"When are you leaving, Fellow Daoist?" Chen Li inquired.

"Immediately, to avoid unnecessary complications," Xu Ping answered.

"It's a pity that you've been at my clan's land for so long, Fellow Daoist Xu, and we haven't had a chance to properly host you. After the beast tide passes, we'll definitely have a proper welcoming," Chen Li said with a smile.

"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist. I've been here for so long, I hope I haven't been a bother," Xu Ping humbly responded with clasped hands.

"No need for such courtesy between us," Chen Li laughed.

"Indeed, then I shall take my leave."

"Take care."

As Chen Li and the members of the Chen clan watched, Xu Ping and several Qi Cultivation disciples from Qiu Xuan Mountain boarded the flying boat, heading north.

...

...

Several days later.

The sun shone brightly, the sky was washed clear, its brilliance entrancing to behold.

A spiritual boat sliced through the low clouds, leaving ripples in the sky.

At the stern of the spiritual boat, Xu Ping sat cross-legged, eyes closed, resting his mind, while several disciples from Qiu Xuan Mountain continued to skillfully maneuver the spiritual boat at the front.

"Demon beasts are becoming more numerous. We've encountered several waves in the past few days. Fortunately, we haven't come across any Second-stage Demon Beasts, or else we might have perished," one person remarked nervously, still shaken from a recent demon beast attack.

Suddenly!

Chirping... Chirping...

A cacophony of bird calls reached everyone's ears. Xu Ping abruptly opened his eyes, looking in the direction of the sound.

A dense swarm of flying demon beasts could be seen flapping their wings in the distance, emitting piercing cries.

"Elder Xu!" the Qi Cultivation disciples' faces instantly turned pale.

Encountering so many flying demon beasts, Xu Ping's survival was uncertain, but they definitely wouldn't survive.

"Step aside, I'll take control of the spiritual boat," Xu Ping said, his expression darkening.

These were all First Rank demon beasts, not a threat to him, but once entangled, they could become troublesome. Who knows what other beasts might be drawn in if delayed too long?

If the spiritual boat couldn't outrun them, he would have to abandon these juniors and escape on his own.

As Xu Ping considered whether to abandon them, ten or so spiritual boats suddenly emerged, charging at the flying demon beasts.

The cultivators on the boats attacked in unison, casting various magical artifacts at the flying beasts, especially the two Foundation Establishment cultivators; they mercilessly slaughtered a large area of beasts after joining the fray.

Amid the chaos, the screeching cries of various demon beasts echoed nonstop.

In no time, all the flying demon beasts were exterminated.

"What's this?"

Xu Ping was bewildered, suspecting these people were not from Qiu Xuan Mountain.

"Could they be cultivators from other sects?" he speculated internally.

The cultivators, having dispensed with the flying demon beasts, noticed Xu Ping's spiritual boat and approached them.

"They should be allies, not foes," Xu Ping thought to himself.

Being so close to Qiu Xuan Immortal City, a large-scale team of cultivators here was likely dispatched by the city to eliminate nearby demon beasts.

So he waited quietly in place.

As the spiritual boats drew nearer, Xu Ping spotted a familiar face on one of them he hadn't seen for some time—Zhang Changqing.

Now, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"How can it be him?" Xu Ping's heart tightened as he discreetly operated the Bone Shaping Skill to conceal his aura.

Though Zhang Changqing had never seen his true face, he wasn't a simple character; even the slightest clue could spell disaster.

"Who are you, Fellow Daoist? Why are you near the Immortal City?" Zhang Changqing stood at the ship's bow emblazoned with a tiger's head design, shouting out to them from a safe distance.

"I am Xu Ping, Guest Minister of Qiu Xuan Mountain, returning after completing a mission," Xu Ping responded loudly.

On hearing that, Zhang Changqing's expression softened, "What evidence do you have?"

"Here is my Identity Jade," Xu Ping extracted a jade token from his storage pouch and flicked it towards Zhang Changqing.

Zhang Changqing caught it with Mana, examining it closely before nodding, "It is indeed the identity token of a Guest Minister from Qiu Xuan Mountain."

"Just fulfilling my duty, I hope Fellow Daoist Xu can understand," Zhang Changqing and the other Foundation Establishment cultivator flew over using their Escape Light, returned the token, and clasped their hands in courtesy.

"Fellow Daoist's diligence is indeed a blessing for Qiu Xuan Mountain," Xu Ping accepted the token with a smile, feeling relieved inside.

It appeared they hadn't recognized him.

"May I know who you two fellow Daoists are?" Xu Ping inquired, clasping his hands.

"I am Zhang Changqing from the Longevity Sect."

"I am Lu Yanfeng from the Purple Cloud Sect."

The two introduced themselves.

"Fellow Daoists Zhang and Lu, I must return to Qiu Xuan Mountain to report, so I'll take my leave," Xu Ping clasped his hands.

"Safe travels, Fellow Daoist; most nearby demon beasts have been cleared by us," Zhang Changqing said.

"Thank you," Xu Ping expressed his gratitude before instructing the disciples from Qiu Xuan Mountain to set off again.

...

The spiritual boat gradually flew into the distance, becoming a tiny black dot before completely disappearing at the horizon.

"What a coincidence to encounter Zhang Changqing here, he seems to be sent as reinforcements by the Longevity Sect," Xu Ping gazed into the distance, his mind gradually calming.

"But he should still be a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator, so why would the Longevity Sect send him?" Xu Ping wondered internally.

Anyone who advanced within the last twenty years was considered newly advanced in the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Never mind, it's their business anyway, but having such a familiar face around Qiu Xuan Mountain means I must be careful not to reveal myself," Xu Ping thought to himself.

Meanwhile.

Since Xu Ping left, Zhang Changqing's brow slightly furrowed, as if he were contemplating something.

"Is there an issue with that person's identity, Fellow Daoist Zhang?" Seeing his expression, Lu Yanfeng inquired.

"No, I'm just wondering when this beast tide will finally break out," Zhang Changqing relaxed his brows and smiled.

"Soon, judging by the intense aura of demon beasts in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, it could be a matter of months," Lu Yanfeng replied.

"Fellow Daoist seems quite experienced," Zhang Changqing chuckled.

"It's just some useless experience,"

Lu Yanfeng waved his hand, "We ought to clear out the remaining nearby demon beasts, so when the beast tide breaks out, the pressure will be lesser."

"Alright," Zhang Changqing nodded in agreement.

...

...

Several days later.

At the top of Qiu Xuan Mountain, inside a grand hall.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is finally back safely," Hongyi said with a smile.

As other sects had arrived, his burden seemed lighter, and his complexion improved.

"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Hong. I am well," Xu Ping replied with clasped hands.

After they exchanged pleasantries, Hongyi got to the main topic:

"The beast tide will break out within a few months; initially, Fellow Daoist Xu won't need to be on the battlefield. You can focus on refining pills in the rear. However, if the situation becomes dire, your assistance will still be required."

"As a member of Qiu Xuan Mountain, I am obligated to serve," Xu Ping earnestly replied.

Following that, Hongyi inquired about the matter of the Li clan's extermination.

While Xu Ping had reported via long-distance Sound Transmission Talisman, the details were unclear.

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