CHAPTER 377: 377 MINDSET

"They’re too hasty." General Chen was also watching the live broadcast. "If they acted patiently like us, Lin Bai wouldn’t ignore them."

"Exactly! Lin Bai is greedy. The Continent of Gods and Demons is such a large piece of meat; how could he possibly give it up?" Cheng Xunyun agreed. "They just need to wait. Lin Bai will naturally intervene in the situation on the Continent of Gods and Demons. That continent is full of players from the Western Continent. As long as they cooperate, Lin Bai is sure to give them a piece of the pie."

"Xunyun, you’re mistaken. The Fairy World is clearly on a higher tier than the Continent of Gods and Demons. If Lin Bai can conquer the Fairy World, he won’t share any profits from the Continent of Gods and Demons with anyone else. Even if he delegates power, it will only be to the native inhabitants of the Immortal World or his most loyal fans. Those are Lin Bai’s true confidants," General Chen said. "The Western Continent never trusted Lin Bai from the very beginning. Seizing resources is secondary for them; their primary goal was to establish their own power base in the Continent of Gods and Demons before Lin Bai could. That way, they would have leverage to negotiate with him, instead of being continually ignored as they had been. They’re gambling on the future, but unfortunately, they’re about to lose that bet."

Cheng Xunyun seemed lost in thought. After a moment, he asked, "General, will Lin Bai clean up their mess?"

General Chen was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "I don’t know. Generally, anyone in Lin Bai’s position would focus on nurturing their own forces; at the very least, they’d want to ensure their territory is stable. But Lin Bai constantly talks about fighting the game company. Yet, his actions seem whimsical, as if he’s merely enjoying the process of conquering territory. He doesn’t seem to genuinely manage his domain; instead, he relentlessly expands. He’s more like a warmongering emperor, solely focused on demonstrating his strength to the world. I can no longer see through him."

"General, now that you mention it, one word describes Lin Bai perfectly," Cheng Xunyun said.

"And what’s that?" General Chen asked.

"Player," Cheng Xunyun replied. "Lin Bai’s actions are more player-like than actual players. Even now, on the forums, many people still believe Lin Bai is the game company’s Crown Prince!"

The white-haired General Chen jolted violently. After a long moment, he sighed, rubbed his temples, and said, "Let them do as they please. We’ll observe for now and do our best to protect ourselves. The truth will eventually come to light. Although Lin Bai acts recklessly, his nature is fundamentally lenient. As long as people follow his arrangements, not many have died at his hands."

「...」

Lin Bai was privy to all of Wu Bai’s information and felt deep sympathy for the Western Continent’s predicament.

It was merely sympathy, though. This was their own choice, and since they made it, they had to accept the consequences. After all, he stood to gain regardless of their actions.

The higher his position ascended, the more Lin Bai forced himself to shed his previous caretaker mentality.

He had to adopt the mindset of a chess master, treating everyone as a piece on the board, if he hoped to survive this brutal game.

After all, the game company truly didn’t regard the inhabitants of the various worlds as human. The myriad chaotic systems attached to him frequently issued tasks that seemed designed to sow chaos, clearly not treating him as human either...

Now that the crux of the game between both sides centered on him, this major piece, he had to strive to leap off the chessboard.

「...」

John suddenly came online, forcibly ejecting Lin Liu Bai from the game once more.

Lin Liu Bai returned to John’s physical body in reality, greeted by Joseph’s slightly apologetic, aged face. "Alliance Hierarch, I am truly sorry for summoning you back in this manner, but we are at our wit’s end. You are an exalted deity; surely you are aware of all that transpired in the recent battle. We managed to severely wound the enemy, but we also suffered immense losses. We’ve summoned you back this time hoping to utilize your miraculous spells to resurrect our fallen soldiers through the Metamorphosis Butterfly technique..."

You’re asking me to resurrect them to quell the anger of the outside world, aren’t you?

Lin Bai instantly discerned his intentions. He glanced at the corpses shrouded in white cloths lying on the ground, then at the grievously wounded Four-winged Angel. "Joseph, are you certain you want me to use the Metamorphosis Butterfly to resurrect them?"

"I’m certain," Joseph said. "They have fallen in battle. It would be their honor to return to life as butterflies. Moreover, by practicing the mystical Eastern Immortal Techniques, they will eventually be able to regain human bodies."

"I have always been known for my mercy, and I haven’t said I won’t resurrect them," Lin Bai stated. "However, the Metamorphosis Butterfly technique requires them to be in pairs. This means people who are deeply in love must die together. Only then can I transform them into butterflies, just as the Flying Dragon Knight once sacrificed himself for the Priest on the battlefield. Are you sure there will be those willing to die for these soldiers, to then become butterflies together?"

"..." Joseph was stunned. "So, two people are required?"

"Yes," Lin Liu Bai nodded.

"In that case, I may need to consult their loved ones before I can give you an answer," Joseph said with difficulty.

He had indeed hoped to appease the real world’s fury by resurrecting the soldiers, but upon learning the stringent conditions, he knew this approach was unfeasible.

There’s probably no one in the real world willing to become a butterfly for a dead person. They’d have to go to the distant Eastern Continent and practice Cultivation Techniques anew, just to gamble on a chance to become human again!

"Very well. When you’ve gathered enough corpses of paired lovers, come find me for their resurrection!" Lin Liu Bai looked at Joseph. "Joseph, this is a deadlock. This time, you pushed me out of the game, and I’m very angry. However, considering it’s your first offense, I’ll let this slide. But if you interrupt me again over such trivial matters, I will make you feel the wrath of the Lord of the Three Realms."

"Understood." Joseph’s expression shifted slightly, and he reflexively saluted Lin Bai.

"That’s all then. Handle the situation here yourself; I have more important matters to attend to," Lin Bai said.

"Alliance Hierarch, please wait," Joseph hurriedly called out, stopping Lin Bai.

"What else?" Lin Bai frowned.

"Alliance Hierarch, you already know the outcome of the war. We used technological weapons to annihilate a legion of nearly 10,000 in a short period. However, the enemy dispatched just one Four-winged Angel and inflicted massive casualties on us." Joseph’s expression was grim. "In this world, there are also Six-winged Angels, Eight-winged Angels, and even the most powerful Twelve-winged Angels. And above the Angels, there are even gods. Alliance Hierarch, our army may not be their match. We need your help."

Is The United States trying to force my hand, to make me participate in this game on the Continent of Gods and Demons?

That’s quite a steep price to pay!

But this was indeed the most effective approach. Even if modern technological weapons could counter the natives of the Continent of Gods and Demons, conquering this land by themselves would take far too long, with a high probability of failure.

With his help, however, it would be different.

After all, it had taken him less than a year to unify the Immortal World...

Lin Bai looked at Joseph and asked, "How do you want me to help you?"

"If you could personally intervene, that would be ideal," Joseph said, cautiously observing Lin Bai’s expression. "Of course, if it’s inconvenient for you to act directly, you could use the Magpie Bridge to gather our players, who are scattered across the world. I’ve heard you’ve been doing this very thing these past few days. Players possess unending lifespans; having them participate in the war would minimize our losses and also secure more benefits for the Justice League in the shortest possible time. We are just your vanguard army; this world will ultimately be yours."

"No problem, but give me two days. I still have some matters to attend to in the Fairy World. Besides, I haven’t finished exploring this current world yet. Setting up the Magpie Bridge now wouldn’t achieve the element of surprise."

After pondering for a moment, Lin Bai agreed to his request.

His plan for laying the Magpie Bridge for the people of the Western Continent, thereby connecting the game worlds, was precisely to force out this world’s rulers, or gods, in the shortest time possible. So far, they were doing a decent job.

The Magpie Bridge would inevitably need to be established in the Continent of Gods and Demons. He was merely doing them a favor; helping them was, in essence, helping himself.

Moreover, Lin Bai had now discovered a simpler method to establish the Magpie Bridge: marking.

Through marking, he could rapidly connect or disconnect the Magpie Bridge between two individuals without needing to be physically present.

Clearly, the utility of marking was far greater than he had initially imagined.

"That would be wonderful! We can certainly wait two days." Overjoyed, Joseph rubbed his hands together. "After winning this battle, we should have a few days of respite, which will be enough time to handle the aftermath."

He paused for a moment, then invited Lin Bai with a smile, "Wouldn’t you like to visit Free City? The City Lord there must be scared out of his wits after this local war. We plan to completely seize Free City and establish it as our first stronghold in this world..."

"Alright, I’ll go with you." Lin Bai nodded, surveyed Red Wolf Valley, and said, "You certainly need to establish a proper base of operations."

「...」

Lin Bai was waiting for the players from below to ascend to the Fairy World. Then, he would swiftly establish Magpie Bridges at every Guiding Pool, aiming to fully explore the Fairy World’s map in one fell swoop. That would grant him considerable maneuverability and strategic options.

Relying on just Pine Stone City and Free City as starting points for outward expansion wasn’t his style. Moreover, such a strategy made him an easy target for encirclement. He needed greater tactical flexibility.

However, after suppressing the Celestial of Pine Stone City, Lin Bai hadn’t been idle. He gathered the players to whom he had issued press passes, deciding to proceed with the Media System’s task as planned.

The players who held press credentials were Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi, Brilliant Writer, and War Fanatic...

Lin Bai had carefully selected them. Their writing skills were sharp, they loved to stir things up, possessed high loyalty, had clean records, and belonged to no organization.

These players were now the core of the two magazines, having completely replaced Silver, Wild Wolf, and their group. They reported directly to Xu Longyun, accountable to no other players.

Lin Bai had chosen these players anew after the betrayal during the Heavenly Tribulation. Indeed, without a high degree of loyalty, they wouldn’t be able to perfectly execute his various promotional plans.

The Justice Weekly and the Heavenly Review had to be Lin Bai’s personal assets, firmly under his control, and not usable by anyone else.

The players were very excited to see Lin Bai.

"League Master, the worlds are now interconnected," said Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi, who was impeccably dressed, his hair neatly combed. "Traditional paper-based publicity is struggling to keep pace with the speed of global development. You’ve visited our world, so you’re aware of media like the internet, television, and radio. I believe we must adapt and allow people in the Immortal World to learn about external changes through more diverse channels."

"While an immediate transition to the internet isn’t feasible, I propose we begin by establishing radio channels and forming a Justice Weekly broadcasting group. Wireless radio broadcasts would only require a simple radio receiver."

"We could set up broadcast stations in various cities to instantly disseminate information to those who cannot afford newspapers. With the Immortal World and the real world now linked, we’re capable of completing this deployment rapidly. Of course, this would likely necessitate hiring a significant number of employees..."

"You don’t need to discuss these details with me. Report directly to Xu Longyun," Lin Bai said, looking at Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi and nodding. "If your proposal is sound, she will coordinate with Cheng Xunyun for you. I’ve called you here today because I intend to establish you as paragons in the media industry. Those who follow me and do my work shouldn’t remain obscure."

[Joy from Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi, Brilliant Writer, and War Fanatic; +1+1+1]

The players looked at each other and said in unison, "Thank you, League Master."

Brilliant Writer said, "League Master, truth be told, we aren’t particularly concerned with fame. I joined Justice Weekly out of admiration for you. The opportunity to work for you, to publicize your accomplishments so more people learn of them—that alone brings me great satisfaction."

Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi added, "Scholar is right. We are all striving for our ideals. We aim to develop these two publications into a media conglomerate spanning the game world—no, spanning all Three Realms! Personal fame isn’t important to us."

"No, it is crucial," Lin Bai said, looking at them intently. "Because media itself is a law. I am cultivating far too many varied laws to manage them all personally. After much consideration, I’ve decided that the God of Media must arise from one of you. The foremost prerequisite for becoming the God of Media is to achieve widespread renown. Only then will your words carry the weight of Nine Tripods and be truly persuasive."

"League Master, is media also a Path?" Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi asked, evidently finding it hard to believe.

"Of course, it’s a Path," Lin Bai stated. "Why else would I have founded two publications? Using publications to spread the Path is merely one minor facet."

"Media governs public discourse and, on a deeper level, shapes the thoughts of all. If such a force cannot constitute a Path, what else possibly could? The Eleventh Forefather of the Righteous Door once theorized about the Path of Media. According to his deductions, when the Path of Media is mastered, one can gain instantaneous knowledge of significant events occurring anywhere in the world. One can even review the past of such events, ensuring one is never misled by false appearances."

GULP!

The three players swallowed audibly in unison, their eyes abruptly shining with intense light.

Lin Bai smiled faintly. "That press pass you hold, the one granting access to any restricted area, was refined by the Thirteenth Forefather of the Righteous Door, precisely based on the characteristics of the Path of Media..."

"League Master, this ’instant arrival’... does it mean one can break through spatial barriers?" War Fanatic asked, his voice trembling. "For instance, could one travel directly to the Continent of Gods and Demons without using a Magpie Bridge?"

"It should be possible. The three thousand Great Paths all lead to the same destination, though by different routes. If the Love Principle’s Magpie Bridge can traverse space, then the Path of Media should also be capable of it." Lin Bai nodded with certainty, then looked at the three of them. "Now, do you still consider your personal renown unimportant?"