This sudden scene left everyone stunned!

The white-clad man, who was previously full of arrogance with a ninth-layer Qi Refining, was now rapidly losing his vitality.

His head had been severed, and even with the cultivation of a ninth-layer Qi Refining, he could only delay death for a short while.

With the death of the white-clad man, the pressure on Qi Ping instantly eased.

However, Qi Ping's internal pressure suddenly doubled at that moment!

Even though Qi Ping had used the perception boost of a Jungle Druid in the forest, he only managed to preemptively notice some anomalies.

If that sword light had struck him, other than casting Tree Skin Technique and transforming into an Ink Armor Bee, he would have found it difficult to dodge in time.

In other words, this flying sword posed a life-threatening danger to him!

After the white-clad man's head was severed, a figure in green swiftly stood in front of Qi Ping and another white-clad woman, using an immensely terrifying body technique.

It was her?

Qi Ping looked at this familiar figure. Who else could it be but the green-clad woman who had run to Zone D's No. 7 peak several times?

However, at this moment, the aura emanating from the green-clad woman had changed significantly...

Qi Refining Perfection!

Moreover, a formidable Sword Intent was swirling around her.

Feeling the intense Sword Intent from the green-clad woman, Qi Ping was secretly shocked.

No wonder she could kill that ninth-layer Qi Refining man with one sword; she had comprehended Sword Intent!

However, the green-clad woman's aura was also fluctuating greatly, indicating that the one-sword kill had consumed a lot of her energy.

Yet, even so, the white-clad woman showed a look of horror, and her previous indifference and condescendence toward Qi Ping had completely vanished.

"Lin Qingshu, you... you actually comprehended Sword Intent..." The white-clad woman said in a trembling voice, eyes filled with terror.

"Isn't this thanks to you? If you hadn't severely injured me last time, I wouldn't know when I could have advanced to Qi Refining Perfection, let alone comprehend Sword Intent... So how should I thank you?"

The green-clad woman Lin Qingshu spoke in a calm tone without any emotional fluctuations, but to the white-clad woman's ears, it was like a death sentence.

"Sister Qingshu... last time it was... it was Senior Brother Ning who arranged for Shadow Steward to take action. We were forced... No matter what compensation is needed, I will find a way to get it for you, just spare my life..."

The white-clad woman, with tears in her eyes, body shaking, pleaded softly with Lin Qingshu.

However, Lin Qingshu was unmoved by the white-clad woman's words, simply replying:

"Spare you? I'm responsible for managing the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, and you thought you could bribe spies here without consequence. Today you dared to intrude, really thinking I'm dead? As for Ning Wangba and Shadow, I'll soon send them to meet you!"

After Lin Shu finished speaking, she released a stored sword strike, and a green sword light slashed towards the white-clad woman...

At that moment, the trembling white-clad woman suddenly regained her composure, and a half-lit talisman in her sleeve quickly rose, emitting a strong thunderous aura!

It turned out her previous fear was just an act, secretly plotting a counterattack.

However, the speed at which the Thunder Talisman lit up was far inferior to Lin Qingshu's sword light.

Before the talisman could fully activate, it was split in half by the green sword light.

The Thunder Talisman faded as the white-clad woman died...

After the death of the white-clad woman, Lin Qingshu turned to look at Qi Ping.

Qi Ping tensed up instantly, standing too close to someone like Lin Qingshu gave him no sense of security.

If it were an ordinary ninth-layer Qi Refining individual, Qi Ping could transform into an Ink Armor Bee or use his current cultivation to cast Tree Skin Technique and form a Spiritual Qi Shield to ensure his survival.

But facing this green-clad woman, Qi Ping felt completely unsure.

Fortunately, it seemed she had expended a lot of energy, granting Qi Ping a moment's respite.

In fact, after glancing at Qi Ping, Lin Qingshu said nothing more but raised her hand, sending a purple Thunder Talisman flying before Qi Ping.

"I'll give you this Thunder Talisman. Although you can't fully utilize its power, it still has a chance to save your life..."

"Don't worry about today's incident. They came looking for you because they saw me visit you a few times. Just pretend you didn't see anything, and I will handle the rest..."

"Also, if that black-clad Tribulation Cultivator appears, remember to crush this Sensing Jade Talisman immediately. The rewards I promised earlier remain unchanged..."

After saying that, the green-clad woman ignored Qi Ping and, without waiting for his response, swiftly left, wrapping the two corpses and remaining bloodstains in Spiritual Qi...

...

"Phew... How did this green-clad woman become so fierce?"

"What a fright!"

Only after seeing the green-clad woman leave did Qi Ping finally breathe a complete sigh of relief.

"It seems that even with my swarm, I'm not invincible. Facing such geniuses, even with my swarm's protection, I could be quickly killed."

"I still need to improve my cultivation as soon as possible, and I must find a fire attribute or suitable Wood Flame Spiritual Power defense technique to cultivate..."

"This way, no matter what powerful enemy I encounter, I can simultaneously cast Tree Skin Technique and a defense technique, ensuring my survival..."

This was Qi Ping's immediate reaction after the green-clad woman left.

For him, nothing is more critical than survival!

Qi Ping had little doubt that his swarm could kill the green-clad woman.

Thousands of combat bees forming a super battle array could undoubtedly take down the green-clad woman, albeit at a potentially heavy cost, but they could exhaust her to death.

Qi Ping feared that the green-clad woman might cut off his head within the bee swarm because achieving such might is entirely possible for someone who comprehends Sword Intent.

"Yes, next time I go to Cyan Stone Marketplace, I must acquire another defense technique; Tree Skin Technique alone isn't enough!"

"Once my cultivation advances a bit more and I gain an additional defense technique, there shouldn't be any problems..."

After determining his future response plan, Qi Ping finally had the mind to think about other matters.

The recent incident had a considerable impact on him.

It was almost certain that the pair of white-clad individuals were sect disciples.

Having enmity with the green-clad woman, they possibly sought out Qi Ping because the green-clad woman had approached him several times, perhaps due to internal enemies within Cyan Origin Sect.

However, Qi Ping felt it might not necessarily be the case; if they were from Celestial Fire Pavilion, they might have targeted him due to issues at Cyan Stone Marketplace.

Either situation indicates problems within Cyan Origin Sect.

The former suggests internal conflict has reached a severe level, with life-and-death struggles within Qingshi County; the latter implies Celestial Fire Pavilion blatantly acting against Cyan Origin Sect.

"The sect's current situation is truly tumultuous. Two late-stage Qi Refining disciples died just like that... The mortality rate among sect disciples is possibly higher than that of loose cultivators now?"

Qi Ping thought it's possible that once open warfare breaks out, loose cultivators can flee or endure, but sect disciples must obey orders to fight; otherwise, they are accused of betraying the sect!

In such times, loose cultivators often remain safer, as they don't usually face specific targeting since loose cultivators contribute significantly to tax revenue during peacetime, with higher numbers equating to higher revenue.

Only a few sects resorted to slaughtering loose cultivators when nearing defeat.

"Regardless, as long as the outside conflict doesn't affect me too much and I can continue farming, cultivating, and earning Spirit Stones... who knows, there might be a chance to obtain rare cultivation techniques and resources in the chaos I wouldn't usually encounter..."

Qi Ping's priority now was to continue building his swarm while maximizing his survival capabilities!

Then, he could wait for opportunities as they arise...

Survival was Qi Ping's top priority, and on that basis, he'd look for chances to gather some valuable items amidst the disorder...

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