Chapter 601: Chapter 602: It’s Really Good
“Fifty percent off?”

Long Xue nearly burst into laughter. As the Sea Clan’s cherished pearl, she had always been revered wherever she went, with countless talents willing to exhaust their family fortunes just to please her. No one had ever offered her a discount before; this was indeed a novelty.

And the one making the offer was none other than the seemingly thick-skinned Li Xiaobai.

“Young Master Li jests, I need no assistance. Let alone the mere pressure of the first layer of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, even the immense pressure of a full Transcendance Tribulation Stage could not crush me. Young Master had better stop entertaining improper thoughts about me.”

Long Xue said indifferently.

“Furthermore, my Sea Clan has already identified you as the thief who stole the Mermaid’s Essence from the Eastern Sea, and action will be taken against you soon. Young Master Li, you should be mentally prepared for that.”

“Ah, this…”

“To impose a crime, one needs no worry of excuse, for if not I, then who shall enter Hell? I, Li Xiaobai, have always acted uprightly; since the Sea Clan does not believe me, what harm is there in proving my innocence by walking into Hell one more time?”

Li Xiaobai waved his hand and spoke with a look of righteousness, although he was secretly shocked. He had thought the calm of recent days meant the matter had passed, but now it seemed he was already under scrutiny. Those Sea Clan cultivators were a classic case of merciless individuals who spoke little.

He then glanced at the rock in his hand, asking reluctantly, “But this Premium Soup Product…”

“You may leave now. We will meet again on the arena. At that time, I will not hold back.”

Long Xue said with barely open beautiful eyes.

“I understand now, not buying the bathhouse is your final act of defiance. Take care.”

Li Xiaobai sighed. This woman was incredibly strong, only a hair’s breadth away from the cultivation level of the Great Elder Sister. The Great Elder’s released pressure truly had no effect on her. It seemed he would be short one earning today.

After going round in circles, Li Xiaobai returned to the side of Situ Guixiong and others, sitting down. By now, the Great Elder’s pressure had reached the second layer of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, and many cultivators had already reached their limits. This intensity could not be resisted merely with abundant Spiritual Power; continuing to endure could cause not only bodily harm but also damage to their foundations.

More than half of the Divinity Transformation Stage disciples struggled to their feet and quickly left the stage to escape the terrifying area of pressure.

In an instant, the arena emptied considerably, and Li Xiaobai felt fortunate that he had acted quickly enough to sell his items before these disciples forfeited, otherwise he would have suffered a significant loss.

“Li Xiaobai, what are you doing here again? Can’t you understand human speech? No one will buy your junk, scram!”

“Exactly, we won’t accept charity from anyone, right, Brother Situ?”

“Is that even a question, just scram!”

The disciples said with unfriendly looks, but this time their faces revealed more pain than disdain. The upgraded pressure from the Transcendance Tribulation Stage was exerting a tremendous strain on them, making it difficult to relent even for a second despite their profound reserves.

“Cough cough, um… Yes, we do not accept charity.”

Situ Guixiong said with less conviction, his eyes sneakily glancing at the candle burning down slowly—only a third remained. Considering the current trend, he was likely to reach his limit!

He really wanted to buy the Premium Soup Product Li Xiaobai had, but the talents around him were so clueless. Couldn’t these geniuses see that he was about to break down?

What a bunch of posers!

“That’s a real shame, I support you all in spirit.”

Li Xiaobai said with a smile, his mind delving into the System to observe the panel showing his attribute values.

[Attribute Points: One hundred thousand.]

All points to defensive power!

[Defensive Power: Half-step Human Immortal body (8,750,000/10,000,000) (Immortal Spirit Qi: Not Acquired) Advancement possible.]

The harvest was not bad. The Attribute Points increased by a few hundred thousand, and the Spirit Stones yield was close to a million. Before the release of the Immortal Spirit Qi, filling up the Attribute Points wouldn’t be a problem.

After disconnecting from the System, Li Xiaobai turned his head to look at the people around him. All the disciples from various families were sweating profusely, their bodies trembling slightly as they struggled against the terrifying pressure, trying hard not to collapse.

The disciples from the great clans who had been full of pride were now in miserable states, with veins bulging on their faces and their expressions extremely fierce and distorted.

Situ Guixiong’s expression was also stern. The Great Elder’s pressure kept rising slowly, and it was nearing his limit. The Spiritual Power within his Dantian was depleting at a terrifyingly rapid rate, and from time to time, his eyes stealthily glanced toward Li Xiaobai, his heart filled with unspeakable bitterness.

The others might not understand, but he clearly did. To the one capable of instantly killing Great Crossing Realm Cultivators, this Transcendance Tribulation’s pressure was merely a drizzle. Poor Great Elder, still gradually increasing his power, while Li Xiaobai was just fine as if nothing was happening.

The only ones who truly suffered were they, the disciples from the families.

Li Xiaobai noticed the odd looks from everyone and deliberately brought the tiny Premium Soup Product close to them, dipping a finger in it while wearing a look of utter comfort on his face.

“In life, there’s nothing better than a good soak, especially under such high-pressure conditions when both body and mind need to relax!”

“This…”

“Brother Situ, I actually think fairness in arena competitions is most important. Since everyone has access to the bathhouse, it seems only fitting that we accept it too, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed, do all cultivators around have Premium Soup Product, are we the only ones without it? As disciples of the great clans, we cannot openly expect special treatment.”

A few disciples couldn’t hold back any longer and looked towards Situ Guixiong, prodding him with their queries.

Situ Guixiong was at this moment full of metaphorical black lines on his forehead. Where had the proud attitude of earlier gone, the ones who would rather die than submit? How had they softened in just a few minutes?

And what about the pride and demeanor befitting of great clan cultivators?

However, the softening of the others below gave him a way to step down gracefully; after all, no one really wanted to suffer through the trial if they could comfortably pass it.

He cleared his throat and looked towards Li Xiaobai.

“Since Young Master Li is so insistent, it would be ill-mannered of us to refuse his generosity. We’ll accept the bathhouse.”

“But let me make it clear upfront, we don’t need it to withstand the pressure; we just don’t want to miss any opportunity to become stronger.”

Situ Guixiong said indifferently, nodding towards Li Xiaobai to signal that he could bring the bathhouse over.

“Oh?”

“Didn’t you just say that you would refuse others’ charity, even if it meant shattering to pieces?”

Watching this group with their impressive airs, Li Xiaobai’s eyes widened in exaggerated surprise, his face full of amused shock. These scions of noble families were quite interesting, preferring death over losing face, quite tsundere.

“Cough cough, Young Master Li’s dealings with us are a fair transaction. A clear exchange of money for goods can hardly be considered charity.”

“We’ll take the item. Please, name your price, Young Master.”

Situ Guixiong spoke slowly, his face showing a hint of embarrassment.

Li Xiaobai smiled faintly, “A hundred thousand top-grade Spirit Stones per person. The price is fair, no cheating the young or the old.”