Whose fate was inevitable? Mind repeating that again?
Bubai couldn’t help but smirk inside. Oh, this silly greenhorn really was so simple-minded.
Did he really think this was just a simple cat-and-mouse chase? Please.
Know that a foundation builder’s mind already touched a realm beyond mortals.
Even a short time span was enough to add layers after layers to an impromptu battle plan.
So, how can Bubai’s plan be as simple as it was on the surface?
Dragging the clock’s hands to waste the pill’s effect was one purpose.
More importantly, this was buying time for him to study the lab rat and understand its weaknesses!
By solely looking at the surface, many little clues might not seem like much.
But these little tidbits were perfect for verifying some matters once paired with a solid foundation of knowledge!
For example, the true extent of this pill popper’s power.
Cultivation realms were, in the end, just a general benchmark.
When put under a magnifying glass, the gaps start showing, even within the same realm.
The further down the road of cultivation, the wider the spectrum.
In the foundation realm, there was already a visible split between the strong and the weak.
Cheaters lacking a solid foundation could only go so far.
If swallowing a single forbidden pill could really turn anyone into a full-fledged foundation builder, even temporarily, then that was simply too heaven-defying!
Sure, there were side effects to balance it out, but there were still some matters that were impossible to imitate, namely, the foundation seed and the spirit.
Those were the sublimation of a foundation builder’s cultivation, something that required the blessing of the heavens through transcending a tribulation.
There’s no temporary ticket to bypass this rule.
It’s possible for cheaters to obtain combat power equivalent to a foundation builder.
The desperadoes can even sacrifice their half-step foundation seeds to mimic pseudo-foundation power.
Regardless, awry methods will still lack the true sublimation of the spirit and foundation!
Hence, no matter how powerful a fake like this Qiu Feng might look on the surface, his innate qualities were simply not up to par!
An innate quality like spiritual sense, which happened to be closely related to those two core aspects, was no exception.
That’s why deceptively-simple blinding tricks were still effective while another trap he laid went unnoticed.
Fwoom! A fireball rocketed out and another talisman paper crumpled to ashes...
Watching another fireball make a splash at the half-court mark, Bubai showed impatience outwardly, but inside, he wasn’t too disappointed.
Sure, his actions seemed pointless, but some meaningless strategies were actually pointing to victory since the very start.
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Some fires burned bright before they burned out. Others don’t go out so easily.
The wind was already fanning the flames.
It’s just that many are too careless to notice it.
Seeing the same tactic that couldn’t even singe his clothes and that his prey was only a few more steps away, the incoming human missile had confidence written all over his face.
“Jajaja! You can’t stop me! Everything you do is useless in the face of absolute power, ja!”
Fwoom! Answering Qiu Feng was another fireball to the face!
“Again? You’re making this too easy for me, ja!”
Qiu Feng sneered, but this time, he didn’t even bother evading and let the raging inferno devour him whole!
But Bubai knew better than to hope for a clean victory.
Sure enough, a mere heartbeat later, a figure with cement-gray skin tore right through the curtain of fire, completely unharmed save for his tattered clothes!
“That’s…” Bubai’s eyes narrowed. Stoneskin!
It’s an earth-attribute martial technique that lets body cultivators shrug off blunt strikes and mortal weapons.
But to think this basic defensive art can actually reach the realm of blocking scorching flames hot enough to melt rocks!
No... normal stoneskin can’t do that.
Even his own innate stoneskin can’t tank this level of fire unscathed, unless it’s coupled with…
But Bubai didn’t have any free time for his mind to wander any longer.
The enemy already breached the melee bubble and a fist was sent flying over alongside a roar.
“Jaja! See how you run from this!”
Fast! Bubai finally showed some panic on his face, but his reflexes still snapped his arm up to properly ward off the first fist - Pat!
Just when that fist barreled past his left ear, the second fist followed like thunder chasing lightning, aimed squarely at his chest!
Option 1: Retreat? Dodge? No, those were not even an option!
Option 2: Ward it off again?
But this was like spreading his arms for a hug, leaving his center wide open for a kick!
Option 3: Block, Hard power against hard power!
Yeah, a little test won’t hurt. Give it a try!
Fist met... fist - Wham!
Bubai immediately felt the power behind the punch.
It was a tad stronger than the brute in the second round, but that wasn’t the point.
He actually felt a stinging pain from the blow!
No, that wasn’t from the clash of flesh.
The real damage came from the Qi invading his arms and clashing with the Qi flowing in his own meridians!
This is internal damage done by... the externalized Qi of a foundation builder!
Qi Externalization—this was different from spell casting and martial techniques.
This innate perk possessed by all foundation builders allowed them to coat their fists, limbs, and just about any part of their body with a layer of Qi!
Not only could this serve as a layer of extra armor that can resist Qi-based attacks, but its true horror lay in its offensive potential!
Once a foundation builder’s physical attacks land, the attached Qi can burst out and penetrate into the enemy’s body to wreck havoc!
This was basically a more focused application of the wanton full-body explosion done earlier!
In game terms, this was like attaching armor penetration to every basic attack.
In anime terms, this was kinda like this cultivation world’s version of Armament Haki!
It was a trademark of the strong, and in this world, a signature of foundation establishment cultivators!
Naturally, Bubai can do the same… but there’s no need to explain why he can’t use it on this stage.
So, after suffering from that loss, Bubai borrowed the momentum to slide back…
One hand hung limply at his side while his other hand sneaked out a Darkness Banishment Talisman.
Blind! A flash of light erupted like the sun itself…
But Qiu Feng was prepared. His eyes snapped shut just in time to avoid the effects.
“Jaja, did you think I will fall for that cheap trick a second time?!”
The flash of light passed in the blink of an eye.
Those clear eyes snapped back open.
Another blink and Qiu Feng was already sticking to his prey like a shadow!
For a foundation realm cultivator, that small breathing space was no gap at all!
Pat! The first fist flying over was warded off once again, but the fist transformed into a claw to lock the backpedaling Bubai in place!
Following that was Qiu Feng’s roar, “Take my Golden Sand Palm! Die!”
A palm oozing with raw Qi slapped toward Bubai’s chest!
This time, even if his “damaged” hand went to take the hit, he can’t break free from this deadlock!
He was a sitting duck waiting to get wombo comboed!
If that’s how it’s gonna be…
The sitting duck’s face became ruthless. “See who dies first!”
The limp hand snagged a little pouch on his waist and sprang to life, scattering red powder in the other’s eyes!
His feet took advantage of that chance to brutally kick up!
Offense is the best defense. Exchange injury for injury!
Everything happened in a heartbeat.
The next beat - BAM! The palm still hit home!
“Oof!” Bubai was sent flying back as if he got launched by a piston!
The world tumbled twice… then the wall gave him a hug to help him stop before dropping him flat on his back.
“Ugh…” Rolling over, Bubai tried propping himself up, but he collapsed back down on a knee, and a mouthful of blood welled up in his throat. Puff!
