Chapter 485

Chapter 485: The Plot Against Ten-Thousand Gu Sect

In addition to these troubles came harassment from Ten-Thousand Gu Sect. They dispatched a Fire Tribulation Immortal to demand the space coordinates of Five Poisons Secret Realm, claiming rightful ownership as ancestral heritage of Five Poisons Sect.

Wan Nianqing, being junior, lacked qualification to gamble with such treasure or claim it for himself. Though he’d given Fang Lie related memories, the golden scorpion’s presence made Ten-Thousand Gu Sect suspicious. When questioned upon return, Wan Nianqing remembered nothing—especially the location.

This confirmed their suspicion—the coordinates given to Fang Lie must lead to where Ninth-Rank Great Demon’s corpse lay. Imagining countless treasures there, Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s eyes turned red. They shamelessly pressured Fang Lie through threats and bribes.

Most sect disciples would’ve yielded, fearing Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s endless poison Gu insects and ruthless combat power. But Fang Lie, backed by undying nature, simply drove them away.

Humiliated cultivators vowed retaliation against entire Mo Sect. Though Fang Lie disliked many Mo Sect members—especially family clan scoundrels—this threat angered him. He counter-threatened to teach Ten-Thousand Gu Sect lesson.

Mocking his capabilities, Ten-Thousand Gu Sect cultivators left arrogantly. Fang Lie’s initial bluff turned serious as their scorn ignited his resolve.

After handling affairs, Fang Lie entered secret room for closed-door training and released captive Soul Split Sect Cultivator Miao Xingfang. He’d prepared her original body, allowing her to converse normally.

Reborn as middle-aged female cultivator, Miao Xingfang now showed proper deference—her soul fragment controlled by Fang Lie meant he held her life and death.

"Greetings, Master!" She scrambled up bowing.

"Call me Young Master," Fang Lie waved.

"Yes~ Greetings, Young Master!"

"I have task for you," Fang Lie stated gravely. "Infiltrate Ten-Thousand Gu Sect."

Miao Xingfang paled. "Young Master, infiltration possible… but my strength—"

"Need no fighting," Fang Lie interrupted. "Simple task: pose as inner gate disciple, submit this treasure for contribution points." He produced Seventh-rank top-grade Flying Sword—not previous Minglong Sword, avoiding suspicion—with clone’s blood bead embedded in hilt.

Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s lack of swordsmanship meant this treasure would gather dust in vault, unlikely to be claimed.

Miao Xingfang examined blade admiringly. "Sells well even unused. Truly gift it?"

"Heh. Must give to gain."

"Forgive dullness—don’t grasp meaning."

"Just know this—how soon?"

"Merely delivering treasure? Few months suffices."

"You’d better make it clean, especially ensuring no one discovers you’re the one who delivered this sword to the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect!" Fang Lie said gravely. "Otherwise, I might not care, but you’ll face unimaginable trouble!"

"How bad could it be?" Miao Xingfang pressed anxiously.

"Bigger than the heavens!" Fang Lie replied lightly. "Trust me, even a Thunder Tribulation Immortal couldn’t withstand it. Only I remain unaffected!"

Miao Xingfang paled instantly. "If that’s true, I’ll need to devise a meticulous plan. This might delay things by a year or two."

"Hmm." Fang Lie pondered briefly. "In three years, the righteous and demonic paths will hold the Celestial Platform Competition. I want this resolved before then. Any objections?"

The Celestial Platform Competition was a grand event for youths under thirty. Higher rankings yielded greater rewards from the Celestial Platform itself.

The Celestial Platform, rumored to be an artifact from the Immortal Realm, emerged once every decade, lingering for only a month. A monument atop it displayed the competition rankings, updated each decade. The top contender was said to receive a wisp of Immortal Energy.

None who obtained this energy ever spoke of its nature, yet all revered it deeply. Nearly every recipient eventually ascended to Semi-Immortal status, making the prize fiercely coveted. Some even claimed it was proof of one’s path to Semi-Immortality.

Miao Xingfang, well aware of the event, calculated swiftly before declaring, "No issues. The task will be done!"

"Good." Fang Lie nodded. "Once completed, you may act freely. But remember this: my followers harbor no villains. I overlooked your past, but henceforth, if you harm the innocent or commit atrocities—no matter your value—I’ll execute you without hesitation. Understood?"

"Understood!" Miao Xingfang shuddered under Fang Lie’s murderous aura, sweat drenching her back.

Though she scoffed inwardly at his moral rigidity, she knew his unbending nature all too well. He’d protect loyal followers but show zero mercy to transgressors.

Thus, Miao Xingfang vowed to reform—not for virtue’s sake, but sheer survival.

After issuing the instructions, Fang Lie dismissed Miao Xingfang with a wave.

He lingered on Qingyu Island afterward, overseeing the White Jade Divine Fish’s cultivation.

Despite their potency, these fish were gluttonously consumed—acquiring a water-element Middle-grade Spiritual Root required devouring tens of thousands of pounds over years.

Though plentiful, their slow growth—decades to maturity—risked extinction if overharvested. To prevent this, Fang Lie curtailed fishing and attempted mass breeding, though progress remained sluggish after a year’s effort.

With these matters settled, Fang Lie prepared to resume closed-door training at his sect. His Qi Sea, while sizable, paled against true prodigies—the Heavenly Dao’s favored children. To seize that wisp of Immortal Energy, relentless cultivation was his only path.

Yet upon returning, Mo Qianxun’s summons intercepted him.

At a mountain-flanked pavilion, Mo Qianxun and Mo Wanfang sat sipping tea on woven mats. Fang Lie joined unceremoniously, gulped a cup, then demanded, "What mischief have you cooked up now?"

"Brat! Must there be mischief to summon family?" Mo Qianxun chided playfully. "Can’t a grandfather-in-law celebrate your arena battle triumph?"

"Hmph." Fang Lie rubbed his nose. "You’ve never sought me without ulterior motives. Out with it."

"How cruel!" Both Mo elders feigned heartbreak.

Unmoved, Fang Lie deadpanned, "Was I wrong to ask?"

The pair stiffened, faces flushing.

Fang Lie sighed. "See? Trouble it is. Speak."

Mo Qianxun coughed awkwardly. "Rumors say you possess a Ninth-Rank Great Demon’s corpse… and coordinates to a Five Poisons Secret Realm holding more. True?"

Fang Lie narrowed his eyes. "Planning to rob me?"

"No, no!" Mo Qianxun raised placating hands. "We merely wish to… assist!"