As the old saying goes: fortune favors the brave.

  But how many are actually brave enough to take that step if one wrong step meant death?

  As cultivators, they had a long life ahead, centuries even.

  Will any sane cultivator risk such a long life over a grudge that didn’t offer even a grain of profit?

  No matter how high-sounding a cultivator cims to be, in the end, it all revolves around benefits.

  And if the danger outweighs the benefits, why risk it?

  Earlier, this big water ghost acted all bluster and brotherhood, but now that he realized he’d kicked an iron pte?

  Hehe. What is his choice now?

  Time ticked away like water from a cracked gourd...

  Feeling his empty sleeve getting pyed around by the water currents, Wu Dawei’s eyes eventually can’t help but stray to the undamaged storage pouches hanging on Bubai’s waist.

  Noticing this, Bubai crouched a bit to dunk them deeper underwater and gred back like a mother hen guarding her chicks, as if saying: “Don’t think about getting this back!”

  Hateful! Wu Dawei’s heart twitched in pain.

  He really, really wanted to rush over there to end this once and for all! Get everything back! But...

  What if this rat really had a killer to turn things around?

  His life still had nearly a century of glory left. He really didn’t dare to gamble it all here, especially since there’s almost nothing to gain!

  Just look at this dirty rat.

  That cheap, soaked robe that can’t even resist fire.

  Those good-for-nothing armguards that are practically useless.

  And those pin, worn boots—same as those outer sect trash.

  Except for his strange Buddhist bracelet and storage pouch that was of decent quality, this rat looked poorer than the cn branch’s parasites!

  Even if he risked it all and won, he’ll be getting nothing substantial!

  Of course, profit wasn’t his goal in the first pce. He was mainly here to avenge his dead brother.

  He originally thought this revenge would be as effortless as squashing an ant. So he didn’t think much about it, but now...

  Clearly, there’s something wrong with the news that reached his ears!

  If he didn’t guess wrong… it must be that high-and-oh-so-mighty scum’s foul schemes again!

  This was a setup! A trap! A pit to kick him out of the inheritance race!

  Even if he survives here, he won’t have it easy!

  And if he gets crippled any further… can he still walk out from this Sun Radiant Arena alive?

  No, he couldn’t afford to throw everything into this fire. Not here. Not over this.

  A gentleman’s revenge is never too te after ten years. Sorry Xiaowei.

  Wu Dawei repressed his bloodlust and reluctantly growled out a compromise.

  “Tch. Fine. Let’s each take a step back. Give me back my arm, and we can make peace.”

  Give him back his arm? Bubai sneered inside. Only a dum-dum will hand it back!

  The whole reason for this standoff was thanks to the leverage he earned from ripping off this water ghost’s arm!

  Though a foundation builder can seal off the blood flow for amputated parts such that they won’t die from blood loss, a cultivator missing an arm was like having his power cut in half.

  In other words: this was what gave him the upper hand!

  And by the looks of it, the so-called “holy” seed of pleasure was still not overpowered enough to regrow whole limbs from nothing.

  Otherwise, this arm-missing ghost won’t just be standing around and acting tough.

  But that’s bout all this bomboyash can do. The fight was pretty much over, unless...

  Well… Bubai can’t rule out the possibility that the other possessed other combat-oriented external means that weren’t affected by the loss of a limb or two.

  Puppets, formations, talismans, life-saving charms, etc.

  But here’s the thing: this amputated ghost wasn’t just missing his arm, but also his storage bag!

  That fact eliminated most of those possibilities. Can’t just pull a doll out from thin air now, can he?

  This meant there was only so much this barefooted ghost can rely on.

  The most obvious? Talisman. Life-saving charms. Spellcasting.

  There’s no talismans or life-saving charms in sight. But that’s still something to be wary about.

  As for spells?

  Even if this water boy 2.0 can sputter out a spell or two, at this point, the power is just too watery to do much except dey the inevitable.

  In fact, spellcasting at this juncture might even pce this exhausted guy in a worse position than the other options.

  After all, once a man let his Qi run dry, then he’ll only be a fish on a chopping board!

  Unless if you’re a cheater… Ahem.

  Anyways, it’s pretty obvious that the upper hand was on Batbai’s side.

  If it wasn’t because he didn’t want to expose too much too early, he would’ve already pulled out all stops to make this water ghost feel what real despair was!

  But he wasn’t some short-sighted greenhorn drunk on a short-term victory.

  Some cards, once pyed, could never be unpyed, and will come back to bite him ter on down the line.

  So don’t get greedy. Just snatching this wealthy scion’s storage pouch already made this entire battle completely worth it!

  To be frank, he didn’t mind letting time run out to cim his current winnings.

  That’s why he didn’t mind pying this dey tactic instead.

  Now that his opponent wanted to drag things to the negotiation table? Haha. Even better!

  That’s this grandpa’s favorite type of battle!

  “Make peace, you say?” Bubai ran his eyes over the one-armed man like a butcher appraising livestock. “You must be joking. This is a life-and-death match. I’m afraid… that is impossible.”

  “Naive!” Wu Dawei spat to the side like the following words will sour his mouth. “I thought you were a clever rat, but—heh! Fine. Let me remind you. Think about why there is a time limit!”

  Time? It only took a split second for Bubai’s brain to sort out the unspoken implications.

  Right... there was no surrender allowed in a life-and-death duel. Everyone knew that. But...

  There was no rule preventing the participants from just waiting it out and letting it end in a draw!

  This was a loophole, probably intentionally left to preserve blood.

  After all, there must always be a way out.

  Only the real ruthless ones will sughter every enemy while ignoring all consequences.

  Doing that was in line with the demonic path, but in some sense, it was closer to the death path.

  Because unless the loser was a wild weed with no roots, any kills will only invite even more trouble!

  As the old saying goes: the cycle of vengeance never ends.

  So the question now was…

  “Oh, I see, but…” Bubai gave the other a once over and licked his blood-slicked lips. “Are you really able to let go of this grudge so easily? Honestly, you don’t look the type to forgive and forget.”

  Wu Dawei scoffed. “You haven’t lived long enough, seen enough. Grudges? This is not the first time they get put aside for the sake of interest!”

  “Mmm.” Bubai grinned. “I like the sound of where you’re going. How much are we talking about?”

  “…” Wu Dawei gave him a long, cold look.

  “Dirty rat, you already took my storage bag! Still trying to be greedy? You should be grateful I let you off so easily!”

  “Heh. Grateful? You sure about that?” Bubai rolled his shoulders and sneered back.

  “Sounds like there’s nothing left to talk about. Once I kill you, won’t everything be mine all the same? Isn’t that simpler?”

  Seeing the greedy trash already getting into his earlier charging stance, Wu Dawei’s face darkened.

  This half-dead cockroach really wants to fight to the death?!

  No—no! This hateful rat is just bluffing! Has to be!

  But even if he knew that, he’s helpless…

  Now, the most important thing was to get out intact!

  And paying a small price to do so was no big deal.

  His mind was set. But Wu Dawei showed no weakness and his face twisted in contempt.

  “Heh. A rat is a rat. Always the same disgusting greed. Fine. Just treat it as alms. One hundred low-grade spirit stones! I bet you have never seen that much spirit stones in your life!”

  One hundred spirit stones?! Bubai’s heart skipped in joy from getting spped in the face by money.

  The one hundred this rich boy was talking about wasn’t the stake carried in his pouch.

  It was actually bonus off-court payment on top of what he swiped!

  Obviously, nobody will bring all their assets to a risky fight. That’s just courting disaster.

  Instead, the true savings are always left elsewhere.

  This lets those with deep pockets pay the “sparring lesson” fee if ever needed.

  That meant outright killing might not net as much as what others can offer from their private stash!

  The best part?

  For off-court offers like these, the sect above will be the notary. So there’s no worry about the other skimping out on the fee!

  Once both parties come to an agreement, those spirit stones will arrive in his pockets within a month at the test!

  But…

  Only one hundred? Meh. It wasn’t bad. Still...

  Bubai showed that greedy face that every blockbuster actor must have mastered.

  “Bah! Are you treating me like a beggar? Just what you’re carrying is worth far more than that! How about you just gimme your magic gourd instead?”

  “Whu?! My gourd?!”

  The counteroffer made Wu Dawei’s face darker than the bottom of a pot.

  He used almost a decade of savings to win this magic tool from an auction by chance.

  Since then, this magic gourd had been his companion. After decades, it has long been integrated into his combat style.

  Many of his water arts were tailored around it. Taking it from him was like cutting off his arm!

  How can he give it up?!

  Wu Dawei’s eyes fshed with venom.

  “You filthy sewer rat! You actually dare to open your lion’s mouth so wide?! Want my gourd? Dream on! Two hundred spirit stones! Last offer! If you still seriously want to go crazy till the end…”

  He yanked his robe open, baring his inner vest that was lined with yers of talismans…

  Shockingly, they were all... explosive tags!

  The lunatic grinned like a savage beast backed into a corner.

  “Keep pushing me, and believe it or not, I’ll make it so you don’t even get scraps!”