Lin Bai hadn't felt any specific manifestation of faith, and the System didn't provide a detailed explanation either.

However, it was certain that these fans were providing him with an abundance of positive Emotion Value.

In just a short while, the fans who had received handwritten autographs from their idol were brimming with happiness. They had almost helped to ripen a new Temperament Fruit.

Eating multiple Temperament Fruits could perfect one's image, which in turn could attract more fans.

A win-win situation. Perfection!

Even if these fans became his haters due to certain circumstances in the future, they could still provide him with negative emotions.

This was one of the System's advantages; it was never a loss!

...

Currently, Lin Bai possessed Qi Yun, merit, spirit, temperament, and now, faith.

With all these high-end attributes, he didn't know how many auras he would eventually possess.

Perhaps in the end, no matter where he went, everyone would bow down before him.

In such a Realm, in this world, he could truly live as he pleased, obtain whatever he wished, and returning to Earth wouldn't even matter!

...

It seemed the Super Idol System didn't require him to do much?

In the time it took to sign a few fan dolls, the System completed more than ten fan-accumulating tasks in a flash.

The number of fans had already reached more than eight hundred, surpassing the core members of the Beggar Gang.

There were only about twenty fans present, but the total number exceeded eight hundred, demonstrating that fans from other areas also idolized him.

Indeed, all kinds of Players existed in this game.

There was the unreasonably resentful [Greg], the [Leader of the Lin Bai Support Group], the dumbfounded [Dumbelldore]...

Lin Bai sighed. You'll never know what kind of beings Players can be...

Of all the systems, the Super Idol System seemed to be the simplest. It appeared all he needed to do was stay handsome and maintain exposure.

As for guiding the growth of fans?

Lin Bai naturally didn't take it seriously. What a joke! They're all adults; who needs guidance from whom?

...

People arranged in advance by [Greg] hurried to Hundred Flower Valley, Morning Yuan Sword Sect, and other Sects devoid of Players, intending to act as undercover agents to block other Players...

A larger number of Players rushed to the Beggar Gang's registration point.

The number of Players gathering at the Beggar Gang was obviously larger than at the other Sects. After all, Lin Bai's attraction was too strong.

What about 'Lin Bai must die'?

Everyone spoke their mind and did their own thing; who wouldn't want to earn some pocket money while playing a game?

Besides, the Beggar Gang still had the Righteous Door backing it.

[Greg] watched Lin Bai, who was surrounded by the crowd, with a cold gaze. The corners of his mouth curled up in an imperceptible grin. This is exactly the effect I wanted...

「The Morning Yuan Sword Sect.」

The Player who infiltrated as a spy was called [One Ball].

After successfully registering, he naturally stood by Zhao Yi and said to [Iron Head Baby], the second Player who came to sign up, "Bro, you should go to the Beggar Gang to register first!"

"[Iron Head Baby] frowned. "I want to be a Sword Immortal; I don't want to join the Beggar Gang."

"I don't want to join the Beggar Gang either," said [One Ball]. "But with the Beggar Gang still around, how can there be any fairness? [Greg] has already united everyone, encouraging all Players to join the Beggar Gang to artificially break the game balance and trigger internal conflicts among the NPCs..."

Before he could finish his words, a sudden burst of uproar erupted from the Beggar Gang's area, once again attracting everyone's attention.

"Are they crazy, robbing us for money?"

"Money has blinded them!"

"Forget it, forget it! Why bother joining this trashy gang that just discriminates against people? They'll be wiped out sooner or later."

"Blatantly disrupting the game balance!"

"Lin dog must die!"

...

The outraged Players didn't even use private chats; they cursed aloud directly in the game.

[Greg] looked over, puzzled.

On the Beggar Gang's modest stage, two Beggar Gang Disciples lifted a red cloth. Upon it, several lines of large characters were clearly written: "To join the Beggar Gang: Basic Disciple registration fee: 1,000 silver taels; One-Bag Disciple registration fee: 2,000 taels... Nine-Bag Elder registration fee: 20,000 taels. Those with rich social connections will be given priority!"

SPURT!

[Greg] almost spewed blood.

What the hell?

Are the Beggar Gang Disciple positions gold-plated?

Three thousand taels a person? Why don't they just rob us?

According to the official conversion formula, one tael of silver was equivalent to ten coins in cash.

One thousand taels was equal to 10,000 coins.

Presently, aside from gifted rewards, the game officials hadn't enabled any function to exchange silver for real money.

Meaning, if you poured cash into the game, it could only be used within the game; it was good for nothing else.

Players join the Beggar Gang to make some pocket money. Who would still want to join if they have to spend 10,000 coins before even starting?

Seriously?!

[Greg] felt like he was going mad.

Even though the Players were cursing Lin Bai, he knew his plan had utterly failed.

Ten thousand coins. The threshold was high enough to keep most Players out.

The scariest part was, if any Players were willing to spend 10,000 coins to join the Beggar Gang, they would undoubtedly be high-quality Players. These would be die-hard fans, the kind who would devote their lives to the Gang once they joined...

With these big spenders joining the Beggar Gang, how could other Players survive?

None of this is important!

What's important is that my plan failed before it even started.

So what if the Players were angry?

We all came from the Novice Village. Considering their current Level, challenging Lin Bai alone would be courting death...

It's over!

All the money I invested early on has gone down the drain...

If the conflict doesn't escalate, the advertising sponsors behind me will definitely be dissatisfied, and I might even have to pay a penalty for breach of contract!

[Greg]'s face turned ashen; he felt like crying but had no tears. Who the hell gave the Beggar Gang this idea? If you were planning to screen Players, why didn't you say so in advance?

Pulling a stunt like this on the spot? Are you messing around?

Wait!

The Beggar Gang is targeting me!

Someone betrayed me!

[Greg] instinctively looked over at [Golden Lion], his eyes bright red. My own brothers would never betray me, so it must be Players from other Sects!

His fists clenched tightly. It was them! It must be them! Taking my money and aiming for the Sect's rewards, maybe even trading my information to the Beggar Gang for cash...

MBD!

You sons of bitches!

I'll remember you all!

This game is far from over. If I don't screw you all out of it, I'll f*cking quit the gaming scene forever!

At this moment, [Greg]'s rage had long since transferred from Lin Bai to [Golden Lion] and the others. Screw game fairness! From now on, I'm a game disruptor too!

"[Hummingbird], who had also figured this out, asked somewhat dumbly, "Boss, what do we do now?"

"[Greg] sighed dejectedly. "Wait for Return to Dragon View to cause a scene! When it kicks off, find an opportunity to slay [Golden Lion], [Live under the crotch], [Little Cat Don't Eat Fish], and the rest of them."

[Hummingbird] looked at [Greg] doubtfully. "Boss, do you suspect they leaked our plan to the Beggar Gang?"

"[Greg] said, "No doubt about it, one hundred percent. Everything is too coincidental. The Beggar Gang wanted to expand; I don't believe they would intentionally push Players away."

At this moment, [Today Without Wine] reconnected. Finding the Beggar Gang in a mess, he was also puzzled. "What's happening?"

[Hummingbird] whispered the reason to him.

"[Today Without Wine] cursed, feeling frustrated, "Damn it! I just secured an advertising deal..."

...

The moment the Beggar Gang's recruitment criteria were displayed, the negative Emotion Value in Lin Bai's system interface exploded instantly; he had successfully made himself a public enemy.

Seeing the angry Players showing a tendency to charge him, Lin Bai gathered his Inner Strength and announced loudly, "City Guard Army, hear my command! This recruitment fair is jointly held by the Beggar Gang and Qian City; the City Lord's honor is at stake! Whoever disrupts the stalls will be killed without mercy. Anyone expelled from the venue who attempts to re-enter will be imprisoned for six months!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the City Guard Army on the perimeter of the venue turned in unison, facing the venue with crossbows aimed at all Players. The cold glint of the Crossbow Arrows suggested they were ready to take a life at any moment.

The recruitment fair venue suddenly became quiet.

The Players looked at each other and stopped their riotous actions. Most of them were the third batch of Pioneers, low in Level, so death wasn't a major concern for them.

But the Resurrection Point was outside the venue; dying, respawning outside, and then being imprisoned upon re-entry was pointless.

For a moment, everyone became a lot more subdued.

"Screw this! The Beggar Gang is now my mortal enemy."

"I can't vent this anger unless I kill Lin Bai!"

...

The noisy voices of the Players resounded in the private chat channels.

"Shopkeeper Lin, don't be afraid, we will always stand by your side," the [Leader of the Lin Bai Support Group] said, his expression flickering as he heard those private chats. He moved closer to Linabi and whispered, "Even if we join other Sects."

"Well, the Beggar Gang isn't really suitable for you all. Choosing another Sect is a good idea," Lin Bai smiled. "When the Beggar Gang negotiates business with your Sects in the future, if you could put in a few good words for us, I would be deeply grateful."

Glancing at [Greg], Lin Bai soothed his fans and said aloud, "Ladies and gentlemen, there's more than one Beggar Gang in the world. With so many Sects to choose from, why insist on hanging yourselves from one tree?"

...

「At the official recruitment center.」

"This kid has potential!"

The Scholar looked at Lin Bai appreciatively and said to the person next to him, "One basic city is enough for the Beggar Gang to develop. If he were any greedier, it would be tantamount to courting death. By implementing a fee, he cleverly extricated the Beggar Gang from the whirlpool. Members can always be recruited again, but if fairness is lost, then everything is lost. After the recruitment fair, I should invite him for a drink..."

His sentence remained unfinished as more than a dozen coordinated voices suddenly shouted from the Mysterious Darkness Cult's booth:

"Nourish your lungs magically with Miaoxiang Loquat Dew! Welcome to the Mysterious Darkness Cult! Join us, and let's kill Lin Bai together!"

[Greg] had finally found an opportunity.

Since I've decided to be a game disruptor, I have to go all in. Everyone is recruiting, and Lin Bai never said we couldn't shout slogans.

Publicity earns money.

What do I have to be afraid of?

Lady Hua Xi was taken aback and abruptly turned to look behind her. "What the hell are you yelling about?"

"Master, given the circumstances, your disciple had no choice!" [Greg] glanced sidelong at Lin Bai, explaining softly, "Why do those sent from Heaven want to join the Beggar Gang? Isn't it because the Beggar Gang's advertisements are effective? Without advertising, those sent from Heaven wouldn't come. Now that the Beggar Gang's recruitment fair is raking in money, they've angered those sent from Heaven. If we don't seize this opportunity, when will we? Master, do you want those sent from Heaven to be constantly controlled and allocated by the Beggar Gang? Who does Lin Bai think he is? We must act when it's time to act!"

"..." Lady Hua Xi furrowed her brows slightly. Looking at the group of Players rushing toward the Mysterious Darkness Cult, she decisively made up her mind. "Alright, let's do it this way. I grant your request."

...

At the same time, the Blood Shadow Sect followed suit.

"[Golden Lion] said, "Advertise! Come to the Blood Shadow Sect! The Blood Shadow Sect solemnly promises that we will hold no less than three Sect events every month. We will not only fight Lin Bai, but anyone we want to fight..."

"I can guarantee that!" Lan Nuotian stood up, using all his Inner Strength to shout, "My Blood Shadow Sect and Lin Bai are irreconcilable enemies!"

...

「Waning Sun Gate.」

Pei Lie was still confused, watching his bustling peers with a bewildered look, asking dumbly, "What's going on?"

MBD!

What a stupid plan!

[Live under the crotch] inwardly admired [Greg]'s sudden change of strategy and decided to cooperate with him again. "Master, the Beggar Gang has provoked public outrage. Let's use the excuse of fighting Lin Bai to recruit people! And we must have advertisements; otherwise, no one will come..."

...

「Morning Yuan Sword Sect.」

Tong Cha was dumbfounded.

Zhao Yi looked at the Evil Sects that had suddenly begun shouting to kill Lin Bai, attracting those sent from Heaven, and asked blankly, "Senior brother, what should we do? Do we also kill Lin Bai?"

"Kill!" Tong Cha looked in Lin Bai's direction and gritted his teeth. "If killing Lin Bai can bring in recruits, why not do it? That Lin Bai, he even cheated us out of our Wind-breaking Sword!"

...

「Spirit Artifact Pavilion.」

Wang Jingtian and Sun Lie assessed the situation on the field and decisively chose to betray Lin Bai.

...

「Medicine King Valley.」

The same was true here.

...

「Return to Dragon View.」

Seeing the Beggar Gang suddenly pull out the major move of charging fees, ruining their previous plans, Daoist Qingling had been at his wits' end. But when he saw the rapidly changing situation in the venue, where Lin Bai had become a public enemy in the blink of an eye, he couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. "Delightful, delightful!"

He heavily slapped the table and said through gritted teeth, "Disciples, rally the cry! 'Return to Dragon View is Lin Bai's true rival! Join us, and within three months, Lin Bai will be dead!'"

...

「Hundred Flower Valley.」

Jiang Qingqin was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. She looked at Jiang Yuru. "Master, we're not going to kill Lin Bai too, are we? He taught us the profound cultivation method of 'Spoken Law Follows'!"

Jiang Yuru replied, "Qingqin, are you sure he told you the complete cultivation method for 'Spoken Law Follows'?"

"..." Jiang Qingqin was stunned, looking incredulously at Jiang Yuru. "Master!"

"Qingqin, Lin Bai has already become a public enemy. We can't protect him," Jiang Yuru said. "I know you have feelings for him, but it's better to give up this notion as soon as possible!"

"I won't, Master, don't do this..." Jiang Qingqin's eyes were blurred with tears. "Lin Bai also has his own powerful connections! If we do this, we'll offend him terribly. If you insist on killing Lin Bai, I will..."

Suddenly, Jiang Yuru stretched out her hand and tapped an acupoint on Jiang Qingqin's chest.

Instantly, Jiang Qingqin froze in place, her eyes darting around frantically, but she was unable to utter a word.

"Qingqin, don't overthink it. I'm doing this for your own good," Jiang Yuru sighed. "Disciples, begin the chant."

...

Mu Liao, watching the chaotic scene before him, stammered, "Mr. Zhao, are you still going to invite him for a drink?"

The Scholar wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Those sent from Heaven are indeed unpredictable."

Mu Liao asked, "What should we do? Do we also kill Lin Bai?"

The Scholar looked at Lin Bai but couldn't see a hint of panic on his face. Stunned for a moment, he shook his head. "Don't panic. Let's wait and see. We represent the officials. Lin Bai isn't at fault; we can't act as recklessly as those Sects. They are currently being swept along by those sent from Heaven. In the future, when those sent from Heaven grow stronger, will these Sects even have a path to survival? They are foolishly unaware of their own peril!"