A battle always held many uncontrolble variables.

  With unknown cards lurking in the opponent’s hidden hand, none could cim absolute control because who knows what cptrap the other would pull.

  However, this didn’t mean one couldn’t capitalize on every variable, no matter how small. This even included the cards the opponent already pyed!

  In every game of chess, every move counts.

  So, Bubai’s machine mind mode wasn’t just clowning around. In every battle, it let him take into account every factor that could be used to turn the tide.

  In this battle, one such key factor was Long Batian’s dagger.

  Durability. Flight. Vampiric. It checked off on many of the nuisances that could give most lower-level cultivators a headache.

  But like any other magic tool, from low to high grades, it operated on a supply of Qi that dwindled with each use of its runes.

  The dagger size was also a limiting factor for its battery life, requiring it to return to its owner for recharge during intense combat.

  If prevented from returning, its struggles would weaken progressively until it deactivated.

  Here y the dilemma for its owner: recall the dagger before its energy was drained or retrieving it in person.

  The first was Bubai’s train ride over to the man. The tter was the other flying right into the web.

  Either way, his meet-and-greet with Long Batian was a foregone conclusion… well, as long as the man bought his “I am no threat” act.

  Of course, there was always a chance that Long Batian wouldn’t fall for his tricks, but this time things had worked in his favor.

  Aside from his performance, the outcome likely owed some of its success to the Turtle Breathing technique used to suppress his real cultivation.

  Believe it or not, had he dispyed stronger combat power, it was likely that the poison bolt would have been aimed at more vital targets like his head or heart instead of his leg.

  If that were the case… well, the battle would still be raging right now and will even lead him down the rabbit hole of sacrifice.

  Fortunately, Long Batian was vigint, but there was a fw that ultimately opened a gap in his vigince: the arrogance in his bones!

  Arrogance never pays off, and this arrogant guy learned his lesson too te.

  Bubai looked at corpse with a charred stump where Long Batian's head used to be.

  His eyes then wandered over the bed, now spttered with the fleshy, charred chunks resulting from the head being blown off like a watermelon.

  Analyzing the aftermath, Bubai could only smack his lips and croak, "Much stronger than my Lightning Crusher. The mid-grade lightning bolt talisman really did justice to its price.”

  Of course, he didn’t pay a single spirit stone for this powerful, destructive spell.

  His own talisman had been acquired as a loot drop during his intel room raid event at Gemstone Paradise in the outer sect’s ninth district.

  Honestly, really nice folks there. They not only sponsored him a multi-functional doll, but also this neat and quick killer.

  Too bad this item was a one-time use, and after burning it in this battle, it was gone forever.

  “As…” Bubai sighed inwardly. Such a strong trump card was wasted here, but he had no choice but to use it.

  When facing an enemy of such caliber, he could not afford to hold back.

  Though he had struck Long Batian with a combo of backsh from severing his connection to his magic tool and letting the man taste his worse nightmare with the demoness, neither had been lethal nor did they win him much time.

  This left only a few options to bring the battle to an end, and he had one shot.

  Slitting the man’s throat would have been the cleanest and cheapest option.

  As, this was a fatal move for a mortal-bound Qi-refiners, but not necessarily for a foundation realm cultivator with some control over their muscles and even blood vessels.

  If this mortal blow fails to kill Long Batian, the man could simply pop a recovery pill and all of his careful pnning would have been for naught.

  So, better safe than sorry.

  A strong spell was needed for the finishing blow.

  One choice was his Lightning Crusher… but the time to charge it into a lethal blow is much longer than activating a talisman.

  So, he shelved that choice from the very beginning. Oh Merlin was he gd he did so.

  If he was indecisive and had been a fraction of a second slower…

  Feeling the numbing grip of the cold machine mind mode fading away, Bubai’s eyes twitched and finally tore his sights away from the disturbing, bloody mess.

  By chance, his eyes washed over the limp, stained beauty pnted askew on the bed. With a defined face, exemplifying facial paralysis at its finest, she coolly stared back at him.

  “...”

  Oh Merlin, that’s right. His battle wasn’t over just yet. He still needed to handle his most important key.

  Kneeling beside her, he assessed her condition.

  No internal injuries, but there are some lingering residues of poison.

  He could flush it out with his Qi, or she could manage it herself once her strength returned. The most pressing matter was her stagnant Qi…

  Bubai’s eyes fell to her belly where the sealing rune was entrenched.

  His achievements in the field of formations wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t at the level to dismantle this seal.

  Washing it away with his Qi was a solution, but this brute force method has a chance of injuring her dantian, which will do more harm than good.

  So, it was best to let nature take its course. A seal like this won’t st more than a few hours. Otherwise, how will those talisman masters make bank?

  Of course, while he can’t undo the seal, the external Qi lodged in her acupoints were a different matter.

  Tap. Tap. Tap. A few precise jabs dispersed the external Qi, freeing her from immobilized state.

  Slowly, Xiao Lan sat up, breaking away from his line of sight to inspect the bruises and stains on her own body.

  From thin air, Bubai pulled out a spare bck cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

  Staring into her downturn eyes, he softly soothed her, “Don’t think about it anymore. That scum is already dead.”

  The strong survivor bit her purplish lips and turned her head away, not daring to look into his eyes.

  Bubai sighed, "I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner."

  Reaching out to hug the cold beauty, Bubai vowed, “Cherish the house, also the crow. You’ll be mine. Always.”

  For a moment, she was like a lifeless doll with her face buried against his chest.

  Then, he felt her body quivering and her cold hands clenching his torn, blood-stained robes.

  There were no sobs, but the wetness soaking his chest made him hug her tighter, resting his chin on her head. He said all he had to say. Now, silence is golden.

  After a few minutes, Xiao Lan finally eased back slightly, looking back at him with a tear-streaked face that was as impassive as always, "Sorry, I've brought you trouble."

  "Don't think like that.” Bubai tenderly cupped her face, brushing away the tear stains with his thumb. “I am willing to climb mountains and go through fire for you. This little matter is nothing."

  Her cold hands grasped his own, her gssy eyes steady and serious like her voice, "All disciples taken in by elders have a life mp."

  In other words, the death of Long Batian cannot be hidden. But now that everything was already set in stone… he can only deal with the wind and waves as they came.

  Bubai’s mind snapped back into machine mode, his face now reflecting her solemness. "Don’t worry. We just have to get rid of all traces. Can you walk?"

  Xiao Lan nodded.

  "Go get some water for cleaning. I’ll handle the rest."

  “En.” She gave his hand a squeeze before letting go.

  Bubai watched his strong wife slide off the bed without a peep.

  After making sure she walked away with steady steps, he turned back to the corpse sprawled on the bed.

  When making important decisions, never once did Bubai let the heat get to his brain.

  The well water did not viote the river water, but once it did, he would never let the water flow back out.

  Only an idiot will release the tiger back to the mountain. So, Bubai had sentenced the man to death from the very start!

  Of course, this wless kill meant a whole lot of trouble for him, but at the same time, it was a golden goose delivered to his mouth!

  The disciple of an elder. A foundation establishment survivor of the secret realm. How could this Long Batian guy be poor?

  Setting personal feelings and grudges aside, there were too many benefits on the line to let this fish go!

  So, he could only send this wanna-be-dragon carp for a swim in the depths of the underworld river. Now that everything was done and over with...

  Bubai eyed the blue storage pouch on the corpse’s waist with his greed meter ticking in the red zone.

  It was naturally time to check the evil dragon’s hoard of loot!