After Qi Ping settled on a plan with Han Li and Zhang Danu that would poke a massive hole in the Qingyuan Sect, he completely sealed off the area with a spell barrier against prying eyes.
Then the three of them flew through the void toward the Qingxian Manor, the residence of the highest leader of Starfall City.
This place decided almost all important matters in Starfall City! It could be said that whoever sat in this position gained a lucrative post, and in normal times, countless people fought over it.
It was only because of Qi Ping’s reputation that a perfectly good lucrative post had turned into deadly poison.
When the three figures descended from the air into the manor, everyone within the Qingxian Manor, whether or not their hearts were with Qi Ping, all without exception respectfully welcomed him outside the Qingxian Manor.
“We await the arrival of Town Guardian Lin Ya to take office in Starfall City!”
When this mighty voice rang out from the mouths of nearly a thousand cultivators, ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, the vast sound echoed through the entire enormous Starfall City!
Such a grand welcoming ceremony seemed to have never appeared in their memories! The reason these people spontaneously made it so grand was partly out of genuine respect for Qi Ping, but mainly because they were afraid. As people serving in the Qingxian Manor, there was no escape even if they wanted to run. Who would dare to openly show a sour face at a time like this?
Everyone in Starfall City also witnessed this stunning scene.
“Is this the majesty of Lord Lin Ya?”
“One person suppressing the entire Starfall City so that no one dares to raise their head. A true man should be like this!!”
In addition, apart from the people of the Qingxian Manor, the major factions of Starfall City also sent envoys with gifts, and they too had arrived early to wait here respectfully with gifts.
As for any brainless provocations against Qi Ping at this moment, none appeared. After all, no one thought their life was too long. Even if someone wanted to do such a thing, others would drag that idiot out and clean him up.
“Senior Brother is awesome!”
Han Li and Zhang Danu exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes. If it were them, even as official town guardians, they could never receive such treatment.
Because what made Qi Ping formidable was not the title of Town Guardian on his skin, but the reputation he had carved out through killing! Yet facing such a scene, Qi Ping’s expression was somewhat gloomy, appearing extremely displeased!
“Leave the matters here to you two. If you run into any difficulties, just come to me directly. I’ll handle them!”
After saying this to Han Li beside him, Qi Ping stepped through the void and entered the highest and most luxurious residence at the center of the Qingxian Manor.
His gloomy expression was naturally put on deliberately, to lay the groundwork for his later plan of pretending to compromise and luring the enemy into the trap.
Moreover, Qi Ping had not concealed his words when speaking. Almost everyone heard him, and they also knew that Han Li would serve as Qi Ping’s representative in Starfall City.
Only after Qi Ping appeared within the residence and confirmed the surrounding environment was safe did the gloomy look on his face gradually fade, replaced by tightly furrowed brows.
“This predicament won’t be easy to break. I hope I can stall for as long as possible.”
Qi Ping was not very clear about the existence behind Starfall City at present, but he was certain it was definitely not to be trifled with. He felt that with his current forces, his chances of dealing with it were not high.
“The number of Wind Blade Bees still needs to keep increasing. If the number can reach over ten thousand, my confidence will be much greater. The terrifying power of the Wind Blade Bees’ storm-gathering trait will then be fully displayed!”
“As for formations, relying only on the six-in-one Water-Fire Fusion Great Formation, though I have some confidence, it is still not enough. If I can successfully set up the Yin-Yang Heaven Severing Formation and fuse it with the Water-Fire Fusion Great Formation, my confidence in dealing with a Golden Core would increase greatly.”
Normally, a perfectly arranged second-tier high-grade formation has a power level roughly equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the peak. But the heaven-and-earth power and spiritual power a formation can mobilize is several times that of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This is where the power of formations lies. Their flaw is that formations are very difficult to move, require time to set up, and the difficulty of arranging formations is even greater than cultivating to the corresponding realm.
Formation fusion can merge the power of two or more formations together. The might of these fused formations is far stronger than individual formations. Fused formations are the reason many formation masters can fight above their level. However, the demands of fused formations on talent and soul are extremely high, and those who can achieve this step are rarer than many cultivation geniuses.
And Qi Ping now, relying on his various talents and the blessing of heaven-and-earth power, had developed a six-in-one Water-Fire Formation possessing the meaning of water-fire compatibility, far stronger than a simple stack of six formations!
The Water-Fire Compatibility Formation and the Yin-Yang Heaven Severing Formation were both top-tier formations among second-tier formations. When perfectly arranged and fused together, the combat power they unleashed was absolutely not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could contend with.
Especially when combined with Qi Ping’s own strength and the stacked bee swarm, under the condition of luring the enemy into a trap, slaying a Golden Core across levels was no myth!
And if there was a chance, Qi Ping also wanted to cut down the hidden mastermind behind the Mission Hall together!
“I hope Brother Han can buy me more time!”
To stir up muddy waters among all parties, lure the enemy into a trap, and buy enough time was not an easy task. At least Qi Ping himself did not have enough confidence. He was not very good at this sort of thing.
But he still had some confidence in Han Li. Moreover, his current identity made it even more inappropriate for him to act rashly, so he could only rely on Han Li to mediate.
All Qi Ping could do now was comprehend the Yin-Yang true meaning as quickly as possible, gradually convert his foundation into a Yin-Yang Dao Foundation, and set up the Yin-Yang Heaven Severing Formation.
After confirming his future direction, Qi Ping closed the eyes of this tree-person clone.
Meanwhile, his main body in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range continued as usual to cultivate the Blazing Sun Ancient Wood and the Dark Night Ancient Wood, as well as comprehend knowledge related to Yin and Yang.
The more Qi Ping experienced the struggles and killings outside the Natural Sanctuary over resources, the more he realized how good it was to have a territory where he could develop steadily.
Cloud Mist Mountain Range.
After handing over the matters of Starfall City to Han Li and Zhang Danu, Qi Ping devoted himself fully to cultivating the Blazing Sun Ancient Wood and the Dark Night Ancient Wood, while pondering suitable spells to inscribe upon these two spiritual woods.
“The Blazing Sun Ancient Wood and the Dark Night Ancient Wood are the purest Yin-Yang spiritual woods. They do not produce resources. In terms of spells, they are actually more suited to combat-type spells. Storing energy and building up attacks should be good.”
“But if they are to serve as the formation base of the Yin-Yang Heaven Severing, it would be best if they were even sturdier and had even more abundant energy reserves.”
“So it would be best if this spell could absorb more Yin-Yang power, and also have the effect of refining and purifying Yin-Yang power. Then I can add some nourishing characteristics to accelerate growth, so that I can quickly comprehend the Yin-Yang true meaning and grow them into even stronger formation bases!”
These effects were not very difficult for Qi Ping, so before long he created the “Sun Nourishing Spirit Art” and the “Moon Nourishing Spirit Art” according to his needs.
After completing the contracts and inscriptions for the Blazing Sun Ancient Wood and the Dark Night Ancient Wood, Qi Ping’s comprehension of the Yin-Yang laws got on track. In addition, the Blazing Yang Wood had now advanced to second-tier perfection, and the Dark Moon Soul Wood had also reached second-tier mid-stage. After Qi Ping used Plant Monarch to extract the law and experience light clusters from their tree spirits, his comprehension of the Yin-Yang laws advanced by leaps and bounds.
Perhaps because Qi Ping’s bloodline inherently contained the Sun True Fire, it took him only two years to comprehend the Sun True Essence!
More than a year after Qi Ping comprehended the Sun True Essence, the little stone spirit that had devoured a large amount of weapons finally welcomed its opportunity for transformation.
“No, wait—is this about to reach the third tier?” Qi Ping’s expression changed drastically the moment he noticed this!
