Chapter 540

Chapter 540: Secret Technique Strange Snake

After hearing Old Bird’s words, Fang Lie dismissed them carelessly, "The Mo Sect openly possesses over a hundred Eighth-rank treasures and surely hides more in secret. Taking merely three seems insufficient, no?"

Having plundered treasure vaults from two major sects and acquired dozens of eighth-rank treasures, Fang Lie’s standards had soared. Ordinary eighth-rank treasures no longer impressed him, and three still felt paltry.

Old Bird bristled at this attitude. "Three’s not enough? Do you know what ordinary Fire Tribulation Immortals sacrifice to obtain one Eighth-rank treasure? Even disciples from great family clans can’t demand them freely! Yet you complain after freely selecting three from our vaults? You’re utterly shameless!"

"Considering my contributions to the sect, this is trivial," Fang Lie shrugged. "Those Fire Tribulation Immortals squander sect resources without repaying their debts. Why should they get treasures? By any measure, I’ve surpassed them. Admit it."

"Well…" Old Bird stammered before sighing. "Haven’t you benefited enough? The Mo Ancestor’s inheritance from the Cycle of Fire and the Nirvana fire nascent fetus are priceless! Not even Ninth-Rank treasures match their worth!"

"You dare mention those?" Fang Lie retorted scornfully. "I only gained them after being falsely accused! You know how brutal the three unyielding tortures were!"

"Enough!" Old Bird conceded guiltily. "The sect’s past corruption wronged you, but haven’t I compensated sufficiently? I shielded you after you slaughtered thousands of family disciples! Moreover, these treasures are exceptional—two come from the Secret Vault itself. Normally, not even the Sect Leader could access them."

Fang Lie’s ears perked up at "Secret Vault"—the sect’s ultimate reserve, only opened during existential crises. This exception occurred through Mo Qianxun’s permission and Old Bird’s highest authority.

Old Bird acted not from favoritism but necessity. As Mo Ancestor’s true successor and inheritor of the soul Nirvana scripture, Fang Lie’s growth impacted both mortal and immortal realms. Thus, unprecedented access was granted.

"What’s inside the Secret Vault?" Fang Lie pressed.

"Treasures and materials beyond measure," Old Bird answered vaguely. "But you lack clearance for details. Let’s discuss your three treasures."

"First: the Purple Gold Ruyi Shield from the treasure pavilion’s eighth floor. Requires Major Merits and contribution points beyond most cultivators’ means—even the Sect Leader would beggar himself for it. A peak Eighth-Rank High-Grade defensive treasure!"

"Sounds mundane," Fang Lie remarked.

"Fool!" Old Bird snapped. "Forged by Mo Ancestor using Immortal Realm-exclusive Primordial Purple Gold! Originally a token shattered by terrifying power, its ruined form still resisted Ninth-Rank Divine Swords. We spent a century reforging it into this shield that morphs to your will and automatically deploys Four Defense Divine Skills—Block, Mount, Absorb, Counter. Combined with its durability, it repels even Ninth-Rank attacks!"

"Four Defense Divine Skills take decades to master!" Fang Lie gasped. "This shield uses them autonomously?"

"Eighth-rank treasures are semi-sentient," Old Bird explained. "With an item spirit, they’d be fully alive. Unfortunately, our mortal methods limited it to Eighth-Rank. Reforge it in the Immortal Realm, and it might reach Ninth-Rank!"

"Next: Space-Calming Bead. Stabilizes surrounding space, blocking all spatial spells below Ninth-Rank. Even Semi-Immortals can’t bypass it. The Mo Sect’s sole spatial treasure!"

"But it’ll nullify my Void Escape and empty-space divine claws!" Fang Lie protested.

"Exactly!" Old Bird snorted. "Top disciples all wield spatial abilities or treasures. Yours equal Seventh-Rank High-Grade at best. Against Eighth-Rank spatial treasures, you’d be slaughtered! Better neutralize all spatial combat."

Lastly, Old Bird described the Secret Technique Strange Snake—a chopstick-sized entity hiding as a tattoo. It latches onto enemies undetectably, draining their magic to replenish Fang Lie’s.

"Invincible!" Fang Lie exclaimed.

"Hardly," Old Bird corrected. "It lacks offensive power but tilts magic reserves in your favor. Against equals, you’ll outlast them. Against superiors, it reverses disadvantages. Mo Ancestor nearly fell to its original wielder despite greater strength!"