Chapter 292

Chapter 292: Thunder Sound Golden Bell

When Bai Lian Chan Master said this, Fang Lie immediately changed his tone and quickly replied, "So the Secret Vault is just an empty legend. In that case, Sect Leader, I believe this transaction should be called off. We cannot let the high monks of Great Thunder Sound Temple be at a loss!"

Seeing Fang Lie looking so pleased with himself, Mo Qianxun found it amusing but still replied, "That sounds great. We absolutely must not let them suffer a loss!"

"Wait!" Bai Lian Chan Master, sensing the situation was shifting unfavorably, quickly softened his stance and said, "Alright, alright, I admit there might be an ancient Secret Vault inside, but after so many years, no one knows where it is or how to open it. We are just trying our luck."

"Hmph, that’s insincere!" Fang Lie smirked and said, "Chongming Ancient Temple is only a few thousand miles in circumference. With the strength of Great Thunder Sound Temple, you could probably search the entire place in no time!"

"Moreover, that Secret Vault belongs to the Buddhist sect, and it surely requires very strong Buddhist Heart Methods to open it. For us, it’s like reaching for the sky, but for you, it should be as easy as turning over your palm. I don’t believe you don’t have confidence in this!" Fang Lie continued, "Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so eager to find me!"

"Hmm?" Bai Lian Chan Master frowned and asked, "You seem to know quite a lot about that Secret Vault?"

"The Man-Eating Demon Monk told me, but unfortunately, he didn’t have complete information, just bits and pieces!" Fang Lie replied casually. "In short, let’s speak plainly. The news about the Secret Vault is certainly true; we can’t enter, but you definitely can. If you all are only thinking of empty-handedly getting something for nothing, then I have nothing more to say. As long as the Sect Leader agrees, as an outer disciple, I will have to back down!"

Saying this, Fang Lie looked once again at Mo Qianxun, implying that if he didn’t speak up, then he would agree, and if he lost, they would also be embarrassed!

Once again pressured by Fang Lie, Mo Qianxun could only smile helplessly.

In his predicament, he could only say, "Master, if it really is this way, you all are being a bit stingy!"

"Uh…" Bai Lian Chan Master immediately replied with a wry smile, "Sect Leader, an Eighth-rank Treasure is already considered a treasure. Our Great Thunder Sound Temple has only a few dozen of them. If this isn’t enough, do you expect us to give you a Ninth-rank Treasure?"

"Why not do it this way?" Fang Lie suddenly smirked. "To avoid you all suffering a loss, why don’t we open the Secret Vault and see what’s inside? The place is mine, so the vault is naturally mine as well. However, since you are the ones opening it, I’ll be generous and give you three parts while I keep the remaining seven. Of course, if you desire what I have, I can sell it to you, how about that?"

"That’s a good idea!" Huo Wufang immediately said with a smile. "Just for opening a door, taking three parts without effort, and allowing you to buy the rest. Those terms are indeed generous; I think we can proceed on this basis."

"Ha ha~" Mo Qianxun also laughed and said, "Master Bai Lian, what do you think of this idea?"

"Well, this isn’t too good!" Bai Lian Chan Master was now sweating coldly. Others might not know, but he was very clear that the items in that Secret Vault could not merely be described as priceless. If they were to be revealed, even a seven-part share would be worth several Eighth-rank Treasures!

How could Bai Lian Chan Master dare to agree? So he quickly said, "That won’t do. After all, it is our Buddhist Secret Vault, and there may be items inside that involve Buddhist secrets, not suitable for outsiders to know. How about this: I’ll add another Eighth-rank Treasure instead?"

Once Bai Lian Chan Master said this, it instantly piqued the interest of Mo Qianxun and the others.

Any item that could relate to Buddhist secrets was undoubtedly an extraordinary treasure, perhaps even a Ninth-rank Treasure. Such a valuable item could not possibly be cheapened to just two Eighth-rank Treasures!

Mo Qianxun had already realized that the secrets of Chongming Ancient Temple might be significant, but he never expected them to be of such great consequence.

He immediately said sternly, "This matter should be discussed slowly!"

"How can that be? Did you not promise to return Chongming Ancient Temple to us?" Bai Lian Chan Master replied anxiously.

"I did agree to sell it to you, but your offer is too low and lacks sincerity," Fang Lie shrugged and replied. "I can’t let your group take advantage of me just because I’m younger!"

Bai Lian Chan Master looked at Fang Lie’s pleased expression, feeling quite frustrated. He wanted to curse the Man-Eating Demon Monk in his heart: how could he say such an important matter? Truly an enormous fool! Fortunately, his father is only a Semi-Immortal, truly a case of a tiger’s son being a dog!

Unfortunately, no matter how Bai Lian Chan Master cursed, the matter had reached this point, and there was no choice for him now. In desperation, he thought for a moment and tentatively suggested, "How about I add one more Eighth-rank Treasure? That would make three Eighth-rank Treasures!"

"You lack sincerity~" Fang Lie still replied disdainfully.

"Is this not sincerity? What do you want? A Ninth-rank Treasure?" Bai Lian Chan Master’s senior disciple said angrily.

Meanwhile, Mo Qianxun remained silent yet smiled, secretly transmitting to Fang Lie, "No matter what, don’t agree. Since they can offer three Eighth-rank Treasures, it indicates there’s something more suspicious. Let’s look for it first, then we’ll discuss the transaction."

Fang Lie slightly nodded to acknowledge, then smiled and said, "If you think this constitutes sincerity, then I truly have nothing to say. Otherwise, how about I invite the people from Putuo Temple, Lotus Dharma Sect, and Great Compassion Temple to come over and have a look? They might be interested as well!"

Upon hearing Fang Lie’s words, Bai Lian Chan Master’s face turned pale.

The three sects Fang Lie mentioned were all on the same level as Great Thunder Sound Temple, although they usually maintained friendly relations, they were also secretly competing with each other. If the news about Chongming Ancient Temple reached them, they would undoubtedly rush over like their tails were on fire.

At that time, Great Thunder Sound Temple would have to deal with three powerful competitors when trying to obtain Chongming Ancient Temple, probably paying a significant price.

Realizing this, Bai Lian Chan Master knew he could no longer wait. Thus, he gritted his teeth, took out a palm-sized golden bell, and handed it to Fang Lie, saying, "This is the Thunder Sound Golden Bell, a token of Great Thunder Sound Temple. The holder can request the temple to do one thing! I trade it for Chongming Ancient Temple; how can that be considered stingy?"

Seeing this object, everyone present was shocked. The Thunder Sound Golden Bell was on par with the Kunlun Sword Token, equivalent to the favor owed by the entire Great Thunder Sound Temple.

This was incomparable to Bai Lian Chan Master’s mere favor; possessing this item could even command several Thunder Tribulation Immortals to assist in battle. The two were not comparable in weight.

If we’re being honest, this item was nearly a one-time Ninth-rank Treasure. Even a Thunder Tribulation Immortal could be defeated with it!

Thus, it became clear how valuable this item was; even two or three Eighth-rank Treasures could not compare!

"Uh…" Fang Lie was instantly left speechless.

He understood that the Thunder Sound Golden Bell represented the dignity of Great Thunder Sound Temple. If he declined again, it would be like slapping their face!

Though Fang Lie had an undying nature, he wasn’t foolish enough to easily offend a super sect.

So he turned his gaze back toward Mo Qianxun.

Mo Qianxun had no choice but to smile and say, "Oh, it’s just a ruin of Chongming Ancient Temple. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss?"

"Sect Leader!" Bai Lian Chan Master maintained his attitude, saying, "Chongming Ancient Temple was founded by Benefactor Fang and should belong to him personally. Therefore, I will only transact with him, please understand, Sect Leader!"

Although Bai Lian Chan Master’s words were polite, the meaning was very clear: he did not want Mo Qianxun to meddle!

If it were just Bai Lian Chan Master, Mo Qianxun wouldn’t care at all. But with the Thunder Sound Golden Bell on the line, which represented the entire Great Thunder Sound Temple, unless Mo Qianxun wanted to provoke a sect war, he absolutely could not speak up.

Helplessly, Mo Qianxun could only show Fang Lie a sympathetic smile.

Meanwhile, Huo Wufang and the Head of the Bai Family were exchanging glances with Fang Lie, even secretly transmitting messages urging him not to agree. They could tell from Bai Lian Chan Master’s demeanor that the treasures inside the Secret Vault were definitely not trivial, perhaps even a Ninth-rank Treasure; it was certainly not something a mere Thunder Sound Golden Bell could match.

However, Fang Lie merely shrugged and seriously said, "In my Fang Family, we always act with integrity; once a word is spoken, it is like a chariot drawn by four horses that is hard to take back! Since I have made a promise, I cannot go back on it. This Thunder Sound Golden Bell is an invaluable treasure, and naturally, it can be exchanged for Chongming Ancient Temple and Bright Pearl; it might even be worth more. However, let me make it clear beforehand that my knowledge about the Secret Vault is only from the Man-Eating Demon Monk’s hints; I cannot guarantee whether it truly exists. If you don’t find it—"

"You can rest assured!" Bai Lian Chan Master said solemnly. "The Fang Family’s reputation for integrity is known throughout the world, and Great Thunder Sound Temple is certainly no petty villain. We are only exchanging for Chongming Ancient Temple and Bright Pearl; whether or not the Secret Vault exists has nothing to do with you!"

"Alright, since that’s the case~" Fang Lie immediately said, "Here is the Bright Pearl!"

As he spoke, Fang Lie handed over the Bright Pearl.

"Very good!" Bai Lian Chan Master accepted it, checked it with his divine sense, confirmed it was correct, and immediately handed Fang Lie the Thunder Sound Golden Bell.

After receiving the golden bell, Fang Lie said with a smile, "This is the key to controlling the protective array of Chongming Ancient Temple. Of course, it’s a replica, so I can only provide you with this. I believe that with the strength of Great Thunder Sound Temple, this should be enough to manage Chongming Ancient Temple, right?"

Fang Lie handed Bai Lian Chan Master a special jade token, which would allow free access to Chongming Ancient Temple without fear of being attacked by the protective array.

"Ha ha, it’s enough! Thank you, Benefactor!" Bai Lian Chan Master laughed heartily as he received the jade token, then immediately bid farewell and left.