After weighing his options, Qi Ping decided to accept the three missions: slaying the Human-Devil Butcher, wiping out the demonic-linked Huang family, and exterminating the demonic insects of the Black Mountain Range.
All three tasks involved the deaths of late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, so the risk was not low. However, the Contribution Points were generous. Compared to farming or garrison missions, only these could quickly fulfill his need for points to trade for knowledge. For other tasks, it might take a century to gather what he needed.
He went to the Deacon in charge of Foundation Establishment missions. Under the slightly surprised gaze of the official, Qi Ping stated his intent, accepted the missions, and received the necessary information. No one tried to make things difficult for him during the process.
"Senior Brother Ya, wait for me!"
Just as Qi Ping was about to head toward the Human-Devil Butcher's last known location, a voice called out to him. He turned to see a chubby figure rushing over. It was Zhang Da-niu, an Inner Disciple at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment with whom Qi Ping had discussed the Dao several times.
He had a good impression of Zhang Da-niu, who had a fine understanding of techniques and had not distanced himself because Qi Ping had offended the three major factions.
"Brother Zhang, you seem to be in a hurry. Is something wrong?" Qi Ping asked.
"Senior Brother Ya, I heard you were accepting missions and preparing to leave the sect, so I rushed here as fast as I could!"
"I came to tell you: you absolutely must not accept those dangerous missions that require leaving the sect! That's how the last disciple with the 'Mainstay' evaluation died. Although the reasons are hard to talk about, I remember a teacher at a private school telling me when I was a kid that a gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall. With your talent, everything will come to you if you just develop steadily..."
By the end, Zhang Da-niu was using soul-transmission. His expression was grave, clearly aware that this matter was not something to be discussed openly.
Qi Ping felt a touch of warmth in his heart upon hearing the warning. "Many thanks for the information, Brother Zhang. I will be careful. I will only choose missions I am confident I can handle!"
"That's good. If you say so, I can rest easy!" Zhang Da-niu gave a simple, honest smile. He felt that Qi Ping not only had extraordinary insights but was also very clever, so he wouldn't do anything reckless. After his warning, he hurried back to his own affairs.
As Qi Ping continued toward the mountain gate, another figure blocked his path.
"Brother Han..." Qi Ping looked somewhat helplessly at the plain-looking but extraordinary Han Li.
"Senior Brother Ya... you... sigh." Han Li sighed deeply. He had repeatedly urged Qi Ping to pick a side, preferably the strongest one, so that he could reach the Golden Core stage within a century. He hadn't expected Qi Ping to reject all factions and then, like the previous senior brother, head out to perform missions.
Seeing the firm and confident look in Qi Ping's eyes, the words of persuasion died in his throat. He could only manage a final, "Be careful in all things!"
"Many thanks!" Qi Ping offered a calm smile, clasped his hands to Han Li, and continued his journey.
He didn't find Zhang Da-niu or Han Li meddlesome. On the contrary, he felt they were right; theirs was the true way to survive. If this weren't a Treant clone and if he didn't have extreme confidence in his own power, he wouldn't dare act this way either. But these were his greatest secrets, and he would never tell them to anyone.
Still, the presence of these two men warmed his heart. It made him feel that the world was not entirely beyond saving; it was simply that traitors and parasites were in power, driving out the good. Once the darkness pressing down on the sky was peeled away, perhaps he wouldn't find an irredeemable land filled with maggots.
'First target: the Human-Devil Butcher in Sanhuang County at the edge of the Qingtian Domain.'
At his current late-stage Foundation Establishment speed, it would take four or five days to arrive. However, when he reached Sanhuang County, Qi Ping found that he didn't need much effort to find the butcher. The man hadn't even tried to hide; he was staying openly within the county.
Currently, in a courtyard overflowing with baleful aura, an array made of human heads was laid out. At the center sat the Human-Devil Butcher, a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator whose baleful malice was so thick it was almost liquid. He sat there absorbing the malice without any pretense.
The butcher was bare-chested, his powerful upper body covered in terrifying demonic and blood-red patterns. Behind him stood a Ten-Thousand Soul Banner radiating a sky-piercing demonic aura! Surrounded by such terrifying malice and killing intent, an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would likely have their mind shaken by a single glance.
This man truly lived up to his name. More than one late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator had died at his hands.
"Lin Ya of the Qingyuan Sect?" The butcher grinned at Qi Ping, his eyes filled with appreciation and satisfaction.
"You seemed to know I was coming? Someone tipped you off?" Qi Ping asked, his brow furrowed.
"Otherwise, how do you think I've stayed so peaceful within the Qingtian Domain?" the butcher answered without hesitation. He then looked Qi Ping up and down with wanton greed, praising him. "Not bad, not bad at all. Word says you have four peak talents, including a rare peak soul talent. My Human Sovereign Banner just happens to lack a primary soul. You'll do perfectly! I can also use your peak-talent flesh to bathe my banner!"
As the words fell, the butcher raised his hands. A mid-grade Rank 2 Four-Directions Malice-Condensing Array rose, trapping both him and Qi Ping within. He then shook the banner. Countless demonic souls shrieked as they poured out. Within an instant, the space was covered in rolling demonic fog; day was turned into night!
"Boy, enter my Human Sovereign Banner obediently! I will surely nurture you well!" The butcher laughed, his eyes full of greed. With his condensing array and the soul banner working in harmony, even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator would die!
"You seem very confident," Qi Ping spoke calmly. A mid-grade Rank 2 array set up with an array plate? How dare he show off such a clumsy thing? In Qi Ping's eyes, the array was full of holes.
"Pretentious nonsense!" The butcher felt a flicker of unease at Qi Ping's calm demeanor. However, given that he had prepared everything in advance, he believed most peak Foundation Establishment cultivators would fall here, let alone a late-stage one like Qi Ping. Driven by his unease, he decided to end it quickly. He erupted with full power, sending a torrent of demonic malice and shrieking souls toward Qi Ping!
This terrifying strike was enough to suppress most Foundation Establishment cultivators!
Yet, facing the onslaught, the white-clad Qi Ping simply condensed several ripple-like spiritual shields before him, blocking the attack with ease. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, droplets of blue and red spiritual energy—radiating terrifying pressure and killing intent—condensed instantly.
They shot forward with incredible speed and piercing power, tearing through the malice, demonic fog, and souls.
Flame-Stream Burst!
As Qi Ping moved, a series of explosions far more powerful than ordinary Flameburst Fireballs rang out. Simultaneously, a terrifying blue flame—like a maggot clinging to bone—swept across the area, burning everything it touched. The horrific combat power of Water-Fire Harmony was fully displayed.
In a split second, the array collapsed, the attack vanished, and the demonic fog was shredded! Night was turned back into day!
"How is this possible!" The belief of the Human-Devil Butcher was shattered by this single strike. His body trembled as the malice in his eyes vanished, replaced by sheer terror. He instantly ignited his essence blood and turned to flee for his life!
But Qi Ping would never give him the chance. His figure surged forward like a rushing torrent, catching up in an instant. A stream of flame, unstoppable in its momentum, shattered the butcher's spiritual shield. With a thunderous explosion, the man's physical body was blown to pieces!
Qi Ping reappeared amidst the debris of the butcher's body, his hand reaching out to grab a soul that was shivering with terror. Ignoring the butcher's horrific and pleading gaze, Qi Ping's soul power instantly enveloped the spirit.
Soul-Searching!