Chapter 138: Strong Late Stage

"Huh…"

He Pingsheng, riding on the paper crane, finally exhaled in relief.

Because he saw a mountain peak.

A particularly tall mountain peak.

This was a landmark peak—arriving here meant he was close to Grand Void Gate.

If he continued riding the paper crane, he could reach Grand Void Gate in less than half an hour.

"I'm screwed…"

He Pingsheng glanced down at Hou Muling lying beside him, extended a hand slightly, and a surge of wood spiritual energy shot out, forming a venomous spike.

With a hiss, the spike pierced Hou Muling's thigh.

At this critical moment, he couldn't let this girl wake up.

What if she attacked me?

Better add some more poison.

Of course, He Pingsheng now controlled poison with great precision—he wouldn't kill Hou Muling.

He only wanted to paralyze her.

At that moment, He Pingsheng suddenly turned his head.

He saw a streak of light shoot from the summit of the mountain to his left front.

"What is this…"

He shuddered, squinting to see clearly.

The light had started slow, but after a single breath, it suddenly accelerated toward He Pingsheng.

Though far away, He Pingsheng was certain: it was sword light.

Someone was flying on a sword—and heading straight for him.

Fuck…

No way!

Are these damn disciples of the Beast Taming Sect lying in wait at Grand Void Gate's very doorstep to ambush me?

No no no… descend immediately.

He Pingsheng didn't think twice—his first move was to slow the paper crane and dive toward the forest below.

He had to land.

Otherwise, if struck by a sword light, he'd crash to the ground dazed and broken, just like Changping Daoist.

Within three breaths, his paper crane plunged into the trees.

Meanwhile, the flying sword had closed to just a few hundred zhang away.

"Cut…"

A clear female voice rang out.

Then, a point of sword light exploded in the air where the woman stood, surging forward with overwhelming force.

He Pingsheng had no time to defend—he could only take a deep breath.

"Go…"

He deliberately leapt off the paper crane, shoving it forward as he did.

The paper crane, carrying the unconscious Hou Muling, glided further ahead.

At that instant, the sword light struck his back with a thunderous crash.

Fortunately, he wasn't injured.

Because he feared ambush, he had kept his 【Golden Body Talisman】 active ever since his fight with Changping Daoist.

He never deactivated it.

But what shocked He Pingsheng was that this single sword strike had already drained a quarter of the talisman's defensive power.

That meant three more strikes, and his Golden Body Talisman would shatter.

Boom…

At that moment, Feng Daogu landed with a thud three zhang before He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng's face immediately twisted in despair: Shit shit shit—why is this old woman here?

Damn it, during interrogation, this woman wanted me dead.

Now she's blocked my path—I'm probably done for today.

"Feng… Feng Shishu… what's going on?"

"Hehehe… I'm He Pingsheng!"

"You…"

He Pingsheng forced a groveling smile, one so awkward it was painful.

Feng Daogu's lips curled in a sneer; she said nothing, raised her hand, and slashed out another sword qi.

Boom…

The defensive energy around He Pingsheng's body was further eroded.

Two more.

Two more, and it's over.

"Feng Shishu, stop!" He Pingsheng panicked: "We have no grudge against each other!"

As he spoke to Feng Daogu, he secretly used his spiritual sense to reach into his storage pouch.

But Feng Daogu gave him no chance.

Boom…

Boom…

Two more sword strikes.

After these two, the Golden Body Talisman's defensive barrier around He Pingsheng collapsed entirely.

Changping Daoist had fought for ages without breaking the shield—but Feng Daogu shattered it in four strikes.

Right now, one more strike from her, and He Pingsheng would be dead.

Because he had never drawn any offensive talisman.

Her speed was too fast.

Hum…

The sword tip, humming with clarity, pressed against He Pingsheng's forehead.

Feng Daogu finally spoke: "Not bad—you've got a top-grade second-rank defensive talisman!"

"You've got quite a few secrets on you!"

"Speak!"

"How did you kill my brother?"

"Brother?" He Pingsheng froze, mouth agape.

Feng Daogu said: "I forgot to tell you—Yude was his Dao name; his secular surname was Feng…"

Fuck…

He Pingsheng's face turned black.

"Don't tell me you didn't kill him!" Feng Daogu said: "That second-rank top-grade defensive talisman—you couldn't afford it in eight lifetimes. You must've killed my brother and sold his belongings to buy it, right?"

"Don't even think about it—you're dying today!"

"But if you tell me exactly how you murdered my brother, I'll only torment you for one day!"

"Otherwise!" Feng Daogu's lips curled into a faint smile: "I'll slice you into pieces—one by one—and keep you alive for at least seven days!"

Clang…

As she spoke, Feng Daogu applied slight pressure, driving her longsword toward He Pingsheng's shoulder.

Her intent was simple: give him a warning.

Pierce his shoulder first—let him see how ruthless I am.

But!

Something astonishing happened.

The sword tip pierced He Pingsheng's robe—but did not break his skin.

Because He Pingsheng was a body cultivator.

And his 【Nine Poison Golden Body】 cultivation had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining.

So this half-hearted strike was blocked by his skin alone.

And He Pingsheng took advantage of the thrust to let out a loud "Ahh!" and rolled sideways.

As if he'd been knocked over by Feng Daogu's blow.

In truth, he used the roll to pull a gleaming little bell from his invisible storage pouch.

His internal magic power surged into it instantly; his right hand flicked.

The palm-sized bell expanded with a boom to a foot wide, its mouth aimed squarely at Feng Daogu.

Feng Daogu saw everything—but still smiled, utterly unconcerned.

To her, it was merely a top-grade spiritual artifact.

Even if it bore eight seals, what power could a mere Qi Refining cultivator possibly unleash?

Better to make you despair.

When…

He Pingsheng suddenly slammed his hand against the Golden Bell.

His magic power surged violently out, flooding into the Golden Bell.

Boom…

Suddenly, a wave of sound blasted forth from the bell's mouth toward Feng Daogu.

Feng Daogu had clearly anticipated this—she waved her hand and summoned a round, silvery shield.

The silver shield expanded to three zhang in diameter, guarding her front.

A smug smile appeared on her face: Boy, let me show you the defensive power of a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator.