Chapter 626

Chapter 626: Black Steel Mountain Seal

Just as Fang Lie marveled at the mysterious scenery of the Xuan Sect, three figures suddenly appeared before him.

The first two were young Cultivators with Immortal-Style Appearance—Fang Lie’s old acquaintances, Qing Feng and Ming Yue. Twenty-five years ago, they had been Qi Sea cultivators. Now they had both advanced to the Golden Pool realm, becoming junior Elders of the Xuan Sect and officially taking on duties.

The last figure behind them was an armored man over one zhang tall, exuding a fierce aura despite his simple, honest expression that clashed with his monstrous muscles.

Clearly, Qing Feng and Ming Yue had known of Fang Lie’s arrival and come to greet him. Fang Lie guessed the guiding jade token had alerted them—otherwise their timing wouldn’t have been so precise.

Reuniting after decades apart, the three showed quiet excitement. Ming Yue, being closer to Fang Lie, playfully punched his shoulder. "After 25 years, you still haven’t advanced? How long will you keep cultivating in the Qi Sea realm?"

Qing Feng watched enviously. "Cultivation’s like building a tower—the stronger the foundation, the higher it rises. Junior Brother Fang, your Qi Sea’s grown so vast! Sixty thousand li?"

"Sixty-five thousand," Fang Lie admitted with a wry smile. "My spiritual root’s mediocre. Even after consuming mountains of spiritual items, this is all I’ve achieved."

"By the heavens!" Ming Yue cried. "Senior brothers and I barely scraped thirty thousand li through life-risking efforts—that’s just above average among our Sect’s ascended ancestors. But sixty-five thousand? Only ancient great ones matched that! No one’s reached such heights in 200,000 years! You’ve left us choking on your dust!"

"Just luck," Fang Lie demurred.

"Luck doesn’t build foundations," Qing Feng countered shrewdly. "Expanding the Qi Sea requires everything—Magic reserves, body strength, primordial spirit growth, robust meridians. Our Xuan Sect’s the top alchemy school, yet even we can’t push disciples beyond thirty thousand li. You’ve got secrets."

"Out with it, Senior Brother!" Ming Yue demanded.

Fang Lie sighed. "There is a secret—an ancient treasure you’ve heard of."

"The Qi-locking treasure?" Young Taoist Ming Yue gasped. "But its materials vanished in ancient times! You actually found one? Insane luck!"

"How large?" Qing Feng pressed. "The smallest span forty thousand li, the largest a hundred thousand!"

"Let’s just say… sizable." Fang Lie chuckled, avoiding specifics.

Taking the hint, Qing Feng changed topics. "Ah, let me introduce Big Brother Hei—item spirit of the mid-grade Ninth-Rank Treasure, Black Steel Mountain Seal!"

He pulled forward the blushing armored man. "Big Brother Hei, this is Mo Sect’s Fang Lie, Celestial Platform Competition leader!"

"Little brother," the giant mumbled shyly, scratching his head.

Though appearing simple, Fang Lie didn’t underestimate him. The Black Steel Mountain Seal was legendary—Xuan Sect’s most-used war treasure for millennia.

Originally forged by an ancient great one’s scattered cultivator, it came from a mountain-sized ninth-rank black steel chunk found in the void. Common in small potato-sized pieces, this colossal specimen was unique. The half-immortal cultivator spent centuries refining it to Eighth-Rank High-Grade—already rivaling weaker Ninth-Rank Treasures.

After the Xuan Sect acquired it, millennia of refining birthed an item spirit, elevating it to Ninth-Rank. Its crushing divine skill slew countless Thunder Tribulation experts, even three Semi-Immortals—achievements outshining many immortals.

Fang Lie bowed deeply. "Senior’s reputation thunders across generations. This junior feels unworthy of your welcome!"

As Fang Lie pondered this, a question surfaced in his mind. Typically, the status of arriving guests dictated the rank of their greeters.

Fang Lie was merely at the Qi Sea Realm cultivation level, yet his fame and equal standing with Qing Feng and Ming Yue had prompted the Xuan Sect to break protocol by sending these two to welcome him – which made sense.

But Big Brother Hei’s position in the Xuan Sect nearly matched the Sect Leader’s own. Though lacking official authority, his reputation stood unquestioned. Why would such an eminent figure come to greet Fang Lie? This clearly didn’t add up.

The seasoned Qing Feng seemed to detect Fang Lie’s puzzlement. With a faint smile, he said, "We shouldn’t keep guests waiting outside. Come, I’ll take you to the Xuan Sect’s premium guesthouse."

Qing Feng and Ming Yue then flew ahead, guiding Fang Lie deeper into sect territory.

During the flight, the pair enthusiastically pointed out scenic views along their path, acting like dedicated tour guides. Big Brother Hei followed wordlessly, resembling nothing so much as a dutiful guard and attendant.

After a full hour of witnessing the Xuan Sect’s countless marvels, they arrived at their destination – a three-story bamboo tower soaring over three hundred feet tall, perched atop a pond of Blue Lotuses. The soothing fragrance of lotus blooms permeated every corner.

These were no ordinary plants. Every lotus here was a spiritual item aged over a millennium. Fang Lie even spotted a Purple Leaf Lotus with thirty thousand years of fire timing – an eighth-rank spirit pill of incalculable value!

That such treasures served merely as decoration demonstrated the Xuan Sect’s staggering wealth. Of course, these ornaments weren’t for taking; powerful Formation restrictions guarded against unauthorized harvesting, ensuring swift punishment for thieves.

Now Fang Lie understood the sect’s reluctance to admit outsiders. In this treasure-filled realm, any guest succumbing to temptation would create unbearable awkwardness for both host and visitor.

Seated on the third-floor balcony amidst bamboo groves, the four enjoyed food and drink served by a Seventh-rank lotus spirit. After several wine rounds, the blunt-spoken Ming Yue broke the warming atmosphere: "Senior Brother Fang, you must wonder why Big Brother Hei greeted you?"

"Some curiosity exists," Fang Lie admitted. "As a mere Qi Sea cultivator, how could I warrant Big Brother Hei’s personal attention?"

Ming Yue sighed. "Truth be told – and I’ll be direct like you prefer – our sect proposes a transaction. Agree to it, and Big Brother Hei will leave the Xuan Sect to serve you faithfully, even unto death."

"What?!" Fang Lie gaped at Big Brother Hei. "Truly?"

"True." Big Brother Hei’s nod carried weight. "The Xuan Sect forged me. Now they demand this sacrifice. Besides" – his smile didn’t reach his eyes – "following a wealthy patron like you promises better prospects."

Fang Lie’s brow furrowed as he turned to Qing Feng. "What’s the price for taking him?"

"What brought you here?" Qing Feng countered.

Realization dawned. "You want the large treasure weapon I commissioned?"

"Precisely. During forging, it underwent rare evolution. Though remaining a peak eighth-rank large treasure weapon rather than reaching Ninth-Rank, it gained unique properties vital to our sect. Hence we must part with Big Brother Hei."