CHAPTER 378: 378 CROWNLESS KING

Except for the yet unconquered Fairy World and Continent of Gods and Demons, Lin Bai’s reputation in every world was unparalleled. Whether they hated or loved him, people always kept an eye on his news.

He could easily promote a few people.

That day, *Justice Weekly* specifically released a special edition for several players, announcing their new positions.

The "Immortal Realm’s First Paparazzi" was in charge of all Justice League publicity in the Immortal World; "Brilliant Writer" focused on real-time tracking reports in the Fairy World; and "Warzone Madman" was responsible for publicity in the Continent of Gods and Demons.

At the same time, in the real world, Lin Bai established a website, radio station, and television station, all exclusively for the Justice League, and even set up a dedicated section for the Justice League on the gaming world forums.

Whether it was the process of Ascension through Tribulation in the Immortal World, the exclusive battlefields in the Continent of Gods and Demons, or the progress of the expedition into the Fairy World, nobody could broadcast or profit from this news without authorization from the Justice League Media Group. Any violations would be pursued by the Justice League at any cost to recover illegal gains.

This special edition had, to some extent, hindered freedom of speech, leading to protests from numerous players, especially those who made a living from live-streaming their gameplay. However, Lin Bai’s reputation across these worlds was overwhelmingly dominant. As a result, powerful entities—be they nations like Taiyi and Taichu, major sects like the seven orthodox and five demonic ones, or even the two continents in the real world—were unwilling to let Lin Bai solely control public opinion, yet they hesitated to openly confront him.

At present, all influential figures either relied on Lin Bai or feared him. They not only dared not oppose him but also had to fully cooperate, no matter how aggrieved they felt.

So, when Lin Bai mentioned pursuing illegal gains, he meant it literally; he could strip someone clean, inside and out, leaving nothing behind.

Within his sphere of influence, Lin Bai had long become an absolute ruler, high above all. His decisions set the trend.

Faced with this overwhelming trend, the players’ protests were just that—protests. They couldn’t make a splash at all but might even supply Lin Bai with a great deal of negative emotions, helping his tree bear more Spirit Fruits.

The instant the special edition was published, the fates of several players skyrocketed. They immediately became some of the most powerful individuals across several worlds, their fame even overshadowing Crispy Rice, the Beggar Gang Leader Lin Bai had once strongly supported.

Upon experiencing this transformation in their status and realizing that Lin Bai had bestowed everything upon them—that he could elevate them to the heavens or cast them into hell—the players from the Media Group became increasingly loyal to Lin Bai, daring not to harbor any selfish thoughts.

「...」

[...Train three excellent employees (Completed); Reward: Disguise Glasses (Distributed)]

[Expand your Media Empire to influence the entire world; Reward: Crownless King (When wearing the press badge, no one can refuse your interview)]

[...Influence the entire world (Completed); Crownless King (Distributed)]

[The audience of print media is too narrow. Expand your Media Empire to various information media; Reward: ten Time Clippers (Everything around the target can be automatically recorded and synchronized to your receiving device, allowing you to review it at any time)]

「...」

After the fame of the "Immortal Realm’s First Paparazzi" and others had been boosted, the stagnant tasks of the Media System were immediately completed. Simultaneously, newly issued tasks were also instantly finished.

Lin Bai received two task rewards: one was three pairs of Disguise Glasses, and the other was the title of Crownless King.

However, Lin Bai didn’t immediately check the task rewards. Instead, he passed the task of expanding the Media Empire to the "Immortal Realm’s First Paparazzi" and the others.

This task was not easy to complete. After all, expanding *Justice Weekly* into various media meant completely replicating modern society’s internet, television, radio, and other technological products in the Immortal World.

Bringing the Immortal World into the information age was a huge undertaking. Given the complex web of powers and the ever-present risk of the various worlds collapsing, completing such a grand project would be anything but easy.

Fortunately, Lin Bai didn’t have to undertake this project himself. He simply needed to give the order and let his subordinates work on it slowly. And who knew? What if it succeeded?

The Time Clipper was merely an enhanced hidden camera device and didn’t hold much appeal for him. What Lin Bai truly valued were the subsequent tasks from the Media System. What if the system later rewarded him with Divine Skills related to the ’Dao of Media’ he had envisioned, perhaps even something like an ’Omnipresent Reach’?

All in all, everything was possible.

The "Immortal Realm’s First Paparazzi" and the others already had intentions to expand *Justice Weekly*. Upon hearing Lin Bai’s command, they naturally shifted the focus of their careers to the Media Empire. After consulting with Xu Longyun, they directly liaised with Cheng Xunyun...

「...」

Watching Lin Bai’s suddenly established Media Empire, Cheng Xunyun mused. Had General Chen been mistaken? Wasn’t Lin Bai cultivating his own forces right now? It was far too easy for him to cultivate his own power; he didn’t even need to do it deliberately. The reason they kept failing to predict Lin Bai’s actions was that they were always trying to understand him through the lens of worldly conventions! How could one possibly succeed in fathoming a transcendent being, a god, using mere worldly rules?

「...」

Lin Bai took out a pair of Disguise Glasses and immediately understood how to use them. After putting them on, scanning a target would allow him to disguise himself as that target, rather than freely changing into any desired appearance.

Lin Bai handed the Disguise Glasses to the Body of the War God. The Body of the War God put them on and scanned Nan Lingtian, who was standing nearby.

A flash of light emanated from the lenses.

The Body of the War God before Lin Bai had transformed into an exact replica of Nan Lingtian, and the glasses had vanished.

Nan Lingtian stared in astonishment as Xingtian suddenly took on his appearance, exclaiming, "Him?"

"Is there a Nameplate?" Lin Bai asked.

"Yes." Nan Lingtian blinked a few times, looked at Xingtian’s head, and nodded. "It’s identical to my Nameplate. It might deceive those unfamiliar with me, but people close to me would instantly recognize him as a fake. His temperament is vastly different from mine, and his cultivation realm isn’t high enough."

"What about me?" Lin Bai also put on a pair of glasses and scanned Nan Lingtian in the same manner.

Looking at three identical Nan Lingtians, Mad Wind Sword Fanatic and the others felt an inexplicable sense of wistfulness wash over them. To think such magical artifacts existed in the world!

If they, the Ascenders, had each possessed such glasses back then, would they have fallen to their current state?

Little White Fox licked her lips, her eyes darting around as she schemed. She thought she should also ask her Master for such a pair of convincing Disguise Glasses. Perhaps then she wouldn’t have to wait until adulthood to get intimate with her Master.

"There’s a Nameplate, but your aura is too strong," Nan Lingtian stated drily. "Alliance Hierarch, your realm is suitable for imitating a teacher. No one in Prosperous World Academy would figure it out..."

Lin Bai took off his glasses, returning to his original appearance. Excitement flashed in his eyes as he said, "That’s a good idea, Nan Lingtian. If I’m not mistaken, the Dean of Prosperous World Academy is at the Star-glowing Realm, right?"

Experts of the Star Diamond Realm possessed domains within which spells could be cast instantly. Those at the Star-glowing Realm, however, were all exceptionally talented individuals who had comprehended the Dao of Laws.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to challenge a Heavenly King.

In a way, Star-glowing Realm experts were like weaker versions of Heavenly Kings who lacked a Law-based Holy Artifact, capable of absolutely suppressing those at the Star Diamond Ranking.

Aware of the power of the Star-glowing Realm, Lin Bai couldn’t find a suitable method to seal them. The Bind the Immortal effect of the Red String could restrain them but not their magical power. As for Binding Marriage, unless he bound them to himself, connecting them to his Puppets via the Red String would allow them to bypass the Puppets and attack him directly. The old tactic from the Lower Realm, using Puppets as a buffer to torment a bound spouse, was no longer viable.

But the Disguise Glasses offered Lin Bai a glimmer of hope. Surely, the Dean of Prosperous World Academy wouldn’t be wary of one of his own teachers? He possessed Long Tianxi’s complete skill set. If he disguised himself as Long Tianxi and got close to the Dean of Prosperous World Academy, as long as he could touch him, he could use the Absolute Suppression of the Cooking God System to completely conquer him...

"Are you going to make a move against the Dean?" Nan Lingtian asked, startled.

"Since there’s an opportunity, why not try?" Lin Bai laughed.

"But the Dean serves under the Thunder Heavenly King and usually doesn’t involve himself in Academy affairs. It’s not easy to see him," Nan Lingtian said. "I cultivated at Prosperous World Academy for twenty years and only ever heard his name. Even up to my graduation, I never saw the Dean’s true face. Furthermore, those at the Star-glowing Realm have more or less mastered the Dao of Laws. Even if you possess a Law-based Holy Artifact, I’m afraid you’re no match for them..."

"So he’s rarely at Prosperous World Academy? That means he’s not familiar with the teachers there either. Doesn’t that make my disguise even more foolproof?" Lin Bai remarked.

"..." Nan Lingtian was stunned silent again. It seemed everything he had just said was for nothing.

"Alliance Hierarch, we really don’t need to take such a risk," Mad Wind Sword Fanatic stated, startled by Lin Bai’s plan, and quickly advised, "The Justice League controls three worlds and possesses a powerful weapon like the Magpie Bridge. We can retreat to the Mortal World at any time. In our battle against the Fairy World, we’re already in an undefeatable position. We can afford to take our time, using the Magpie Bridge to gradually diminish the Fairy World’s power while increasing our own strength."

"Yes, Alliance Hierarch! Everything in the League depends on you. You are the League’s pillar of strength! Anything that needs doing, your subordinates can handle. If something were to happen to you, the dominion you fought so hard to build would likely crumble immediately!" Fairy Xuan Yun chimed in.

They had already learned about Lin Bai’s past through Tuohai and others, leading to their deep admiration and complete loyalty. Indeed, it was because of Lin Bai that they now had their current freedom and way of life, making them the most concerned for his safety.

However, individuals like Ye Song remained silent. They knew that any advice would be futile; Lin Bai had always been impulsive. If he could have been persuaded, they would have done so long ago. Then again, if Lin Bai could be so easily swayed, the Justice League wouldn’t exist today.

"No more discussion is needed. All of you, focus on your cultivation and maintain order within the League. Don’t worry about me. I possess an Undying Body; a mere Star-glowing Realm expert cannot kill me," Lin Bai said, glancing at them. "You don’t understand the true danger we face. Failing to grow stronger as quickly as possible is tantamount to waiting for death."

Mad Wind Sword Fanatic and the others opened their mouths as if to speak, then awkwardly retreated to one side. They had already incurred Lin Bai’s displeasure with their previous defiance. Having only recently and with great difficulty become his disciples, they feared that another impulsive word might lead to their expulsion from the sect.

"Alliance Hierarch, my point is that our chances of even meeting the Dean are quite slim," Nan Lingtian stammered. "Experts of the Star-glowing Realm spend most of their time in seclusion. They only show themselves for sparring sessions with those of similar realms, if at all..."

"The descent of the Tenth Heavenly King, the birth of new Celestial People—are these events not significant enough to warrant their appearance?" Lin Bai chuckled, shaking his head. "If I didn’t intend to stir up a storm in the Fairy World, why would I send millions of newly born Celestial People there? My goal is precisely to muddy the waters. Only then can the established order be broken!"

"You should probably discuss this with Teacher. Perhaps you can glean some information about the Dean from him," Nan Lingtian suggested with a smile. Having been conquered by Lin Bai, he was now wholeheartedly devoted to strategizing for the Tenth Heavenly King.

"I will." Lin Bai looked around at everyone in the hall and smiled. "Rest assured, I won’t make a move without absolute certainty."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, Lin Bai proceeded to validate the Crownless King skill.

He put on his press badge, setting Long Tianxi, who was not currently present, as the interviewee.

The next moment, Lin Bai’s figure suddenly vanished from the City Lord’s Mansion. He began to Flash continuously, uncontrollably rushing towards Long Tianxi, who was managing the situation outside the city. He couldn’t stop even if he wanted to.

Even if Lin Bai tried to cancel the interview, he couldn’t.

His body was completely beyond his control.

Behind him, his bewildered disciples hastily gave chase.

"Damn," Lin Bai exclaimed, lines of frustration appearing on his forehead.

What the hell was going on? Was he being forcibly teleported to the interviewee’s side? Was this for real? Was this some kind of trap? Good thing he chose Long Tianxi. If he had chosen Cheng Xunyun, would he have had to cross the Magpie Bridge to reach him? No wonder the target couldn’t refuse his interview! He was being forcibly teleported there! The target could only refuse if they could outrun him! At this moment, Lin Bai finally understood the feelings of those he had provoked... The so-called Crownless King was just a form of reverse taunt! If someone attacked him while he was conducting an interview, he wouldn’t even be able to fight back... It was a trash skill! Journalism definitely wasn’t the career for him. He swore he would never use this skill again!

「...」

The Flashing speed was incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, Lin Bai found himself standing before Long Tianxi.

Looking at Lin Bai, Long Tianxi spoke with a resigned expression, "Just now, I found I could only move within a very limited range. That was due to your Control Law, wasn’t it, Alliance Hierarch?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Bai was stunned yet again. He asked incredulously, "You couldn’t leave just now?"

Long Tianxi gave Lin Bai a strange look, then teleported a short distance away and back. "I can now," he said.

Damn it! So, while he was being forcibly pulled towards the target, the target was also immobilized! That was the reason the target couldn’t refuse... That explained it! If the target could run, he’d never be able to interview them in his life! What kind of skill was this? A Divine Technique? Or a dud? At this moment, Lin Bai himself was unsure what to make of this so-called Crownless King skill! Aside from its taunting nature, immobilizing a target from a great distance should definitely count as a Divine Technique, right? No. This blasted skill was tied to the press badge. Didn’t that mean individuals like the "Immortal Realm’s First Paparazzi" also possessed this bizarre skill? If they used it to pin an enemy in place, he could then... capture them.

Thinking about the correct way to use the skill, Lin Bai swallowed hard.

Unbelievable! The Crownless King was truly a Divine Technique! Forget and Zhou Zhu could now be found.