As they spoke, a boom rang out, and Xu Taiping used the Form- and Shadow-Transposition Technique to swap places with Old Daoist Huang.
Smack!
At that very moment, Ping'an's hand pressed against Xu Taiping's back.
"Urgh..."
Yet even that light touch made Xu Taiping grunt, powerful as his physique was.
He immediately grabbed Ping'an's hand and said solemnly:
"Ping'an, you still can't control this strength freely. Don't touch any of us casually."
Hearing this, Ping'an immediately withdrew his hand and nodded repeatedly.
"All right! I won't touch you! I won't touch anyone!"
At this, both Xu Taiping and Old Daoist Huang beside him breathed deep sighs of relief.
With enemies before them, they could not afford to be injured by one of their own before the fighting even began.
Xu Taiping smiled at Ping'an.
"Ping'an, were you undergoing your third awakening of the Mountain-Lifting Ape Bloodline Power just now?"
Ping'an nodded repeatedly.
"That's right, Eldest Brother. This was indeed my third bloodline power awakening. The last one happened during the secluded cultivation Sister Lingyue arranged for me."
Ping'an immediately added:
"But the second bloodline power awakening was actually preparation for the third, so my physique and cultivation didn't improve much then."
Understanding dawned on Xu Taiping's face as he nodded.
"No wonder the improvement was so enormous this time. You were already preparing for it during your last bloodline awakening."
It suddenly occurred to him that Fairy Lingyue had most likely arranged for Ping'an and Bai Yu to enter secluded cultivation early so they could lend him a hand when he ascended to the Upper Realm.
Just then, Ping'an let out a long breath and smiled, looking as though a great weight had lifted from him.
"Eldest Brother, I finally lived up to Sister Lingyue's trust. I can lend you