On his way back to the sect, Qi Ping encountered no obstacles and returned to the Qingyuan Sect smoothly.
However, upon his return, everything had changed.
In the past, Qi Ping was like a pawn that could be discarded at any time. Only friends like Han Li and Zhang Da-niu, who truly recognized him, kept him in their hearts and felt rage at the injustices he suffered.
Most others held a schadenfreude attitude, waiting to see when this person with no situational awareness would meet a disastrous end.
There were even many from the three major factions plotting ways to kill Qi Ping just to earn a merit for their own side.
If not for the restrictions of the sect rules, Qi Ping suspected people would have attacked him directly within the sect.
Even with those rules, during his first sect mission, internal members had colluded with external enemies to target him, leaking his whereabouts and information. This led to him being besieged by six peak Foundation Establishment cultivators. If not for his strength, his 'Lin Ya' identity would have died right then and there.
After struggling to defeat those powerful foes and breaking that first assassination plot, less than a year later, they had set up a second lethal trap: sending Qi Ping as a mere Foundation Establishment disciple to Starfall City to face the faction led by Ye Yanwu.
That was essentially a certain-death scenario, far beyond his expected capabilities. It had even placed his close friends, Zhang Da-niu and Han Li, in danger!
Fortunately, through the combined efforts and careful planning of the three, they had managed to delay the crisis for nearly ten years, finally reaching the point where Qi Ping's formations and strength reached their peak!
Then came the legendary events that shook the entire Qingtian Domain—the one-man purge of the city, a Foundation Establishment cultivator slaying a Golden Core Middle Stage elder, and standing alone against twelve Golden Core masters. These were still the hottest topics of discussion!
Today, Qi Ping was no longer an existence that could be slaughtered or humiliated at will. Even Gu Yunxiao, the Wind-Thunder Daoist and the number one person beneath the Nascent Soul stage, had to weigh the consequences of provoking him!
This was what it meant to hold one's head high after a long suppression!
This was Qi Ping!
The moment Qi Ping's figure stepped into the Qingyuan Sect, the entire sect went into a frenzy, spreading the news!
"Lin Ya is back! He's back!"
Countless disciples and deacons walked out of their caves and workplaces, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of him. Everyone was curious about such a legendary figure!
Although they had seen the footage of his battles many times, no one wanted to miss the chance to see him in person.
Even some Golden Core cultivators were secretly observing him from the shadows.
"Is this Senior Brother Lin Ya? He doesn't look fierce at all. His temperament is excellent! Where are the rumors about him being a bloodthirsty demon?"
"I feel like Senior Brother Lin Ya's aura is so imposing!"
"Slaying a Golden Core while at Foundation Establishment... and a Middle Stage one at that! I wouldn't even dare to dream of that!"
"I heard Senior Brother Lin Ya has become a Core Disciple. He's truly taking flight now. Before, many thought he wouldn't survive the last ordeal. I said long ago that he had the potential for the Golden Core stage, but they wouldn't believe me!"
"I think he even has the potential for the Nascent Soul stage! I can't imagine how strong he'll be once he breaks through to the Golden Core stage!"
As Qi Ping appeared in the sight of the disciples and deacons, various whispers broke out. Most were filled with praise and wonder.
After all, who would dare to face this killing god in person?
In the crowd, Lu Ming was hiding in a corner, shivering. Ever since he had been captured and beaten by Qi Ping in Starfall City within breaths, Qi Ping had become the nightmare in his heart. Back then, he still had a strong desire to wash away his shame, but after the world-shaking battle, Qi Ping had become an insurmountable shadow. He knew he could never cross that gap in his lifetime.
Aside from these, some friends who had been sending Qi Ping messages also came up to greet him. Qi Ping didn't put on any airs, talking with them just as he had before.
If not for these people constantly feeding him secrets and the latest news, his planning would have been much more difficult. Naturally, he would not forget the friendship of those who helped him through the hard times.
Finally, there were many talented, beautiful, and clever female disciples who tried to initiate a connection with him, but Qi Ping rejected them without hesitation. If he agreed to one, there would be no end to it.
It wasn't that these women weren't good; from any perspective, they were the elite of the Qingtian Domain, with top-tier beauty and talent. It was simply that Qi Ping's interests currently did not lie there. Now was not the time for such things, as it would only create weaknesses and trouble for himself.
After greeting his friends, Qi Ping did not head to the Manual Pavilion immediately but first paid a visit to Wang He.
He had achieved his desires within the sect primarily due to Wang He, so by all logic and courtesy, he should pay a visit.
During this visit, Qi Ping first presented two Nether-Moon Fruits as a gift, expressing his gratitude. These were rare fruits that could strengthen the soul, making them a perfect gesture.
Afterward, he and Wang He had a long conversation about the situation in the Qingyuan Sect and the Qingtian Domain. Through this talk, Qi Ping gained a clearer understanding of the current landscape.
He also realized that the situation was not as favorable as he had imagined.
The Conservative Faction's strength was still far weaker than the Radical Faction, and the Neutral Faction's stance remained ambiguous. Even more dangerous was the Radicals' lack of belonging to the sect; they had connections and collusion with the Immortal Alliance and other external enemies. Given their unscrupulous style, they would surely lay a terrifying trap against them in the future!
Currently, he and Wang He were only maintaining a fragile balance by relying on the sect treasures and the Sect Array. It was like walking a tightrope; any slight slip could lead to total destruction!
Wang He was acting so aggressively now precisely to secure resources for himself and Qi Ping to grow as quickly as possible, preparing for future crises.
At the end of the conversation, Qi Ping expressed that once he finished studying the techniques and knowledge for the Golden Core breakthrough, he would return to ask for guidance on the breakthrough and the cultivation of the Dao-Heart.
Wang He naturally agreed, promising that when the time came, he would not only be there but would also invite two other elders—one at the Golden Core Late Stage and one at the Middle Stage—to explain things to him.
With Wang He's confirmation, Qi Ping did not delay any further. He plunged headfirst into the Manual Pavilion... and he stayed there for ten years!