Qi Ping, hovering above the mountain of corpses, had images taken of the scene before using the power of the mountains and rivers to refine and absorb the bodies into the land as fertilizer.
The essence of so many Nascent Soul, Golden Core, and lesser cultivators caused the domain's Power of Creation to surge. However, behind this surge, Qi Ping sensed a stubborn aura of resentment beginning to cling to him.
'Is this the price of slaying cultivators to nurture the world?'
Qi Ping sensed the unique resentment and used his Earth Immortal Druid abilities to clear it. He soon frowned.
'Clearing this resentment is a bit of a nuisance. Fortunately, the amount is small and manageable...'
While he refined the bodies, Lin Yue, Wang He, and the Academy disciples were utterly dumbfounded. The massive blockade that had left them helpless was now represented by the corpses at their feet! Their shock was beyond words.
"Is this the Dean's true strength?"
"Those terrifying enemies we could do nothing against... not a single one escaped him!"
"They were just shouting outside about how we were shrinking turtles, and now they're just meat!"
"Thanks to the Dean, we didn't turn into a living hell."
The disciples and residents of the domain could see clearly now: without Qi Ping's deterrence, the Qingtian Domain would have been ravaged, just like the neighboring Sky-Fire Domain. During this period, the marauders hadn't just targeted those heading to the Qingtian Domain; they had pillaged and killed countless local cultivators and sects in neighboring lands.
Facing these massive groups of outsiders, the Sky-Fire Domain—having lost its Nascent Soul elder—had no way to resist. They could only hide behind their arrays to protect their own foundations while watching their people be slaughtered and robbed. The culprits were too many and too powerful to track or punish, and many were backed by Deity Transformation masters.
In this multi-domain effort to block rogue cultivators, the Qingtian Domain suffered no loss, while the neighboring domains were devastated. They had truly suffered the "bitter fruit" while having to swallow their complaints. The reality that a weak domain has no voice in diplomacy was fully displayed.
The Qingtian Domain was rising, its people full of hope and drive. The neighboring rogue, clan, and sect cultivators were living in misery. The contrast was stark. In fact, if Qi Ping hadn't ended the blockade, the neighboring domains would have lost even more.
As a result, many rogue and clan cultivators from neighboring lands who had previously hesitated now sold their assets at a loss and rushed to the Qingtian Domain. They would rather have a broken bed in the Qingtian Domain than a mansion in a land like Sky-Fire that couldn't protect its own.
Soon, Qi Ping finished refining the bodies. Once they were gone, the residents of the domain broadcast this triumphant scene to the entire Star-Sea Continent. They had been stifled by the rumors of the Bee Daoist's death, but now they could vent their pride.
"Who was the one lying about Senior's death? Did you lose your mother or your mind?"
"Look at the recording! The Senior is perfectly fine!"
"Look at that transcendence, that presence! Who else could it be but him?"
"Your leaders treat you like cattle, but we aren't! We just want to live and practice in peace!"
Unconsciously, many new arrivals had developed a sense of belonging and loyalty. Living on this land and seeing the Bee Daoist meant the end of their days of living in fear. They were willing to put all their effort into building this home.
As people worked together under Lin Yue's management, wealth, talent, and resources poured into the Qingtian Domain. Almost everyone was striving to build their future here. But while they rejoiced, those who had hoped for the domain's downfall were shell-shocked. Their faces stung with phantom slaps.
"Who the hell said the Bee Daoist was killed by Venerable Yunshan?"
"I was wondering why only one nonsensical image came out while the domain stayed fine!"
"Damn it, I'm being mocked by everyone now!"
"How embarrassing! So many people went to ambush some rogues, and they all got slaughtered by one man!"
"Still... that Bee Daoist is terrifyingly strong!"
The sweeping victory boosted Qi Ping's fame once more, and the forces that had sent the blockade fell silent. But Qi Ping would not. They had dared to strike him; if he didn't strike back, they would think he was a soft target!
'I'll start with Venerable Yunshan's Cloud-Mountain Domain!'
He thought it through and decided to go for the biggest fish first. But how to deal with him was a problem. Inside the Qingtian Domain, slaying a Deity Transformation master was easy for him. Outside? It was a fantasy.
He decided to let the bees do the work. He condensed a new Treant clone and tasked Lin Yue with gathering intelligence on the Cloud-Mountain Domain. Lin Yue was a natural at this.
"Dean, everything you asked for is here. There were many people from that domain already here; for some Merit Points, they spilled everything. Some even shared their soul-memories. The data is verified." Lin Yue handed over a jade slip with reverence.
"Well done," Qi Ping praised. Lin Yue was a rare talent who always exceeded expectations.
"Dean, are you planning to retaliate against that old dog Yunshan?" Lin Yue asked carefully.
"They struck my home; I must respond. Don't worry about it. Just focus on the domain's development. There will be no lack of resources for you."
"It is my honor to serve..."
With the intelligence, Qi Ping moved. He had his Treant clone lead a swarm of King-Grade Netherworld and Sky-Flame Bees toward the Cloud-Mountain Domain.
'The Cloud-Mountain Domain is twenty domains away. I wonder if I can control the clone at this distance...'
As his comprehension of the Treant subclass and his own strength grew, his control range had expanded far beyond the Qingtian Domain. But he hadn't tested this distance. He stood at the western border, looking toward the central region of the continent.
The Cloud-Mountain Domain was one of the premier domains of the central region. It was far more advanced than the Qingtian Domain, with many more Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. However, wealth didn't mean opportunity for rogue cultivators. The domain was ruled by ancient clans and a rigid hierarchy that had been unshakable for millennia. They held every resource, and only a lucky few could join them to maintain the status quo. The common cultivators could only swallow their resentment.
But today, an unremarkable-looking visitor arrived at the Cloud-Mountain Domain.
"Not bad. I can barely maintain the connection here!"
Qi Ping looked through the clone's eyes with satisfaction. This range would make his future actions much easier. He didn't waste time, immediately scouting the area.
He knew he couldn't storm the Cloud-Mountain Sect directly with his current strength, but they had many core members outside. He devised a plan for a coordinated assassination.
Five days later, at almost the exact same moment, many core members of the sect and the ruling clans were ambushed! Facing the King-Grade bees, these cultivators—none of whom were Nascent Soul masters—were slaughtered within ten heartbeats.
He even managed to kill a Nascent Soul member of the Venerable's own clan by using the Yin-Yang Bee Formation! In truth, the Venerable's own family was his primary target.
In the Life-Tablet Hall of the Cloud-Mountain Sect, hundreds of tablets shattered in a matter of heartbeats.
"This... this..." The disciple on duty was scared out of his wits, his speech failing him.
"What 'this'? You're a Foundation Establishment cultivator; speak clearly!" his companion snapped.
"The tablets... they're shattering!"
"So what? Cultivators die; it's normal."
The companion turned around. His vision went black. "Holy... it's over!"
He frantically used his token to contact an elder. "Elder Qin... something's happened!"
Within fifteen minutes, a terrifying report that hadn't been seen in tens of thousands of years spread through the Cloud-Mountain Domain and began its journey across the Star-Sea Continent!