Wang Ping

Cui Shuo had been very excited and even more thrilled these past few days.

He was excited because he had gained quite a bit of fortune in the Land of Beast Burial – a decent Spirit Artifact that could significantly boost his strength. This gave him more confidence, especially since he had been worried about Qin Yu.

What thrilled him even more was that the much-hyped Lightning Fire had been obtained by his Heavenly Fire Sect!

For nearly a month, he had heard countless stories about the Lightning Fire; it was even more powerful than the Heavenly Fire his ancestor had obtained!

Although one Dao Realm elder had been sacrificed, Cui Shuo instinctively ignored it. What was the loss of one strong individual compared to obtaining the Lightning Fire? With this Lightning Fire, the Heavenly Fire Sect's status in the eastern part of the Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain would undoubtedly rise significantly, and it wouldn't be impossible to surpass the Tianlong Ancient Sect in time.

Therefore, as Cui Shuo walked into the Myriad Phenomena Pill Shop this time, his back was straighter, and he was even more enthusiastic and respectful towards Senior Brother Wang. With Senior Brother Wang's cultivation and status, he was bound to become a prominent figure in the Heavenly Fire Sect in the future, and his own status would surely rise along with him.

When he saw Zi Xun'er talking with a young man, he quickly turned his head and looked at the leading young man with a fawning smile, saying, "Senior Brother Wang, isn't that Zi Xun'er, Alchemist Zi?"

The leading young man had already noticed Zi Xun'er. A smile appeared on his usually stern face. He glanced approvingly at Cui Shuo before walking straight over.

"Alchemist Zi, long time no see," the leading young man said, feigning a deep tone as he approached Zi Xun'er.

Zi Xun'er glanced at the leading young man and asked in surprise, "Wang Ping, Fellow Daoist Wang?"

"It is indeed I," the leading young man replied, his face showing delight. He seemed particularly pleased that Zi Xun'er remembered him.

"Come, come, Yi Zhantian, this is Wang Ping, the proud son of the Heavenly Fire Sect. Fellow Daoist Wang Ping, this is Yi Zhantian from the Tianlong Ancient Sect," Zi Xun'er said with a charming smile, introducing them to each other.

Wang Ping's expression changed slightly as he narrowed his eyes and sized up Yi Zhantian, who was dressed in white.

He had to admit, Yi Zhantian surpassed him in both demeanor and appearance. He was over six feet tall, with sharp sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. Though his body was slender, the aura he exuded was as solid as a rock. His black hair cascaded down his shoulders, giving him a distinguished yet graceful appearance.

However, what made Wang Ping serious wasn't Yi Zhantian's looks or demeanor, but his reputation. It could be said that he was renowned throughout the eastern part of the Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain.

Legend had it that Yi Zhantian's real name was Yi Zhaohui. Having obtained one of the Tianlong Ancient Sect's most powerful legacies, the Zhantian Legacy, his strength was incredibly formidable. He was considered among the top ten young generation members in the eastern Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain and was even respectfully called Yi Zhantian!

Wang Ping hadn't expected that the Yi Zhantian of legend would be with Zi Xun'er, and moreover, they seemed quite familiar with each other. This surprised Wang Ping. He had initially thought Zi Xun'er was merely an inner disciple of the Guiyuan Sect, but now it seemed... Zi Xun'er was more extraordinary than he had imagined. A strong possessiveness surged within Wang Ping.

A woman like this is worthy of me, Wang Ping.

Yi Zhantian's demeanor was relaxed as he observed Wang Ping and said with a faint smile, "So you are Wang Ping, Fellow Daoist Wang. The Heavenly Fire Sect has gained quite a fortune this time."

Wang Ping stared intently at Yi Zhantian, noticing his calm demeanor and deep gaze. It didn't seem like an act, which earned Wang Ping a sense of admiration.

After all, the Land of Beast Burial was within the Tianlong Ancient Sect's territory. Given the Tianlong Ancient Sect's past behavior, they could have easily declared that anything within their territory belonged to them. In that case, the Tianlong Ancient Sect and the Heavenly Fire Sect would surely become enemies. Yet, Yi Zhantian was so nonchalant, as if he weren't even from the Tianlong Ancient Sect. This magnanimity made Wang Ping look at him a few more times.

Then, Wang Ping said with a wry smile, "It was obtained at the cost of my Heavenly Fire Sect's Supreme Elder's life. How can that be considered fortune? On the other hand, the Tianlong Ancient Sect is full of powerful individuals with unfathomable strength." This was the first time Wang Ping had heard about this, and he found it hard to believe. In this era, Dao Realm experts were capable of holding their own in a region. The Heavenly Fire Sect's standing in the eastern Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain was due to the presence of two Dao Realm experts. Yet, they had been willing to sacrifice a Dao Realm expert for the Lightning Fire this time, which showed how extraordinary the Lightning Fire was.

Yi Zhantian smiled faintly and didn't deny it. As a top power in the eastern Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain, his Tianlong Ancient Sect was already widely known, so there was no need for pleasantries. He smiled calmly, "You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Wang. The matter of the Dao Mansion in the Land of Beast Burial this time gathered many of the eastern region's proud sons. As the host, it is natural for us to fulfill our duties as hosts. Ten days from now, I will host a banquet at the Wu Kingdom's Imperial Palace. I hope you and your junior brothers and sisters can grace us with your presence, Fellow Daoist Wang."

"If Brother Yi hosts a banquet, of course, we must attend," Wang Ping agreed, not fearing it to be a trap. Moreover, witnessing the proud sons of the eastern region would be beneficial for his future travels.

"It's a deal. I'll go prepare then. Alchemist Zi, don't forget to relay my message to Brother Tong," Yi Zhantian said before bidding farewell and leaving.

When Zi Xun'er saw Yi Zhantian to the door, a professional smile appeared on her face. She turned to Wang Ping and asked, "Fellow Daoist Wang, may I ask why you have come today?"

Wang Ping stared intently at Zi Xun'er and said, "It's nothing much. I heard that my ignorant junior brother offended you, Alchemist Zi, so I've come on his behalf to apologize. This is my junior brother's token of sincerity. Please accept it, Alchemist Zi."

Zi Xun'er glanced at the nervous Cui Shuo, not even looking at the Void Storage Ring, and said calmly, "It's a minor matter, Fellow Daoist Wang. You are too kind."

"My junior brother has been uneasy these past few days. If you don't accept it, Alchemist Zi, he might not be able to find peace," Wang Ping continued.

Hearing this, Zi Xun'er accepted the Void Storage Ring Wang Ping handed over.

Cui Shuo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was a significant expenditure, it was worth it to resolve the matter. Ever since the incident with Qin Xue, Cui Shuo had been terrified. Qin Yong and Qin Feng were so scared that they didn't dare to leave their homes, staying cooped up in the Cui Family residence.

"My junior brother Cui mentioned that Alchemist Zi has a close relationship with the siblings Qin Yu and Qin Xue?" Wang Ping glanced at Cui Shuo and said with a faint smile.

"It's not that close. I just felt sorry for Qin Xue. As for Qin Yu, I don't know him," Zi Xun'er said slowly, a half-smile playing on her lips.

"That way, my junior brother will have nothing to worry about in half a month. Alchemist Zi, it's been a while. How about giving my junior brother a chance and letting him take us to try some of the delicacies in Tianwu Main City?" Wang Ping took a step forward and asked expectantly.

Zi Xun'er smiled charmingly, "I appreciate your kindness, Wang Daoist, but let's meet again at the Imperial Palace in ten days, shall we?"

"Very well. By the way, Alchemist Zi, do you have any pills here that can temporarily increase one's strength? For example, a Body Burst Pill?" Wang Ping didn't push further and instead asked.

After seeing Wang Ping and his entourage out, Zi Xun'er returned to her pavilion and lay lazily on the rattan chair, exuding an air of elegance. She took out the Void Storage Ring, glanced at it, and murmured to herself, "What a generous gesture, but he's courting death... Is Yi Zhantian's ambition greater, or is the Tianlong Ancient Sect about to make a move?... The banquet... Should I invite him? It would certainly be very exciting if he were there, wouldn't it?"

In the inn.

Qin Yu slowly opened his eyes from his meditation. His expression was calm. He raised his right hand, and a wisp of faint purple spiritual energy emerged from his fingers. This spiritual energy could also be called Gang Qi.

Although Gang Qi was spiritual energy, it contained offensive power, hence the name Gang Qi.

In the past half month, Qin Yu had successfully entered the Gangqi Realm.

"As expected of the Mysterious Lightning Body. Even the Gang Qi contains a dense amount of lightning energy. If I could learn lightning-based Dao techniques, I might be able to unleash considerable power. Tong Yunfei, as a member of the Golden Battle Clan, is incredibly strong even with his cultivation suppressed, but I have the Mad Demon First Transformation, so I don't fear him. However, his Golden Battle Clan combat techniques should not be underestimated," Qin Yu muttered to himself.

"It's a pity the time is too short. If I want to cultivate lightning-based Dao techniques in such a short period, I'm afraid I won't be able to unleash much power," Qin Yu thought as he looked inward at his dantian.

Compared to before, his dantian had expanded further, and the spiritual energy within could be described as immense. Staring at the Nirvana Seed in his dantian, Qin Yu fell into deep thought.

Because the ancient texts he had read contained very little detailed information about the Nirvana Seed, Qin Yu didn't know much about it. He needed to ponder and study it himself.

Recalling the last moments before he lost consciousness in the sealed area and the sensation of warmth in his abdomen at that time, Qin Yu felt a sense of unease. He had heard many people discussing how the Heavenly Fire Sect had obtained the Lightning Fire. Coupled with what Xiong Tatian had said, it was likely true. However... what puzzled Qin Yu was, if the Heavenly Fire Sect had obtained the Lightning Fire, then what was inside his body?

"From the last scene, it should be that the lightning power and the demon blood annihilated each other. And the Nirvana Seed absorbed a trace of lightning power. But if that's the case... then what did the Heavenly Fire Sect obtain?? Without lightning power, can it still be called Lightning Fire?" Qin Yu became increasingly confused.

After a long while.

Qin Yu's expression gradually became strange as he mumbled, "Did the Heavenly Fire Sect only collect the 'Lightning Fire' that uses the fire of heaven and earth as its flame? Without the lightning power, it can at most be called the fire of heaven and earth..."

"I wonder if it's true that the Heavenly Fire Sect sacrificed a Dao Realm expert to obtain the Lightning Fire last time. If it is, then the Heavenly Fire Sect took a huge loss. Sacrificing a Dao Realm expert for a Heavenly Fire? That's a joke that's too big to tell..."

His mind raced, and Qin Yu became more certain that the Ancestor Ape must have accidentally stumbled into the sealed land, trying to snatch the Lightning Fire, which led to its tragic demise. Ordinary Dao Realm cultivators would have a hard time obtaining the true Lightning Fire... Therefore, the Heavenly Fire Sect ancestor definitely didn't obtain the real Lightning Fire.

Qin Yu chuckled. In half a month, once he killed Cui Shuo, he would inevitably offend the Heavenly Fire Sect. Thus, he really hoped to see the Heavenly Fire Sect suffer such a significant loss.

"I can imagine how the Heavenly Fire Sect ancestor must feel, like a mute eating bitter herbs, unable to speak, forced to swallow this loss in silence..."

"If it were truly known that what the Heavenly Fire Sect obtained wasn't the Lightning Fire, and they had also sacrificed a Dao Realm expert, the Heavenly Fire Sect would surely become a laughingstock and face utter ruin! After all, losing a Dao Realm expert would significantly weaken the Heavenly Fire Sect..."

"Enough, I won't dwell on this for now. The immediate priority is for me to try and see if I can borrow this wisp of lightning power. Even if I can't, I must condense the Mysterious Lightning power contained within the spiritual energy in my dantian. Only then can it become my trump card," Qin Yu muttered to himself.