Chapter 544

Chapter 544: A Deal

Though Fang Lie felt shocked and even angered by Mo Qianxun’s decision, his trust in the Old Fox prevailed. In the end, Fang Lie reluctantly produced the Green Bamboo Zen Staff. Instead of handing it directly to Bai Lian Chan Master, he passed it to Mo Qianxun for final judgment.

Mo Qianxun accepted the staff, his eyes brimming with undisguised approval that nearly melted Fang Lie. This eighth-rank top-grade treasure wasn’t just powerful—it symbolized Authority. Most would demand two or three treasures of equal rank in exchange. Yet Fang Lie surrendered it solely on Mo Qianxun’s word, proving not just trust but deep respect. Such decisive sacrifice stunned even Mo Qianxun, who now glimpsed Fang Lie’s true character: relentless when fighting for his due, yet unhesitating in surrender when necessary. Luck hadn’t carried him through the Cycle of Fire and Mo Ancestor’s inheritance—this clarity of purpose had.

Holding the staff, Mo Qianxun addressed Bai Lian Chan Master. "This shall return to Great Thunder Sound Temple, but under one condition."

"Speak," Bai Lian replied solemnly.

"Fang Lie’s bluntness has wronged your temple. As his elder, I share blame." Mo Qianxun dipped his head slightly. "I apologize."

Bai Lian sprang up, flustered. "We too bear fault! Benefactor Fang isn’t solely to blame!"

"Then let past grievances wither," Mo Qianxun said, smiling as he extended the staff. "May this treasure dissolve our enmity and serve as my apology to Senior Brother Bai Quan."

Bai Lian froze, hand hovering. Accepting meant swearing off vengeance against Fang Lie—unthinkable after the youth humiliated their temple, cost them an inheritance, and ousted Abbot Bai Quan. Yet refusal risked war with the wealthy Mo Sect. Behind Bai Lian’s courteous facade simmered fury; reclaiming their sect treasure should unleash thunderous retribution, possibly led by Master Tianlong, the incoming abbot and temple’s strongest cultivator.

Even Mo Qianxun feared Tianlong’s Tianlong Zen Chant—a divine skill that could obliterate eighth-rank treasures and annihilate body and soul. Fang Lie’s undying nature might falter against such power. Returning the staff aimed to shackle Tianlong’s involvement.

Bai Lian grimaced. "Sect Leader, you corner me."

"Your temple deserves recompense," Mo Qianxun conceded. "Challenge Fang Lie fairly—in the Arena or Secret Realm contest. But elders, especially Senior Brother Tianlong, mustn’t show your skills."

"This~" Bai Lian Chan Master’s eyes lit up the moment he heard this, immediately grasping Mo Qianxun’s concern about Great Thunder Sound Temple resorting to underhanded tactics.

If these were truly the terms, Great Thunder Sound Temple could accept them.

Truthfully, the temple didn’t necessarily need Fang Lie dead—they mainly wanted to display a retaliatory stance, ensuring everyone knew Great Thunder Sound Temple would fiercely punish those who crossed them.

This would preserve the temple’s formidable reputation.

By following Mo Qianxun’s proposal to act openly, while defeating Fang Lie might prove challenging, it would earn praise from righteous sects and project an honorable image.

Having reached this conclusion, Bai Lian Chan Master accepted the Green Bamboo Zen Staff with resolve. "We thank you for your magnanimity," he declared solemnly. "However, the Bronze Chime Bells held by Benefactor Fang Lie concern our sect’s inheritance and must be reclaimed. We vow not to employ deceitful methods or send seniors to pressure others. You have my word."

"Excellent!" Mo Qianxun laughed heartily. "Tonight we drink until we can’t stand!"

He ordered a lavish feast for Bai Lian.

Fang Lie promptly excused himself, unwilling to endure the old monk’s unpleasant expression. Mo Qianxun permitted this, knowing Bai Lian would remain tense in the youth’s presence.

Though burning with urgency to return, Bai Lian endured the nightlong drinking session out of respect for Mo Qianxun. He departed hastily at dawn.

Days later, Bai Lian arrived at Great Thunder Sound Temple’s great hall where over a dozen Thunder Tribulation Cultivators—all elderly monks—gathered. Their leader was a hulking middle-aged monk with a brutish face better suited to a butcher than a monk—Master Tianlong, who’d emerged urgently from seclusion.

Furious at having his breakthrough interrupted, Master Tianlong’s rage intensified upon learning their abbot had been humiliated into renaming himself "Idiot" and their treasured Bronze Chime Bells stolen. Were it not for prudence, he’d have stormed Mo Sect to flay Fang Lie alive.

Though appearing crude, Master Tianlong acted methodically. After dispatching Bai Lian to retrieve the Green Bamboo Zen Staff, he’d convened elders to plot Fang Lie’s demise and the bells’ recovery, devising numerous underhanded schemes.

Bai Lian’s unexpected return with both staff and promises to Mo Qianxun upended these plans. Yet none blamed him—refusing a Semi-Immortal’s apology would’ve provoked catastrophic sect war. Though Fang Lie remained a target, this outcome preserved dignity while avoiding open conflict.

The recovered staff allowed continued retaliation efforts through more challenging but permissible means—a compromise all grudgingly accepted.