Chapter 110: This Is Simply Too Much of a Scam

Standing on the platform, Li Sibai felt quite awkward. Previously, when sparring with Zhao Kang, he had not utilized his primal energy, relying only on the standard circulation of internal energy and the physical tempering he had undergone on the stone steps within the Bamboo Cave to barely fight to a stalemate with his senior brother.

However, once Zhao Kang unleashed his secret technique, Li Sibai found himself unable to parry, unable even to track his opponent’s movements.

With no other choice, he activated the Primordial Origin Technique. Streams of pure primal energy poured continuously from his elixir field into his body, and he instantly triggered the updated, primal-energy version of his Purple Light Divine Vision.

Zhao Kang was busy plotting a lethal strike, and his speed was indeed formidable, but unfortunately, he had encountered a Li Sibai operating at full capacity. Under the influence of the Purple Light Divine Vision, every movement of Zhao Kang was laid bare. Combined with the "Bamboo Sea Brain" enhanced by the sub-bamboo, Li Sibai saw his attack pattern with absolute clarity and immediately found the method to break it. He didn't even need to use the ocular technique he had employed to defeat the Scarlet Gold Bear; instead, he struck a single, pure sword-energy blast directly into Zhao Kang’s vital point. Zhao Kang was sent flying, foaming at the mouth.

No matter how strong Zhao Kang was, he was no match for a superior Earth-rank Scarlet Gold Bear. There was no injustice in being instantly defeated by a Li Sibai at full strength.

Li Sibai had hesitated for a moment, choosing not to use that particular ocular technique, partly out of fear of exposing the primal-energy version of the Purple Light Divine Vision. After all, Zhao Kang was merely a small fry; he could not afford to fully reveal his true strength.

To his surprise, even holding back, he had still managed to defeat Zhao Kang in one move. Fortunately, he had reined in some of his power at the final moment of impact, or else Zhao Kang might have been beaten to death on the spot.

Nearby, Zhang Qiang was gnashing his teeth in frustration. He had intended to step in himself to teach this brat a lesson, but as a fourth-layer practitioner of the Zither Heart Realm, it was too troublesome to cross two levels to challenge someone weaker than himself. That was why he had allowed Zhao Kang, who shared the same agility-based style, to take the lead.

He had never expected that a victory he deemed a certainty would be lost in such an inexplicable manner. How was he to face Guo Jian now? In a fit of hot-headedness, he almost wanted to charge up and fight Li Sibai himself.

But he cooled down quickly. After witnessing how Li Sibai had defeated Zhao Kang, Zhang Qiang lost the confidence to challenge him. Even if someone forced him to fight Li Sibai now, he wouldn't dare. Instead, he felt a sense of relief that he had chosen to let Zhao Kang go first. Looking at Zhao Kang’s miserable state, it was hard to say how long it would take for him to recover.

Below the platform, most of those who had placed bets were sighing. Although they hadn't wagered much and losing didn't matter, they could tell by the excited expressions of those who had bet on Li Sibai that they had missed out on a great opportunity to make a fortune.

Qin Feng ran up, looking thrilled. "Little Bai, you've become so powerful in just a few months! How do you cultivate? Teach me, won't you?"

Li Sibai thought to himself that he couldn't exactly teach him about those fortuitous encounters. He gave a bitter smile and said, "It was just Senior Brother Zhao being modest. Don't mock me, Little Feng."

Qin Feng pursed his lips, knowing Li Sibai was fobbing him off, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't force someone to teach him. He had said it once, and that was enough; whether one could learn depended on opportunity, not force.

"Come on, let's go down and see how much we've won." To avoid further awkwardness, Qin Feng quickly changed the subject.

Li Sibai’s eyes brightened; this was his primary reason for agreeing to the duel. Now was the time for the harvest.

After stepping down, they pushed through the crowd to find the bookmaker, Kang Wei. Seeing Li Sibai approach, Kang Wei grinned and said, "Junior Brother Li is a brilliant talent; your future will surely be limitless."

Li Sibai nodded. "Senior Brother Kang, since you've made so much, let's settle our accounts."

Kang Wei smiled. "I've been waiting for you. This Junior Brother Qin bet 20 Profound Heaven Jade Clarity Pills and one Scarlet Gold Bear core. We agreed it could count as 30 pills, making a total of 50. Since the odds on your victory were 1 to 10, we now owe you 500 Profound Heaven Jade Clarity Pills." As he spoke, he handed over a pill-storage bottle.

Li Sibai took it, opened it, and checked inside. It did indeed contain 500 pills, but the Scarlet Gold Bear core was missing. Li Sibai frowned. "This doesn't seem right."

"Oh? Are you saying I miscalculated?" Kang Wei’s expression shifted, and he looked at Li Sibai with disdain. Although he hadn't understood the methods Li Sibai used earlier, he still didn't hold him in high regard.

Qin Feng quickly grabbed Li Sibai, whispering, "Little Bai, this man has a powerful background, even more formidable than Guo Jian. Don't invite trouble."

Kang Wei seemed to overhear Qin Feng, and his already dismissive face became even more arrogant. "Anything else? If not, I'm leaving."

"Hold it!" Hearing Qin Feng’s words, Li Sibai grew even more incensed.

In reality, the value of that Scarlet Gold Bear core far exceeded 30 Profound Heaven Jade Clarity Pills. It might not have reached 100, but 70 would have been fair. Qin Feng simply didn't understand the item well, which was why he had been hoodwinked when placing the bet.

Li Sibai hadn't wanted to haggle with Kang Wei, largely because he felt it was important to let the bookmaker make some profit—if you took everything, the bookmaker would have nothing, and mutual prosperity was the proper way.

Li Sibai had intended to keep a low profile and avoid trouble; he was willing to suffer a small loss. But Kang Wei was being dishonest, actually trying to pocket his Scarlet Gold Bear core. Li Sibai certainly wouldn't take that lying down. Regardless of who he was, he was going to get his core back today.

"Here are thirty Profound Heaven Jade Clarity Pills. Give me back my Scarlet Gold Bear core, and you can leave." Li Sibai took 30 pills from the bottle and handed them to Qin Feng, since it was Qin Feng who had placed the bet. Now, he needed him to redeem the item.

"30 pills? Are you joking?" Kang Wei looked at Li Sibai as if he were a fool. "I am an appraiser. Do you think I'd believe you? If I’m not mistaken, this is a core from a superior Earth-rank Scarlet Gold Bear. And it’s so well-preserved that it suggests the bear had no chance to resist when it was killed; otherwise, such a beast would usually choose to self-destruct rather than be hunted. Even if the self-destruction fails, the core would still be damaged. If you want it, I can sell it to you. It’s not much—normally 300 pills, but since you helped me earn quite a bit earlier, I’ll sell it to you for 200 Profound Heaven Jade Clarity Pills as a favor."

Qin Feng stood by, dumbfounded. "What did you say?! 300 pills, and even at a discount it's 200? Damn it! That’s not what you told me earlier! This is way too underhanded!"

Nearby disciples who had been about to leave stopped when they realized there was a spectacle to be seen, and a crowd quickly gathered around them.