Chapter 478

Chapter 478: Taming the Spider

"Ah~" Miao Xingfang’s soul released a piercing scream. Though a severed soul wasn’t as lethal as a severed body, the agony proved equally excruciating. Even if reassembled, it would consume soul power.

Fang Lie showed no mercy. True to his nature of capitalizing on weakness, he wielded his soul threads like steel whips, relentlessly lashing at the fragmented spirit.

Miao Xingfang’s liquid soul scattered like dismembered limbs under executioner’s blades, enduring torment worse than death itself. Terror flooded her being as she desperately pleaded through spiritual vibrations: "Lord Fang! Spare this lowly one! I’ll serve as your beast of burden here – declare me dead to the world!"

"This is life-or-death combat," Fang Lie coldly countered. "Only the survivor claims victory."

The declaration sparked inspiration. Subduing this cunning spider demon might prove useful. Her ability to consume Demonic Path disciples and infiltrate sect strongholds could synergize perfectly with his blood clones. Memories of plundering Ghost Realm Sect’s vault surfaced – how their greed had delivered his blood-clone-bearing sword directly into their treasure chamber.

Yet repeating such feats seemed improbable… unless aided by Miao Xingfang’s talents. She could possess high-ranking Demonic Path disciples, openly entering restricted vaults to plant clone-bearing treasures. One successful heist might yield twenty eighth-rank treasures like last time.

As Fang Lie plotted future schemes, Miao Xingfang’s soul secretly coalesced. She abruptly lunged toward escape – freedom lay beyond the consciousness sea’s borders.

Fang Lie’s reflexes proved swifter. Inherited true fire erupted, encircling the fleeing spirit. Though Nirvana fire normally nourished souls, Miao Xingfang’s impurity-laden essence sizzled like meat in hot oil. Screaming, she recoiled from the holy flames cleansing her corrupted spirit.

Secret soul techniques flashed uselessly as her essence dwindled by third. Desperate, the spider demon surrendered a soul fragment, wailing: "Master! This slave offers eternal service! Mercy!"

"Clever choice," Fang Lie remarked, absorbing the spiritual offering before extinguishing flames. The purified soul now shone clearer despite reduced mass – accidental refinement through sacred fire.

Miao Xingfang privately marveled at her purified state. Her sect’s rapid cultivation methods bred instability through absorbed impurities. This forced subjugation might ironically solve her cultivation bottlenecks.

"Stay quiet," Fang Lie commanded. "I’ll deal with you after disposing of the external fools."

Returning to his physical form, he rose before anxious spectators holding their breath – all awaiting the duel’s outcome.

After Fang Lie stood up, he stretched lazily and addressed the Soul Split Sect Elder, "Old fossil, I’ve killed Miao Xingfang. Hand over the wager now!"

"Whoa~" The crowd erupted in shocked gasps at his declaration.

"How’s this possible? Fang Lie actually won?"

"Weren’t Soul Split Sect supposed to be invincible in soul battles? How’d they lose to this nobody?"

"This guy’s vicious – three straight wins without breaking sweat. Slaughtering Core Inner Gate Disciples like chickens! Who called Fang Lie a fraud? If he’s weak, what does that make his victims?"

As murmurs spread, the Soul Split Sect Elder’s face darkened. "Impossible! You must have hidden treasures in your consciousness sea! Otherwise you’d never defeat Miao Xingfang – she liquefied her soul three years ago!"

"Ha!" Fang Lie sneered. "So the mighty Soul Split Sect are sore losers!"

"Who’s losing?" The Elder roared. "You cheated! Dare you let me inspect your consciousness sea?"

"Gladly," Fang Lie shot back. "Let’s bet. I’ll open my divine sense. Find any hidden treasure, you can execute me publicly. But if you find nothing, you commit suicide on the spot. Deal?"

"You–" The Elder turned crimson but stayed silent. Fang Lie could die as easily as taking bath, but the Elder’s death would be permanent given his age and mediocre talent.

The crowd of troublemakers began jeering:

"Accept! Don’t shame your sect!"

"A grand Elder scared of some Junior? How pathetic!"

"Bet or be a coward!"

Though seething, the millennium-old Elder kept his cool. He flung down a Seventh-rank Treasure and vanished, too humiliated to remain.

Fang Lie pocketed the prize. "So much for Soul Split Sect’s reputation – just spineless curs!" He then barked, "Next lamb to the slaughter?"

The Heavenly Dao favored children exchanged uneasy glances.

After brief silence, a hulking armored man emerged – standing over twelve feet tall, his head level with others’ waists, built like Black Bear himself.

Scratching his bald head, he grinned. "I’ll play, Fang Lie. But these stakes are pitiful. Let’s raise them."

"Excellent!" Fang Lie beamed. "Finally someone sensible! I’m sick of earning mere Seventh-rank Treasures for killing idiots. I’ll wager an Eighth-Rank High-Grade treasure!"

The armored man grimaced. "You’re rich from Ghost Realm Sect’s payout. I only have a low-grade Eighth-rank treasure."

Though same rank, top-grade was dozens times more valuable.

Fang Lie curled his lip. "Thought you were tough. Turns out you’re timid! Offering low-grade trash while talking big? What cheap sect bred you? East Kunlun’s poverty-stricken sword beggars?"

The crowd howled. East Kunlun disciples turned livid but stayed silent – protesting would confirm the insult.

Now crimson, the armored man snapped, "Don’t mock Ten-Thousand Gu Sect! Fine! Behold an Eighth-Rank High-Grade treasure!" He hurled forward a glowing golden scorpion spanning a thousand zhang!