In the hall, the only players listening in were Dumbelldore and Silver. Having previously suffered from leaked live streams, they had to prepare in advance to prevent Lin, the Storekeeper, from causing any unexpected trouble. During critical meetings, players would open private live streams, accessible only to a few high-ranking members of the Beggar Gang.

"Patent law? This is something a native of an Immortal World could think of? Lonely Old Man, do you still insist that the game is real?" Crazy Man asked.

"..." Lonely Old Man typed out a string of ellipses.

Honestly, he was a bit dumbfounded. Patent law, a purely modern concept, had nothing to do with the Immortal World at all. Yet, Lin Bai articulated it so well that it genuinely confused him. A complete set of laws wasn't something that could be glossed over by describing a voice recorder as a Magic Treasure.

"Lonely Old Man, if you insist that the game world is real, then the only possibility left is that Lin Bai is a savior returned from the future. Patent law could have been created by players from the real world!" said Bitter Melon Vine. "Lin, the Storekeeper, just brought forward things from the future. There's no such thing as the Art of Divination; everything has already happened. The voice recorder was created by players, and so was the printing press..."

"How do you account for the time-space paradox? If Lin Bai brought future things to the present, would his future still exist?" said I'm Not an Alt Account. "The theory of time travel is riddled with holes, so don't try to show off with it. I prefer to believe that there's no real world. This is just a game, and everything Lin Bai knows was instilled in him by modern people. The voice recorder and printing press are backdoors given to him by the game company. That explanation is more reliable than anything else."

"But what's the game company's purpose in doing this? To create a BUG to disrupt the game's progress? To interfere with the player experience? Why isn't there a special NPC like Lin Bai on the Continent of Gods and Demons?" asked Immortal Realm's First Paparazzi. "This defies common sense. Clearly, Lin, the Storekeeper, has broken the game balance. His existence does more harm than good for the game company."

"Is it possible that Lin Bai is also a player? He doesn't act like an NPC at all..." Silver, watching the large barrage of comments, suggested a theory but soon denied it himself. "No, if he is a player, the voice recorder and printing press can't be explained at all. Please forget what I just said."

"At this stage, discussing the identity of Lin, the Storekeeper, is meaningless. The emergence of patent law will definitely cause a huge stir among natives and players. What we should discuss more is how the Beggar Gang should cope with future variables. And we also need to figure out how to deal with the trouble we caused Lin, the Storekeeper, for the sake of advertising effectiveness. Given Lin Bai's personality, he definitely won't let this go easily."

The long-silent Lonely Old Man, looking a little haggard offline, finally posted a message.

Lin Bai's behavior was becoming increasingly abnormal, filling him with dread. He sensed a vast conspiracy that spanned two worlds.

"That shouldn't be a problem!" said Bitter Melon Vine. "The Beggar Gang and the Justice League have cast such a wide net. Unless Lin, the Storekeeper, stops expanding, he will certainly handle it gently."

"Let's hope so. We'll have to wait and see what decision Lin Bai makes!" Lonely Old Man typed a few words with a wistful expression and then fell silent. In his email inbox was a final payment notice from the advertising company. The sum on it was enough to make anyone's heart race; the sponsors praised this recent endeavor as quite successful and looked forward to future cooperation.

On one hand, an unknown conspiracy; on the other, immense profit. It was truly a difficult choice.

「...」

Under the influence of Lin Bai's Personal Charm, the members of the Justice League unanimously voted to pass the patent law.

Following the Medicine King Valley, the Spirit Artifact Pavilion offered a two-year supply of rare metals as war reparations to compensate for the Righteous Door's losses.

「Next.」

Lin Bai then engaged in in-depth discussions with the new members about mutual exchange of resources, inter-alliance reciprocity, establishing shops for the populace, and various other matters aimed at benefiting the common people.

The leaders of the various sects all agreed.

After passing the patent law, the members of the Justice League had irrevocably bound themselves to Lin Bai. Compared to the world-shaking patent law, other matters were trivial. Even if it meant some losses to their sects' interests, it was of little consequence; they could no longer see the future clearly.

Moreover, He Qin and the others knew well that although they were nominally members of the Justice League, they were effectively subordinate sects of the Righteous Door, with no real say in matters.

"...That covers most of it. If anyone has anything to add, please speak freely." Lin Bai surveyed the assembly, very satisfied with their cooperation. He had long known that with the right methods and means, no group was impossible to integrate.

"Alliance Hierarch, we previously sent people to the Seven Righteous Sects for help. To avoid unnecessary complications, should we recall them?" Ma Changcheng asked.

Previously, he had considered using the power of the Seven Righteous Sects to eliminate Lin Bai and restore normalcy. Now, he only wanted to buy more time for the Justice League's development.

"The people we sent for reinforcements are all accompanied by Heaven-descended. They haven't reached the Seven Righteous Sects yet. We should be able to intercept them in time through the Heaven-descended," He Qin said.

"Alliance Hierarch, our Valley Master, Tang Lanling, has also gone to the Moon Spirit Sect for reinforcements," Jiang Yuru said awkwardly.

"There's no need," Lin Bai shook his head decisively. "The next issue of Justice Weekly will report on the patent law and the grandeur of this battle. Given the speed at which Justice Weekly spreads, the people of the Seven Righteous Sects will naturally find out. Instead of passively waiting for them to send people and catch us unprepared, we should lure them here. Then we can still hold the initiative. Perhaps the Justice League will even gain a few new members!"

He always knew how to boost his teammates' confidence. He had made so many grand claims before; any sign of timidity now would surely make this group waver. One must be consistent from beginning to end to achieve great things.

Only when everyone else couldn't keep up could he dictate the pace. Settling for modest gains was not his principle.

「...」

As expected, with these words, the mood of the several sect leaders shifted from worry to excitement.

"Alliance Hierarch, are you confident?" He Qin asked tentatively.

"A person's potential is limitless. The Dao of Cultivation Law most abhors tranquility; the greater the sense of urgency, the faster my cultivation level advances." Lin Bai smiled faintly. "It's still as I've said: to make the world realize the power of Law, I must constantly prove myself. And the only way to prove myself is through war, through conquest. Why do you think I seldom use offensive Techniques in battle? Is it not to let you witness the power of Law?"

You sick bastard!

Though they cursed him inwardly, they had to force ingratiating smiles and praise in unison, "The Alliance Hierarch is truly righteous!"

Lin Bai waved his hand, declaring proudly, "Therefore, I must seize every opportunity. Let the storm rage ever fiercer; I am fearless."

"..." Everyone was speechless.

「...」

Lin Bai looked at Dumbelldore and Silver, instructing, "Dumbelldore, Silver, you've witnessed the war, and you've both listened in on the meeting. Notify the Beggar Gang to expedite the release of the fourth issue of Justice Weekly."

"Yes, Master," Dumbelldore replied with a bow.

"Also," Lin Bai glanced at them, his voice cold, "notify the Heaven-descended who accompanied me on this campaign to gather before the main hall. Not a single one is to be missing. The Heaven-descended from other sects are to observe the ceremony..."

「Morning Yuan Sword Sect.」

On the Sword-fighting Field, numerous players were gathered. Everyone knew what was about to happen, but the chaotic and noisy private chatter indicated that no one was taking it seriously.

「...」

"How do you think Lin, the Storekeeper, will punish us?"

"At most, he'll reprimand us a bit. What else can he do? We're the ones he painstakingly trained. He needs us to do his bidding, doesn't he? Besides, we can't be killed."

"Exactly. We caused some disruption, but it didn't affect the overall situation. Advertising is a revenue-generating project for the Beggar Gang, permitted by Lin, the Storekeeper."

"How much money has the Beggar Gang poured into this game? The game officials wouldn't allow Lin Bai to harm us; players like us who spend a lot are treated like royalty in any game."

「...」

Standing on a high platform, Lin Bai heard all their private chatter. He snorted, his gaze sweeping over the numerous players as he announced loudly, "You must all know why I've summoned you here. Yes, it's because of what happened on the battlefield. To be honest, I am deeply pained..."

「...」

"Alliance Hierarch, we were wrong!" a player shouted. "We'll never dare to do it again! Please, spare us this time!"

"Alliance Hierarch, we admit our mistake! Truth be told, we were also trying to benefit the Beggar Gang..."

"You are a man of great magnanimity; please forgive us this once. We guarantee it won't happen again."

"Didn't you say that cultivating the Cultivation Rules requires a heart as pure as a child's? We were merely following our hearts when we did those things!"

"Lin, the Storekeeper, you can't have double standards!"

「...」

Lin Bai was interrupted before he could finish. The players began clamoring for mercy, their voices a chaotic jumble.

Little White Fox glared at the crowd of players, her eyes filled with anger. For the first time, she found these players utterly detestable.

He Qin and the others frowned, turning their gazes toward Lin Bai. Once, they too had been plagued by these Heaven-descended who knew no respect or etiquette. They knew all too well how troublesome it could be.

How would Lin Bai handle them? If he only applied high pressure to his own people but not the Heaven-descended, the Justice League likely wouldn't last long...

「...」

"Silence!" Lin Bai used a voice amplification Skill.

A thunderous roar reverberated across the Sword-fighting Field, overpowering all the players' voices. Startled by the sudden roar, the players instantly fell silent.

"From this moment on," Lin Bai scanned the crowd, his unfeigned anger creating an intimidating presence, "anyone who speaks while I am talking will be expelled from the Beggar Gang and the Righteous Door."

「...」

"Damn it, he's serious!"

"What bloody use is being kicked out of the Beggar Gang? We're making money for the Beggar Gang! Even if Lin Bai really kicks us out, would Lonely Old Man dare to abandon us?"

"Exactly! If Lonely Old Man abandons us over this, the Beggar Gang's reputation will be ruined. Who would work for them then?"

"Come to think of it, getting kicked out isn't a big deal. Players can teach each other Skills. We can keep taking the Beggar Gang's money, learn Skills, level up... It might even be better than being in the Beggar Gang!"

"We can just change our appearance and come back later. With so many people, how could Lin Bai recognize anyone?"

"Haha, expelled from the Beggar Gang? Oh, I'm so scared!"

"Lin Bai's mistake was letting players manage the Beggar Gang. His so-called deterrence has no effect on us. Now he wants to reclaim power, but it's too late."

「...」

Listening to the players' private chat, Lin Bai almost laughed in anger. "You are undying and possess excellent aptitude. So you really think I can do nothing about you, is that right?"

"We wouldn't dare!" the players responded sporadically.

"They say the Heaven-descended are intelligent, yet I see you all as fools, blissfully unaware of your own stupidity!" Lin Bai shook his head, sighed, and then asked, "Search your hearts and ask yourselves: since I established the Beggar Gang, what have you done that benefited me? The battle for Return to Dragon View? The fight against the Five Evil Sects? Or this recent campaign?"

The players were stunned. The sound of private chat gradually died down.

Dumbelldore sighed. Alright, Lin Bai is really angry this time.

"You've done nothing. All along, the most you've done is shout, cheer, and watch the show," Lin Bai said disdainfully. "I accomplished ninety percent of it myself. You eat my food, use my resources, yet you don't even abide by my rules. Have you no shame? If I can build up one Beggar Gang, I can build up a Cow Gang, a Horse Gang... Do you think others can't do what you do?"

「...」

"Damn, that's harsh!"

"Replace them! Lin, the Storekeeper, is mighty! Replace the entire Beggar Gang! When I get online, I'll work for you!"

"Forsaking greater righteousness for petty gains—the Beggar Gang is in trouble."

"These Beggar Gang players are too naive, trying to coerce Lin, the Storekeeper, before they've even matured."

"This is the drawback of a makeshift organization. No matter how capable Lonely Old Man is, without establishing strict discipline for the Beggar Gang, this was bound to happen. If it were a formally structured corporation, such a blunder wouldn't occur. They'd have solid financial backing and wouldn't risk offending Lin, the Storekeeper, over a mere advertising fee."

"Lin, the Storekeeper, isn't really planning to replace the Beggar Gang, is he?"

"Do you think there's anything Lin, the Storekeeper, can't do? He controls all the sects around Qian City. Finding other NPCs might be hard, but finding players? Easy. In other cities, if players are expelled from their sect, they can join another and start over. But around Qian City, unless they resign themselves to being lifestyle players, they won't even be able to learn Skills."

"They can't manage lifestyle Skills either. Don't forget the major projects the Justice League is undertaking—the Pill Rooms and Artifact Refining chains are all under his control! Moreover, Lin, the Storekeeper's, relationship with the authorities is excellent. With a single order, he could cripple all the Beggar Gang players, leaving them able to do nothing but farm."

"Damn, it's a one-man show! Players are sought after by major sects due to their excellent aptitude; the sects compete, all wanting to utilize the Heaven-descended. But Lin Bai has integrated all the sects, effectively neutralizing the players' advantage. Players can grow indefinitely, but Lin, the Storekeeper, isn't giving them the chance!"

"This is serious. Who's praising the Beggar Gang now?"

"Doesn't this mean the Beggar Gang can only toil for Lin, the Storekeeper?"

"They need to work for him first, mature, and only then will they have a chance to successfully resist Lin, the Storekeeper. They got cocky way too early. Moreover, they've alerted Lin, the Storekeeper. Lin Bai was right; they're a bunch of idiots."

"Think of the resources Lin, the Storekeeper, has brought to the Beggar Gang! So many people are dying for a chance to work for him!"

"Lin, the Storekeeper, is definitely breaking the game! Right now, his Justice League only covers Qian City. If he keeps expanding, will there be any way for players to survive? All players will end up working for him!"

"It might not come to that. Players grow quickly. After some time, it's uncertain who will be constraining whom!"

"To deal with Lin, the Storekeeper, one needs patience, and two, diligence. They have to match Lin, the Storekeeper's, growth rate. These guys in the Beggar Gang got too complacent."

"Lin, the Storekeeper, relies on the Cultivation of Rules. It should be entirely possible to disrupt him while he's cultivating his Rules, right?"

"Wouldn't disrupting him just offend Lin, the Storekeeper, all over again?"

"Are you stupid? Obviously not openly. You can do it secretly! His Spoken Law Follows—that should be easy to interfere with, right?"