Chapter 361: It

Bi Yun was stunned.

A Golden Core passage?

How is there another Golden Core passage?

She turned her head and looked at Qiao Huizhu.

Qiao Huizhu looked just as bewildered.

She didn't know about He Pingsheng's Golden Core passage either.

This was her first time seeing it today.

At the entrance of Bi Yun Palace, there had been dozens of disciples moments ago, but now not a sound could be heard.

Stunned… stunned…

But what was even more stunning was Wuqiong across from He Pingsheng.

What the hell—now that he's achieved a Golden Core passage, what's the point of fighting?

After achieving a Golden Core passage, one can harness the laws of heaven and earth; the power of attack and defense is nothing like that of a regular Golden Core cultivator.

That's also why He Pingsheng, before, was able to block eighty percent of Jingxin's attacks with just a fire-based shield.

"Comrade Wuwei…" He Pingsheng calmly pulled out a fourth-rank talisman and said, "You were right just now—Golden Core duels are grand and violent; deaths are inevitable."

Yes, those were Wuwei's own words.

Wuwei had intended them as a preemptive disclaimer.

He planned to use them later to excuse himself if he killed He Pingsheng.

After all, I already said Golden Core duels are violent—death is just part of it.

What did you expect, being so weak?

That way, even if you kill your opponent, you have an excuse.

But he never imagined this disclaimer would land squarely on his own head.

"Huh…" Wuqiong took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his spirit, then looked at the fourth-rank talisman in He Pingsheng's hand and asked, "We're fellow disciples—why are you using a talisman? Are you trying to win by external means?"

He suddenly seized on a "weakness" of He Pingsheng's and tried to exploit it.

But He Pingsheng gave him no chance, and said calmly, "Let me correct you: first, I am not your fellow disciple!"

"Second, this talisman in my hand has no offensive power—it's merely a fourth-rank teleportation talisman…"

"It can instantly transport someone a million li away!"

When He Pingsheng said this, everyone was stunned.

Why did you pull out this fourth-rank talisman?

"What do you mean?" Wuqiong felt his mind was failing: "Are you planning to flee when you can't beat me?"

"No!"

He Pingsheng's face turned utterly serious as he shook his head and said, "You're wrong… Your Xiaoyao Immortal Sect has many Nascent Soul elders—I can't possibly offend them!"

"After I kill you, I'll use this talisman to vanish instantly!"

"No one will ever find my trail!"

Wuqiong nearly threw up.

He now truly believed He Pingsheng could kill him with a single gesture.

He wasn't a fool—he knew the strength of a Golden Core passage cultivator.

But now he was trapped.

If he fought, he'd likely be obliterated in one blow.

If he didn't fight and retreated in shame, he'd save his life—but his reputation would be ruined forever.

Worse, he'd lose all chance with Qiao Huizhu.

It might even damage his Dao heart.

What should he do?

Retreat or not?

Wuqiong hesitated, unable to decide in such a short time.

Inside, He Pingsheng smiled inwardly. He raised a hand and released his wood-elemental power; thunder crackled loudly.

On each of his palms, a massive silver lightning bolt erupted.

He Pingsheng stood in midair, gripping heavenly thunder, appearing like a god descending from heaven.

From those two lightning bolts came a suffocating aura of death.

Wuqiong trembled in terror, yet still couldn't utter the words "I surrender."

Bi Yun grew anxious and said, "He Pingsheng… show mercy…"

She had to plead.

If she didn't, He Pingsheng would kill Wuqiong in one strike—and what then?

Wuqiong was, after all, the senior disciple of Yushu Peak and the hope of the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect—a genius of the Five-Nine Tribulation.

But He Pingsheng replied, "Senior Bi Yun, even a lion uses full strength against a rabbit—I dare not be careless…"

Boom…

More wood-elemental spiritual energy, mixed with the laws of nature, surged from his body.

The two heavenly thunderbolts continued to expand.

The next moment, He Pingsheng suddenly raised his hand.

Wuqiong, unable to bear the crushing pressure any longer, screamed, "I surrender! I surrender! Stop!"

He Pingsheng smiled.

His goal had been achieved.

Kill him?

Defeat him?

That would be too crude.

Not fitting for this scene.

First, this is the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, and Wuqiong is their genius disciple—if I killed him, trouble would follow.

He Pingsheng wasn't afraid of trouble—but what about his wife, Qiao Huizhu?

Defeat him?

Defeating him might solve the immediate problem—but what about future challenges?

What if this bastard thinks he's strong again and comes back to challenge me?

Would it ever end?

So, scaring him into surrendering was best.

He simply won't dare fight again.

This time, by refusing to fight, he'll lose his reputation—and he'll never challenge anyone again.

This psychological trauma will haunt him for life.

"Boom…"

He Pingsheng waved his hand, and the two heavenly thunderbolts shot out, striking a distant, abandoned peak.

Countless boulders shattered into dust; clouds of smoke rose.

Two deep craters formed on the barren summit.

Everyone stared in shock.

Even Bi Yun drew a sharp breath and said, "Not just Wuqiong—even I couldn't survive that blow!"

After Bi Yun spoke, all disciples believed her without doubt.

Wuqiong collapsed onto Bi Yun Peak like a hollowed-out shell, his body drained.

He Pingsheng teleported instantly back to Qiao Huizhu's side.

At that moment, a tall old man suddenly appeared at the entrance of Bi Yun Palace.

"Senior brother…" Bi Yun bowed immediately upon seeing him.

"Hmph…" Guanglong Daoist snorted, then fixed his gaze on He Pingsheng and said, "You little brat, what a cruel heart you have!"

He Pingsheng said, "Why do you say that?"

"Do you expect me to kill him?"

"I think you should thank me—if I were the kind to kill indiscriminately, your disciple would already be headless!"

Guanglong said, "You're awfully bold!"

He Pingsheng replied, "It's not me who's bold—it's your disciple!"

"He chose the wrong opponent!"

Guanglong said, "Why not defeat him on the battlefield?"

He Pingsheng smiled: "I think it's better not to harm harmony."

"If I've done anything wrong, I apologize—I hope you, as an elder, will forgive this young disciple!"

He Pingsheng spoke with the softest words, in the coldest tone, with the most arrogant posture.

This attitude nearly made Guanglong explode—but he had no grounds to lash out.

After all, the boy was speaking with perfect respect!

And truthfully, he was right.

She held back and didn't truly kill his disciple.

Guanglong had no way to retaliate.

He was furious… utterly furious…