut off the Magpie Bridge, probably intending to trap the Heavenly Kings here and use them to fight the native gods—borrowing a knife to kill, so to speak. He played everyone."

"Indeed. Lin Bai, who possesses the power to traverse worlds, would never die in battle."

"But he’s acting like a timid mouse. He doesn’t dare to fight openly and fairly. He’ll never conquer multiple worlds and become the King of all Gods."

"The Heavenly Kings came for Lin Bai; how could they possibly fight the native deities?"

"Have you forgotten about the Thunder Heavenly King? He once single-handedly defeated the God of Darkness and even shattered his Divine Status into six parts..."

"Regardless, without the Magpie Bridge, they can’t go back. If they want to return, they’d have to lose a level and respawn like a Player, right? That would be a huge loss."

"Players from the Eastern Continent said that the Spiritual World Gap connects the Continent of Gods and Demons with the Immortal World. They can go back through the Spiritual World Gap..."

"That’s just a conjecture."

「...」

"Boss Dream, what now? Lin Bai has slipped away!" The Fire Heavenly King, clad in red armor, twirled a Staff in his hand, its tip crowned with a cluster of multicolored flames. After getting the latest news about Lin Bai from a Player, he was dumbstruck.

"I’ve said it before; Lin Bai is very cunning," the Thunder Heavenly King said dejectedly. "He probably wanted to trap us in this world..."

"It doesn’t seem like a ploy to lure us away from our stronghold. We have more people in Fairy World; he wouldn’t dare confront us there. Would he dare go to Fairy World and fight the others?" The Water Heavenly King, clad in blue armor, floated above a cloud, his brows slightly knitted, giving him the air of a handsome, melancholic man.

"Boss Dream, if we had attacked immediately, could we have prevented him from leaving?" the Thunder Heavenly King cautiously asked.

"I never fight unprepared." The Dream Heavenly King sat cross-legged, suspended in mid-air with his eyes closed, seemingly half-asleep. "Anyone who could snatch the Thunder Hammer and erase the Thunder Heavenly King’s skills is not as simple as you think. Caution is never a mistake. The God of Darkness’s Divine Status was shattered into six parts—most likely his doing. Moreover, I have a feeling Lin Bai hasn’t left this world."

"Impossible! We watched him leave with our own eyes," said the Fire Heavenly King. "Moreover, he didn’t set up another Magpie Bridge to leave with his contingent, yet the valley is empty."

"Eyes can be deceiving," the Dream Heavenly King said. "Looking at Lin Bai’s history, he gains something from every move he makes, including seizing the Thunder Hammer last time. Mobilizing such a massive force merely to trap us on the Continent of Gods and Demons doesn’t fit his character. Besides, Player information is public; he can’t be unaware of the Dimensional Breaking Awl."

"The Spiritual World Gap is just a hypothesis. What’s inside the gap? Can it even lead to the Continent of Gods and Demons?" the Fire Heavenly King said. "Boss Dream, even if he is still in this world and we’ve lost track of him, what’s next? Do we just wait for him to show up?"

"Little Gold has been in this world for so many days now. Where do you think he might be?" the Dream Heavenly King asked.

"The world is so big; who knows where he ran off to?" the Fire Heavenly King said. "Too bad we can’t use the chat function in this world. Otherwise, one question would be enough to find out."

"Little Gold is inquisitive and, like you, Boss, prefers to plan before acting. Therefore, he wouldn’t miss the chance to research Lin Bai and the deities of this world," the Water Heavenly King mused. "There haven’t been any major battles these past few days. So, the most likely places Little Gold might be are either the temples of the gods or seeking out the Dark Gods Lin Bai arranged..."

"Let’s go," the Dream Heavenly King said.

"Where?" the Thunder Heavenly King asked.

"The Dark Temple," the Dream Heavenly King said. "Lin Bai doesn’t make idle moves. We’ll start with the few Divine Statuses he left behind. Along the way, we’ll study what a Divine Status is and whether we can use them."

"Yes, yes! I fought the God of Darkness. His Divine Status is very powerful. If I hadn’t used Thor’s Descent, I might not have defeated him," the Thunder Heavenly King said. "It’s a pity Lin Bai schemed against me. Otherwise, the Divine Status dropped by the God of Darkness would surely have been mine."

"Thunder, you don’t actually think Lin Bai’s six Dark Divine Seals were ones he picked up from your fight, do you?" the Fire Heavenly King laughed.

"Otherwise? Is a Divine Status so easily shattered? Lin Bai has never revealed any remarkable ultimate moves, just some weird and disgusting tricks. Only my Thor’s Descent could possibly shatter a Divine Status!" the Thunder Heavenly King said angrily. "Now that you mention it, I almost forgot! That guy not only stole my equipment but also my BOSS kill!"