Chapter 174

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Chapter 174: The Unlucky Ship Owner

The black-armored man froze when he saw Fang Lie, as if witnessing a ghost. He screamed, "You… how are you still alive?"

"Stupid question," Fang Lie sneered. "You think I’d keep coming to die without real skills? Do I look like a fool to you?"

He swung the Seven Treasures Vajra Mace, slamming it into the black-armored man’s chest. The man couldn’t resist, vomiting blood as he crashed against the reinforced wall of the treasure ship’s core. He slid down slowly, leaving a bloody smear.

Gasping against the wall, the man spat crimson globs. Without his fifth-rank armor’s protection, that strike would’ve pulverized him. "Cough… seems I’m the real fool," he wheezed. "Breaking Wanxing Sea’s unwritten rule – attacking Qi Sea realm cultivators is suicide."

"Unwritten rule?" Fang Lie raised an eyebrow.

"Golden Pool realm or higher roam these waters. Qi Sea wanderers are either suicidal fools or Core Inner Gate Disciples from major sects." The man coughed wetly. "They wield Purple Palace-level combat strength, carry life-saving treasures and revenge Curses. Kill them, and their sect hunts you down. Normally we avoid them… but I got greedy."

"Thought I was weak?" Fang Lie grinned.

"Tiny Qi Sea… barely a few li! Others have hundreds! And you said you’d been exiled after offending sect Higher-ups…" The black-armored man grimaced. "Spare me, brother! I’ll serve aboard this ship!"

"Kill you, and the ship’s still mine." Fang Lie chuckled. "You’re bargaining with my own property. Pathetic."

"Not… that simple." The man shook his head weakly. "Requires my control secret technique. Without it, this vessel’s worthless!"

Fang Lie burst into laughter. "Mechanical arts? From you? I’m a Mo Sect disciple! This Fifth Rank wreck? I could pilot a Seventh-rank ship blindfolded!"

The Mo Sect dominated mechanical arts – this very ship bore their craftsmanship. Fang Lie’s mind-helper old bird contained all necessary knowledge. Besides, the battered vessel needed years of repairs. Fang Lie’s three-year Wanxing Sea assignment left no time – he’d scavenge key parts and dump the rest into Cycle of Fire for material reclamation.

The black-armored man’s face darkened. "No mercy then?"

"You tried killing me." Fang Lie’s smile vanished.

"Think you’ve won?" The man snarled. "I know Self-harm Dao Magics too! Demon’s Disintegration Great Method! We could both die here!"

Fang Lie silently consulted his advisor. "Bird Bro, what’s this technique?"

"Burns Lifespan like your Explosion Qi and Blood Ignition Techniques," the mental voice answered. "Lasts briefly. Outlast him."

"Your Demon’s Disintegration’s overrated," Fang Lie taunted. "Try it – I’ll still wipe the floor with you!"

"BASTARD!" The black-armored man roared. Spiritual Pressure erupted around him as he screamed – agonized, but revitalized. Within breaths, he regained half his strength.

"DIEEEEE!" He blurred forward, fist whipping toward Fang Lie’s skull like a hurricane.

But as the black-armored man moved, Fang Lie wasn’t idle either. Smiling calmly, he formed a sword gesture with his fingers – first touching his own brow, then pointing at his opponent while uttering, "The Great Unity Spell!"

Instantly, a fluttering butterfly shot into the charging man’s head.

"Ah!" The black-armored man cried out in panic, recalling his previous humiliation. Last time this happened, nearly killing Fang Lie had almost made his own skull explode.

Terrified of repeating that disaster, he desperately diverted his punch even at the cost of damaging his meridians. His fist barely grazed Fang Lie’s cheek.

While Fang Lie remained unharmed, the black-armored man paid dearly for retracting his Magic mid-strike – it felt like punching himself with full force. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he staggered.

Seizing this moment, Fang Lie smashed the Seven Treasures Vajra Mace into his weakened opponent. The armored man flew backward like a ragdoll, crashing against the wall before sliding down limply.

Tears streamed down the warrior’s face as he wailed, "What cursed monster have I angered? Killing you hurts me! What twisted Dao magic is this?"

"Actually," Fang Lie chuckled, "my Great Unity Spell only works against those with less than hundredfold my Magic."

"What?!" The man sprang up, furious. "After using Demon’s Disintegration Great Method, my Magic reached fiftyfold yours! I could’ve killed you safely?"

"Exactly," Fang Lie smirked. "But you hesitated."

The black-armored man vomited blood in frustration. Fang Lie taunted, "Don’t die angry – I’d miss the glory of slaying a Nascent Soul True Immortal!"

"Damn you!" Roaring, the man lunged again.

Fang Lie shoved his head forward. "Go on! Kill me if you dare!"

The armored man froze. His Magic reserves had plummeted below the critical threshold after recent injuries. Killing Fang Lie now would mean mutual destruction.

Fuming, he redirected his punch to Fang Lie’s shoulder instead. Bones crunched as the youth flew sideways.

"Break you without killing then!" the man thought triumphantly – until his own shoulder snapped with identical cracks. He howled in agony.

Fang Lie rose, healing his injury with the Healing Art. "Forgot to mention – minor injuries get mirrored too. Only fatal strikes trigger full backlash."

His shoulder already mended, Fang Lie flexed his arm smugly. The black-armored man gaped. "Your shoulder’s healed! Why’s mine still broken?!"