When an opponent makes a show about avoiding something but still goes along with it, anyone would think something is wrong.

Bai Qi did not only suspect but directly knew that An Dong's reluctance for a barehanded duel was fake, as otherwise, the latter would not go along with it and could have summoned another weapon. After all, what weapon-specialized cultivator does not carry at least a spare? Maybe not of the best quality, but enough to compensate for his disadvantage in such a situation.

Still, Bai Qi was also sure of his advantage in such a fight, and it was made apparent after a few clashes. Indeed, An Dong showed training and a high level of it, but probably he depended on skills more than physical power. Or Bai Qi's prowess was something unexpected for him because, after just a dozen exchanges, Bai Qi's knife-like hand landed on An Dong's neck.

But Bai Qi did not have the chance to offer his opponent to surrender, as suddenly, An Dong's figure went blurry, and Bai Qi only barely avoided a sudden punch, one that came from nowhere.

"Haa... Good dodge, but it's your last one, youngster. You may be a genius, but don't think we haven't met others like you." An Dong's speech changed along with his sudden increase in speed.

*Swoosh*

An Dong's figure disappeared again, but it wasn't a skill. It was as if his speed was now equal to his authentic, 9th level Warrior Lord cultivation.

*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Thump* *Thump*

And his power increased as well because previously, Bai Qi required far less qi to block. This latter became apparent as An Dong's first attack made Bai Qi slide back, which had not happened before, even once.

*Swoosh* *Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

Another change was that An Dong now used only punches to fight, contrary to his previous blade-like manner.

Bai Qi could not have made a mistake in measuring his opponent, so his mind raced to find an explanation while he opened distance, constantly blocking An Dong's attacks.

Acting on that thought, Bai Qi chose to go into absolute defense, while his mind power concentrated on An Dong's presence.

*Thump* *Swoosh* *Step* *Step* *Thump*

Bai Qi had far more experience than anyone could judge from his looks, and among that experiences, he found the answer. Thus, while no one could have noticed in just a few breaths, Bai Qi did.

"I am unsure how to address you, so I will ignore formalities and ask directly. Why did you not introduce yourself when you switched places with your companion? And why go with such a method? You could have challenged me directly." Bai Qi asked as his aura flared, pushing An Dong a few steps back. But he did not ask the latter, as Bai Qi's eyes were on the third, still hooded and silent cultivator of the [Brave Wolf Gang].

There were not many cultivation methods and skills that allowed to control someone's else body, but they did exist. Some could be called evil, with the original self of the controlled being hurt or even destroyed. But some others were nearly inoffensive, as they depended on mutual trust and combined training.

One of these latter was the cause of An Dong's sudden change. And the reason behind his slowed-down reactions at the start. Not that Bai Qi could be sure of why, after all, the one helping An Dong fight right now was present in the room. And by all logic, he would have been Bai Qi's opponent next!

"This body isn't meant to fight, while An Dong's is. The duel is also unaffected, as it isn't unfairness to your desired bare fist one-on-one." Both An Dong's and the third man's voices sounded like one, and while he did not say it directly, Bai Qi understood everything from the first phrase.

Though discovering the truth only gave birth to more questions.

"Can we go back to weapons then? Your aptitudes to control a barehanded combat body are far above the mastery I accounted for." While Bai Qi did not care much about fairness or unfairness, he had to point out the facts.

"An Dong is still fighting you, and I am providing him with the insights to how. It may be unjust, but the duel is already underway." A cold response followed, and Bai Qi could not help but ask himself about the means,

"I see. Then, I trust An Dong has no issues with you later. As of now, I can assure you that I will not hold back as previously." Curiosity aside, and even though he did not care about rights and wrongs, Bai Qi felt furious about being played with.

"You truly think yourself as capable of acting on your words?" This time it was only An Dong's voice, and Bai Qi was sure that it was the latter, not his sudden helper, speaking.

"Obviously." Bai Qi roused up his qi and aura and removed the limits he had set to avoid crossing the formation's limitation. Then, he disappeared from the spot in the same manner that An Dong had done previously.

The [Shearing Restriction] formation indeed restricts the powers of everyone to an equal field, in this case, the one of a 3rd level Warrior Lord. But how exactly can one define a 3rd level Warrior Lord? Every cultivator had its limits, and considering the innate prowess or accumulated training, it still allowed an even field to become unfair.

Bai Qi had proven it before, with him easily surpassing opponents that should be on the same level as him. And others, like the [Immortal's Cave Servants], had shown capacities above the average as well.

Since the start, Bai Qi had never gone to the limits, choosing to fight with what he felt to be the restriction boundary, avoiding both backslash and overexertion, which both could lead to him being forced to step out of combat. There was also the point that he had no idea what was the actual roof for the formation.

He did have a clear idea of the restriction, but how much one could go over it without facing the backslash? That was something that no one could answer, bar the one who finds it out himself or the creator of the formation itself.

But with An Dong now showing a severe increase with no signs of any backslash, Bai Qi decided to lift his restrictions. At least until reaching a comparable level.

A blood-covered Bai Qi stood over An Dong's motionless body.

*Plop*

And as he opened his fist, a small piece of bloodied gore fell on the ground. On a closer look, one would discover, with a shudder, that it was someone's windpipe!

"You..!" With An Wei still unconscious and An Dong now on the verge of death, with the broken throat being not the single injury, only the 3rd [Brave Wolf Gang] member could observe the scene and try to say something.

"I what? You wanted full-power barehanded combat, didn't you? Or it was me that desired it, and you just complied? In any case, congratulations, it was a perfect match." Bai Qi spat out while calming himself down.

He had initially reached the same speed and strength as An Dong. And coupled with the assistant's combat mastery, their exchange turned into an even one. But as they fought, either An Dong or his companion made a mistake, starting to goad Bai Qi into overexerting himself. Although, it may have been a strategy to force him to reach the formation's backslash roof.

Usually, Bai Qi would have ignored all of that and continued fighting steadily while searching for an opportunity. But it all changed after a few words, although they came not from his opponents. It was a qi transmission from a [Void Palace] elder just two floors above, who had entered Bai Qi's sensing range and immediately contacted him.

{The Head and Vice-head asked me to convey to you that their gang has captured He Delan, Chun Hua's master. Her condition is unknown, but she's in the 8th tower. Vice-head Tao recommends using these three as bargaining chips.} And this made Bai Qi decide to finish this in whatever manner he had to.

Unwilling to risk backslash or approach the verge of overexertion, Bai Qi chose to allow, something he had always avoided, a mix of fury and killing intent to take over his movements. And this translated into a form where he entirely ignored defense, with all of himself willing to kill the cultivator in front.

While controlled, An Dong's consciousness still felt the pain but was unable to do anything about it. And as wounds accumulated, it translated into problems with control for his companion. This brief friction between the two allowed Bai Qi to inflict several vital wounds in exchange for a few lighter ones, effectively finishing the fight.

"Now it's your turn." After considering that An Dong could resist a few minutes without aid, Bai Qi coldly glared at the 3rd wolf and rushed forward.

***

Lu Yijun joined the [Brave Wolf Gang] after an incident that made him lose his status, power, and wealth just a year ago. And while it had been a drastic change from the privileged position he enjoyed in the Lu Family as a retainer, he had no regrets about the situation.

Several members, especially among the group he operated with, had been in his shoes and even hailed from the same region. Thus, while he lost all of his connections and possessions, Lu Yijun found companions not worse, or even not so different, than the previous. As for treasures and wealth, the [Gang] operations turned out to be not the worst way to begin returning to his usual.

When the Boss gathered offered to join the [Void Palace] siege, Lu Yijun was one of the first to agree. Not that he had any bones to pick with the Palace. But because the pair of ex-retainers from the An family he worked with lately doing so.

And while all the other powers present had no luck in gaining anything but some trash loot, the [Brave Wolf Gang] proved to be profitable as always. The Boss had somehow found out the towers that served as warehouses for herbs, and while Lu Yujin's share wasn't big, it was a great start. Then, in the 11th tower, their group captured two disciples of the [Void Palace]. And just a few hours ago, it was an Elder of the Palace to fall prisoner.

Lu Yujin, much to his dismay, had not participated in the capture of either. But as if the heavens wanted to allow him to get at least part of the reward, the 7th tower's alarm occurred.

At first, seeing that the opponent wasn't a [Void Palace] member, Lu Yujin despaired that they made the trek in vain, as he wasn't much of a battle fanatic, with him being a specialist in golems. But how joyful he felt when An Wei revealed their prey was the [Black and White] terror, a bounty of 100 medium spirit stones!

Regretfully, An Wei was bent on following the battle courtesies. So in place of a quick capture, a duel ensued. One that, to Lu Yujin's surprise, An Wei lost. Then, it was An Dong's turn to battle, but with the latter being far laxer with the rules, Lu Yujin found a way to ensure their win.

But the flawless manner to win ended provoking a beast, and the [Terror] part of the opponent's moniker became apparent. After all, what normal cultivator could suddenly go on such a rampage, ignoring wounds and savagely tearing at his opponent?!

Worse, that blood-lusting terror was now eyeing him. And Lu Yujin's battle prowess had always been low, at least if he could not use his golems...

***

"So, a 6th level Warrior Lord with a negative prowess? How did you even survive until you learned to use constructs?" Bai Qi denigrated his starting to escape opponent.

Not even a single exchange had occurred, and, the previously sure of himself, Wolf had already bolted away. Bai Qi gave chase, aware that he could not allow him to exit the tower. Otherwise, the situation would change, probably not in Bai Qi's favor.

"Well, while it's intriguing to run after you, I have no time." Bai Qi abruptly stopped, and his aura turned into a few appendages. The materials of the tower affected even such a simple controlled aura shape, but even though they lost their form a breath later, they served their purpose.

*Slam*

The escapee was pulled back and thrown against a wall.

*Swoosh*

And before the latter could react, Bai Qi was on him already.

*Thump* *Plop*

A single, but full-power punch, and the opponent's body slid down to the floor, limp and unmoving.

"I have finished with them. Does Senior perchance have some restraints?" With all of his opponents downed, Bai Qi asked loudly, knowing that the Elder would hear him...