"So, they have finally come?"
Looking at the two figures that appeared, Qi Ping could not help but let out a soft sigh. What was meant to come would eventually arrive.
In this world of immortal cultivation, it seemed that aside from certain forbidden zones or perilous lands, there was almost nowhere one could break through to the Golden Core stage in absolute peace. If the Cloud-Mist Immortal Tiger performed a full divination, it might have been able to find such a place or timing, but the number of calculations required would have incurred a backlash that the tiger could not withstand.
As the two figures arrived, Qi Ping did not recognize them. Both Golden Core cultivators wore specialized clothing designed to hide their figures and auras; their appearances and energies had likely been altered with spells—a simple task for those of their realm.
'An early-stage and a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator coming together?'
'Are they from the Qingyuan Sect? Or the Immortal Alliance? Perhaps one of the Golden Core clans associated with the sect? Or are they hidden practitioners?'
Qi Ping observed them but found it impossible to discern their origins. However, to him, it no longer mattered. Coming in such a guise meant they did not harbor good intentions.
"Fellow daoists, halt. What brings you here?" Qi Ping's figure appeared before them, his voice cold and indifferent.
"We sensed a fellow daoist breaking through to the Golden Core and came to observe," one of them, dressed in a red dharma robe, replied. He felt something strange about Qi Ping's aura. Despite Qi Ping's unfriendly tone, he did not want to instigate a conflict immediately.
As they spoke, their gazes drifted toward the Li-Fire Crow, Ya Ya, who was in the midst of its breakthrough. When they saw the dense bloodline power radiating from the crow, their postures shifted imperceptibly. The red-robed cultivator, who practiced a fire-attribute manual, showed even more subtle signs of excitement.
Such actions spoke louder than words. Qi Ping's eyes instantly turned cold. He immediately signaled Coal Ball and the Royal Bees, who were hidden in the shadows, to prepare for battle.
"Depart within ten breaths, or you shall bear the consequences!"
Qi Ping said this to buy time for Coal Ball and the bees to prepare their killing moves, and to further confirm the duo's attitude. Their subsequent response erased the last trace of hesitation from his heart.
"Fellow daoist, why be so overbearing? We are merely watching."
"Indeed, observing a tribulation is beneficial to one's cultivation. Could you not grant us this convenience?"
Faced with Qi Ping's questioning, the two showed no intention of leaving. Their attention remained fixed on Ya Ya. At a time like this, even without words, the intent was obvious. To cross the line and refuse to retreat was an answer in itself.
A Li-Fire Crow about to break through to the third rank with such dense bloodline power would be more effective than any spirit pill if refined by a fire-attribute Golden Core cultivator. In a place like the Qingtian Domain, where Rank 3 resources were scarce, this was a fatal attraction.
'One, two, three...'
Qi Ping said nothing more, merely counting silently in his heart.
Hiding their faces and refusing to retreat? Then they could die. He would not allow such risks to exist while Ya Ya was at its most vulnerable.
When he reached seven, Qi Ping struck without warning. Ten breaths? Forget ten breaths!
In that instant, the power added to Qi Ping via the Beast King True Body erupted. The strength of Coal Ball, the Royal Bees, and his entire swarm converged within him. The sheer force granted by his animal companions alone approached the level of a mid-stage Golden Core.
Furthermore, Qi Ping's own foundational Yin-Yang base—honed to an incredible degree—exploded. The combined power of the Yin-Yang and Five Element rules was terrifying. Added to this was the support of the Power of the Earth and the Natural Sanctuary.
The stacking of these various forces caused Qi Ping's aura to reach a frightening level. A terrifying Yin-Yang Taiji spell instantly enveloped the two cultivators!
When Qi Ping launched this long-prepared attack, the two Golden Core cultivators' expressions changed drastically. They were shocked that Qi Ping had attacked before the ten breaths were up, but in a life-and-death struggle, who cared about honor?
What truly shocked them was the confirmation that Qi Ping's aura was undoubtedly that of the Foundation Establishment stage. Yet, how could a Foundation Establishment attack be this powerful? It was comparable to a mid-stage Golden Core!
Moreover, Qi Ping's spellcasting was exquisite. The layered power of the Yin-Yang and Five Elements formed a killing move that proved difficult for even them to handle. This repertoire reminded them of a certain person—Lin Ya of the Qingyuan Sect!
But was he truly this strong?
"If you are so heartless, do not blame us for being unjust!"
As they spoke, their Golden Core spiritual power erupted. Their natal dharma treasures appeared instantly, surging toward Qi Ping.
One released a sky-piercing sword intent, the blade sharp enough to sever all things! The other waved a soul-banner, summoning endless demonic qi and ravenous wraiths!
Neither panicked. They had clearly been prepared for battle. They clashed instantly with Qi Ping's killing move. In the blink of an eye, sword qi ravaged the air and demonic qi filled the sky, all met by the Yin-Yang power that contained countless hidden killing intents.
Under the seemingly ordinary Yin-Yang energy, both the sword qi and the demonic qi felt as if they had fallen into a quagmire, being frantically ground down!
Seeing this, the two attackers looked grim. They could not fathom how a Foundation Establishment cultivator could unleash such power.
However, the moment they clashed again, they suddenly felt their souls being bitten by a mysterious, icy cold force. Their control over their bodies and spiritual power plummeted.
Simultaneously, a peerlessly sharp sword qi slashed toward the mid-stage Golden Core cultivator with terrifying speed. Caught in this moment of disorientation, he was unable to defend. By the time he realized what was happening, his soul and body had already been sliced in two!
As that sword qi was released, several golden figures appeared beside the early-stage Golden Core cultivator with a speed that defied perception. In the blink of an eye, the cultivator was sliced into several pieces.
A heartbeat later, the anomalies vanished. Only two sets of mangled remains fell slowly from the sky.
At that same moment, sensing the disappearance of two powerful auras, Wang He—who was sitting some distance away with Qi Ping's Treant Clone—suddenly froze in the middle of taking a drink!