CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: SLAYING

The incident with the rogue cultivator did not affect Xu Ping.

He was still wandering around, searching for traces of ’Old Sun’.

But two days passed, during which he heard another faint disturbance.

However, by the time he got there, only a dried corpse was left at the scene.

After searching the corpse, he quickly left the site.

Only on the fifth day did the situation take a turn.

In the early morning of the fifth day, Xu Ping returned after wandering outside, washed his face in the kitchen, and was prepared to snooze in bed for a while when he suddenly heard faint footsteps from outside.

He paused slightly, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately became alert.

His figure moved, rapidly darting towards the doorway.

A few quick strides.

He stood atop the wall.

His eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, scanned the surroundings.

At that moment, he saw the familiar figure—’Old Sun’, with white hair all over his head, was standing at his doorstep, glaring at him intently.

Compared to a few days ago, his appearance had changed again, becoming sturdier, his cheeks round, nails black and sharp, his muddy clothing appearing tight on his frame.

He was shrouded in a layer of darkness, his crimson eyes flickering with eerie light in the dark, sending chills down one’s spine.

"Damn, he came looking for me by himself.

Xu Ping cursed under his breath, obviously ’Old Sun’ hadn’t given up on him.

"I’ve been looking for you too!"

A fierce glint flashed in Xu Ping’s eyes as he swiftly cast an Exorcism Talisman towards him.

Old Sun still tried to escape as before, his figure like an illusion, darting away into the distance.

No, his speed had become faster than when they last met.

Unfortunately.

Over the past few days, Xu Ping had been painstakingly devising several combat plans to deal with him, simulating them countless times... He wouldn’t let him escape.

Xu Ping’s figure flashed, pursuing him at a speed far exceeding his, followed by a flash of light in his hand as a Five-Thunder Talisman appeared and rapidly struck at him.

’Old Sun’ hadn’t run far before being struck by a formidable Thunder Power.

A precise hit.

"Boom!"

"Roar!"

Old Sun cried out miserably, crashing to the ground, the Thunder Power corroding him with a ’sizzle’, as if a red-hot iron was plunged into cold water. His body convulsed violently, clearly experiencing immense pain.

"Hah, turns out you’re just like this!"

Upon seeing this, more than half of the shadow of the evil entity in Xu Ping’s heart was dispelled, as he jumped down from the wall with the agility of a cat, coldly gazing at the ’Old Sun’ on the ground.

The area struck by Thunder Power showed no blood, but rather a mass of charred, black straw with black liquid oozing from the wound.

The air was filled with an indescribable stench, making one feel queasy.

Xu Ping was startled to discover that ’Old Sun’s’ body was made of straw.

He growled viciously, shadows danced on his body, several black grass ropes shot towards Xu Ping from behind the scarecrow.

"Bring it on!"

Xu Ping sneered, striking with his sword.

A brilliant sword light erupted, severing the black grass ropes instantly, dropping to the ground with a ’thud’, yet they squirmed continuously like eels.

After ’Old Sun’ let out a miserable scream, he wasn’t severely hurt, the severed ends ceaselessly wriggled, sprouting several identical grass ropes the next moment.

Witnessing this, Xu Ping remained unfazed.

The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique continued to unfold, sword lights cleaving on him like thunder.

Amidst the cries of agony, Old Sun became extremely miserable.

Severed grass ropes littered around, wounds all over his body, with black liquid flowing out, while the stench in the air grew increasingly intense.

Yet he seemed unfazed despite not being severely injured.

This evil entity was indeed formidable.

Even after suffering heavy blows from the Five-Thunder Talisman and several sword strikes, he still struggled fiercely, seemingly hardly affected.

Such speed and defense would leave even a Late-Stage Qi Cultivation helpless, only to have their blood and flesh sucked dry.

However, Xu Ping didn’t intend to drag it out any longer.

The commotion was huge, soon someone would come.

He fully exerted the Flowing Cloud Sword, with several strikes, he shredded ’Old Sun’ to tatters.

Then Xu Ping abruptly approached him, releasing the Five-Thunder Talisman from his hand.

This time, it solidly hit his head and shoulders.

"Boom!"

Thunder Power exploded.

"Ah!"

’Old Sun’ let out an unbearably shrill scream, Xu Ping’s ears suddenly felt a deathly silence, no sound could be heard, and his spirit faltered for a moment.

Just when Xu Ping thought it was all over, ’Old Sun’s’ body suddenly convulsed violently.

His head began rapidly decaying, revealing the straw and black liquid inside. The liquid emitted a more intense stench than before, forcing Xu Ping to cover his nose.

"Not dead yet?" Xu Ping frowned, feeling uneasy. He took out his last Five-Thunder Talisman, preparing to completely eliminate this evil entity.

However, just at that instant, ’Old Sun’s’ body suddenly burst apart, spraying black liquid everywhere, like countless venomous snakes dancing in the air.

Xu Ping quickly retreated, his steps nimble as swallows, dodging the liquid, but still a few drops splashed on his clothes, rapidly corroding several small holes.

"Damn it!"

"Even in death, there’s no peace!"

Xu Ping couldn’t help but curse under his breath, had that liquid been splashed on him, the result would have been dire.

Fortunately, the hidden threat was finally eliminated.

He also felt a sigh of relief in his heart.

"Time to go!"

Xu Ping looked around, fearing some people were already drawn by the commotion.

He didn’t want to linger here much longer, however, just as he was about to turn and leave, the corner of his eye caught a faint shimmer in the black straw.

Oh?

What is this?

Xu Ping’s heart stirred, stopping his steps. He stepped forward with Qinghe Sword and flipped out a crystal bead emitting a silvery-white glow from the pile of black straw!

He wiped the bead clean and held it in his hand.

"So, defeating evil entities might yield items?" Xu Ping wondered, unfamiliar with this, "Better ask Zhang Chenyu when there’s a chance."

After storing the bead, he had no further desire to stay and swiftly left the scene.

...

After returning home, Xu Ping quickly removed the clothes stained with black liquid and changed into a new outfit.

Even just a few drops of liquid, the pungent odor was unbearable.

He had no wish to keep this garment.

Under the cool moonlight streaming through the window, Xu Ping’s face was illuminated.

He poured himself a cup of plain water.

Sipping slowly, his mood grew increasingly relaxed.

"Finally, I can have a proper sleep tonight."

During these many days without proper rest, even he was feeling exhausted despite his robust physique.