Chapter 424

Chapter 424: Meeting and Joining Forces

Shortly after Mo Lanyun finished introducing the elites and their sects to Fang Lie, a voice announced, "The Secret Realm will open momentarily. You’ll be teleported directly to the Little Demon Chamber’s location. Remember your assigned positions and don’t wander. Should you fail, millions of common families in this realm will face slaughter. Hold firm for all living beings!"

The speaker was likely Mo Qianxun. As his voice faded, over a dozen blue lights flew toward the group.

Fang Lie caught a jade talisman. Scanning it with divine sense, he found a map depicting the entire Secret Realm.

This Small Thousand World spanned merely tens of thousands of miles, dotted with nations, cities, and villages housing native inhabitants.

At the map’s center lay a wasteland marked by the Little Demon Chamber, encircled by eighteen glowing dots.

Ten black dots clustered on one side – Demonic Path disciples’ positions. Eight dots occupied the opposite side: seven green for righteous sect members, and one red marking Fang Lie’s post.

Notably, righteous and evil forces each occupied half the perimeter, stationing their strongest combatants at the border.

The righteous side positioned Ao Jianzi and Ming Yue at both ends, while the evil faction deployed Great Snow Mountain’s snow swordsman and Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s Heavenly Centipede Daoist.

Two massive Space Gates spanning thousands of feet materialized. One swirled with black smoke – unmistakably Demonic Path work. The other shimmered with sword rays – clearly the righteous sects’ doing.

Even now, the factions distrusted each other’s teleportation gates, hence creating separate portals.

Cultivators from both sides now boarded their large treasure weapons, approaching respective gates.

Following cultivation world tradition, the strongest entered first.

The Demonic Path procession opened with snow swordsman astride a snow-white flying sword, followed by Heavenly Centipede Daoist riding a poison Gu-insect-infested mountain.

But chaos erupted on the righteous side. While Xuan Sect’s Ming Yue should’ve led, East Kunlun’s Ao Jianzi barged ahead first through the gate – his trademark arrogance overriding protocol.

This blatant breach of etiquette bordered on provocation. Ming Yue could’ve rightfully disciplined him without reprimand.

The crowd anticipated conflict – these proud talents rarely tolerated slights. Yet all watched in disbelief as little Monk Ming Yue simply kept fiddling with his Jade Ring Puzzle, utterly unconcerned.

Chuckles rippled through the group before eyes turned to Mo Lanyun. Though third strongest after Ao Jianzi and Ming Yue, she now became de facto leader.

Mo Lanyun sighed, then prompted, "Junior Brother, time to depart."

"Oh!" Ming Yue pocketed his puzzle, trotting over. "Senior Sister Mo, Senior Brother Fang, this Junior Brother Ming Yue pays respects!" His bow held genuine courtesy despite his superior strength.

Fang Lie and Mo Lanyun hastily returned the salute. "Greetings, Junior Brother."

"Senior Brother Fang," Ming Yue implored, "Could you stand beside me later?"

"Hm?" Fang Lie said in surprise, "Why?"

"You know, those Ten-Thousand Gu Sect scoundrels are next to me. That Heavenly Centipede Taoist is pure evil. If he backstabs me at the critical moment, I might not survive. That’s why I need senior brother to watch my back. If anything happens, please help!" Ming Yue declared earnestly.

"But I’m far weaker than you – the weakest here. Why not ask others instead?" Fang Lie asked curiously.

"Because you’re trustworthy!" Ming Yue stated solemnly. "If you promise, you’ll keep your word. Only then can I relax. Otherwise, I’ll stay anxious! Senior brother, please help me!"

Fang Lie was moved by Ming Yue’s trust. Having a favorable impression of the youth, he nodded. "Fine. I’ll guard your flank. I’ll intercept any sneak attacks."

"Yes! Thank you, senior brother!" Ming Yue beamed. "I’ll go ahead first – don’t lag behind!"

He happily rode his Blue Lotus into the Space Gate.

After he left, Mo Lanyun told Fang Lie, "Senior brother, Ming Yue seems naive but has terrifyingly sharp instincts. He rarely trusts anyone. But once he does, it’s unshakable. Even I never earned such trust. You’re truly remarkable."

"Enough," Fang Lie said, rubbing his nose awkwardly. "Get moving."

"Mm," Mo Lanyun agreed. "I’ll stay near you later for mutual support."

"Good. The three of us can achieve much together," Fang Lie smiled.

"Exactly!" Mo Lanyun replied, flying her Dragon Turtle through the portal.

Others entered in turn, leaving Fang Lie last – a position he accepted without complaint. While having hidden cards, his raw strength was undeniably the weakest.

Others all possessed Qi Seas exceeding three thousand miles. If Fang Lie’s combat power was 1, most ranged from 2-3. Exceptions included:

– Great Snow Mountain’s snow swordsman (4-5)

– Mo Lanyun with Dragon Turtle (7+)

– Reckless Ao Jianzi (8-9)

– Ming Yue, the monster (10-15)

Fang Lie finally entered aboard his Earth’s Magnetic Force Warship. The Space Gate sealed behind him, remaining closed until the demon disaster ended. The disaster merged the Demonic Realm with their world, creating chaotic spatial forces even Semi-Immortals couldn’t breach. These eighteen could only survive by suppressing the disaster – escape was impossible.

Hence sects only sent deputy leaders. Top disciples were too valuable to risk. Though historically successful, 20-30% of suppression attempts failed, dooming all participants. Even resurrection diminished their talent. The Mo Sect dared send Mo Lanyun only due to Fang Lie’s Nirvana Fire Seed ensuring her full revival. East Kunlun’s reasoning for sending Ao Jianzi remained unclear – perhaps arrogance.

The group split into righteous and evil factions, flying over barren lands toward their target. Nearing a desert oasis housing ten thousand civilians, a Ghost Realm Sect disciple controlling a Netherworld Ghost Fire suddenly launched a hundred-meter ghost fireball at the settlement.

"Let this VIP Sir save you maggots!" he jeered. "Become ghosts!"

His Seventh-rank large treasure weapon unleashed Fire Tribulation Immortal-level power – enough to obliterate the town. Evil faction cultivators laughed while righteous ones merely frowned.

Fang Lie erupted in fury. His Earth’s Magnetic Force Warship instantly fired thirty-six Divine Earth’s Magnetic Force Light beams, intercepting and annihilating the fireball midair.