CHAPTER 93: SITUATION 093

Lin Bai was chatting nonchalantly with the Little Fox; within a few sentences, they were already discussing meeting the parents.

Xu Longyun and Jiang Qingqin looked at each other, both somewhat confused. Whenever they interacted with Lin Bai, the conversation would always go off-topic after a few words, as if Lin Bai’s thoughts didn’t align with theirs.

Jiang Qingqin pointed to her own head, looking at Xu Longyun with confusion in her eyes.

Recalling Lin Bai’s actions since arriving in Jiamucheng, Xu Longyun nodded affirmatively.

Xu Longyun coughed lightly. "Lin, the Storekeeper, you can discuss your matters with the Fox Spirit later. Shall we talk about the important issues now?"

Seeing Lin Bai and the Little White Fox having such a delightful conversation, Xu Longyun felt inexplicably stifled, suddenly reluctant to remind him of the harm of Monsters.

This kind of person should suffer a little! Only then will he know what’s right or wrong and understand how to communicate like a normal person!

"What important issues?" Lin Bai asked.

"Remember what I told you before about the Morning Yuan Sword Sect, Hundred Flower Valley, and other sects establishing disciple recruitment points in Qian City?" Xu Longyun asked.

"I remember," Lin Bai replied.

"Many of the god-sent people on their way to Qian City were robbed by members of the Evil Sect," Xu Longyun said.

"Evil Sect?" Lin Bai was taken aback. Since entering this world, he had never heard of any Evil Sects and had not even heard of an Evil Sect’s Novice Village, so he didn’t expect one to pop up now.

"Yes, members of the Demonic Way," Jiang Qingqin said. "Judging by their methods, it should be the work of the Blood Shadow Sect."

"Why don’t they come directly to Jiamucheng to catch people?" Lin Bai asked curiously.

"You don’t know?" Jiang Qingqin’s reaction was even stranger than Lin Bai’s.

"He indeed lacks a lot of common knowledge." Xu Longyun glanced at Lin Bai and explained, "The twenty-two basic cities, designated by the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, are humanity’s foundation. Any Evil Sect or practitioner of the Demonic Way daring to cause chaos within these basic cities will be hunted relentlessly by the seven major sects of the Righteous faction—a pursuit that ends only in death. This is a rule established by these seven major sects.

"Back then, to establish this rule, several great wars between the Righteous and Evil factions were triggered, and countless people died.

"Afterwards, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, almost no one from the Demonic Way entered the basic cities again.

"And the Righteous faction sects, to maintain the stability of the basic cities, also established an unspoken agreement: those at the Golden Core stage or above should not enter the basic cities without significant cause. Even if being pursued, they would typically skirt around the cities..."

So that’s how Novice Villages came to be? Lin Bai mused. No wonder he caused such a commotion in the Novice Village without any experts showing up to suppress him... He covertly glanced at Xu Longyun, relieved she hadn’t reported him as a member of an Evil Sect. Fortunately, ever since he’d transmigrated, he had always adhered to his conscience, not killing or causing trouble. He had even graciously forgiven Daoist Priest Qingfeng, who had come to challenge him. Otherwise, if Xu Longyun had reported him as belonging to an Evil Sect, and he was subsequently hunted down by all the Righteous faction sects, he might have been snuffed out before he could even make a ripple. It seems the Righteous Door must maintain its reputation and unswervingly persist in doing good from now on...

"Although the god-sent people are erratic and difficult to control, their exceptional aptitude is undeniable," Xu Longyun continued. "Once they are exploited by the Evil Sects and given time, they will undoubtedly bring devastating disaster upon the prominent Righteous faction sects."

That makes sense! Players don’t care about being righteous or evil; as long as they’re having fun, it’s all good. Who cares which sect they join? If the Righteous and Evil factions set up stalls to recruit disciples like a job fair, the Righteous faction wouldn’t necessarily win against the Evil Faction!

After a moment’s contemplation, Lin Bai asked, "So?"

"So, Junior Sister Jiang came to Jiamucheng ahead of schedule." Xu Longyun smiled, glancing at Lin Bai. "If any god-sent people wish to go to Qian City, Junior Sister Jiang is responsible for escorting them. Now, since you’ve recruited almost all the god-sent people in Jiamucheng, I’ve called you here to ask for your input."

Lin Bai didn’t notice the amusement in Xu Longyun’s eyes and looked contemptuously at Jiang Qingqin. "Her?"

"..." Jiang Qingqin’s face flushed crimson. She puffed out her chest and retorted, "What’s wrong with me? Don’t look down on people! Yesterday, I was merely caught off guard because you disrupted my concentration with your opening move. If we fought fair and square, you wouldn’t necessarily be my opponent!"

"Are you sure?" Lin Bai recalled her martial skills and chuckled.

"Of course! But you can’t use your Palm Thunder." Jiang Qingqin hesitated for a moment, then added awkwardly, "And you can’t use that Wind Riding Art of yours that lets you travel a thousand li in an instant."

"..." Lin Bai was silent for a moment. "City Lord, is the Righteous faction truly out of capable people?"

SWOOSH!

Jiang Qingqin’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she glared fiercely at Lin Bai.

"It’s not that there’s no one else," Xu Longyun said, shaking her head with a sigh. "The god-sent people are extraordinary. In this matter, both the Righteous and Evil factions are testing each other; neither dares to act rashly. If one side were to gather all the god-sent people under its banner, thereby breaking the balance, it would inevitably provoke a powerful counterattack from the other. That would ignite another bloodbath..."

"..." Lin Bai was stunned.

Xu Longyun looked at Lin Bai and said with a sly smile, "Only Lin, the Storekeeper of the Righteous Door, would dare to defy the world and gather all the god-sent individuals from a basic city under his banner."

"He recruited all the god-sent people into the Righteous Door?" Jiang Qingqin finally processed this, looking at Lin Bai in disbelief.

"Correct." Xu Longyun looked at Lin Bai, whose face was darkening, with a half-smile. "Our ’World-Roaming Emissary’ of the Righteous Door here established a Righteous Gang the day before yesterday. All its members are god-sent people. He even absorbed my City Lord’s Mansion’s Hidden Guards as external members."

"What kind of sect is the Righteous Door?" Jiang Qingqin frowned and asked.

"A Hidden Clan, supposedly in existence for ten thousand years," Xu Longyun smiled. "However, I’ve reviewed all records of both Righteous and Evil Factions spanning the last ten thousand years, and there’s not a single mention of the Righteous Door. As for the specifics, you’ll have to ask our ’World-Roaming Emissary’ of the Righteous Door."

Have I dug myself into a hole? Lin Bai remained silent. Indeed. Not keeping up with current events or understanding global trends easily leads to trouble. Why the hell doesn’t this world have an internet? Even without the internet, a newspaper would be something!

"Lin, the Storekeeper, regretting it now? I thought your Righteous Door was fearless, truly confident in handling anything! Now I see; you’re genuinely ignorant of this world’s underhanded dealings!" Xu Longyun looked at Lin Bai with a faint smile, then sighed. "Don’t worry. I’ve kept the matter of you establishing the Righteous Gang quiet and haven’t reported it. It’s not too late to distance yourself from them..."

Lin Bai looked at Xu Longyun, about to speak.

Suddenly, DING!

Another System activated in his mind:

"Super Sect Leader System: A single tree does not make a forest, nor a single thread a line. To survive in the Immortal World, a Sect represents foundation, influence, and power. The stronger the Sect, the greater its authority."

[Initial Task: Establish a sect. Reward: 10 Merit Points.]

[Confirm Sect as Righteous Door? (Yes) (No)]

Lin Bai hesitated for a moment before decisively choosing (Yes).

At this moment, he finally understood: these Systems in his head were compelling him forward, permitting no retreat, practically forcing him to stir up trouble.

The Beggar Gang was for Big Bro, his wellspring of Qi Yun. It couldn’t be dissolved just because of a few words from Xu Longyun! Now, another System, the Sect Leader System, had appeared, offering Merit Points. He already had Qi Yun; how could he not want Merit Points as well? In all the myths and legends, Qi Yun and Merit Points have always been like protective Divine Artifacts! He couldn’t discard either of them. Moreover, if he retreated now, everything he had built up, including the grand image he had cultivated for the Righteous Door, would likely crumble. At that point, even Xu Longyun would probably abandon him! After all, Xu Longyun didn’t belong to any Sect. Behind her stood the state, the common folk. Players, seemingly destined to bring chaos to the world, were inherently her enemies. While the Righteous and Evil factions were testing each other, the official power Xu Longyun represented was also treading carefully, observing. A disruptor like him, belonging to no established power, was likely the kind of person Xu Longyun truly wanted to win over...

「...」

[Establish a Sect (Completed). Reward: 10 Merit Points (Distributed).]

[Choose a Mountain Stronghold for Your Sect. Reward: Merit Points (Amount flexible, based on the stronghold’s geographical location).]

Having figured everything out, Lin Bai’s wavering resolve instantly solidified. He declared proudly, "Regret? What is there to regret? The Righteous Door has remained obscure for ten thousand years, which is why it lost its influence in the martial arts world.

"Do you remember what I said before?

"My master once told me that these god-sent people are the root of chaos in turbulent times. He advised me to follow my heart in my endeavors. Should I truly stir up a disaster I cannot handle, the old masters will emerge from their seclusion to resolve it for me. I’ve made my decision! Not only will the Protectorate Clan not be disbanded, but I will also forge the name of the Righteous Door and formally establish our sect, recruiting disciples!"