"Twelve Golden Core auras. Aside from the Elder controlling the Sect Array and the Nascent Soul Grand Elder, everyone else has arrived."
Qi Ping felt no excessive fear as he witnessed this scene.
In fact, this was better. This meant no one would disturb the Little Stone Essence during its breakthrough.
While the Cloud-Dream Immortal Tiger had calculated that the outcome of the breakthrough would be auspicious, such divinations were never guaranteed. Qi Ping believed the best way to handle these matters was to manage every variable to perfection.
Drawing the eyes of every Golden Core cultivator in the Qingtian Domain to this spot was the safest choice.
Between a single Treant Clone and the Little Stone Essence's breakthrough, there was no need to weigh the importance; the choice was obvious.
As the twelve Golden Core cultivators descended, the entire atmosphere of Starfall City shifted. Figures with auras suppressed to the absolute limit hovered in the air, their gazes fixed intently on the white-robed figure atop the Azure Immortal Manor.
In this moment, it seemed as if only these thirteen figures remained in the world, shining as brightly as blazing suns. Everything else paled into insignificance before them!
The rogue cultivators outside the city felt their scalps tingle. Trembling, they immediately scrambled backward.
This scene was far too terrifying. It wasn't just a question of whether these Golden Core grandmasters would attack them; the mere leakage of their combined pressure was enough to cause physical distress. If a battle broke out, they might be erased from existence by a stray shockwave!
"Good heavens, twelve Golden Core cultivators... has every single senior of the Qingyuan Sect come?"
"Retreat! Faster!"
Amidst these cries, countless people jostled to get away!
However, there were a few bold individuals who were in no hurry to leave. They muttered under their breaths:
"By the ancestors, just seeing this scene is enough bragging capital for a lifetime!"
Above Starfall City, the twelve Golden Core grandmasters of the Qingyuan Sect couldn't be bothered with the rogue cultivators. To be precise, they had never spared them a single glance from the start.
Instead, their eyes were fixed on Qi Ping, who stood atop the manor, their gazes filled with scrutiny.
They had known of Qi Ping's existence for a long time, but no one had truly summoned him. The evaluation of his 'Mainstay of the Sect' talent had been met with cold indifference and a silent freeze on his status.
The only person who had recently dealt with Qi Ping was Ye Yanwu, whose head now lay discarded like trash by Qi Ping's side.
Faced with this super-genius who had slain a Golden Core Middle Stage elder while only at Foundation Establishment—and who possessed a talent recognized by the Heart-Questioning Mirror—the twelve Golden Core cultivators held differing attitudes.
First were those radiating intense killing intent: the three sub-factions that had previously invited Qi Ping but were rejected. This was the Radical Faction.
Originally, they had seven Golden Core cultivators and controlled three sect-protecting treasures. They were the strongest faction in the Qingyuan Sect!
Even with Ye Yanwu dead and one sect-protecting treasure lost, they remained the most formidable group. Among them were a Golden Core Perfection cultivator and a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator!
Currently, six Golden Core cultivators from this faction stood close together, each staring at Qi Ping with eyes full of murderous intent!
They had intended to rush forward and kill him immediately.
However, they hesitated when they saw the Sky-Flame Seal, now thoroughly refined and hovering near Qi Ping. Once that treasure erupted, the consequences would be difficult to manage!
Then there were the four Golden Core cultivators of the Neutral Faction. Among them was a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator who happened to be the Sect Master of the Qingyuan Sect.
However, this position of Sect Master was merely a title granted to the Neutral Faction as a result of power-balancing. In reality, he held little power; most core executive authority and sect industries were in the hands of the Radical Faction.
For now, they maintained a spectator's attitude.
Since Qi Ping had no conflict of interest with them, they were simply curious about where such a monstrous talent had come from.
'Foundation Establishment slaying Golden Core Middle Stage... by the heavens!'
Lastly, there was the weakest group: the Conservative Faction. They had only one Golden Core Early Stage and one Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator present. Their strongest member, a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator, was currently responsible for controlling the Sect Array at the headquarters and could not leave.
These two looked at Qi Ping with gazes full of surprise and admiration!
Qi Ping's style of action and his indomitable spirit suited their tastes perfectly!
The three Golden Core cultivators of the Conservative Faction were the most pure-hearted individuals in the sect. When faced with a choice, they prioritized the interests of the Qingyuan Sect. It was precisely because of this character that they were allowed to control the Sect Array and one of the two strongest treasures of the sect.
Unfortunately, these three were not forceful or decisive enough. They lacked sufficient boldness and strength. The seven Golden Core cultivators of the Radical Faction had seized upon this weakness, forcing them to compromise step by step, which led to the current state of the sect.
Qi Ping, under the scrutiny of the twelve cultivators, needed only a glance to gauge their attitudes.
At the same time, he finally gained a deeper understanding of why the sect had reached this impasse. Even with Ye Yanwu gone, the Radical Faction was still terrifyingly strong. If not for the Conservative Faction holding the Sect Array, who knew how arrogant they would have become?
It was no wonder the Radical Faction had split into three sub-factions; they were strong enough to counter both the Neutrals and the Conservatives with ease. Without external threats, they naturally turned toward internal power struggles.
Qi Ping even suspected that Ye Yanwu's death actually benefited these elders, as it meant more spoils for them to carve up internally!
The reason they currently showed such intense killing intent was likely due to Qi Ping's talent being too monstrous and the fact that the Sky-Flame Seal—one of the sect treasures—was now under his absolute control.
They would never allow such a terrifying existence to grow, especially since Qi Ping was already in a state of hostility toward them!
Contrary to what Qi Ping had imagined, no mindless shouting or rebuking occurred after the twelve arrived.
The twelve figures simply released their terrifying Golden Core pressure naturally, their gazes converging on Qi Ping in constant scrutiny.
This exerted an even greater pressure on Qi Ping. The air felt suffocating.
Qi Ping could not judge their next moves or thoughts at all. He felt as if the most terrifying battle might erupt at any second!
Though he appeared calm on the surface, Qi Ping did not dare to relax. The Yin-Yang Five Elements Grand Array stood before him, and the Sky-Flame Seal in his hand was ready for battle at a moment's notice!
He could observe subtle changes in the expressions of the Golden Core cultivators, so he was certain they were communicating, but he had no idea what they were saying.
He could even perceive the mutual hostility and wariness between the three factions.
However, it was clear that the Radicals were the most fearless and unscrupulous. With the only Golden Core Perfection and Golden Core Late Stage cultivators present, they held the advantage in both quality and quantity!
Qi Ping felt that most of their communication likely involved discussing how to deal with him at the lowest possible cost.
This made Qi Ping extremely uncomfortable. Under the predatory gazes of so many Golden Core cultivators, the pressure was immense.
'I didn't expect the Radical Faction to dominate the sect leadership to this extent!'
'The Yin-Yang Five Elements Grand Array is strong, but it likely won't withstand a single palm strike from that Golden Core Perfection or Late Stage cultivator.'
'I probably can't block the enemies' soul attacks either. All I can do now is use the array to protect myself. The moment they move, I'll instantly trigger the Sky-Flame Seal for a suicidal strike...'
'Since it has come to this, so be it. Given the state of the sect leadership, it will be hard for me to fit in. Fortunately, I've already sent away the bee swarm, Mountain Sao, and the spoils.'
'I've already made a massive profit anyway. If I can't survive, I'll at least drag one of them down with me!'
With this thought, a streak of ruthlessness flashed in Qi Ping's eyes. He focused his perception entirely on the Radical Faction. His spiritual energy poured into the Sky-Flame Seal until it reached the limit. Now, even the slightest fluctuation in his energy would cause the seal's ultimate strike to fire!
This was all he could do. Without the array, he wouldn't even have the confidence to activate the seal! The pressure from the Golden Core Late Stage and Perfection cultivators was simply too great!
Qi Ping's movement was immediately noticed by the elders present, and the tension in the air tightened by another notch!
Suffocation!
This oppressive silence continued, the atmosphere nearly solidifying!
No one spoke. Everyone was looking for the most favorable timing and plan!
Time ticked away, and the tension increased second by second until a certain moment when the atmosphere suddenly changed. The killing intent exploded!
In the blink of an eye, the six Golden Core cultivators of the Radical Faction simultaneously unleashed the strongest attacks they could prepare in the shortest time!
An immensely vast and terrifying spiritual pressure filled the air! Rank 3 artifacts of incredible power appeared instantly, erupting with strength that could shake heaven and earth!
And there were six such attacks at once!
Particularly those from the Golden Core Perfection and Late Stage cultivators; their power was world-shaking!
The heavens roared!
Six Golden Core-level attacks churned together, even tearing small fissures in space!
Though the cracks were tiny, they were proof that this level of power was enough to threaten an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator!
In a flash, these six attacks converged on Qi Ping!
Faced with such an overwhelmingly terrifying assault, Qi Ping's heart shook violently!
He was, after all, only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He was truly facing a strike that could potentially threaten a Nascent Soul expert!
However, despite the terrifying scene, Qi Ping held his ground against the pressure, intending to use the Sky-Flame Seal to perish together with them!
But at the critical moment, an even more terrifying black-and-white sword qi struck first, targeting the six Radical elders!
Under that black-and-white sword qi, the six world-shaking attacks actually disintegrated!
Furthermore, under the offensive of this sword qi, several Golden Core cultivators were instantly injured!
"What's happening?"
Qi Ping's divine sense swept the area and discovered a pale-faced young cultivator holding a sword of intermingled ink-black and white jade. That black-and-white sword qi had been emitted by this weapon.
"Universal Justice?"
The moment he saw the sword, Qi Ping recognized it as one of the strongest protecting treasures of the Qingyuan Sect, named Universal Justice. It was a treasure far more powerful than the Sky-Flame Seal!
It was powerful enough to threaten a Nascent Soul cultivator!
The young cultivator holding the sword was none other than the Golden Core Early Stage member of the Conservative Faction, Wang He!
"Wang He! Are you mad? Using a sect treasure against our own people?"
A voice full of alarm and rage rang out from a Radical cultivator. He had nearly had his Golden Core heavily damaged by the attack of Universal Justice, hence his fury!
Following this roar, the other ten Golden Core cultivators looked in shock at the youngest member, the Early Stage Wang He!
"Have you lost your mind, Wang He?"
"Do you wish to start a fratricidal war?"
Question after question rang out!
Wang He was the weakest Golden Core cultivator in the Conservative Faction, and usually, no one took him seriously.
Yet, no one expected that the treasure Universal Justice would be in his possession!
Even more unexpected was that Wang He would choose this moment to swing his sword at the Golden Core cultivators of his own sect. When did the Conservatives produce such a madman?
Even the Neutrals and the Conservative elder Shen Qianxun were stunned!
When did Wang He become so crazed?
"Little He, what are you doing? Do you know what you're doing?" the Conservative elder, Shen Qianxun, asked.
At this moment, eleven questioning gazes fell upon the pale Wang He.
Even Qi Ping stopped his attempt to trigger the Sky-Flame Seal and looked at Wang He in shock.
Qi Ping knew of this Golden Core cultivator, but the man had never had much presence and there was little information about him.
In the past, he had appeared upright and easy-going. Who would have thought that his first move would be to take the sect's treasure and hack at the strongest group of Golden Core cultivators in the sect?
'A single move to shock the world' indeed.
However, facing eleven seniors stronger than him, Wang He did not show his usual mildness. His eyes were incredibly firm as he spoke with a resonant voice:
"I, Wang He, swear by the Heavenly Dao today: if anyone dares to move against Junior Brother Lin Ya, I will exhaust my life essence to wield Universal Justice and purge the treacherous!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere froze!
Wang He ignored the silence and turned to look at the elder of his faction, Shen Qianxun, saying firmly:
"Master Qianxun, you always taught me to keep righteousness in my heart and to always consider the sect's big picture. I have remembered those words well!"
"But should a good man be held at swordpoint? Look at the last two centuries. Because of our constant retreat, what has the sect and the Qingtian Domain become in the hands of these vampires? Spirit veins downgraded! Geniuses withered!"
"You talk every day about sacrificing for the 'greater good,' but why must we always be the ones to sacrifice for this 'greater good'? Whose 'greater good' are we really protecting?"
"Master! If this continues, the sect and the Qingtian Domain will be destroyed by these vampires sooner or later!"
By the time he finished, Wang He's voice was a roar.
For two hundred years, untold amounts of emotion had accumulated in his heart. Now, it had finally erupted!
"Wang He! You dare?" Faced with this, the highest cultivation present—the Golden Core Perfection cultivator—had to step forward. His aura exploded, his voice mixed with rolling spiritual power as he rebuked!
Faced with this pressure, Wang He's eyes grew red. He brandished the sword Universal Justice, looking feral as he snarled:
"What do I not dare?"
"If you dare to continue against Junior Brother Lin Ya today, you will have to step over my corpse and the broken blade of Universal Justice!"
"By the way, I should mention one thing. Elder Zong said that if I die at your hands, he will fully activate the Sect Array and wait for your return!"
By the end, Wang He's face was twisted in a savage grin.
In his view, if the Qingyuan Sect continued like this, it was doomed!
But today, he saw the hope for the sect's future in Qi Ping!
The Heart-Questioning Mirror's evaluation proved this. Even he had not been evaluated as a 'Mainstay of the Sect,' but Qi Ping had!
Now, Qi Ping had slain Ye Yanwu at Foundation Establishment and refined the Sky-Flame Seal, proving his monstrous talent.
To Wang He, this was the only chance the sect had in many years to set things right. He would never let this chance pass!
Therefore, no matter what, he would protect Qi Ping as he grew!
As Wang He's voice fell, the atmosphere of the entire world solidified to the extreme!