An incense stick’s time seemed to be pass even faster than before.

  “I’ve recovered about 70 percent of my Qi strands… should be enough.”

  Truthfully, a full recovery of his external dantian posed zero difficulty for Bubai, but...

  Within this limited time frame, refilling half was already pushing the limits of cheap pill stuffing.

  Anymore and even geniuses will doubt his Qi-refinement status, let alone the golden core elders above.

  There was no need to go overboard.

  Having more or less Qi was just the dressing on his performance.

  After all, even if his dantian is “empty”, he can still put on a fight.

  Bubai looked to the risen gates ahead. “No time to fool around. Let’s dew dis…”

  Soon, the arena’s maws welcomed back a prim and properly dressed Bubai.

  Gone were the threadbare clothes riddled with leaking holes.

  In their place was worn yet clean trousers matched with a hemp vest that did little to hide the budding six-packs abs.

  A drool-worthy, improved appearance that greatly contrasted with the opposite side’s affluent young challenger in fine silk robes.

  Messy black curls, shoulder-length hair. A bit sloppy, but not too traditional nor out-of-place.

  Honestly, there wasn’t anything particularly handsome regarding his features.

  What really stood out was the youth’s particularly scrawny physique.

  It wasn’t malnourished in any sense but still looks rather frail, as if he would be knocked down by a single punch.

  Still, he stood there with confidence, and it wasn’t hard to pinpoint where his confidence came from - the doll standing a step behind him.

  A rather familiar cloak and weimao kept her features a mystery, but it wasn’t hard to guess it was a tall, shapely beauty.

  But the interesting part wasn’t her mysterious persona.

  It was the fact that she was alone.

  For a puppet controller, especially a genius from the Shadow Sun Clan, to rely on a single doll was... too unusual.

  Noticing Bubai’s probing gaze on his doll, Tai Yingui snickered.

  “No need to stare so hard. You’ll know what you’re up against soon enough.”

  Bubai’s unimpressed eyes sharply slid back to meet the challenger’s sleazy eyes. “Just one?”

  “Gehehe... One is more than enough.”

  Was it now?

  Bubai couldn’t deny the possibility that this particular doll might be something exceptional, but...

  Is this really the limit of this “genius”?

  Bubai wasn’t sure on the specifics of the Shadow Sun Doll Art, but from the fairy, he has gathered enough intel regarding its basic mechanics.

  In general, it reflected the “housing” limit in certain RTS games.

  Though a Qi-refinement puppet controller’s unit control limits were low, typically in the single digits, it wasn’t uncommon to see a peak late-stage managing multiple low-grade dolls!

  Commanding only one just didn’t sit right, especially considering the combat power he has shown thus far.

  So… was it genuine overconfidence?

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  Or was there a few more surprises hidden in that fancy-looking storage pouch on that skinny waist?

  Either way, he would soon find out.

  “You know, my Uncle Snake told me you’ve been stuffing yourself with low-grade pills like no tomorrow. Even then, you shouldn’t have recovered no more than, what... forty, fifty percent of your Qi?”

  Tai Yingui’s gaze slithered over his prey up and down, his grin promising poison.

  “Why go through all this trouble to hold your spot? Here’s what. Looking at my uncle’s face, I’ll give you a chance to forfeit before it’s too late.”

  Bubai rolled his eyes. What an overused line. Seriously, all this pre-combat dialogue is getting really boring.

  Oh Merlin, if Bubai could skip these cutscenes, he would.

  But this was reality, and there was a reason for everything, no matter how boring.

  Here… was the last opportunity granted to both parties to forfeit.

  The challenger can rethink their decision after greeting their opponent.

  On the flip side, the challenged can capitalize on this chance to give up their spot if they faced malicious round-after-round harassment, just like himself.

  If it was others in his place, it would be a smart move to make a strategic retreat to wait for a comeback chance in the following years.

  After all, if the green mountains are still there, there’s no need to worry about firewood.

  But for Bubai?

  Sure, in his original low-key plan, he would’ve surrendered in the first round.

  Yet now? Please. Retreat wasn’t even a consideration.

  The performer’s here to advertise himself, not hide.

  Cracking his knuckles, Bubai smirked back.

  “Want me to walk away? I’m afraid those scrawny arms of yours isn’t enough to scare anyone. Show me where your confidence comes from if you dare.”

  Tai Yingui’s laughter slithered out. “Gehehe… If you have the balls, just wait a bit longer. It’s about time... isn’t it?”

  No sooner had the words left his mouth, the signal thundered through the arena.

  “BEGIN!”

  There was no forfeiting now. Either take em’ down or get taken down.

  Details of this opponent popped into Bubai’s mind.

  Tai Yingui. Metal and Fire Dual-attribute genius. Nicknamed: The Wallflower.

  An outstanding descendant of the Shadow Sun Clan. Essentially... a Summoner Class.

  Battle plan? What’s the optimal way to deal with this low-class army style? Knock out the brains!

  With his target set, Bubai confidently took the initiative and launched himself forward!

  His confident strides was met by Tai Yingui’s grating cackle. “Gehehe! I was afraid you would run off before, but now…”

  Index and middle fingers unified to point skywards.

  The universal control gesture sent out the signal to the cloaked figure behind him...

  Like an ice phoenix spreading her wings, the doll shed the familiar cloak.

  The weimao flew away and a cold dream was reborn…

  A skimpy, black bikini armor replaced the service-mode birthday suit, yet the all-too-familiar gray-haired goddess still stopped Bubai dead in his tracks.

  Leng Meng?! Merlin’s beard! What’s she doing here?!

  No, that answer is obvious. More importantly…

  The gawking Bubai pointed at the doll and blurted out, “Wait! Is that not against the rules?!”

  “Of course not.” Tai Yingui hugged the doll’s waist and took a deep sniff of her neck, then smugly grinned back. “Shadow Sun dolls count as magic tools, idiot.”

  “But you’re not even the owner of that magic tool!”

  Tai Yingui snickered. “Lending ownerless magic tools isn’t against the rules. If you don’t believe me, just ask.”

  Hah! Just keep making it up! This Leng Meng doll was literally owned by that old snake a few hours back!

  Bubai looked up to the referees above with hope, only for the cold, impersonal voice of the rule announcer to crush it.

  “There are no signs of spiritual branding. Since the magic tool is confirmed to be fully ownerless, it is therefore permitted to be treated under the aforementioned rules.”

  Bubai’s lips twitched. For real? Is this what passes for fairness these days?

  He can now confirm that there really are cheaters that take advantage of every loophole.

  Heh, too bad for this doll cheater… what he’s facing off against was a bigger cheater!

  There was no need to be afraid of a mid-grade doll, especially since it’s being controlled by a mere Qi-refiner.

  That wasn’t worth breaking a sweat over.

  “What’s the matter? Scared already? Gehehe...”

  The opponent’s taunt did little to damage Bubai’s fighting spirit. “It’s just a broken doll. Don’t blame me for what happens to it.”

  Tai Yingui snickered. “Thinking you can rely on that strange physique or yours? Gehehe…”

  His hand went to grab the racks, emphasizing the power of the flawless weapon.

  “This doll has more strength in one porcelain finger than you do in that filthy, sand-caked body.”

  “Even if your body is stronger than those muscle-headed brutes, there’s nothing you can do against this big gift I’ve prepared for you!”

  “If you beg me now, I might consider letting you off after letting her wring you dry. How?”

  The smiling tiger crouched into a low dashing stance. “We’ll have to see who’ll be begging who!”

  Tap. Whoosh!

  Seeing Bubai dashing over, Tai Yingui finally put away his smile and let go of the beauty.

  “Seems you won’t give up until you see your coffin. Fine. Since that’s the case…”

  The storage pouch opened. Shing! Out flew a straight crystal sword, right into the goddess’s hand!

  The sword sung faintly when it returned to its rightful owner…

  But what answered was an expressionless face that showed zero recognition, causing the sword’s excitement to die out, returning to a lifeless state.

  Still, the doll owner retreated a few steps back with an unnatural expression.

  It wasn’t until Tai Yingui saw the goddess dully point her sword forward at the incoming foe that he finally relaxed.

  “Gehehe… Now, everything is in place. Out of respect for your stubbornness, I’ll let you taste her real skills!”

  His fingers pointed forward like a gun. “Go! Leng Meng, slay everyone in your path!”

  Step. A foot tapped lightly against the ground. Qi erupted and the sword goddess shot forward like a swallow!

  In mere breaths, the gap closed!

  Like a lance, the icy sword pierced forward and was already at Bubai’s throat!