Liu Piaopiao hadn't expected Su Xi to be prepared and evade her fatal sneak attack. There was no time for complaints; she knew that as long as she killed Su Xi, everything would be fine.
However, before she could launch her next attack, Daoist Changqing reacted. With a flash, he instantly blocked Liu Piaopiao's path, "How dare you act so recklessly in front of me? It seems you don't hold my Mount Shu in regard."
As a cultivator in the Golden Core stage, Daoist Changqing didn't believe Liu Piaopiao, who was in the Qi Refining stage, stood any chance of escaping him.
Liu Piaopiao, facing Daoist Changqing who was far superior in cultivation, showed no fear and let out an angry roar before charging at him.
She had decided that even if she died here today, she would not let Su Xi live.
Liu Piaopiao's cultivation was only in the Foundation Establishment stage, but she wasn't the true Liu Piaopiao, and her cultivation was naturally not just at Foundation Establishment.
As she charged towards Daoist Changqing, she released the seals on her body. Her cultivation surged, instantly escalating her from Foundation Establishment to the middle stage of Golden Core, her aura even stronger than Daoist Changqing's.
Daoist Changqing hadn't anticipated such a turn of events, and it made him even more determined to capture Liu Piaopiao and question her thoroughly. He suspected that the secret realm trial was somehow connected to Liu Piaopiao.
The moment Liu Piaopiao and Daoist Changqing's hands met, a deafening hum erupted, and a powerful shockwave spread outwards.
Immediately after, everyone saw Daoist Changqing fly backward like a kite with a broken string. He coughed up blood continuously in mid-air, clearly severely injured from the collision.
Seeing how formidable Liu Piaopiao was, the other disciples instinctively retreated several steps, too terrified to advance. They were insignificant figures, and a single punch from Liu Piaopiao would be fatal.
Having dealt with Daoist Changqing, Liu Piaopiao's gaze locked back onto Su Xi.
Having used a forbidden technique today and exposed her strength, she absolutely could not let Su Xi live.
Su Xi hadn't expected Liu Piaopiao to suddenly become so powerful, but she felt no fear.
Fear wouldn't solve anything; it was better to face the danger head-on.
Gu Li, seeing Su Xi in danger, showed no intention of intervening. Instead, a hint of relief flickered in his eyes.
If Su Xi were killed by Liu Piaopiao, it would save him a great deal of effort.
Liu Piaopiao ascended into the air, emanating a black mist. A world-ending pressure surged outwards like a tide, preparing to crush Su Xi directly.
Su Xi, facing Liu Piaopiao's fierce attack, was involuntarily forced back several steps. She knew this strike was no simple feat and immediately gathered her full attention.
She quickly pulled out her fire-poker-like artifact and pointed it at Liu Piaopiao. A multicolored light spiraled towards her.
Liu Piaopiao, seeing Su Xi's attack, paid it no mind.
She was employing the supreme technique of Xianling Mountain, the Black Fiend Palm. Once unleashed, her body would become as elusive as a phantom, rendering any attack ineffective.
How could Su Xi's methods possibly stop her attack?
Furthermore, if struck by the Black Fiend Palm, one's body would be wounded by the Yin energy from the Nine Netherworlds, their skin would fester, and their soul would suffer the torment of eighteen levels of hell before dying.
"Boom."
When Liu Piaopiao's strike connected with Su Xi's attack, the expected outcome of passing straight through did not occur. Instead, Liu Piaopiao's body became covered in light blue frost, and she turned into an ice sculpture before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Huh?" Gu Li, seeing that Su Xi had actually managed to stop Liu Piaopiao, showed surprise in his eyes.
Others might not know, but he was well aware of the power of the Black Fiend Palm.
The Black Fiend Palm was formless and intangible; even he would find it difficult to control it so quickly.
The unassuming fire poker in Su Xi's hand could actually stop Liu Piaopiao, making it undoubtedly an extraordinary treasure.
What intrigued Gu Li even more was that he couldn't immediately discern the grade of the treasure in Su Xi's hand.
As an alchemist, he had seen countless treasures and could usually recognize them even if unfamiliar. Thus, the only explanation for the fire poker in Su Xi's hand was that it was no ordinary item.
Having confirmed the fire poker was a good item, he was even more unwilling for such a treasure to be wasted in the hands of a weakling.
Su Xi, unaware of Gu Li's thoughts, did not want to miss the opportunity to turn the tables. She quickly fumbled for the Starship Gun on her person, aiming its dark muzzle at Liu Piaopiao on the ground.
Solving the problem once and for all was the best course of action.
Gu Li sensed that Liu Piaopiao was in danger and quickly stepped forward, "What are you trying to do? Why would you harm a fellow disciple? Are you trying to conceal something?"
Upon hearing Gu Li's words, Su Xi's lips curled into a cold sneer.
Indeed, there were always people who willfully ignored the obvious. But if you're going to play favorites, could you at least be less obvious? A little pretense would be nice.
She had never been one to repay kindness with malice, so anyone who dared to harm her would certainly not fare well. Moreover, she certainly wouldn't listen to Gu Li based on his single remark.
With Gu Li's obstruction, Su Xi's actions only became faster.
"Rumble~"
The sound of a trigger being pulled, and the energy beam from the Starship Gun shot out instantly.
Gu Li, seeing that Su Xi had ignored his words, let out a cold snort and swiftly acted.
Having issued a command, Su Xi's actions were tantamount to slapping him in the face.
Therefore, he absolutely would not tolerate it.
Gu Li grabbed at empty space, and a giant hand materialized in the air.
The giant hand was exquisitely detailed, radiating an oppressive pressure like Mount Tai. The moment it appeared, the surrounding atmosphere turned somber, and the breathing of those nearby became labored.
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, the giant hand reached out to grasp the energy beam from the Starship Gun, intending to intercept it.
He could sense that if Su Xi's energy beam struck Liu Piaopiao, there would be no possibility of survival for her, and his plan would come to naught.
Gu Li's move was immensely powerful; normally, even a colossal mountain could be flattened by it. Thus, having acted, he felt no doubt.
However, the instant his giant hand made contact with Su Xi's energy beam, it was instantly destroyed by the beam, not even offering any resistance.
"What?" Gu Li, witnessing the beam's immense power, showed astonishment in his eyes.
While he hadn't used his full strength, he wasn't someone easily dealt with. Su Xi's methods were truly beyond his expectations.
Freed from Gu Li's obstruction, the energy beam struck Liu Piaopiao directly, producing a violent collision.
"Crack!"
The moment the energy beam touched Liu Piaopiao, she instantly shattered into ice fragments, scattering all over the ground. It was evident she was utterly, irrevocably dead.