In the dark corridor…
While walking forward, Bubai held up the yellowed gown, turning it this way and that.
"Sun Palace Spirit Robe, huh? But... how come this looks more like what those monk or priestess wear in churches?"
Another article to add to the outside-of-this-genre outfit list.
Verdict: There's really something wrong with the aesthetics of this world!
"Eh… whatever. Looks aren't important. As long as it had use."
Though this plain, old robe looked like it had been passed down through countless generations, it was undoubtedly an expensive armor made from spirit worm silk.
"Heh. Trading a broken fan for this gown and a random loot bag is an absolutely win!"
Sure, that flying magic weapon was cool and all, but it was a wind-attribute-type equipment.
That wasn't suitable at all for a wood-attribute main like himself!
Even if he could pre-mold wind-attribute Qi...
What can he even do with the fan without refining it?
Even if he refined it, was this something he could put to use immediately in the upcoming battles? Nope.
Verdict: it was just a trophy for the shelves. The most likely end was the sales corner.
But will selling it be easy?
Selling such a powerful treasure wasn't as simple as slapping a 'for sale' sign on it.
It required the right customer—a powerful buyer meeting specific conditions.
At least foundation realm, possesses wind-attribute spiritual roots, and most importantly, rich enough.
How hard is it to find that? Hard to say.
But what happens after he finds the right buyer?
Without an auction house or competing buyers to drive up the price, is getting a good, fair price even possible?
Don't forget. This is a demonic sect.
He'll be lucky if his powerful customer didn't outright rob him blind!
If there's too much risks involved, Bubai will always favor not taking the gamble.
So this wasn't a bad trade at all. He even made a profit! The sole loser of this trade was his opponent!
But even knowing this was a loss, that fan boy still took the trade.
Not hard to guess why.
In the eyes of most cultivators, a mere defensive second skin was not as good as a powerful, flight-capable magic weapon that was compatible with their attributes.
Of course, Bubai's asking price was quite unfair, and the whole negotiation thing could've soured like old wine.
But since the start of the negotiation, Bubai knew it was already a win either way.
Trade pass? Profit.
Trade fail? No big deal.
Worst case, he could always go knock on his fairy godmother's door to see if he can sweet-talk her into lending her name as a co-signer, all to sprinkle a little luck on his sales.
"Like the old saying goes: negotiations are won before they start..."
Bubai chuckled, folded up the robe, then stuffed it into his pouch.
"Well, it's still nice when everything works out in my favor."
Even this battle was no exception.
This Ge Tianqi had quite the decent attack power. For a newly-promoted inner disciple, his skills weren't half-bad at all.
Unfortunately, his skill set was skewed towards spells and wasn't as versatile as that old timer water boy.
Add on his paper tiger physique resulted in a low tolerance for mistakes.
Even worse? He even stood in plain sight for most of the fight!
Isn't that just begging to be face-slapped?
Then at the end… what was the point of trying to hide? Smh.
Then again, even if he hid from the start, it wouldn't have done him much good.
The combat power gap between both sides… was just too much.
Verdict: a genius when it came to technical skills, but still too green where it counted.
That's why Bubai won with flying colors, all without exposing any new trump cards.
Though, truth be told, if he didn't use his ace card, this was already almost the peak of his battle power.
If anything, his combat rating now decreased because a lot of his prepped gear got destroyed by the fire.
Speaking of that fire…
"Wonder how mad that water boy will be once he learns the reason I won again was thanks to his generous sponsorship. Haha..."
Bubai smirked and looked at the bright exit ahead.
Well, whatever the case, a win was a win. And now? It was time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
As soon as Bubai stepped into the lounge, the spotlight fell on him and a crowd of gazes welcomed him.
Flattering gazes, wary looks, suspicion...
"Heavens… he's still alive… how did he do it?"
"Beats me. But I know he's not someone we can offend."
"Maybe someone should go see if we can make friends…"
"Hey, dream on! Can't you see which circle he belongs to? Others will only look down on us..."
None of those hyenas worked up the courage to approach, but…
Bubai can sense it. Though much more well hidden now, the hungry greed was still there.
Hardly surprising though.
His scraps before was enough to invite the covetous eyes of this den of hyenas.
Now that he added even more loot to his name, it only painted a huger target on his back.
Lucky for him, after that beatdown, nobody smart will come after his wealth... unless they're completely prepared.
Of course, there are still those who did not come after his wealth, but for…
"Ouuu! Brother Bai, congratulations, congratulations!"
Bubai looked over to see the enthusiastic shorty, Qian Bage, bouncing over to his side.
"Ou, I knew it! I really didn't see you wrong the first time! Brother Bai, you really are a hidden gem in this sect full of sand!"
Bubai returned a modest smile. "Brother Ba, you flatter me. I just got lucky."
Qian Bage clapped his shoulder like they were best buddies and laughed.
"Ouhahaha! Brother is too humble! Once can be called a fluke, twice can still be called luck, but brother is almost sweeping the house clean!"
"Ouu! No wonder those tigresses from that hall can't help but flock to your side! Brother Bai, I admire! Truly admire!"
"Hey, hey, Brother Ba, that's over-exaggerating…"
Bubai waved his hand to denial.
"I know my own weight. Those ladies are simply delivering medicine. Like they say..."
"You get what you paid for. The Sun's Holy Blessing sold by them is absolutely worth every spirit stone of its price. Highly recommended. Everybody should get it while you still can."
Hearing his advertisement, many of the hyenas chilling in the lounge showed thoughtful or tempted faces.
But a snort came from the Miss Hong proudly shadowing his side like a secretary.
Family knows family business. Even if she didn't know the whole truth, she saw the clues.
But she didn't poke a hole in the lie her boss was trying to spin.
On the other hand, Qian Bage didn't know the full story, but that didn't stop him from cursing.
"Pooh! What's so great about that blessing? Even if they come beg me, I won't buy it, ou!
Bubai almost rolled his eyes when he saw the envy that was oozing from the shorty's sour, monkey face.
Uh-huh. Sure. Not envious at all.
Wonder how this money bag would feel if he learned one day that his buddy even got a glimpse of his white moonlight in her birthday suit—Ahem!
Amitabha. Sin. What a sin!
"Ou? Brother Bai, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just..."
Facing this intuitive yet innocent "good brother", Bubai felt a bit guilty and was about to cook up an excuse, but a ready-made distraction came shuffling in from behind.
Looking over his shoulder to the corridor, Bubai caught sight of two eunuchs ferrying out a beaten and bloodied man on a stretcher.
Who else could it be if not his opponent, Ge Tianqi?
Even in that sorry state, Ge Tianqi gripped his fan so hard his knuckles turned white and his glare burned a hole on Bubai's face the whole way… until he was out of sight, out of mind.
Watching them go, Qian Bage leaned in and whispered, "Brother really showed no mercy to his face, ou..."
At the same time, a sound transmission reached his ear.
"Brother Bai, geniuses like them tend to be quite vindictive. Does brother need me to help you cut the grass and get rid of the roots?"
Bubai's lips twitched.
"A loser's just a loser. He can't make much trouble. Let him jump around for now. The elders paid a good price to keep his head."
"Ouu, understood, understood! Speaking of price, there's something I've been wanting to ask..."
Qian Bage's face turned sheepish and rubbed his hands together like a merchant about to ask for a loan, but whatever plea was on his tongue got swallowed by the sudden interruption of another entourage.
"Aiyoh! Junior Brother Bubai, there you are!"
Bubai turned to the newcomers. A party of four: two men, two women.
The bored-face dandy in front was Mo Tianhe. The lazy-bug grandson of that Mo Badao. Also, the Mo Clan heir he met just yesterday in the Jia Shizi circle.
Beside him trailed a younger man that looked like he didn't want to be here at all.
Bubai recognized this guy to be the Mo Guguai who got a free win yesterday, all thanks to his own personal off-field assistance with that Long Batian.
Following these two men were two familiar-looking, oriental women.
To be more precise, Bubai was familiar with the promiscuous Keiko on Mo Tianhe's side.
The other?
She almost looked like a twin of Keiko, except her temperament was much more lowkey, yet her lacy black tabard gown was anything but.
The dark red sash running down her front-side-only dress really highlighted her proud figure that no normal man can stare at without getting thirsty.
But after sparing her a glance, Bubai quickly tore his eyes away to greet the friendly clan mate with an easygoing smile.
"Senior Brother Tian, we meet again."
"Oh, my friend, you truly opened our eyes today. I just knew a brother recognized by the lion can't be any less extraordinary!"
"Haha. Senior brother, you flatter me." Bubai looked at the younger man at the side. "And this must be…"
"Aiyoh! Almost forgot to introduce you..."
Mo Tianhe patted the younger man's shoulder, earning an unhappy scowl in return.
"This is Mo Guguai, my good little brother from another mother. Don't mind him—he always has that gloomy face."
Bubai didn't remember his face being that gloomy when this Mo Guguai passed by in the lounge yesterday…
But he didn't point that out.
Instead, he politely nodded and turned back to Mo Tianhe. "Senior Brother Tian, to what do I owe the honor…"
Mo Tianhe slapped his own forehead. "Oh, that's right! I was entrusted by grandfather and your elder to come deliver what you deserve. You know…"
Bubai's eyes lit up. His reward!
Mo Tianhe then pointed at a side chamber. "Junior Brother Bubai, there's too many eyes and ears out here. How about we take this somewhere more... private?"