Peace is often built on the foundation of war. In short, it's about being subdued by force. Lin Bai, through his actions, sobered up all those who were dazed, awakening them from their arrogance. No one knew what happened in the royal palace. But the Eighth Fleet returned that same day. All news reports concerning an alien civilization's invasion vanished, replaced by stories of mutual exchange, cooperation, and joint development between the two worlds. In the Western Continent, the protest organized by the Magpie Bridge ended before it even began. The game forums, however, were buzzing with heated discussions about the international situation. The Magpie Bridge spanned the East-West Continent, and the people of the Eastern Continent eagerly awaited Lin Bai, the Alliance Hierarch, to crush the Western Continent. But the Western Continent surrendered at the mere news, and not a whisper of it was reported. This disappointed them, as reality proved less exciting than the game itself. The people of the Western Continent despised the Eastern Continent for cooperating with Lin Bai. They had been eager to wage war against the invaders, hoping to use the opportunity to overpower the Eastern Continent and establish their own dominance in reality once and for all. However, when the Magpie Bridge heralded their potential national demise and their own officials swiftly backtracked, they were equally disappointed. Moreover, they felt utterly humiliated. In the game forums, the real-world populace engaged in fiery debates about the Justice League's invasion of their homeland. Some advocated for cooperation, others for temporary forbearance followed by a counterattack. There were also those who wanted to seize the opportunity to attack the game world, and still others protested against the game companies for bringing chaos to their world. The arguments raged, covering a multitude of opinions. After Lin Bai dominated the forums of *Immortal World*, he went on to dominate the forums of *Land of Gods and Demons* as well. All his past video materials were unearthed and studied by the citizens and experts of the Western Continent. After all, Lin Bai was the first legendary figure to break the boundary between game and reality, even bringing Skills from the game into the real world. His fanbase exploded. Language experts from the Eastern Continent became the most sought-after talents in the Western Continent, and the study of Cultivation Rules became the primary research focus for everyone on both continents. As it turned out, the real world lacked Spiritual Energy, severely limiting Skills learned in the game. Laws, however, had no such restrictions and were far more powerful than in-game Skills. In the real world, people practicing Cultivation Rules could be found everywhere. The influence of Laws not only extended to the real world but was also carried into *Land of Gods and Demons* by Players from the Western Continent. Players in *Land of Gods and Demons* had originally followed the game's rules, developing methodically. But after being influenced by Laws, the entire atmosphere changed drastically. This led to eccentric practices: cultivating Spoken Law Follows to "spread warmth," pursuing the Way of Love by engaging in romances everywhere, and practicing the Way of Incompleteness to cause destruction. These bizarre and frenzied cultivation methods spread like a virus throughout *Land of Gods and Demons*, rapidly disrupting its established order. For their nonsensical babbling, many Players were tied to crucifixes and burned to ashes as heretics. Those who cultivated the Way of Incompleteness and wreaked havoc were apprehended by sheriffs, imprisoned, and subjected to various punishments. Players from the Western Continent, coexisting peacefully with NPCs, had also established their own public opinion systems. In their newspapers, they promoted the Path of Laws, spoke of the *Immortal World* on the other side and the miraculous Lin Bai. They sought great Mages or Wizards capable of traversing time and space to enter reality, hoping to use them to counter Lin Bai. The Players of the Western Continent had their pride and did not want Lin Bai leading them by the nose in every matter. Besides, while they also played games, the Eastern Continent had managed to bridge the game world and reality, whereas they remained clueless. This feeling of being left behind made them uncomfortable. However, without Lin Bai as strong corroborating evidence, their theories seemed like castles in the air. No NPCs were willing to believe them; they preferred to dismiss Players as lunatics and heretics. The seemingly immortal Players were already primary targets for NPC vigilance. Tensions between NPCs and Players escalated with extraordinary speed, reaching the brink of open conflict. However, Lin Bai refrained from any excessive actions in the West Continent United States; he didn't even harm anyone. Real-world weapons were indeed powerful and might have been able to harm Lin Bai. But the people controlling those weapons were too weak. Using Laws against them always made Lin Bai feel like an adult bullying a child. As for entrusting negotiations to the people of the Tian Tang Kingdom, due to the limited perspectives of both sides and numerous historical factors, who knew where their negotiations would lead? They might even end up launching nuclear weapons at each other. If that happened, it would be even more troublesome for Lin Bai to step in and resolve the situation. It was better to cut the Gordian knot and nip all potential problems in the bud. Moreover, Lin Bai didn't need destruction; he needed control and deterrence over both worlds. He was an anomaly in the game, unaware of the game company's true purpose or the System's origin. The game company had consistently used Players to pressure him, increasing the difficulty of his survival. Lin Bai disliked being passive. Holding sway over two worlds would allow him to respond more composedly when the game company made its next move. Their struggle was simply a matter of who controlled more resources. Of course, controlling the real world beforehand would prevent problems in his own backyard when confronting the Celestial Human World. Lin Bai knew human hearts were complex; those he had forcibly subdued might stir up trouble again at any time. But Lin Bai was fearless. Plenty of people already hated him; one more world wouldn't make a difference. As long as he occasionally bared his claws and maintained a position far beyond their reach, it would suffice. Over time, once everyone tasted the benefits of inter-world trade, they likely wouldn't want to fight even if given the chance. The purpose of civilizational development isn't destruction; civilizations find their own equilibrium for survival as they grow. After much deliberation, Lin Bai decided not to extend the Magpie Bridge into the game world of *Land of Gods and Demons*. He had to take things one step at a time; after all, his energy was limited. *Immortal World* had the Fairy World above it; who knew what entities resided above *Land of Gods and Demons*? Lin Bai excelled at snatching victory from chaos, but he wouldn't let himself get bogged down in a quagmire. The interactions between two different civilizations involved a vast and complex array of issues. Lin Bai had no intention of handling such miscellaneous affairs. Leaving Lin Wu Bai to maintain order, he led everyone back to the Celestial Human World. Once the initial novelty wore off, Tuohai and the others lost interest in the real world. Modern civilization and technology might revolutionize the lives of ordinary people, but for beings of their caliber, real-world civilization offered little aid to their advancement. Only higher-level civilizations, like the Fairy World or the even loftier Righteous Door, could help them improve. Lin Bai stayed in the real world for two days. The Body of the War God was left to guard the Guiding Pool, but during this time, not a single Celestial Being came to investigate. The disappearance of White Maple's team caused no ripples in the Fairy World. Returning to the Guiding Pool, Tuohai and the others immediately immersed themselves in cultivation. Their journey with Lin Bai through the real world—a practical application of "traveling widely to learn"—had convinced them of Lin Bai's assertions about the Vast World. The real world's strength was insufficient to warrant their vigilance. However, the Hidden Hand Game Company, an enemy so powerful they could hardly hope to compare, made them acutely aware of their own cultivation deficiencies. The indestructible game pods and the casually created Undying Bodies served as constant reminders that their world was in peril. It also made them realize how foolish and narrow-minded they had been to oppose Lin Bai for the sake of their Sect's petty interests. Only by becoming stronger would they have any hope of protecting themselves when they eventually confronted the game company. Lin Bai was, indeed, saving the world. All these diligently cultivating individuals had undergone a change in mindset. Each of them hoped to offer Lin Bai some assistance when he saved the world. White Maple was distraught; the news about the real world and the game company had shocked him. He looked at Lin Bai. "Who exactly are you?" Lin Bai glanced at him and chuckled. "It doesn't matter who I am. You only need to know that everyone is a plaything of the game company. We must work together to seize control of our own destinies." White Maple said, "I've never heard of the Power of Laws." "Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist," Lin Bai said. "White Maple, you now understand the gist of everything—about the game company, about the *Land of Gods and Demons*..." White Maple interrupted him. "Lin Bai, you portray the game company as the hidden instigator, but your actions are just as suspicious as theirs. The game company uses Players to throw the world into turmoil, and you're accelerating that process. Those people were no match for you and were forced to accept your narrative. But I haven't. I am perfectly lucid. "Lin Bai, even if such a game company exists, the Fairy World remains at the apex of the food chain. As long as we Celestial Beings make no mistakes, the Players can't cause any significant trouble. Like the Ascenders before them, they will merely become our playthings. The Fairy World has been peaceful for so many years; those Ascenders no longer offer us much amusement. We need something new, something fresh to inject vitality into our lives..." Lin Bai furrowed his brow. White Maple paused for a moment, then continued, "Lin Bai, your Laws may seem powerful, but they're only enough for you to lord it over ordinary people. The might of Celestial Beings is beyond your imagination. We are intelligent, wise, and quick learners. It won't be long before we master your Laws. You are no match for us. Don't delude yourself into thinking you can replace Celestial Beings and become the ruler of the world." "Truly arrogant!" Lin Bai shook his head, his tone scornful. "Before you met me, your horizons were limited to this one world. Forget the game company; you didn't even know the *Land of Gods and Demons* existed." "Now we know," White Maple retorted. "And it won't be long before we conquer the real world, conquer these so-called Players, conquer the *Land of Gods and Demons*, and finally, find the game company and annihilate them..." "Not so different from my own plans," Lin Bai said with a disbelieving laugh. "It seems we truly can cooperate. Why don't you tell me about your world?" White Maple shot him a glance and said no more. "Maple, you've been missing for two days, and yet no one has come looking for you. You're a real failure when it comes to people, aren't you!" Lin Bai remarked leisurely, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with White Maple. "Guarding the Guiding Pool has always been a relaxed post," White Maple stated. "In recent years, fewer and fewer people have ascended from the Lower Realm. We might not see a single Ascender for ten days, even half a month. And the Ascenders themselves are becoming increasingly dull. If it weren't for the unusual alarm from the Ascension Pool this time, even I wouldn't have come. It's quite normal for no one to show up for two or three days." Google seaʀᴄh 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱 Even as a Puppet, White Maple maintained his arrogance. But having been taught a lesson by Lin Bai and had his horizons broadened, his demeanor had calmed considerably. The irascibility he displayed when first captured was gone, allowing for a normal conversation with Lin Bai. However, on certain critical issues, he still chose Silence. He had grown to fear Lin Bai's Truth-telling Technique. "Is the Heavenly Tribulation predetermined, or is it manually controlled?" Lin Bai suddenly asked, thinking of the Light of Demon Extermination that had specifically targeted him. White Maple looked at Lin Bai and shook his head. "Lin Bai, no matter how much I say, you can't understand the entire Fairy World from my words alone. You should go out and see for yourself; only then will you realize how powerful Celestial Beings truly are. Your Power of Laws is interesting. Go and pledge allegiance to General Nan. Perhaps he'll offer you special treatment." "Alright," Lin Bai said, looking at White Maple and nodding. "You agreed?" White Maple asked in astonishment. "Why wouldn't I agree? You're just a peripheral figure; talking more with you is pointless. I need to cooperate with someone who holds real authority—either he conquers me, or I conquer him," Lin Bai said. "No matter how remote the Guiding Pool is, someone will eventually come to inspect it. I don't have much time. I prefer taking the initiative to passively waiting. White Maple, I know what you're thinking, but I guarantee the outcome will disappoint you." "I look forward to it," White Maple said calmly. "Master, are you going out?" Qing Yun asked. "Should I accompany you?" "Not me. Him," Lin Bai said, pointing to the Body of the War God. "There's nothing more to be learned from this one's mouth," (indicating the puppeted White Maple) "He (the Body of the War God) must go out to truly understand this world..." White Maple glanced at the Body of the War God but said nothing. For him, as long as he could leave the Guiding Pool, it didn't matter with whom. Being trapped here was his nightmare. "If he encounters danger, it won't harm you, will it?" Qing Yun asked worriedly, looking at the Body of the War God. "It won't," Lin Bai smiled. "I never fight a battle I'm unsure of." White Maple scoffed involuntarily, unable to resist goading, "Those who cling to life and fear death will never reach the pinnacle." Lin Bai looked at White Maple and smiled. "White Maple, I forgot to tell you, I can sense emotions." The smile froze on White Maple's face. He knew, of course, the deep-seated fear he felt whenever he faced Lin Bai. "Maple, I actually quite admire your... simplicity," the Body of the War God said, approaching White Maple and patting his shoulder with a smile. "Pretending to be arrogant when you're actually scared to death of me. Let's go. We'll go see your General Nan. If you're lucky, you might even make a new acquaintance to chat with." With the explosion of emotions from the real world, the fruits on the Spirit Fruit Tree and Temperament Fruit Tree had become as numerous as stars in the sky, impossible to count. Yet, Lin Bai still habitually collected every individual's Emotion Value. Diverting more than half of his mental energy to the Body of the War God, Lin Bai stepped out of the Guiding Pool for the first time, under the apprehensive gazes of everyone present.