CHAPTER 406: 406 INCEPTION

The moment the Lord of the Abyss showed up, the barrage exploded.

"F*CK!"

"Damn!"

"Is this guy the final BOSS?"

"Even given ten thousand years, we couldn’t possibly defeat a BOSS like this, right?"

"You’re being modest. The Abyss Technique and the Continent of Gods and Demons were born together, living for countless tens of thousands of years. You want to beat him after cultivating for ten thousand years? That’s a joke."

"If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have overlooked that the game and reality have a 1:1 ratio. The BOSS is so powerful; could we possibly live for ten thousand years in the game? Even if we could, would it be possible in reality?"

"Why not? Haven’t a few of the Fairy World’s Heavenly Kings lived for over ten thousand years? This gaming cabin’s nutritional liquid doesn’t come with an expiration date either."

"Can the nutritional fluid make us immortal?"

"If so, wouldn’t that mean everyone has gained immortality?"

"That should be right. Otherwise, why wouldn’t the game company allow the characters we create to procreate? The Celestials in the Fairy World don’t have genders. If they’re immortal, they naturally no longer need to procreate."

"But most of the time, men and women get together not just for procreation, but also for enjoyment! If we gain immortality but lose the thrill of surging hormones, life doesn’t seem to hold much meaning anymore."

"To be honest, I now kind of understand why the Nine Heavenly Kings of the Fairy World were impulsive enough to directly challenge all the deities of the Continent of Gods and Demons. They had reached the pinnacle of life, yet they had to play the same game continuously. It’s perfectly normal for them to seek some excitement. If it were me, I probably would have gone insane long ago."

"I don’t know why, but the thought of possibly living for an unknown number of years in another world makes the game less appealing."

"You can always delete your character and start over. Play as a Mage this time, and a Warrior next. Isn’t experiencing different lives more interesting than the natives in other worlds? They only have one life."

...

You never know; the players’ group chat could go anywhere. The great battle was about to begin, yet a group of players actually started discussing the meaning of time for the game.

Xu Longyun, Jiang Qingqin, and Tuohai had grim expressions. They were at the bottom of their world’s food chain, pitiful creatures with only one life, seeing even less of a future than the players did.

"Don’t be misled by their discussions; those guys will say anything." Sensing the oppressive atmosphere around him, Lin Bai turned back to reassure his disciples, "Living in the present and making the most of it is more meaningful than any form of immortality. Besides, you should believe in me, your master. I will restore all worlds to normal. Even if I can’t, I will still lead you to become superior beings..."

...

The Lord of the Abyss turned to look toward Dream Heavenly King and the others. Before he could say anything, a green Ruyi suddenly appeared, floating above Dream Heavenly King’s head.

A wave of green energy spread out from Dream Heavenly King, sweeping across the entire battlefield.

Then, the live feed of the Heart of Darkness suddenly froze.

The million-strong Undead Army, the Black Dragons and Bone Dragons soaring in the sky, the fake Thunder Heavenly King and the God of Darkness standing in the Dark Space, and even the three Heavenly Kings in the sky—all maintained their previous expressions, frozen in place, as if time had stopped.

...

"What happened?"

"Is it lagging, or did we lose connection?"

"Where’s the epic scene?"

"It must be Dream Heavenly King’s Magic Treasure!"

"Does Dream Heavenly King’s Magic Treasure put all creatures to sleep? But what’s the use? He seems to be frozen too."

...

The direction of the barrage changed again, and Xu Longyun subconsciously turned to Lin Bai, asking, "What’s going on, my husband?"

Lin Bai gulped. "They’ve entered a dream. All creatures on the battlefield have been led into a dream world by Dream Heavenly King—a dream world identical to reality."

Xu Longyun was stunned. "Is he going to kill people in the dream?"

"We’ll know soon." Lin Bai’s face was uncharacteristically solemn. He shared all of his Divided God’s senses.

The moment the Divided God was swept by the light from the Ruyi, it made a subconscious dodging motion. But this action didn’t occur in reality; instead, it smoothly transitioned into the dream.

The dream was identical to reality.

If he couldn’t watch reality through the live stream, his Divided God would have had no idea that reality had changed.

What a formidable Magic Treasure!

Now, Lin Bai was only glad his true self wasn’t there. Otherwise, he likely would have been caught unawares.

At this point, Lin Bai understood why Dream Heavenly King was known as the foremost among the Nine Heavenly Kings. He could switch between virtual and reality so easily that even a top-tier BOSS like the Lord of the Abyss hadn’t noticed.

The Magic Treasure was far too powerful.

However, the System skills were even more dominant. His Divided God had entered the dream, yet Lin Bai could still share his Divided God’s perspective.

Lin Bai glanced at the Ruyi floating above Dream Heavenly King’s head.

At a thought, a Magpie Bridge shot out from under Xu Longyun’s feet, connecting to the Divided God’s feet.

Then, he took out the Card and sent the heads and arms from when he seized the Thunder Hammer along the Magpie Bridge, preparing to use the same method to snatch the Ruyi.

It was safer to keep the good stuff in his own hands.

But this time, Lin Bai’s plan failed.

The pile of heads and arms had just rushed out of the Magpie Bridge when they became immobilized beside the Dark God’s Avatar. No matter how hard Lin Bai tried to command them, they couldn’t move.

Moreover, he couldn’t even recall them.

Lin Bai sighed inwardly.

Alright! The Magic Treasure’s defense is very comprehensive!

...

"PFFT!"

"HAHA!"

"Alliance Hierarch Lin tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice! He even threw his own heads over there."

"Just moments ago, I thought this frozen scene was tragically majestic. But with Lin Bai’s clutter of heads and the Magpie Bridge barging in, it instantly added a touch of comedy, completely ruining the grand atmosphere!"

"I was even planning to screenshot it for my desktop wallpaper. Now I’ve lost all interest."

"Lin Bai’s heads and limbs are just like him—always messing up normal situations. He single-handedly threw the game into chaos."

"Many hands make light work of messing things up!"

"The mastermind of mischief."

"Still got immobilized, didn’t they?"

"Lin, the Storekeeper, we know you’re watching! Use the Magpie Bridge to send us to the battlefield! We want to join in too!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Alliance Hierarch Lin, as long as you can send us to the battlefield, I’m willing to sing the praises of the Justice League!"

"I’m willing to work for the Alliance for ten years to repay your great kindness!"

...

Lin Bai paid no attention to the players.

After his failed attempt to seize the Ruyi, he didn’t plan to try the Blacksmith’s six-piece set. If such a high-level Magic Treasure got damaged by the six-piece set, how would he even repair it?

Moreover, if the Blacksmith’s six-piece set also got immobilized, it would greatly affect his personal prestige.

So, Lin Bai focused his attention on the Dark God’s Avatar. He had to at least figure out what exactly the Ruyi did.

To know oneself and know one’s enemy ensures victory in every battle.

...

A streak of green light passed. An invisible shield sprang up in front of the Lord of the Abyss. A cloud of dark energy enveloped the Undead Lord, and the Abyss creatures and the Undead Army all took defensive actions.

But after the green light passed, nothing happened.

The Lord of the Abyss snorted angrily, and the commotion immediately subsided.

"Just the few of you intend to declare war on all of us?" The Lord of the Abyss looked at Dream Heavenly King and his companions, completely unaware that he had entered a dream realm.

"You must be the renowned Lord of the Abyss, I presume?" The Dream Heavenly King in the dream was in high spirits, no longer keeping his eyes closed as before. He looked at the Lord of the Abyss and asked in fluent Western Continent language, neither haughty nor humble.

"Correct." The Lord of the Abyss looked at the three Heavenly Kings, expressionless.

"Master of the Abyss, perhaps you could quell your anger and allow us to clarify matters before we begin hostilities. It is common knowledge that Alliance Hierarch Lin of the Justice League possesses the miraculous ability to seal enemies into Cards, turning them into puppets. We, the Nine Celestial Kings of the Immortal World, each command our own laws, yet not a single one of us can transform others into puppets. Furthermore, don’t you find it rather foolish to challenge all the gods simultaneously?"

As Dream Heavenly King spoke, he looked at Lin Bai’s Divided God. "Alliance Hierarch Lin, I must say, your scheme is rather crude. At this point, continuing to impersonate the Thunder Heavenly King is meaningless. Why not reveal your true form and discuss things openly?"

Fire Heavenly King said, "When Lin Bai laughs, those around him laugh along. That’s the best way to identify him. I wonder if our Thunder Heavenly King here can manage a laugh?"

Water Heavenly King said, "I have another method, Alliance Hierarch Lin. That tricky ’Cui Thick Leg’ tongue twister—I happen to have memorized it. Shall I recite it so you can unleash a bolt of lightning?"

The Lord of the Abyss glanced at the Thunder Heavenly King.

Lin Bai’s Divided God was experiencing the Dream Space.

He could freely use the Dark Space, and the follow-up invisible camera constantly floating around him was also operational. The God of Darkness had a genuine tactile sensation. Even the evil aura emanating from the Lord of the Abyss remained unchanged. There was no sense of the dream’s illusory nature at all.

However, in reality, his main body had already laid the Magpie Bridge beneath his feet. Yet, for some reason, no Magpie Bridge appeared in the dream world?

Lin Bai’s Divided God wanted to use the Magpie Bridge in the dream to see if he could connect it to the real world, but he resisted the impulse...

"Dream King, bringing the people from the Continent of Gods and Demons here, executing them, and then dividing their territory—that was our agreement! Betraying me at this critical juncture is pointless!" The Thunder Heavenly King, who was Lin Bai’s Divided God in disguise, reverted to Lin Bai’s appearance. He looked at Dream Heavenly King with a helpless expression, playing along with their act. "Without my Magpie Bridge, even if you conquer the Continent of Gods and Demons, how would you get there? Relying on the Spiritual Realm Gap? You probably can’t even enter the Mortal World, can you!"

"Bullshit! When did we ever cooperate with you?" Thunder Heavenly King cursed angrily.

"If we didn’t cooperate, why would your Thunder Hammer be in my hands?" Lin Bai observed Thunder Heavenly King and said with a smile, "My strength is only at the Starshine Realm. If not for your cooperation, how could I possibly have defeated the God of Darkness?"

"You clearly stole the hammer using your despicable skills!" Thunder Heavenly King retorted angrily.

"Little Lei, there’s no point arguing about this now." Dream Heavenly King patted Thunder Heavenly King’s shoulder, then turned back to the Lord of the Abyss, smiling. "Lord, the situation is clear. However, I know war between us is inevitable. How about we first kill Lin Bai, the instigator, and then proceed with our own battle?"

"Agreed." The Lord of the Abyss glanced at Lin Bai and the Heavenly Kings, then nodded.

"Little Fire, it would be unsporting for all of us to attack him. Why don’t you go and test Alliance Hierarch Lin?" Dream Heavenly King turned to Fire Heavenly King beside him and instructed gently.

"No problem." Fire Heavenly King stepped forward, staff in hand. Flames instantly erupted from his body, engulfing him entirely.

"Lord of the Abyss, I don’t know why Dream Heavenly King went back on his word, but since they’re unwilling to cooperate with me, how about we cooperate?" Lin Bai’s Divided God activated his Three Heads and Six Arms skill, one head shouting towards the Lord of the Abyss, "I have the Magpie Bridge, you have a vast army. Let’s invade the Fairy World, kill these players down to Level Zero, seize their Magic Treasures, and permanently eliminate the threat to the Continent of Gods and Demons. What do you say?"

"I am not interested in worlds beyond the Abyss," the Lord of the Abyss stated coldly. "Moreover, I despise vile instigators like you."

"Lord, I think you should consider it. By the way, the Earth Goddess has already extended an olive branch to me." Lin Bai smiled. A Magpie Bridge suddenly rose from beneath his feet, but it only extended halfway before breaking off.

"Lin Bai, remember that green light earlier? It severed all teleportation formations. You can no longer escape via the Magpie Bridge," Dream Heavenly King said with a triumphant smile. "Just accept your death!"

"Heavenly Fire Consume the World!"

Fire Heavenly King raised his staff. Blue flames descended from the sky, rolling towards Lin Bai and the God of Darkness.

The Divided God took out the plantain fan that controlled all flames and fanned it towards the Heavenly Fire.

WHOOSH!

The Heavenly Fire rolled back.

Fire Heavenly King was momentarily stunned. "What kind of fan is this?"

In reality, Lin Bai was checking his System space.

As expected, the plantain fan was gone; it truly had been taken into the dream by the Divided God. However, on the live stream screen, the Divided God stood motionless, empty-handed!

Interesting!

Wielding the plantain fan, steam billowed out. To the Fire Heavenly King’s horror, the Heavenly Fire gradually extinguished. Lin Bai’s Divided God laughed heartily and summoned the Dark Devil Dragon.

The Divided God possessed the Dark Divine Seal and had no spiritual power in his body. He could only use System skills and abilities granted by the Dark Divine Seal. In the dream, he was recklessly conducting all sorts of experiments.

"Dream Heavenly King, if one dies in a dream, do they die for real?" The fight had already started, so there was no point in holding back anymore. Lin Bai suddenly used the Truth-telling Technique on Dream Heavenly King and asked.

"Lin Bai, how did you know this is a dream?" Dream Heavenly King blurted out, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he froze. "Truth-telling Technique?"

"That’s right, Truth-telling Technique." Lin Bai laughed heartily. "Lord of the Abyss, did you hear that? This isn’t reality anymore; it’s a dream world created by Dream Heavenly King. You entered a dream without even knowing it, yet you still think you’re the master, in control of everything? If you don’t join me to break this dream, I’m afraid you’ll never return to the Abyss."

"No, you’re not Lin Bai. You’re just a Divided God of Lin Bai." Dream Heavenly King paused, then realization dawned. "No wonder you could see through my dream."