Chapter 293

Chapter 293: A New Business

Although Bai Lian Chan Master and the others appeared to walk away casually and confidently, everyone could see that they were quite frustrated, and one might even say they were in a difficult situation.

They had come with great momentum, seeking to demand an explanation, but in the end, they had to apologize to the Mo Sect and were extorted for one hundred thousand small spirit pearls by Fang Lie.

While Bai Lian Chan Master did not care about the loss of wealth, the shame was too much to bear. Not only had they lost face, but they also lost their dignity.

Fortunately, Jie Kong was dead. If he were alive, Bai Lian Chan Master might have even killed him himself. When had a thousand-year-old master experienced such humiliation?

But thankfully, the outcome was somewhat favorable, as they managed to obtain the Bright Pearl and Chongming Ancient Temple back, though the price was a bit steep.

This was unavoidable; after all, it was the Man-Eating Demon Monk who failed miserably and let the secret slip.

Bai Lian Chan Master felt lucky that he could reclaim the treasures even with the opponent fully aware of the Secret Vault. He even felt a bit grateful towards Fang Lie, inwardly sighing, "It’s a good thing I ran into someone like Fang from the Fang Family; if I had faced someone else who had no sense of shame, they would have retracted their promise and refused to acknowledge it. That would have been a real problem! Who knows who would end up with the Chongming Ancient Temple if the other three Buddhist sects got involved?"

However, Bai Lian Chan Master did not trust the higher-ups of the Mo Sect. He knew they had lost out this time, as all the benefits had gone to Fang Lie, and they had gained nothing.

These people would certainly not rest easy, especially the Head of the Bai Family. His treachery matched that of Demonic Path cultivators. Although he wouldn’t dare openly oppose the Great Thunder Sound Temple, he would undoubtedly act in secret. Just considering the Secret Vault’s existence, he was unlikely to keep it quiet and might be contacting other Buddhist sects already to sell the information at a high price.

Thousands of years ago, the Buddhist Sect’s Secret Vault could hold powerful treasures or heritage, which would be an enormous temptation for any Buddhist disciple. The other three sects would surely be restless once they heard the news!

Thinking of this, Bai Lian Chan Master was burning with anxiety, not daring to waste any time. He even skipped returning to the Great Thunder Sound Temple and headed straight for Wanxing Sea, determined to secure the Secret Vault as quickly as possible.

As long as the items ultimately ended up with the Great Thunder Sound Temple, the other three sects would have to watch helplessly.

After Bai Lian Chan Master hurried away, the Head of the Bai Family couldn’t help but lambaste Fang Lie, shouting, "Are you an idiot? How could you so easily hand over the Chongming Ancient Temple? Don’t you realize that their willingness to pay such a hefty price means there must be astounding treasures involved?"

"Heh heh," Fang Lie sneered, dismissively replying, "My Fang Family, though not a great family clan, still values face and pride! Our words are as unchangeable as nails on a board! Unlike other scoundrels who think they are above everyone else, while being filled with despicable thoughts! How can such shameless fools be made elders of the Mo Sect? I can only say, heaven is blind, and the sect is in trouble!"

Fang Lie’s words were almost a direct accusation aimed at the Head of the Bai Family, leaving the old man furious to the point of tears.

He yelled, "You little brat, do you want to die?"

"If I want to die, then kill me!" Fang Lie stretched his neck defiantly and said, "If you don’t act, you’re the one who’s a coward!"

"You—" The Head of the Bai Family raised his hand but couldn’t bring himself to strike.

With his strength, he could easily kill Fang Lie, but the consequences were too severe. The candidate Token Lord of the Benevolence Token wasn’t someone who could just threaten! If he acted, Fang Lie would strike back at him; considering his own life, how could he dare to make a move?

Huo Wufang, seeing this unfold, felt displeased. No matter how one viewed it, the Head of the Bai Family was a sect elder and a Thunder Tribulation Immortal. How could Fang Lie, a mere Qi Sea cultivator, act so insolently?

Thus, he sternly said, "Fang Lie, you have gone too far!"

"I have gone too far?" Fang Lie coldly laughed, then asked, "If speaking a few words is considered excessive, then let me ask you, my lord, when I risk my life for the sect, why are there those who ambush me from behind? Is that not excessive? I achieved great merit but was rewarded with a worthless piece of bone. Isn’t that excessive? I, a mere Qi Sea cultivator, was sent to Wanxing Sea to fend for myself—isn’t that excessive?"

"I ask you, do you think I haven’t done anything wrong to the sect? Yet I am targeted and schemed against time and again, especially by this so-called elder, who has committed how many immoral acts in secret. As the Token Lord of Righteousness, do you truly know nothing? Or are you simply pretending to be deaf and mute?"

Fang Lie sneered, "Look into your heart and ask yourself, who is truly being excessive?"

"This…" Huo Wufang’s face flushed red with shame, and he couldn’t utter another word.

Even Mo Qianxun looked embarrassed. He knew all these things and had even fanned the flames behind the scenes; it was indeed not very honorable, and after being pointed out by Fang Lie, he felt ashamed.

But in this situation, he couldn’t say anything and could only force a smile, "Alright, alright, let’s let the past go and not dwell on it. Junior Brother Bai, the Chongming Ancient Temple belongs to Fang Lie; he can give it to whomever he pleases, and the sect has no right to interfere!"

"But what if there is a Ninth-Rank Treasure in that Secret Vault? Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out on that opportunity?" the Head of the Bai Family said anxiously.

"Even if there is a Ninth-Rank Treasure, it belongs to the Buddhist sect. What good is it to us?" Mo Qianxun replied indifferently. "Besides, the existence of such a treasure isn’t even certain! Let’s not discuss this matter further; you all can leave now!"

"Yes!" The Head of the Bai Family and Huo Wufang, feeling helpless, had no choice but to withdraw together.

Fang Lie also wanted to leave but was stopped by Mo Qianxun.

Mo Qianxun gazed at Fang Lie and sighed heavily. "We wronged you before, especially when you won first place in the Outer Sect Competition but weren’t admitted to the inner gate. That was my doing. I won’t deny it, and I know it was unfair."

Fang Lie had long known this truth. Hearing Mo Qianxun confess felt odd, but he remained silent, quietly waiting.

As expected, Mo Qianxun continued with a bitter smile. "But you must understand our position. You were merely a Qi Sea realm cultivator back then. Had you entered the inner gate, you’d have claimed the Benevolence Token, placing yourself above all of us. Being from the Fang Family, you’d never compromise. If you’d gained control of Mo Sect, half the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families would’ve been slaughtered by your hand. The sect itself would’ve crumbled!"

"Hmph," Fang Lie snorted. "They had it coming."

"Perhaps they deserved death, but you can’t punish entire crowds!" Mo Qianxun retorted in frustration. "Look at your past actions—slaughtering hundreds, wiping out whole family clans, seizing ancestral lands under the pretense of Betraying the Sect and Ancestor! Even I, as Sect Leader, never showed such ruthlessness!"

"Your weakness bred this rot!" Fang Lie shot back. "Had you shown real strength, these parasites wouldn’t exist. Millions of outer disciples suffer daily—the blame rests on you!"

"Enough," Mo Qianxun raised his hands in defeat. "I won’t argue with youth. Time will teach you wisdom."

"Fang Family rule: Never retreat, even if you break through the South Wall." Fang Lie turned away. "I’ll never wallow in your filth."

"Wait!" Mo Qianxun called urgently. "This concerns vital matters!"

"Speak." Fang Lie paused without turning.

"Rumors say you possess treasures that enhance spiritual roots?" Mo Qianxun’s eyes gleamed. "The White Jade Divine Fish, perhaps?"

"Mo Wanfang handles the sales. You know this." Fang Lie’s voice stayed flat.

"Indeed. Yet live specimens would aid my research. Might I request two fish? Alive, preferably."

Fang Lie smirked. He always distributed dead fish—gutted and descaled to prevent breeding. The Sect Leader’s scheme was obvious.

"For today’s support, I’ll grant two males." Fang Lie feigned generosity.

"Two males?" Mo Qianxun sputtered. "How’s that useful? I need breeding pairs!"

"Then you’d never purchase more." Fang Lie chuckled. "I’m no fool."

Caught red-handed, Mo Qianxun laughed nervously. "This treasure could elevate Mo Sect beyond Ninth-Rank Treasures! Imagine millions with middle-grade spiritual roots!"

"Other sects would crush us first." Fang Lie cut him off. "Dominance invites destruction."

"We’d share carefully with righteous sects," Mo Qianxun pressed. "Hand it over, and the sect will compensate you richly."

Fang Lie narrowed his eyes. "Compensation? Name terms."

"Millions in contribution points! Powerful treasures!"

Without another word, Fang Lie strode away.