In addition to the Fire Crow Array, his metal-attribute formations were also strengthened by the Heaven-Earth Favor. Having stayed here for over a month, he had effectively turned this spot into a temporary nest.
'Good thing I was prepared, otherwise this could have been dangerous!'
The Treant Clone sensed the powerful auras of the three late-stage experts and felt a wave of relief. Without the arrays, even if he could escape, he would lose a significant portion of his wealth.
'It was a smart move to wait two years and retrieve the items in batches.'
Otherwise, he couldn't imagine how many enemies he would have attracted. At the very least, it would have been more than he could handle. If he had accidentally led them back to his territory, it would have been a disaster. Rogue cultivators—even at the Foundation stage—were often old foxes who had lived for over a century. While their talent might be limited, their cunning was not to be underestimated.
These three experts had waited for two years and had even teamed up. Normally, a trio of late-stage experts would be safe from anything except a Golden Core master.
As they followed the Earth-Armor Bees and laid eyes on the early-stage Treant Clone, the swarm, and the storage bags, looks of triumph appeared on their faces.
"Daoist Lin, Daoist Gong, just as you said! There was indeed a big fish behind that Bee Daoist!"
"I knew it. Even if the storage bags were destroyed, the wealth of several families couldn't have just vanished!"
"I didn't expect the fish to stay still for two years. He was cautious! But we caught him anyway."
"Let's be careful. We don't want to end up like Daoist Zhu, dragged down by an early-stage brat. How embarrassing!"
"We'll attack together! Last time, they only gave him a chance because they wanted to take him alive. We won't make that mistake! We'll pulverize his body immediately!"
The three experts didn't care about Qi Ping's identity. One was from the Qingyuan Sect, and another was from the Celestial Alliance—the two strongest powers in the domain. To them, the Bee Daoist was just a rat. Their only concern was making sure the rat didn't bite them. They had swept the area with their divine sense and found nothing unusual.
As for the details... they would kill him first and search his soul later.
"Did you think we wouldn't find you after two years?"
"Now, do you want to hand the items over quietly, or should I kill you first and take them myself?"
Cold, contemptuous voices reached Qi Ping as the three closed in.
"You've learned to be smart, I see. But did you really think three late-stage experts were enough to take me down?" the Treant Clone sneered.
"Where does an early-stage brat get such a big mouth? Even if you've set up second-grade arrays, they won't save you!"
The three didn't stop, unleashing spells and attacks at Qi Ping. Heartless Saber Intent, Metal Intent, and Water Intent filled the air. The terrifying pressure of the late stage swept across the land. Those who had grasped Intent were already standing at the threshold of the Golden Core realm. They were far stronger than the four who had surrounded the Bee Daoist previously.
'Formidable indeed!'
Qi Ping acknowledged their power. In a fair fight, the three could have killed his clone in moments.
"But this is my home turf!"
With a wave of his hands, a mid-tier second-grade defensive array enveloped him. Immediately after, a mid-tier second-grade snare array snapped shut. Then came the Profound Gold Killing Array and the Fire Crow Array.
Four arrays rose in succession! An oppressive, terrifying power locked down the space. The defensive array protected him, while the other three acted as a triple-nested offensive system—one snare and two killing arrays. This was the current limit of his array-stacking ability.
"Damn it! This kid's array mastery is even more horrifying than the rumors said!"
"What kind of monster is this? Since when were these rats so powerful?"
"This is a triple-nested formation! The quality is at the very top of the second grade!"
Seeing their initial attacks absorbed by the defensive barrier and feeling the weight of the arrays, their expressions changed. Even though these were "only" second-grade arrays, their combined power was not something to be trifled with.
In an instant, five massive fire crows and seven razor-sharp sword streaks shot toward them. Simultaneously, a crushing force of suppression and restraint weighed down on their bodies.
"Break the arrays quickly! Don't let him escape!"
"Fellow Daoists, use your trump cards! Do not hold back!"
The arrays weren't lethal to them yet, but they would give Qi Ping the chance to flee. To prevent that, the three used blood-burning techniques and unleashed their strongest killing moves against the edge of the formation.
Sword qi slashed and tidal waves roared. Amidst deafening explosions, Qi Ping's triple-nested array actually shattered!
However, after that single move, the auras of the three experts visibly weakened. They gasped for breath, the joint strike having taken a massive toll. A three-layer array of such quality was not easily broken. Had they been alone, they might have lost their lives then and there.
"Boy, you have some skill!"
"But now that your arrays are broken, it's our turn!"
They glared at Qi Ping with murderous intent, humiliated by the trouble an early-stage brat had caused them. But to their horror, Qi Ping didn't look afraid. He simply held out his hands.
Suddenly, their faces turned pale and dark. Outside the shattered arrays, another triple-nested formation rose into place.
"Please continue. If you don't, I'm leaving," the Treant Clone mocked, even feigning a departure.
The provocation drove them into a rage. They had to keep breaking the arrays. If they didn't finish this now, the backlash from their blood-burning techniques would set in. Even if the arrays didn't kill them, their foundations would be permanently damaged.
Forced into a corner, they unleashed everything to break the second set. After a thunderous roar, the arrays shattered again. But their auras were now significantly depleted; consecutive bursts had drained them. This time, they were smarter. The moment the array broke, they ignited their speed to flee.
But before they could move, a new set of arrays blocked their path. The three experts felt a sudden, unprecedented sense of crisis rising from their hearts. They looked back to see Qi Ping watching them with mockery.
In that moment, they realized who the hunter really was.
Outside the field, Qi Ping's main body was hidden behind an Illusion Array, continuously triggering Natural Perception to ensure his safety while he manipulated the formations. If danger appeared, he would transform into a bee and leave with Yaya and the Flower Demon. But if things were safe, he would take their lives.
He had found two extremely rare divination-type spirit beasts in the Black Market, but he lacked the points. Taking down even one of these men would likely bridge the gap.
As the third set of triple-nested arrays rose, a smile finally appeared on Qi Ping's lips. He had spent a fortune in resources and spirit stones on these arrays. It was time for the harvest!
He glanced at the Flower Demon and Yaya. The two companions understood instantly and charged forth! A golden streak of light, possessing terrifying speed, was the first to enter the fray!