Tap. Tap. Tap! Fwoosh!

  The gap closed in a heartbeat, and the hand of lightning clawed at the barrier!

  Seeing the violent lightning, Tai Yingui didn’t hesitate to pull back!

  Stand still? Geh. Who said that?

  Sure, his artifact’s shielding power was strong, but it consumes spirit stones like water!

  Only an idiot would waste power to soak a hit head-on, especially since there’s leeway to dodge!

  It’s true he can’t match his opponent’s peak speed, but now…

  The injured tiger was clearly worse for wear!

  Even if he can’t outright outrun this peasant, there should be no problem in evading a punch or two!

  To minimize losses, the best way was to elicit powerful moves, then string the prey along, letting the dying tiger waste more energy!

  Dragging a fight out always played in his favor!

  That’s exactly what he hoped to do!

  What happened next didn’t exceed Tai Yingui’s expectations.

  A few steps back was like opening a chasm…

  His foe’s sluggish claw barely grazed his barrier, only leaving some lightning to lick its surface!

  It was a miss! How pathetic.

  Even more pathetic was that desperate and panicking face!

  The reach of that attack seemed to have overextended, causing his foe to lose his balance and stumble forward like a marionette with strings cut...

  To stabilize himself, that claw of lightning had no choice but to plant onto the ground-

  Wait. The ground?!

  Tai Yingui’s eyes landed on the water pooling beneath his feet and his pupils shrank into a pinprick. Oh no! He fell for it!

  Tai Yingui wanted to leap up, but…

  “Too late!” Showing weakness moments ago, Bubai’s face now sported a wicked grin and all the power of his lightning claw discharged out!

  Zzzzzz!

  The current of lightning electrocuted the entire pool in a heartbeat!

  Legs were glued down, and both preys standing in the pool convulsed like malfunctioning marionettes!

  Even the broken doll crawling back was shocked into a mess...

  Buzz! Buzz! Buzz…

  The electric power eventually died out.

  Sporting a messy afro, Tai Yingui’s eyes rolled back and he crumpled to the ground with a light splash.

  The tortoise shell slipped from his hand, and the projected runic barrier flickered a few times before fading out.

  Success! Bubai’s heart jumped in joy.

  This Tai Yingui’s whole combat style hinged on this one shell!

  There was no doubt it was a major annoyance to deal with.

  But it’s definitely not invincible! Every turtle shell had its gaps.

  The naked eye might not see the weakness, but trial-and-error logic always works.

  Does its user not need to breath? Did the barrier phase directly into the ground? Probably not, right?

  Hence, his options were open.

  Poisoning the air remained an option. But water plus shock therapy was cheaper.

  If this shocking trick failed, it didn’t matter. Just try another.

  It’s just that the shell still can’t beat the plot armor and success came on the first try!

  Swaying slightly like a charred mast in the aftermath of a storm, Bubai felt the tingly numbness fade for the good part and finally straightened himself up, coughing out a mouthful of black smoke.

  A sardonic smile appeared on his ugly face and he hoarsely croaked, "Ow... really stings like hell. Good thing all those training sessions built up plenty of resistance.”

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  Well, even if that didn’t, taking a little shock was nothing since he can even tank tribulation lightning.

  His innate resistance was no joke. That’s why he dared to use shock therapy like this.

  Too bad he’s not the only one with resistance.

  Wiping his face, Bubai looked down at the face-planted doll user twitching from time to time on the ground.

  Still breathing and very much alive.

  Mortals and normal Qi refiners might get cooked by a spell or two, but not these peak late-stage cultivators.

  Most of their bodies had long been tempered by countless cycles of Qi.

  No matter how frail they look, all that late-stage body tempering had forged some basic resistance, even if it’s not as good as the innate resistance of foundation builders.

  By the looks of it, this Tai Yingui was recovering pretty quickly. It really looked like he’ll spring back up at any moment!

  Can’t give him a chance for a comeback!

  Bubai’s eyes flicked over to the tortoise shell lying just out of reach.

  Now, that magic tool was a prize waiting to be claimed!

  Bubai scurried over and can’t wait to pick up leeks.

  But his hand barely reached out when he felt an invisible force wall him off from the loot!

  “Ah… of course.” How can it be so easy to pick up such a valuable artifact?

  Bubai bitterly sighed inside. What a pity. He was just a bit away!

  Can’t those stingy old fogey keep their hands to themselves a bit longer?

  Well… at least this achieved his main goal.

  Splash... A hand slapped down on the shell. Its owner pushed himself up off the drenched floor…

  Barely holding himself together on his knees, the half-cooked fish coughed out some black dust and fixed his contemptuous gaze on the winner standing a few paces away.

  “Geheh. A peasant is a peasant. Stop dreaming. Even if you can get your filthy hands on it, you can’t keep anything. Now… return Leng Meng to me.”

  Return? Feeling the searing pain radiating from the burn on his back, Bubai felt the unwillingness bubble up inside.

  Did he really go through all that for nothing? So many trump cards traded for nothing but a mocking sneer?

  No, how can he accept that!

  Through ragged breaths, Bubai gritted his teeth and grinned back.

  “You’re right about one thing. I’m a poor peasant. Unlike you rich nobles, we poor people also have rules to live by. Since some things are allowed within the rules... you should know, the rules still apply to that ownerless doll.”

  Tai Yingui’s face contorted and he spat out, “Don’t give me so much nonsense! Are you giving it back or not?”

  “Want it back?” Bubai smiled. “As long as you compensate me for the... oh, earth-grade talisman I used to suppress her, then things can be discussed.”

  Tai Yingui flared up. “Impossible! Where can a peasant like you touch earth-grade treasures! Want to blackmail me? Dream on!”

  Bubai returned an indifferent shrug. “Then no can do. What’s lost is lost. What? Are you saying that the mighty and upright Taiyin Clan can’t afford to lose?”

  "You—!" Tai Yingui’s fury was boiling over, but he still clenched his jaws and tore his furious eyes away.

  Pushing himself up onto his feet, the frail swaying figure did his best to stand firm and then... paid his respects to the heavens.

  "Junior Tai Yingui beseeches Patriarch to make a decision! Please help this unworthy one talk some sense into this peasant!"

  Bubai’s eyes widened. Wow! What in Merlin’s name!

  This afrohead failed to argue his way out and just runs crying to the adults?! How shameless! Outrageous!

  But super effective! How to win against this?!

  Everybody knows that there was no need for the strong to play by the rules.

  That Leng Meng goddess doll wasn’t something hundreds of spirit stones can buy!

  For a valuable commodity like her, even golden core cultivators might tear their faces!

  Once they get involved...

  Bubai looked up to the radiant sun disc. Looks like he really can’t keep it…

  Above.

  Seeing the scarecrow-like Tai Yinjun about to speak up, the ruddy-faced old warhorse quickly took over the vanguard role.

  “Ohoh? Stingy thief, surely you’re really not thinking of stooping so low to bully the juniors, are you?”

  At Ma Pei’s side, the smiling Mo Badao chimed in. “This time, I stand on Old Stallion’s side. A squabble between juniors, do we still need to show our faces?

  The burly Jia Gufan folded his arms and nodded.

  "Exactly! Real men earn their keep with their fists, not their tongues. This time, that kid really showed an admirable touch character. I say, he deserves it! What do you say, eldest brother?"

  The hand stroking the braided beard paused and Grand Elder Jia Wunan’s eyes twinkled.

  “Hai… little matters like this… there is no need to harm our harmony over. Feng elders, your opinions?”

  Feng Luping’s mellow voice gave an iron-willed verdict. “Rules are rules.”

  Next to her, Feng Huajin giggled lightly.

  “Sister is right. There’s a limit to favoritism. If we let it slide this time, then… wouldn’t everyone treat our words as ear-side wind?”

  “Then it’s settled.” The Grand Elder’s hidden smile deepened.

  He cast his gaze toward the two neighboring elders of the Taiyin faction. “Any objections?”

  Facing the unanimous sanctions from all the others, what else can they say?

  The younger Tai Yinsu bowed his head, finding the gems spinning over his palm to be so very interesting...

  Getting zero support, the older Tai Yinjun could only slump back in his seat with a grumpy face.

  “Gah! It’s just a broken old doll! My Taiyin clan... can still afford it!”

  Hearing the verdict that came down from above, Bubai was shocked. For real? For real?! So generous?!

  Equally shell-shocked was Tai Yingui, who immediately protested.

  “But Patriarch, my foundation seed is planted in there! That’s a seed that’s half a step to building my foundation!”

  “Gah! If you lose it, just sacrifice a few toys and condense it again! Now, quit embarrassing yourself!”

  Tai Yingui’s face went pale, but could do nothing but bow his head and obey.

  With fists trembling at his sides and his jaw clenched so tightly it seemed like he’d snap his teeth, Tai Yingui glared at Bubai.

  "It’s useless even if you keep it. If you’re smart, you’ll name a reasonable price."

  For the foundation seed? Bubai blinked. If it’s where he thinks it’s planted, then...

  Even if he wanted to give it back, he can’t because it’s already sealed away!

  Since it can’t be sold separately, Bubai simply returned a shrug.

  Seeing his offer being dismissed, Tai Yingui grind his teeth and threw down the ultimate villain’s curse: “Just you wait, my uncle will hear about this!”

  With that, he stormed off.

  The sore loser left on the front foot, and Bubai respectfully slapped the heavens with a horse’s fart on the back foot.

  “Elder Taiyin. All esteemed elders. Your hearts are as vast as the valley and seas. Junior Mo Bubai is just a poor man with no way to express thanks over your boundless magnanimity, but this gratitude has been deeply engraved in junior’s heart.”

  Hearing those words, Ma Pei let loose a rolling chortle and gloated. “Hohaha! You stingy thief also has this day!”

  Feeling a thorn in his throat, Tai Yinjun snapped back.

  “Gah! Old fart, don’t laugh too early! So what if I give it away. I want to see if that dollie has the life to keep it!”

  Those all-seeing eyes of the scarecrow bore down on the scrap cleaner flying around the field below.

  That injury wasn’t light. He’s already looking forward to how the wings of the crow would be clipped!