Qi Ping was very pleased with this unexpected harvest. Not only had he gained a Rank 3 Low-Grade Dharma Treasure in the form of the cage, but he had also contracted a Golden Core-level spirit beast! The rarity and status of a Golden Core-level beast could be seen by looking at the scarcity of Golden Core cultivators in the Qingtian Domain—they were the true elite of the pyramid.
A Rank 3 Low-Grade Dharma Treasure was similarly rare. Some newly advanced Golden Core cultivators didn't even have a Golden Core-level treasure yet.
'I can give this cage treasure to the Little Stone Essence. With its ability to control weapons and bestow traits, it can maximize the power of a Rank 3 treasure. With such a weapon, its chances of surviving the Rank 3 tribulation will be higher. Combined with the seven Rank 2 Perfection Spirit Tools I got in Lingxiao City, its strength will surge to a whole new level.' As the Lord of Weapons, the difference between having and not having powerful tools was night and day.
When that sword intent pierced the sky, Qi Ping knew that the Hurricane Sword-Seed—one of the top five geniuses of the Qingyuan Sect's current generation—had arrived.
"Finally here?" Sensing the enemy, Qi Ping wasn't overly worried. 'Although Mo Fan and the Old Mountain Sao took up some of my time, I should still be able to handle the Hurricane Sword-Seed.'
With a strategy in mind, Qi Ping stepped out of his residence. He didn't want the place he lived in to be destroyed.
In Starfall City, the people of the black industry factions were elated when they saw the figure wrapped in azure sword-light streaking through the sky. Their savior had finally arrived!
"The Hurricane Sword-Seed, Lu Ming, is finally here!"
"Hahaha! That damned Lin Ya is finally going to get what's coming to him!"
"This time, I'll grind his bones to ash—if there's anything left of him!"
None of them doubted Lu Ming's ability to kill Qi Ping. Lu Ming was a legacy disciple, one of the most outstanding people in this generation. With an Earth-Grade Wind-attribute talent, a Hurricane Physique, Foundation Establishment Perfection, and a Wind-Sword Intent nearing the Second Stage, he was superior to Qi Ping in every aspect. Moreover, he practiced the core cultivation methods of the sect!
As they saw the figure radiating transcendent sword intent in the sky, they became even more certain. Lu Ming's prestige was even greater than Qi Ping's!
The ordinary citizens of Starfall City were bewildered. "What is happening lately? Why are these legends appearing one after another?"
A few who recognized Lu Ming were shocked. "What situation is this? What drew this Great Deity from the Law Enforcement Hall here? Could it be... related to Warden Lin Ya?"
Those with inside information immediately connected the dots—he was here for Qi Ping! This caused those who supported Qi Ping to worry. "Lu Ming of the Law Enforcement Hall has a fearsome reputation. Can the Lord Warden hold him off?"
While everyone was reeling from Lu Ming's arrival, he looked down from the sky and shouted:
"Lin Ya, get out here and face judgment according to the sect rules!"
"I'll get out your mother's ass! You idiot! I have legs, I can walk myself!" Qi Ping shouted back as he walked out, cursing. Since the other party gave him no face, he saw no reason to be polite.
"Do you seek death?" Lu Ming's face turned iron-blue. Ever since he became famous, no one had dared to curse him to his face like this.
Those who knew Lu Ming's reputation felt a chill run down their spines. Han Li and Zhang Da-niu, who were tucked away in the array, broke into a cold sweat. Who was Lu Ming? But at this point, they could only trust Qi Ping.
However, Qi Ping's next words nearly made them spit blood.
"You really are an idiot. Why would I seek death when I'm living perfectly well?" Qi Ping looked at Lu Ming as if he were looking at a mental patient. "I've already sent the evidence of the frame-up back to the sect and handled everyone involved. Instead of catching the person who framed a Warden, you ran here to get cursed at! You brain-dead fool!"
Qi Ping despised people like this—holding a bit of authority as if it were a divine decree, doing dirty and underhanded things while pretending to be righteous! Worse than a simple villain were these maggots who acted like they were paragons of justice.
Well, it was over. A fight was inevitable now!
"You!" Lu Ming's eyes flared with killing intent. In the next instant, a sword radiating a terrifying sharpness appeared in his hand.
A powerful Foundation Establishment Perfection aura, accompanied by an overwhelming Wind-Sword Intent, swept across the city. The sheer power made ordinary cultivators feel as if their skin were being pricked just by looking at it! Then, the sword shot toward Qi Ping with terrifying speed! This single strike was enough to kill an average Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator. This sword seemed to be the only thing left in heaven and earth—too blinding and too terrifying!
As the sword was unleashed, those who wanted Qi Ping dead began to scream in their hearts: 'Die! Die! You brought this on yourself!'
But those on Qi Ping's side were filled with worry, like the father and daughter he had saved yesterday. Mo Yunxi's heart clenched for the big brother in white who had saved her from hell, and the Water-attribute spiritual energy around her swirled uneasily.
However, the scene that followed defied everyone's expectations.
The white-robed figure facing the blade didn't flinch. A light flashed in his eyes, and the incoming flying sword trembled imperceptibly. An Abyssal Blue barrier instantly covered the sword. Then, a massive explosion erupted! Sword-light swept out and flames scattered. Qi Ping's left arm was sliced multiple times by the sword-qi, and blood flowed!
But strangely, despite Qi Ping being injured, Lu Ming's face changed drastically. Meanwhile, a savage smile curled on Qi Ping's lips. In the next instant, Qi Ping used the force of Lu Ming trying to recall his sword to close the distance, appearing before Lu Ming in a flash.
What followed were countless sweeps of sword-qi and explosions of blue raindrops! Terrifying attacks carved deep gashes into the ground. Many buildings were flattened by the shockwaves! In that moment, the crowd lost sight of both men. No one knew what was happening; everything was drowned out by the roar of battle!
"What is the situation?" Everyone stared at the sky. This battle had developed beyond all expectations. No one knew what the "madman" Qi Ping had done.
Finally, when two blood-stained figures appeared in the sky, everyone's pupils constricted at the unbelievable sight. A white-robed figure, covered in sword gashes and blood, was holding a blue-robed figure—whose body was mangled and pitted by explosions—by the throat with his right hand.