Chapter 601

Chapter 601: The Three Great Powers

While Mo Qianxun conducted a loud search for Traitors, Fang Lie remained busy. He hauled the corpses of official disciples outside, hanging them on the railings surrounding the Treasure Tower. After looting the treasure vault, he sat casually atop the roof.

Nearby Cultivators gasped at the scene. "Who’s this?" one exclaimed. "Hanging corpses like trophies—he’s clearly provoking trouble!"

"Can’t you tell? Those golden wings and dual-colored eyes mark him as Mo Sect’s Fang Lie! But I heard he’s a rigid Righteous Sect disciple—punishes evil but never robs others. What could’ve angered him this time?"

A sneering voice cut in. "Rumors say this place is a Zhu Xian outpost. No proof before, but now it’s obvious!"

"Zhu Xian’s vile, but why target Fang Lie personally?"

"Who cares? Zhu Xian kills for coin—Mo Sect disciples surely died by their blades. This is revenge."

"But flaunting it so brazenly? Doesn’t he fear retaliation?"

"He’s got an undying nature. What’s there to fear?"

"Still, the town’s overseers won’t ignore this. Public killings shame them. Look—here they come!"

Several groups charged through the air, led by a green-robed Wind Tribulation Immortal with a butcher’s coarse face. Flanked by hundreds, he bellowed at Fang Lie, "You killed these people?"

"What if I did?" Fang Lie retorted coldly.

"Insolent pup! This is Minghe Gang territory! You’ve spat on our face!"

Fang Lie barked a laugh. "Minghe Gang? You think your petty gang deserves my respect?"

The leader lunged, but subordinates yanked him back. "Boss, stop! He’s only at Qi Sea Realm, yet slaughtered everyone here—including the Tower’s late-stage Wind Tribulation master! Those golden wings—don’t you recognize Mo Sect’s Fang Lie?"

The green-robed man paled. "You’re…Fang Lie?"

"Knowing my name, yet you postured like some lord?" Fang Lie flicked his wrist. Raw power erupted, shredding the man before he could scream.

Fang Lie’s current strength rivaled Fire Tribulation Immortals. Why tolerate a minor Wind Tribulation fool’s insolence? Worse, the man reeked of wicked karma—slaying him spared future victims.

The gangsters fled, pissing themselves in terror. Fang Lie let the rats scatter.

Onlookers froze, none daring approach. Only when three Fire Tribulation Immortals—the town’s true powers—arrived did anyone venture near.

The trio stood distinct: Wu Sheng, a sly monk oozing profound Buddhist power beneath his gang leader facade; Yan Hongxia, a red-clad swordswoman whose glare at Fang Lie sharpened with East Kunlun’s sword intent; and Immortal Kumo, an abyss-eyed elder easily overlooked despite his knee-length hair and gloom.

After the three had surrounded Fang Lie from three sides, their guarded stance revealed their wariness toward this junior.

The cunning monk, Wu Sheng, greeted with a smile, "This humble monk, Wu Sheng, pays his respects to Benefactor Fang Lie. What brings you here?"

Fang Lie eyed them coldly, his disdain clear. The Buddhist were hypocrites, East Kunlun were enemies, and Immortal Kumo was the very target he sought.

He skipped formalities, tossing three Jade Slips at them. "I’m here for Zhu Xian’s trouble. Stay out of my way, and you’ll stay unharmed."

The thinly veiled threat made the three frown, but their irritation faded as they scanned the Jade Slips. The records inside—especially the list of assassination targets from the past fifty years—left them aghast.

"Outrageous!" Yan Hongxia’s face twisted in fury. "So our inner elite disciple Kuang Jianzi was murdered by Zhu Xian? He was a core candidate destined to reach late-stage Thunder Tribulation Immortal! And Feng Jianzi, An Jianzi—all inner gate talents slaughtered by those vermin!"

Though a covert agent of East Kunlun, her sharp sword intent betrayed her origins, so she spoke freely. Wu Sheng remained silent, but his face darkened to a sickly pallor.

"Benefactor Fang Lie," Wu Sheng asked gravely, "is this information accurate?"

"The Fang Family’s honor is beyond question," Fang Lie retorted. "Unlike the Great Thunder Sound Temple’s schemers. Believe what you will."

Wu Sheng flushed, speechless. The Great Thunder Sound Temple’s tampering with Fang Lie’s Central World had become infamous, tainting all Buddhist sects.

Yan Hongxia cut in bluntly, "You’ve plagued East Kunlun, but I trust your word. So this truly is a Zhu Xian branch?"

"With assassins swarming here, taking contracts openly?" Fang Lie scoffed. "As the local power, don’t claim ignorance. It’d make East Kunlun even more pathetic."

"You dare mock East Kunlun?!" Yan Hongxia’s rage flared.

"I do," Fang Lie roared. "Your sect’s snakes framed my father and the Mo Sect!"

Yan Hongxia’s fury faltered. Stomping her foot, she spat, "A few rotten apples ruined our name!"

"Fools! That ‘rotten apple’ is your future Sect Leader!" Fang Lie sneered. "If Ming Jianzi—heir to the Sword God lineage—is your candidate, East Kunlun’s reputation is filth. Spare me the lies."

Yan Hongxia reddened, silenced. Ming Jianzi, his father’s killer, was indeed next in line to lead East Kunlun.

Wu Sheng interjected hastily, "Benefactor Fang Lie, what is your aim here?"

"To humiliate Zhu Xian. Spread these records far and wide. Let the world see their vileness. Tell them I’ll wait here three months." Fang Lie’s grin turned icy. "They want me dead? Here’s their chance. If they cower, Zhu Xian dies with its shame."

"Zhu Xian targeted you?!" Wu Sheng gasped.

"A month ago, right after I left the Celestial Platform," Fang Lie said. "News hasn’t spread yet—but he’s unsurprised." He glared at Immortal Kumo.

Immortal Kumo stiffened. "I… lack eloquence."

"Too busy slaughtering to speak human words?" Fang Lie jeered.

"You insolent brat!" Immortal Kumo snarled. "Seeking death?"

"Zhu Xian won’t spare me regardless," Fang Lie shot back. "Why the act?"

"He’s with Zhu Xian?!" Yan Hongxia and Wu Sheng recoiled, distancing themselves.