Chapter 475

Chapter 475: The First Battle of Competition Method

When Mo Sect sent out invitations to renowned cultivators across the land to witness the arena duel between Fang Lie and the Demonic Path’s Core Inner Gate Disciples, the entire cultivation world was shaken.

Fang Lie had only begun his cultivation journey a few years prior, yet he dared challenge numerous Core Inner Gate Disciples from Demonic Path sects alone. Wasn’t this sheer arrogance?

In addition to this shocking act, the White Jade Divine Fish finally shed its veil of secrecy. Once its effects became known, heroes from all corners of the world were stirred.

For experts, a Middle-grade water-element spiritual root was practically useless. Even with massive resource investment, one could at most nurture a Wind Tribulation Immortal—a process so resource-heavy that ordinary family clans couldn’t bear the cost.

Typically, only those with High-grade spiritual roots could reach Wind Tribulation Immortal status. But for major sects, things differed entirely. Most disciples in large sects possessed Low-grade spiritual roots. If all these could be upgraded to Middle-grade, a sect’s overall strength would multiply.

The great family clans were equally astonished. No expert could guarantee their descendants would inherit High-grade spiritual roots—many offspring ended up with none or Low-grade ones. Lacking worthy heirs, masters had to pass their legacies to disciples or nephews, leaving their own children dependent on others’ mercy.

Though resentful, they had no recourse—such was the cruelty of the cultivation world. Now, however, the White Jade Divine Fish offered new hope. Even a Middle-grade spiritual root could let descendants defend themselves, avoiding persecution for their latent talents.

Driven by the fish’s allure, heroes flocked to Qingyu Island. All eight righteous sects arrived, joined by Neutral Sects.

With the White Jade Divine Fish’s existence exposed, Mo Sect couldn’t monopolize such treasure. They had to auction or trade portions of it—except to East Kunlun. As Fang Lie’s personal property, the sect couldn’t force him to sell to his father’s killers.

East Kunlun’s Immortals erupted in fury, vowing to confront Fang Lie in the arena. Unfazed, Fang Lie focused entirely on closed-door training, channeling efforts into cultivating more Nirvana Fire Seeds before the battle.

After over a month’s preparation, the duel commenced on a cloudless day of gentle winds.

Escorted by Huo Wufang and Mo Sect disciples, Fang Lie traveled aboard an eighth-rank middle-grade Black Demon warship to a sea location 100,000 miles east.

Neither side trusting the other, they chose neutral waters—close enough to Qingyu Island for Mo Sect reinforcements, yet beyond the protective array’s attack range to reassure Demonic Path cultivators of safety.

A proper arena was necessary. Righteous and Demonic Path Fire Tribulation Immortals specializing in ice-element Dao magic froze seawater into a ten-mile-wide platform. Reinforced by their full power, ordinary Wind Tribulation Immortals couldn’t damage it.

Upon arrival, Fang Lie found the area teeming with spectators. Thousands of Sixth-rank warships hovered in layered spaces around the arena, none closer than a hundred miles to prevent interference.

The combatants presented an odd contrast: Fang Lie, a mere rookie, versus eighteen opponents—seventeen being Core Inner Gate Disciples from Demonic Path sects, plus East Kunlun’s third-ranked sword cultivator Di Jianzi. His life-bound treasure was the Earth Barrier Divine Sword, one of East Kunlun’s ten great Flying Swords.

East Kunlun’s participation was shameful—righteous cultivators joining Demonic Path forces against a single youth. Yet they couldn’t ignore the humiliation: Fang Lie had turned their ancestral White Dragon Divine Sword into a fruit-cutting tool and swindled away the Star Gold Element Core.

Now Fang Lie had unhesitatingly rejected East Kunlun’s proposal to share the White Jade Divine Fish – a direct slap in East Kunlun’s face! If they tolerated such humiliation, how could they show their faces in the cultivation world again? Even risking being accused of colluding with the Demonic Path, they resolved to teach Fang Lie a harsh lesson.

Fang Lie fearlessly accepted the challenge. He sneered inwardly – in martial combat, he might fear East Kunlun’s battle-crazed swordsmen, but in a magic duel without life-bound flying swords? Those sword cultivators would be crippled lambs begging for defeat!

When all participants arrived, Huo Wufang flew to the Arena alongside sect elders. They’d publicly swear a Heart Demon Oath to ensure duel fairness.

Following Fang Lie’s instructions, Huo Wufang demanded as first clause the immediate release of Fang Lie’s detained concubine Mi Qing. This clause should’ve been last, but Fang Lie wanted to shame his opponents publicly – exposing how Demonic Path cultivators kidnapped women to force duels.

Demonic Path cultivators didn’t care – hostage-taking and massacres were routine. They readily agreed despite public discomfort. But the East Kunlun elder present? Demonic Path could afford shame, not East Kunlun. By standing with them, he appeared complicit in the kidnapping – utterly disgraceful.

When this first clause was announced, thousands of cultivators stared at the crimson-faced East Kunlun elder who wished to vanish underground. Righteous cultivators from seven sects pitied him – "How stupid to challenge Fang Lie alongside Demonic Path? You’re smearing dung on East Kunlun’s reputation! When word spreads the righteous leader kidnapped concubines with demons, your sect’s name will rot!"

As others pitied East Kunlun, the oath continued with two key points. First, the wager: Fang Lie’s loss meant sharing White Jade Divine Fish purchasing rights equally with righteous sects. Their loss required forfeiting a Seventh-rank top-grade treasure.

Second was Fang Lie’s insisted "to-the-death" rule – no surrenders allowed. Only death would decide victory. Clearly, Fang Lie wanted these scoundrels dead.

After swearing the three-article Heart Demon Oath, the crowd dispersed. Fang Lie immediately soared onto the Arena, roaring: "Who dies first?"

"Brat Fang Lie! I’ll take your head!" A green-robed youth charged onto the platform, burning green skull emblem on his chest marking him from Ghost Realm Sect.

"What trash dares come?" Fang Lie narrowed his eyes.

"I am Yōuhún, Ghost Realm Sect’s Second Core Inner Gate Disciple!" The young Taoist spat bitterly. "You demon! You nearly destroyed my sect! My master and senior brothers died in last year’s disaster! Today I avenge them!"

"Ghost Realm’s fool!" Fang Lie chuckled. "I should thank you – your sect gifted me over twenty Eighth-rank Treasures! Almost embarrassed by your generosity! Hahaha!"

"BASTARD!" Yōuhún’s rage erupted. Spreading his arms, he shrieked: "DIE! Netherworld Ghost Fire Powerful Divine Skill – Flaming Sea Engulfs Heaven!"

Endless ghost fire erupted, forming a hundred-mile inferno swallowing Fang Lie. Not stopping there, Yōuhún frenziedly performed secret techniques, pouring all Magic into amplifying the flames.

Netherworld Ghost Fire didn’t burn flesh – it devoured Souls and Spiritual Energy. Most cultivators feared even sparks. Yet Fang Lie stood immersed in this soul-scorching blaze, shocking all spectators.

"Is Fang Lie insane? Why not dodge?"

"Couldn’t dodge! That Ghost Realm brat used hidden divine skills to trap him from the start!"

"Then… he’s dead for sure!"