East District.

On his way back to his tower, Bubai contemplated his situation.

He must be prepared and choose the opportune moment for a breakthrough.

It was just like the newly promoted inner disciple today. Choosing to be promoted at a time like this…

Clearly, even the outer sect had caught wind of the rumors, and the chaos in the outer ring probably won’t lose out to the inner ring.

But was everyone truly crazy?

No. In fact, cultivators were often more realistic and rational than most mortals.

Despite their sometimes dubious ethics and unscrupulous bottom lines, one couldn't deny the fact that cultivators were always relentlessly pursuing their goals.

The apparent chaos among the disciples was merely a result of each individual maximizing the effects of their quirky cultivation methods, all in a rush to increase their strength!

Moreover, the sect management seemed to condone this behavior. It was possible that even the higher echelons of the sect were undergoing their own preparations, and some cultivators out here might even become nourishment for the elders!

This insanity was all in preparation for the imminent festive event – a joint exploration of a secret realm! These harrowing events were known for their high death tolls, not only due to the secret realm’s indigenous creatures and dangers, but also conflicts between cultivators and their sects!

In a secret realm devoid of supervision, all rules reverted to the basic law of the jungle: survival of the fittest!

If you aren’t strong enough, death was the inevitable outcome!

While those deviating from the norm might appear crazy, the truly crazy ones were those who didn't strive for self-improvement.

Bubai's steps abruptly halted as his eyes fell upon another disciple striving to enhance his strength.

The target was none other than the blindfolded beauty.

The culprit was a man with hair like a bird’s nest, who was displaying the full version of his galloping skills...

After less than 100 words of galloping...

From his storage pouch, the man pulled out a rolled-up rug, tossing it into the air beside him.

In mid-air, the rug unfurled automatically, undulating as it descended, positioning itself right next to the man's feet, resembling a step on a staircase!

Magic carpet? Bubai’s enhanced sight observed the flying artifact with keen interest.

There were a variety of artifacts that could serve as mounts, but those capable of flight were significantly more expensive than their land-based counterparts, often ranking high in costs for artifacts of a certain grade.

Perceiving the Qi fluctuations from the tool’s usage, Bubai estimated that this rug must be, at the very least, a mid-grade artifact, most likely compatible with its owner’s realm.

Mid-stage Foundation Establishment?

Unfortunately, this was pure speculation. Discerning this level of detail could only be cultivated through experience – something he was still lacking.

However, he certainly didn’t lack in another aspect when compared to this man...

Exhibiting his pride, the man confidently hopped onto his rug, matching the height of his partner.

“Hahaha, beauty, here I come!” With a hearty laugh, he ascended almost a meter into the air, ready to engage in his questionable activities with the hanging beauty.

However, before he could begin polishing his dirty sword, a masked woman, dressed in the trademark black uniform of the Law Enforcement Hall, lunged out from the shadows!

With a light tap of her foot, she launched herself into the air. Her curly burgundy hair, styled in a glamorous lower side bun, exhibited exemplary balance as she sent the man flying off his rug with one kick!

In a seamless motion, her hand sliced through the air, her sharp black nails inadvertently cutting the rope that bound the hanging woman before her firm grip clenched her goal - the rug.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Subsequently, a burst of Qi seemed to dispel the man's control over it, causing the once-proud artifact to droop like a piece of cloth.

Descending toward the ground with the rug in tow, she lightly tapped against the ground, flickering and reappearing next to the stunned man on the ground.

The golden rope serving as her waistband slid into her hands, her cold voice echoing through the air, “Flying is prohibited on sect grounds.”

Just as the man struggled up, the woman's rope automatically wound around his foot, effectively tying him up and causing him to flop back onto the ground. “Yess- I mean- Nooo! I don’t want to go back to jail!”

As the man made his attempt to crawl away, he began to scream dramatically, “No! No! You can’t do this to me!”

Ignoring his cries, the masked woman proceeded to drag him away.

“Ow- Ow! At least let me put my pants on!”

“…” A strange expression crossed Bubai's face as he witnessed the duo disappear into the darkness.

A foundation establishment cultivator was caught so easily without a fight?

Although members of the Law Enforcement Hall were undoubtedly powerful, most weren't in the Golden Core realm. So, the gap in the strength between the enforcers and inner disciples was not too large.

And for cultivators, unless there was an overwhelming disparity in strength, combat tends to be a tug-of-war…

“Why does it seem... that man wanted to be caught?”

But of all the ones he could provoke, he went to mess with the law enforcement. Perhaps, within the sect, there were truly some crazy individuals.

Suddenly, Bubai's dynamic vision detected another crazy one making its way towards him. Sensing the threat approaching from below, targeting his pants, he swiftly evaded.

With a blur of movement, he retreated to the other side of the paved road.

Glancing back, he saw the blindfolded beauty at his former location, groping around with tears streaming down her face, her weak voice pleading, “Please, please! I just need one more! He’ll send me away if I can’t reach the goal!”

Bubai cast a cold gaze on the unfolding scene behind him before turning away.

Value. Even if it involved mere playthings, he still assessed them through the lens of of this basic criteria before affirming his choice. However, this woman had long been drained of her cultivation.

Poor thing. Alas, it seems the life trajectory of this mortal beauty had no relationships with him.

“Please, don’t leave! I don’t want to be sent away! If you don’t, I will…”

The desperate pleas of the nameless beauty faded away behind him.

Reality was so cruel. He ignored her life and death today, and perhaps someone else would ignore his life and death in the future.

Cause and effect, retribution. Mysterious and strange. Bubai wasn’t sure if they existed in this world.

Even if they did existed, what’s the worse-case scenario for his inaction this time?

“It’s not like she would come back as a ghost just to specifically haunt me...”

Naw, his luck wasn’t that bad, right? Even if she haunts, it should be the ducking donut that abandoned her…

Tower Residence.

“Master, you’re back!” Bubai scrutinized the twin who greeted him while standing in front of the storage room door.

Though their appearances were nearly identical, subtle expressions and habits exposed her true identity. “Wei Er? Where is your sister?”

Wei Er pouted slightly, “My sister is helping mistress upstairs. She will be down soon.”

Oh. It seems WeiWei has arrived, just on time...

Heading upstairs, Bubai met Wei Yi who was just coming down from the stairs.

Seeing Bubai, a smile graced her composed face as she bowed slightly, “Welcome home, master.”

She then stepped aside, clasping her hands respectfully and lowering her head in obedience. “Mistress is waiting.”

Bubai nodded, refraining from giving her a pat as he walked past her and continued upstairs.

Wei Yi watched Bubai’s back disappear before she gently patted herself on the head with a wry smile. As a mortal, excessive doting could lead to unwarranted disasters. It’s good that her master understood, and she, too, understands…

Upstairs.

Just as Bubai was about to push open the door, it swung open and WeiWei popped into his vision. Leaping into his embrace, she clung to him like a koala, “Brothet Bubai! WeiWei missed you sooo much!”

Sensing her soft body pressing against him, Bubai wrapped his arms around her, securing her as he affectionately tapped her nose with his own while walking into the room. “Yes, and I missed you, too.”

“Hehehe! WeiWei just knew Brother Bubai would care for WeiWei! That’s why WeiWei made sure to earn three days off just to stay with Brother Bubai!” WeiWei cheerfully responded, licking her lips.

As her words filtered into his ears, Bubai almost tripped on himself.

Three days?! Merlin’s beard, is she treating him like a stallion?!

Despite his composed face, WeiWei seemed to sense his shock, giggling a bit before leaning in to whisper into his ear, “Why? Is Brother Bubai scared?”

Bubai had a flat reaction. How could a man admit to being scared at a time like this? Besides, it was all in the name of cultivation. “No, I can’t be more happy to spend three days with my WeiWei. I’m just a bit surprised that you managed to get three days off.”

WeiWei leaned back, pouting slightly, “Hmm. Isn’t it because of the upcoming event. Everyone is preparing for it, and most Foundation Establishement disciples will set off soon to participate, including me. So, for the next two months, WeiWei will not be able to come see Brother Bubai. So after begging master, he let WeiWei make it up in advance!”

No wonder. It seems even WeiWei is preparing for the secret realm-

Wait a sec. Bubai’s expression changed slightly. No way… when did she become-

WeiWei suddenly bounced away from his arm, landing gracefully back on the ground without making a sound. Her lips curved into a smile as she reached out and grabbed his hand.

“Don’t worry, Brother Bubai. WeiWei knows what you are worried about. So, WeiWei prepared another surprise for you, guaranteed to keep Brother Bubai energetic throughout the whole process!”

Surprise… again?

As WeiWei led him towards the bed, Bubai suppressed his worries about the gap in strength. Some worries were superfluous.

When they stopped by the bedside, Bubai’s gaze swept over his bed, where a sack now laid across the bed.

Based on the outline of the sack's shape, he could already faintly make out the curves of the body inside. The two distinct hills clearly announced her concealed identity as a woman.

“Hehehe…” Giggling, WeiWei undid the strings tying up the sack.

With a playful smile on her face, she slowly pulled back the edge of the sack. “Brother Bubai, guess who.”