After finalizing the plan with Han Li and Zhang Da-niu to poke a massive hole in the Qingyuan Sect, Qi Ping completely dispelled the sound-proofing barrier. Then, the three of them flew toward the Qing-Immortal Manor, the seat of the highest authority in Starfall City.
This manor decided almost every important matter in the city! One could say that sitting in this position meant holding a lucrative post that countless people would usually scramble for. It was only because Qi Ping's reputation was so fearsome that a "fat job" had turned into a "lethal poison."
As the three landed in the manor, everyone inside, whether they truly supported Qi Ping or not, prostrated themselves outside the hall to welcome him.
"We welcome Warden Lin Ya to his post in Starfall City!"
When this thunderous greeting rose from nearly a thousand people—ranging from Qi-Refining to Foundation Establishment cultivators—the sound echoed throughout the massive city! Such a grand welcoming ceremony had never before been seen in their memories.
The reason these people were so spontaneous and grand was partly due to genuine respect for Qi Ping, but mostly because they were terrified. As employees of the Qing-Immortal Manor, they couldn't run away. Who would dare to be brainless enough to show him a cold face now?
The entire population of Starfall City witnessed this shocking scene.
"Is this the prestige of Lord Lin Ya?"
"One man suppresses an entire city until no one dares to lift their head. Truly, a man should live like this!"
Aside from those in the manor, the various major factions of Starfall City had also sent envoys with gifts, waiting early alongside the manor staff. As for brainless acts like challenging Qi Ping, none occurred—after all, no one wanted to die. Even if someone were that stupid, their own factions would have cleared them out first.
"Senior Brother is amazing!" Han Li and Zhang Da-niu exchanged looks, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. If it were them, even as Wardens, they would never receive such treatment. Qi Ping's power didn't come from his title as Warden, but from the reputation he had carved out with blood!
However, facing such a scene, Qi Ping's face remained dark, looking extremely displeased.
"I'll leave the matters here to you. If there are any difficulties, come to me directly. I will handle them!" Qi Ping spoke to Han Li beside him, then took a few steps through the air, entering the highest and most luxurious residence in the center of the manor.
His dark expression was, of course, an act—groundwork for his later "compromise" and the "Inviting the Gentleman into the Jar" strategy. He didn't hide his voice either; almost everyone heard his words and knew that Han Li would be Qi Ping's spokesperson in Starfall City.
Only when Qi Ping appeared inside the residence and confirmed the surroundings were secure did his dark expression fade, replaced by a deep frown.
"This trap isn't easy to break. I hope I can drag things out as long as possible..." Qi Ping wasn't entirely clear on who the powers behind Starfall City were, but he was certain they were not to be trifled with. He felt his current strength wasn't enough to handle them with absolute certainty.
"The number of Wind-Blade Bees needs to keep increasing. If I can reach ten thousand, I'll have much more confidence. The terror of the Storm Focus trait will be fully displayed then! As for formations, relying solely on the six-in-one Water-Fire Fusion Grand Array is good, but not enough. If I can successfully set up the Heavenly Extinction Yin-Yang Array and fuse it with the Water-Fire array, my chances of dealing with a Golden Core will be much higher."
Normally, a perfectly set Rank 2 High-Grade Formation had power levels similar to a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator. However, a formation could mobilize several times more Heaven-Earth energy and spiritual power. That was the strength of formations. Their weakness was their immobility and the time needed to set them up, and the difficulty of mastering them was often higher than reaching the corresponding cultivation realm.
Formation fusion allowed one to merge the power of two or more arrays. The power of these fused arrays was far greater than separate ones. This was why many formation masters could fight those above their level. However, the requirements for talent and soul strength were extremely high, making such people rarer than even cultivation geniuses.
With his multiple talents and the blessing of Heaven-Earth energy, Qi Ping had researched a six-in-one Water-Fire array that possessed the intent of compatibility between water and fire. It was far more powerful than a simple stacking of six arrays! Both the Water-Fire array and the Heavenly Extinction Yin-Yang Array were top-tier Rank 2 formations. If they were perfectly set and fused, the combat power they would unleash would be something no Foundation Establishment cultivator could resist.
Especially when combined with Qi Ping's own strength and the bee swarm in a trap scenario—slaying a Golden Core from a lower rank was not a myth! And if given the chance, Qi Ping even wanted to kill the mastermind behind the Merit Hall!
"I hope Brother Han can buy me enough time!"
Maneuvering between factions to muddle the waters while buying enough time was no easy task. Qi Ping wasn't confident in his own social skills for this, as he wasn't particularly good at such politics. But he had confidence in Han Li. Moreover, his status now meant he couldn't move easily, so he had to rely on Han Li for mediation.
All Qi Ping could do now was to fully realize the Yin-Yang Intent as soon as possible, gradually transforming his foundation into a Yin-Yang Dao-Foundation and setting up the Heavenly Extinction Yin-Yang Array.
After determining his future path, Qi Ping closed the eyes of this Treant Clone.
Meanwhile, his main body in the Cloud-Mist Mountain Range was, as usual, nurturing the Radiant Sun Ancient Wood and the Dark Night Ancient Wood while pondering over Yin-Yang knowledge. The more Qi Ping experienced the struggles and slaughter for resources outside his Natural Sanctuary, the more he realized how precious it was to have a territory where he could develop in peace.
Cloud-Mist Mountain Range.
After leaving the affairs of Starfall City to Han Li and Zhang Da-niu, Qi Ping focused entirely on nurturing the two ancient trees and thinking of spells suitable for engraving on them.
"The Radiant Sun and Dark Night Ancient Woods are the purest Yin-Yang spiritual trees. They don't produce resources, so they are more suited for combat-oriented spells. Accumulating energy for a concentrated attack should be good. But if they are to serve as the foundations for the Heavenly Extinction Yin-Yang Array, it's best if they are even sturdier and have larger energy reserves. So, it's best if the spells can absorb more Yin-Yang power, refine it, and have a nurturing trait to accelerate growth, allowing me to realize the Yin-Yang Intent faster."
These requirements weren't difficult for Qi Ping. Shortly after, he created the Solar Spirit-Nurturing Art and the Lunar Spirit-Nurturing Art based on his needs.
After completing the contracts and engraving for the two trees, Qi Ping's realization of the Yin-Yang Law was on the right track. Coupled with the fact that the Sun-Blaze Wood had reached Rank 2 Perfection and the Dark Moon Soul Wood was at the middle stage of Rank 2, Qi Ping used his Plant Sovereign ability to absorb the Law fragments and experience orbs from their tree spirits. His progress in understanding the Yin-Yang Law was explosive.
Perhaps because his bloodline already contained the Solar True Fire, it took only two years for Qi Ping to realize the Solar Intent!
A year after he realized the Solar Intent, the Little Stone Essence, which had consumed a massive amount of weapons, finally encountered its moment of transformation...
"Wait, is it reaching Rank 3?" Sensing this, Qi Ping's face changed instantly!