Chapter 123
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Chapter 123: Gathering of Three Sects
Several days later, Mo Sect’s treasure ship reached a majestic mountain peak. Fang Lie and thirteen others gathered on the deck, waiting silently.
At the same moment, a giant robe spanning hundreds of zhang and an enormous sword of similar length arrived. Thirteen monks sat cross-legged on the robe—three old monks and ten Little Monks—all meditating peacefully with serene expressions. The sword bore thirteen Taoists—three Old Dao Masters and ten young Taoists, each radiating sharp Sword Energy with solemn dignity.
Together with Mo Sect’s treasure ship, the three massive treasures hovered in a triangular formation. The groups exchanged nods before initiating formal greetings.
"Mo Sect, Ling Feng," announced the middle-aged man.
"Mo Sect, Chui Xue," spoke the elegant woman.
"Mo Sect, Zhang Yi," wheezed the frail elder.
"Greetings to all my Dao friends!" they chorused.
"Great Thunder Sound Temple, Yuan Fa," intoned the white-bearded elder at the center.
"Great Thunder Sound Temple, Yuan Jian," said the stern-faced monk to his left.
"Great Thunder Sound Temple, Yuan Qing," declared the ruddy-cheeked monk to his right.
"Greetings to all Benefactors!" they replied together.
"East Kunlun, Feng Piazi," stated the white-browed Taoist in the middle.
"East Kunlun, Feng Xinzi," said the one-armed elder on his left.
"East Kunlun, Feng Lingzi," rumbled the burly Taoist on his right.
"Greetings to all Dao friends!" they said in unison.
Though seemingly routine, these greetings revealed sect hierarchy. Mo Sect, weakest among them, spoke first, followed by Great Thunder Sound Temple, with East Kunlun—the most powerful—closing the ritual.
After formalities, Feng Piazi of East Kunlun smiled faintly. "Decades have passed since our last meeting. It gladdens me to see you all in good health."
"You flatter us, Senior Brother," chuckled Fa Yuan. "We grow frail with age, yet your Sword Intent has only sharpened. Clearly, your cultivation advances steadily."
"Merely minor refinements," Feng Piazi demurred before turning to Mo Sect. "Truly, Dao Brother Ling Feng’s progress eclipses my own. What secrets have you uncovered?"
Ling Feng sighed bitterly. "Grief carved my path. Losing my son granted me fleeting insight into the Heavenly Dao. Yet I’d trade all progress to undo that loss." His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Such tragic news!" Feng Piazi exclaimed. "But your son possessed rare talent under your protection. How did this come to pass?"
"A tangled tale," Ling Feng muttered, shooting a venomous glare at Fang Lie.
Fang Lie met the Nascent Soul True Immortal’s gaze unflinching, lips curled in cold mockery.
The observers stared in shock. A Qi Sea realm disciple daring to scorn a Nascent Soul? In any major sect, such insolence warranted instant execution—yet here, the immortal seethed helplessly.
Feng Piazi’s eyes narrowed. "This young disciple seems unfamiliar. Pray tell, what is his background?"
"Heh heh!" Ling Feng sneered darkly. "He is Fang Gang’s son, Fang Lie!"
"Hmm~" Everyone gasped in unison.
Feng Piazi pressed urgently, "That Fang Gang?"
"Who else could sire such a fiery son?" Ling Feng spat through clenched teeth.
Though unaware of the full story, members of both major sects read from Ling Feng’s expression that his son’s death tied closely to Fang Lie. The fact Fang Lie stood unscathed suggested even Ling Feng, a Nascent Soul True Immortal, couldn’t touch him.
This only deepened everyone’s curiosity.
Feng Piazi’s eyes narrowed before he smiled at Fang Lie. "So you’re Fang Lie! Your father and I were sworn brothers. You may call me Senior Uncle!"
"You don’t deserve it!" Fang Lie retorted without pause.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Who was Feng Piazi? A Nascent Soul True Immortal of East Kunlun, formidable in cultivation and backed by untold influence—hence his role overseeing this event. A renowned swordmaster from the Sword God lineage under the Sect Leader of East Kunlun, even Mo Sect’s Clan Leader showed him deference.
Yet Fang Lie had openly scorned him! In their hierarchy-obsessed world, a mere Qi Sea cultivator insulting a Nascent Soul True Immortal? Was the boy mad?
Both sects stared dumbstruck, Mo Sect’s own cultivators equally stunned.
After a long pause, Feng Piazi’s beard quivered with rage. "Impudent whelp! You dare?!"
Fang Lie shot back, "Old cur! The audacity is yours!"
"You—" Feng Piazi nearly lunged before restraining himself. As Fang Lie was Mo Sect’s member, disciplining him fell to their elders. Swelling with anger, he barked at Ling Feng, "Will you tolerate this junior’s insolence?!"
Ling Feng sighed heavily. "Senior Brother Feng Piazi, that boy’s Mo Sect’s untouchable VIP Sir now. Not even our Clan Leader can rein him in!"
"How?!" Feng Piazi blurted.
"My son—" Ling Feng’s voice cracked. "I cradled him since he was brick-sized, nurtured him for twenty years… only for Fang Lie to bludgeon him to death with flaming and watery great rods! Yet here I stand, forced to guard his killer!"
"What status shields him?" Feng Piazi demanded. "Has a Thunder Tribulation Immortal taken him as Successor?"
"None want him. The inner gate spurns him," Ling Feng said bitterly. "His arrogance stems from surviving the Cycle of Fire to claim Mo Ancestor’s Ancestor’s Token. He’s now candidate for Benevolence Token Lord—upon entering the inner gate, he’ll lead the Five Great Token Lords, surpassing even the Clan Leader!"
"Impossible!" Feng Piazi gasped.
"Amitābha," Fa Yuan interjected. "To brave Mo Sect’s Cycle of Fire, one must endure the three unyielding tortures. He survived?"
"He did," Ling Feng confirmed. "Emerging, he slaughtered hundreds—my son among them—crippled the Brave Token Lord, and maimed an East Kunlun disciple." He tilted his head. "Didn’t you know, Dao brother?"
Feng Piazi frowned. "An East Kunlun disciple in Mo Sect? Who? Why?"
"Tian Jianzi, Sword God lineage heir. The reason… best left unsaid." Ling Feng’s glance implied disgrace.
Feng Piazi exchanged looks with his junior brothers. Feng Lingzi mind-whispered, *Senior Brother, the sect claimed Tian Jianzi died accidentally—clearly a cover-up. Drop it to save face.*
*But Fang Lie must die in the Secret Realm,* Feng Piazi mind-returned.
*Understood,* Feng Lingzi nodded, discreetly signaling subordinates.
Feng Piazi glared at Fang Lie. "You’ve your father’s temper. Pray you exit the Secret Realm alive."
"I’ll walk out," Fang Lie smirked. "Whether your lackeys do… that’s the question."
"Braggart!" snarled Huang Tingzi, Feng Piazi’s lead young Taoist. "Remember—you’ll fall to my blade!"
Fang Lie eyed him dismissively. "Corpse talking."
"Bastard!" Huang Tingzi seethed.
The Great Thunder Sound Temple’s lead Little Monk spoke up, "Benefactor Fang, your bloodlust reeks of the Demonic Path."
Fang Lie’s brows spiked. For a Righteous Sect member, this was tantamount to war. "Bald devil," he sneered, "playing judge?"
Monks recoiled as if struck. The accuser roared, "Demonic wretch! I’ll purge you with Buddha’s might!"
"Try!" Fang Lie grinned savagely. "Ten kills or twenty—what’s a few more bald heads?"
