"How does it feel?" Ignoring his own injuries and the blood flowing from the sword gashes, Qi Ping looked at the wretched Lu Ming in his grasp and let out a savage laugh.
Lu Ming felt the sharp pain from all over his body and the terrifying sensation of his life being held in another's hands. His heart was filled with sheer terror. For the first time, he was feeling the threat of death this closely. This experience shattered all his past glory. Looking at Qi Ping, who held his life, he didn't know what to say.
Since Lu Ming didn't speak, Qi Ping didn't intend to let him off. He delivered a heavy slap to Lu Ming's face.
"Did you even look at the evidence I sent back to the sect?"
"Did you handle the person who conspired to frame me?"
"Just because I refused to join you, you target me?"
With every question, Qi Ping delivered a solid slap to Lu Ming's face. He nearly knocked all of Lu Ming's teeth out, and the force cracked his skull and mangled his flesh. Lu Ming was nearly slapped into a daze, completely unable to answer.
Looking at the half-broken man, the anger in Qi Ping's heart finally subsided a little. If he hadn't been strong enough, Han Li and Zhang Da-niu would have died with him—executed under sect rules while being branded with infamy!
However, Qi Ping knew he couldn't kill Lu Ming yet. That would truly "bring down the heavens." In fact, he wasn't afraid of that, but he was worried it would interfere with his next plans. Whether it was the massacre to bury the black industry masterminds or gaining enough contribution to become a core disciple and access Golden Core knowledge, these were things he had to finish.
So, Qi Ping temporarily suppressed his killing intent.
"Go back and tell the people behind you: I, Lin Ya, have not violated sect rules! If they want to bypass the rules to handle me, I'll take them all on alone! I want to see if the sect rules are just for show!" Qi Ping's voice, amplified by spiritual power, thundered through all of Starfall City!
He was speaking to Lu Ming, to the members of the Law Enforcement Hall who had come with him, and to everyone in the city. Currently, the high-ranking officials of the Qingyuan Sect would not blatantly violate the rules; this was the card that would keep Qi Ping safe for now.
After that, Qi Ping forcibly erased the soul-mark on Lu Ming's sword and took it for himself. Although the sword was Rank 2, it was made with rare Rank 3 materials. This sword—the weapon of a genius—would be a fine snack for the Little Stone Essence when it broke through to Rank 3. Consider it interest for the day's events.
Done, Qi Ping threw Lu Ming like a piece of trash back to the terrified Law Enforcement disciples. Finally, after scanning the entire city once more, he turned and returned to his residence.
He knew this event would cause a massive storm, but it would buy him some time. Currently, his main body was progressing quickly in its realization of the 'Heavenly Extinction Yin-Yang Array' and the 'Five Elements Cycle Array.' He just needed a little more time.
'Soon... the day to settle the accounts is coming soon!' With that thought, Qi Ping closed his eyes and returned to his cultivation.
While Qi Ping was in seclusion, the world outside felt like it was going mad. The First Senior Brother of the Law Enforcement Hall, Lu Ming, had been captured and beaten within a few breaths! Qi Ping's madness and ferocity were now etched into everyone's hearts. While people had different feelings, they all knew things were about to get out of hand, though the future was beyond their imagination.
A single consensus formed in everyone's mind: Do not provoke Lin Ya!
After the Law Enforcement incident, Qi Ping remained in seclusion. Half a month later, after confirming there were no immediate threats and informing Han Li and Zhang Da-niu, he quietly left Starfall City. Reaching a hidden forest, he handed his items to the bees and allowed the Treant Clone to decompose.
Shortly after, a new Treant Clone, radiating powerful Yin-Yang spiritual energy, took shape within the Natural Sanctuary! Another week passed as Qi Ping nurtured the new clone before he set out again. This time, however, he didn't head directly for Starfall City, but went to Old Man Zhou's courtyard in District B.
The courtyard was the same, the bees were the same. The only massive change was the old man himself. Unlike before, the aura of decay and death that once clung to Old Man Zhou had vanished, replaced by a body full of vitality. Even more startling was the aura of a 'Qi-Refining Perfection' cultivator!
"Old Man Zhou, how is your realization of the Wood Intent coming along?" Qi Ping asked with a gentle smile as the old man finished his training. Here, he didn't want to bring any of the world's conflicts.
"It's going well. I'll give it a try; I should have a chance to realize it in four or five years!" Old Man Zhou finished his training and returned to his usual jolly self.
"Mmh. We'll see then. If it doesn't work, I'll find a Foundation Establishment Pill for you!" As Qi Ping spoke, he handed a storage bag to Old Man Zhou, filled with various types of honey. There were honeys for spiritual power, soul, talent, and physical body.
Originally, Qi Ping had planned to respect the old man's wishes and let him pass away naturally according to his own path. but after the bees researched a honey that could effectively improve talent, Qi Ping made a decision: he wanted the old man to live! In this world, the old man was his only family; he didn't want him to just pass away.
Thus, Qi Ping had shown unprecedented resolve, spending energy to cleanse the old man's marrow, tailoring the most suitable techniques for him, and providing all kinds of honey. The resources spent on the old man were enough to nurture several Foundation Establishment cultivators, yet Qi Ping didn't regret it. The old man's importance couldn't be measured by resources, and Qi Ping didn't lack them anyway.
Qi Ping had only wanted to try his best, unsure if he would succeed. But surprisingly, after reaching Qi-Refining Perfection a few years ago, the old man had actually realized a Dao-heart! Qi Ping was truly impressed.
The old man really had something! But knowing the nature of the old man's Dao-heart, Qi Ping wasn't surprised.
The Carefree Dao-Heart!
This Dao-heart perfectly matched the old man's open-minded attitude. To be free and unfettered, to enjoy life, and to wander through the mountains and rivers! No wonder he was such a slacker in his later years and loved reading travelogues! It turned out the old man always had a pure wish; under the constraints of reality, he had chosen the most comfortable life—being carefree in Qingshi County was still being carefree!
The reason he was so open-minded was simply because he didn't want to be a burden to anyone. Qi Ping suddenly thought of the personality of the Old Mountain Sao he had recently contracted; it was quite similar to Old Man Zhou.
So, Qi Ping decided: once he reached the Golden Core stage and no longer needed the Mountain Sao's constant help, he would introduce it to Old Man Zhou. These two, who both loved fine wine and scenery, would likely become great friends. The old man would be fascinated by the beast's centuries of experience, and the beast would be happy to have such a soulful drinking companion.
But for now, the most important thing was to see if the old man could realize the Wood Intent. If it went well, with Qi Ping's help, he could break through to Foundation Establishment. If not, Qi Ping would find a pill for him—it wasn't a difficult task for the current Qi Ping.
Anyway, he was going to protect this old man no matter what. He had decided to protect this whole world; how could he not protect one stinky old man?