Chapter 625

Chapter 625: First Arrival at Xuan Sect

Hearing Fang Lie’s words, Mao Mao blushed and hurriedly explained, "Though I can’t take Miraculous Spirit Pills, I use up quite a lot of spirit pearls. Recently, I’ve only been able to eat large spirit pearls when hungry—they’re priceless treasures. Even my Sect Leader Master is nearly bankrupted by my appetite. So strictly speaking, my consumption isn’t small at all."

"How is that the same?" Fang Lie scoffed dismissively. "Spirit pearls are just money. The Mo Sect is vast, and their Semi-Immortal Sect Leader earns fortunes with casual displays of power. Ordinary wealth means nothing to them. But the eighth-rank spirit pills I consume? Those are true treasures—unbuyable with mere coins!"

"Exactly," Longxing Tianxia chimed in. "Mao Mao advances rapidly using basic spiritual items. It’s downright enviable! Unlike her, we lack both exceptional talent and her unique physique. This is as far as we’ll ever reach."

"Mao Mao, you must protect us properly from now on!" Ice Second Brother said with mock misery.

"Don’t forget me!" Fang Huo teased. "Third Brother dotes on you most. If Big Brother hadn’t claimed you first, I might’ve mustered the courage to propose!"

"Stop talking nonsense! Third Brother’s the worst!" Mao Mao’s cheeks flushed crimson. "I won’t care about your affairs anymore!"

"Ah, how cruel!" Fang Huo clutched his chest dramatically. "Third Brother’s heart is shattered!"

"Hahaha!" The group burst into raucous laughter.

Overwhelmed, Mao Mao fled the scene.

Watching her retreat, Ice Second Brother nudged Fang Lie. "Big Brother, why linger? Chase her!"

"Chase what?" Fang Lie declared righteously. "Do I seem like someone who prioritizes romance over brotherhood?"

"Well said, Big Brother!" Fang Huo, Ice Second Brother, and Longxing Tianxia raised approving thumbs.

Yet moments later, Fang Lie set down his wine cup. "Ahem, need to relieve myself—drank too much." With a flicker, he vanished.

The remaining companions gaped before erupting in laughter. "Big Brother! Who knew he could be so hypocritical!"

"Hypocrisy? He acted true to himself—said he’d leave and did!"

"Remember how everyone avoided Mao Mao before? We liked her spirit but couldn’t bear her appearance. Marriage? Unthinkable. Yet Big Brother clung to their childhood Agreement, even breaking ties with the Huang Family’s beauty. When the Sect Leader threatened him, he still refused to abandon Mao Mao. For that alone, he deserves her!"

"Exactly! Mao Mao’s transformation from ugly duckling to golden phoenix is Big Brother’s doing. After enduring years, they’ve finally triumphed."

"A toast! To Big Brother and Mao Mao—may their union bring bliss and countless descendants!"

"Cheers!" Dozens of youths stood, clinking cups fervently.

Deep in the Purple Bamboo Grove, Mao Mao and Fang Lie stood facing each other, their heightened cultivation allowing them to hear every word.

Fang Lie smiled tenderly. Mao Mao’s eyes glistened with emotion. They gazed wordlessly before embracing tightly.

"Mao Mao, I’ve missed you terribly," Fang Lie murmured.

"Brother Fang… I’ve missed you too," she whispered into his chest.

They held each other fiercely until reason returned. Suppressing their pounding hearts through cultivation, they sat hand-in-hand instead of pursuing passion.

"Brother Fang, when will you attempt Advancing in the Golden Pool?" Mao Mao asked.

"Not yet. My Qi Sea must reach 120,000 li first—still far off," he replied.

"How? Don’t you know of the ten-thousand barrier? Since ancient times, none—not even ancient great ones—have surpassed 100,000 li. It’s Heaven’s decree!"

"I know." Fang Lie’s eyes blazed with ambition. "But I’ll conquer every limit. That cursed ten-thousand barrier exists to be broken!"

He hid the truth about the locked Qi Linglong Tower’s Ambush, not wanting to worry her. Arrogance masked his deeper resolve.

Mao Mao frowned and said, "Brother Fang, is this really okay?"

"Hehe, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing!" Fang Lie smiled.

"But from what I know, the further you progress, the more resources cultivation requires. Now that you’ve reached this level, even eighth-rank spirit pills are useless, right?" Mao Mao asked curiously. "Do you plan to expand your Qi Sea by swallowing massive amounts of ninth-rank spirit pills?"

"Don’t joke~" Fang Lie said with a bitter laugh. "Ninth-rank spirit pills can’t exist in bulk! The eighth-rank ones I used already drained Xuan Sect’s reserves. Ordinary eighth-rank pills take over a decade to refine per batch, yielding just ten or so. Ninth-rank pills need centuries of alchemy and must be made by master alchemists. Xuan Sect only has three such masters! Even if they all worked solely for me, it wouldn’t suffice!"

"If there are no pills left for you, how will you cultivate?" Mao Mao blinked. "Will you eat spirit pearls like me?"

"No, I lack your… appetite," Fang Lie chuckled dryly. "I’ve consulted the Sect Leader. Supreme rare treasures from Heaven and Earth can expand the Qi Sea immensely. But they’re too scarce—Mo Sect has none, and no one sells them. I must gather them myself from the abyss."

"So you’re going exploring?" Mao Mao brightened, bouncing eagerly. "Take me! I won’t hold you back—I can help now!"

Fang Lie rubbed his chin. "Fine. Your strength might surpass mine. My only advantage is my undying nature. In a real fight, I’d likely lose."

"Impossible! Your Qi Sea is five thousand li wider, and your Magic far deeper," Mao Mao protested. "I couldn’t beat you!"

"Combat strength isn’t just about Magic. With similar Magic, talent can create tenfold or hundredfold gaps!" Fang Lie countered. "Your Plague Spirit Immortal Root’s insane. One whiff cripples me. Without treasures, I’m helpless against you. That’s the difference."

"Enough!" Fang Lie playfully covered her mouth. "I’m not sore about losing. Your growth pleases me—no jealousy here."

Mao Mao flushed, relieved. She’d feared he’d resent being outmatched, but Fang Lie embraced her prowess without bitterness.

He continued, "In a few days, I’ll collect a custom eighth-rank Flying Boat from Xuan Sect, then depart for Wanxing Sea. Join me?"

"Yes!" Mao Mao exclaimed.

Three days later, Fang Lie bid farewell to Mao Mao and others, journeying alone to Xuan Sect.

Though invited and guided by token, Xuan Sect prized solitude, rarely hosting outsiders. Invitations signaled friendship.

Guests were expected alone. Bringing others wasn’t forbidden but seemed impolite for first visits. Fang Lie wouldn’t overstep—Xuan Sect’s reclusive fame meant even Semi-Immortal Sect Leader Mo Qianxun had never received an invitation. This honor demanded respect, not greed.

Following the token west, Fang Lie rode Divine Phoenix Golden Wings, covering a million li daily. Exhaustion paled next to the exhilaration of speed.

True to its legend as the world’s swiftest treasure, the wings’ partial power already achieved this. Unleashed fully, they might pierce the void and chase time itself.

After half a month mastering flight, Fang Lie switched to the Flying Boat. Slower, but it conserved his Magic and stamina.

A month later, the token vibrated—proximity signaled.

Thrilled, Fang Lie stored the boat and soared skyward with the wings. Breaking through an invisible barrier, he entered a profound special space.

Before him stretched a continent spanning millions of li, shrouded below by vast white fog. Above hung sun, moon, and stars, seemingly within grasp.

The land comprised 108 colossal dragon vein mountain ranges, each pulsing with dense Spiritual Energy. Though appearing natural, their arrangement formed a Formation whose profound mystery Fang Lie couldn’t grasp—only that its might matched Mo Sect’s protective array!