A bluff? That would be the first thought to sprout in the minds of most. Truth be told, if it weren't for the warning from his tingly sixth
A bluff? That would be the first thought to sprout in the minds of most.
Truth be told, if it weren't for the warning from his tingly sixth sense, Bubai would've thought the same.
But even if it wasn't a bluff—so what?
Know where the danger lies? Then stay away from the danger! Simple as that.
Falling back, a hand dove into his pouch and fished out a kunai.
Flick! A flip and the cold iron weapon was ready.
Then, a full-body spin fired the kunai at the other's bloody face! Kill first, ask later!
Watching the dart-like weapon growing larger and larger in his vision, Ge Tianqi was at the end of his ropes but still managed to jerk an arm up to shield his face—thud!!
Iron kissed fabric. The force from that hit slammed his arm right into his own broken nose!
Pain flared as if both his arm and face took a punch, yet the kunai harmlessly bounced off the sleeve of his gown!
This Summer Palace Priestess Spirit Robe that he acquired in the secret realm was worth all the risk!
But even wearing this, he can't keep taking brutal hits like that! Must get this lowlife to stop!
"Lowlife! Do you think I am bluffing?!"
Dropping his arm once more, Ge Tianqi forced himself up onto a knee and howled in between gasps.
"You should know about the Sun Sage Sacrificial Ritual from the Book Pavilion, shouldn't you?!"
That stopped Bubai's follow-up attack and put a frown on his face.
Sun Sage Sacrificial Ritual?
If he remembered correctly, that was one of those self-destruction techniques available for exchange in the Book Pavilion.
Unlike other secret arts that might have special requirements, this was one of those general-use secret arts that can be learned by disciples at all ranks.
Heck, even the elders probably mastered a version of it.
It's main purpose? Burn life, burn spirit, and detonate the dantian to self-destruct!
At lower levels, it was little more than a poetic suicide-assistive skill, but the power of the self-destruction naturally grows alongside cultivation level.
The stronger the cultivation, the more powerful the final explosion!
After all, the force generated by the explosion can't be any less than the energy used to condense the Dao seed or core!
Hence, a foundation builder's self-destruction was said to be stronger than a bunch of high-grade explosive tags and the explosion of a golden core can even erase an entire village!
This was one of the main means the Sun Furnace Sect possesses to deter enemies!
Essentially one last big bang to turn enemies into sun-flavored barbecue, and as a bonus effect: scorched earth policy.
It was becoming painfully clear that the disciples of this sect really do have self-destructive tendencies.
So it didn't come as a surprise that many older disciples didn't shy away from learning this trick...
Especially since there were rumors claiming that those who ignited themselves in sacrifice will return to the sun's embrace and re-enter the cycle of reincarnation under the watch of the sages.
Of course... that was probably propaganda at best.
Bubai was more inclined to believe that there will be nothing left behind. No body. No soul. Nor… loot!
Yes, his loot!
If this pyromaniac goes kaboom, everything would either get wiped out by the explosion or get flung into the sea of black fire!
That meant...
Unless Bubai can quickly and cleanly one-shot this noob, he'll get nothing!
Even worse news?
Since there wasn't much room to dodge in this area surrounded by the sea of fire, once he gets caught in the blast, he might even get dragged into the water!
How disgusting! How absolutely annoying!
Of course, even the most zealous pyromaniac wasn't silly enough to self-destruct for no reason, especially if there was even a glimmer of hope to cling to.
That was the key.
If Bubai wanted a happy ending to this chess match, he had to play this psychological game right...
Observing the wounded beast backed into a corner, Bubai slowly hooked out another kunai and his finger swung it in circles, just for the intimidation effect.
"Oh. So that's how it is. I am… so terrified! Go on. Be my guest! I won't stop you from turning yourself into firework. Really!"
"And don't worry. I'll be happy to collect your corpse afterward—if there is any. Haha."
His jeer landed like salt on an open wound.
"You—!" Ge Tianqi coughed out a mouthful of blood from anger. "Do you really think I don't dare?!"
Bubai smiled and gestured politely. "Please. Be a man. Make your ancestors proud. Show me the glorious will of the sun!"
"You—!" Ge Tianqi gnashed his teeth so hard it was a wonder that they didn't fall off.
His glare blazed with hatred, the kind that wanted to tear him apart and eat his flesh.
But in the end, survival trumped all and he still unwillingly gave in, "...What do you want?"
Ah, and there it was—the death of bravado.
It all comes down to a talk about profit in the end.
Bubai perked up and smirked like a fox that had just sniffed out a fat white rabbit.
"Saaah... who knows? At least we're speaking the right language now. Haha. Tell me. What's your offer?"
Ge Tianqi grit his teeth and spat out, "Ten spirit stones."
"Oh? Just ten? Haha… I see." Bubai's smile disappeared.
"Then how about this? If you're willing to loudly admit your life is as cheap as ten spirit stones to all the elders and your fellow disciples right here, right now… maybe I'll consider it."
"Otherwise, there's nothing else to discuss between us!"
Ge Tianqi's face darkened. "Lowlife! Don't be greedy! Learn to be satisfied with what you can get or you won't get anything!"
Bubai sneered back. "Heh. Do I look like a beggar to you? If you think you can get away by tossing me a meatless bone, you're sorely wrong!"
Ge Tianqi panted like a bull ready to charge. "Then—tell me. How much?!"
Bubai held up a finger.
That simple gesture turned Ge Tianqi's already bloodshot eyes even redder.
"I don't have that much. Twenty-three. That's all the spirit stones I've got!"
Naniiii?! Bubai's face fell.
Here he thought he was poor, but this sorry excuse for a clown is even poorer than himself?!
Curse these grassroots disciples!
No wonder this dog picked a fight. This poor beggar was just after his fat pockets—
Wait a sec. Hold up. Something didn't add up.
This wasn't just any newly-promoted disciple. This pyromaniac is a survivor of the secret realm expedition!
An obvious winner who banked on his profits to promote to foundation-stage!
How can he not have fat pockets?!
Bubai glared at the liar that almost fooled him.
"I don't believe you didn't acquire anything during your trip to the secret realm. How can you have so little spirit stones?!"
His push for an answer earned him a fierce glare.
"Who are you to care?! I did have a lot, but… I-I just spent it all, alright?!"
"Spent it all?! It's only been a month! Where did you spend it all so fast? Don't tell me you threw them all away at Bai Hua Lou?!"
This time, there was no answer. Only a young man averting his eyes.
It really looked like he was trying to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
No way?! He guessed right?! Bubai's lips twitched.
Merlin above! Those enchantresses at the Phoenix's Nest really do know how to suck a man dry!
Ahem. Ahem. Focus on serious business.
Bubai cleared his throat lightly and looked down at the poor boy solemnly.
"As a man, what you did is... understandable. But as a foe, you still have to pay the price."
"Since you can't afford it now, I shall be benevolent for once and am willing to take an IOU—so long as it gets officiated by an oath and the elders above. As for the price…"
Ge Tianqi nodded. "One hundred spirit stones—I agree!"
"No, no." Bubai shook his head and held up a finger like a gangsta debt collector. "It's one thousand spirit stones!"
"WHAT?!" Ge Tianqi's eyes nearly leapt from their sockets! "Why don't you just go rob the clan treasuries?!"
"What rob? I'm only seeking fairness!" Bubai righteously thumped his chest.
"Hey, hey, hear me out. I'm not taking advantage of you at all. Isn't this what you asked for at the start? Winner takes all?"
"Including my foundation realm cultivation furnaces, my assets should be worth at least that much! And that's not even counting the compensation for this glorious mane you burned."
Bubai casually combed his short, singed hair and sighed, "Do you know how long it took me to groom and grow this out? Alas, alas..."
Ge Tianqi nearly choked on air. Nonsense! Lies! Can't we all see that it only grew back not long ago!
This was just bald-headed extortion! This shameless lowlife! How dare he!!
If it weren't for his heavy injuries, he would've jumped up to tear the other's throat out!
But all he could do was slap the ground and scream back.
"You—lowlife! Don't force me or else—!"
"Or else what? You'll explode? Be my guest." Bubai smiled provocatively.
"You think I'll care? Please understand. Once you're dead, won't everything you own belong to me all the same? Not that a street beggar like you had much anyways. Heh."
"You—!"
Veins rose like roots on Ge Tianqi's forehead and his rage nearly boiled his head. This lowlife—he deserves death!
On the other hand, Bubai's smile stayed the same, but inside, he was already debating: should he take a step back or... take the gamble for all or nothing?
Steam hissed up around them and the black flames kept shrinking the ring ever so slowly…
But neither moved as if death's harvester hung still over their necks.
Where will the grim reaper's scythe fall?