The person lying on the ground was none other than Hua Meiniang.
Li Qiang slightly parted his hands, and the scattered crowd was pushed aside by a tremendous force.
Hua Meiniang was bleeding from the corner of her mouth and breathing weakly; she appeared to have suffered a fatal blow.
Li Qiang quickly calmed down, took out a Death-Averting Pill, and said, " Zhao Zhi, come here."
Zhao Zhi immediately took the Death-Averting Pill, split it in two, and used his True Essence Power to melt one half of the Death-Averting Pill. A rich fragrance immediately wafted out, and the pink medicinal mist quickly disappeared into Hua Meiniang's body.
Just then, Hua Meiniang cried out, "I'm suffocating... Ugh..." As she opened her mouth, Zhao Zhi raised his hand and shot the other half of the Death-Averting Pill into her mouth.
Li Qiang raised his hand, and a circle of golden light enveloped Hua Meiniang. He shouted, " Elder Sister Hua, channel your energy!"
Hua Meiniang's body trembled. She slowly stood up with her eyes closed, her hands forming a strange incantation, resembling a blooming peach blossom. As her hands moved, a faint pink fragrance emanated from her body, and gradually, countless petals drifted between her hands, swirling and dancing around her.
Li Qiang praised, " The Flower Dance Instruction... an extraordinary Cultivation Method."
Suddenly, a sharp whooshing sound rang out, and three cultivators fell from the sky.
Li Qiang realized that there was a super expert in the Body Integration Realm among them, but he was helping Hua Meiniang to cultivate her internal energy and had no time to pay attention. With a slight thought, he released a golden light that enveloped Nashan, Zhao Zhi, and Hua Meiniang.
Suddenly, someone shouted, " Little Demoness, you can't escape now! Hey! Who are you? How dare you interfere with our Qianjie Star... Hmm, it's you? It's you!"
Upon hearing this, Nashan flew into a rage and cursed viciously, "You dog! How dare you hurt Senior Hua! I'll chop you down!" He leaped out of the protective circle, a flash of silver light, and the Nether Thunder Sword transformed into a bolt of lightning, slashing down fiercely.
Li Qiang shouted, " Nashan, come back! You're no match for him..."
Nashan's Nether Thunder Sword is a very famous ancient sword with extraordinary power, but the opponent he encountered was simply too powerful.
The newcomer was also Li Qiang's old rival— Situ Yong, the Combat King of Qianjie Star, who also recognized Li Qiang.
Situ Yong was filled with doubt and apprehension. Ever since he witnessed Li Qiang's prowess in the Taling Barren Mountain, he had been filled with anxiety and had no confidence in dealing with Li Qiang. In a daze, he forced back Nashan's flying sword.
Hearing Li Qiang's shout, Nashan didn't have time to sheathe his sword. He clashed swords with Situ Yong and felt his whole body go numb. The violent energy surged and even caused the houses on the street to collapse.
Nashan was forced to retreat repeatedly by the shock, and the Nether Thunder Sword dimmed. Fortunately, Situ Yong's attention was focused on Li Qiang, otherwise he would have suffered a great loss.
Li Qiang said, " Nashan, Zhao Zhi, protect Elder Sister Hua well. Let me see if Situ Yong has improved over the years."
Situ Yong's insight was also extraordinary. He noticed that Li Qiang was very different from before, and for the first time in his life, he felt a sense of crisis.
Li Qiang's Heart of Slaughter began to stir again, and an unparalleled fighting spirit filled his heart. Situ Yong had dared to injure Hua Meiniang; Li Qiang would never forgive him.
He walked slowly forward, his frenzied killing intent surging towards Situ Yong like a monstrous wave.
Li Qiang said coldly, "Did you hurt my older sister?"
Situ Yong couldn't help but shudder, and the two cultivators beside him retreated hastily. The mortals watching from afar screamed and scattered in all directions, and some of the weaker ones had already fainted from the shock of the killing intent.
Situ Yong gritted his teeth and released his flying sword. His cultivation was very high, and he could barely withstand Li Qiang's killing intent. However, his forehead was covered with beads of sweat, and he was actually quite afraid.
Li Qiang retracted his War Soul Saber into his hand, and slowly raised it, a dazzling light emanating from his palm. He roared, " Situ Yong, take my blade!"
Li Qiang planned to test it with the power of the War Soul Saber's origin. Last time he used the power of illusion, and its power was too amazing. He dared not use it recklessly again. He felt confident in controlling it by using the origin of the War Soul Saber.
A flash of light appeared, and Li Qiang's hand was already raised. The War Soul Saber emitted a slight buzzing sound, like a vibrating harp string.
Situ Yong realized that he was completely unable to launch his flying sword. His whole body seemed to be frozen by the trembling sound. He wanted to scream in terror and despair, but only a squeaking sound came out of his throat, as terrifying as a nightmare.
Suddenly, Nashan shouted, "Senior Hua is awake..."
Li Qiang felt a wave of relief wash over him, and Situ Yong was finally free. Without hesitation, he shouted, "Go!" A flash of white light, and he and his two subordinates teleported away. He now fully understood that Li Qiang's strength was beyond his capabilities, and if he didn't seize this opportunity to escape, he would never be able to escape again.
Although Hua Meiniang had the Death-Averting Pill to heal her injuries and Li Qiang to help her circulate her internal energy, she was still unable to fully recover for a while because her injuries were too severe.
When she opened her eyes and saw Li Qiang, she exclaimed in surprise, "Fifth Brother, is that you?" She still remembered Li Qiang's joking remark from back then, and she had always called him that.
Li Qiang suddenly staggered back, supporting Hua Meiniang as he said, " Elder Sister Hua, it's me." This address of "Fifth Brother" filled him with mixed emotions. His eldest brother, Mo Huaiyuan, and his master had followed Gu Xing to Xinbo Cape, while his second brother, Fu Shan, and third brother, Hou Pijing, had already entered the Mahayana and their ascension was only a matter of time. Only his fourth sister, Hua Meiniang, was still diligently cultivating in this realm.
Li Qiang asked, " Elder Sister Hua, was it Situ Yong who made the move?"
Even injured, Hua Meiniang remained true to her Little Demoness nature, saying disdainfully, "Him? Hmph, if I hadn't been trapped in his formation, I wouldn't be afraid of him at all..."
A series of hurried footsteps sounded as squads of imperial guards from the capital surrounded them from all directions. There were also seven or eight cultivators of average cultivation level mixed in with the group, who were probably the retainers of the Gusong Kingdom's Attendant Hall.
Li Qiang whispered, " Nashan, tell them to retreat..."
Nashan excitedly launched his Nether Thunder Sword, ready to step forward, but Li Qiang shouted, " Nashan, who gave you permission to attack! Put your sword away and stand aside!"
Nashan touched his Baldy and smiled awkwardly, then obediently stood to the side.
Zhao Zhi said, "I'll do it."
There were five or six hundred imperial guards. An officer in armor, holding a waist knife, directed the guards to surround the four men.
Zhao Zhi said, "Who is the commander? Come here and speak."
The officer shouted, "Who are you? How dare you cause trouble in the capital?"
Zhao Zhi didn't waste any words with him, simply tossing him his first-class guard's gold badge and saying, "There's nothing serious here, you can leave."
The officer glanced at the gold medal and shuddered. He was an officer of the capital's Imperial Guard, so of course he recognized it. It was a special identification mark given by the palace to cultivators they hired, and it was different from the real palace guards.
He quickly and respectfully handed the gold medal back to Zhao Zhi, not daring to ask any further questions, and immediately ordered the troops to withdraw.
Li Qiang said, " Elder Sister Hua, let's talk outside the city." A golden light flashed, and he teleported the three of them outside the city.
The cold winter wind blew through the sparse, barren forest, the withered yellow grass swayed in the wind, and crows took flight, their cawing echoing across the empty wilderness.
A golden light flashed, Li Qiang landed on a bare rock with the three of them. He said, " Elder Sister Hua, you should heal your injuries first; we can't delay."
Hua Meiniang laughed, "Fifth Brother, you're amazing! I can't believe you're so powerful. Alright, I'll listen to you. I'll heal my injuries first." She was very reassured that Li Qiang would protect her. After sitting cross-legged, she immediately began to circulate her internal energy. Thanks to the miraculous effects of the Death-Averting Pill, healing her injuries was much easier for her.
Li Qiang was worried about Mei Jingjing and Qiao Yuhong, wondering if they had followed Hua Meiniang. He refrained from asking, knowing that now was not the time.
Nashan was pacing around when Li Qiang asked, " Nashan, you just took a direct hit from Situ Yong's sword, are you injured?"
Nashan shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Although I'm not injured, I know I can't beat him. This guy is very strong."
Li Qiang said, "From now on, run away as soon as you see him. Situ Yong is already a master of the Body Integration Realm. You are far inferior to him... It's strange how he cultivated to this level so quickly."
Nashan rubbed his Baldy, even Li Qiang couldn't figure it out, so he was even more confused. He laughed dismissively, "What's so great about it? I've seen plenty of experts in the Body Integration Realm, and they're not necessarily that great. In all my years on Sealed Fate Planet, I know of at least five Body Integration Realm experts who failed their tribulation and their spirits dissipated. There are even more who failed to secretly attempt their tribulation. Hmph, I'm afraid even Situ Yong have a hard time getting past that hurdle."
Zhao Zhi said, " Old Na, when that day comes, it might be the same for us. Tribulation is a terrifying thing."
Nashan sat on a rock, nonchalantly saying, "What's so scary? Back in the Black Prison, I thought I was going to die, but I'm still alive, aren't I? Hehe, I, Old Na, live one day at a time and don't care about the future."
Li Qiang said in surprise, "I didn't realize Nashan was so open-minded. Hmm, not bad, not bad." He knew in his heart that Nashan would have an easier time overcoming his tribulation than Zhao Zhi in the future, because the two had different views on life and death.
Hua Meiniang sat there for a whole day and night, and it wasn't until noon the next day that she finally finished her practice.
Seeing Li Qiang's concerned gaze, Hua Meiniang felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She thought to herself, "Brother Fu is gone. This brother is the only one left in this world who can be considered family. Seeing him is like seeing Brother Fu."
She slowly stood up and said, "Fifth brother, I'm completely healed. Ah, what a powerful formation! I almost couldn't escape."
Li Qiang asked, " Elder Sister Hua, how did you come to the capital of the Gusong Kingdom?"
Hua Meiniang smiled wryly, "I wanted to ask your third brother for help, but I didn't expect to run into you instead. Isn't your third brother at the Sacred King's Residence?"
Li Qiang secretly felt lucky. If he hadn't come looking for Hou Pijing, Hua Meiniang would have been in serious trouble. Hou Pijing had already left the capital, and Hua Meiniang couldn't find any help in the capital. If she had been captured by Situ Yong, the consequences would have been severe.
Li Qiang said, " Elder Sister Hua, Brother Hou has already left the capital. I haven't seen him either. Niuniu and Sister Hong alright?"
Hua Meiniang said, "Your two little sisters are both very good. They've been in seclusion recently, cultivating diligently, and will soon be going to Sealed Fate Planet to participate in the Grand Competition of Law Technique and Daoist Arts."
Nashan asked curiously, "Senior Hua, how did you end up fighting with Situ Yong?"
Hua Meiniang said angrily, "It's all because they're robbing people everywhere! Qianjie Star is in complete chaos. Situ Yong and Purple Immortal King's factions are constantly fighting, and both are relocating mortals. Purple Immortal King is a little better, but that bastard Situ Yong is robbing mortals everywhere. Many people have died at their hands. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I tried to cause trouble for him, but I ended up falling into his trap. Luckily, I realized it in time, or I wouldn't have been able to escape."
Li Qiang was secretly moved. In fact, whether one cultivates immortality or godhood, once one reaches a certain level, one will not care too much about worldly affairs. It is indeed not easy for a cultivation master like Hua Meiniang to still interfere in such matters.
Li Qiang said, "Since they dared to mess with Elder Sister Hua, fine, let's go to Qianjie Star and have some fun with them!"
Hua Meiniang clapped her hands and said, "Great! Fifth Brother is so straightforward, unlike your Brother Fu has so many worries. Hehe, let's go cause some trouble for Situ Yong."
Seeing her beaming smile, Li Qiang couldn't help but smile wryly. As expected of the Little Demoness of the Cultivation Realm, she had just recovered from such a serious injury, and she was already carelessly going to cause trouble again. It seemed that anyone who messed with her would really be in for a lot of trouble.
Li Qiang asked, " Elder Sister Hua, how do we get there?"
Nashan and Zhao Zhi were also eager to get started; the opportunity for real combat was something they had been looking forward to for a long time.
Hua Meiniang checked the direction and said, "Fifth Brother, lead us there; there should be a teleportation array ahead."
Li Qiang suddenly looked up at the sky and said calmly, "What's that?"
There appears to be a black dot in the far distance in the sky, which is almost invisible if you are not paying attention.
Nashan's skills weren't enough, so he observed carefully for a moment and laughed, "Boss, there's nothing in the sky. Are you seeing things?"
Hua Meiniang glanced at it; she recognized it. "It's the Shadow Castle of Qianjie Star. Hmph, Situ Yong must be up there. Fifth Brother, let's go!" She flew out first.
When Li Qiang was still a cultivator, he was captured by Situ Yong and teleported to Tanbang Star through Shadow Castle. However, he did not know that it was Shadow Castle, so he was very curious.
Possessing a mobile aerial fortress demonstrates that Qianjie Star's strength is indeed extraordinary.
Li Qiang now understands very well that such a fortress must be supported by a large array, which consumes a large amount of crystal energy, making it a luxury that ordinary cultivation sects cannot possess.
Although Nashan and Zhao Zhi could fly, they were too slow. Li Qiang grabbed one of their arms with each hand and caught up with Hua Meiniang in the blink of an eye.
Nashan yelled, "Wow, that's amazing speed! Uh, Old Zhao, sigh..."
Zhao Zhi turned his head and, channeling his inner energy, said, "Why are you sighing?"
Li Qiang laughed and said, "Hey, Zhao Zhi, don't you understand? After he learned to fly, he certainly didn't fly that fast, so he's probably just envious."
Hua Meiniang also laughed and said, "Fifth Brother, I don't know what you're cultivating either. I asked Brother Fu, but he wouldn't tell me. I guess you're not using Cultivation Realm methods, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't have progressed so quickly." After all, she was quite experienced and immediately guessed the crux of the matter.
Li Qiang didn't want to hide anything anymore, so he said, " Elder Sister Hua, I cultivate the Heavenly Recommendation Scripture for God Cultivation. I wonder if Elder Sister Hua has heard of it?"
Hua Meiniang was startled and said, "Impossible... I remember that's a cultivation Cultivation Method used by immortals. Ah... I remember now, you learned it when you were at the Sacred King's Residence... No wonder... Fifth Brother, you must be careful when cultivating. I've heard that this Cultivation Method is very strange."
Li Qiang nodded and said, "I also find it strange, hehe, but since we've started cultivating, it's nothing special, Elder Sister Hua, don't worry." As he spoke, the four of them had already approached Shadow Castle.
Shadow Castle was created by Old Man Baihuang with a great deal of effort and is renowned in the Cultivation Realm. Its core array was designed by the Loose Immortal Hen Buyi and has the characteristics of an immortal array. Thanks to the protection of Shadow Castle, Qianjie Star was able to fight against the cultivators of Sealed Fate Planet. Since Old Man Baihuang disappeared, Shadow Castle has been taken over by Situ Yong.
Because Situ Yong was not popular, not many cultivators followed him. Most of the cultivators on Qianjie Star followed Purple Immortal King, and only a small number followed him, most of whom were in Shadow Castle.
Situ Yong's purpose in plundering mortals was to cultivate a group of subordinates, but his methods were too cruel, which is why Hua Meiniang couldn't stand it and came to cause trouble.
Shadow Castle has three layers of invisible protection. When Li Qiang and his group touched the first layer, they alerted the Shadow Castle inside. Immediately, it was like a swarm of ants being disturbed, and a large group of cultivators flew out in dense numbers.
Li Qiang knew he couldn't go on a killing spree, but seeing so many cultivators pouring out, his killing intent involuntarily surged up again.
Hua Meiniang seemed to sense Li Qiang's murderous intent, and she reminded him, "Fifth Brother, your murderous aura is too strong. Tone it down a bit."
Li Qiang was slightly startled, and said with a wry smile, " Elder Sister Hua, I don't know why... lately, whenever I feel unhappy, I want to go on a killing spree. Sigh! I find it strange myself."
Nashan, being of a lower cultivation level, laughed and said, "Boss, go ahead and kill them. Who can stop you, hehe."
Hua Meiniang frowned slightly and said, "Fifth brother, I don't know what will happen if you cultivate to godhood, but I feel that the more uncontrollable your urges are, the more likely there is a problem. At times like these, you must not act on your intuition."
Li Qiang was startled and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, elder sister. I understand."
Hua Meiniang's reminder brought Li Qiang to his senses. He struggled to control his murderous intent and said, " Elder Sister Hua, you go and talk to her."
Hua Meiniang giggled, " Qianjie Star is very different now than when Bai Huang was around. They don't have many experts anymore. Hehe, watch me teach them a lesson." She put on her Peach Blossom Battle Armor, and countless petals suddenly appeared around her.
Li Qiang couldn't help but cheer, "Excellent! Elder Sister Hua's sword control techniques, especially her use of personification, are becoming increasingly sophisticated."
Nashan gave Zhao Zhi a quiet nudge and whispered with a chuckle, "Hey, even the boss knows how to flatter, huh? Hehe."
Amidst their laughter and conversation, the flying cultivators had already surrounded the four of them. Someone shouted, "It's the Little Demoness! She's brought three helpers!"
"Quickly inform the old prince, the demoness is here!" After a commotion, no one dared to make a move, but instead circled around the four people.
With a sharp cry, Hua Meiniang scattered peach petals around her with a piercing whistling sound, creating chaos in the air.
Hua Meiniang's skill was already very high. Ordinary Nascent Soul Realm cultivators were no match for her at all. Even experts who had reached the Leaving the Body Realm could not withstand her attacks, and those cultivators all scrambled to the side.
Nashan and Zhao Zhi, unable to contain their excitement, simultaneously launched their flying swords and joined the battle.
Li Qiang watched with a grin, but he had no intention of making a move for the time being.
Hua Meiniang was furious after being severely injured by Qianjie Star's formation, so she went all out in her attack, and many cultivators were immediately injured by her peach petals.
In a short while, the cultivators from Qianjie Star regained their senses and quickly formed several large sword formations. Hua Meiniang knew that continuing the fight would be pointless, so she laughed triumphantly and returned to Li Qiang's side with Nashan and Zhao Zhi, saying, "Fifth brother, it's your turn now, hehe, don't disappoint your sister!"
Li Qiang joked, "Oh dear, Elder Sister Hua is so unfair! You all cause trouble, and I have to clean it up... Uh, okay, okay, I'll do it."
Hua Meiniang wore a half-smile, and Li Qiang immediately surrendered. Everyone knew this Little Demoness was capable of trickery, especially since she was his beloved sister-in-law. He said, " Elder Sister Hua, protect them both."
Another group of people flew out of Shadow Castle, led by Situ Yong.
Situ Yong was furious. Although he had been intimidated by Li Qiang's War Soul Saber in the capital, he was still Qi Ingestion. He couldn't understand why this brat was so powerful.
He led a group of skilled fighters out to engage in a brawl, but they were beaten to a pulp right at his doorstep. He simply couldn't stand it.
Li Qiang went to meet him, summoning the Heaven-Pillaring Divine Armor and the War Soul Saber transforming into a golden light that surrounded him.
The cultivators in the air set up a large formation, a commonly used attack formation in the Cultivation Realm — the Thousand Assault Sword Formation, also known as the Sword Thunder Grand Formation. There were also four auxiliary defensive formations on the side, specifically designed to protect the space above, below, left, and right of the Thousand Assault Sword Formation. Although it was a simple formation, its power was extraordinary, and it was one of the methods to deal with super experts.
Situ Yong flew over aggressively, stopping about fifty meters away from Li Qiang. He not only donned his armor and used his flying sword, but also used a Law Treasure for protection.
He shouted, "Kid, let's see what you do this time!" He looked at Li Qiang with confidence. In fact, his biggest wish was to scare Li Qiang away, and he didn't really want to fight Li Qiang, because he knew how powerful this kid was.
Li Qiang didn't want to start a massacre. He had many concerns now and was far less free to do as he had when he was cultivating immortality. Cultivating divinity was different from cultivating immortality. In immortality, one could sometimes receive guidance from other experts, but in cultivating divinity, one had to rely entirely on one's own exploration.
Li Qiang hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered a move he had used in the Spirit Ghost Realm — Sound of Heavenly Melody.
This time, instead of using his Divine Yi Power to conjure strings out of thin air, he transformed the War Soul Saber into five seven-colored strings, raised his hand and gently plucked them. With a tinkling sound, Li Qiang secretly found it strange, as the sound was completely different from the gentle tone he had produced last time.
Li Qiang flicked his fingers repeatedly, producing a series of sounds. A murderous intent surged forth like a giant wave. Only then did he realize that the melody was entirely related to his cultivation level.
Bobo tremors struck as if it were real. Situ Yong felt a jolt throughout his body, and his vision blurred with stars. He retreated rapidly, shouting, "Retreat! Retreat...!"
Li Qiang was immersed in the Sound of Heavenly Melody melody, and beams of colorful light emanated from the strings. He was completely intoxicated by the realm of slaughter.
Because Hua Meiniang and the other two were hovering behind Li Qiang, they were only slightly affected. Hua Meiniang was able to remain calm, but Nashan and Zhao Zhi seemed to be struggling.
Hua Meiniang protected the two of them with all her might, muttering under her breath, "What kind of crap is this brat using? How is he so powerful?"
The cultivators of Qianjie Star were not so lucky. The Thousand Assault Sword Formation was scattered by the sound waves, and the four auxiliary formations could not stabilize themselves. In an instant, almost all the cultivators who were confronting them were severely injured. They could not even retreat, let alone attack Li Qiang.
Situ Yong roared in fury, his enormous roar waking all the cultivators. However, with the fluctuations of the Sound of Heavenly Melody, they could neither escape nor resist.
An attack launched by a divine artifact is something that ordinary cultivators cannot withstand. If Li Qiang is allowed to finish playing the Sound of Heavenly Melody, not many of these cultivators will survive.
Hua Meiniang gradually sensed something was wrong. The music Li Qiang was playing was becoming increasingly murderous, seemingly spiraling out of control. She called out in a delicate voice, "Fifth Brother, stop!"
But Li Qiang couldn't hear her shouts at all; he was completely absorbed in the Sound of Heavenly Melody melody.
The power of the Heart of Slaughter realm has begun to manifest.