Chapter 464

Chapter 464: The Trick Succeeds

The power of the Semi-Immortals needed no explanation. In mere moments, the eight Semi-Immortals traversed thousands of miles to reach a jagged, rocky hillside.

From afar, they sensed terrifying sword intent and violent spatial fluctuations. Drawing closer, they saw mountains reduced to rubble by sword forces and an open spatial crack leaking the distinct aura of star gold – precious forging material.

Such intense energy radiating for thousands of miles! How much star gold must lie within?

Yet their greater shock came from seeing Fang Lie standing unscathed amidst the destruction, hands clasped behind his back with smug satisfaction.

The Sword God materialized before him, face darkening. "Fang Lie! This is East Kunlun’s Forbidden Area! Explain your presence!"

"Forbidden?" Fang Lie feigned ignorance. "No warnings or signs marked this place! Shouldn’t secret zones be properly guarded and visitors alerted?"

The Sword God nearly choked on his rage. Since when did anyone post signs for secret forbidden areas? Only fools would advertise their restricted zones!

Though itching to strike the impudent youth down, he instead roared at nearby disciples: "Who oversaw today’s patrols?"

Two Fire Tribulation Immortals stepped forward, faces pale. "Sect Leader, our brothers guarded the mountain gates today."

"Then why wasn’t this intruder stopped?" the Sword God thundered.

The men exchanged helpless glances. "Thousands guarded this perimeter with divine senses active. Not a fly could slip through! We swear our defenses were flawless!"

The Sword God whirled on Fang Lie. "How did you breach our security?"

"Simply wandered in," Fang Lie shrugged. "You permitted me to explore freely, yet failed to warn about deadly traps. Who compensates for my wrongful death here?"

Master Da Fang interrupted: "You claim the sword energy killed you? Then how do you stand here unharmed?"

"These lethal strikes came from the Sword God himself!" another cultivator cried. "None survive such attacks intact!"

Fang Lie spread his hands. "The Fang Family doesn’t lie. Believe what you will."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The Fang Clan’s reputation for honesty was beyond reproach – yet the evidence contradicted his claim. All eyes turned to the Sword God.

The sect leader’s expression curdled as he growled: "I personally laid the Great Nine Palaces Sword Formation here. Its eighty-one hidden strikes equal eighty-one full-power blows from my blade."

Gasps erupted. Master Bai Quan blurted: "Such an ambush formation – escape would be impossible!"

"There’s no escaping this. My sword intent can shatter the void itself. Not even the greatest teleportation techniques could evade it!" The Sword God declared confidently, "Once Fang Lie activated the Sword Formation, escape became impossible!"

Everyone sucked in cold breaths.

"You mean he endured all eighty-one of your sword strikes? And still stands here unharmed?"

"The Sword God’s full power couldn’t kill Fang Lie in eighty-one strikes?"

"How? What kind of undying body does this brat possess?"

The Semi-Immortals were utterly shaken, their eyes widening as if about to fall out. No wonder they reacted this way – earlier, they’d fought over who would bet with Mo Qianxun about killing Fang Lie in one strike.

They’d all assumed victory was certain, arguing fiercely for hours without resolution. Now they realized how badly they’d underestimated Fang Lie. If he could survive the Sword God’s eighty-one strikes, how could any of them hope to kill him instantly?

Shock gave way to secret relief. Thank heavens they’d only wasted time arguing! Had they actually placed bets, the humiliation would’ve been unbearable. Even the Sword God felt cold sweat forming.

Suddenly, Mo Qianxun exclaimed, "Truly remarkable! East Kunlun actually discovered a natural Star Gold Element Core! Using its Star Power to slowly reshape mineral veins into an artificial star gold deposit – what grand vision! What divine Creation!"

"What? Let me see!"

"By the heavens! A dormant natural Star Gold Element Core!"

"Five Elements Primordial Embryos are rare enough – but a natural one? East Kunlun’s hidden this treasure too well!"

"These mineral veins took tens of millennia to form. Could this be an ancient relic?"

Though the star gold deposit lay in a Small Thousand World connected by mere spatial cracks, this posed no barrier to Semi-Immortals’ inspection.

The Sword God’s heart churned with bitter regret as his sect’s millennia-old secret was exposed. He regretted not eliminating Fang Lie sooner, and not sealing the spatial cracks immediately.

This revelation would devastate East Kunlun. Their cultivators were terrible at managing wealth – pillaging and territory control being their main income, earning them the nickname "Beggars of the Cultivation World". Star gold formed their greatest revenue stream, dominating the market.

Previously, people believed star gold came only from fallen stars – rare and precious. Now they’d learn of East Kunlun’s endless supply. Prices would crash, their profits evaporate – all because of that damned Fang Lie!

The Sword God glared murderously at Fang Lie, who just laughed: "A natural Star Gold Element Core? Perfect – I’ll take it!"

The crowd gaped. Even Mo Qianxun blurted, "Fang Lie! Have you gone mad?"

"Dead serious!" Fang Lie tossed the Kunlun Sword Token to the Sword God. "I claim the Star Gold Element Core by this Token’s authority!"

Catching the Token, the Sword God’s vision darkened. Their ancestral treasure was lost. The Kunlun Sword Token was East Kunlun’s own sacred credential – rejecting it would destroy their sect’s reputation forever.

For the sect’s honor, even their Ninth-Rank Treasure Kunlun Sword must be sacrificed if demanded. Yet losing this Ancestral Business… The Sword God’s pleading eyes begged Fang Lie to reconsider.