"Look, it's Master Bailu! Master Bailu is here!"
"She actually came? Awesome! With Master Bailu's strength, she'll teach this young punk a lesson!"
"Let's start betting! How many moves will it take for Master Bailu to take down this guy?"
"…"
As the figure from outside slowly entered the tavern, the atmosphere in the room grew electric. Everyone looked at Bailu with excitement, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Stelle gradually made out the appearance of the girl called "Master Bailu"—light purple hair tied back with a ribbon, a tall and slender figure, dressed in a tank top, shorts, and sneakers, exuding youthful vibrancy.
What stood out most were the dragon horns on her forehead and the dragon tail trailing behind her.
"Estimated height at least one meter seventy, chest size probably starting at B…" Stelle muttered, hardly believing her ears.
This wasn't just a personality change anymore—her entire physique had transformed!
Under the crowd's gaze, Bailu walked onto the stage with her hands behind her back, speaking softly. "How do you want to compete?"
Skott snorted coldly. "Full force, of course."
Bailu asked again, "Full force? No restrictions on rules? Like forbidden moves, weapons, or target areas?"
Skott waved his hand dismissively. "None of that matters. Only by defeating you at your full strength can I prove the practicality of IPC martial arts and secure my promotion to department leader!"
"I want everyone to know that, though you're the Luofu's number one, Bailu, your fists aren't fast enough, nor ruthless enough!"
"Only IPC martial arts keep up with the times—the best in the galaxy!"
Stelle broke out in a sweat. Even in this new version, he's still obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder? Hmph, Skott, you guy…
"Hey, Master Bailu—give this kid a good beating!"
"Yeah, show them the power of Xianzhou martial arts!"
"For the Xianzhou, use all your strength on him!"
"…"
Hearing Skott's words and the crowd's cheers, Bailu sighed lightly. "Alright, since you insist, I'll do as you wish."
Was she finally making her move?
At those words, Skott's spirits lifted, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He'd long heard of Bailu of the Luofu, whose strength was unmatched. While this didn't include major figures like Emanators, she had never lost to an ordinary Pathstrider.
As an ambitious lone wolf, Skott knew that defeating the "Luofu's number one" would allow him to promote "IPC martial arts," bringing more benefits to the company. That would make the higher-ups happy, and when they were happy, they'd promote him.
Once promoted, the first thing he'd do was ruthlessly dock the salaries of his colleagues. What kind of level are they on, sharing an office with me?
"Let's do this!"
Skott twirled his staff in a dazzling flourish, his movements fluid and mesmerizing.
To such flashy antics, Bailu merely shook her head and slowly extended one hand—
Boom!
In an instant, a thunderous surge of water roared around them. Every liquid in the vicinity—wine, water, beverages—flew uncontrollably from their containers, coalescing behind Bailu into a lifelike water dragon. Stretching dozens of meters long, it dominated most of the tavern's courtyard, inspiring awe.
Stelle stood dumbfounded. Compared to this, Dan Heng's water manipulation abilities were like a parlor trick!
No wonder Dan Heng was always toting that gourd and playing support—his real power was here!
Gulp—
Skott swallowed hard, staring at the water dragon many times his size. In that moment, memories of his past flooded back—painful, humiliating memories.
—"Hahaha, son, you didn't expect this, did you? This lifetime, I've been reborn, and now it's my turn to report you, hahahahaha!"
That was the betrayal of his father, striking first.
—"Skott, I actually like you."
—"No, I don't accept."
—"You don't accept? Then go to hell!"
Faced with the outburst of a colleague who had a crush on him, Skott chose not to resist. He knew that once she acted, he'd already won—his superiors would ensure justice.
Days later, a news release from a company branch declared: "Heartwarming big sister helps misguided young mechanical girl find her way, a touching story. The perpetrator's family expresses deep gratitude to the leadership."
That was the betrayal of his colleagues and superiors.
Skott had vowed to climb the ranks by any means necessary, until everyone could only look up at him.
He refused to be betrayed again!
He was the lone wolf! The fiercest wolf in the world!
How could he fall so easily here…?
Boom!
With a gentle tap from Bailu, the water dragon surged forward, dousing Skott's fiery resolve and sending him crashing off the stage.
The difference in skill was clear.
Seeing this, Stelle let out a gleeful chuckle. Reality could be a real jerk sometimes, but its one redeeming quality was fairness. Miracles might not happen to her, but they wouldn't happen to others either.
"Ohhh! Master Bailu, that was amazing!"
"That 'Dragon Soaring in the Sky' move was so cool! I want to learn it!"
"My gosh, Lady Bailu!"
"Lady Bailu, I'm your loyal dog!"
"…"
Bailu let out a slow breath and stepped off the stage. In front of everyone, she extended a hand to Skott. "You okay?"
"Here on the Xianzhou, we meet friends through martial arts. Competition is about harmony. We fight, but it only strengthens our camaraderie."
"If we harm that harmony, how is it any different from… ahem, I mean, from the street brawls of thugs outside?"
Skott looked at the outstretched hand, disbelief flickering across his face. His throat bobbed, but he said nothing, lowering his head in silence and grasping Bailu's hand.
"That's Master Bailu for you. That kind of grace isn't something just anyone can achieve."
"Yeah, if it were me, I'd definitely rub that IPC punk's face in it. After all, the strong are supposed to humiliate the weak."
"Master Bailu's moves were incredible. I want to study under her!"
"…"
Bailu's pointed ears twitched slightly, and she cleared her throat. "Everyone, there's no need to put yourselves down. This so-called 'Luofu's number one' title is just an empty name. My skills were honed through my family's unique techniques over time."
"Oh, and while my techniques are exclusive, they're not entirely closed off. If anyone wants to learn the 'Bailu Family Fist,' you can sign up at the martial arts school in Changle Tian later. The accelerated fist technique course takes just twenty years to guarantee you'll develop real skills—good enough to join the Cloud Knights, no problem…"