CHAPTER 411: 411 LIN BAI’S LAYOUT

The Players in the Temple of Earth responsible for reporting battlefront situations were also live-streaming, earning some extra traffic and money.

There wasn’t much to see on the side of Lin Bai’s Dark Split and the War God. The moment they set foot in the Fairy World, Mu Tianwang and his contingent had shut down all city Teleportation Portals. The Expedition Army could only use Magpie Bridges for transit, but as soon as the first Magpie Bridge was erected, City Guard Armies from all locations began hunting down Players. Even the Players of the Justice League were slaughtered to the point they couldn’t even leave the Resurrection Point; their levels were too low. The Expedition Army consisted of relatively righteous gods. Their self-image prevented them from slaughtering ordinary Celestials en masse. Thus, they could only travel via the routes guarded by the Justice League’s Magpie Bridge Guardians, hidden deep in mountains and dense forests, which severely slowed their march.

The situation on Dream Heavenly King’s side remained static. So, the audience’s attention was still focused on Lin Bai. Comparatively speaking, there was a bit more intrigue here.

Then, everyone witnessed Lin Bai playing matchmaker at a magnificent banquet.

A great war is about to begin, and he’s arranging a marriage? Is this to ward off ill luck, or is it a good omen?

The audience couldn’t wrap their heads around it, leading to a momentary blank in the live chat before messages started scrolling again:

"Alliance Hierarch Lin really is different! Still playing matchmaker at a time like this."

"He doesn’t even realize the banquet is full of malice. Those gods clearly want to hold him hostage and get the secrets of the Magpie Bridge from him."

"You think he hasn’t noticed? Why did Lin Bai try so hard to invite the Earth Goddess to the real world before? It’s because he can’t leave now! Like they say, walk dark paths too often, and you’re bound to meet ghosts."

"Poor Alliance Hierarch Lin, actually taken hostage."

"Is Lin Bai’s Dao of Cultivation Law actually real?"

"From the start, he’s been promoting the Dao of Cultivation Law. The logic is all interconnected, and his various strange actions back it up. It must be real. It’s just that the requirements are too strict, or maybe Lin Bai hid some key cultivation secrets, causing so many people to waste their efforts."

"But I feel Lin Bai is very sincere this time."

"Sincere my ass! Would you hand over a superweapon like the Magpie Bridge? Besides, Lin Bai’s in the enemy’s main camp! If they learn how to use the Magpie Bridge, he’ll be the first to die. You think Lin Bai’s as foolish as you? He says he’s a good guy, and you actually believe him?"

"Makes sense. ’If a man doesn’t look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him.’ Everything Lin Bai does is against human nature. Anything against human nature must be problematic. Let’s just see if those gods fall for it."

"You’re wrong. Lin Bai has always claimed to cultivate the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao is emotionless; he’s never considered himself human."

"He’s already switched to the Way of Love. He has a wife and child, so of course, he has to consider them. He’s not the same Lin Bai who was so fixated on the Heavenly Dao anymore."

"Just keep watching. When have you guys ever correctly guessed Lin Bai’s intentions?"

...

The Star God’s expression was initially one of annoyance, but as he heard Lin Bai’s words, his eyes gradually lit up, and he redoubled his efforts in his performance.

Cupid looked at Lin Bai, then at the Star God, somewhat undecided. Lin Bai was being a bit too generous and enthusiastic, which didn’t quite fit his persona as a warmonger and agent of chaos. So, she turned her gaze back to the Earth Goddess.

"Alea, you lack a steadfast heart for the Dao," Lin Bai said, watching Cupid’s movements and shaking his head slightly. "My fellow gods, we are not enemies. I have never regarded you as enemies. In my eyes, you, and even the Lord of the Abyss, are all the same. Our enemy is the game company from the High-dimensional World.

From the very beginning, the Righteous Door has always wanted more people to step out of this world and jointly maintain the peace of the Three Thousand Worlds. Therefore, regarding the Dao of Cultivation Law, I will not selfishly hoard it.

Whoever takes that final step, we become comrades-in-arms with shared ideals. This has always been my approach, not only towards you but also towards the Heaven’s Chosen of the Immortal World, and even those Players fooled by the game company. I have opened the Dao of Cultivation Law to all of them.

Broaden your horizons, open your minds, and expand your perspectives.

My fellow gods, just think: when you enter the High-dimensional World and look down upon all living beings in the Three Thousand Worlds, will you still care about the small plot of land you now possess? Will you still care about past grudges and favors?

Humans do not aspire to an ant’s nest.

Only by transcending this world and achieving greater accomplishments can one become a True God. Limiting one’s power to believers and this tiny world makes one a False God at best."

The gods were moved. Even the Earth Goddess’s expression changed.

In the real world, many Sect Leaders and numerous Heaven’s Chosen from the Immortal World fell into deep thought. They pondered if they had taken the wrong path and whether they should abandon everything to wholeheartedly cultivate Lin Bai’s Dao of Cultivation Law.

The live chat on the screen:

"It’s over for me; I’m convinced."

"This world can no longer confine my heart!"

"Indeed, fighting BOSSes is too trivial. Our goal should be the sea of stars!"

"Real men should pursue the Dao, transcend this small world, and seek liberation!"

"Stop boasting. The reality is, you guys can’t even play a game properly..."

"Okay, I admit I was wrong. I shouldn’t use human perceptions to judge Lin Bai; he’s not human. Analyzing his actions from his lofty perspective, they truly make perfect sense."

...

"Alea, so, what are you truly worried about?" Lin Bai looked at Cupid again, his eyes full of encouragement. "This is the Earth Goddess’s Temple. Your beloved is the renowned Star God. I haven’t even used the Bow of Love on you. Everything is of your own volition. All you need to contribute is a wedding. If you’re not satisfied with the Star God I’ve chosen for you, there are more gods over there. You can pick anyone from among them."

The male gods in the temple puffed out their chests in unison, gazing fervently at the Goddess of Love.

You have to admit, the Goddess of Love was indeed a perfect woman, and most gods on the Continent of Gods and Demons did not suppress their emotions.

"Alliance Hierarch Lin, is it possible for us to master the Way of Love?" the Forest Goddess suddenly asked.

"Anyone can. The Dao of Cultivation Law is not restricted by Divine Status," Lin Bai smiled. "I’ve never equipped a Divine Status myself, so I’m not very familiar with your methods of using them. But the Dao of Cultivation Law could well be a way for you to break free from your reliance on Faith Power. After all, once understood, even an ordinary person with no cultivation can use it proficiently. There are no restrictions."

Every word from Lin Bai precisely struck the most sensitive chords in the hearts of the gods. The prospect of greater, far-reaching development and freedom from reliance on Faith Power—it was difficult for them not to be tempted.

The crucial point was, there was no harm in trying...

「Inside the temple.」

Many male and female gods simultaneously scanned the hall, searching for suitable partners.

The Earth Goddess frowned slightly. "Alliance Hierarch Lin, among the various paths within the Dao of Cultivation Law, is the Heavenly Dao the strongest, isn’t it?"

"Correct. Spoken Law Follows; the Heavenly Dao is the most powerful, but it is also the most difficult." Lin Bai saw through the Earth Goddess’s thoughts at a glance. As the most powerful deity, she naturally wouldn’t lower herself to cultivate something like the Way of Love with gods weaker than her. Yet, being intrigued by the Dao of Cultivation Law, she would naturally turn her attention to other Laws.

"Could you elaborate for me?" the Earth Goddess asked.

"Byleth, actually, Justice Weekly contains detailed descriptions for cultivating each Law. Those are all correct methods. However, if you wish to hear it, Goddess, I will explain it again..." Lin Bai wasn’t in a hurry and meticulously recounted the cultivation method for Spoken Law Follows once more.

Looking at the Earth Goddess’s deeply furrowed brow, he said, "It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? But this is indeed the cultivation method summarized by our sect. Throughout history, no one has successfully cultivated the Heavenly Dao. The Nine Ancestors of the Righteous Door once prophesied that I had the best chance of successfully cultivating the Heavenly Dao. However, I switched to the Way of Love. But recently, I’ve had a premonition and intend to return to cultivating the Heavenly Dao. After all, I cannot betray the hopes of my sect."

As Lin Bai spoke, he suddenly remembered his Glib Lotus, which could potentially turn his descriptions into reality. That being the case, he naturally had to give himself a buff. So, he steered the conversation back to himself.

Glib Lotus isn’t true Spoken Law Follows, but it already possesses its rudimentary form. What if I actually manage to speak it into reality and grasp true Spoken Law Follows! Then, I would truly be invincible!

"..." The Earth Goddess sank into thought once more.

It had to be said, the cultivation method for Spoken Law Follows is even more outrageous than that for the Way of Love. She couldn’t bring herself to do it. If she really cultivated Spoken Law Follows as Lin Bai described, and word got out, her followers would likely abandon her.

...

Unconsciously, all the gods in the temple had been swept up by Lin Bai’s tempo.

Lin Bai’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Sophistry is truly a great Skill; it can always make the impossible possible. It’s a pity those arrogant fools like the Lord of the Abyss don’t give me a chance to speak. Otherwise, relying on Sophistry, I feel I could dupe them thoroughly.

Watching the gods grow animated, Lin Bai stood up and clapped gently. "My fellow gods, the cultivation of the Heavenly Dao is difficult. The Way of Incompleteness is unsuitable for the battlefield. The Way of Cooking requires talent and passion. Currently, the easiest and most practical to cultivate is the Way of Love. The War God and his forces are on an expedition to the Fairy World and won’t reach their destination for some time. Dream Heavenly King is still battling the Lord of the Abyss. Why don’t we seize this opportunity to cultivate the Way of Love together and increase our strength! If even one person can master the Magpie Bridge, my burden will be greatly lightened. We can then open up multiple fronts on the battlefield and end this chaotic era sooner."

"Can the Way of Love be learned quickly?" Cupid asked.

"Not learned quickly, but realized through epiphany," Lin Bai corrected her seriously. "I have cultivated the Way of Love for less than a year and achieved so much, all thanks to epiphanies. The rapid advancement in the Way of Love came after my wedding. That’s why I mentioned a wedding earlier. Marrying first and loving later might indeed be a shortcut."

He paused, looking around at everyone. "Since we have nothing better to do, why don’t we hold a wedding ceremony right here in the temple? You’ll know if it works once you try."

After a brief silence, the Earth Goddess asked, "Isn’t this too hasty?"

"It’s already considered slow," Lin Bai replied. "Byleth, how long did it take you to acquire your Divine Status and attain your current Divine Power? How long did it take me to cultivate the Dao of Cultivation Law? Now, I can stand on equal footing with you. Someone as wise as you shouldn’t ignore this fact. Besides, didn’t you trap me here for the Magpie Bridge? Now that I’m being completely open, why are you so hesitant when it’s come to this?"

"I..." the Earth Goddess began.

"I am willing." The Goddess of Love interrupted the Earth Goddess, standing up with determination. She first curtsied gracefully to Lin Bai, then turned to the Earth Goddess. "Byleth, Alliance Hierarch Lin is correct. We indeed shouldn’t hesitate. The Dao of Cultivation Law requires a firm heart. All this time, I haven’t understood why, though we are both deities of love, I am so far behind Lin Bai. Now I understand. What I lack is his fearless, pioneering heart. So, I am willing to be the one to proceed with this wedding, to comprehend the true Way of Love."

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Lin Bai’s applause echoed through the temple. He looked at the Goddess of Love with approval. "Congratulations, Alea. When you bravely take this step, you are already more than halfway to success. I hope that in the future, when we shatter this world and step into a higher-dimensional space, you will be by my side."

The Star God was thoroughly exasperated. While still playing his flute, he shot Lin Bai a resentful glare. If the Goddess of Love is to marry, it should be with me! What do you mean, ’you will be by her side’ when we shatter the world? I’ll become a God of Rules too!

Byleth looked at Lin Bai, then at the resolute Alea. Something felt off. She had trapped Lin Bai here to ensure the War God and the others could return safely. But why was she suddenly about to witness Cupid’s wedding? What in the world! How did things escalate to this point? Yet, upon careful reflection, everything seemed to flow so logically; there wasn’t a single flaw to pick... If they possessed the Magpie Bridge, they would indeed gain more initiative. Moreover, Lin Bai was right: the place was theirs, the people were their own. Apart from holding a wedding, they had nothing to lose. Lin Bai was merely providing them with a method, gaining no benefit himself. And if Cupid mastered the Way of Love, they would profit immensely. Profit without investment. Was this Lin Bai’s grand strategy?

Thinking it over and finding no fault, the Earth Goddess nodded. "Alright, we will hold a wedding. Alea, have you made up your mind?"

The Goddess of Love looked at Lin Bai.

Lin Bai clenched his fist, giving her an encouraging gesture.

Alea took a deep breath and nodded. "I’ve decided."

"Whom will you marry? Thales?" the Earth Goddess asked, looking at the Star God, who was still engrossed in playing his flute.

"Alea, don’t rush to choose. I can provide you with more options," Lin Bai said. "More excellent men can be included in Phoenix Seeks Phoenix. They will present their talents to you. You can choose whoever you feel is more suitable. The one I chose for you isn’t necessarily the right one."

Other male gods stood up one after another, casting grateful glances at Lin Bai.

"No need. It shall be Thales! Alliance Hierarch Lin also loves deeply; I trust your choice is not wrong." The Goddess of Love turned to look at the Star God again and nodded seriously.

The moment she made her choice, the Star God stopped his performance. He was stunned for a moment, then looked at the Goddess of Love and knelt on one knee. "Alea, you have not chosen wrongly. From this day forward, I will protect you with my life."