CHAPTER 123: 123 ONE PERSON FIGHTS A GROUP

"Lin, the Storekeeper, what is this spring?" Crispy Rice asked.

"The Mysterious Ice Spring," Lin Bai replied.

"What’s it for?" The excited look on Crispy Rice’s face was evident; a spring suddenly appearing in their base was a good sign no matter how one looked at it.

Firstly, this meant Lin, the Storekeeper, wouldn’t be abandoning them any time soon.

Secondly, in games, springs usually had many uses, like restoring mana or healing wounds.

The only thing Crispy Rice regretted was the spring’s location. If he’d known Lin, the Storekeeper, was going to place it here so arbitrarily, he should have insisted on a better spot back then!

"It’s used for Equipment Tempering when Artifact Refining," Lin Bai answered.

"For Artifact Refining?!" Crispy Rice’s expression shifted from disappointment to excitement. He smacked his lips. "Can it be drunk?"

"I suppose so; you can give it a try." Lin Bai glanced back at him with a smile. "This is a spring eye my Master bestowed upon me before I left. He only told me it was for Artifact Refining. I honestly don’t know what other effects it might have. I reckon it should be drinkable. Have someone try it and tell me how it tastes and what effects they feel after drinking it."

Before Lin Bai could finish speaking, some players had already rushed forward, eager to taste the spring water. Players with an Undying Body could act recklessly without any reservations...

"It’s so cool."

"It’s really sweet."

"Delicious!"

"We could turn this into mineral water! Slap our Beggar Gang label on it and build an entire industry..."

...

The players quickly shared their opinions on the spring, enthusiastically discussing its commercial potential. However, a hint of disappointment lingered in their words because the spring water couldn’t restore health or mana.

"What happened?" Miracle Doctor Flower, Dumbelldore, and the other players who had suffered an unjust death respawned and returned to find the courtyard in shambles. They asked what had occurred.

The players clamored to recount the events to them.

The group was filled with righteous indignation.

"Damn those bastards from Return to Dragon View! We’ll flatten them sooner or later!" Dumbelldore, who had inexplicably lost a level, grumbled resentfully.

"Lin, the Storekeeper, created a spring out of thin air?" The Artifact Refining Master’s attention was elsewhere. He pushed through the crowd and stared at the spring inside the room, utterly astonished. "This truly is a game, after all!"

"The artifact refiners of the Beggar Gang are in for some good fortune from now on," Silver said. "Lin, the Storekeeper’s, background is too profound; you never know what other secrets he’s hiding..."

...

"Thank you, Master," the Little White Fox whispered, burrowing into Lin Bai’s embrace and affectionately nuzzling its head against his chin. The fact that Lin Bai had managed to rescue it from such a perilous situation deeply moved the little fox.

"You’re my pet. Who else would I save if not you?" Lin Bai stroked the Little White Fox’s soft fur, growing increasingly fond of this little companion.

Although it couldn’t offer much help, the System had issued a warning before the attack.

This was a danger alarm!

It was far more timely than the Emotional System.

The Emotional System’s backend continuously refreshed, with various names scrolling across the screen like a news ticker. It was easy to miss them if one wasn’t paying close attention. Direct danger warnings were much better.

"Xiao Bai, I’ll take you with me wherever I go from now on," Lin Bai said earnestly, looking at the fox-shaped danger indicator with satisfaction.

"Mm-hmm." The Little White Fox nodded its head vigorously. "I’ll work hard to cultivate and Transform, so I can help Master sooner!"

Under the Golden Core Monk’s attack, it had possessed no strength to resist. This ordeal instilled a deep sense of crisis in the Little White Fox.

[Bit Famous: Forge satisfying weapons for ten people. Reward: Blacksmith’s Hammer (increases forging success rate by 10%)]

The God of Craftsmen System then issued the next task.

Another freebie task.

When Daoist Qingming launched his surprise attack, Lin Bai had a new insight: his ultimate trump card was the System, not the players.

To live freely in this world, he had to diligently complete System tasks and couldn’t just rely on ideal circumstances...

Lin Bai had figured it out: whenever he tried to play it safe, trouble would inevitably find him.

But when he faced difficulties head-on and stirred things up, he might just activate some system that would pop up and help him resolve the predicament.

As for the feud with Return to Dragon View over the Spiritual World Gap, Lin Bai couldn’t care less. The deed to the property was his; no one could argue with that.

Daoist Master Li, who had sealed Jimmy Navada’s family, had erred by only thinking of personal gain. If he had just spent some money to buy the house back then, none of the subsequent trouble would have occurred.

Still, this was a world of cultivation and martial arts. When Daoist Master Li discovered the Spiritual World Gap, he probably never intended to reason with anyone.

And Lin Bai had finally verified his own strength: his ultimate ace, Palm Thunder, could take down a Golden Core Monk in one hit.

With his current Inner Strength reserves, given enough time to chant the incantation, he could probably unleash nearly a hundred Palm Thunders.

The only issue was that Palm Thunder created too much of a disturbance.

Otherwise, if he were to launch a sneak attack, annihilating an entire Sect wouldn’t be an issue.

What’s more, he possessed a Card containing a Golden Core Monk, which he could summon for support at critical moments.

With an increasing number of trump cards, Lin Bai’s confidence soared. "Crispy Rice, find someone to clear away this rubble. Dig out the Alchemy Furnace and the other stoves buried underneath. This Shopkeeper is in a good mood. Tonight, I’ll forge some weapons for everyone."

"Yes, sir," Crispy Rice acknowledged with a nod.

"Also, pick out a spot for me tomorrow. I intend to host an exhibition of the ’Imperfect.’ You’ll be responsible for drawing in a crowd and getting them to attend. The ’Imperfect’ is the culture of our Righteous Door. No matter which city we go to, we must remember to promote it," Lin Bai continued to instruct.

To hell with biding his time and concealing his strength! He had to complete the System tasks at all costs and get the rewards first.

If Return to Dragon View dared to provoke him again, he wouldn’t mind sealing a few more of their experts into Cards.

For players like the Lonely Old Man, Lin, the Storekeeper, personally crafting weapons was an unexpected and joyous surprise.

Leaving aside the fact that, up to this point, Lin, the Storekeeper, had only personally crafted kitchen knives and bows, the mere fact that an item was made by his hand imbued it with significant commemorative value!

Lin, the Storekeeper, had truly become one of them; all previous distance had vanished!

The Beggar Gang’s future was looking brighter and brighter!

...

Zhao Yi stood on a nearby rooftop, drenched in cold sweat, his sword-wielding hand trembling uncontrollably. The frustrations from both day and night weighed on him, and despite mulling it over, his thoughts remained tangled.

He, too, had planned to launch a night raid on Lin Bai.

He would personally shatter the myth of the ’Chosen One’!

And so, Zhao Yi witnessed Daoist Qingming being struck down by a single Palm Thunder.

GULP!

His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. He gazed deeply in the direction where Daoist Qingming had vanished, and his previously muddled thoughts suddenly achieved clarity. He turned decisively and melted into the darkness of the night.

At the same time, the Proud Swordsman silently reviewed his own actions, wondering if he should apologize to Lin, the Storekeeper, in the morning. His attitude during the day had seemed rather unfriendly...

...

「Return to Dragon View Administrative Office.」

"Master, tell me honestly, how many people in Return to Dragon View are like Daoist Uncle Qingming?" Dragon Breath, having witnessed Daoist Qingming’s demise online, went straight to Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s door. He took a deep breath, knocked, and posed his question.

"Why do you ask? Do you no longer value your master’s meager abilities?" Daoist Priest Qingfeng looked at Dragon Breath and snorted. "Dragon Breath, with your aptitude, it hardly matters who your master is. When you eventually go to Return to Dragon View, you’ll have your pick of countless secret manuals. Don’t underestimate your master’s capabilities; my seniority is established. No matter how many heavenly descended individuals appear, you will still be their senior martial brother..."

"There can’t be anyone else," Dragon Breath muttered dejectedly.

"What was that?" Daoist Priest Qingfeng seemed not to have heard clearly.

"Master, please just tell me, how many people like Daoist Uncle Qingming are there?" Dragon Breath pressed.

"There are three hundred eighty-one individuals of my generation, and my cultivation is the lowest among them." Daoist Priest Qingfeng glanced at him, his old face flushing. "As for Golden Core Monks like your Daoist Uncle Qingming, Return to Dragon View still has over one hundred and eighty..."

"One hundred and eighty are all Golden Core Monks?" Dragon Breath asked.

"The top ten disciples of the current generation have all reached the Nascent Soul realm," Daoist Priest Qingfeng stated. "However, they are either out gaining experience or in secluded cultivation. The affairs within the View are primarily managed by Golden Core Monks."

"Are there any stronger than that?" Dragon Breath asked, his anxious heart beginning to calm.

"What exactly are you trying to get at?" Daoist Priest Qingfeng frowned.

"Master, I just received news. Daoist Uncle Qingming was killed by Lin, the Storekeeper, with a single Palm Thunder," Dragon Breath said. "Lin, the Storekeeper, has issued an order to intercept all heavenly descended individuals attempting to join Return to Dragon View..."

"What?!" Daoist Priest Qingfeng exclaimed, his face instantly turning deathly pale. "Did... did you just say Daoist Qingming is dead?"

"Yes." Dragon Breath nodded, concealing the fact that Daoist Qingming had been sealed into a Card by Lin, the Storekeeper, as he feared it might scare Daoist Priest Qingfeng too much.

"How could this be?" Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s lips trembled, and he was at a complete loss. "How could that Lin Bai possess such power? His Martial Power is clearly on par with mine, an old Daoist like myself. Even if he is cunning, when Daoist Qingming made his move, he should have been easily captured. How could he have been killed instead? Impossible! You must be mistaken..."

"Master, stop deceiving yourself." Dragon Breath shot his master a sideways glance. "If Daoist Uncle Qingming had killed Lin Bai, he would have returned by now. Besides, what point would there be in me lying to you?"

"It was I... I caused Daoist Qingming’s death." Two streams of murky tears rolled down Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s cheeks. He stomped his feet and pounded his chest, then rose and started towards the door. "I must find Daoist Qingling to avenge Daoist Qingming! It’s my fault, all my fault..."

Sigh!

Dragon Breath sighed and grabbed Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s arm. "Master, can you please calm down? Daoist Uncle Qingming was instantly killed by Lin Bai in one move. Do you want Daoist Qingling to go and be cannon fodder as well?"

"Then what should we do?" Daoist Priest Qingfeng was completely flustered.

Dragon Breath looked at Daoist Priest Qingfeng, a sense of disappointment towards Return to Dragon View welling up inside him. But then, thinking of the Level he had painstakingly raised over the past few days, a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. "Didn’t I just ask you how many Golden Core Monks Return to Dragon View has?"

"You did," Daoist Priest Qingfeng affirmed.

"The best course of action now is to strike first and gain the advantage," Dragon Breath declared. "Before Lin Bai can react, we must immediately persuade Daoist Qingling to leave the city, return to Return to Dragon View for reinforcements—preferably a full mobilization—and uproot Lin, the Storekeeper, and his Beggar Gang in one fell swoop. This will eliminate the future threat. Sending them in one by one is the most foolish approach..."

Daoist Priest Qingfeng looked at his disciple and shook his head. "That’s impossible. Let alone whether it’s necessary to mobilize so many Golden Core Monks against Lin, the Storekeeper, deploying such a large number of Golden Core Monks at once would undoubtedly alert other Sects. If we inadvertently push Lin Bai towards an Evil Sect, it would bring disaster upon Return to Dragon View. Furthermore, a large-scale slaughter of heavenly descended individuals would inevitably incite resistance against Return to Dragon View from other such individuals."

"Master, ’Indecision when a decision is needed courts disaster,’" Dragon Breath countered. "I heard from Lin, the Storekeeper, himself. He said he won’t allow any heavenly descended individuals to join Return to Dragon View. He’s already severing Return to Dragon View’s roots."

Players understood players.

Although his current Level was high, if no new players joined Return to Dragon View, then once everyone else’s Levels caught up, a devastating disaster awaited the sect.

"..." Daoist Priest Qingfeng looked at his disciple, recalling his utterly shameless initiation ceremony, and frowned slightly. "I will consult my Senior Brother before deciding."

"I’ll go with you," Dragon Breath said, quickly falling in step behind Daoist Priest Qingfeng.

「A moment later.」

Daoist Qingling looked at Dragon Breath, his gaze as sharp as lightning. "Are you certain?"

"Daoist Uncle, I am absolutely certain," Dragon Breath affirmed.

"Through what means do the heavenly descended individuals transmit information?" Daoist Qingling closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again and asked.

"..." Dragon Breath was momentarily stunned, then after some thought, replied, "After respawning, we have a dedicated platform for information exchange."

"Does that mean we have no secrets from the perspective of the heavenly descended individuals?" Daoist Qingling asked.

"That depends on whether the heavenly descended individuals are willing to disclose it," Dragon Breath said. "Daoist Uncle, the heavenly descended are not monolithic; each has their own interests and their own agendas."

PHEW!

Daoist Qingling let out a long breath. "The world has truly changed!"

"Indeed. Those who fail to keep pace with the changing times will inevitably be left behind," Dragon Breath said with a smile. "Daoist Uncle, Lin, the Storekeeper, and his Righteous Door are already far ahead of everyone else. If he is not curbed, eventually, all the Sects will likely be manipulated by him. This is especially true for our Return to Dragon View, with whom he already has a death feud."

To protect his Level, he had to make the situation sound more dire. Lin Bai had completely blocked off his path, leaving him no way out!

Dragon Breath wanted to prove to the other players that one could thrive even without relying on the Beggar Gang; the Beggar Gang disciples were merely dependent on Lin Bai.

He would mobilize the entire Return to Dragon View!

Let’s see who was more formidable: one Lin Bai, or the entire Return to Dragon View!

The Chosen One?

He was the true Chosen One!

"So, you’re saying you could also contact the heavenly descended individuals who have joined the Blood Shadow Sect?" Daoist Qingling asked.

"..." Dragon Breath froze.

"If you can contact the heavenly descended individuals of the Blood Shadow Sect, you might as well leak Lin Bai’s information to them. Try to incite them to kill Lin Bai," Daoist Qingling suggested. "After all, the disciples of the Blood Shadow Sect have also suffered greatly at Lin Bai’s hands. The Blood Shadow Sect is known for avenging any grievance; given their temperament, they won’t let Lin Bai off."

Damn it all! Dragon Breath’s mouth twitched as he cursed inwardly. Why is it that Lin, the Storekeeper, dares to act so wantonly, while you fools are always so hesitant and cautious? Even now, you’re still thinking of using someone else to do your dirty work! The Blood Shadow Sect! Contact the Blood Shadow Sect my ass!

Dragon Breath’s expression was somewhat stiff as he said, "I’m afraid I can’t mobilize the people from the Blood Shadow Sect. I’m not familiar with them..."

"No harm in trying," Daoist Qingling said. "If you succeed, I shall teach you our sect’s talisman arts."

Return to Dragon View is about to have its roots severed, and you’re offering to teach me talisman arts? What bloody use is that?!

Dragon Breath took a deep breath and asked, "Daoist Uncle, are you really not considering returning for reinforcements? Lin, the Storekeeper, acts without mercy. I believe his next target will be you..."

"Within Qian City, he shouldn’t dare to try and wipe out everyone from our Return to Dragon View," Daoist Qingling glanced at him. "Dragon Breath, tonight, try to contact heavenly descended individuals from either the Blood Shadow Sect or the Waning Sun Gate. Report back to me whether you succeed or fail, and I will then decide on a course of action. It’s getting late; you two may leave."

Are you out of your goddamn mind?! Looking at the unperturbed Daoist Qingling, Dragon Breath nearly exploded with rage. At this moment, he even felt tempted to sell out Return to Dragon View and defect to the Beggar Gang.

「Back in his room.」

After much thought, Dragon Breath finally understood why Daoist Qingling was reluctant to return. Daoist Qingming had died in Qian City. If Daoist Qingling simply retreated to call for reinforcements without doing anything, he was likely afraid of being held accountable. After all, he was the primary person in charge of the Qian City recruitment office, and it was he who had dispatched Daoist Qingming to assassinate Lin Bai. This fellow wanted to eliminate Lin Bai himself, to atone for his mistake with a meritorious deed. Utterly foolish!

Dragon Breath paced his room twice, then once again pushed open Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s door. "Master, you understand Lin, the Storekeeper’s, methods best. I don’t think Daoist Uncle Qingling is safe either. Why don’t the two of us head back to Return to Dragon View? Perhaps we can still salvage some dignity for the sect..."

"We can’t go," Daoist Priest Qingfeng said, looking at Dragon Breath and shaking his head. "Return to Dragon View is six hundred li away. I do not know the Wind Riding Art. At my pace, it would likely take three days."

"Three days isn’t too late!" Dragon Breath’s eyes widened. "It’s better than doing nothing and just waiting for death, isn’t it?"

...