Chapter 534

Chapter 534: Ancient Treasure in Hand

Hearing Fang Lie’s words, Bai Lian Chan Master’s face turned pale. He immediately realized today’s matter couldn’t end peacefully, and with his status, he wasn’t qualified to make decisions anymore!

In utter helplessness, he said to Fang Lie, "Fang Lie, there’s a saying: leave some room when dealing with others for future meetings. Must you truly push this to the extreme?"

"Oh?" Fang Lie feigned surprise. "So you actually know that proverb? I thought your lot had no clue! How strange—if you knew, why did you deliberately cross the line anyway?"

"You personally came to Mo Sect begging to buy Chongming Ancient Temple. Then you felt cheated and sent assassins, causing the loss of Eighteen Arhats. When that failed, you tried tricking me with fakes! Even after all this, I still didn’t retaliate fully—I took my case to the Elder Council of Righteous Sects Alliance. Yet you disrespected even them, destroying the Thunder Sound Golden Bell meant for me and refusing to return my treasures!" Fang Lie scoffed. "You pushed things to the limit repeatedly. Now you dare lecture me? Where’s your shame?"

"You—" Bai Lian Chan Master flushed crimson, choking on humiliation.

Onlookers buzzed with whispers: "How could prestigious Great Thunder Sound Temple act so recklessly?"

"Clearly bullying Fang Lie! No wonder he seeks vengeance!"

"Though we’re nobodies, the Elder Council doesn’t lie. If they ruled against Great Thunder Sound Temple, it must be true!"

"Poor Fang Lie—bullied since childhood by his sect, now by monks! How cruel!"

"Sending Fire Tribulation-surviving monks disguised as assassins after a Qi Sea realm disciple? This isn’t righteous! Great Thunder Sound Temple has fallen!"

The crowd currying favor with Fang Lie seized the chance to criticize the temple. Bold ones even named names, infuriating Bai Lian Chan Master!

But facing over a hundred Thunder Tribulation Immortals, he dared not act out. With an angry snort, he stormed off.

Soon, Great Thunder Sound Temple’s abbot—Semi-Immortal Master Bai Quan—materialized mysteriously before the crowd. None detected his arrival method, instantly silencing all dissent.

They bowed uniformly. "Greetings, Elder!"

"Well met." Bai Quan nodded, clasping hands. His gaze locked onto Fang Lie.

"Fang Lie, any chance for peace?" Master Bai Quan frowned.

"Unlikely." Fang Lie shrugged. "You made your bed. Now lie in it."

Bai Quan’s expression darkened. "Do you truly believe none in this world can restrain you?"

"Plenty can!" Fang Lie smiled. "As Mo Sect’s disciple, I obey rules. Our Sect Leader could order my death, and I’d comply!"

"Good." Bai Quan’s eyes gleamed. "I’ll summon him to remove you."

Confident in his rapport with Mo Sect Leader Mo Qianxun from shared battles, Bai Quan believed some concessions would suffice.

But Fang Lie chuckled. "Save your breath. He won’t intervene today."

"Arrogant child!" Bai Quan sneered. "Your Sect Leader and I fought together before your father’s birth! Our bond transcends your understanding!"

"Your bond means nothing here." Fang Lie grinned. "Normally he’d humor you, but today’s different. He can’t—and won’t—interfere."

Bai Quan scowled. "The Mo Sect Leader fears involving himself? Absurd!"

"Recall your temple used Mo Token to forbid his interference when bullying me. Now tables turned, he still can’t act without committing Betraying Sect and Ancestor! Your own trick backfired—you’ve smashed your feet with your lifted stone!"

"You—" Master Bai Quan reddened, trembling with shame and rage!

That accursed Mo Token, worth an Eighth-rank treasure, had become their downfall. His decision as abbot reeked of utter folly—even fools wouldn’t blunder so badly!

After Fang Lie finished explaining the entire situation, the crowd turned to stare at Master Bai Quan with undisguised glee!

Though none dared mock him openly—a Semi-Immortal’s wrath was no trifling matter—their pitying gazes alone made Bai Quan’s face burn with shame. He wished the earth would swallow him whole!

Fang Lie wasted no further words. Floating the Thunder Sound Golden Bell toward the monks, he demanded, "Answer plainly—does Great Thunder Sound Temple acknowledge this bell from the Zhongli Family, yes or no?"

Cornered before the crowd, Master Bai Quan had no choice. To preserve the temple’s honor, he gritted out, "We acknowledge it. State your demand."

"Excellent." Fang Lie’s smile widened. "I’ve heard of your ancient Bronze Chime Bells set—108 pieces ranging from hundred-foot giants to hand-sized chimes. Any cultivator can activate them, their power scaling with the magic invested. I want that set."

Gasps rippled through the onlookers. "He’s seizing their lifeblood!"

"The temple’s second mightiest treasure after the Ninth-Rank Treasures!"

"An entire monastic branch relies on those bells!"

"East Kunlun’s humiliation repeats itself!"

Master Bai Quan’s finger trembled as he pointed at Fang Lie. "Such venom!"

"Venom?" Fang Lie’s laugh held no mirth. "Was it kindness when you sent Eighteen Arhats to assassinate me? When you planted a Demonic Realm spatial crack in my Central World? You made this war—now face the consequences."

"Even so, destroying our inheritance goes too far!"

"We’ve been enemies since your temple cheated and expelled me." Fang Lie crossed his arms. "The Fang Family repays deeds in kind. The bells—will you yield them?"

Master Bai Quan’s shoulders slumped. "Take them. May you keep them well."

"But Senior Uncle!" Bai Lian Chan Master protested. "Our ancestral treasure—"

"Treasures can be regained. Our honor cannot." Master Bai Quan’s eyes hardened. "This isn’t over."

The younger monk returned swiftly with a Sumeru Bag. Fang Lie inspected the 108 Bronze Chime Bells thoroughly before nodding. "My thanks." He tossed back the Thunder Sound Golden Bell.

Catching the bell, Master Bai Quan growled, "Don’t celebrate yet, boy. Our reckoning will come."

Fang Lie shrugged. "Come when you please. Perhaps next time, you’ll be begging."