Xie Shuangxue’s affection and unconditional favoritism toward the Continental Wanderer, Bai Qiuyan, had been experienced by him numerous times. Every time Xie Shuangxue spoke to him while looking into his eyes, it felt deeply sincere, and nobody could remain unmoved.

Who would refuse someone who genuinely cared for them?

This wasn’t the first time Bai Qiuyan had the thought of whisking Xie Shuangxue away to always have him look at him like that, no matter the cost or sacrifice required. Unfortunately, Yu Haiqing stood in his way, so it remained just a thought, and he knew it wasn’t possible.

However, there were still more surprises about Xie Shuangxue to come. Hearing Xie Shuangxue’s assurance, the guilds outside began to disperse gradually. Moreover, as the leaderboards updated and names began to appear, they rushed to contact promising players. Seizing the moment, the Demon Lord took the opportunity to hold back the familiar top three guilds.

Bai Qiuyan listened as Xie Shuangxue continued, “I’ve noticed quite a few new Continental Wanderers in the Northlands, quite different from before. It’s commonly said that Continental Wanderers come and go unpredictably, and I rarely see any staying in the main cities to open shops, so I was quite surprised when that Wanderer said so. But since she has the guts, I am willing to give her a chance. A shop run by a Wanderer might not necessarily be inferior to ours, right?” He was referring to the incident with Wulong Sugar.

She was indeed efficient. With Xie Shuangxue’s approval, her shop in the game was set up instantly. It’s rare for players to open shops in the main city—not that it doesn’t happen, but they’re scattered and unorganized compared to the system shops. Before Bai Qiuyan could ponder further, he nodded in agreement, then a thought struck him, and he exchanged glances with Shi Jiu Jianghu, quickly catching on to something.

Everyone knows that the Northlands have another feature besides the designated resources and tasks suitable for the life-skills class; it’s crucial that it connects remotely with Lu Yun Platform, offering the same bonuses available there.

The top guilds had received a City Building Order for the Lu Yun Platform, each choosing their plots but still undecided on their specific uses. Despite the rarity of these orders, the leading guilds had accumulated quite a few over three years.

With so many locations, the guilds had more than enough for internal use; the surplus land could be rented out like a landlord, regularly bringing in resources to bolster the guild’s stores.

Typically, main city plots like those of Lu Yun Platform are sublet to NPCs, drawing a cut from the system shop’s earnings—currently the highest form of income.

But what if, alternatively, these plots were rented in bulk to life-skills players?

Though they are novices, they would grow quickly, especially since life-skills players receive bonuses in the Northlands and on Lu Yun Platform, and as merchants, they could potentially generate higher profits than NPC shops.

With just one glance, Xie Shuangxue could tell that Bai Qiuyan and the others had grasped his intent. These players were clever; a little hint was all they needed to understand and extend the idea themselves.

Supporting life-skills players to develop both Northlands and Lu Yun Platform presented many possibilities, but it wasn’t realistic to suddenly shift the majority of onlooking players to the Northlands faction.

Even if they belonged to different factions, they could still be useful.

“You all think it over,” Xie Shuangxue said, “it’s getting late, I need to head back.”

He left it at that, handing over the reins to the players.

Bai Qiuyan felt as if Xie Shuangxue was hinting at something, but then he realized—an NPC shouldn’t know about the restart of Lu Yun Platform in another timeline. Yet, as Xie Shuangxue was leaving, Bai Qiuyan couldn’t help but follow him.

They stood apart, and Xie Shuangxue, sensing something, looked back at him. The noble Demon Lord was still wearing his mask, but Bai Qiuyan felt he could see his gaze, almost teasing. Just as Bai Qiuyan took a step forward, Xie Shuangxue disappeared.

Bai Qiuyan was still offline, pondering that look.

The conference wasn’t over, and there were several more days of busy schedule ahead, but he couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the player forum.

As long as the players were active, anything could be accomplished.

In just a short time, some diligent players had already claimed the first poison bottle reward.

And Wulong Sugar, quick to react and experienced, had her shop up and running. Being in a prime location, many novices, either to avoid hassle or unsure of pricing, would sell directly to her.

Poison was rarely used alone; it was typically combined with formations to create toxic zones. But players needed other items to set up formations, and Wulong Sugar’s advantage lay in her stocked warehouse, allowing her to bundle these items for sale—a much more convenient and cost-effective solution than collecting them individually.

At this moment, she even began posting on the forum, generously teaching others how to set up poison zones according to different terrains, offering a full-service guide. It was clear her business would thrive.

As long as she started gaining trust, the rest would be simpler.

But Bai Qiuyan wondered, researching formations was rare among players, and Wulong Sugar was not known for this previously. He scrolled down and saw her reply.

“It’s what the Demon Lord taught me, hehe. I hadn’t thought so much about it before.”

“Baby Xue, take me to fly~ I will always love my Xie Xie wife.”

“I want to give my all for my wife!”

It was Xie Shuangxue’s teachings.

Before the guilds gathered in the Northlands, he had already told Wulong Sugar all this. Could an NPC think of so much?

Again, Bai Qiuyan was astounded by the realism in “Gods and Demons,” his mind filled with Xie Shuangxue’s smile.

Unlike the average player, Bai Qiuyan was an insider; his company had even created holographic idols, finely crafting every expression and gesture of virtual characters, yet they still couldn’t compare to Xie Shuangxue—it was not even close.

Discussing this with Yu Haiqing was futile; Bai Qiuyan had hit a wall numerous times and knew that Yu Haiqing wouldn’t utter a word about Xie Shuangxue.

He thought for a moment, then grabbed a drink and went to find Gou Yuan.

Gou Yuan didn’t avoid him but his response was evasive: “It’s nothing, just improved realism.”

“Gou, we’ve known each other for a long time now, no need to bluff me, right?”

“Really, there’s nothing!” Gou Yuan’s expression was as sincere as ever because he knew only so much.

The current level of realism in Sea was personally modified by President Yu. Gou Yuan knew it involved adding some equipment, but the specifics were beyond him. After the first phase of the world mission, Sea’s alarms had gone off several times, but President Yu had personally resolved them.

According to President Yu, this was a normal reaction to the freedom upgrade; some NPCs deviating from the original script was a typical behavior, a self-adjustment by the game’s main brain, and they shouldn’t worry.

It had to be said that the market response for the third anniversary of “Gods and Demons” was better than expected, and Gou Yuan, a top cancer in the brain, could turn a blind eye because of the performance, so he didn’t care anymore.

And President Yu had made further adjustments in the machine room; Sea had not triggered any alarms since then.

NPCs deviating from the script were not one or two, and not only were those supposed to die still alive, but all naturally followed President Yu’s explanation—who else but the president to dictate?

Was it really that simple?

Bai Qiuyan grew suspicious.

He turned to look at Yu Haiqing not far away.

Not only did the Bai family want to collaborate with him, but many well-known big companies within the industry also wanted a share of the pie, thus at the summit, his surroundings were constantly crowded.

Yu Haiqing’s dealings were impeccable on the surface, merely reciprocal, but in the crowd, he occasionally glanced at his communicator. Although it was discreet, that look was the same as last time.

It was somewhat helpless yet inevitably influenced by the person on the other end.

Who he was talking to, Bai Qiuyan knew all about Xie Shuangxue suddenly increasing the task rewards; Yu Haiqing must have heard as well.

Sure enough, he knew the other wouldn’t just sit quietly; something was bound to happen.

So, Yu Haiqing messaged Xie Shuangxue first, asking if he felt dissatisfied with something or was missing something?

Players are always unpredictable, and if he wanted to protect the Northlands, he had many methods, but it seemed Xie Shuangxue had misunderstood again.

“No need, I’ve solved it all, everything is going smoothly.”

“Brother, am I not very impressive?”

The message was followed by an emoji of a cat with its head tilted and eyes wide open, as if begging for praise.

…even using emojis now.

What could Yu Haiqing say?

Of course, he could only nod and agree that what Xie Shuangxue did was right; indeed, Ah Xue was very capable.

Well, that would have to do, as long as he was happy.

Xie Shuangxue was satisfied with his reply.

That’s what cooperation was about; he ought to show his capabilities to his partners to maintain a long-term relationship.

However, he couldn’t stay in the Northlands forever; being away from the Feather Clan for too long would get noticed, so Xie Shuangxue quickly changed back into his clothes from before and rushed back, but upon arriving at his dwelling, something felt off.

Was he caught?

He tensed up, then cautiously approached and relaxed upon seeing who it was.

It was Ling Xuan.

Ling Xuan heard his footsteps and turned to see him, relaxing slightly but still looking serious: “Ah Xue, what were you up to?”

The world was currently in chaos, and the Feather Clan was visibly tense.

Especially since the issue of those bewitched by demons had emerged, there was now a palpable sense of everyone being in danger.

The clan was urgently investigating who had ties with the Demon Clan. On the surface, Xie Shuangxue shouldn’t be suspect; he was a Golden Feather Envoy, and Chun Yao even credited him with merits, so no one dared to probe into him, but his demonic involvement wasn’t unknown.

Ling Luo and Chen Xin were very aware of what had happened at Lu Yun Platform back then, but they had always kept it tightly sealed, even now.

Ling Xuan was in the midst of it then, and to say he felt nothing would be a lie. If Xie Shuangxue suddenly disappeared for a while without explanation at such a critical time, it wouldn’t be easy to explain if the news got out.

But Ling Xuan’s seriousness faltered upon meeting the other’s gaze.

“Have others noticed too?” Xie Shuangxue stood there, looking somewhat helpless, “Then am I to be flogged again? Ling Xuan, I’m a bit scared.”

Ling Xuan: …

“No one else has noticed,” he eventually couldn’t remain stern in front of Xie Shuangxue, “fortunately I was here, someone did look for you, but I sent them away.”

That’s good.

Xie Shuangxue breathed a sigh of relief, but the next second, Ling Xuan reached out and grabbed his wrist, asking, “Ah Xue, tell me, what were you up to?”

Xie Shuangxue blinked and didn’t respond; he knew Ling Xuan wouldn’t betray him, so he shook his head, saying, “Don’t ask, I really can’t tell you.”

“Ling Xuan, I know what you’re thinking, I haven’t done anything bad, and those two Feather Clan members who turned demonic really have nothing to do with me.”

Xie Shuangxue’s words were just that, no rationale, but Ling Xuan still subconsciously believed him.

He stared at Xie Shuangxue for a while, then sighed, “I came to tell you, the world is in chaos, the Feather Clan has received many calls for help, and I need to go assist. This matter is dangerous, I don’t know if I can return.”

“Ah Xue, at this time, do you really have nothing to say to me?”

Xie Shuangxue had been emotionally stable until this question, then he hesitated and frowned.

It was happening so quickly.

He realized this was Ling Xuan’s moment of death approaching.

In the original story, Ling Luo had already been whipped by then, which made others notice the demonic qi in his roots, subjecting him to the Feather Clan’s strict scrutiny.

Ling Xuan wanted to help him, but with no achievements or position to his name, even Elder Ling’s words were of no use; he had no choice but to volunteer for this rescue mission, thinking that if he could earn merits this time, he might be able to speak for his brother.

The result was he never returned, involving Xie Shuangxue’s deliberate revenge, but more so due to the larger circumstances.

Not all forces under the protection of the Feather Clan were good, especially in such dire times. Ling Xuan was ambushed while escorting civilians; he could have survived, but those he helped abandoned him, leaving him to face enemies on all sides.

He was critically injured in the attack and managed to last a while after being returned to the Feather Clan, but eventually died from his injuries.

The current Xie Shuangxue, of course, wouldn’t harm him, but Ling Xuan was still set on going, and he was still worried about the dangers.

In the original story, Xie Shuangxue had lured the enemies there, but even without his intervention, Ling Xuan’s journey was still fraught with near-certain death.

The mastermind behind the scenes on Zi Yue Island was still well-concealed, and he certainly wasn’t the only mole the Feather Clan had planted; those two suddenly demonic Feather Clan members proved this point, and besides them, there were likely others.

With such turmoil within the Feather Clan, deaths were inevitable, and with Ling Xuan’s position, he was bound to be targeted, without Xie Shuangxue or someone else seeing him as a thorn in their side.

He didn’t want Ling Xuan to come to harm.

“Where are you going?”

Seeing Xie Shuangxue’s normally endearing face turn grave, Ling Xuan subconsciously answered, “Li Nan.”

Li Nan, adjacent to Li Bei, both significant cities separated only by the Li River, had been at odds many times in the background setting.

Currently, both cities were popular choices for player factions, equally matched, and difficult to predict the outcome; the game even had betting on it, with odds evenly matched, suggesting that according to the world mission mechanic, a conflict over such a highly contested area would yield significant benefits for the victors.

So even without a clear winner, plenty of players were flocking there, ready to gamble on turning their bikes into motorcycles.

Apart from the Northlands, Xie Shuangxue originally didn’t want to intervene in these popular factions, but with Ling Xuan going, the outcome was uncertain, and he couldn’t help but get involved.

“You are not allowed to go,” Xie Shuangxue said, “Stay here.”

Ling Xuan patted his head, thinking he was just being temperamental, and coaxed, “Ah Xue, stop it, this is an order from His Highness, it can’t be…”

“I don’t care who it is.”

Xie Shuangxue cut him off, Ling Xuan startled, looking at him, feeling the icy determination in his eyes, starkly different from before, showing a fierce resolve.

“No one can bully my people.”