Chapter 766

Chapter 766: Losing Authority

Though Sword God had lived countless years, cold sweat still drenched his back. He knew how hard it was for True Cultivators from the Immortal Realm to send messages down—they rarely communicated unless absolutely desperate.

Yet this reply came swiftly, its wording harsh. Clearly, those above would pay any price to rebuke him, showing their fury.

Trembling with fear, Sword God drowned in regret. Had he not shown mercy earlier, this disaster could’ve been avoided. His son wouldn’t have died—just endured centuries of closed-door training and reputation loss, forfeiting the Sect Leader position. But becoming Semi-Immortal still promised glory.

Even when Fang Lie confronted him, he’d had the chance to yield. But the vanity of being "world’s strongest" blinded him.

Then came Fang Lie’s brutal counterattack. Losing the Star Gold Element Core cemented their enmity. Plot begat plot, hatred festering until only annihilation remained.

Now the higher realm took drastic action. Fang Lie’s survival meant East Kunlun’s Mortal Realm Dao lineage would perish—an unbearable loss. Thus Fang Lie must die.

Yet Fang Lie wasn’t some rootless wanderer. He was Mo Sect’s pillar—a once-in-millennia genius surpassing even Mo Ancestor!

Assassinating such talent would provoke vengeance. Though confined to the Mortal Realm, relations between sects would sour. As the aggressor, Kunlun would suffer. Sword God, instigator of this mess, faced harsh punishment. Ming Jianzi, the true culprit, would fare worse!

Better to have disciplined his son earlier! Confinement beat heavenly retribution.

Meanwhile, Mo Sect faced its own quandary.

By rights, Mo Qianxun should yield leadership to Fang Lie. But how could this Semi-Immortal, longtime Sect Leader and Fang Lie’s wife’s grandfather humble himself?

After pondering, Mo Qianxun chuckled. "Kid, we need to settle something."

"What?" Fang Lie feigned ignorance.

"Your position." Mo Qianxun grew solemn.

"Oh?" Fang Lie smiled. "Denying the Benevolence Token’s authority?"

"Never!" Mo Qianxun paled. "I merely say you bypassed proper protocols. Though saving your life warranted exceptions, Mo Sect rules can’t be wholly ignored. Keep the Benevolence Token, but withhold its Lord’s authority until you qualify."

"My disqualification is your doing!" Fang Lie snapped.

"Blame your knack for making enemies." Mo Qianxun shrugged. "As Sect Leader, I follow rules."

"Rules?" Fang Lie spat. "Under you, Mo Sect reeks of corruption! Rules became dung beneath our feet! I slaved ten years as outer gate disciple without a single spirit stone. My father died for the sect, yet vultures picked our bones! Where were your rules then?"

"I… didn’t know!" Mo Qianxun reddened.

"But you learned later!" Fang Lie’s voice turned icy. "When Jin Family seized Ten Thousand Flower Valley, you played dead. I had to reclaim it myself!"

Mo Qianxun wished the earth would swallow him. "Must you reopen old wounds? Jin Family contributed much—I couldn’t crush them over this!"

"So contributions excuse rule-breaking?" Fang Lie mocked. "Am I still some useless newcomer?"

"Don’t say that!" Mo Qianxun raised surrendering hands. "Your contributions dwarf mine. I merely beg time—with Benevolence Token Lord powers, you’d execute half our elites! Let me weed the sect first."

Fang Lei fell silent, considering.

Mo Qianxun pressed: "You’re not even inner gate disciple. Rules bar you from Five Great Token Lords. Even with the Token, improper status brings shame to Fang Family’s honor!"

"Enough!" Fang Lie waved irritably. "I’ll wait. But when I advance to Golden Pool and claim rightful title, lingering corruption means blood—even if Mo Sect bleeds dry."

Mo Qianxun shivered at the killing intent. "Understood! Few will dare misdeeds with you looming."

"Numbers don’t matter. I’ll purge all."

"Of course." Mo Qianxun mopped sweat. "Now, your Star Loss City gains?"

Fang Lie sat. "Most went to cultivation. Scraps remain."

"Could you donate spare Immortal Crystals? Many cultivators need bottleneck breakthroughs."

"Take the common ones. Count as Major Merits."

"Done. But… do you have special crystals? Blood Crystals perhaps?"

"Two. For my cultivation."

"Fool!" Mo Qianxun exploded. "Those break Semi-Immortal bottlenecks! Save them for emergencies!"

Old Bird added: "The sect’s survival matters most. Their effect on your Qi Sea is minimal."

Fang Lie relented: "Fine. But I want all Pure Yang True Fire records."

"Why seek that cursed flame?" Mo Qianxun frowned.

"I must grow stronger."

"You’ve shattered the ten-thousand barrier! Just advance!"

"Reasons beyond your ken." Fang Lie shrugged.

Seeing Old Bird’s nod, Mo Qianxun yielded. "Take the curse-suppressing treasure from our Secret Vault too. Lose the item, not your life."