Chapter 536

Chapter 536: Terrifying Chime Bells

After dismissing those scoundrels, Fang Lie didn’t hurry back to avoid Mo Qianxun’s vengeful fury. He chose to settle temporarily in rugged mountains by carving out a cave dwelling.

His main purpose wasn’t just evading Mo Qianxun – he wanted to test the newly acquired Bronze Chime Bells.

Finding the cave too cramped, Fang Lie arranged all 108 bells outside in size order.

The smallest resembled a tiny handbell while the largest towered over three hundred feet. Patinated surfaces bore mysterious tadpole-shaped divine patterns beyond Fang Lie’s comprehension.

At first glance, they seemed like worthless broken toys rather than treasures.

Yet divine sense examination revealed profound mystery within each bell, their interiors shielded by unfathomable power resisting all mental probes.

Following the old bird’s instructions, Fang Lie first approached the largest bell. Channeling full Magic into his palm, he struck with tremendous force.

An ancient resonant boom echoed like primordial temple bells awakening slumbering eras. Most astonishing was the invisible shockwave bursting forth – pure yang energy radiating unstoppable dominance.

Everything within miles along the strike’s trajectory – trees, rocks, creatures – disintegrated into dust. The hardest Qingshi mountain in that sector vanished completely.

This devastation rivaled a Seventh-rank Treasure’s full assault. Fang Lie calculated the bell amplified his palm strike’s destructive power over thirtyfold – terrifying efficiency!

Testing smaller bells revealed shifting dynamics. The next bell’s strike produced similar destruction but with subtle yin undertones, sacrificing raw power for enhanced penetration and range.

Methodical experimentation showed the pattern: shrinking size correlated with diminishing yang energy and rising yin influence. The tiniest bell emitted harmless melodic tones… until Fang Lie’s divine sense detected a Second-tier wolf demon collapsing peacefully miles away, dreamlike death leaving no physical trace.

These bells represented ultimate destruction and insidious lethality, their graduated combinations rendering defenses futile.

The old bird sighed within Fang Lie’s consciousness sea: "True immortal relics from Legend! Lacking their musical scores limits them to mere hundredfold power increases."

"A hundredfold? Surpassing Ninth-Rank Treasures?" Fang Lie exclaimed.

"Plausible for such a complete profound mystery set," the old bird chuckled. "Some claim these were mere toys for True Cultivators’ amusement. If true, matching instruments like zithers or drums might combine into heaven-defying treasure!"

"Legends!" Fang Lie scoffed. "How would Immortal Realm treasures descend here?"

"Fallen immortals’ domains sometimes crash into the mortal world," the old bird explained. "Most become useless burdens, but exceptions like the Celestial Platform exist. Master your cultivation and you’ll explore these Secret Realms yourself."

After collecting the bells, Fang Lie frowned. "Maximum Seventh-rank power even using nine clones? Can’t rapidly increase clone numbers either."

"Fool!" The old bird cackled. "The Wonderful Bodhi Tree’s hundred-millennium cultivation and countless branches could activate all bells simultaneously!"

"Right, how did I forget it?" Fang Lie suddenly slapped his forehead, then immediately summoned his life-bound treasure altar and vanished into the hidden small secret realm.

Inside the small secret realm, Fang Lie encountered the awakened Wonderful Bodhi Tree. The massive tree shook its branches vigorously upon seeing him, projecting waves of affectionate attachment through its divine sense.

Fang Lie chuckled and patted its thick trunk. "Little one, I’m back! How have you been these days?"

"Fine, but lonely. Just endless cultivation!" Though unable to speak, the tree conveyed its thoughts clearly through divine sense.

Fang Lie grinned. "Patience. I’ve brought you something fun!"

He produced the complete set of 108 Bronze Chime Bells. "See these? Powerful treasures!"

Despite its young sentience, the Wonderful Bodhi Tree possessed innate divine skill to distinguish treasures from trash. Recognizing the bells’ value instantly, it vibrated excitedly. "All for me?"

"Yours now. Play as you like!" Fang Lie beamed.

His smile froze when the tree’s next words struck:

"Thank you, Mama!" Dozens of branches shot out, snatching all 108 bells into its crown.

"Stop calling me Mama!" Fang Lie groaned. "Call me Young Master!"

His protest went unheard as 108 branches began hammering the bells chaotically.

Deafening soundwaves instantly filled the secret realm. Fang Lie—first to suffer—disintegrated into dust before he could utter a Heart-wrenching Scream.

Witnessing this, the terrified tree stopped playing. "Mama! Don’t die!" it wailed.

"Quiet!" Fang Lie’s voice boomed as he reconstructed himself through Nirvana Rebirth. "How many times must I say it? Don’t call me Mama!"

"Understood, Mama!" The tree swayed happily, tears forgotten. "Mama’s the best! I love my gifts!"

Fang Lie sighed in defeat. "I’ve raised over forty siblings, yet you’re the most troublesome! Fine, you win. Enjoy your toys alone."

He fled the secret realm like escaping calamity.

"Ehehe~" The tree giggled mischievously before roaring, "BELL-SMASHING TIME!"

Horrendous clanging resumed—108 bells struck randomly, producing sounds so grating they could kill through annoyance alone.

Emerging outside, Fang Lie heard the old bird’s laughter echoing in his consciousness sea: "Hahaha! Motherhood suits you!"

"It’s not funny!" Fang Lie snapped. "It’s just inexperienced!"

"Nonsense!" The old bird countered. "Its Wisdom matches a human nine-year-old. That ‘child’ knows exactly what it’s doing!"

"What?!" Fang Lie turned back furiously, only to hesitate at the realm’s entrance. Reentering now would mean instant pulverization by the ongoing cacophony.

Though death meant little to him, being repeatedly annihilated by his own "offspring" was too humiliating.

"Curse my luck," he muttered darkly.

The old bird’s renewed laughter deepened Fang Lie’s scowl, though he could only endure it.

When mirth subsided, the bird advised: "Find music scores and instructors for that brat. Even non-specialized tunes might enhance the Bronze Chime Bells’ power."