Chapter 549

Chapter 549: Battle Against Ao Jianzi

After hearing Fang Lie’s words, Mo Qianxun glared at him and snapped, "Fool! It might have been useless before, but now it’s different. The Ming Yue Disk holds immense value for our Mo Sect—comparable to an Ancestor’s Token! The moonlight essence it generates resembles the legendary Imperial Nectar, working miracles on all demon armies!"

"Ah—" Fang Lie inhaled sharply.

Imperial Nectar, a celestial treasure from moon legends, fell once every ten thousand years. Even ordinary stones struck by it could gain intelligence and become demons. Demons who consumed it underwent metamorphosis, evolving bloodlines rivaling Divine Beasts.

Though weaker, moonlight essence remained a rare treasure. It purified demon bloodlines, enhanced intelligence, and were especially effective for those stuck at bottlenecks, allowing instant breakthroughs.

Previously, the Mo Sect had little use for this. They specialized in Mechanical Arts, not demon-raising or Gu cultivation.

But everything changed after Fang Lie obtained the Great Unity Spell. The sect’s culture shifted—tens of thousands of disciples began learning the spell, capturing demons as mounts. Even Thunder Tribulation Immortals joined this trend, which showed no signs of stopping. The Mo Sect’s demon forces would keep growing.

Thus, the Ming Yue Disk’s importance multiplied. Each demon advancing from Eighth-Rank to Ninth-Rank meant adding Thunder Tribulation Immortal-level combat power. With the Great Unity Spell ensuring absolute obedience, how many Ninth-Rank Great Demons would the Mo Sect eventually control? The mere thought thrilled Mo Qianxun.

Notably, the disk affected all demons—including demon weapons from the Demonic Realm. Purified demon weapons could also be enhanced by moonlight essence, creating another major advantage.

The Mo Sect’s need for the Ming Yue Disk now rivaled even the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s.

Fang Lie grasped the situation immediately. Turning to East Kunlun’s Sword God, he shouted, "I accept your challenge! Truthfully, I’d have sought you out regardless! My late father’s grievances remain unsettled. Today, I’ll eliminate you in the first round!"

"Arrogant whelp!" The Sword God scoffed. "Then let’s fight first! We’ll see who gets humiliatingly expelled!"

"You’ll be the ones!" Fang Lie retorted.

"Enough." Mo Qianxun interjected calmly. "The Mo Sect challenges East Kunlun for the opening match. What say you all, my Dao friends?"

"Begin!"

"Agreed! Let’s witness Fang Lie’s prowess!"

"Start now!" The crowd clamored, eager for spectacle.

First matches in the Celestial Platform Competition traditionally disadvantaged participants. Powerful opponents forced early reveals of secret techniques, leaving fighters vulnerable in later rounds. Only bitter rivals usually volunteered—others resorted to lot-drawing.

But with two sects willing to clash immediately, the rest gladly seized this observation opportunity.

Approval granted, Mo Qianxun nodded. "Fang Lie, proceed." He tapped Fang Lie, who vanished instantly.

Disoriented, Fang Lie found himself in bizarre surroundings—endless void without sky or ground. Gentle golden light illuminated everything without glare. This was the Celestial Platform battlefield: infinite, unbound space where combatants could fight unrestrained.

Vastness favored speed-focused Cultivators, but the platform prevented endless evasion. Prolonged fleeing triggered spatial shifts, forcibly closing distances until combat became unavoidable.

First-time visitor Fang Lie examined everything curiously. Activating his Heaven and Earth Divine Eye, he discovered his Void Eye functioned abnormally—spatial layers remained invisible. Normally, spatial divine skills accessed sub-dimensions observable through Void Eye. Here, either his vision failed or the battlefield’s spatial laws defied comprehension.

Considering the situation, Fang Lie didn’t believe his divine skill was faulty. This could only mean the eerie place itself was abnormal.

While Fang Lie observed curiously, a white-robed youth abruptly materialized a hundred miles ahead. The man’s sword-like eyebrows pierced skyward, his face radiating arrogance as sword intent surged around him like an unsheathed Divine Sword.

Undoubtedly, this was Ao Jianzi, East Kunlun’s core chief disciple!

Ao Jianzi’s cultivation hadn’t progressed much – his Qi Sea remained slightly over ten thousand miles, similar to Fang Lie’s current level. In terms of Magic, Fang Lie had finally caught up.

Yet Ao Jianzi’s entire demeanor had transformed fundamentally. Previously, his arrogance overshadowed his sword intent. Now, sword intent enveloped his pride – arrogance forming the bones, sword intent the flesh – resembling a human-shaped treasured sword. This was the pinnacle of human-sword unity, making him vastly stronger than before.

Clearly, Ao Jianzi hadn’t wasted these two years, having trained relentlessly.

"Fang Lie!" Ao Jianzi’s sword intent erupted instantly into overwhelming killing intent upon seeing him.

This supposed insect had humiliated him during the Little Demon Chamber battle. The chief disciple became the incompetent fool while Fang Lie emerged as the heroic savior!

Treasures, merit, praise – all rewards went to Fang Lie.

Ao Jianzi became mere stepping stones for Fang Lie’s glory!

Worse, Fang Lie stole East Kunlun’s treasured item – the natural Star Gold element core – turning the sect into a joke and shaming his grandfather Sword God!

Personal grudges, familial hatred, sect humiliation – all focused on Fang Lie. Ao Jianzi’s intense hatred burned to the marrow!

When enemies met, rage ignited their gazes!

Fang Lei reciprocated the hatred – not just for being his enemy’s son, but for Ao Jianzi’s sabotage in Little Demon Chamber that nearly killed him, forcing the sacrifice of an Earthly Wu Soil Flying Boat.

Private and family hatred made Fang Lie detest Ao Jianzi equally.

Their clash on the battle stage resembled sparks meeting tinder – explosive from the first instant!

Discarding all major sect manners, they attacked immediately!

"Perish!" Fang Lei roared. "Tens of Thousands of Burning Sky Birds!"

Sparrow-sized Fire Birds surged from his altar, swarming toward Ao Jianzi.

After two years’ cultivation, Fang Lie’s Fire Bird Technique now summoned over ten thousand birds. Each contained Magic equivalent to his full Qi Sea capacity – ten thousand miles of pure energy, twice others’ potency!

This terrifying swarm of Fire Birds could intimidate even Thunder Tribulation Immortals.

Ao Jianzi countered fiercely: "Ten Thousand Sword Art!"

Dozens of chopstick-thin Sword Energies shot from his body – condensed sword intent nurtured in an Eighth-rank Treasure Sword Case. A single strand could pierce Seventh-rank treasures; ten thousand together threatened Eighth-rank items.

Seeing the Fire Bird swarm, Ao Jianzi spat "Damn!"

Forced to defend, he guided his Sword Energies with divine sense to intercept each Fire Bird. Lacking Fang Lie’s undying nature, mutual attacks would leave him incinerated despite potentially impaling Fang Lie.

Reluctantly, he prioritized defense.

Ao Jianzi proved formidable – his sword intent and technique unmatched. Each Sword Energy precisely pierced a Fire Bird, extinguishing them before detonation.

Not one Fire Bird escaped destruction. Moreover, hundreds of surviving Sword Energies now streaked toward Fang Lie’s head!