Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Slaying the Late Stage

Watching Liu Wusheng command the flying insects to meet the Li Fire Ring Talisman Treasure, Li Ping didn’t dare to be complacent.

The fact that his opponent still dared to act after witnessing the power of the Li Fire Ring was proof enough of his confidence.

He quickly rode his Escape Light into the sky and shook the Blood Banner in his hand, sending the formless, colorless Blood-Corroding Poison to envelop the approaching swarm of insects.

During the battle, he was also becoming aware of the Blood Banner’s shortcomings.

The poison spread too slowly. It was only good for sneak attacks; once an enemy noticed it, it was almost useless.

For instance, the haggard-looking youth was being extremely cautious. While suppressing the Blood-Corroding Poison in his system, he was constantly on the move, never staying in one spot for too long.

Clearly, he was worried about being poisoned further.

...

"BZZ... BZZ..."

The massive swarm of green flying insects had formed a veritable green Cloud Mist, and a piercing buzz echoed through the air.

Li Ping pointed a finger, and the Li Fire Ring Talisman Treasure transformed into a ball of Flame that shot directly into the green Cloud Mist.

"SIZZLE~ SIZZLE~"

Flying insects were continuously incinerated by the Flame, their remains plummeting to the ground. But to Li Ping’s dismay, the remaining insects charged forward wave after wave, fearlessly flinging themselves at the Li Fire Ring Talisman Treasure and actually managing to slow it down.

’I have no idea what these insects are. To think they can actually affect a Talisman Treasure that lacks a physical form.’

In the distance, Liu Wusheng saw the incredibly powerful Talisman Treasure gradually slow down as it was entangled by the green mist of insects, and a look of relief appeared in his eyes.

He had paid a heavy price to acquire these Green Devouring Insects from the Spirit Control Sect. Not only were their defenses astounding, but they also contained a strange poison and could even feed on Spiritual Qi.

The ring of Flame formed by his opponent’s Talisman Treasure was, in the end, still made of Spiritual Qi, making it the perfect prey for his spirit insects.

But before Liu Wusheng could relax, he saw some of the Green Devouring Insects, which had been gnawing on the Spiritual Qi, suddenly flip onto their backs and fall lifelessly from the sky.

Immediately after, like an avalanche, more and more Green Devouring Insects went belly-up and dropped.

In just a few moments, the large green Cloud Mist was completely wiped out.

"Poison again! What kind of poison is this? Not even the Green Devouring Insects can withstand it," Liu Wusheng snarled, grinding his teeth.

The Green Devouring Insects’ own secretions were highly toxic, and they had a strong resistance to poison themselves. He had thought they would be able to withstand the colorless, odorless toxin.

He never imagined they would be completely defenseless against it.

With the Green Devouring Insects gone, the Flame on the Li Fire Ring flared up once more!

BOOM!

The ring of Flame shrieked across the sky, hurtling directly toward Liu Wusheng.

Liu Wusheng hastily produced a black banner and waved it, causing a Fog Python to emerge. The python was like a living creature, its scales distinct, and it flicked its tongue in and out incessantly.

Then, at Liu Wusheng’s command, the Fog Python lunged at the Li Fire Ring, coiling its body around it and trapping it inside.

The Li Fire Ring thrashed left and right, but for the moment, it couldn’t break free.

But with every impact, Liu Wusheng, who was controlling the Fog Python, felt his Divine Sense on the verge of collapsing. A sharp pain shot through his head, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Moreover, forcefully suppressing the poison in his body had made his Magical Power sluggish, and even controlling his Dharma Artifact felt clumsy and unnatural.

Still, he forced himself to endure. The power of his opponent’s Talisman Treasure was finite; he just had to hold out until it was depleted.

’Once that happens, I’m a hundred percent confident I can deal with a mere Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator!’

However, unbeknownst to Liu Wusheng, while Li Ping was controlling the Li Fire Ring Talisman Treasure in its struggle against the Fog Python, he had noticed that Liu Wusheng’s movements were too agile for the Blood Banner to be effective and had quietly put it away.

In its place were nine translucent Flying Needles. The nine poisoned Life-taking Flying Needles flew silently through the air, circling to a position less than a hundred feet from Liu Wusheng’s side.

Liu Wusheng’s attention was completely focused on controlling the Spiritual Power-fueled Fog Python to trap the Li Fire Ring. Coupled with the fact that the Flying Needles were extremely small and caused almost no Spiritual Power fluctuations as they flew, he was completely oblivious to their approach.

But Li Ping decided not to wait any longer. He abruptly formed a hand seal.

SWISH! SWOOSH—

Like vipers that had been lying in wait, the nine Flying Needles suddenly shot forward, aiming for Liu Wusheng’s entire body!

’Not good!’

Seeing the Flying Needles rushing toward him, Liu Wusheng knew he was in trouble.

He was already stretched to his limit, barely managing to control the black banner to resist the Li Fire Ring Talisman Treasure while also suppressing the poison in his system. It had left him drained and dizzy.

He had no energy left to employ any defensive measures.

Now, with the Flying Needles upon him and their attack covering such a wide area, he couldn’t possibly dodge them all, no matter how hard he tried.

He could only make the best possible choice: avoid vital areas like his face and heart, and brace himself to take a few of the needles.

He reasoned that the Flying Needles were small. Even if he were hit, as long as it wasn’t a vital organ, the injury would be minor—nothing too serious.

THWIP! THWIP!

Two Flying Needles buried themselves in Liu Wusheng’s abdomen but didn’t pass through, remaining lodged inside his body.

Of course, this wasn’t because the Flying Needles lacked the power to pierce a human body, nor was it because Liu Wusheng had practiced some Body Refining technique that made his flesh far tougher than that of an ordinary Cultivator.

This was Li Ping’s intention.

After his last battle, he had analyzed the pros and cons and concluded that the primary source of damage from the Life-taking Flying Needles was their poison.

Therefore, leaving the needles inside the opponent’s body would deliver far more poison than if they simply passed through, allowing them to inflict continuous damage.

Besides, the Life-taking Flying Needles were no longer coated in just snake venom.

After returning to the Immortal City, while gathering toxins to be refined by his Blood Banner, he had also taken the opportunity to coat the Life-taking Flying Needles with several other virulent poisons. Their toxicity was now far more potent than before!

...

Liu Wusheng breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that he had avoided any vital areas.

But in the next moment, he felt an intense numbness spread from his abdomen. In the blink of an eye, all sensation there was gone.

Instantly, his face darkened. "The Flying Needles were poisoned!"

He had been so careful, yet he had been poisoned anyway.

Unlike the airborne Blood-Corroding Poison, of which he had only inhaled a small dose that he could forcefully suppress, now, with the Flying Needles lodged in his body, the poison was seeping continuously into his flesh. He couldn’t suppress it at all.

At this critical moment, Liu Wusheng showed his ruthless side. He took out a blade-like Dharma Artifact and sliced off half his abdomen, cutting out the Flying Needles along with the flesh and revealing the organs and intestines beneath.

"I am Liu Wusheng of the Blood Shadow Sect! Fellow Daoist, please stay your hand." Seeing his opponent’s fondness for poison, Liu Wusheng was now quite certain he was facing another Demon Cultivator.

That was why he had hurriedly announced his allegiance, hoping that they could make a deal on account of being fellow Demon Cultivators. If worst came to worst, he was even willing to part with half the Treasures in his master’s Storage Bag.

"Hmph. The Blood Shadow Sect!"

Li Ping had no intention of listening. On the contrary, he took advantage of Liu Wusheng’s grievous injury and unstable Magical Power. He maneuvered the Li Fire Ring free from the Fog Python’s grasp, and it transformed into a Fireball that hurtled viciously toward him!

Seeing this, a look of pure hatred filled Liu Wusheng’s eyes.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he activated the Blood Wing Escape Skill. Two enormous Blood Wings unfurled from his back.

"You’ve forced my hand. I’ll remember this."

After uttering the threat, Liu Wusheng transformed into a streak of blood and fled into the distance without a second thought.

"The Blood Wing Escape Skill!" Li Ping recognized the Escape Technique at a glance. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. ’If you don’t kill a snake, it will come back to bite you. I can’t let you get away today. I have to finish this.’

He didn’t even bother to retrieve his Flying Needles or the Talisman Treasure.

SWOOSH!

He too transformed into a streak of blood, shooting off in pursuit of Liu Wusheng.

...

’Damn it, damn it all!’

Liu Wusheng cursed inwardly as he fled at top speed.

He knew that after his master had used the Blood Wing Escape Skill to escape, his Origin had been depleted, leaving Possession as his only option. That was why Liu Wusheng had come to the Immortal City so eagerly—to kill his master and seize his Storage Bag.

But he never thought he’d be forced into the same corner. He was already grievously injured, and now he was using a forbidden Secret Technique to flee for his life.

Even if he escaped, his only chance of survival would be to perform Possession, just like his master.

One hundred and fifty years of arduous cultivation, all turned to dust.

How could he not be filled with hatred!

’Who the hell is this horse-faced Daoist?’ he thought viciously. ’When I return, I’ll slaughter your entire clan!’

As he pondered this, he glanced behind him. He immediately wished he hadn’t. The sight made his blood run cold.

Just a few miles behind him, a barely visible streak of blood was closing in at a terrifying speed.

It covered miles in a single flash, sticking right on his tail.

If he so much as hesitated, his pursuer would be on him in an instant.

’The Blood Wing Escape Skill?’ Liu Wusheng looked as though he’d seen a ghost. He couldn’t begin to fathom his pursuer’s reasoning.

He himself had only used this forbidden technique out of desperation. If he hadn’t used the Escape Technique to flee, he would have been killed on the spot.

’But what do you have to gain?’

’Are you willing to throw away your own life just to kill me?’

’What kind of grudge is this? What have I ever done to you?!’

’My threat of revenge was just empty words!’

...

He was grievously wounded, poisoned, and no match for his opponent.

And now, he couldn’t even escape. Liu Wusheng fell into complete despair.

He knew the Blood Wing Escape Skill wasn’t invincible.

His master’s previous escape from the encirclement of several Core Formation cultivators hadn’t been solely due to the power of this Escape Technique.

It was possible that Fenglan Master had also cultivated the Blood Wing Escape Skill, but she would never use such a forbidden Secret Technique—one that consumed the user’s very Origin—simply to pursue an enemy.

A precious Secret Technique that could only be used a few times in a lifetime was reserved for escaping with one’s life.

His master had escaped because Fenglan Master was unwilling to sacrifice her own lifespan just to kill him.

But he, Liu Wusheng, had such rotten luck. He’d run into a madman, and now he could only accept his fate.

"If you want my life, then we’ll die together!"

A crazed look flashed in Liu Wusheng’s eyes. He stopped fleeing, turned around, and charged toward Li Ping, a cyan bead clutched in his hand.

Seeing this, Li Ping turned and fled without a moment’s hesitation.

’When the enemy retreats, I advance. When the enemy advances, I retreat!’

He applied these tactics to perfection.

Seeing Li Ping turn and flee, a look of grief and fury flashed in Liu Wusheng’s eyes.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion rang out, and a ball of silver-white light completely engulfed Liu Wusheng.

When the lightning faded, all that remained were a few scattered fragments drifting to the ground.

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