The voice that traveled towards Li Qi was imbued with a profound chill, a hint of disdain seemingly interwoven within.
It was disdain for the strength Li Qi currently displayed.
In this struggle, a place even cultivators at the sixth layer of Tribulation Crossing might hesitate to enter, what prowess could a mere cultivator at the first layer of Tribulation Crossing like Li Qi possess to dare step into it?
Li Qi's gaze, at this very moment, slightly narrowed.
His eyes fixed on a particular direction.
To his left, a figure radiating an incredibly terrifying aura was hurtling towards him.
As it sped forward, the space around it seemed to warp and distort due to the immense power it emanated.
Along its path, meteorites drifting from the distorted space shattered en masse, their fragments of Dao Essence shooting out.
The figure, with a casual grab, drew these Dao Essence fragments to its palm as if guided by some unseen force.
And now, the figure was drawing ever closer to Li Qi.
The approaching individual was a bald man with bronze skin and a domineering countenance.
His eyes surveyed Li Qi with an air of superiority, the aura of a peak seventh layer Tribulation Crossing cultivator subtly radiating from him.
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from him, this bronze-skinned bald man's strength was likely a notch above the Sect Master of the Cangyan Medicine Pavilion that Li Qi had previously dealt with.
At this moment, the bronze-skinned bald man cast his indifferent gaze upon Li Qi.
"I truly didn't expect the first one to genuinely try and get a piece of the pie wouldn't be one of those at the fifth or sixth layer of Tribulation Crossing, but rather a mere Tribulation Crossing cultivator like you."
Simultaneously, as this bronze-skinned bald man blocked Li Qi's path, the other seven powerful Tribulation Crossing cultivators, also within the distorting space, took notice.
Especially Fang Ying and Wang Yangfeng, who had been keeping a portion of their attention on Li Qi, they were the first to spot this development.
"Zhou Jin? The first one to cause trouble for that guy, it's him."
A hint of surprise flickered in Fang Ying's eyes as he easily recognized the man's identity.
After all, they were all top-tier Tribulation Crossing cultivators. Though this Zhou Jin was only at the peak seventh layer of Tribulation Crossing, he was not far from their own realm of the eighth layer.
If things went as expected, he might easily break through to their level within a millennium.
"But that's fine, it will allow Zhou Jin to test the fellow's strength."
With this thought, Fang Ying and Wang Yangfeng, who were aware of Li Qi's peculiarities, even slowed their search for Dao Essence fragments slightly.
Meanwhile, Zhou Jin, who was now standing before Li Qi, had no intention of waiting for any reply from Li Qi.
After he had spoken his piece.
With a gentle slap, he directly swung his hand towards Li Qi.
Yet, with this seemingly uncomplicated slap, the space within tens of thousands of meters around Li Qi groaned under the immense pressure.
Even though this strike was merely a casual blow from Zhou Jin, its lethality towards lower-level Tribulation Crossing cultivators was still considerable.
After delivering his slap, Zhou Jin didn't spare Li Qi another glance.
To him, Li Qi was no different from a dead man at this point.
Though his strike was casual, it was far beyond the ability of a first-layer Tribulation Crossing cultivator to resist.
"Seeking death."
A faint mocking expression crossed Zhou Jin's face. He then decided not to waste any more time and turned to continue his search for other Dao Essence fragments.
After all, dealing with Li Qi was merely a passing thought for him, a simple matter of Li Qi being within close proximity, thus prompting his action.
But just as Zhou Jin was about to depart.
Suddenly, Zhou Jin seemed to sense something, and at the same time, Li Qi's calm voice echoed once more.
"Seventh layer Tribulation Crossing? Nothing more than that."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jin turned back with a hint of surprise.
He then saw Li Qi, who, under his casual slap, appeared as if he were completely unharmed, standing still, not even a wrinkle in his clothes.
Meeting Zhou Jin's gaze, Li Qi looked back, his words utterly plain, yet undeniably mocking.
"Didn't you eat? You hit so weakly."
"You're asking for death!"
Hearing the utterly scornful words, Zhou Jin's face instantly contorted with intense anger.
But it was true, Li Qi's uninjured appearance also stirred a slight surprise in Zhou Jin's heart.
This was no ordinary cultivator at the first layer of Tribulation Crossing.
But so what!
"Since you wish to court death, I shall grant it to you."
His voice fell.
The next moment, the bronze skin on Zhou Jin's surface seemed to deepen, with hints of golden luster subtly appearing.
Following this, a visible crimson gas emerged from all over Zhou Jin's body.
This was not spirit energy cultivation, but a physical, blood and qi force that had almost taken on substance.
A peak seventh layer Tribulation Crossing cultivator, and also a formidable body cultivator whose physique was equally strong.
It was because of this that Zhou Jin had not been at a disadvantage even when fighting against those at the eighth layer of Tribulation Crossing.
And now, in response to Li Qi's provocation, Zhou Jin had no intention of holding back. Since the other party was seeking death, he would let Li Qi witness the true gap between a lower-tier and higher-tier Tribulation Crossing cultivator.
Instantly, an oppressive aura surged from Zhou Jin's physique.
His terrifying muscles began to bulge all over his body, appearing ferocious.
At the same time, with a contraction of Zhou Jin's muscles, an incredibly dangerous sensation permeated the area around him.
The surrounding space itself seemed to groan under the immense strength of Zhou Jin's physique.
"Die for me!"
Zhou Jin's fist, at this very moment, was violently unleashed.
And with this single punch.
Even a vast expanse of the void began to tremble. This terrifying might caused the other seven Tribulation Crossing cultivators, who were collecting Dao Essence fragments, to cast their gazes over.
They watched Zhou Jin's punch with slightly solemn expressions.
"This Zhou Jin's strength seems to have grown again. If one day he also reaches the eighth layer of Tribulation Crossing, he might truly be difficult to deal with."
Similarly, as the residual power of this incredibly terrifying attack spread, it naturally reached the ears of the lower-tier Tribulation Crossing cultivators in the distance.
Their faces displayed expressions of shock. Some squinted their eyes, staring intently, and happened to witness Zhou Jin's terrifying punch aimed at Li Qi.
Feeling the terrifying aura within it, these lower-tier Tribulation Crossing cultivators were filled with trepidation.
Let alone Li Qi, even some of those at the sixth layer of Tribulation Crossing couldn't guarantee their survival under this strike. Perhaps being heavily injured would be fortunate.
But unfortunately, due to the distance and the chaotic spiritual energy storm between them, they could not see Li Qi's expression.
If they could, they would have discovered that under Zhou Jin's punch.
Li Qi's expression showed no trace of panic. On the contrary, a hint of excitement flickered across his face.
"Body cultivator? Primarily focuses on the physical? Coincidentally, I suppose I'm half of one. Let's have a comparison then."
With a thought, the hundredfold amplification of four different talents was instantly activated.