"The Song family?"

Xu Ping's mind instantly flashed to the Song family.

After all, there was a grudge between them, and the rapid spread of his reputation this time seemed to vaguely bear the traces of the Song family.

"Or perhaps... the Shuize Sect?"

Xu Ping's thoughts turned, and the image of Xu Zhixuan surfaced in his mind.

Previously, Xu Zhixuan had visited Thousand Leaves Mountain, first inviting him to join the Shuize Sect, and then requesting to purchase a third-tier talisman, but he had decisively refused.

Now, the Shuize Sect was deeply trapped in the plight of being besieged by evil forces.

For someone like him, a third-tier Talisman Master, his usefulness to the Shuize Sect would undoubtedly be immense.

Thinking this way, if the Shuize Sect was unwilling to give up, setting up such a trap meticulously to lure him away from Thousand Leaves Mountain seemed reasonable enough.

"No matter who the mastermind really is, daring to scheme against me like this, I will not let them off lightly once my strength is fully perfected!"

A chilling gleam flashed in Xu Ping's eyes, revealing a hint of cold killing intent.

With his current ability, relying on the advantage of talismans, he was confident in taking down the Song family and Longshi Market in one fell swoop, but the risks were considerably high.

Just to eliminate enemies, risking his own life, in Xu Ping's view, was really not worth it.

He always preferred to strike with thunderous might only when he had absolute strength and could ensure everything was foolproof.

"But, did Duan Shuang and Gong Yang participate in this plot to lure me out?"

Xu Ping's brow slightly furrowed, and he fell into deep thought.

Though he felt that the two of them were probably not involved, human hearts are hard to read, and who could truly see through the thoughts of others?

"Ah, why do I just want to cultivate in peace, yet trouble keeps coming unceasingly?" Xu Ping sighed helplessly.

He originally had no intention of making trouble, but the troubles came like tides, wave after wave towards him.

In the end, it was still because his strength was not strong enough.

"The only way is to cultivate, I must break through to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment as soon as possible!"

Xu Ping lightly waved his sleeve, properly putting away the teacup and teapot on the table, then turned and walked into the cultivation chamber with steady steps.

For him, reaching the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment meant not only a substantial increase in cultivation and strength.

More importantly, after reaching this realm, his Divine Sense would surge, allowing him to draw the incredibly powerful Golden Armor-Breaking Talisman.

...

...

Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Longshi Market.

"Why hasn't Xu Ping shown up at this trade fair? Could it be that you, thinking of past associations, secretly tipped him off?"

Elder Hao's gaze was sharp, glaring intensely at Xu Zhixuan, his words carrying an undisguised hint of killing intent.

The plan that was originally perfect, ended up failing twice in succession, which truly tested his patience.

"Elder Hao, you must see clearly, I am truly innocent!"

Xu Zhixuan's face turned ashen, terrified, quickly defending himself loudly, "Back at Qiu Xuan Mountain, my relationship with Xu Ping was very ordinary, and we could hardly talk about any rapport.

"Moreover, I specially went to Thousand Leaves Mountain to visit him a few days ago, not only did I not receive a good face, I was ruthlessly turned away."

"To this day, I only harbor hatred towards him, so how could I possibly leak information to him?"

Hearing this, the intense killing intent in Elder Hao's eyes gradually dissipated, merely letting out a cold snort: "You don't have the guts, that's for sure!"

In fact, Elder Hao knew clearly in his heart that the likelihood of Xu Zhixuan secretly informing Xu Ping was indeed minuscule.

After all, Xu Zhixuan's life and death were completely in his control.

Based on their relationship, it was clear that Xu Zhixuan would not risk his life to inform Xu Ping.

"Elder Hao, rest assured, I have always been loyal to the Shuize Sect, with no disloyalty at all."

Seeing Elder Hao's killing intent reduce a bit, Xu Zhixuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then cautiously asked, "Now that Xu Ping hasn't taken the bait, what should we do next?"

"What should we do?" Elder Hao also frowned, feeling increasingly troubled by the situation.

The other party remained unmoved even at a trading fair event, firmly staying out of sight, as if he was dead set.

Given this scenario, trying to tempt him out of Thousand Leaves Mountain again seemed almost impossible.

After pondering for a long time, Elder Hao decided to temporarily abandon the plan to deal with Xu Ping.

Once, twice, was fine, but a third attempt in a short period might alert Xu Ping to something unusual.

...

...

As time flowed by quietly, a year slipped by unknowingly.

During this year.

Purple Bamboo Mountain remained peaceful, Wanzhe Waters had no more Core Formation Spiritual Object sightings, and no one came to ask Xu Ping to search for treasures or participate in auctions.

Apart from the rampant scourge of evil forces, everything seemed peaceful.

On this day.

In the cultivation room, Xu Ping sat quietly on the meditation cushion.

As he operated the "Longevity Skill," the surrounding Spiritual Qi was seemingly drawn by some mysterious force, rushing towards him like rivers converging into the sea.

The previously calm and serene cultivation room instantly transformed as clouds and winds churned.

Spiritual Qi surged violently, forming a massive vortex centered on Xu Ping, spinning rapidly without cessation.

His body was tightly surrounded by a thick layer of azure light, that azure light akin to a vast ocean of waves, wave upon wave, overwhelming and majestic, instilling awe in the heart.

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