Chapter 136

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Chapter 136: Fang Lie’s Counterattack

Puhua bitterly blamed his sect elder Fa Yuan. This entire mess stemmed from the man’s poor judgment, leaving him trapped between two terrible choices.

He had to decide now: oppose Fang Lie or fight the scoundrels before him. While he desperately wanted to avoid confronting Fang Lie, choosing the other path meant facing a brutal battle.

The East Kunlun disciples alone wouldn’t trouble him much, but Bai First Young Master changed everything. As the Bai family’s direct heir in Mo Sect, this man could single-handedly battle multiple Inner Elite Disciples from Great Thunder Sound Temple.

Even if Puhua stalled Xiao Xuanzi, his Junior Brothers would perish under Bai First Young Master and East Kunlun’s combined forces. Puhua himself would follow soon after. Though Great Thunder Sound Temple’s Buddhist divine skills excelled in raw power, they lacked escape techniques—especially against sword cultivators’ speed.

If the battle turned sour, Puhua couldn’t outrun Xiao Xuanzi. Death would be certain. Offending Fang Lie at least offered temporary survival. Dying later beat dying now.

Besides, hiding in Great Thunder Sound Temple might protect him from Fang Lie’s wrath. Who’d dare assault their sacred grounds?

"No misunderstanding, Dao brothers," Puhua declared firmly. "I honor our prior agreement."

"Truly?" Xiao Xuanzi squinted. "What if you betray us when Fang Lie appears?"

Puhua’s cheeks flushed. "Great Thunder Sound Temple keeps its word. We’re not like backstabbing sects."

The jab at East Kunlun’s betrayal of Fang Lie’s father made Xiao Xuanzi’s face darken. "Swear the Heart Demon Oath, or I won’t believe you!"

"You—" Rage choked Puhua. Forcing an elite disciple to swear? Unthinkable humiliation!

Bai First Young Master intervened. "Enough! Deal with Fang Lie first, or we all perish."

The glowering rivals broke eye contact with simultaneous snorts.

"Still," Bai added, "Xiao Xuanzi’s right. We need assurance. Empty words won’t suffice."

"Fine!" Puhua spat. "I’ll swear the Heart Demon Oath to kill Fang Lie with you. Satisfied?"

"Perfect!" Bai beamed. "Now we’re grasshoppers tied together!"

Xiao Xuanzi grunted, sheathing his Flying Sword. Others relaxed their stances.

"What now?" Puhua demanded coldly.

"We ambush here," Bai stated. "Fang Lie’s racing here with the Secret Realm Map from dead explorers. He’ll battle the Iron-Beaked Birds for the Arhat Immortal Fruit. When he’s overwhelmed, we strike from behind with a Formation trap. Our numbers guarantee victory."

Puhua nodded. "My Junior Brothers and I will deploy our Arhat Formation to encircle him."

"Good." Xiao Xuanzi produced triangular flags. "My Mirage Illusion Formation spans only a hundred yards, but fools even Purple Palace realm cultivators."

He tossed the flags upward, weaving secret techniques. The banners vanished, shrouding the area in a faint haze.

This was the effect of the illusion formation. Those inside could see outside, but outsiders couldn’t detect anything within, as if only empty air existed here.

Bai First Young Master frowned and said, "Xiao Xuanzi, is your illusion formation reliable? I used one last time too, but he still found us. I suspect this guy might have illusion-piercing abilities!"

"Stop joking!" Xiao Xuanzi declared proudly. "My Flag Gate was crafted by Wind Tribulation Immortal. Even Purple Palace realm cultivators or Nascent Soul True Immortals couldn’t detect it without special divine skills. Do you think a pauper like Fang Lie could possess powerful scouting abilities? If you were discovered before, it’s because someone in your group failed to hide properly. That just proves your incompetence!"

"You–" Bai First Young Master nearly choked on his rage.

He’d never encountered such an infuriating person. Suddenly, Xiao Xuanzi’s mannerisms struck him as familiar. With a start, he realized this was exactly how Xiao Xuanzi behaved back in Mo Sect!

This realization drained Bai First Young Master’s will to argue. Nearby, Puhua watched silently with amusement, clearly enjoying the scolding.

Xiao Xuanzi’s expression abruptly hardened. He sent a mental warning: "Silence! Fang Lie approaches!"

At these words, everyone tensed and turned toward the indicated direction.

True enough, a winged figure flew leisurely through distant skies. The golden-winged man hovered parallel to the ground, his flapping wings resembling a giant bird. All recognized their target – Fang Lie himself.

Fang Lie flew casually with hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distant forest where Arhat Immortal Fruit grew among Iron-Beaked Birds. He showed no awareness of the ambush party beneath him.

Seeing this, Xiao Xuanzi smugly transmitted: "See? This fool can’t detect us at all. Your previous failure was your own doing. Before East Kunlun’s Flag Gate, he’s completely blind!"

Bai First Young Master’s face flushed crimson, fists clenching at Xiao Xuanzi’s mocking tilt of chin. Yet with enemies nearby, he restrained himself.

Just as Fang Lie passed directly overhead – mere two hundred yards above – the unexpected happened. Still facing forward, Fang Lie suddenly glanced downward and smirked.

His hidden hands snapped forward, revealing a pitch-black Roaring Sky Cannon barrel.

"TRAP! FLEE!" Xiao Xuanzi and Bai First Young Master screamed simultaneously, souls nearly leaving their bodies.

Escape proved impossible. Fang Lie unleashed four consecutive shots, expending all remaining Second-tier treasure cannonballs. Four meteor-like projectiles crashed down with thunderous force.

At this proximity, evasion was hopeless. The trio activated emergency defenses:

Bai First Young Master shattered a jade token, summoning protective divine light around himself.

Xiao Xuanzi activated a green sword talisman’s shielding glow.

Puhua crushed prayer beads, releasing golden Buddhist light filled with devout power.

Four catastrophic explosions erupted. The blasts vaporized surrounding terrain, creating mushroom clouds. When smoke cleared, a smoldering crater hundreds of yards wide remained.

Though none died, most lay unconscious from the shockwaves. Only eight cultivators with strongest strength remained conscious, staring terrified at Fang Lie.

"You fool!" Bai First Young Master roared at Xiao Xuanzi. "I warned you he could see through illusions! Now we’re decimated! How will you explain this to your Sect?"

"He needs no explanation!" Puhua spat bitterly. "Fang Lie won’t let him leave alive!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Xiao Xuanzi shrieked madly at the smirking Fang Lie above. "HOW DID YOU BREAK MY FORMATION?"

Fang Lie grinned. "I’ll let you die wondering."

With an enraged roar, Xiao Xuanzi vomited blood.