Chapter 612

Chapter 612: A Firm Stance

The Zhu Xian emissary didn’t even glance at Fang Lie. He bowed to Mo Qianxun and produced a letter. "Our Zhu Xian Grand Leader’s message. Read it and you’ll understand."

Mo Qianxun’s brows furrowed as he scanned the letter. His face darkened instantly. "Your Grand Leader’s arrogance stinks worse than week-old corpses! Tell that fossil his war wish is granted. Mo Sect accepts. And inform him his Resentful Soul Cliff hideout’s days are numbered – he’d better crawl away before we burn it down!"

The Man in Black shuddered, unprepared for such defiance. Before he could speak, Mo Qianxun flicked his wrist. The envoy shot skyward like a ragdoll, vanishing through rippling Teleportation Passages.

When the dazed man regained awareness, he found himself dumped in a stinking ditch outside Mo Sect’s territory. The reek clung to his robes – a deliberate humiliation. Only the "no killing messengers" tradition spared his life.

Back in the hall, Mo Qianxun’s anger still simmered. "Those sewer rats dare make demands? They think Mo Sect trembles before their shadows?"

"What happened?" Mo Wanfang asked urgently, never having seen his father so enraged.

"Three demands." Mo Qianxun’s voice dripped ice. "Fang Lie’s head and his undying nature’s secrets. Two Ninth-Rank Treasures as tribute. Complete blueprints for our Eighth-Rank warships. Only then would they ‘forgive’ us!" He spat. "To hell with their arrogance!"

Mo Wanfang’s fists clenched. "These terms insult Mo Sect’s honor! We can’t yield!"

"I’ll build more Nirvana Fire Pools," Fang Lie cut in. "Assign 100 clones to produce fire seeds. Every Wind Tribulation Immortal leaving headquarters carries one. Let’s see who outlasts whom!"

"Excellent!" Mo Qianxun’s mood lifted slightly. "With this, our Higher-ups become near-immortal!"

"Not entirely." Fang Lie cautioned. "Without Ninth-Rank Treasures anchoring them, the protective array weakens spreading across many users. Causal-type treasures could still kill them."

"Better than nothing." Mo Qianxun waved. "We’ll also issue Divine Escape Talismans to all Fire Tribulation Immortals. Unless Semi-Immortals intervene, they’ll escape death."

"But Father!" Mo Wanfang protested. "We’ve only thirty talismans stockpiled! The materials…"

"Prioritize lives over objects." Mo Qianxun gestured at Fang Lie. "Our ‘prosperity bringer’ here fills the coffers. Replenishing talismans becomes manageable."

As Mo Wanfang hurried to execute orders, Mo Qianxun frowned. "Zhu Xian’s overconfidence puzzles me. They can’t seriously expect us to accept this?"

"Maybe false demands for negotiation leverage?" Fang Lie guessed.

"More." The Sect Leader stroked his beard. "This reeks of external backing. Zhu Xian-Shi Shen alliance alone lacks such gall."

"But I exposed their schemes! Who’d risk aiding them now?"

"East Kunlun and Great Thunder Sound Temple bear grudges against you." Mo Qianxun sighed. "Zhu Xian likely bought their silence with compensation for dead disciples."

Fang Lie’s eyes flashed. "Once we expose their Resentful Soul Cliff base, even those traitors can’t stop the coalition!"

"Exactly." Mo Qianxun smiled grimly. "Zhu Xian’s wealth and blood-debts will draw every vulture. Their lair’s location is…"

He froze as Mo Wanfang rushed back. "Another envoy! Thunder Tribulation Immortal this time."

"Two envoys prepared – intimidation then negotiation." Mo Qianxun snorted. "Admit him."

The new Black-clad Masked Man bowed deeply. "My Grand Leader requests parley through this bronze mirror."

At Mo Qianxun’s nod, the envoy activated the artifact. A skeletal visage materialized – parchment skin stretched over bone, eyes burning like coals.

"Well met, Little Qianxun." The Old Skull croaked, voice like grinding gravel.