Inside a luxurious villa.
A gaunt young man was meticulously rereading a completed manuscript with a sinister grin.
"Heh heh heh, once I release this, it's bound to set the internet ablaze again, drawing more followers and toppling those so-called high-and-mighty figures from their pedestals."
"Heh, you think doing good deeds will always result in good outcomes?"
"Let me tell you, there's something called 'making things up,' and then there's 'fabricating stories'!"
"Those foolish netizens are brainless scum. I can easily brainwash them all into my lackeys."
"I really have to thank this internet era. Spreading rumors costs almost nothing. After this one, I should probably move somewhere else for safety."
He muttered to himself, a wide grin stretching across his lips.
Unbeknownst to him, several pairs of eyes were watching him, recording his every word.
He was about to click send, a satisfied look on his face.
Suddenly, he felt the light dim.
What was happening?
He looked up in confusion. Where there had been nothing before, a chubby, bearded face suddenly materialized, staring at him.
He let out a startled cry: "Ah!"
"Who are you?"
The middle-aged man chuckled coldly, "Planet's Fulcrum, is it? You're in trouble. Come with us!"
"Take him away!" he signaled to his companions behind him, cuffing the man.
Planet's Fulcrum was shocked and struggled fiercely.
Alas, he had a mouth for spreading rumors but possessed meager strength, and was easily subdued and pinned to the ground.
Lin Yu watched the entire scene, feeling a little less vexed.
"Sir, this is the information we seized from his residence. It's all the illegal activities he's committed over the years. The evidence is conclusive now; he can't escape!"
Lin Yu nodded and asked, "What kind of sentence will he receive for this crime?"
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment before replying, "I'm not sure of the exact sentence, but based on my experience, it will likely be around twenty years."
Twenty years?
Considering the man's strength at Tier Three, he could live at least another 150 years, and he looked no older than his twenties.
Twenty years from now, he might still be out there causing trouble. Since he was a bad person, Lin Yu thought, he shouldn't be let out again.
Lin Yu smiled, "I hope he's never let out."
"Of course, that will depend on the law!"
Lin Yu's words registered with the middle-aged man, who froze.
He scrutinized Lin Yu's expression, trying to decipher the unspoken meaning.
"I understand. I will relay your sentiment, sir!" he bowed respectfully.
Lin Yu smiled and said, "Yes, I will be keeping a close eye on this matter."
With that, he departed.
"Let's head to Donghai City," Lin Yu mused.
On the way.
He opened his wrist-mounted device to check the news.
"Hmm, they were quite swift!"
[Today, our Gaoshan City Enforcement Bureau, acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, has successfully apprehended the rumor-monger known online as 'Planet's Fulcrum!']
[This individual, residing in a lavish villa and possessing immense wealth, made a living by slandering others and disregarding facts!]
[The verdict has now been rendered!]
[Sentenced to 1000 years of imprisonment!]
[Evidence has been provided below for your review!]
This was huge news, and many were excited.
The internet was abuzz.
"Impossible! Didn't he claim to be destitute? How could he own such a luxurious villa?"
"Heh, you're still deluded. You were just tools for him to make money."
"There must be a mistake, something is wrong."
"Look at his assets and their sources. Isn't that akin to extortion?"
"And there are his videos, all of which serve as evidence."
"Honestly, I was worried, but now it's good. With this crackdown, let's see if those trolls dare to act recklessly again."
"Haha, satisfying! A mere piece of trash, daring to frame a hero."
The truth of the matter was now clear to all.
The fervor of this not-so-major incident was rapidly cooling.
The internet saw another wave of cleansing.
This time, it was more severe, directly dismantling over a dozen illegal industries.
The mercenary troll farms suffered heavy losses, nearly wiped out, and the prisons were almost full.
At this moment.
Lin Yu was strolling on the beach outside Donghai City.
Meanwhile, in the city, Lin Fan was attending a celebratory banquet in his stead.
He gazed at the surging sea and murmured to himself, "Still quite a ways off from the upgrade points. When will those sea creatures come seeking revenge?"
Lin Yu was a restless soul, and he was already itching to slay monsters.
The absence of increasing upgrade points made him uncomfortable.
"Are the Deep Sea Merfolk too cowardly?"
"I need to find a way to go underwater."
"If you won't bother me, I'll bother you. That should work, right?"
With these thoughts, Lin Yu ambled along the coastline for a few more laps before returning.
As soon as he re-entered the city, Lin Fan, already tipsy, staggered to meet him.
"Big Brother!"
Seeing him inebriated, Lin Yu said, "Go back to your room. Don't follow me!"
Lin Fan swayed unsteadily and replied, "Will do!"
With that, he left.
Lin Yu sighed, quite exasperated. This kid not only liked to join the fray but also enjoyed drinking, completely unlike his own disposition.
"Go back to your room and rest. I hope those sea creatures come seeking revenge tomorrow!"
"If they don't, I'll have to go into the sea and hunt monsters myself."
"I still need to figure out a way to get into the sea."
Lin Yu checked his status panel, searching for a method to enter the ocean.
Suddenly, a pill recipe caught his eye.
The Five Elements Evasion Pill: Consuming this pill grants temporary mastery of the Five Elements Evasion techniques. Prolonged consumption offers a chance to comprehend the Five Elements Evasion techniques.
"Tomorrow, I'll attempt to refine this pill!"
.........
The night passed uneventfully, and dawn arrived.
Lin Yu woke early and split off some clones, instructing them to study the new pill recipe, the Five Elements Evasion Pill, together.
Lin Yu also indifferently examined the recipe, finding it surprisingly not difficult.
"This is a Tier Nine pill recipe!"
"However, it seems a simplified version can also be made."
"Let's try it!"
"Brothers, find the medicinal ingredients, then refine the pills!"
The clones immediately dispersed. Some went to buy herbs, while others began condensing their pill fires.
The ingredients for this pill were not particularly rare.
Furthermore, he wasn't aiming for the complete version, but a simplified one using lower-grade herbs. The efficacy wouldn't match the full version, but the ingredients wouldn't be hard to find.
Soon, all the ingredients were gathered.
"Fire the furnace and begin refining!"