Chapter 688

Chapter 688: Purple Jade Flute

As soon as Fang Lie spoke, everyone present rolled their eyes in unison. His words sounded outrageously arrogant.

But upon reconsidering, they realized Fang Lie actually had the right to be bold. After all, this was the same man who single-handedly crushed the Ximen family clan and rendered the Three Great Semi-Immortals helpless. From that perspective, his strength reached heaven-defying levels.

Still, Fang Lie’s mere declaration couldn’t satisfy everyone.

Ao Jianzi immediately jumped forward again, shouting, "Are you stronger than a Semi-Immortal? Even they can’t stop endless sea demons! What makes you think you can?"

"None of your business," Fang Lie retorted disdainfully. "I’m not your father – why should I explain myself to you?"

"You–!" Ao Jianzi nearly lunged forward in rage, but Tianhezi restrained him.

Tianhezi spoke coolly, "Fang Lie, your claims lack credibility."

"I’ll repeat myself," Fang Lie sneered. "Whether you believe me or not means nothing. I owe no explanations, nor care about convincing any of you."

A dry cough interrupted them. The silent Blood River Emperor finally spoke: "He’s right – he owes no explanations. But what if there were significant benefits involved?"

"Absolutely!" Fang Lie’s expression brightened. "Are you offering me something, senior? Let me warn you – I won’t accept trash. It must be at least an Eighth-rank Treasure to warrant my explanation."

"Ha!" Blood River Emperor laughed. "There happens to be such a treasure available – though not from me."

"Not yours?" Fang Lie frowned. "Then how can you promise it? Are you mocking me?"

"Not at all." The emperor grinned. "You fought the Sea Demon Tribes and repelled them. You must have slaughtered many?"

"Countless," Fang Lie answered instantly.

"Precisely!" The emperor turned to the crowd. "Friends, if Fang Lie truly protected Qingyu Island and forced the Sea Demon army to detour, he deserves recognition as the greatest contributor in this Sea Demon Disaster. The original reward should be his!"

Murmurs swept through the assembly.

"He’s right! Making the Sea Demons retreat preserves the Human Tribe’s dignity. He deserves top honors!"

"Other battlefields only saw stalemates. Qingyu Island’s victory humiliated the Sea Demons. That treasure rightfully belongs to him!"

Fang Lie finally understood – they meant the top prize from the Human Tribe’s hunting ranking, currently held by Ao Jianzi. Normally he wouldn’t care, but since Ao Jianzi possessed it…

"Fine," Fang Lie sneered. "I’ll explain – if certain treasure-obsessed scoundrels don’t renege."

Delighted, Blood River Emperor announced: "He agrees! What say you all?"

"An excellent proposal," the white bone divine demon from Demonic Path immediately supported. "Even juniors approve."

"Rewards should honor the most deserving," Snow Ruthless of Great Snow Mountain added slyly. "If even we Demonic Path cultivators agree, surely the righteous sects won’t object?"

Abbot Mountain Man chuckled. "Reasonable. I concur."

Sword Ancestor of Penglai cautioned: "Only if Fang Lie provides proof. But with evidence, the prize is his."

"This is unacceptable!" Blue Ancestor of Ximen clan protested. "Rewards can’t be reclaimed!"

Purple Ancestor nodded firmly. "We can’t break our word!"

Blood River Emperor countered: "We promised it to the top contributor. Keeping that promise maintains our honor!"

The white bone divine demon sneered: "Gifting it to undeserving hands brings shame!"

Snow Ruthless taunted: "Does the world’s number one descendant fear losing?"

Fang Lie now saw the truth – Demonic Path cultivators weren’t aiding him, but stirring conflict between righteous factions.

The neutral Sword Ancestor of Penglai and Abbot Mountain Man were clearly holding grudges.

The Sea Demon Disaster had persisted for countless years, each occurrence featuring a hunting list with Eighth-rank Treasures as grand prizes.

But these rewards were essentially prearranged – whichever sect provided the treasure would retain ownership.

This time’s Eighth-rank High-Grade Purple Jade Flute came from Yingzhou. The predetermined winner was their Core Inner Gate Disciple Purple Jade Fairy, a spiritual roots prodigy who emerged within the last two decades.

This unspoken rule was respected by all sects. Even powerful figures like Qing Feng only took fifth place, avoiding competition for the top three spots reserved for the Overseas Three Immortal Mountains.

Yet Ao Jianzi recklessly seized first place, claiming the Purple Jade Flute and thoroughly embarrassing the Three Immortal Mountains.

Legend says the defeated Purple Jade Fairy wept bitterly, feeling she’d failed her sect. Overwhelmed by guilt, she abandoned the treasure and secluded herself in sect meditation, neglecting even the Dragon Palace Deadly Area’s opportunities.

Yingzhou’s members seethed with anger but remained helpless – none dared challenge Sword God-backed Ao Jianzi. Since he’d won openly, they had to eat this bitter loss.

The Overseas Three Immortal Mountains shared deep bonds, having originated from one ancient sect before splitting into three branches.

Yingzhou’s humiliation enraged the other two mountains, prompting them to cause trouble for Ao Jianzi.

They believed letting Fang Lie obtain the treasure would be infinitely better than Ao Jianzi keeping it.

At least the principled Fang Lie might compensate their sects or allow treasure redemption through negotiations.

But with Ao Jianzi? It’d be like feeding meat to a dog – irretrievable.

Thus they fully backed Fang Lie, abandoning neutrality to ally with the Demonic Path.

The Ximen family’s two Founders naturally supported their nephew Ao Jianzi over fairness.

The three righteous Semi-Immortals faced dilemmas. West Kunlun’s Immortal Lan Shan and Master Tianlong were Sword God’s friends yet righteous leaders – they couldn’t openly favor anyone before the public.

Even the Demonic Path demanded fairness. How could righteous leaders show bias now? Their reputations would suffer.

Their silence left Sword God speechless. His grandson’s involvement made his position awkward.

Secretly, Sword God wished to strangle Ao Jianzi – why provoke three sects over a single treasure?

But his pride prevented explanations. Forcing Ao Jianzi to return the treasure now would seem like fearing the Three Immortal Mountains.

Though displeased, he planned to return it quietly after tensions eased.

He never expected Blood Sea Emperor’s sudden attack regarding Fang Lie’s matter to corner him.

When directly challenged, Sword God coldly snorted: "East Kunlun has no sore losers!"

"Fang Lie," he said frostily, "provide proof of repelling the sea demon tribes. If true, the Purple Jade Flute is yours."

"Excellent!" Fang Lie grinned. "Since Sword God insists, I’ll gladly accept!"

Smiling, he continued: "Truthfully, when the Sea Demon Disaster began, endless attacks came. My Netherworld Ghost Fire warship held them off."

A water screen above him showed battle records from Qingyu Island’s protective array – originally for post-battle analysis, now serving as evidence.

"After breaking their assault, they challenged me to a duel. We agreed on best two-of-three rounds – my victory ensured sea demons would bypass Qingyu Island entirely during the disaster."

The screen displayed Shadow Demon King’s duel agreement with Fang Lie, followed by Mao Mao’s triumphant defeat of the demon.

Pointing at the evidence, Fang Lie asked cheerfully: "Well? Ironclad proof, wouldn’t you say?"