Suddenly, the mobile phone on the table rang. The caller ID showed Jin Zong, whom Zheng Tong had just called. Zheng Tong was surprised and turned to look at the live broadcast screen.
On the live broadcast screen, Lin Bai sat at the head of the Hall of the Blood Sect, silent.
The Sect Leaders from the native sects and high-level Players entered the hall one after another. After paying their respects to Lin Bai, they found their places in the hall and stood there.
Lin Bai looked down expressionlessly, saying nothing.
He’s calling first, and then he’ll probably send soone over. There should still be enough ti to replace Lin Bai, Zheng Tong mumbled. He ignored the constantly ringing phone, lay down in his ga cabin, and went online to replace Lin Bai.
One cannot exist both online and offline simultaneously. He had to make Lin Bai return to this body; otherwise, the mont soone arrives, the jig will be up...
Upon entering the ga, Zheng Tong sat in the main hall and looked down.
A sea of heads bustled below.
Zheng Tong had never experienced such a scene. He gulped nervously and instinctively sent a private ssage to Black Sheep: "Old Ma, there’s a call offline I need to deal with. What should we do here?"
He still rembered the Truth-telling Technique Lin Bai had warned him about. He chose his words carefully, not daring to make a mistake, and tried to use questions as much as possible.
For an instant, the Sky Falcon above seed to have undergone a slight change in temperant. Black Sheep wondered if he was imagining things.
But this Sky Falcon was undoubtedly the one he knew. He frowned slightly. "Just make up an excuse to go offline. You’re Lin Bai right now; who would dare question you?"
Sky Falcon nodded. Facing the crowd in the hall, he imitated Lin Bai’s movents and said, "Everyone, I have sothing to attend to and need to go offline for a while..."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he froze completely.
Damned Truth-telling Technique! It’s impossible to guard against!
Black Sheep’s expression changed drastically. He glared at Zheng Tong. That idiot! If you’re going to play Lin Bai, play him well! Why spout such nonsense?
However, hearing that sentence confird that Zheng Tong hadn’t been subjected to Body Snatching.
Still, it’s crucial to confirm from offline. Sothing feels off about Zheng Tong after Lin Bai’s supposed Body Snatching.
Luo Xue and the others looked disheartened and sighed quietly; they knew the person above had changed.
This must be a partial Body Snatching, right? The difference is too stark; there’s no mistaking it... But if the sa body can change occupants in an instant, it might not matter during a eting. What if it happens during a battle? Wouldn’t that lead to chaos? Can Lin Bai in this state truly lead them back to their peak?
The few of them exchanged glances, an unavoidable anxiety spreading in their hearts...
...
"Just as I thought, he’s a fake! See? How could an NPC perform Body Snatching on a Player?"
"However, Sky Falcon just used the Power of Laws. It seems Lin Bai’s Body Snatching still brought him significant benefits."
"Using ’Lin Bai’ to consolidate the situation is probably a tactic by the consortium to create a diversion."
"But this guy is incredibly stupid, saying sothing like ’go offline’ in front of the natives. Would Lin Bai ever say he’s ’logging off’?"
"What a lucky bastard! I wish I were the one Lin Bai’s clone perford Body Snatching on! The Power of Laws... just thinking about it sounds aweso..."
"Regardless, Sky Falcon’s rise is unstoppable. Possessing the Power of Laws, even an idiot would be heavily promoted by the consortium."
"I knew all along he couldn’t be Lin Bai."
"Poor Brother Lin Bai. He failed even when performing Body Snatching on such trash. I hope Brother Lin can erge from the Heavenly Tribulation soon and teach these bastards who are exploiting his na a lesson!"
"I wish Brother Lin Bai had perford Body Snatching on ! I’d willingly offer my body to him, let him do anything he wants with it!"
"Pah! If he’s going to perform Body Snatching on soone, it should be ! When daylight cos, I’m going to the Holy Extre Sect to talk to Brother Lin Bai about this!"
" too! The Blood Sect is controlled by the consortium; there’s no point staying here. It’s better to go outside the Heavenly Tribulation and watch Brother Lin Bai undergo his Tribulation."
...
The uninford natives’ expressions changed. They whispered among themselves, feeling they had been tricked by the Otherworlder.
But recalling the Power of Laws that Otherworlder commanded, they suppressed their indignation, daring not to voice it, especially since their Sect Leaders hadn’t yet made a statent.
"I..." Zheng Tong opened his mouth, wanting to say sothing, but because of the Truth-telling Technique, he ultimately swallowed all his words. Instead, he left them with, "All of you wait here. I’ll be right back."
He hastily turned back to the rear hall and chose to log off.
...
"Old Ma, it seems we don’t need to investigate anymore," Deepdiving Fish shrugged. "He almost had fooled just now."
"We still need to investigate," Black Sheep said. "A person’s aura can’t change that quickly. Body Snatching is a serious matter. From when Sky Falcon was body-snatched by Lin Bai until he reappeared, half an hour had passed. During that ti, there was no news—no replies to ssages, no emails, not even a live stream. It’s best to get to the bottom of this."
"Yes, it’s better to be cautious," Deepdiving Fish nodded.
...
"Lin Bai, that Truth-telling Technique really screwed over," Zheng Tong complained, back in his own body. "My cover’s blown. The natives no longer believe I’m you."
"Does it matter?" Lin Bai’s image appeared in Zheng Tong’s mind. "That’s precisely the effect we wanted. Your appearance perfectly dispelled their suspicions about . I don’t understand your temperant and habits; no matter how well I might act, flaws will inevitably appear. Besides, appearing in your identity slows things down considerably, requiring all sorts of explanations. Only by getting them used to a two-faced version of you can these flaws cease to be flaws."
"What do we do next?" Zheng Tong asked, looking at the phone call that had automatically disconnected. "I’m still under the Truth-telling Technique. If anyone investigates , I’ll be exposed."
"You go to the ga’s main interface and check the forums. I’ll handle things here," Lin Bai said. "Isn’t that why you forced out of the ga?"
"Alright," Zheng Tong agreed without hesitation.
At this point, he was in a situation with no way out and could only let Lin Bai take the reins.
Just at this mont, Jin Zong’s call ca through again.
Zheng Tong glanced at his phone, lay back in the ga cabin, entered the ga’s main interface, and relinquished control of his body to Lin Bai.
Lin Bai stretched his body, stepped out of the ga cabin, picked up the phone, and pressed the answer button. "Jin Zong, you were looking for ?"
"Zheng, what was that call about earlier?" a deep baritone voice ca from the earpiece.
"Jin Zong, in the ga, after Lin Bai perford Body Snatching on , I acquired the Power of Laws. I wanted to report this to you and ask for your guidance on my next steps," Lin Bai said, choosing his words carefully.
"After you called, why didn’t you say anything?" Jin Zong asked.
"I was speaking the whole ti, but it seed you couldn’t hear on your end. Perhaps there was a problem with my phone," Lin Bai replied.
"If your phone was malfunctioning, why didn’t you use another thod of contact? You should know that the Immortal World project is the company’s top priority," Jin Zong said.
"Jin Zong, I initially wanted to tell you," Lin Bai explained. "However, I realized my understanding of the skills acquired through Body Snatching wasn’t comprehensive. It wouldn’t be good if I made mistakes answering your questions. So, I returned to the ga, planning to first understand the application of the Power of Laws post-Body Snatching, and then report back to you.
You should also know, Jin Zong, that logging off ans logging back in at the sa spot. He Qin and his group were waiting for . As soon as I ca online, they attacked without any questions. They already considered Lin Bai, so I simply went along with it and returned to the Sect as him. You know what happened after that."
"For such a critical matter, why didn’t you seek approval from your superiors before acting? Do you realize how many problems your rash actions have caused the company?" Jin Zong rebuked.
"Jin Zong, under those circumstances, if I had logged off to report to you, it might have aroused He Qin and his group’s suspicions! After all, given Lin Bai’s overbearing personality, he would never compromise with Players weaker than himself," Lin Bai said. "Furthermore, the NPCs remaining in the Blood Sect were fighting our people. If they were all wiped out, it would be detrintal. So, I decided to act first and report later, to stabilize the situation."
"Manager Ma was with you at the ti. Why didn’t you discuss it with him?" Jin Zong questioned. "Are you aware that by impulsively convening a full Sect assembly in Lin Bai’s na, you’ve caught many people off guard? We could have handled this more prudently..."
A mont of silence.
Lin Bai said, "Jin Zong, do I need to remind you? I have mastered Lin Bai’s Power of Laws. Nominally, I am now the top Player in the ga."
"..." Jin Zong was stunned.
"I want Manager Ma’s position," Lin Bai stated bluntly.
"..." After a brief silence, Jin Zong said, "Zheng, do you realize what you’re saying?"
"Jin Zong, do you know why I remained silent for so long after dialing your number?" Lin Bai asked. "My phone wasn’t broken. It was because I suddenly realized my status might have changed. I need to make everyone aware of this.
Jin Zong, in fact, my decision to take control as Lin Bai and then deliberately reveal my Player identity was intentional.
Now, Jing Ke and Fengda have probably received the news by now. An employee who seems a bit foolish, yet possesses the power to change the ga world’s landscape... I think they’d find that very interesting."
「On the other side of the phone.」
Jin Zong’s breathing suddenly quickened.
A mont later, a hearty voice ca through the receiver. "Zheng, it was my oversight. You too. If you’d revealed your talents sooner, you wouldn’t have remained a re head of the security departnt."
"Jin Zong, back then, my abilities were only suited for being a minor security departnt head. Things are different now; tis have changed," Lin Bai said. "An opportunity not seized is an opportunity lost."
"You should return to the ga and take charge of the situation. I’ll report your circumstances to the higher-ups, and I guarantee you’ll receive a satisfactory response. Having been with the company for so long, you should know that Xinlong Group never overlooks talent," Jin Zong laughed. "Stop holding back. Do what you need to do. I’ll inform Manager Ma and the others to cooperate with you first."
"Then, thank you very much, Jin Zong," Lin Bai replied with a smile.
"No need for such politeness. Who knows, I might be calling you Manager Zheng soon. When you achieve that promotion, I’ll be sure to treat you to a good drink," Jin Zong chuckled. "Alright, I’ll hang up now. I need to seize this mont and report your situation. If I delay and you soar to new heights, Brother Zheng, it would be my oversight."
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The busy tone sounded.
Lin Bai looked at the disconnected phone and scoffed. What a fuss over nothing!
「anwhile.」
In the gaming affairs departnt of Xinlong Group, the portly Jin Zong put down his phone and imdiately dialed another number. "Director Liu, recall the people sent to investigate Zheng Tong. I’ve already ascertained the situation; there’s no need for them to go."
「Xinlong Employees’ Apartnts.」
A cleaning lady, her face pale with fright, spoke to another cleaner, "Old Huang, do you think there’s sothing... unclean in the apartnts?"
Old Huang replied, "What era are we in? What unclean things could there be? The building is full of people playing gas; they don’t leave their ga cabins unless it’s an ergency. You’re not just scaring yourself because it’s too quiet with no one moving around, are you?"
The cleaning lady looked at Old Huang, hesitating before finally saying, "Old Huang, I’m telling you this, but please don’t tell anyone else! I was on the third floor, calling my daughter, and suddenly... I couldn’t speak..."
Old Huang’s expression turned grave. "Go to the hospital imdiately and get yourself checked! That’s not sothing unclean; suddenly being unable to speak could be a precursor to a stroke!"
"I know my own body; it’s definitely not a stroke," the cleaning lady said, her face white. "At that mont, I could open my mouth, but no sound would co out, as if my phone had been muted. You wouldn’t understand the feeling unless you’ve experienced it. Old Huang, those ga cabins look like coffins. This building lacks vitality; there’s definitely sothing wrong. I don’t want to work here anymore..."
「...」
"All the problems are solved? And I might even get a promotion and a raise?" Listening to the phone recording, Zheng Tong was utterly incredulous.
"I told you before, my abilities are on a completely different level than yours. Just follow , your Alliance Hierarch, and you’ll live a life of luxury," Lin Bai said. "First, we’ll consolidate the Players in the ga, demonstrating my capabilities step by step. The next move is to take control of the consortium..."
At this mont, Zheng Tong was in complete awe of Lin Bai, sighing, "Compared to you, I’m absolute crap..."
"Get into the ga cabin, Zheng Tong. Given your intellect, I suggest you don’t wander around outside. Just stay in the ga cabin and browse the ga forums," Lin Bai instructed. "It won’t be long before I can integrate the ga world."
"Alright, I’ll monitor the situation in the outside world for you," Zheng Tong replied obediently.
"Good," Lin Bai said. "Pay special attention to any news from the Continent of Gods and Demons. If any unusual individuals or events appear, notify imdiately."
「Later.」
Lin Bai went online and Flashed back into the Blood Sect Assembly Hall.
He surveyed the crowd, his gaze lingering on Black Sheep for a mont. He nodded at him before looking away, then turned to Luo Xue and the others. "That’s right. I am not Lin Bai. Lin Bai’s Body Snatching failed. I am a man from the heavens."
An uproar went through the many natives.
Lin Bai waved his hand, and many unruly NPCs were suddenly hoisted up by their own belts. "Although I am not Lin Bai, fragnts of his Divine Soul have rged with my body, and I have fortuitously gained control of his Power of Laws.
The real Lin Bai is trapped within the Heavenly Tribulation and cannot escape. Therefore, I *must* be Lin Bai.
Previously, we were weak and had to bide our ti and develop cautiously. Now, with Lin Bai’s na and his Power of Laws, we no longer need to operate in the shadows. We will act when necessary. I will lead you all to reclaim your glory and make the Justice League flourish. Everyone, resisting is a dead end. You should always leave yourselves a way out, shouldn’t you?"
He paused, scanned the crowd, and continued, "Therefore, I hope that what happened here today is not spread by anyone. Of course, even if it is, I will not admit it. From this mont on, I *am* Lin Bai himself. The previously shelved Justice League projects will be revived. We must rebuild Lin Bai’s reputation..."
Deepdiving Fish, looking at Sky Falcon speaking so eloquently above, sneered, Such a petty person enjoying his mont of power.
Black Sheep shook his head. If it’s really as Jin Zong said, this fellow is quite sothing. Most people, thinking conventionally, wouldn’t consider so many factors in such a short period...
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