Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak…
With the gate groaning shut behind, Bubai stepped out into the spotlight and squinted to see the awaiting challenger he was facing.
Across the sun-based arena was a lean youth, decked out in a yellowed gown, fanning himself like he was some self-important bigwig.
His looks? It wasn't close to the appearance belonging to someone born with destiny, but it definitely leaned a bit more toward the handsome side.
This alone hinted at a lot.
In this world of cultivation, appearance wasn't just a vain ornament.
The cycles of nourishment from Qi and the baptism from the heavens tends to shape a better appearance for most cultivators, especially those possessing better potential.
In other words, this Ge Tianqi was a real grassroots genius.
According to intel, a fire and wind dual-attribute genius.
As for what level of genius?
During one of his scouting trips, Bubai even landed himself a front-row seat to witness this guy's foundation promotion!
That phenomenon that attracted elders and various clans alike spoke volumes about this Ge Tianqi's potential.
Of course, this level of talent can't even hold a candle to the so-called evildoer, but certainly still a seedling worthy enough to be taken in by an elder.
And anybody favored by an elder was a rising star.
Honestly though, Bubai thought this rising star would just be a passing comet.
Who could've imagined they would end up on the same proving ground. What a strange fate.
But whether it be fate, coincidence, or some other behind the scenes machinations, Bubai wasn't afraid.
An early-stage foundation builder? That's the same realm as himself. Nothing special.
And if his intel wasn't wrong, this Ge Tianqi should have none of those fog of war field spells.
That means this will be an open-view battlefield on solid ground!
This was exactly the type of battle that will let his raw strength and combat style play their greatest effect!
If there's nothing outrageously unexpected, his win was pretty much already in the bag!
Of course, Bubai has no habit of underestimating the opponent. Proper vigilance was always there.
What to look out for?
Hidden hands the other could've possibly acquired from the secret realm expedition or from the Taiyin Clan backing him.
Let's see how many of these he can bait out later…
While Bubai was observing the enemy, on the other side, Ge Tianqi was similarly observing the man he challenged.
Standing upright. Unhurt. Completely out of his expectations! Unbelievable!
How is this the same cripple that got carried out?! Even the hair style changed!
Ge Tianqi didn't believe in evil, but this…
No, no, no. It's impossible! This cripple must be hiding his weaknesses! Must be!
Waving his fan like a dandy, Ge Tianqi suppressed his inner turmoil and finally couldn't help but probe.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at you, still acting tough at this time? You think I can't tell?"
"I don't believe your internal injuries can hold a candle to what you are pretending to be. Why don't you save us both some time, just kneel down, and surrender?"
Bubai almost barfed at those cringe lines.
Then again, it wasn't too surprised to hear such familiar lines once again.
After all, no one in their right mind would believe a low-level cultivator on the verge of collapse could heal back like he did within a mere hour.
What he achieved was almost a miracle! It was just outrageous!
And for those understanding the details behind the scenes, he was undoubtedly a treasure boy—valuable like a human ginseng!
And that's his ticket to fish for more benefits... to lure the greedy to fall into his trap.
Wearing an easy and arrogant grin, Bubai sniffed and rubbed the underside of his nose with a thumb.
"Is that the best opener you got? Heh. Well, right back at you! For your own good, I would suggest you surrender now while you still have a chance."
Snap. Ge Tianqi folded his fan and pointed it at him like a sword.
"Quit acting all high and mighty just because you lucked out once. You're nothing but an ugly lowlife carrying treasures to the arena like a pig to slaughter."
"I don't understand what she sees in you, but I'll make sure to show everyone you aren't even worthy to carry my shoes!"
She? Who's she?
Bubai didn't know, but sure enough, women were really the root of all troubles.
Whatever. Just go with the flow. Bubai sighed and pretentiously raised his head at a 45-degree angle.
"Ah, bark all you want. It was my mistake to give you the illusion that you can challenge me. Don't worry. Soon, you will no longer have this illusion."
"Utter nonsense!" Ge Tianqi scowled.
"We'll see if you can still boast like that once I peel your skin off and strip you of everything!"
"Soon, I'll make your women beg for mercy under me! And everything you have—everything—will be mine!"
"All I have?" Bubai gave the man a look of pure disdain. "Please. I'm afraid you can't afford it. A poor tramp like you... No wonder she doesn't even bother looking your way."
Ge Tianqi's face froze like he just got slapped.
Then… slowly… he raised a hand to cover one eye, and his bowed head cast a dark shadow over his face.
Then the villain's cackle started — low at first, then louder, more unhinged.
"Ku…ku…ku… kukuKUHAHAHAHA!"
"Good. Very good. You've angered me. I originally planned to let you off with a little burn and a few broken bones, but now? I won't even give you a chance to beg for mercy!"
"Oh. So terrifying." Bubai rolled his eyes. Idiot. Who will be begging for mercy later… it's still too early to tell.
Since neither side showed signs of backing down and surrendering, the "begin" thundered down.
At that signal, wind immediately blasted out from Ge Tianqi's feet and he surged forward with fingers flying through a series of seal while howling at the top of his lungs.
"Lowlife! Come and face death!"
What? Run up and get blasted in the face by whatever spell he's cooking? No thank you. He's not that stupid.
Instead, Bubai opted for his usual tactic: Fall back! Go! His best friend is still the wall!
But gotta admit, this Ge Tianqi's lightness skill wasn't half-bad and he crossed more than half the arena in a few heartbeats.
And that apparently was already within the man's effective spell-casting range!
Bubai'd barely ran a few steps up the wall when Ge Tianqi's chest puffed up to the limit...
The next heartbeat, a thick pillar of fire gushed out from his mouth!
Fire Style: Torching Blowing Technique!
FWOOOOOM!
Bubai's heart skipped a beat in shock and he greased his feet, sprinting diagonally up the wall to avoid the beam of flame chasing after him while scorching the white wall all the way!
"Gotta go fast! Gotta go faster, faster, faster, Soni—" Ahem. No need to be that blueballing fast.
No matter how strong that flamethrower was, its power degenerated with distance and duration.
After slashing a black trail up past half the wall, the flames sputtered and died out.
"Yup, can't catch me all the way up here. Phew."
Just when Bubai breathed a sigh of relief and stopped to wipe off the nonexistent sweat…
"Where do you think you're running to?!"
Bubai checked downstairs and his eyes almost popped out in shock because he saw the fireboy running up the wall!
Naniiiii?!
This fireboy actually had a wall-scaling skill similar to his own Cloud Ascending Steps?!
What were the odds? No way there's such a coincidence!
Meeting his expectations, the fireboy only ran a quarter of the way up the wall before he lost all his momentum.
Yup. That's just regular wall-running. Haha.
But just when Bubai was about to get smug, he saw the fireboy scatter a handful of leaves up into the air!
Fwhsssh! Some leaves even whistled out like steel-tipped darts to line up like a staircase!
"Kuhahaha! You can't run from me!"
With that wild roar, Ge Tianqi kicked off the wall and actually leapt to a leaf!
Then a light tap of his foot on the leaf actually launched him upwards!
Then again—Tap!—and again! Tap! Tap! Tap!
The fireboy zigzagged back and forth between the falling leaves like they were stepping stones!
In less than a breath, Ge Tianqi was already right below Bubai!
"End of the line, lowlife!"
Shiiing!
His folding fan snapped open and razor-sharp blades jutted out from every rib of the fan like bones!
Grinning like a devil hot on the heels of a fleeing debtor, Ge Tianqi twisted around and threw out the fan, sending it flying over like a buzz-saw blade!
"DIE FOR ME!!"