Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Opening the Secret Vault

Since Mr. Suan Mei did not believe that Fang Lie could open the secret vault left by the powerful figures of the Buddhist Sect from ten thousand years ago, they all smiled and flew together to the great hall on the lowest level to check the resources there.

Chongming Ancient Temple supports thousands of people, and each of the three great halls has its own treasure vault, filled with treasures piled high, requiring many people for inventory.

For Mr. Suan Mei and the Seven Dragon True Immortals, who were used to hardship, counting the treasures was a wonderful task, as they might find something suitable for themselves. With Fang Lie’s generosity, they knew they could certainly ask for it.

Just as Mr. Suan Mei and the others began to enthusiastically check the resources, Fang Lie, guided by the Man-Eating Demon Monk, arrived at a small temple on the back mountain.

This small temple appeared quite run-down, with only a single hall built of Qingshi, only a height of three to five feet, and there wasn’t even a surrounding wall at the outer gate.

Inside the temple, there was merely an ordinary wooden Buddha statue, and everywhere was covered with spider webs and dust, looking dilapidated, more like a place for wandering monks than a secret vault.

However, Fang Lie knew that the Man-Eating Demon Monk, controlled by the Lost Soul Crown, would definitely not deceive him. This place must be the location of the secret vault; he just couldn’t see it with his ordinary eyes.

Thinking of this, Fang Lie couldn’t help but feel a bit competitive. He activated his Earth Eye Divine Skill, allowing him to probe the underground within a thousand miles with clarity.

He found quite a few underground earthworm beetles, but unfortunately, he didn’t discover any sign of a secret vault. Not even a hole the size of a foot could be found; how could there be a secret vault?

Fang Lie immediately furrowed his brows and couldn’t help but ask, "Are you sure the secret vault is here?"

"My father said it is here, but I can’t find the entrance," the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied honestly.

"Could he be deceiving you?" Fang Lie frowned and said, "There’s nothing here, and the underground is solid; there’s definitely no secret room or anything."

"No way! My father said that after I master Buddhism, I will discover something after practicing hard here for a hundred years," the Man-Eating Demon Monk said seriously.

"What does mastering Buddhism mean?" Fang Lie asked with confusion.

"To attain the Diamond Relic and surpass the Heavenly Fire level," the Man-Eating Demon Monk replied earnestly.

Buddhist cultivators and Tao Sect cultivators have some differences; the Nascent Soul they condense is like a treasure pearl, and different practices result in different relics.

However, Buddhist relics must also undergo the trials of the three great disasters: wind, fire, and thunder, to achieve a higher level.

Fang Lie glanced at the fierce-looking Man-Eating Demon Monk and frowned, "You, a scoundrel who eats people every day, can condense Buddha relics? I simply don’t believe it!"

"I don’t have any relics," the Man-Eating Demon Monk said honestly. "I became the Wind Tribulation Immortal with my demon body."

Fang Lie immediately understood; this guy was not meant for Buddhist cultivation at all, so his foundation was poor. His powers came entirely from his demon form; on the surface, he looked like a monk, but in reality, he was a powerful Great Demon.

It was clear that this secret vault was not ordinary, and Fang Lie couldn’t even find the door, let alone enter.

But that was fine. Fang Lie still had a secret weapon: the old bird!

"Bird Bro~" Fang Lie quickly said, "This place is said to hide a secret vault from tens of thousands of years ago; please help me find it quickly!"

As soon as Fang Lie finished speaking, a strange force shot from his forehead, swirling around the surroundings.

The old bird, feeling a hint of surprise, said, "There’s actually a small Subhuti space hidden here; this place is truly extraordinary."

Hearing this, Fang Lie was instantly shocked. A small Subhuti space is a special space opened up in the void, extraordinarily stable and incredibly secretive, impossible for ordinary people to detect.

Even if one does notice it, without the corresponding methods, there’s no way to open it.

It is said that only Semi-Immortal-level beings are qualified to open such special spaces, and it requires a tremendous amount of high-rank materials and effort, taking at least a thousand years of toil.

Thus, each small Subhuti space is exceedingly precious, containing absolutely remarkable treasures.

Therefore, Fang Lie’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he immediately smiled and asked, "Bird Bro, a small Subhuti space must hide the best treasures; can you open it?"

"Hehe, if I take action, it will be effortless!" the old bird replied proudly. "Don’t mention just a small Subhuti space; even a proper heavenly paradise, I can break open for you!"

"Why aren’t you acting then?" Fang Lie urged impatiently.

"Can’t~" Old Bird replied helplessly. "You’re still just a candidate Token ord, not my true master. By sect rules, even if you died out here, I’m forbidden to show your skills."

"Seriously? That cold?" Fang Lie gasped.

"Rules are rules," Old Bird stated firmly.

"So I return empty-handed?" Fang Lie frowned. "The Great Thunder Sound Temple won’t let this go—especially that monk’s Master. He knows this small Subhuti space exists here. They’ll never let me keep it!"

Fang Lie’s expression turned grave. "I’m not scared to die, but their power’s overwhelming. Even my death wouldn’t stop them! Must I watch them steal this treasure? Bird Bro, bend the rules once! I’ll claim nothing inside. Then you’re helping the sect, not me!"

"Heh, didn’t know you cared so much about the sect," Old Bird chuckled.

"Sigh~" Fang Lie exhaled. "Better you get it than those bald devils from Great Thunder Sound Temple!"

"Don’t you want it for yourself?" Old Bird suddenly asked.

"Me?" Fang Lie blinked. "But you said you couldn’t help!"

"I can’t act for you, but you can claim it yourself," Old Bird clarified.

"How? The treasure vault’s right here, but even with Earth Eye Divine Skill, I can’t find the entrance. The gap’s too big!" Fang Lie protested.

"Smashing your way in won’t work. Ever heard of using a key?" Old Bird teased. "Can’t enter with one? Then you’re truly a fool!"

"A key—" Fang Lie froze, then shouted, "The Bright Pearl?!"

"Clever!" Old Bird laughed. "Master Tianlong planned carefully. He gave the Man-Eating Demon Monk the Bright Pearl to open this Secret Vault but kept its purpose secret. He feared early access would hinder the monk’s cultivation. Meant for him to cultivate here a Hundred Years after mastering Buddhism, using the Pearl to find and unlock the vault."

"Hah! He never saw me coming!" Fang Lie grinned. "Bird Bro, what now?"

"First, refine the Bright Pearl," Old Bird instructed.

"Joking?" Fang Lie groaned. "I can’t refine a sixth-rank magical item, much less a top-grade Seventh-rank Bright Pearl!"

"Use your servant," Old Bird suggested. "Have him activate the Pearl and hover it exactly three chi three cun above that Buddha statue’s head. Not a hair higher or lower!"

Without hesitation, Fang Lie handed the Bright Pearl to the Man-Eating Demon Monk and barked orders.

The dim-witted Man-Eating Demon Monk complied obediently.

The Bright Pearl blazed like a tiny sun, illuminating every corner of the hall.

Old Bird continued, "Make him sit and chant the ‘Golden Vajra Sutra of the Three World Subduer.’"

Fang Lie commanded, and the Man-Eating Demon Monk began chanting cross-legged.

Though a Great Demon, his father’s influence gave him Buddhist knowledge. His sutra chanting flowed rhythmically, thick with Zen essence.

As the chant continued, Fang Lie noticed the surroundings shimmering and warping.

The crumbling hall vanished, replaced by a thousand-zhang-wide clearing.

Fang Lie gaped at the colossal tree dominating the space.

Its trunk spanned over one zhang, towering a hundred zhang skyward like a living canopy.

Palm-sized leaves glittered with gold flecks.

Supple branches bore divine patterns swirling with profound mystery.

Most astonishing were the walnut-sized fruits glowing soft white, divine aura pulsing within like embryonic life.

Beneath the tree, thousands of green-shelled fruits littered the ground. Their hard skins glimmered with internal light, revealing divine patterns with each pulse.

A lightly fragrant Zen aroma permeated the air. One whiff sharpened Fang Lie’s mind, thoughts accelerating—perfect for cultivation, alchemy, or refining techniques, doubling efficiency effortlessly.

This alone marked the space as peerless. The tree’s origins must be extraordinary!

"Bird Bro," Fang Lie breathed, "this tree… what is it?"