"How can there be so many?"
Qi Ping knew that Foundation Establishment families might produce such horrors, as he had encountered dozens or hundreds of blood foods in the smaller Qi Refinement factions he had previously destroyed. But three thousand was beyond his imagination!
The Qi Family snatched so many people, yet the Qingyuan Sect did nothing? Did they not worry about destroying their own foundation, leaving the sect with no new blood? Furthermore, the continuous slaughter of these infants—who possessed unique gifts from heaven and earth—to be eaten as blood food by mysterious beings... surely this would have an impact on the world itself?
In a normal cycle, one is born with providence and returns it to the world upon death. But if these gifts were being devoured and plundered by mysterious entities, the cycle was being broken. Qi Ping suspected that the decline of the cultivation world might be linked to the mass harvesting of talented children. When providence was stolen and not returned to the world, the world itself would suffer.
Regardless of the cosmic truth, a killing intent rose in Qi Ping's heart. He didn't suppress it; he let it rage. He might prefer safety and avoid conflict, but that didn't mean he was a coward.
When he lacked strength, he had no choice but to protect himself. But now, since this clone was destined to detonate anyway, it didn't matter.
"The killing intent has risen... then let the slaughter begin!"
For Qi Ping, this was also a way to temper his Dao heart.
The next moment, he no longer hid his presence. He condensed a massive fireball and slammed it into the weakest point of the Qi Family's array. With a terrifying explosion and the crisp sound of shattering, the second-grade array the Qi Family was so proud of collapsed!
This thunderous commotion naturally alerted everyone. The rogue cultivators outside the estate watched in shock as a blood-red figure shattered the family's defense with a single strike.
"Who is that blood-red figure? How dare he attack the Qi Family?"
"The Qi Family is the hegemon of Linshui County, and they are favored by the Qingyuan Sect. Has this person lost his mind?"
"That cultivator's aura is so wicked and violent!"
However, the most shocked were the members of the Qi Family. They never imagined someone would dare attack them! Even the Qingyuan Sect wouldn't suppress them as long as they didn't provoke the sect first! Especially since a Celestial Envoy had recently informed them that a deal had been reached with the Qingyuan Sect; they were told to collect infants for blood food without restraint.
Whatever the means, they had to meet the quota for the Celestial Lord! Against such a background, who would dare touch them?
"Who goes there? How dare you attack the Qi Family!" a Qi Family Foundation Establishment cultivator roared as he flew out from the processing area.
A second Foundation Establishment figure followed from a secluded cultivation chamber.
"Who are you, sir? By attacking us, do you realize there is no place for you under heaven or on earth?"
The two elders glared at Qi Ping, demanding an explanation. One of them looked at him as if he were already a corpse. Being at the same early stage, they felt no fear facing him two-on-one, despite his display of power against the array.
Qi Ping had no interest in answering. His gaze swept over them coldly before he blurred, appearing instantly at the blood food processing site.
Looking at the rows of infant blood foods radiating a bizarre crimson aura—a literal hell on earth—he gained a deeper understanding of the darkness in this world. There were even several Qi Family disciples currently slaughtering children with practiced ease.
With a sweep of his hand, Qi Ping unleashed streaks of golden sword qi, instantly slaying the disciples. Unfortunately, the children they were processing were already beyond saving.
The two Qi Family elders rushed in, faces dark with rage. But before they could speak, Qi Ping released a thousand Earth-Armor Bees from his spirit beast bag.
He spoke only eight words, his voice freezing:
"Kill them all. Leave none alive."
Those cold words, combined with the swarm of a thousand second-grade bees, turned the elders' rage into sheer terror. Cold sweat poured down their faces.
"You're that bee-controlling cultivator!" one of them shrieked in fear.
Qi Ping didn't bother to reply. He charged forward with the Earth-Armor Bee swarm.
Explosive Flame Movement!
Flame Fist!
In an instant, a terrifying battle erupted! It was accompanied by the desperate screams of Qi Family disciples being slaughtered by the swarm!
As the violent shocks and screams filled the air, the rogue cultivators outside were utterly paralyzed with shock. This was the Qi Family! The family appointed by the Qingyuan Sect to manage Linshui County! Many of them were only there to handle lease agreements, yet they were witnessing a Foundation-level extermination!
They watched the second-grade bee swarm with wide, terrified eyes. Every move the swarm made claimed another life. The battle didn't last long. Shortly after it began, the wicked, blood-red figure walked out, carrying the severed heads of the two Qi Family elders.
The Qi Family's Foundation Establishment ancestors were dead!
"Those heads... are they the ancestors of the Qi Family?"
"The Qi Family... has been wiped out?"
The rogue cultivators felt a tidal wave of shock. It was hard to imagine that a giant in their eyes could be erased so quickly. Only after the blood-red figure vanished did they snap out of it and cautiously approach the estate.
The scene inside—rivers of blood and not a single soul left alive—was laid bare!
Not long after Qi Ping left, in a certain mysterious location.
A majestic figure was enjoying a cup of crimson liquid. He was in a fantastic mood. Since the deal with the Qingyuan Sect, the production of blood food had been incredibly fast. At this rate, he would not only meet the quota but exceed it. The Celestial Lord's reward was within his grasp.
However, the next moment, a report from a servant made him crush the cup in his hand in a fit of uncontrollable rage. The liquid he loved so much splashed across the floor.
"Reporting to the Celestial Envoy... news has just arrived. The bee-controlling cultivator we were tracking has reappeared. He has exterminated the Qi Family in Linshui County and destroyed over three thousand blood foods..."
"What? What did you say? Three thousand blood foods... destroyed?" the man shrieked at the servant, his voice filled with a piercing, murderous fury.
On the other side, Qi Ping had hidden his presence and was traveling at top speed. He had only one goal:
"Next target: the Gusu Clan!"