Down in the Arena below.

  “...Jia Liang challenging… Inner Disciple Mo Bubai!”

  The booming challenge letter paused Bubai’s sweeping only for a mere breath before he calmly finished up the last strokes.

  Back-to-back challenges wasn’t against the rules. Not too surprising he got picked again since he was the new hot commodity.

  That’s another reason why he must conserve his strength.

  Seeing that the last of the scattered itching powder got swept onto the blanket, Bubai tied up the blanket corners and slung it over his shoulder.

  He then walked over to the cranky, raised portcullis that welcomed him back into the coliseum’s corridors.

  The itching powder bundled by the worn blanket was swapped out for a similar-looking worn sack of sand.

  Bubai then plopped down right there on the cool stone floor and casually popped a blood rejuvenation pill.

  The blood rejuvenation pill was just a low-grade pill for recovering physical strength and stamina.

  Truthfully, he didn’t even need it.

  During that skirmish, his Qi reserves were barely touched, and the sun blessed his physique with self-sufficient stamina recovery!

  Even if any sort of recovery was required, his green dew elixir had him covered.

  But... an act must be thorough.

  A Qi refiner winning without a single scratch or bruise was exaggerated enough…

  If he’s still lively and kicking after an “intensive” fight, he might as well kiss his “Qi refiner” title goodbye.

  Proper “weakness” must be shown, and recovery pills were an excellent smokescreen.

  Of course, an act is an act, but his pill stock wasn’t infinite. So...

  When Bubai sensed nobody latching their divine sense on him, every pill that went into his mouth was sent back to the shelves.

  Save wherever he can. He’ll never know when they could come in handy.

  Sure, these pills can’t compare to his green dew elixir’s restorative power, but...

  These pills could be his emergency last resort, just in case he couldn’t utilize his green dew for some reason.

  Always think ahead.

  “If the incense is long enough, there should still be half an hour…”

  Closing his eyes, Bubai circulated his Qi-refinement method and drifted into meditation.

  Here, there was a leaf resting on still water, but outside was an uproar…

  "It’s over, just like that?" one disciple groaned, rubbing his eyes. "I swear, I’ve just been hearing random noises and staring at smoke then sweeping for the past half-hour."

  "Yeah, we came to watch lives burn, but we all get smoked by this nonsense! Where’s the fire? And those unscrupulous money-mongers say Lian Ke had a good chance because he was adept at fire-breathing! Pei!"

  "Pfft, if that’s all there is to his signature skill, maybe he should have stuck with fanning incense smoke. At least he’ll have a better time once he reaches the other shore!"

  "Hey, did anyone remember the winner’s face? With all those pills he popped, he’s basically a walking pill bag. Maybe we should..."

  "Dream on! Just look at him, he probably sold his underwear to afford that much. And even if his pockets were really full, do you think it’s our turn?"

  "Yeah, wonder who’ll be lucky enough to claim it all? I hope it doesn’t flow back into the bags of those noble sons.”

  “Have some confidence, mate! Then again... looking at that tired look, he’ll probably struggle in the next round...”

  A certain masked shorty: “Hear, here! Place your courage against the odds! Jia Liang, 3. Mo Bubai, 1! Bets are open until the match begins!”

  “No way?! Such good odds?” “Fake? Doesn’t look like it...” “Hah! This time, for sure, I will empty the dealer’s pockets!”

  Time flew by as fast as bets were placed...

  At last, the gates at the opposite side of the arena cranked open to welcome the challenger...

  Out stepped the bushy-bearded Jia Liang, and he spread his arms to bask under the sunlight.

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  "Kekeke… Thought I’d missed the chance, but it seems today’s my lucky day."

  Jia Liang’s gaze then fell onto his foe who was still motionlessly meditating on the other side of the gates.

  Disdain flashed through his eyes, and he called out. “Kek! Still recovering, are we? No matter how much you recover, it won’t change the outcome! Quit wasting everyone’s time and just forfeit.”

  Then… there was no response.

  His opponent was still a picture of calm and this ticked off Jia Liang a bit.

  Jia Liang decided to not waste his spit anymore, simply crossed his arms, and waited.

  There shouldn’t be much time left.

  It’s best if that fool meditates till the last moment and suffers from backlash when he gets interrupted and dragged out!

  Of course, Bubai wasn’t going to make such a low-level mistake, even if the consequences were small.

  He actually ceased his Qi circulation well ahead of schedule, almost a full ten minutes before the estimated time!

  Right now, he was still meditating, but it was purely for show.

  Others can’t see, but those golden core elders knew he was just waiting, perhaps planning.

  At this time, an impatient reminder intruded his mind.

  “Cheap brat, quit pretending! If you don’t get out there, the incense will be snuffed out!”

  Bubai’s eyes snapped open. The time… is shorter than he thought?

  But he didn’t put much thought to it. He simply heeded the call and got up.

  Seeing Bubai walk out with a sack casually slung over one shoulder, Jia Liang couldn’t help but taunt with barely contained excitement.

  “Kek! Thought you knew what’s good for you and saved me some trouble. But looks like you’re not chickenin’ out and want to play the tough guy?”

  Bubai puffed his chest and shot back. “Don’t think my courage to fight has weakened! I can still go ten rounds if I have to!”

  “Kehahaha! With what? Those petty tricks that wouldn’t scare a three-year-old child? Kek. Quit pretending! Anyone can see you’ve used up all your tricks in your last sorry performance!”

  Bubai timidly took a step back, but steadied his shaky hand on his storage pouch and yelled back, “We-We’ll see about that! I got plenty more where that came from!”

  Jia Liang scoffed. “Kek, a whole lot of hot air. Know your place and just forfeit. Looking at my elder cousin’s face, I won’t embarrass you and let you walk away with what’s left of your dignity.”

  “Right back at ya! Out of respect for Senior Brother Jia, I’d suggest you surrender before it’s too late.”

  “Delusional. Really don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth! Pei!”

  Jia Liang spat to the side and cracked his fists.

  “Since you would rather refuse my toast to drink a forfeit, let me help my elder cousin teach you a lesson!”

  Ah… those lines really brings back memories.

  But when Bubai saw the other get into a battle stance, he didn’t let stray thoughts distract him any longer and fully focused on his foe.

  His opponent this time was the typical image of thick skin and toned muscles, but not to an overly exaggerated level.

  Verdict: Brute force type, and based on his intel, not the quick type.

  A big arena like this was no home ground for the slow.

  Yep, the battle plan was set. Let’s fly this kite for a few laps to warm him up!

  Shurikens fanned out in Bubai’s free hand, and he began lightly bouncing on his feet.

  Seeing this, Jia Liang had a bad feeling, but the signal thundered: “Begin.”

  Shoving aside distracting thoughts, Jia Liang charged over like a rampaging bull!

  His opponent stood still like a deer facing headlights, but just when Jia Liang entered the firing range...

  Swish! Swish! Swish! A flurry of shurikens shot over!

  The same trick as the previous round!

  Jia Liang easily swerved away from them, and when he saw no wires attached to them, he sneered inside.

  Keke. Poor bum.

  But when his eyes snapped back to the poor bum and saw the gap between them had actually widened, his eyelids twitched.

  No way...

  Jia Liang didn’t believe in evil and rushed forward even harder!

  In response, more shurikens fired over to slow his advance!

  After running around for a bit, Jia Liang earned some extra surface scratches, but saw that gap was pretty much kept the same with the other side always just out of reach!

  Jia Liang’s mind finally went online, and the face under his thick beard went stiff.

  It’s confirmed. This was the most annoying type of enemy for him! Same as that dead jerk!

  This one was even carrying what seemed to be a weighty sack, and that mocking smile on his face was so irritating!

  The enemy chaser’s teeth itched and he roared, "Hateful trash that only knows how to run! You really think I have no way to deal with you?!"

  Qi and blood pumped into his legs and the muscles there swelled like a spring… “Sun Elephant Stomp!”

  Jia Liang’s foot pounded against the hard ground and- Whoosh!

  In an instant, Jia Liang catapulted forward like an arrow let loose from a bow and the burst of speed let him quickly close the gap!

  “Kekeke! Run! Keep running! I want to see how you’ll run from this!”

  Seeing this, Bubai’s face changed.

  Bloody Merlin, it was a skill that hadn’t been shown in fighting pits!

  It was a gap closer good enough to take most foes by surprise!

  Good thing he was prepared!

  Bubai hurriedly flipped over the sack slung over his shoulder and immediately hurled it at the bull while yelling, “Eat my sack of itching balm!”

  Seeing the sack flying over, the sprinter making a beeline toward Bubai hastily screeched to a halt and jerked his body to dive to the side.

  The sack whooshed past…

  When it splatted on the ground, out spilled... sand.

  Jia Liang’s face scrunched up. It didn’t take a genius to know he had been fooled!

  "Hah! Idiot!"

  The angry bull whirled around, only to see that the laughing bat had long bolted far away.

  “Keargghhhh!” Fury rose in Jia Liang’s chest like molten lava, and he chased after the red flag while bellowing, “Quit running! Come and fight me if you’re a real man!”

  A mocking taunt shot back.

  “Hey, hey, want to fight me? Then, go faster! Don’t tell me you can’t do it because even your third leg was quicker than this!”

  That was the last straw that pissed Jia Liang off!

  Jia Liang didn’t like relying on weapons, but he still pulled out a scimitar to swat away shurikens like an angry bear just to hasten his sprint after his foe.

  Too bad... no matter how fast he moved, the other still kept him at kiting distance.

  But… not for long!

  A quick lap around the arena was all it took for the strain in his leg muscles to go away.

  A dark scowl twisted Jia Liang’s face, and his blood got pumping once more...

  Muscles bulged. Raw power exploded from his legs, and he exploded forward like a rocket!

  Seeing the gap between them being wiped away in a heartbeat, Bubai’s face showed panic!

  He scrambled to pull out another half-full sack from his storage pouch and threw it straight at the bull’s angry face, “Eat my itching balm!”

  But Jia Liang only scowled and hurled his scimitar forward! Rip!

  The sack was cleaved in half and sand exploded out to form a dust cloud!

  Whoosh! The raging bull barreled straight through the sand cloud and his wickedly grinning face appeared right in front of Bubai.

  “Finally, got you! See how you run from this!”

  Knuckles cracked. Power boiled. The clenched fists ignited with crimson-gold flames and roared right at his foe’s cheeky face!

  “Die!”