Chapter 567

Chapter 567: Ming Yue Steps Up

Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces paled instantly.

Fang Lie’s demands proved excessively harsh. Restraining millions of monks from Great Thunder Sound Temple from targeting him already seemed impossible, yet he also demanded they refrain from ambushing Mo Sect disciples? How could such terms ever hold?

Long-standing grudges between both sides meant encounters in wilds or Secret Realms often ended in bloodshed. When treasures were involved, hesitation vanished – strike first, explain later!

Who’d risk their neck guaranteeing such incidents wouldn’t recur? None dared – it’d be suicide!

"Benefactor Fang," a Buddhist master protested, "your conditions border on absurdity!"

"Amitābha," another intoned, "Among millions, can we swear no extremist exists? Should madmen seek vengeance, must we all suffer?"

"Your demands lack reason," a third accused. "This proves your insincerity in returning our relic!"

Fang Lie chuckled. "Truthfully, I’ve no desire returning Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword to Great Thunder Sound Temple. Would you, possessing immortality, surrender a weapon that could kill you to bitter enemies?"

The monks fell silent. His point struck home – why would anyone relinquish such leverage?

After tense silence, a master proposed: "If distrusting Great Thunder Sound Temple, perhaps entrust it to another Buddhist sect?"

"Amitābha! This humble monk vows to enshrine it reverently, never wielded for bloodshed!"

"Excellent notion! I too volunteer guardianship!"

Though originally Master Tianlong’s relic, his blunders forfeited claim. Their assistance already exceeded obligation. Since Fang Lie’s stance proved unshakable, further support became pointless.

The sword remained Buddhist heritage – that sufficed. Even Tianlong couldn’t object, knowing disciples could still access its ascension-boosting powers through other sects.

Fang Lie frowned, then shook his head. "Still impossible. When Buddhist Semi-Immortals weaponize enshrined relics, how trust any sect? Your own exalted master sanctioned my murder using this blade."

The monks choked on rebuttals. None could claim superiority over Tianlong’s authority without insulting him.

Seizing advantage, Fang Lie pivoted: "Yet recognizing Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s sanctity, I’ll erect his temple within Mo Sect. There, the sword shall rest, open for veneration. Buddhist disciples may use it to ferry souls to his Buddha Kingdom."

The masters brightened. While not owning the relic, access without exorbitant tributes appealed greatly.

"What offerings require for its use?" one pressed cautiously.

"None!" Fang Lie declared. "Worship sincerely, chant sutras there for Hundred Years!"

They instantly grasped his scheme. Fire Tribulation Immortals chanting would radiate Buddhist light, gradually sanctifying the site. Though individual efforts achieved little, hundreds rotating through over millennia could forge new Buddhist sanctum.

The century-long term rankled, but none dared haggle over devotion’s duration. Reluctantly nodding, the monks withdrew, Tianlong departing with stifled rage.

Thus Fang Lie expelled two righteous titans – Great Thunder Sound Temple and East Kunlun – from Celestial Platform Competition. His anti-righteous tally surpassed even evil factions’, bitter irony indeed!

As new combatants clashed above, Mo Qianxun whispered urgently: "Why plant Buddhist sanctum in our Taoist-aligned sect? This breaches tradition!"

"Bird Bro’s idea," Fang Lie shrugged. "What even is Buddhist sanctum?"

Mo Qianxun explained: "Land saturated with Buddhist truths, accelerating cultivation. Formed only through decades of high monks’ chanting. Without maintenance, it decays. Why would non-Buddhist Bird Bro want this?"

Fang Lei glanced around before murmuring: "It connects to… that item."

Mo Qianxun’s eyes widened, understanding instantly – Void Buddha Kingdom, the Heaven-Defying Treasure. Its exposure meant annihilation, hence Fang Lie’s caution.

Meanwhile, Demonic Path sects lamented the foiled righteous conflict. Ambush plots emerged but dissolved – Mo Qianxun’s Ninth-Rank Treasure ensured escape, while Fang Lie’s undying nature made killing pointless.

As current duel concluded, all stared in shock at next contestants – particularly Young Taoist Ming Yue of Xuan Sect stepping onto Celestial Platform. Fang Lie’s brow furrowed in confusion.