Chapter 278

Chapter 278: Shocking Secrets

The Man-Eating Demon Monk was trapped in his mind; he was nothing but a fool, completely unaware of anything happening around him. When Fang Lie scolded him, he could only respond with a silly grin.

This left Fang Lie feeling quite frustrated.

Fortunately, Mr. Suan Mei was wise and quickly said, "My lord, the core control of the Formation is currently in the hands of the Man-Eating Demon Monk. You can ask him to transfer it to you, so you won’t need to refine it yourself."

"Is that possible?" Fang Lie asked, suddenly filled with joy. He immediately ordered the Man-Eating Demon Monk, "Transfer the highest authority of the Formation to me right now!"

"Yes, master~" Without any hesitation, the Man-Eating Demon Monk immediately summoned a gentle white light from the center of his forehead, which flew into Fang Lie’s forehead.

After accepting this special mark, Fang Lie felt a connection to the entire Formation, and he gained countless secret techniques to control it.

Excited, Fang Lie quickly unleashed a series of techniques, and in the next moment, a dazzling light appeared in the great hall, covering an area of about a hundred feet. It was a three-dimensional map of the entire Chongming Ancient Temple, displaying even the tiniest details outside, and marking hidden passages and secret vaults.

Of course, all living beings on the island were included as well, whether it was the free-range small demon beasts or the excited little cultivators. None were missed.

"Good thing! With this, I can completely control the entire temple. No one will be able to sneak in!" praised the Immortal Wind Dragon.

This technique was incredibly powerful, far beyond what even the Mo Sect’s protective array could achieve. Of course, even if they could do it, they wouldn’t, as every family clan has its own privacy.

For a place like Chongming Ancient Temple, which could display each detail clearly under surveillance, it would not be acceptable in the Tao Sect. Only the Buddhist can do this, as their disciples are very obedient, following their mentors’ words without question. They always think of their sect first, showing little regard for personal privacy.

At that moment, Mr. Suan Mei suddenly exclaimed, "Something isn’t right! This is clearly the treasure vault, but how come there are living people inside?"

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly looked in the direction he was pointing and discovered a small figure in the treasure vault beneath the middle hall.

The Chongming Ancient Temple was far too large; even in such a spacious hall, a specific person appeared as tiny as an ant, which is why no one had seen him before—only Mr. Suan Mei noticed.

Seeing this, Fang Lie immediately grew furious, thinking, ‘After all the effort I put into claiming this territory, and I haven’t even had a chance to explore it yet, and now someone’s already here to take the first bite? This won’t do!’

Without any unnecessary words, Fang Lie pointed his finger, instantly magnifying the scene. People could see that it was a middle-aged monk, whose cultivation level was at least that of a Nascent Soul True Immortal.

What was most crucial was the bell-shaped symbol on his sleeve, indicating he came from the Great Thunder Sound Temple.

Seeing this, everyone’s expressions changed.

At that moment, the monk was using a powerful Buddhist divine skill to attack the vault door, his face filled with greed and a fierce look. Clearly, he thought he could take advantage of the situation, believing he could cash in now that all the higher-ups had fallen.

However, at that moment, no one had the mood to concern themselves with him. Mr. Suan Mei, filled with fear, said, "Why is a monk from the Great Thunder Sound Temple here? He seems like he’s staying here for a while. Could it really be that this place is a branch of the Great Thunder Sound Temple?"

"You said you had figured out the situation," Fang Lie replied, feeling frustrated. "I remember you told me this place was outright denied by the Great Thunder Sound Temple, right?"

"I did say that, because over the past few hundred years, not a single monk from the Great Thunder Sound Temple has entered here!" Mr. Suan Mei replied anxiously. "Moreover, even if a monk from the Great Thunder Sound Temple were to pass by, they would look down upon this place with disdain, almost running away while covering their noses. If this truly was a branch of the Great Thunder Sound Temple, why would they behave like that?"

"Then what do you say now?" Fang Lie pointed at the monk. "This guy can’t be an imposter, right?"

"Um…" Mr. Suan Mei forced a smile. "From the divine skill he uses, it is indeed a secret technique passed down by the Great Thunder Sound Temple, the Bodhi Demon Breaking Staff. His cultivation is obvious, and he looks like a legitimate heir. But who knows, maybe he’s just here for fun? Why don’t you capture him and ask?"

Fang Lie snorted and said, "Although the bald devils from the Great Thunder Sound Temple disgust me, I have no conflict with them. Why would I capture him just because I feel like it? Do you really think my Fang Family is the kind of scoundrels that bully the weak?"

Mr. Suan Mei felt utterly ashamed after being scolded by Fang Lie and dared not say anything more. Conversely, the Seven Dragon True Immortal greatly appreciated Fang Lie’s words, showing a pleased expression.

Fang Lie turned away from Mr. Suan Mei and asked the Man-Eating Demon Monk, "Tell me, who is this bald devil?"

"Jiliu~" the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied immediately.

"Master Jiliu?" Fang Lie furrowed his brows. "Is he really from the Great Thunder Sound Temple?"

"Yes, master!" the Man-Eating Demon Monk answered honestly.

"Then tell me, what does he want from you?" Fang Lie asked.

"He represents his teacher, the Fire Tribulation Immortal Master, to discuss a transaction with me!" the Man-Eating Demon Monk said slowly.

"Um, I see~" Fang Lie paused for a moment, then quickly asked, "What transaction?"

"They said they could help me open a Secret Vault here, but the condition is to split the treasures inside!" the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied.

"Hmm?" Fang Lie exclaimed in surprise, "This is your Secret Vault, and you can’t open it yourself?"

"It was left by a predecessor from Chongming Ancient Temple thousands of years ago; I can’t open it!" the Man-Eating Demon Monk said honestly.

"I see~" Fang Lie became curious and asked, "Be honest with me, does this place count as a branch of the Great Thunder Sound Temple?"

"No, it doesn’t." the Man-Eating Demon Monk explained, "It’s a relic my father discovered and passed on to me; it’s my private property!"

"Who is your father?" Fang Lie asked, intrigued.

"Master Tianlong!" the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied innocently.

"Oh my, really?" Fang Lie exclaimed.

"Wow, the legend is true!" Mr. Suan Mei gasped.

"Incredible!" the Seven Dragon True Immortals inhaled sharply.

Master Tianlong was a Semi-Immortal-level figure who had contributed significantly in the fight against the extramundane demons. He was highly respected in the cultivation world. The news that he had a child with a demon, and that this child was a Man-Eating Demon Monk, left everyone in disbelief.

After expressing their astonishment, Fang Lie asked, "Doesn’t your father know about the Secret Vault? Why won’t he help you open it?"

"He said I should open it myself to encourage me to improve my Buddhist cultivation," the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied blankly. "But the demon bloodline in me conflicts with the Buddhist principles. The more I practice Buddhism, the more my demon nature erupts, causing me great pain, which is why I have become brutal and heartless."

"Ha, so you know you’re brutal and heartless?" Fang Lie laughed coldly, then added, "What a shame for your father’s good intentions!"

At that moment, Mr. Suan Mei frowned and said, "That scoundrel wants to split the treasures inside with you. Doesn’t he fear offending Master Tianlong?"

"My bond with my father has been cut; he wants to sever all earthly ties and reach a higher realm. He hasn’t left his retreat in thousands of years. I am now just a neglected child," the Man-Eating Demon Monk responded.

"What about your mother?" Fang Lie quickly inquired.

"She died from a lightning strike right after giving birth to me," the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied.

"Struck by lightning?" Fang Lie asked in astonishment. "What happened?"

The Man-Eating Demon Monk simply shook his head, obviously unsure.

Mr. Suan Mei explained solemnly, "When a human and a demon fall in love, the heavens disallow it, and if they have a child, it is a grievous sin, subjecting them to divine punishment."

"So that’s what happened!" Fang Lie nodded, "Knowing the punishment from the heavens would come, yet still having the child—though her nature was demonic, it’s admirable!"

"Do you still want to deal with him?" Mr. Suan Mei asked quickly.

"Of course! He is one thing; his mother is another!" Fang Lie declared seriously. "Just because his mother is admirable doesn’t erase the terrible crimes he committed! In any case, this scoundrel will not escape my grasp!"

"What about that person?" Mr. Suan Mei pointed at the monk who was currently attacking the treasure vault’s door.

"Hmph, is that even a question? We’ll capture him and throw him out!" Fang Lie said fiercely.

After that, Fang Lie quickly performed the secret technique to command the protective array.

In the next moment, the monk who was attacking the vault’s door was wrapped in a golden Buddhist light, giving him no chance to react as he was instantly teleported away.

When he finally regained his senses, he found himself out at sea, hundreds of miles away from Chongming Island.

"Damn, I got discovered so quickly!" the monk cursed. "The higher-ups on the island suddenly all died from poisoning; it must have been the Man-Eating Demon Monk. That guy is probably caught or killed. No, it should be the former; he was captured, which is why the protective array was taken control of so quickly. If he were killed, outsiders would find it difficult to enter, let alone control the array to get me out!"

"Strange, who did this? Since they dared to kill the Man-Eating Demon Monk, why did they let me go?" the monk muttered to himself. "No, I need to find out and relay this information. The Chongming Ancient Temple is priceless, especially with a treasure vault left from thousands of years ago; the treasures inside must not fall into the hands of outsiders!"

With that, he turned and left.

After getting rid of this annoying guy, Fang Lie cheerfully said, "You all go check the vault, see what good items we have, and register them. We’ll split them later."

"What are you going to do, island lord?" Mr. Suan Mei asked curiously.

"I’m going to check that Secret Vault~" Fang Lie said with a smile. "I really want to try and see if I can open it."

"Hehe, I’m afraid it’s very difficult. This is obviously a Buddhist Secret Vault; without profound Buddhist cultivation, how could anyone enter?" Mr. Suan Mei chuckled. "You are a Taoist; you definitely can’t open it!"

"Ha ha, it won’t hurt to try!" Fang Lie shrugged and then led the Man-Eating Demon Monk outward.

Fang Lie certainly couldn’t tell them that even if he possibly couldn’t open it, it didn’t mean Bird Bro couldn’t. The power of a Ninth-Rank Treasure could surely break open a door! Fang Lie really didn’t believe otherwise!