Ten Thousand Ways To Eliminate Players-Chapter 426: Why did His Majesty descend first?

The red string connected, and the Earth Goddess felt a jolt in her heart, instinctively looking at the Dream Heavenly King.

The Dream Heavenly King just so happened to look back at her.

At that moment, time between the two seemed to freeze.

Noticing the opening, the Abyss Lord raised a hand and cast the Light of Annihilation. But before the grey light could hit the Dream Heavenly King, the Earth Goddess swung her hand, emitting a brown light to deflect the blow for him.

The Abyss Lord frowned, "Byleth, what are you doing?"

"Me?" The Earth Goddess looked at her own hand, then at the Dream Heavenly King, confusion etched on her face. She seemed oblivious to what had just happened. Her eyes were drawn unconsciously towards the Dream Heavenly King, wanting to protect him, but remembering Lin Bai's instructions, she spoke gently, "Dream Lord, can we stop fighting?"

As the words left her mouth, a flash of panic crossed her face. She glanced at Lin Bai, tongue-tied and unsure how to explain to him why she had called their enemy 'Lord'.

However, after she had said it, she felt a peculiar sweetness in her heart...

"Stop? Lin Bai won't spare us." The Dream Heavenly King looked torn. "Byleth, come help us, will you?"

"I..." A hint of struggle flashed in the Earth Goddess's eyes. But looking at Lin Bai, the Card flickering in his hand, she said with difficulty, "Dream Lord, I have no choice. However, I can petition the Alliance Hierarch to spare you..."

The Abyss Lord was speechless.

The Light King and his comrades were speechless.

The eyes of Alea, the Goddess of Love, widened in disbelief, and her heart pounded rapidly. What in the world is going on?

Can Lin Bai's Way of Love control even the Earth Goddess?

Byleth has even lost her sense of self!

This is too terrifying!

"Dream Leader, what are you doing?" Mu Tianwang asked in surprise.

"It's Lin Bai's skill! Dream Leader, end the dream quickly—you've been hit!" the Light King urged anxiously.

Lin Bai's strange matchmaking skill hadn't been used in a long time. Most people assumed it would be ineffective against genderless Celestials, so they hadn't prepared any defenses.

Who would have thought that at this final juncture, he would use it once again.

And, to make matters worse, the Dream Heavenly King had really fallen for it!

They don't even have genders! How are they supposed to get married or fall in love?!

A spiritual love affair?

What the hell?!

"Been hit?" The Dream Heavenly King was slightly confused.

"Join forces to kill the Earth Goddess!" The King of Darkness roared.

This was the universally recognized method to break Lin Bai's matchmaking skill.

Better to have short-term pain than drawn-out suffering. Killing off one's lover might cause pain, but it was far better than being manipulated by Lin Bai through love.

The Sun Wheel hovered above the Light King's head. A shining gate suddenly appeared on the wheel. The Heaven's Door slowly opened, and a terrifying aura began to emanate from beyond it...

The King of Darkness tossed out silver Star Coins, which instantly linked together, forming an array on the Star Map.

Mu Tianwang raised his Divine Gourd, aiming its mouth at Mother Earth. "Byleth..."

Before he could finish, the dream shattered once again.

The powerful attacks of the Heavenly Kings were abruptly interrupted, and all returned to reality.

Mu Tianwang and the others looked at Lin Bai with expressions of utter helplessness, their eyes filled with horror and despair.

Their leader is smitten by his woman! What the hell can we do?!

Only the Dream Heavenly King was still gazing at the Earth Goddess, deeply in love.

At this moment, both parties had lost the desire to fight.

The Dream Heavenly King pulled Lin Bai into a dream, then flashed to the Earth Goddess's side. "Byleth, I'll take you away from here."

"Old Dream, where do you think you're going?" Lin Bai quickly regained consciousness and easily recalled Byleth into her Card.

Having adapted to the Dream Heavenly King's dream techniques, Lin Bai could now easily see through the false dreamscapes he created.

With Byleth's disappearance, the Dream Heavenly King felt as if his heart had been torn out. His eyes bloodshot, he glared at Lin Bai. "Lin Bai, don't push me too far!"

"Join me, and I'll let you be with Byleth forever. I can even arrange a wedding for you," Lin Bai said with a smile, waving the Card in his hand.

Without Byleth's interference, the Dream Heavenly King regained a moment of clarity. He glanced at Lin Bai, a light flashed from his Ruyi, and he once again pulled everyone into a dreamscape.

"Lin Bai, give Byleth back to me," the Dream Heavenly King said, his face dark.

"Exchange her for the Ruyi," Lin Bai proposed leisurely.

"Impossible!" The Dream Heavenly King decisively refused, adding coldly, "If I lose the Ruyi, wouldn't I be completely at your mercy?"

"And you're not at my mercy now?" Lin Bai scoffed.

"Even if I have to kill you, I can still save Byleth!" The Dream Heavenly King's mouth twitched as he forced a smile.

"Kill me, and your Byleth will remain a Card forever." Lin Bai glanced at him, then turned to Mu Tianwang and the others. "Mu Tianwang, all of you have seen it. The Dream Heavenly King has been blinded by love; he can't protect you anymore. Why not join my Justice League? Become my partners, and we can fight the game company together!"

"In your dreams!" the Light King scoffed, looking at his leader with a grief-stricken expression. "Unless I am defeated, don't even think I'll surrender voluntarily."

"Stubborn," Lin Bai glanced at him. "Even if you give me your Law Holy Artifacts, your Levels will remain. You can use your advantages to snatch Law Holy Artifacts from new Players! There are so many Players, and my manpower is clearly insufficient. We can unite and maintain order! This chaotic world needs capable individuals to manage it, and you are all capable. Besides, I'm not unreasonable; I don't insist on wiping you all out..."

The Heavenly Kings were all stunned into silence. They hadn't expected Lin Bai to have the same idea as them—to also think of robbing Players of their Holy Artifacts.

"Lin Bai, if you want to cooperate, why insist on taking our Law Holy Artifacts?" the King of Darkness asked. "You already possess four Law Holy Artifacts; you're already the strongest in the world. If we keep our Law Holy Artifacts, wouldn't it be easier for us to help you deal with the Players?"

Am I supposed to tell them I'm just completing a mission?

Lin Bai smiled. "No. When you have Law Holy Artifacts, you're bound to slack off. But once you lose them, with only your Spiritual Power left, you'll inevitably become diligent. You'll be motivated to seize Holy Artifacts and climb back to the peak. Besides, with Law Holy Artifacts in your hands, I wouldn't feel at ease!"

"So you get to monopolize all the benefits, inside and out! You wish!" the King of Darkness retorted coldly. "Lin Bai, stop dreaming. Even if you defeat us, we can still go rob Law Holy Artifacts. This kind of cooperation is completely unnecessary."

"It's different. If I defeat you, you'll still be my enemies. I'll take pleasure in resetting your Levels to zero. Cooperate with me, and you only need to offer up your Skills and Law Holy Artifacts. I'll let you keep your Levels, and I'll even sponsor your fights against the Players. This is a night-and-day difference." Lin Bai scanned them. "Moreover, I marked you the moment we met. As my enemies, you'll have to be wary of my attacks even in your sleep. You will never have a chance to rise again. I've already offered you the best possible terms."

The Heavenly Kings' expressions turned grim, and they all fell silent.

"Don't listen to him! If we stall Lin Bai, we still have a chance!" Having lost his goddess, the Dream Heavenly King's rationality gradually returned. Seeing his wavering brothers, he quickly said, "Everyone has a weakness. We have plenty of time. Even if it takes hundreds of tries, we'll eventually find Lin Bai's Achilles' heel..."

Lin Bai released the Earth Goddess.

The Dream Heavenly King's eyes were instantly drawn to her. "Byleth."

"Dream Lord," the Earth Goddess looked affectionately at the Dream Heavenly King. "Don't fight the Alliance Hierarch anymore. I'm bound by the Card; you can't take me away. Join us, and we can be together for all eternity..."

"I'll find a way to save you. I won't just watch you be imprisoned by Lin Bai. Love that's held captive is not true love." The Dream Heavenly King voiced his heroic resolve, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his heart.

SWISH!

Byleth was recalled into the Card.

The Dream Heavenly King froze, looking at Lin Bai with increasing hatred in his eyes.

SWISH!

Byleth was released again. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The Dream Heavenly King's gaze turned tender again. "Byleth!"

"Dream Lord."

...

Seeing this, the hearts of Mu Tianwang and the others turned cold.

What's the point of fighting anymore?!

Their leader, usually so astute, has been so thoroughly messed with by Lin Bai that his mind isn't right anymore!

"Little Wood, Little Light, Little Dark, Little Earth! Let's team up, kill Lin Bai, and rescue your sister-in-law!" the Dream Heavenly King roared, realizing Lin Bai had been toying with him.

But unlike before, after the Dream Heavenly King finished speaking, no one moved.

The Dream Heavenly King was stunned. "What's wrong with you all?"

"Boss, stop this. We've lost." The Light King looked at his leader and shook his head sadly. "Let's surrender!"

"Little Light." The Dream Heavenly King stared wide-eyed in surprise.

"Alliance Hierarch Lin, does what you said earlier still stand?" the King of Darkness asked.

"Of course. Don't you know my character by now? When have I ever double-crossed a partner?" Lin Bai smiled. "The Abyss Lord and the others are living far better lives than before; they no longer have to worry about issues of faith."

But they also lost their freedom, everyone grumbled inwardly.

"We hope you keep your word." The Earth King glanced at the dazed Dream Heavenly King, a scornful smile playing on his lips. "Dream Boss, stop struggling. Don't you want to be with your sister-in-law? After surrendering, you can be with her every day. Maybe we'll even get to drink at your wedding feast."

"Little Earth, all of you..." The Dream Heavenly King was at a loss. "You don't have to do this. We can still fight..."

"Fight with what? Don't you see what you've become?" Mu Tianwang said dispiritedly. "Boss, admit it. We're no match for Lin Bai."

"Dream Heavenly King, a wise person adapts to the times. Your brothers have all chosen the right path. What are you still hesitating for?" Lin Bai looked at the Dream Heavenly King. "Besides, your beloved is still with me. 'Life is precious, freedom is of higher worth, but for love's sake, both can be cast forth.' Think of your Byleth. Are you unwilling to sacrifice even your mere position as a Heavenly King?"

The Dream Heavenly King trembled violently.

As he spoke, Lin Bai released the Earth Goddess again and encouraged her, "Go on, go to your lover."

The Earth Goddess nodded gratefully, rushed to the Dream Heavenly King's side, embraced him, and gently stroked his cheek. "Dream Lord, don't make a scene. Alliance Hierarch Lin means no harm. In the future, when we go to the Righteous Door and defeat the game company, we can be together openly."

The Dream Heavenly King looked at Byleth, then at Lin Bai, his expression conflicted.

Lin Bai waited quietly. "Old Dream, no need to rush. We have plenty of time for you to think. If you don't agree, I'll pair Byleth with someone else—Mu Tianwang, for example. Then I can watch you two brothers fight over a woman..."

As he said this, Lin Bai revealed the last Red String.

"No."

"Don't!"

"You can't do this."

Three voices sounded at the same time.

The individuals Lin Bai had named panicked.

Seeing the Red String in Lin Bai's hand, the Abyss Lord instinctively recoiled. Lin Bai has paired men with women, humans with beasts... I don't want to end up like Byleth, my mind addled by that accursed love!

Alea glanced at Lin Bai's Red String, then at her own Cupid's Bow. Suddenly, my arrows don't seem so appealing anymore, she thought.

When the Earth King and the others saw Lin Bai take out another Red String, their resolve to surrender solidified.

We're no match for Lin Bai to begin with. If he keeps making these random matches, our alliance will crumble in no time!

"Alliance Hierarch, please don't! My love for Dream Lord is true," Byleth pleaded anxiously.

"I am willing to surrender! I will offer up the Ruyi!" the Dream Heavenly King said through gritted teeth. "But you cannot separate Byleth and me."

"Alright, I promise you. We can leave the dream now, but this time, don't erase my memory. I don't want to keep repeating everything." Lin Bai laughed, "If we keep repeating, who knows what I might do!"

The Dream Heavenly King looked at Lin Bai, his expression complex. With a heavy sigh, he ended the dream.

"Alright, then!" Lin Bai reached out his hand towards the Dream Heavenly King.

The Dream Heavenly King glared at him, then tossed the Ruyi over. With his other hand, he tightly held onto the Earth Goddess, afraid Lin Bai would recall her into her Card the very next second.

Once the Dream Heavenly King's Ruyi was handed over, the remaining Heavenly Kings lost all will to resist. One by one, they gave their Law Holy Artifacts to Lin Bai.

DING!

A mission completion prompt sounded in Lin Bai's mind: [Rob the Nine Heavenly Kings of their Law Holy Artifacts (Completed). Reward: Backup (Granted).]

No new tasks popped up from the supervillain system, nor did it conclude like the Cooking God System had.

However, Lin Bai didn't care anymore.

Backup: Given the original, it can perfectly duplicate anything.

With this Skill, he didn't even need to consider the God of Craftsmen System or the Peerless Divine Doctor System anymore.

The Dream Heavenly King's Ruyi still bore his restrictions, so Lin Bai couldn't use it for the time being. However, this didn't prevent him from using Backup.

Under everyone's gaze, a new Jade Ruyi suddenly materialized next to the one in Lin Bai's hand. It was identical to the original; no difference could be seen.

The function was the same too!

After inspecting the Ruyi's properties, Lin Bai nodded in satisfaction. But when he tried to duplicate a second one, nothing happened.

He was momentarily stunned, then frowned in disappointment. So, I can't duplicate it infinitely. There are limitations after all.

After some thought, Lin Bai took out his last Enlightenment Pill and used Backup on it.

A new Enlightenment Pill appeared in his palm. He casually fed it to the Gods and Demons to whom he had previously promised one, helping them recover their Spirit Intelligence.

He used Backup again.

As expected, another Enlightenment Pill appeared in his palm.

Once a backed-up item was consumed, he could use Backup again on the original...

That's quite good. It's an indirect form of unlimited supply, he thought.

The Enlightenment Pill is secondary. The Red String is more important! I still have one left. If I keep one Red String as a 'seed,' I can produce an unlimited supply of them!

Then I can connect anyone I want! No one in the world will be able to escape my matchmaking...

Backup truly is a Divine Technique!

Lin Bai created more Enlightenment Pills using Backup and distributed them to all the bewildered deities. Many of them regained their Spirit Intelligence. They thanked him one after another, and none harbored any disloyal thoughts towards him.

After all, Lin Bai delivered on his promise.