Chapter 20

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

Chapter 20: Rebirth Through Fire

When Fang Lie regained consciousness, he found himself back in the true seed of the Cycle of Fire. The old bird cackled nearby, "I knew you’d return, but never this fast! Barely half an hour, eh?"

Still trapped in his seed form, Fang Lie focused on practicing the Divine Phoenix Nirvana Scripture to rebuild his body.

The two-hour regeneration process wasn’t painful, but watching his flesh slowly regrow through a bloody haze left him shaken. His hatred burned hotter against those who’d attacked him.

"See this?" Fang Lie spat after fully restoring his body. "The Mo Sect’s Eight-Hundred-Generation Families run wild now – attacking me openly within our own sect! We might as well rename ourselves the Demonic Sect!"

"True enough," the old bird sighed. "These youngsters grow worse by the day. What’ll you do?"

"What else?" Fang Lie growled. "Eye for eye, blood for blood! They want me dead? I’ll return the favor!"

"Entertainment awaits!" The old bird chirped gleefully. "But first, cycle your energy to adjust to your newfound power."

"New power?" Fang Lie blinked. "I just got killed! When did I cultivate?"

"Check your Qi Sea."

Fang Lie’s inner vision revealed his Qi Sea had expanded from 100 zhang to 120 zhang – a fifth larger. Since the Qi Sea was circular, this meant nearly half again as much Spiritual Energy. Normally this growth would take a year. Even talentless Cultivators needed decades to reach this stage before using spirit pills to force-open their Golden Pool for extra Lifespan.

"How?" Fang Lie breathed.

"The Qi Sea reflects both body cultivation and Heavenly Dao comprehension," the old bird explained. "Breakthroughs cause rapid growth. Before dying, didn’t you feel… empty? Terrified yet clear-minded?"

"Yes!" Fang Lie recalled. "Everything made sense suddenly – like final clarity before death."

"Exactly!" The old bird nodded. "When the soul shatters, memories flash as the true spirit touches reincarnation. That instant reveals Heavenly Dao’s workings – near-death transcendence. Many break bottlenecks this way."

"So dying more means faster cultivation?"

"Partly. Not every death brings enlightenment. Also, your weak body caps your Qi Sea at 1,000 zhang. Only the Innate Great Five Elements Nascent Fetus Classic can raise this limit."

"Understood!" Fang Lie grinned. "Guess I’ll die a few more times then!"

"You’ll have to anyway," the old bird chuckled. "Those scoundrels won’t stop coming."

"First, I’ll settle today’s debt." Fang Lie sat to consolidate his gains.

Meanwhile, Red-Robed Immortal hosted a feast after killing Fang Lie. Celebrating a Qi Sea level disciple’s death seemed excessive – unless it was Fang Lie, who’d beaten thousands and slaughtered hundreds from the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families.

To them, this "tenfold evil" deserved more hatred than any demonic sect leader. His death called for revelry.

Especially those who had been beaten with sticks and the families of the killed cheered loudly, eager to host feasts in celebration.

The Red-Robed Immortal, who loved lively gatherings, felt uplifted after avenging his child. Persuaded by the crowd, he simply arranged a grand banquet!

They flew to a large lake and conjured massive lotus leaves measuring one zhang each. Each person sat on a leaf where tables and dishes materialized.

Female cultivators performed songs and dances as hundreds reveled under the moonlight.

The Red-Robed Immortal, being Fang Lie’s main executioner, drew much attention. Many toasted him, including several Wind Tribulation Immortals.

These seniors had lost juniors to Fang Lie but couldn’t personally hunt a Qi Sea realm cultivator due to their status, so they’d sent subordinates.

Now that the Red-Robed Immortal succeeded in avenging their kin, they came to express gratitude, promising future assistance in their local dialects.

Thrilled, the Red-Robed Immortal knew their favor would aid his cultivation. Who knew killing Fang Lie would bring such rewards?

In his excitement, he drank heavily.

The merriment lasted hours until dawn approached. Just as the feast was ending, golden light erupted overhead. Hundreds of Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers materialized, surrounding the crowd completely.

The hostile soldiers clearly weren’t here to drink. The crowd froze.

Pretending calm, the Red-Robed Immortal demanded, "What’s your purpose?"

"By Law Enforcer Yuan Qing’s order, we arrest all involved in besieging Mo Sect’s outer disciple Fang Lie. Come with us," a soldier declared, approaching him.

"What?" roared the Red-Robed Immortal. "Which fool ordered this?"

"Law Enforcer Yuan Qing, on duty today," the soldier answered. "Resist, and we’ll act."

"Yuan Qing? Yuan Hua’s father? We avenged his family! How dare he arrest us?" The Red-Robed Immortal scoffed. "Fine! Let’s see what he wants!"

"Even the Clan Leader ignored this! Who does Yuan Qing think he is?"

"That senile old fool! We killed Fang Lie for our grievances AND his family’s vengeance! What’s his game?"

"Let’s confront that bastard!"

The furious crowd followed the soldiers toward the Ancestral Hall, drawing curious onlookers. By the time they arrived, nearly ten thousand people had joined.

The angry mob stormed in, ready to challenge Yuan Qing—only to freeze at the sight of a figure below.

"F-Fang Lie? Impossible!"

"I saw him turn to ash!"

"They said he was pulverized! How’s he alive?"

"Not just alive—his cultivation’s stronger! What sorcery is this?"

Even the Nascent Soul-level Red-Robed Immortal gaped. After scrutinizing repeatedly, he confirmed it was undeniably Fang Lie.

"How? Why aren’t you dead?" he stammered, horrified.

"Guess!" Fang Lie smirked.