Inside the Fusheng Society…
"I believe everyone is already aware of the current situation. Demon Insects have appeared, and two members of our Fusheng Society have died because of them. Let's all share the information we've gathered and the countermeasures we've thought of."
Wang Shan, unlike his usual self, didn't waste time with small talk or jokes, but instead went straight to the point with a very grave expression.
One member of the Fusheng Society was devoured by a Demon Insect yesterday while gathering information, and combined with Lin Chaoyang's death, the situation had become extremely urgent.
At this moment, no one had the mind for other things. Their only purpose in coming here today was to obtain information and share their respective countermeasures.
"I'll go first!" Zhou Pangzi, who had encountered the insect poison with the Black Spirit Duck last time, spoke up:
"I don't know much news, so I'll directly state my countermeasure: I plan to return to being Mortals with my wives and children, and no longer step into the Cultivation World."
"Loose Cultivators are too difficult. It used to be fine, but now there are robber cultivators and Insect Calamities, rent has increased, and safety cannot be guaranteed."
"Although my children have Spiritual Root Talent, it's not high. If they also struggle as much as I have in the future, it's better to return to the Mortal Realm and live freely as a wealthy man."
"I've sold everything, and after paying the relocation fee, there's still a good amount left. Yesterday, I already contacted the Hongyun Merchant Guild, preparing to pay a fee to have them take my family out of here. If you have any thoughts, you can come with me."
Zhou Pangzi's face was filled with helplessness as he spoke these words. If it weren't for being utterly helpless, who would want to give up Cultivating Immortals?
Once they returned to the Mortal Realm, the Spiritual Qi there would be so thin as to be almost non-existent, and once Spiritual Qi was used, it would be almost impossible to replenish.
Cultivating would be even more impossible.
As the Spiritual Qi within the body was consumed and disappeared, if there were no Spirit Stones or similar items to replenish it, the Cultivation Realm would also slowly dissipate.
Therefore, unless forced, no Cultivator would want to return to the Mortal Realm.
But for the safety of his wives and children, Zhou Pangzi could only choose this path.
Qi Ping and the others understood after listening. For Zhou Pangzi, this was indeed the best choice.
Wang Shan also chimed in upon hearing this:
"I also plan to do this. We can go together then. With the Hongyun Merchant Guild, it will always be much safer. Some people were killed by robber cultivators halfway when they left."
"However, after sending my wife to the Mortal Realm, I will return. At that time, I plan to find a way to join one of the Three Great Families to do miscellaneous tasks. I personally have no hope, but I can accumulate capital for my children to venture into the Cultivation World later."
"Also, I heard today that the number of Demon Insects that emerged from this Secret Realm far exceeded expectations. The Qingyuan Sect and the Three Great Families dispatched many Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators to suppress them, but only a small portion of the Demon Insects were resolved. Many Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators even died, and several Foundation Establishment Cultivators were injured."
"Foundation Establishment Cultivators were injured?" Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this.
Had the situation really reached such a serious point?
"Yes, that's right…" Wang Shan affirmed.
Among the crowd, only the gaunt, sallow-faced Li Peng remained calm. He casually took over the conversation, saying:
"Brother Shan is right. The number and strength of these Demon Insects have reached a point where even the Three Great Families working together find it difficult to resolve."
"However, there's no need to worry so much. The Demon Insects remaining in Qing Shi County won't be particularly numerous. I estimate that about sixty percent of us Loose Cultivators can still get through this crisis."
"So, my countermeasure is very simple: I'll stay. Whether I live or not depends on luck."
"…"
The other members of the Fusheng Society were speechless upon hearing this countermeasure, but this style was very Li Peng!
After all, this was a man who could remain fearless even after almost being drained dry by a male Cultivator.
Qi Ping always felt that this guy had a very calm kind of madness.
However, Li Peng's identity seemed to hold other secrets. Although Li Peng seemed muddled, he knew many things in Qing Shi County perfectly well. Now that he spoke these words, they were most likely true.
"Let me add another piece of news," Li Peng continued:
"Regarding the suppression of robber cultivators, one reason circulating for why the Qingyuan Sect dared not act is that there are members of the Alliance of Evil Affinities among the robber cultivators."
"I'm not sure if the Qingyuan Sect chose to tolerate the robber cultivators because they didn't dare to act, but it's absolutely true that there are members of the Alliance of Evil Affinities among them."
Upon hearing the term "Alliance of Evil Affinities," a wave of confusion rose in everyone's hearts. What kind of force was this? Even the Qingyuan Sect was afraid?
"Alliance of Evil Affinities?"
"Yes, the Alliance of Evil Affinities is an organization that gives the entire Cultivation World a huge headache. Since they appeared here as robber cultivators, they must be planning something. In my opinion, their danger might even surpass that of the Demon Insects. Perhaps what they're plotting is also related to the Demon Insects."
"Of course, the Alliance of Evil Affinities doesn't necessarily bring danger. Sometimes they also spread Cultivation Techniques, Heaven And Earth Treasures, and so on, although the probability is not high."
"In short, staying here might not mean there's no opportunity to seek wealth amidst danger. Those who seek stability can leave; those who want to take a gamble can stay here."
Everyone looked at each other after hearing the gaunt Li Peng's words. The amount of information was a bit overwhelming.
But everyone also knew that what Li Peng said was basically true.
After everyone inquired about some details of the Alliance of Evil Affinities, it was Qi Ping, Nan Jie, and Meng Shanshan's turn. The three of them each spoke about their countermeasures and what they knew. After a brief discussion, everyone said their goodbyes.
Wang Shan and Zhou Pangzi went to the Hongyun Merchant Guild to arrange their return to the Mortal Realm.
The gaunt Li Peng, on the other hand, headed towards the brothel.
Meng Shanshan said that she had formed a Dao Companion relationship with a Sect Disciple from another large domain. That person promised to take her away from here after finishing his matters in Qing Shi County. She had come this time to bid a final farewell to everyone on behalf of her father.
After this parting, perhaps they would never meet again…
Nan Jie, like Qi Ping, chose to stay here. She had no hesitation about it.
Qi Ping felt that she seemed to have a reason to stay in the Cultivation World, or even in Qing Shi County.
But since she didn't say, Qi Ping wouldn't ask. Who doesn't have their own secrets?
Naturally, Qi Ping would not leave either. A place that could easily supply a large number of First Order Intermediate Spirit Medicine for growth was reason enough for Qi Ping to stay.
There was also the secret beneath the blood ginseng patch. Qi Ping planned to try digging it open and investigating after the High-Speed Ring-Cutting Bees finished their mass production.
Previously, he could slowly wait for his strength to improve; a little slowness didn't matter.
But if he didn't do it now, he might not have the chance later.
Moreover, when digging, Qi Ping planned to send a small number of Gold Marrow Bees to dig and explore the way, and then he would take the Bee Queen and the majority of the Bee Swarm, along with Old Zhou, ready to flee at any time. This way, he could maximize his safety.
However, just as Qi Ping returned to the mountain peak from the Fusheng Society and was about to Cultivate the blood ginseng, he was urgently led to a place by the Gold Marrow Bees.
"Buzz buzz… (Boss, something happened!)"
"What happened?"
"Buzz buzz… (Follow us! There are very fierce insects!)"
When Qi Ping followed the Gold Marrow Bees through a dense forest, dozens of Demon Insect corpses and dozens of Gold Marrow Bee corpses simultaneously appeared in his sight…
Qi Ping's expression instantly turned grim because of this…
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