Defeating a Fifth Stage Qi Refining Cultivator (3000-character chapter)

However, she didn't pay much attention to Luo Ci.

If Luo Ci, a cultivator at the Fourth Stage of Qi Refining, was bullied by mere mortals, he shouldn't bother returning to Zonglei Peak.

He would be too ashamed to show his face!

Lin Qi drew her Small Wooden Sword, her eyes shining with focus as she looked at the Grey-robed Daoist.

Senior Sister Yuan Xi had said something right: this was a rare practical combat opportunity for her.

Seeing Lin Qi assume a ready stance, the Grey-robed Daoist couldn't help but sneer.

"A newborn calf truly fears no tiger. Do you think good talent allows you to look down on others with contempt?!"

Even as he spoke, his muscles tensed, and his gaze involuntarily drifted towards Yuan Xi.

After Lin Qi and Luo Ci's cultivation levels were revealed, the Grey-robed Daoist became extremely wary of Yuan Xi.

Especially since she had remained calm from beginning to end, without showing the slightest hint of panic.

This could only mean one thing: this young-looking girl might have a higher cultivation level and was completely unfazed by their threat.

Lin Qi felt this Grey-robed Daoist was a bit too cynical, seeming to harbor a particular hostility towards those with good talent.

Not wanting to engage in pointless arguments, she drew her Small Wooden Sword, channeled her movement technique, and in an instant, appeared before the Grey-robed Daoist.

Seeing the rhythmic steps beneath her feet, intense jealousy flashed in his eyes, almost becoming tangible.

Spells, movement techniques, Spirit Tools, Pills... these were things that they, as rogue cultivators, could only hope to touch upon through great effort. For these disciples from prominent families, however, they were readily available.

This world was truly unfair!

When Lin Qi's simple, unadorned sword strike fell, he thought she would be as easy to deal with as Luo Ci.

Two rows of flames shot out from beneath his feet, almost as tall as Lin Qi.

Lin Qi's sword blade shifted, and a materialized surge of Spiritual Energy slashed horizontally, cutting his flames in half.

With a cold, condensed glint, the Sword Qi continued its assault.

A flicker of astonishment crossed the Grey-robed Daoist's face, likely surprised that Lin Qi's casual strike was far more powerful than he anticipated.

He swung his Fly Whisk to block, and the crisp clang echoed all around.

In an instant, Lin Qi appeared before him with her wooden sword.

The Grey-robed Daoist reacted quickly enough, clenching his free palm in front of his abdomen, and countless vines spun towards Lin Qi.

Lin Qi calmly parried with her wooden sword.

The sharp, prickly vines coiled around the wooden sword. She channeled a trace of Spiritual Energy and gave it a shake, instantly shattering the surrounding vines.

Seizing the opportunity, the Grey-robed Daoist created distance, placed his Fly Whisk on his hand, and laughed heartily.

"I misjudged you. Your Spiritual Energy is abundant, child, but you're not yet at the Fifth Stage of Qi Refining. Fighting me with only Fourth Stage Qi Refining cultivation? You're still too green!"

Having apparently gauged Lin Qi's cultivation level, the Grey-robed Daoist grew more confident and composed.

He unleashed the same move again.

Lin Qi's reaction was not slow. The moment the ground showed any disturbance, she moved without thinking, shifting her position.

The coiling vines were severed by Lin Qi at their roots before they could even grasp her feet.

After several exchanges, the Grey-robed Daoist's internal Spiritual Energy was nearing depletion.

This was the opportunity Lin Qi had been waiting for.

She employed the Tai Chi Swordplay, keeping the Grey-robed Daoist at a moderate distance.

The Grey-robed Daoist, unwilling to be injured, could only block with his Spiritual Energy. When his Spiritual Energy was almost exhausted, he began throwing out the Magic Treasures he had accumulated over the years.

He fumbled in his robes, his face contorted in pain, and said fiercely, "Die!"

A low-grade Spirit Tool, the Thunderclap Bead, was hurled out.

A dangerous aura instantly enveloped Lin Qi.

Senior Sister Yuan Xi, who was spectating, immediately stood up. "Xiao Qi, be careful!"

Seeing her senior sister about to intervene, Lin Qi instinctively called out, "Senior Sister, don't come over! I can handle it!"

Senior Sister Yuan Xi stopped by the carriage.

As the Thunderclap Bead hit the ground, a deafening explosion erupted in all directions. The lightning and thunder concealed within fiercely unleashed their attack.

Lin Qi recalled every movement when she tested the 'Scattered Phoenix Shadow Dance' with the Thunder Snake Flower, and her wooden sword began to shift through sword techniques.

The Grey-robed Daoist also sensed the surrounding temperature dropping, and a chilling coldness began to encroach from all directions.

He instinctively retreated.

But it was too late.

A phoenix cry pierced through the curtain of lightning, instantly dissipating the thunder and lightning. The imposing silhouette of an Ice Phoenix flickered into view, its tail trailing a chilling aura, condensing frost in the void.

The Grey-robed Daoist's legs were instantly covered by a thin layer of ice.

He captured a familiar aura, one he had encountered countless times during his decades of wandering and struggling in the outside world – the aura of death!

Without a second thought, he released the golden shield within his body once more.

The Ice Phoenix's afterimage charged forcefully towards the golden shield.

On the first hit, the Grey-robed Daoist spat blood!

On the second hit, the golden shield developed cracks, and ice began to cover it!

On the third hit, the golden shield seemed to let out a mournful cry before shattering instantly!

The Grey-robed Daoist faced the Ice Phoenix's impact directly, spewing a mouthful of fresh blood. He and the blood were instantly frozen.

Lin Qi propped herself up with her sword, breathing slowly.

The move "Ice Phoenix's Scattered Shadow Dance" had completely drained the Spiritual Energy from her Dantian.

Fortunately, the Grey-robed Daoist's shield had broken; otherwise, she feared she wouldn't have been able to hold on.

She happily called out to Senior Sister Yuan Xi, "Senior Sister, I won!"

Senior Sister Yuan Xi shook her head as she walked closer, retracting the water sphere she had gathered in her hand. "You almost scared me to death just now."

She reached out and poked Lin Qi's forehead. "No more pushing yourself next time! The Thunderclap Bead is a Spirit Tool, and its explosive power is something even many Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't dare face directly. You're truly brave!"

At the time, Yuan Xi had been watching intently from the side, afraid to miss a single moment, ready to step in and help the moment Lin Qi was at a disadvantage.

Who knew Lin Qi would actually unleash a rather powerful spell.

Lin Qi honestly replied, "Senior Sister, I didn't let you intervene because I felt I could handle it. Since this is a real battle, I need to push myself to my limit. If I truly can't cope, I'll ask you for help immediately; I definitely won't overexert myself!"

Senior Sister Yuan Xi nodded. "Alright, I'll believe you this time."

Lin Qi asked gleefully, "Senior Sister, I captured a Fifth Stage Qi Refining cultivator alive. Aren't you going to praise me?"

"Captured alive? Are you sure?" Senior Sister Yuan Xi's eyes grew more amused.

She walked with Lin Qi to the ice sculpture of the Grey-robed Daoist.

Lin Qi frowned in confusion and tapped the ice sculpture a few times with the wooden sword in her hand. The ice sculpture shattered in response, but the Grey-robed Daoist was nowhere to be seen.

Senior Sister Yuan Xi said gently, "This is why I always want to go out and gain experience. These rogue cultivators who wander the outside world, even those at the First Stage of Qi Cultivation, possess unique life-saving methods and are adept at adapting to the ever-changing battlefield."

"The moment he was frozen, I sensed the aura of someone using an escape technique. Unfortunately, his movements were too fast; even I couldn't stop him in time."

As a Qi Cultivation cultivator, escaping from under the nose of a Golden Core cultivator was something the Grey-robed Daoist could be proud of for a lifetime.

Lin Qi stepped on the ice shards on the ground and nodded seriously. "Senior Sister, I wasn't careful enough. Next time, I definitely won't give my enemies any opportunities!"

It was also fortunate that Lin Qi had Yuan Xi, a Golden Core cultivator, by her side. Otherwise, the potential retaliation from the Grey-robed Daoist lurking in the shadows could have kept her awake at night.

A single slip-up could lead to endless future troubles.

Lin Qi absolutely refused to be a soft-hearted person who created future problems for herself!

Senior Sister Yuan Xi nodded in approval, patting her head. "Senior Sister believes you. Let's go find our third junior brother now."

Lin Qi had almost forgotten about Luo Ci, who had flown into a rage, if Senior Sister Yuan Xi hadn't mentioned it.

Just as she was about to go find him with Yuan Xi, Luo Ci was brought back by a young cultivator wearing blue and white patterned clothes.

"Who are you?! Let go of my junior brother!" Lin Qi's demeanor was still quite imposing.

Luo Ci, who was so dirty it looked like he had rolled in mud, heard Lin Qi's words and was instantly moved to tears.

Senior Sister Yuan Xi saw through it but didn't reveal it. She gracefully bowed and said, "May I ask who you are? Could you please put my third junior brother down first?"

The cultivator in the blue and white patterned clothes put Luo Ci down and returned Yuan Xi's bow.

"I am Luo Zhou from Luo City. I am here on the family head's orders to pick up the Fifth Young Master. You must be the eldest disciple of True Monarch Qingyun, Fairy Yuan Xi."

"That's me! This is my second junior sister, Lin Qi."

After introducing Lin Qi, Senior Sister Yuan Xi asked with confusion, "But why has third junior brother become like this?"

Luo Zhou coughed dryly, sounding a bit embarrassed. "This is a long story."

Luo Ci, standing beside them, lowered his head in silent shame. Fortunately, his face was covered in mud, so his blush couldn't be seen.

It turned out that Luo Ci had chased after those three people but had accidentally fallen into a trap they had set.

Those three hadn't used any particularly clever methods.

Before each robbery, they would dig a hole in the forest beforehand, luring the people they were about to rob into stepping into it.

Today, Senior Sister Yuan Xi had exposed them first, causing them to stop their carriage and fight midway.

When they fled, they instinctively ran in that direction.

Luo Ci, chasing them without any strategy, directly stumbled into the pit.

Not only did the three villains escape, but he himself couldn't climb out because the pit was too deep.

Luo Ci struggled in the pit for a moment before his mind finally cleared.

He didn't dare to contact Yuan Xi and Lin Qi because it was too embarrassing. So, he quietly dug at the soil himself, trying hard to climb out.

The three villains hadn't actually gone far; they were hiding in the dark, observing.

Seeing that Luo Ci was trapped in the pit and no one was pursuing them, they decided to return. Their plan was to kill Luo Ci in the pit and then flee with his treasures.

It was also due to his good luck.

He happened to be encountered by Luo Zhou and his group, who were rushing over on orders, saving his life.

The reason he appeared before Yuan Xi and Lin Qi looking like he'd rolled around in the mud was because Luo Zhou had just dug him out of the ground cave.

Lin Qi listened to the entire story while on the Luo Family's flying carriage, and her gaze towards Luo Ci became somewhat disdainful.

She leaned closer to Luo Ci and whispered her complaint, "Junior Brother, you're too pathetic! A cultivator at the Fourth Stage of Qi Refining defeated by three mortals!"

Luo Ci stared wide-eyed at Lin Qi.

He had probably never met someone who spoke ill of others so righteously to their face.

"You...!"

"Call me Senior Sister!" Lin Qi lightly patted his head.

She spoke with a hint of boasting, "Junior Brother, you should seriously reflect on yourself!"

"Today, your Senior Sister defeated that Grey-robed Daoist at the Fifth Stage of Qi Refining, so I've managed to preserve the honor of Zonglei Peak."

Her overjoyed demeanor was almost too much to bear.

However, Yuan Xi knew that Lin Qi understood Luo Ci's personality and was deliberately employing a tactic to provoke him, so she remained silent.

Still owe two thousand, will make up tomorrow!