Chapter 583

Chapter 583: Benevolence Token

Normally, major sects rarely deploy their Peak Eighth-Rank treasures. These artifacts are kept in special Secret Realms, accumulating power for their eventual ascension to Ninth-Rank. This nurturing process spans thousands or even tens of thousands of years. Any disruption could waste centuries of effort, with severe cases ruining millennia of preparation. Hence, Peak Eighth-Rank treasures seldom appear openly.

Yet unexpectedly, the Xuan Sect—whether due to exhausted potential or unforeseen mishaps—brought out such a treasure, making it Young Taoist Qing Feng’s final trump card.

Seeing Fang Lie’s strained expression, Qing Feng realized his opponent hadn’t anticipated this high-level treasure. Seizing the advantage, Qing Feng chuckled mockingly, "What? The Mo Sect, renowned for refining techniques, didn’t equip you with proper treasures? How unfortunate! I’d hoped to learn treasure-control skills from you, but now victory seems too easily won!"

The jab at the Mo Sect’s reputation stung Fang Lie. Though framed as humor, it demanded a response. A sly glint flashed in Fang Lie’s eyes as he sighed theatrically, "Senior Brother, you misunderstand. My hesitation stems not from lacking treasures, but from fearing an unfair advantage. Yet your words force me to defend my sect’s honor!"

"Unfair advantage?" Qing Feng scoffed. "This Peak Eighth-Rank treasure crushes all peers. What could possibly surpass it? A Ninth-Rank treasure? Don’t tell me you’ve brought one!"

"Ah!" Fang Lie feigned surprise. "So you already know?"

Qing Feng paled. "Impossible! Ninth-Rank treasures anchor sect fortunes—only Semi-Immortals or leaders wield them! You’re merely a Qi Sea cultivator, an outer disciple! How?!"

Shrugging, Fang Lie replied, "As Mo Ancestor’s heir and bearer of the Benevolence Token—foremost of Mo Sect’s five great tokens—shouldn’t this be obvious?"

"You’re just the candidate Token Lord!" Qing Feng countered. "You can’t command it yet!"

"Even candidates have privileges," Fang Lie smiled. "Within Mo Sect, I’ve used it to purge foolish clan members. Externally, I may invoke it annually. Remember Sword Fortress? When East Kunlun’s Sect Leader Sword God intervened, the Benevolence Token’s magic spirits devoured everything despite his efforts. Surely you’ve heard?"

Qing Feng’s confidence wavered. The Sword Fortress incident—where countless witnesses saw the Token’s spirits consume an entire fortress overnight—was an open secret among sects.

"Initially," Fang Lie continued, "I wished to spare you this humiliation. But your mockery of Mo Sect’s treasures leaves me no choice."

Qing Feng’s earlier bravado crumbled. "Wait! I spoke rashly! Let’s settle this without treasures—"

"Elders from all sects watch us," Fang Lie interrupted, waving a blackwood token etched with 仁 (Benevolence). "Shall we begin?"

"NO!" Qing Feng recoiled, hastily recalling his Eight-Armed Vajra. "I yield! Don’t unleash the magic spirits!" He fled the Celestial Platform arena, treasures clutched protectively.

The crowd watched in pity. Qing Feng’s retreat wasn’t cowardice but necessity—while Ninth-Rank treasures typically destroy, the Benevolence Token’s spirits devour artifacts. Losing his Peak Eighth-Rank treasures and stored heirlooms would cripple his cultivation permanently.

As Fang Lie exited triumphantly, Qing Feng protested weakly, "Using Ninth-Rank treasures is bullying!"

"Ninth-Rank?" Fang Lie tossed him the token. "This? Just a carved trinket. Want a dozen?"

The wooden token clattered at Qing Feng’s feet, its surface gleaming with mockery.