The atmosphere in the main hall of the Slaughter God Pavilion froze solid after the intense vibrations from the jade slip faded.
"Three days... trample you vermin into dust..."
The domineering spiritual message from the Profound Sword Sect's Patriarch, Xuan Tiangang, seemed to still echo between the beams, carrying the terrifying pressure of the peak Refinement Void realm, suffocating everyone present except for Lin Che, Luo Jiayin, and Meng Qingcheng.
Shi Jin's face paled, but he immediately clasped his fists. "Pavilion Master, your orders! This subordinate will activate all defensive formations immediately, summon all disciples, patrol day and night, and prepare for a staunch defense!"
"A staunch defense?"
Lin Che, however, suddenly laughed. He weighed the memory crystal containing the Profound Sword Sect's blackmail in his hand, glanced at the pile of "peculiar" spoils of war in the corner, and a highly aggressive curve lifted the corner of his mouth.
"They're knocking at our door. Huddling inside just waiting to be hit isn't the style of our Slaughter God Pavilion," he said, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Luo Jiayin and Meng Qingcheng. "Besides, didn't we just acquire a bunch of 'wonderful treasures'? It'd be a waste not to use them to entertain this Patriarch Xuan Tiangang."
A light flashed in Luo Jiayin's beautiful eyes; she immediately understood Lin Che's intention, her lips curling upward. "Oh? So the Pavilion Master plans to... send an 'appetizer' to that old ancestor first?"
Meng Qingcheng remained silent, but her cool eyes also looked toward the pile of items, thoughtful.
[Ding! Detected host has conceived a highly constructive (unorthodox) strategic idea. Side Quest 'Welcome to Hell' issued!]
[Quest Requirement: Within three days, use available resources (including but not limited to conventional preparations and peculiar items) to execute at least three effective 'psychological attacks' or 'physical disruptions' against the Profound Sword Sect's vanguard or Xuan Tiangang himself.]
[Quest Reward: Depending on completion level, reward 'Group Taunt Aura' (Elementary), a large amount of Slaughter Points, and a random surprise gift pack.]
"Exactly!" Lin Che slapped his thigh and stood up, instantly transforming from a steady Pavilion Master into a mischievous mastermind. "Shi Jin, proceed with the conventional preparations. Reinforce the formations, drill the disciples. But on top of that, we're going to play some new tricks!"
He first picked up the "Profound Sword Sect Inner Disciple Code of Conduct" (with the unwritten rules appendix) and handed it to Shi Jin. "Find a few clever disciples with good literary skills. Mass-produce copies of this book, especially the 'essence' on the last page. Adapt it into catchy satirical sketches or doggerel poems. Within three days, I want these verses spread through every tavern and tea house in the Canglan Realm, by any means necessary! Especially places frequented by the Profound Sword Sect's peripheral disciples!"
Shi Jin was stunned for a moment, then had a sudden realization, excitement dawning on his face. "Understood! Destroy the enemy's morale first! Make them doubt each other before the fight even begins!"
"Smart!" Lin Che nodded approvingly, then picked up the pile of memory stones. "As for these 'wonderful recordings'... System, can you 'process' them? For example, swap the elders' faces in them with Xuan Tiangang's? Add some emotional music and subtitles?"
[Request accepted. This system can activate 'Soul PS Technique' and 'Illusory Soundtrack' function. Requires 10,000 Slaughter Points. After processing, the effect can reach a level of authenticity that is highly effective against low-level disciples and those with weak wills.]
"Do it!" Lin Che didn't hesitate. "After processing, make hundreds of copies. Package them in the cheapest transmission jade slips. Three days from now, when the Profound Sword Sect arrives, use projection formations to play them on a loop aimed at their camp! I want Xuan Tiangang to experience 'social death' in front of his own disciples!"
Luo Jiayin couldn't help but giggle, imagining the scene, her body shaking with laughter. Meng Qingcheng also turned her face away, her shoulders trembling slightly, clearly trying hard to hold back her laughter.
Next, Lin Che's gaze fell on the "Mystic Iron Embroidery Toolkit." "And this... System, you said before that embroidered patterns can have weak formation effects?"
[Affirmative. Master-level Mystic Iron Embroidery allows for embroidering patterns infused with spiritual power. For example, embroidering a turtle can impart a 'Slow' effect; embroidering a flame can impart a 'Weak Burn' effect.]
Lin Che's eyes lit up. He looked at Meng Qingcheng, his smile turning somewhat "mischievous." "Palace Master Meng, I've heard the female disciples of your Floating Flower Palace are mostly deft and skilled, proficient in needlework?"
Meng Qingcheng, exceedingly intelligent, immediately understood Lin Che's plan. A look of helpless amusement appeared on her cool face. "The Pavilion Master wants... my Floating Flower Palace disciples to work overnight to produce a batch of 'special' formation flags or talismans?"
"Precisely!" Lin Che chuckled. "No need to be too complex. Just use this spirit thread to embroider patterns like 'turtles,' 'stink bugs,' or 'ugly versions of the Profound Sword Sect emblem' on the edges of ordinary formation flags. When the armies face each other, thousands of flags bearing insulting patterns fluttering in the wind... the effect... hehehe."
[Ding! Host's creativity recognized by the system! Concept of 'Psychological Pollution Formation' recorded in database. Reward: Slaughter Points +3000!]
Finally, Lin Che picked up the mutated "Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Pill." "This thing... its effect is a bit intense. Needs to be used wisely." He pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked the system, "Can the scent and effect of this pill be infused into a disposable attack talisman? It doesn't need to make them fully succumb; just a whiff should trigger the 'Truth Serum' effect, duration shortened to ten breaths."
[Analyzing... Attempting to refine 'Honesty Bean Paste Buns (Aerosol Attack Version)' is feasible. Refining success rate: 70%. Requires consuming part of the mutated pill and basic talisman materials.]
"Refine them! Make as many as possible!" Lin Che made the decision. "When the time comes, find an opportunity to toss a few into the Profound Sword Sect crowd. Let them suddenly start exposing each other's secrets, confessing feelings, or even singing on the battlefield... That scene will be quite the spectacle."
With the strategy set, the entire Slaughter God Pavilion operated like a precision machine at high speed. Shi Jin was responsible for conventional defense and the "public opinion war." Meng Qingcheng led her disciples in working by lamplight on their "artistic creations" – embroidering turtles. Luo Jiayin assisted Lin Che and the system, overseeing the "video editing" and production of the "Honesty Bean Paste Buns."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the morning of the fourth day, before the sun had fully risen above the horizon, a heart-palpitating, terrifying pressure rolled in from the distant horizon like an oppressive dark cloud!
The Profound Sword Sect's Patriarch, Xuan Tiangang, had arrived as scheduled!
He stood tall in the void, followed by a dense, black mass of elite Profound Sword Sect disciples, their sword lights piercing the sky, their killing intent soaring. Xuan Tiangang himself was like a sword god descending, his eyes like lightning scanning the Slaughter God Pavilion below, his voice icy and piercing to the bone:
"Brat Lin Che! Come out and meet your death!"
Inside the Slaughter God Pavilion, every disciple nervously gripped their weapons.
Yet, Lin Che, sitting leisurely in the host seat, took a slow sip of spirit tea and said to Luo Jiayin and Meng Qingcheng beside him, who also looked relaxed, with a smile:
"The actors are all here... It's time for the main event to begin."
He snapped his fingers and ordered the disciples manning the formations:
"Come on, let's play our distinguished guests a 'wonderful' opening film! Turn the volume to maximum!"