Who cares?

Both those who hate me and those who love me contribute to my growth.

The Nine Heavenly Kings act on their own will; their decisions have never been swayed by mere mortals.

Intrigue is nothing more than a supplement for inadequate power!

As Lin Bai's power continued to grow, his mindset was gradually changing. In this world that valued the survival of the fittest, a place where individual strength could change destinies.

Now that he possessed the power of the Star-glowing Realm, his next goal—Heavenly King—was in sight. He had no time to concern himself with the minor plans of his fellow players.

The very reason players of the Anti-Linbai Alliance believed they could threaten him through tactics of mutual destruction was because they thought he cared about this world.

But does he truly care?

Perhaps he might care a little for Xu Longyun's sake.

Yet, Xu Longyun's mindset still seemed rooted in worldly matters.

Even so, seeing her dedication, Lin Bai didn't want to discourage her. He nodded and said, "Sure, you can handle the Anti-Linbai Alliance. Get your fellow disciples to help. I'll focus on improving your strength."

Xu Longyun agreed with slight hesitation, eyeing Lin Bai. "My lord, the Fairy World is unstable, and nobody can help you. Wouldn't it be better if we prolonged our stay here in the Lower Realm, let the gods and Celestial Beings of the Continent of Gods and Demons fight it out first, and then decide our next steps? After all, the moment you set foot in the Fairy World, all focus will shift onto you. Taking a step back might open up a wider world."

Once married, a woman's priority often becomes stability. She'd be unwilling to see her husband take risks. This is a normal psychological transition. Looking at Xu Longyun, Lin Bai gently sighed, "Xiao Yun, it's like rowing upstream; if you don't advance, you fall back. Having come this far, stopping is easier said than done. Furthermore, I must improve my strength so that I can protect you all."

Xu Longyun, understanding there was no dissuading Lin Bai, managed a forced smile. "My lord, please prioritize your safety."

"I am a man of destiny; nothing can harm me." Lin Bai chuckled. "Danger is always accompanied by opportunity. Having been in the Fairy World for just a few days, I've already reached the Star-glowing Realm. The next step is Heavenly King. When I become a Heavenly King, it will be our turn to restore order to this world."

「...」

Even after defeating Shi Biao, the mission of the Extreme Kill-Back System wasn't marked as completed, indicating that the danger remained. Lin Bai contemplated for a moment before using the Extraction Skill on a dazed Shi Biao.

Lin Bai didn't use extraction while he was suppressing Shi Biao.

The Extraction Skill is random, allowing one to gain only one skill from the opponent at a time. The circumstances back then simply wouldn't have allowed it.

Moreover, sealing Shi Biao within a card meant he would also share all of Shi Biao's abilities. The more complete the puppet sealed in a card, the better.

Now that he had successfully sealed Shi Biao, using the Extraction Skill on the puppet would make the extracted skill his own.

Based on the card's recovery features, if I extract a skill, then return him to the card, it should still be restored...

Thunder Fury Wheel.

The first skill was extracted, an ability not particularly useful.

The Card System displayed a message: A new method of card usage was discovered, rewarding ten three-color cards.

The moment the system prompt appeared, Lin Bai knew his method worked.

Without hesitation, he pressed the dazed and non-resisting Shi Biao to the ground, defeated him once more, and continued extracting Skills.

What Lin Bai was best at was exploiting system bugs.

Are the opinions of others as important as improving his own strength?

Xu Longyun had long been accustomed to Lin Bai's eccentricities. Wasn't it his mad dash to the City Lord's mansion in Jiamucheng, where he spouted a string of romantic confessions to her, that first stirred her heart?

Without that innocent heart, how could Lin Bai have reached such heights?

After many attempts, Lin Bai extracted the pivotal domain skill from Shi Biao—Thunder Judgment, a principle ability targeting the soul.

Then, he returned Shi Biao to his card for restoration.

It's just that cultivation level couldn't be extracted. Otherwise, Lin Bai could have used this skill to elevate himself to the Sky King Realm.

「...」

Having secured the skills, Lin Bai didn't rush back to the Fairy World. Instead, he fed Shi Biao an Enlightenment Pill, assisting him in regaining his senses. To know oneself and one's enemy is the key to victory.

"Judgment!"

The moment his senses were restored and all his memories came rushing back, Shi Biao was enraged. He immediately tried to use his principle ability.

However, constrained by his puppet status and lacking Lin Bai's command, he couldn't even mobilize his spiritual power.

Gritting his teeth, Shi Biao stared at Lin Bai in desperation. "Don't get too cocky! You have no idea how powerful a Heavenly King is. Someday, my Heavenly King will avenge me!"

"Perhaps, but before that, your Heavenly King will likely kill you first, just like you killed Nan Lingtian." Lin Bai nonchalantly shook his head and used the Truth-telling Technique on him. "Biao, what principles did your three companions master?"

Shi Biao's anger was ignited by the nickname. "Don't call me Biao!"

"Biao, you've fallen. Don't you want to drag them down with you?" Lin Bai said leisurely. "Four people came to kill me, and only you got caught. Don't you feel wronged? It would be quite a blow to your reputation if word got out!"

"Don't think you can get any information from me." Shi Biao responded icily. "They are my good brothers; I won't betray anyone."

"Find someone to take your place, and I'll set you free," Lin Bai said.

"Your past actions, your personality—all the Celestial Beings know them like the back of their hand. Who doesn't know you're not a man of your word? Do you really think I'd fall for your tricks?" Shi Biao sneered.

"You'll keep turning your head and slapping your own face continuously. The curse will only be lifted once you reveal the principles your three companions mastered," The Curse God, with one head and two arms, suddenly spoke to Shi Biao.

"HMPH!" Shi Biao snorted in disdain.

But the next second, with a look of utter shock, he began involuntarily turning his head while slapping his face from left to right—a nonstop motion that made him resemble a malfunctioning fan.

SLAP!

SLAP!

SLAP!

One slap after another.

The sound of the slaps was clear and strong.

"What did you do to me?" a horrified Shi Biao shouted.

"I cursed you. The way to break it is also simple," Lin Bai said with a half-smile. "Very simple, isn't it?"

Xu Longyun's eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed at The Curse God and stuttered, "He... he..."

"I stole The Curse God's Divine Status." Lin Bai turned towards Xu Longyun, smiling. "That guy clearly didn't know how to use his curse. A good curse is one that achieves its purpose. Why bother creating such grand yet troubling curses that are difficult to lift?"

"..." Xu Longyun managed an awkward laugh, swallowing hard. Suddenly, having been turned into zombies didn't seem so terrifying anymore.

Never mind anything else, just look at how Lin Bai was dealing with Shi Biao. If The Curse God had pulled something like this at their wedding, she and Jiang Qingqin would have become laughingstocks across several worlds.

Their wedding would have been utterly ruined.

However, considering Lin Bai's bizarre array of principles, it was perfectly normal for him to use The Curse God's Divine Status this way.

"You don't need to worry anymore. The Curse God only has one Divine Status; no one else can curse you," Lin Bai read Xu Longyun's mind. "If I were to curse you, it would only be a curse to make you more and more beautiful."

Watching Lin Bai flirting and still in the mood to coax women, Shi Biao, who was continuously shaking his head and slapping himself, exploded, "Lin Bai, after humiliating me like this, don't even think about getting any more information from me!"

"How is this humiliation? I was even planning to take you shopping later!" Lin Bai disdainfully curled his lips. "You should know I have the Justice Weekly. I'm planning to find a couple of reporters to publicize your story. In less than an hour, all four worlds will know the glorious tale of Shi Biao, one of the Thunder Heavenly King's Four Great Generals, who would rather slap his own face than betray his companions..."

"You dare?" Shi Biao stared in horror.

"You all want to kill me, what wouldn't I dare? I have a knack for grossing people out." Lin Bai laughed proudly. "Once your current image spreads throughout the worlds, do you think they'll see you as heroic, or as a joke?"

Xu Longyun couldn't bear to watch Shi Biao anymore. At this moment, she suddenly felt that The Curse God's Divine Status fit perfectly with her husband.

The curse, combined with his principles, was simply a perfect match.

"Humiliating a powerful expert like this, Lin Bai, you'll incite public outrage!" Shi Biao foresaw his miserable future, his eyes red, a hysterical smile on his face, looking like a complete lunatic.

"As if you would spare me if I didn't do these things. When you have too many debts, you stop worrying; when you have too many lice, you stop itching. I'm already the public enemy of the world; I don't mind adding a few more crimes to my name. Plus, by broadcasting your deeds, I can let more people know about my madness. Perhaps it will even make some people think twice before targeting me! After all, they'll have to consider if they can bear the consequences of provoking me!" Lin Bai shook his head indifferently. "After all this talk and all the slapping, Biao, are you really not going to betray your companions?"

SLAP!

Head shake!

SLAP!

Head shake!

Shi Biao glared at Lin Bai angrily, yet his eyes showed increasing struggle.

"I've also planned what comes next. For example, taking you, still slapping yourself, to fight against those companions you're so desperately trying to protect. Then, let's see if they show you any mercy?" Lin Bai, his words designed to break Shi Biao's spirit, said slowly. "Perhaps, during the fight, you won't be able to bear the humiliation and will voluntarily expose their principles!"

"You..." Shi Biao's face turned crimson. After a long moment, he finally asked, "If I tell you their principles, will this really stop?"

"Why not give it a try?" Instead of giving him a straight answer, Lin Bai smiled encouragingly. "What if it works? It's better than now, anyway!"

So, this man is the devil, right?

Shi Biao recalled the Heart of Sky Demon at the beginning of the battle and suddenly felt that opposing Lin Bai was not a wise choice.

The Alliance Hierarch of the Justice League? Bah! Definitely an Evil Spirit.

And most people don't want to offend an evil person!

Shi Biao gritted his teeth. "The Celestial Being with the sword is Tang Hao; the principle he has mastered is called Purple Flame Heavenly Thunder. Once struck by Purple Flame Heavenly Thunder, the purple flames will adhere to the body and burn one to ashes, impossible to extinguish. The Celestial Being with the saber is Peng Lang; the principle he has mastered is called Twisted Thunder. Being struck by his lightning will forcibly reverse all actions. The Celestial Being with the hammer is Fei Shang; the principle he has mastered is called Synchronous Thunder. When struck by his lightning, whatever action he takes, the target will be forced to mimic it."

Upon revealing the answer, the curse lifted, and the sound of slapping stopped abruptly.

Shi Biao stood frozen, looking at his own palm in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe Lin Bai's words were true.

Xu Longyun was also stunned.

She wasn't concerned about the curse, but those three principles sounded incredibly powerful.

Lin Bai's principles like Separation of Love and Milky Way seemed as gentle as lambs in comparison. She somewhat regretted encouraging Lin Bai to switch to cultivating the Way of Love. If Lin Bai had continued to cultivate the Heavenly Dao, he probably wouldn't be in such a passive position now!

"My lord, perhaps we should consider another approach to deal with them!" Xu Longyun suggested worriedly.

"No need." Lin Bai shook his head. "I cultivate the Principle of the Great Tao. Their principles are all lesser paths, negligible."

"My lord, don't be reckless," Xu Longyun pleaded.

"Principles are principles. What's all this about greater and lesser paths?" Shi Biao retorted, unable to hold back.

"Thunder Judgment can be used for a minute at most before it depletes your spiritual power. If you don't kill your enemy by then, you'll be at their mercy," Lin Bai said. "Moreover, it can't be used against enemies stronger than you. What kind of principle is that? At best, it's a powerful spell. Stop trying to make it sound grander than it is. And my principles of the Great Tao, they can be used even without a shred of spiritual power and have no restrictions. Can't you tell which is superior?"

Shi Biao paused, then flushed and countered, "Our principles grow stronger as our comprehension deepens; they're not as pathetic as you make them out to be! Your principles also have many weaknesses and are as laughable as a clown's antics. Besides, most Celestial Beings are immune to them..."

"How long can the other three maintain their principles?" Lin Bai glanced at him dismissively, not bothering to argue further, and interrupted him.

"Roughly the same as me," Shi Biao answered. Lin Bai's words had broken through his mental defenses; he was utterly demoralized and abandoned his staunch loyalty.

"Well, that makes it easier. You'll be the vanguard. Exhaust their principles, and I'll strike when they're weakened," Lin Bai smirked.

[Resentment from Shi Biao; +1+1+1...]

"This plan might actually work." Xu Longyun's eyes suddenly lit up, and she nodded. "You're their companion; a surprise attack should be a sure thing."

"So this is your strategy!" Shi Biao spat out, trembling from head to toe. "Lin Bai, you are shameless!"

"Isn't this precisely what puppets are for?" Lin Bai gave him a hard stare and forcefully dragged him along. "Biao, every man for himself, or Heaven and Earth will strike him down. When I release you, use Thunder Judgment in a sneak attack. For each one you kill, your chances of survival increase. Using their principles will weaken them. I reckon the three of them won't use their principles simultaneously. We'll target that Peng Lang first..."

"..." Shi Biao roared, "Lin Bai, you are clearly..."

The next instant, Lin Bai had already dragged him along, stepped onto the Magpie Bridge, and arrived at the other end.

"...trying to send me to my death! I won't attack Old Peng, even if I die..."

Shi Biao's last few words were spoken in the Fairy World.

Having waited for a long time without Lin Bai appearing, Tang Hao and the other two had assumed he wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. They were discussing countermeasures and preparing for a long stakeout.

Suddenly, they saw Lin Bai reappear, dragging a struggling and resisting Shi Biao with him.

The trio was overjoyed and readied themselves to strike. They planned to kill Lin Bai first, and then rescue Shi Biao.

Lin Bai tossed Shi Biao in Peng Lang's direction. "Catch!"

Seeing his comrade thrown by Lin Bai, Peng Lang reflexively pulled back his attack. But Lin Bai had already given Shi Biao the order to strike.

Shi Biao, unable to control his own body, rushed towards Peng Lang, roaring, "Old Peng, kill me!"

As he spoke, the Thunder Spirit appeared, and Thunder Judgment was unleashed. Over a thousand bolts of lightning instantly enveloped Peng Lang, who had no time to react.

Peng Lang took a severe hit and screamed as he plunged from the sky.

Tang Hao and Fei Shang were horrified.

Fei Shang immediately cast Synchronous Thunder on Shi Biao, intending to immobilize him first before rescuing Peng Lang.

Tang Hao lunged at Lin Bai, but Lin Bai vanished from the Magpie Bridge again.

"Bastard!" Tang Hao cursed, turning to help Fei Shang. But the next second, on the Magpie Bridge, another Shi Biao flew out, flailing wildly, shouting, "Be careful! That's Lin Bai in disguise..."