Gu Pinglin came back in less than half an hour. Duan Qingming sat at the table, chatting harmoniously with Zhang Lian and others. The disciples of Liudao Sect surrounded him and called him "senior brother" affectionately. They probably also told him the purpose of their trip. Zhang Lian even came close to him, showing a charming smile from time to time.
Gu Pinglin did not say anything when he saw this.
They already regarded Duan Qingming as a friend, but Duan Qingming didn't care about them at all. The lonely madman disguised himself as a normal person, and others were unaware of the danger. He knew Zhang Lian's admiration for him, but if one day he thought that the death of Zhang Lian and others would bring pleasure, he would let them die without hesitation.
Of course, no matter who he wants to harm, I can’t save him.
There were many people coming to the Liudao Gate this time, and the things they wanted to buy were probably quite expensive. Gu Pinglin watched them carefully, and seeing that they were talking happily, he did not interrupt them. He booked a room at the counter, asked the waiter to inform Duan Qingming, and then went to his room to rest.
As night fell, the door was pushed open.
Duan Qingming walked into the room, closed the door, and performed a water purification technique. It seemed that he did not continue with the dangerous attempt. His injuries had improved significantly and he could use a small amount of true energy.
This is good news, and it gives us more confidence for what happens next.
Gu Pinglin closed his eyes and continued to meditate.
"Xiaojiu."
An uncomfortable aura was approaching, but Gu Pinglin sat still and said, "Speak."
"Besides meditating, there's still meditation; besides practicing, there's still practicing," Duan Qingming sighed, "You're too boring."
If you are interesting, others will have a headache. Gu Pinglin didn't say it: "If you want to be interesting, why don't you go find Zhang Lian and the others?"
"They are even more boring," Duan Qingming paused and said with a smile, "If you were a woman, I would definitely think you were jealous."
Knowing that he did it on purpose, Gu Pinglin didn't care: "What do they want to buy?"
"The vitality grass is not rare," Duan Qingming said, "but there are more people passing by than when we came here. I think there must be something rare in the sea city. Why don't we go and see the excitement? How about it?"
Bringing someone who likes to cause trouble to Hai City? Gu Pinglin decisively refused: "Not interested."
Duan Qingming asked: "What are you afraid of?"
Gu Pinglin's mood improved, and he opened his eyes: "Provocation is useless."
"I can't hide anything from you," Duan Qingming said without disappointment, "Go to sleep."
Gu Pinglin stood up and said, "I won't sleep anymore. I decided to travel overnight and go back as soon as possible."
"My injuries haven't healed yet, and I've been traveling all night, so I don't have enough energy."
"That's right."
"Are you taking revenge on me?"
"You can think so."
Having said that, Duan Qingming did not object much, and the two of them set off as soon as they said they would. When they went downstairs, they happened to meet a few disciples of the Six Paths Sect. When those disciples saw Duan Qingming, they all asked him enthusiastically.
"Where are you going, brother, so late at night?"
"I am an impatient fellow apprentice and have to travel overnight," Duan Qingming bowed to them, "Please inform fellow apprentice Zhang on my behalf. Goodbye."
The disciples quickly agreed and bowed to him in farewell.
Walking out of the inn, Gu Pinglin couldn't help but say, "He is ruthless and righteous, worthy of being called Duan Qingming."
"It was you who asked me to find her," Duan Qingming said with a smile, "Okay, I have no second thoughts about you, and being jealous is not a good habit."
"You can fool others by pretending to be stupid, but you can't fool me," Gu Pinglin ignored his teasing and directly exposed, "Do you have good intentions by looking for her at this time?"
Duan Qingming said nonchalantly: "You misunderstood."
Gu Pinglin frowned: "Zhang Lian is just interested in you, he didn't harm you, you..."
"I'll tell her before I leave that you think too much," Duan Qingming said, "Even if I have a purpose, I'm doing it for you."
Knowing that this person was hopeless, Gu Pinglin decisively gave up: "For me, or for yourself? If you use everyone, the only one left is you, Duan Qingming?"
"Hmm?" Duan Qingming looked over from the side.
Feeling the coldness, Gu Pinglin raised his eyebrows and looked over as well: "Was that wrong?"
Duan Qingming narrowed his eyes slightly: "I am flattered that my opponent cares about me so much."
This matter was beyond the scope of the opponent's concern. Gu Pinglin was stunned for a moment and sneered: "Compared to disappointing Master and damaging the reputation of Lingxin Sect, I am indeed more willing to care about you."
"Really?" Duan Qingming looked at him with a smile, turned his head and said nothing more.
There were few people on the road at night, but the Banyan Valley was not as quiet as one might imagine. The shadows of the banyan trees were dancing, the will-o'-the-wisp lights were floating, the water was flowing softly by the pond, and occasionally one or two night owls were heard from all around. Fortunately, this was a main road for pedestrians, and there were no dangerous mountain monsters.
The Gu Ying sword cut through the night, carrying the two people as they flew low in the sky.
The purple robe and black cloak were covered by the night, but the white clothes were very eye-catching.
"Tonight is going to be fun." The gentle voice did not show any nervousness, but instead revealed a hint of suppressed excitement.
"Interesting, but be careful," Gu Pinglin sneered, "Have you had enough of living?"
"I believe in your ability."
"You should wish you could run faster."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yingjian turned around abruptly, and Gu Pinglin pushed Duan Qingming forward with a palm!
Gu Ying Sword rose to mid-air, and the purple blade brought out a rain of thousands of swords. The huge sword image in front of it just emerged, and before it could form a climate, it was dispersed by the rain of swords. At the same time, Ming Feng Sword appeared in mid-air, Duan Qingming turned beautifully, landed accurately on the sword, and flew away on the sword, like a gliding white eagle.
"I didn't realize you're quite capable." The cold snort was like a loud bell, shaking people's minds.
As expected, it came! Gu Pinglin secretly used the Creation Technique to resist the pressure of the realm and rushed forward.
The Qi family wanted to completely remove Duan Qingming, the thorn in their side. Previously, there were too many people on the road, and their own strength was unknown, so they dragged their feet and did not take action. But a month was enough time for them to investigate their background. After passing this section of the road, the remaining section was almost the territory of Donghuang Mountain, Xuanming Sect and Tiancan Sect. Donghuang Mountain and Xuanming Sect were both well-known sects in the world of cultivation. Tiancan Sect was even more difficult to deal with. If they angered them, they would not recognize their relatives. Killing people in the territory of these sects was undoubtedly a challenge to their authority. No matter how powerful the Qi family was, their influence was only in the north. They did not have the ability to offend several major sects at the same time, not to mention that Duan Qingming had an aunt from the Xuanming Sect. Rong Valley was an important road, and it was relatively secluded. The people of the Qi family would probably choose to take action here.
As for the Qi family sending out inner alchemy monks, this was also expected.
"Where are you escaping to?" the voice sounded again.
A magic sword fell from mid-air and stuck upside down on the ground in front of them, blocking the two people's way, stirring up a large cloud of dust and emitting a blue-green sword energy.
Duan Qingming in front stopped, and Gu Pinglin also stopped when he saw this.
A monk appeared out of nowhere, with his foot on the hilt of a sword. He looked to be in his fifties, a little short and fat, with a black oily beard hanging down to his chest and an arrogant look on his face.
He stood on the sword with his hands behind his back and raised his chin towards Gu Pinglin: "You are not my target, get out of the way."
Gu Pinglin did not move, but laughed: "Senior Qi Zhen is still very arrogant after the defeat in Donghai."
When the past defeat was brought up, Qi Zhen's cheeks twitched twice. He stared at Gu Pinglin for a long while, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Duan Qingming patted Gu Pinglin on the shoulder and said, "When speaking in front of a senior, you should be more gracious."
Gu Pinglin said leisurely: "Even if Senior loses the battle in the East China Sea, it is not a shame."
Hearing these words of "showing mercy", Qi Zhen's laughter suddenly stopped and he said fiercely: "You want to provoke me, kid, do you know the consequences?"
"If I don't irritate you, will you let me go?"
"At least it will make your death more pleasant."
"What a shame," Gu Pinglin turned his head and looked at the other side, "Now that you are here, why do you have to hide in front of the juniors? I wonder if it is Senior Qi Xiao or Senior Qi Peng who is here?"
"My friend, you have good eyesight." An old man walked out of the darkness. He was in his sixties and looked very kind. He looked at Gu Pinglin for a few times and sighed, "This aptitude is pretty good, but what a pity."
"It turns out to be Senior Qi Peng." Gu Pinglin frowned slightly.
Qi Peng is at the eighth level of Danxing Realm, which makes him a bit tricky to deal with.
Duan Qingming asked, "Even you were sent out. Does the Qi family value me so much?"
"It's better to see you in person than to hear about you. It would be a pity to kill you." Qi Peng also saw his talent and expressed his regret, but his words were very decisive. "Because it's a pity, I can't let you live."
"Do you think you can control the Duan family without me?" Duan Qingming said, "The elders have changed their minds. Do you really want to kill them all?"
Qi Peng shook his head and said, "It's your fault that you blocked Qing Hou's way. The stubborn old men in your Duan family are not easy to deal with. We are worried if you are still here."
Duan Qingming said calmly: "Then you will be disappointed. I have always had good luck. I am afraid it will not be that easy for me to die."
Unexpectedly, he was still in the mood to joke. Qi Peng was stunned for a moment, frowned and said, "Then you are just unlucky this time."
"Why are you talking so much nonsense? They are just two Wai Dan juniors. Kill them together!" Qi Zhen pointed directly at Gu Pinglin, "I want this!"
"Senior, you are still too arrogant." Gu Pinglin sneered, raised his hand to grasp the Gu Ying sword, quickly drew a few strokes on the ground, and slapped his left hand downwards.
Duan Qingming was about to move, but stopped when he saw this.
In the blink of an eye, several white lights lit up on the ground, and white lines formed a sword pattern, which was an authentic array-inducing talisman.
"There's a formation! We've fallen into a trap!" Qi Peng reacted quickly and shouted, "Retreat!"
The formation was designed based on the right time and place, and it was definitely more than just a simple strength bonus. Qi Zhen was also shocked when he heard this, and subconsciously retreated several dozen feet, watching in surprise.
However, the talisman disappeared in a flash, and there was no movement around.
After a while.
Gu Pinglin said, "Seven Breaking Formations."
Duan Qingming also spoke up: "Seven Killing Formation."
Gu Pinglin was silent for a moment, then slowly turned his head to look at him, revealing a murderous smile: "Exciting enough?"
Duan Qingming smiled nonchalantly and said, "Of course, it's so exciting."
"Go ahead," Gu Pinglin mocked, "Don't you like challenges the most?"
"The goal of challenging the impossible is to seek death. I like challenges, not death."
Gu Pinglin gritted his teeth.
He had inspected the terrain here in advance and found that the ground veins were special, so he set up the Seven Breaking Formations, hoping to use the geographical advantage to trap Qi Zhen and the other man. However, he had planned everything, even the location of their ambush, but he missed the most important thing - how could Duan Qingming easily hand his life over to others
He never fully trusted himself, and he never trusted anyone.
Knowing the danger, he could not act alone, so he coaxed Zhang Lian and the others to accompany him here during the day and secretly set up the Seven Killing Formation. Probably because Zhang Lian and the others were there, he set up the formation in a hurry and did not notice the Seven Breaking Formation he had set up in advance.
If it were any other two formations, it would be fine, but the Seven Breaking Formation and the Seven Killing Formation have different functions, one is mainly for trapping, and the other is mainly for killing. The key is that the formation cores of the two formations use completely opposite formation symbols!
The two formations are restraining each other and neither can be activated!
Gu Pinglin suppressed the urge to chop the man with his sword and said calmly, "Drag him."
Duan Qingming's death would be like getting rid of a scourge, but if Qi wanted to get rid of Duan Qingming secretly, they would certainly kill me to silence me. Moreover, my own path still depended on Duan Qingming. At this point, I had no choice but to continue cooperating.