"It's said that today, another cultivator has obtained a second-stage demon core..."

Xu Zhixuan suddenly changed the topic: "I also slew several second-stage demon beasts. It's a pity..."

Xu Ping was just about to comfort him, after all, second-stage demon beasts that can nurture demon cores are quite rare, even second-stage middle grade demon beasts may not have them.

Then he heard Xu Zhixuan change his tone, smugly saying, "It's a pity that only today did I manage to luckily acquire one."

Xu Ping was speechless in his heart.

What can he say, Xu Zhixuan rarely took a day off and came to him, only to show off.

However, obtaining a demon core this time is indeed a big windfall for him.

It should at least be worth several thousand spirit stones.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!" Xu Ping also congratulated him.

"Just lucky!" Xu Zhixuan laughed heartily.

After a few more casual words, Xu Zhixuan took his leave.

...

In the days that followed.

Xu Ping returned to his daily alchemy and cultivation.

However, the situation in the Immortal City gradually became tense, as three third-rank demon kings were entangled by Qiu Xuan Patriarch and Zihuan Master, unable to approach the third-rank array.

Yet recently, more than a dozen Earth-shaking Turtles suddenly appeared from somewhere.

This kind of demon beast could shake the terrain and posed a significant threat to the mountain-protecting array that uses the spirit vein as its source.

Although these dozen or so weren't enough to threaten the third-rank array, they could weaken it to some extent, and with the countless demon beasts attacking, they increased the pressure on the city's cultivators.

The city's cultivators also tried to behead them.

However, these Earth-shaking Turtles had strong defenses and were exceptionally slippery, burrowing into the ground and fleeing at the slightest sign of trouble.

It was truly infuriating.

"If the situation continues to be so tense, I'm afraid I will have to join the battlefield." Seeing the horrific battlefield through the Rat Demon, Xu Ping couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This beast tide is so fierce, one wonders if Qiu Xuan Immortal City can withstand it!

When night finally fell, and the demon beasts' attack subsided considerably, Xu Ping manipulated the Rat Demon to return.

To avoid being detected, he chose secluded paths, avoiding crowds.

Sneaking to a remote place.

Through the Rat Demon, Xu Ping spotted a suspicious silhouette dodging the crowd, heading towards the outer city.

"Is that... Jiang Tian?"

Recognizing the figure, Xu Ping was momentarily stunned, then furrowed his brows deeply, "What is he planning to do?"

Over the years, although Jiang Tian had been honest in Qiu Xuan Mountain, Xu Ping had not forgotten that he had gone through great lengths to infiltrate it, which could not have been for a simple reason.

Now that the beast tide had arrived, and he was acting so furtively, he probably wasn't up to anything good.

Considering this, Xu Ping controlled the Rat Demon to follow from afar.

After winding through several turns, Jiang Tian entered a deserted alley, changed his appearance, and quietly made his way to a house covered in an array in the outer city.

"What is this array?"

Xu Ping frowned, through the Rat Demon's sight, intently watching the gleaming array.

Although it was only a first-rank upper grade array, this was but a disguise.

Within the first-rank upper grade array, there was also a second-rank array laid out.

Despite Xu Ping's knowledge of arrays, he still couldn't determine what array it was.

Therefore, he didn't dare to rashly let the Rat Demon enter and could only wait quietly outside.

Jiang Tian didn't stay there long, only about half a cup of tea's time, before he left alone and returned to Qiu Xuan Mountain.

"What did he do in that room?"

"An acquaintance? Or an accomplice?"

Xu Ping pondered deeply, continuously thinking.

Unfortunately, there were too few clues, and he couldn't deduce anything.

Yet a sense of unease lingered in his heart, as if Jiang Tian was plotting something.

If it were before, it wouldn't be an issue, even if the other party was plotting something big, he was confident in escaping.

But now with the beast tide attacking, the situation was entirely different; any carelessness could lead to death.

"It seems I have to keep an eye on not only the beast tide but also Jiang Tian and that house." Xu Ping thought to himself.

"The beast tide, Jiang Tian, the exterminated Li Clan, and finally... the solitary man from Yellow Dragon Mountain Range!"

Xu Ping whispered, his mind in chaos, realizing that despite his current cultivation and combat strength, he felt no sense of safety.

"Alas."

In the end, he could only let out a long sigh, looking helpless, "I wonder if deciding to join Qiu Xuan Mountain was the right choice back then."

...

In the days that followed.

Xu Ping kept a close watch on Jiang Tian's movements and the comings and goings from that house.

However, to his disappointment, Jiang Tian seemed exceptionally well-behaved, and that house appeared deserted with no activity.

Worse still, the beast tide's situation became increasingly tense, with defense forces stretched thin.

His prediction turned true, as Qiu Xuan Mountain ordered him to the battlefield.

"Recently, the situation has been tense, and there's a shortage of defense forces in the Immortal City. Fellow Daoist Xu, we need you to help out," Hongyi said.

"As a member of Qiu Xuan Mountain, I naturally cannot refuse," Xu Ping had no reason to decline.

Not only him, but even other Pill Masters had to join the battlefield, with the city almost forcibly requiring Qi cultivators above the late stage to take positions on the walls to combat the demon beasts.

"Fellow Daoist, don't worry too much. I know you broke through to Foundation Establishment only a few years ago, so we've arranged for you to guard the less pressured south gate," Hongyi reassured.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Hong, for thinking of me." Xu Ping cupped his hands in gratitude.

He felt slightly relieved, as the south gate was at the rear of Qiu Xuan Immortal City, sparing him from facing third-rank demon kings directly. As long as there were no third-rank demon kings and there was a third-rank array protecting him, with his current strength, he should be able to ensure his own safety.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, being a member of Qiu Xuan Mountain and a Pill Master, I naturally have to consider your needs," Hongyi smiled.

...

With the Immortal City in dire need of manpower, Xu Ping was notified to guard the south gate in the morning and stationed there in the afternoon.

On the city wall, countless Qi cultivators formed ten large groups, under the coordinated command of a Qiu Xuan Mountain disciple, using long-range attack magic against the demon beasts below the city.

One Qi cultivating magic was not much, but hundreds or thousands gathered together could unleash tremendous destructive power.

Bang!

Countless demon beasts were instantaneously turned to ash under the barrage of magic.

Meanwhile, Foundation Establishment cultivators fought independently, constantly using large-scale attack magic, killing large swaths of demon beasts with each strike.

"It seems Qiu Xuan Mountain has ample experience dealing with beast tides," Xu Ping thought, nodding to himself.

His gaze continuously scanned the Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the south gate.

Suddenly, his eyes focused, and his expression changed slightly.

Among the many Foundation Establishment cultivators at the south gate, he actually saw a person he least wanted to encounter—Jiang Tian.

"Trouble, why is he here too?" Xu Ping's heart sank.

With him here, the south gate might be more dangerous than other places. Who knows what kind of trouble he might stir up?

"Come here, Fellow Daoist Xu," Xu Zhixuan waved to Xu Ping, who was also stationed at the south gate.

"Fellow Daoist Xu," Xu Ping cupped his hands.

"As you're new here, you should stick with me; with the third-rank array protecting us, these demon beasts pose no threat," Xu Zhixuan said.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu," Xu Ping expressed his gratitude.

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