Chapter 186
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Chapter 186: Soul-Losing Golden Crown
Upon hearing this, Fang Lie laughed heartily, "Sworn enemies? Fine! Let’s see who fears whom!"
Tapping his forehead, Fang Lie prepared to cast The Great Unity Spell against Purple Beard Master. But the Purple Beard Master unexpectedly turned tail and fled back into Purple Beard Villa. Protected by the mountain’s defensive array, Fang Lie could do nothing.
Who would believe a Purple Palace Peak expert had been forced into such pathetic retreat by a mere Qi Sea realm disciple without witnessing it firsthand? Even the spectators stood dumbfounded.
"Wait—Purple Beard actually ran? Am I seeing this right?"
"Shameful! A Purple Palace Master with fifth-rank treasures fleeing from Qi Sea cultivator? That fool should just die!"
"Interesting! Let’s see how he shows his face hereafter!"
As the crowd buzzed, Fang Lie found himself both exasperated and amused. With his foe hiding in this turtle shell, charging recklessly would mean certain death. Reluctantly, he retreated to town to rest and reconsider his plans.
The onlookers dispersed, many marveling at witnessing such an unprecedented battle where a lone Qi Sea disciple triumphed over Purple Beard Villa. Discussions inevitably centered on Fang Lie’s undying nature—not only resurrection but rapid wound recovery. He’d used two Self-harm Dao Magics and stabbed himself twice to threaten the Deputy Leader, yet healed completely within moments. Even demon beasts renowned for regeneration paled before this terrifying recovery!
Such mysteries fueled gossip. News of this battle would spread, gradually establishing Fang Lie’s reputation in the region.
Unconcerned with fame, Fang Lie returned to Mo Fang Shop. In Liu Dingyi’s cultivation chamber, he activated warning formations and sat cross-legged, eagerly sorting his spoils.
Though costly, his Qingyu Island venture brought immense wealth. Beyond the treasure ship, he’d acquired over a hundred Sumeru Bags. He knew more existed—four to five hundred cultivators had perished aboard, each carrying such bags. Most had likely been collected by the black-armored man into his spatial ring, currently beyond Fang Lie’s ability to open.
The lower-ranking disciples’ bags proved rewarding enough. Their owners being at least Golden Pool realm cultivators, each bag contained assets ranging from millions to hundreds of millions.
Spirit stones overflowed—millions per bag, accumulating beyond counting. He segregated them: low-grade stones for future expenditure filled multiple bags; medium-grade for formations and cultivation; scarce high-grade stones reserved for emergencies.
Spirit talismans and pills abounded. Disdaining lower-tier talismans, Fang Lie kept only Fourth-tier and above as trump cards. The thousands of spirit pills overwhelmed him—he stored them unexamined.
Materials formed mountainous heaps—ores, herbs, and obscure items requiring several bags. Treasures numbered around five hundred, mostly Second-tier and Third-tier. Fourth-tier items numbered under twenty. The two Fifth-tier treasures—a spear and axe, both low-grade—remained unusable at his current strength, so he carelessly stored them away.
Fang Lie planned to seize Qingyu Island after pacifying Purple Beard Villa, intending to establish a large trading shop. These treasures would become commodities for exchanging necessary resources.
Currently, Fang Lie needed to select useful items – particularly Fourth-Rank or higher treasures that could significantly enhance his combat strength. However, his standards had become too lofty. After discarding all low-grade Fourth-Rank treasures, only five remained. He then eliminated offensive types since his Chifeng Sword rendered them redundant.
This left two items: a triangular Shield measuring about one foot, with mirror-smooth silver surfaces – a mid-grade Fourth-Rank treasure. Offensive treasures dominated the market due to cheaper materials and simpler crafting processes, making them least valuable. Defensive treasures required superior materials and master craftsmanship while being crucial for survival, resulting in triple the price of equivalent offensive types.
Though possessing the Demon-Subduing Golden Bowl and second-rate Alchemy Cauldron, Fang Lie still lacked proper defense. These items prioritized enemy confinement and alchemy respectively, their protective functions being mere secondary features.
The Shield differed entirely – a dedicated defensive implement whose protective power surpassed both his existing treasures combined. Despite his undying nature, Fang Lie preferred avoiding injuries whenever possible, making this Shield his primary choice.
The second treasure was an exquisite Golden Crown crafted from ethereal-hued gold and adorned with glittering Gems. Its hypnotic radiance tempted viewers to wear it. Fang Lie initially meant to Inspect it, but gradually became entranced, lifting it toward his head.
Old Bird’s voice exploded like Thunderbolt: "Fool! Don’t wear that!" The shout carried mysterious power that made blood stream from Fang Lie’s seven orifices, but jolted him awake.
Terrified, Fang Lie flung the crown away while wiping blood. "What demonry is this? It bewitched me!"
"That’s the Lost Soul Crown," Old Bird gravely declared. "An ancient Left Dao Sinister Treasure without rank or combat functions. Once worn, it steals the soul, turning victims into puppets. Don’t look at it before ritual refining!"
Fang Lie hastily covered it with cloth. "Bird Bro, why’s this thing so evil?"
Old Bird chuckled. "It only activates when worn. The crown’s bewitching design makes unwary victims self-entrap. Cautious people avoid it."
"Then it’s useless?" Fang Lie frowned. "Who’d get tricked during combat?"
"Left Dao treasures aren’t for direct battles. Subdue someone first, then force this crown on them – you’ll gain a fully capable puppet enforcer. Imagine controlling an Immortal this way!"
Fang Lie’s eyes sparkled. "So if I knock out an Immortal…"
"In Theory," Old Bird scoffed. "But can you actually defeat one? Don’t fantasize!"
