Chapter 100

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/

Chapter 100: Confronting a Powerful Foe Again

As Fang Lie departed, the Thunder Tribulation Immortals atop the Ascending Immortal Tower collectively sighed in relief.

Mo Qianxun, the Clan Leader, turned furiously to the Head of the Bai Family. "Was it you who aided that fool’s cheating? Do you realize you nearly caused catastrophic trouble? Did the Zhou Family’s disgrace teach you nothing?"

The Bai family head bowed his head meekly. "What choice did we have? Fang Lie shattered a third-tier puppet today with mere Soulfire Lances. The boy’s monstrous strength defies reason!"

"You dare speak thus?" The Clan Leader’s rage intensified. "Wasn’t the Soulfire Lance technique your family’s own gift to him?"

Flushing crimson, the Bai head stammered, "That… that was an unforeseen mishap!"

"And this latest scheme?" Mo Qianxun thundered. "Fang Lie nearly exposed us again! Had that hotheaded youth shown the slightest hesitation instead of taking his own life, the Ancestor’s Token would’ve been invoked once more! Even my position as Clan Leader might’ve been forfeited because of your recklessness!"

A Thunder Tribulation Immortal chimed in, "Old Bai, when will you learn? Attempting deceit under Fang Lie’s nose? Have your wits truly abandoned you?"

Another added, "This isn’t mere folly – it’s courting annihilation!"

"Should you desire destruction," warned a third, "seek it elsewhere! Should Fang Lie trace those third-tier artifacts’ origins, we’ll all share your doom!"

Cornered, the Bai family head protested weakly, "My methods were undetectable by most cultivators! How could that whelp have uncovered them?"

"Fool!" Mo Qianxun slammed his palm on the table. "A Qi Sea cultivator wielding Golden Pool realm magic? Only an imbecile wouldn’t suspect foul play! Fang Lie’s shrewdness sees through such petty tricks!"

"I anticipated his suspicion," the Bai head admitted bitterly. "The trap was set – had he accused us of spirit stone tampering, inspection would’ve proven the puppet clean. His disqualification would’ve been certain! But the brute bypassed protocol entirely – beating my agent senseless before extracting confession!"

Mo Qianxun’s voice dripped contempt. "Your mind’s addled if you still underestimate Fang Lie. Though but a candidate Token Lord, he wields partial Benevolence Token privileges – including immunity to injustice. The Ninth-Rank Treasure monitors his every trial! Did you truly believe your pathetic schemes could deceive it?"

"Had I known…" the Bai head began, before Mo Qianxun cut him off.

"Enough! Can Fang Lie be stopped tomorrow? He’s already among the final eight. Victory secures his inner gate position. Fail this last chance to bar his ascent, and not even my mercy will shield you from our brethren’s wrath!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the assembly. "Let Fang Lie claim the Benevolence Token Lordship," one growled, "and we’ll ensure your Bai family regrets it through generations!"

Pale-faced, the Bai head spread his hands. "Brethren, is Fang Lie’s rise solely my burden? We agreed to arm his opponents with third-tier artifacts while denying him such aids. Yet your own kin gifted him the Blood God Puppet!"

"Now he commands both the Puppet and Soulfire Lances!" another immortal snapped. "Our prepared artifacts lie worthless before him! This disaster rests upon your shoulders!"

Trapped, the Bai head clenched his fists. "I… I’ll devise a solution. By dawn, Fang Lie’s path will be blocked!" He fled without witnessing the match’s conclusion.

As silence reclaimed the chamber, a Thunder Tribulation Immortal sighed. "Can Old Bai truly hinder Fang Lie now?"

Another shook his head. "The Soulfire Lances alone make him invincible. The Blood God Puppet’s third-tier form overpowers Golden Pool cultivators! No Qi Sea challenger can withstand this combination."

"Unless…" ventured a third, "we employ forbidden single-use armaments. But Arena regulations forbid them."

"Curse his undying nature!" another spat. "Were it otherwise, we’d risk execution to eliminate him!"

Mo Qianxun silenced them with a gesture. "Fang Lie’s momentum must be checked. Old Bai’s incompetence has jeopardized everything. Should his final ploy fail, we must be prepared to act."

After hearing this, everyone fell silent. They racked their brains, stroking their beards until strands snapped, yet still found no solution. Seeing this predicament, Clan Leader Mo Qianxun declared, "All of you return and comb through the sect rules thoroughly. Find any loophole we can exploit. Otherwise…" He sighed heavily, "…we’ll truly gain a new 250th ancestor this time!"

The Thunder Tribulation Immortals collectively released helpless sighs.

Truthfully, had Fang Lie been more agreeable and tactful after obtaining such fortune, nurturing him might have been feasible. But this young man proved too stubbornly principled – utterly incapable of tolerating injustice!

The current Mo Sect festered with corruption: embezzlement, oppression of outer disciples, and endless other scandals. Should this uncompromising Fang Lie become Benevolence Token Lord, his sweeping reforms would devastate the Thunder Tribulation Immortals’ descendants. Casualties would pale compared to the impending eradication of entire bloodlines!

Thus, preventing Fang Lie’s ascension became imperative.

Days later, the Outer Sect Competition’s third round commenced. Crowds again swarmed around Ascending Immortal Tower, anticipating fierce battles.

Notably, though Zhen Hong Yi and Queen Bee’s previous match ended evenly, the Higher-ups unanimously declared Queen Bee victorious. Mo Qianxun ruled her Deadly Poison’s lethality would have outlasted Zhen Hong Yi by half a quarter-hour unaided – a verdict none disputed, not even Zhen Hong Yi herself.

Today’s main event should have featured Fang Lie versus Queen Bee. However, the Higher-ups manipulated matchups by pitting Fang Lie against the next round’s winner first, then announcing Queen Bee’s advancement to face the final victor.

Fang Lie instantly recognized this as a prearranged scheme. Though flawless in sect rule compliance, the trickery infuriated him. Seething, he vowed inwardly: If this opponent cheats too, I’ll eliminate them without mercy!

"The Outer Sect Competition’s third round begins now!" The Referee’s voice boomed across the plaza. "First match: Fang Lie versus Li Jing!"

Fang Lie simply unfurled his golden wings and soared upward. His opponent glided in on white clouds – a chubby, round-faced youth with perpetual smile and squinty eyes, projecting harmless simplicity.

Yet his battle attire stunned: golden sword feathers composing radiant armor. Fang Lie immediately recognized this third-tier treasure’s potency.

This complete sword feather set formed devastating Sword Formations when attacking, impenetrable Shields when defending, and even sprouted wings for aerial agility. Each function excelled, making it tenfold more valuable than standard third-tier treasures.

Most Qi Sea cultivators couldn’t afford such wonders, let alone Golden Pool realm practitioners!

Fang Lie cursed inwardly: Those scoundrels spare no expense to block my top-four advancement!