Snow swirled in the skies beyond the invisible film, a serene dance that obscured the sun's rays. Each flake that touched the barrier dissolved into a shimmering mist, a sight both breathtaking and mystical.

Lowering his head, Bubai surveyed the dreary yet bustling streets of the Central District. Walls loomed around, redirecting the flow of the crowd, trickling along the streets like the grains of sand in the hourglass within his storage space.

“It’s already noon.”

Time seemed to slip away when he was engrossed in his tasks, whether it was cultivation or other matters, like the current scouting mission.

Why did he come to the heart of the Central District in search of news?

Well, it’s because he could no longer afford to wantonly extend his divine sense to eavesdrop. With the return of all the strong members, such actions was just asking for trouble.

Once or twice was fine, but repeated probing would undoubtedly draw investigation once the elders ruled out their own involvement.

Thus, Bubai found himself relying on his heightened physical hearing instead.

Under his buffed state, his senses allowed him to catch nearby conversations almost like his divine sense, albeit not as effectively.

Besides the much, much narrower radius, his hearing naturally couldn’t penetrate obstacles like walls, and there was solely audio feedback, indiscriminately captured without the visual cues.

This meant an extra step of sifting through the cacophony of jumbled audio feedback to extract meaningful dialogue, sorting them into coherent conversations himself.

Due to this limitation, Bubai adopted a more strategic approach, screening the sect’s locations for the best place to eavesdrop. And what better place to focus his efforts than the bustling Central District?

Here, dandies flaunted their fashionable attire while venturing out for leisurely outings. Occasionally, there were even veiled young ladies from noble clans.

These groups were his targets. Rather than the ordinary sect disciples, it was often these flamboyant younglings who let their mouths slip.

As Bubai took his leisurely stroll, his ears tuned in to their words.

"I heard your clan is still looking for that evildoer?"

"The one promoted during the secret realm expedition?” “Precisely.”

“Oh, indeed I’ve heard it being mentioned.” “Any clues?”

“What do you think? Even the elders are still on the lookout for him. He will probably be the dark horse of this tourney."

"Why does it have to be a he? Perhaps it's a she.” “Or maybe neither.” “Hahaha, good one…”

Still looking for him? Bubai silently took note of their banter, but didn’t let it bother him.

Moving on, he overheard another pair’s discussion.

“I heard the Big Five is recruiting.”

“Big Five? It’s four now, isn’t it?”

“Hush, don’t run your mouth. Even if the elder is gone, the Wu faction still has a deep foundation. It’s still unclear if they can make a comeback.”

“Che. I’m not scared of them.”

“It’s not a matter of being scared or not. The problem is that they might work under the same banner as us in the near future…”

Power reshuffling. Politics. Bubai suspected as much. Well, he’ll just sit back and watch the wind change.

Sifting through the conversations, Bubai soon landed on another one that piqued his interest.

“Did you hear about the new guy?” “Huh? Which one?” “Long Batian.”

“Oh, it’s that arrogant prick, right? I remember seeing him getting off the ship. What about him?”

“I don’t know what dog shit luck he walked into, but he was actually taken in as a named disciple by Elder Mo!”

“What?! Really? When did that happen?”

“It was officially announced yesterday in the top brass meeting. My father mentioned it to me, told me not to offend the bloke. Brother Gu, you should also watch your steps.”

“Thank you for Brother Lu’s reminder. When I go back, I’ll have to warn them. I heard everyone practicing that method is a scourge…”

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Hearing this, Bubai frowned.

Never did he expect that provocative fella to join his faction and even with a higher status than him! This certainly wasn’t good news.

“Trouble.”

“Oh, what is troubling fairy brother?”

The startling yet familiar, melodious voice echoing in Bubai’s mind prompted him to look around, finding the silver-haired beauty who had unknowingly popped up beside him.

Merlin’s beard. This fairy really knows how to get the jump on him every time.

Utilizing the new divine transmission technique he is learning, Bubai controlled his divine sense to include the fairy into his bubble and transmitted his thoughts, "Is it okay for fairy to appear in public like this?"

With an elegant smile, Shu Ling assured him, "There’s no cause for alarm. This fairy’s stealth technique is already in place."

Huh? She’s in stealth mode? But he can still see her! Could it be her technique can whitelist him or something?

Bubai furtively glanced around and noticed no one paying them undue attention, yet a nagging sense of strangeness lingered, hinting at some logical inconsistencies.

Uh, maybe he’s just thinking too much.

After all, this was a cultivation world steeped in mysterious practices, and he was still a frog at the bottom of the well. Who is to say it wasn’t possible?

Dismissing his doubts, Bubai steered the conversation forward, “So, why did fairy come to find me?”

Shu Ling blinked her eyes playfully, “What does fairy brother think?”

Her words prompted his mind to race with possibilities, but one thought soon stood out…

Could it be… the permission slip to leave the sect?!

Days had passed since he first requested it, and his request was like a stone thrown into the sea.

He had thought the old granny had rejected his request, but now…

Could it be that she had finally decided to get off her rocking chair to address his issue?

Bubai's heart surged with hope as he asked eagerly, "There’s a result?"

Shu Ling nodded, "Indeed, there is, but..." She hesitated briefly before continuing, "It may not be what fairy brother is hoping for."

Bubai’s expression hardened, "Did Shu Po Po refuse?"

Shu Ling shook her head, "No, Granny agreed and went to negotiate, but..."

Her delicate features twisted into an unhappy pout as she added, "Humph. The paranoid bugs from the Mo Clan didn't agree. They insist on keeping fairy brother as a figurehead."

Huh? Figurehead? Bubai’s mind reeled with confusion.

He was aware of his role as a sacrifice in the future, but he certainly doesn’t recall being a figurehead for anything.

His divine sense crept out once more, transmitting his inquiry to the fairy. "I’m a figurehead for what exactly?"

Shu Ling tilted her head in surprise, "Hum? Doesn’t fairy brother know?”

Bubai’s brow creased. “Know what?”

Hearing his response, the fairy’s laughter tinkled like bells to his ears, “Fufufu…”

Bubai threw her an exasperated glance, “Well?”

Reining in her amusement, Shu Ling pointed out, “Fairy brother, the highest reward on the sect’s bounty board has always been under your name."

Bounty? What bounty? Wait a sec- Bubai’s expression froze, "You can't mean..."

"Yes, that one.” Shu Ling nodded, her finger innocently tapping her lips, “This fairy recalls the name was... Fang Bubai?"

Thump. Thump. Thump. Bubai could literally hear the nails being hammered into his coffin.

Merlin’s beard. When it rains, it pours. This was an apt saying for his situation.

While the identity of a bounty's commissioner might typically not matter because it will remain undisclosed, but fate always likes to play tricks when dealing with the protagonist. Perhaps through a series of accidents, his name would find its way into the man’s hands.

Once his name was exposed, it will no longer be a friendly feud- Okay, perhaps their feud had never been friendly to begin with.

After all, he cleanly ate that bloke’s woman long ago. This, in itself, was the biggest pit, even more significant than becoming a mere figurehead on a bounty.

He had long braced himself for the fallout. So, his situation didn’t really change much.

Still, to be bombed by this sudden news really didn’t sit well with him.

Well, would anyone be happy to learn they were unwittingly carrying a black pot - an especially heavy one at that? Obviously not.

Thankfully, he still had a trap card ready to be played. Its effectiveness remained uncertain, but it could be the wildcard in turning his situation around.

Now, he just had to keep that trump card under his wings, waiting for the day of reckoning.

In the meantime, he just need to capitalize on his tricks to survive.

Setting aside his turbulent heart, Bubai turned back to the fairy, "Is that all?"

Seeing Bubai’s unruffled expression, Shu Ling pouted slightly, "Hum, how boring."

Rolling his eyes, Bubai pressed on, "So, is there anything else fairy thinks I should know?"

“Anything else?” Shu Ling stopped in place, blinking innocently, “Hum, let this fairy think…”

Twirling a strand of her silver hair around her finger, she left him in suspense.

Bubai stared at the serene fairy beside him, her presence casting a spell that seemingly muted the bustling noises of the surrounding streets.

The delicate scent of sandalwood wafted from her, teasing his patience and testing his composure.

Facing the weight of his gaze, Shu Liny’s starry eyes sparkled with a mysterious allure. Her lips curved into a coy smile and she leaned in, closing the distance, her warm breath tickling his ear as she whispered, "Does this fairy’s lust for you count?"

A rush of sensations overwhelmed Bubai as he felt the soft pressure of her proximity, and a tingling sensation coursed through his hands, which had inadvertently been misplaced on the slender beauty’s silky robe-

With a sudden surge of awareness, Bubai took a step back, regaining his composure.

Sensing the passage of time through the hourglass in his storage, he curtly announced, "It's time for me to head home."

Seeing the prey escape from her web again, Shu Ling's expression soured slightly, "Is it really that difficult to spend time with this fairy?"

Gazing at her youthful and fair face, Bubai reassured her, "No, of course not. It’s my honor and fortune to be accompanied by a beautiful lady like you, but... I can't neglect my cultivation. After all, my participation in the upcoming competition is unavoidable. I beg for fairy’s forgiveness."

The stars in Shu Ling’s eyes flickered momentarily before she donned her mask of elegance once more, "Hum. Fine, this fairy understands. This fairy will pardon you this time."

Phew. Bubai inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. If this fairy really insisted, he might not have been able to resist taking the step beyond friendship.

Fortunately, he escaped. Now, he can continue to play his role as a gentleman to milk her true value.

Extending his elbow, Bubai invited, "Shall we walk together?"

Receiving his invitation, Shu Ling’s eyes sparkled with wisdom, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

Linking her arm with his, they fell into step, and her melodious voice carried warmth into his mind, "So, what does fairy brother wish to know this time?"