Zhou Yinsu, also known as the “White-Robed Woman” in Jiang Ye’s words.

She was currently shrouded in purple gauze, slightly surprised by the message from Lin Ling.

Hidden beneath the purple veil, her expression remained unreadable.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Lin Ling received her reply:

[I don’t think that kid will necessarily “meet a bad end.”]

Oh?

Lin Ling was taken aback and immediately responded: [What makes you say that?]

After much hesitation, Zhou Yinsu revealed the most shocking secret she had discovered about Jiang Ye:

[When that kid was still a clueless newbie, I discovered something about him—]

[His blood can influence luck-based items.]

[From what I can tell, its effect might be even more terrifying than crow’s blood.]

These three short lines made Lin Ling’s eyes widen!

Blood that influences luck-based items…

More terrifying than crow’s blood?!

How?!

How is that possible?!

She sharply turned to look at Zhou Yinsu, as if trying to detect any deception in her eyes.

Unfortunately, the purple veil revealed nothing.

But Zhou Yinsu’s aura remained steady, showing no signs of joking or speaking nonsense.

So…

Lin Ling gradually collected herself, her mind reeling from the revelation.

The SS-grade [Protagonist Halo] was indeed outrageous.

But it was ultimately just an extreme luck-based ability.

Whereas crow’s blood could corrupt such luck-based abilities.

To put it bluntly—

If someone successfully contaminated Chen Cang with crow’s blood,

His entire [Protagonist Halo] effect would mutate.

Of course, anyone attempting this against Chen Cang would find it nearly impossible due to the [Protagonist Halo]’s influence.

Unless it was a living crow, acting independently without human control, that might successfully corrupt his [Protagonist Halo].

Therefore, even if Lin Ling knew how to disrupt Chen Cang’s [Protagonist Halo], she wouldn’t do it.

She wouldn’t even entertain the thought.

Because she couldn’t afford to harbor ill will toward Chen Cang.

But Jiang Ye, that kid…

As Lin Ling pondered this, she suddenly received another message from Zhou Yinsu:

[There’s another detail—]

[Jiang Ye has befriended Huang Bo of the Light Faction and Administrator 4444, yet no one knows how an ordinary player like him managed to gain their favor.]

[Later, I discovered—that Huang Bo once gave He Xingyue a poorly preserved sample of “crow’s blood.”]

[So I suspect—that “crow’s blood” might not have been crow’s blood at all, but “Jiang Ye’s blood”!]

[It was precisely because of his unique blood that Jiang Ye could befriend special individuals like Huang Bo and Administrator 4444.]

Hearing this analysis, Lin Ling’s mind reeled once more.

After some thought, she replied to Zhou Yinsu:

[How many people know about this secret?]

Zhou Yinsu quickly responded: [Within the Light Faction, probably only Wang Hanmo and He Xingyue know.]

[In the Defenders’ Alliance, only you know now.]

[Among those who’ve interacted with Jiang Ye, probably only Huang Bo and Administrator 4444 know.]

[And… possibly the wandering merchant too.]

Lin Ling nodded solemnly and immediately replied:

[You must keep this secret. Don’t reveal it to anyone else, not even your sister Zhou Yuling.]

Zhou Yinsu understood the gravity: [Don’t worry. I haven’t even told the alliance leader in the Hundred Ghosts Alliance.]

Lin Ling did trust Zhou Yinsu.

But honestly, she wasn’t so confident about Jiang Ye.

That kid seemed clever but was actually a complete newbie who understood nothing!

He probably still thought his blood was amazing and could be traded for benefits everywhere!

He’d already given it to Huang Bo, to Administrator 4444…

Who knows if he’s used his blood in trades with other administrators…

That idiot!

Lin Ling gritted her teeth in frustration.

But she knew deeply that blood capable of influencing luck made Jiang Ye even more terrifying than Chen Cang with his [Protagonist Halo]!

Any player trying to forcibly extract his blood…

Would likely meet a fate worse than the “bad end” caused by the [Protagonist Halo]!

Lin Ling closed her eyes briefly.

When she opened them again, a glimmer of hope appeared.

If…

If the jade flask could truly be revived,

She might also ask Jiang Ye for his blood.

No wonder that kid could befriend Huang Bo and Administrator 4444.

Soon, he’d probably gain favor with the entire Light Faction and the Defenders’ Alliance.

That was all.

This secret couldn’t be allowed to spread further.

Administrator 4444 wasn’t much of a concern.

Due to his special status, he already had poor relations with the apartment owner.

They were practically on opposing sides.

So he wouldn’t report this to the apartment owner.

The real worry was that idiot Jiang Ye might have traded his blood with other administrators…

If the dark faction forces feeding the Moon Phase Clock learned of this, it would be disastrous.

Lin Ling’s mind raced as she quickly sent a message to Zhou Yuling.

When Zhou Yuling received it, she was shocked once more!

What?

Was Sister Lin really this concerned about a newcomer with the ability to consume Survival Points?

Honestly, Zhou Yuling didn’t understand much about Survival Point consumption abilities.

She only knew they existed.

How to obtain such abilities or what they signified—she had no clue.

So when Lin Ling suddenly instructed her to keep close watch on Jiang Ye, even protect him, ensuring he didn’t suffer the slightest harm…

To maintain friendly relations and avoid any conflict with Jiang Ye…

These unusually stern instructions caught her off guard.

She attributed this attention to the Survival Point consumption ability.

The level of concern even made Zhou Yuling somewhat envious.

Uncertain, she replied to Lin Ling:

[Are you sure about helping him claim the bounty reward? Won’t that antagonize the Light Faction?]

Lin Ling responded indifferently: [Then do it discreetly.]

[Right now, you’re Reincarnation Ghost Zhou Yinsu, he’s newcomer Jiang Ye—neither has any connection to the Defenders’ Alliance.]

[Besides, not even all Defenders know about the Light Faction’s existence.]

[Any player originally after the bounty could potentially claim it.]

[If Huang Bo really dies, he only has his own bad luck to blame.]

This was evident from how Huang Bo hadn’t officially joined the Light Faction yet.

Clearly, even they weren’t sure he’d survive.

So a bounty-targeted player dying was perfectly normal.

Of course, whoever claimed the bounty would naturally become the new target in Huang Bo’s place.

And at that moment…

Would be the perfect time for the Defenders’ Alliance to extend an olive branch to the desperate Jiang Ye.

Daring to claim the bounty, daring to accept the [Kill the Apartment Owner] mission…

Once the Light Faction confirmed his death,

Only the Defenders’ Alliance could protect such a target.

In Lin Ling’s mind, she foresaw Jiang Ye’s situation after claiming the bounty and believed the advantage lay with the Defenders.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuling conveyed to Jiang Ye the plan to assist him in claiming the bounty.

But Jiang Ye had his own scheme—

If he really wanted the bounty reward, he needed no one’s help.

After all, the Light Faction was himself—he could claim the reward anytime.

However, taking the bounty would mean he could no longer use Light Faction abilities.

Without this threat against the Light Faction, veteran players would run rampant in the Novice Apartment again.

And Jiang Ye, having taken the bounty, would become the prime target.

For these reasons, Jiang Ye had held off claiming the reward,

Even though its richness tempted him greatly.

Now, luring Zhou Yuling into helping him “kill Huang Bo” wasn’t really about killing Huang Bo.

Because…

The real Huang Bo, under the identity “Lu Renjia,” was chasing Chen Cang into a secret realm.

Meanwhile, a fake Huang Bo would soon make a public appearance!

Jiang Ye wondered—was this plan too sinister?

On one hand, lending his Huang Bo identity to another Light Faction player;

On the other, using the bounty to kill that same Light Faction player…

But in this apocalyptic world, morality was practically useless.

Especially after directly experiencing Zhang Minghan’s memories…

His mindset had changed somewhat.

Setting up the fake Huang Bo’s death was indeed underhanded.

But it would allow him to convert a genuine Light Faction player into a new Light clone;

Moreover, the player impersonating Huang Bo seemed intent on killing Administrator 4444—

Who was Jiang Ye himself.

A little self-defense seemed justified, right?

Having justified this to himself, Jiang Ye solidified his resolve to eliminate the fake Huang Bo.

Of course, to Zhou Yuling, he pretended not to know Huang Bo was fake.

Outwardly, he was after the “bounty reward.”

So, playing along, he feigned appropriate surprise:

“You’re really letting me kill Huang Bo for the bounty? Such a huge favor, just giving it to me?”

Zhou Yuling wanted to snap back.

But under Lin Ling’s stern warning, she forced herself to remain cordial:

“[Court of Disorder]’s highest clearance reward is extremely important to me.”

“So as long as you agree to assist me in [Court of Disorder] after creating 10,000 clones…”

“Then the bounty reward is yours to claim.”

Jiang Ye still found Zhou Yuling’s easy agreement suspicious.

But it didn’t matter.

After all, killing the fake Huang Bo wouldn’t actually grant him the bounty.

So he asked another question: “There’s another issue—”

“Although Huang Bo and I were acquaintances, I suddenly lost contact with him recently.”

“Plus he’s masked his Light Faction aura and seems to have other concealment methods. Finding him quickly won’t be easy, right?”

What he really wanted to know was—

How had Lin Ling instantly located his Light clone at midnight, despite its concealed aura and multiple stealth buffs?

He was also slightly worried—what if Zhou Yuling’s methods were so formidable she led them to the real Huang Bo?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep