Chapter 25

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Chapter 25: The Hardships of Children

As children possessing spiritual roots and remarkable talent, they still ended up in this orphanage alongside those without spiritual roots. Each carried unspoken tragedies in their past.

Though their lives were filled with misfortune, they found fortune in meeting Fang Lie’s father.

While Fang Lie’s father was known for his blunt honesty, fiery temper, and gullibility—making him a laughingstock—he treated every adopted child as his own, showing no favoritism between them and Fang Lie.

Influenced by his father, Fang Lie became their protective older brother, shielding them from hardships and caring deeply for them.

After Fang Lie’s father’s death, the five relied on one another through countless trials, forging a bond stronger than blood.

Fang Lie’s main residence was massive—a three-story Qingshi structure spanning a hundred zhang in area and towering over ten zhang tall. Yet its interior remained sparse, furnished only with small stools Fang Lie had crafted.

After retrieving clothes from the inner room and extinguishing the flames covering his body, Fang Lie settled onto a stool. The others found their own spots.

Too large for the stools, Ice Second Brother sprawled lazily on the floor. Fang Huo fidgeted between sitting and squatting, while Mao Mao lingered silently in a corner, observing Fang Lie. Longxing Tianxia sat formally, concern etched on his face.

"Big Brother," Longxing Tianxia began, "rumors say you stirred major trouble this time."

"Just minor matters," Fang Lie chuckled.

"They say you endured the three unyielding tortures in the Ancestral Hall?"

"I did," Fang Lie replied casually. "Nothing extraordinary."

Though he feigned ease, everyone knew the tortures’ brutality. Their gazes brimmed with reverence.

"Big Brother, you’re incredible!" Longxing Tianxia praised.

"Obviously!" Fang Huo interjected. "Tell us about the Cycle of Fire!"

"It contained an extremely challenging Dao magic and the Ancestor’s Token—the Benevolence Token," Fang Lie explained. "This method healed my injuries and granted my wings. Unfortunately, its strict requirements prevent me from teaching it."

"But you’ve angered the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families by killing their members, crippling a Token Lord, and harming an East Kunlun disciple!" Fang Huo fretted. "How will we survive this trouble?"

"We’ll face whatever comes," Fang Lie declared. "I’ll make them fear us!"

"Have you gone mad?" Fang Huo blurted.

Ice Second Brother felt Fang Lie’s forehead. "No fever. Why the nonsense?"

"Fool!" Fang Lie swatted his hand away. "Can’t you see? If I survived the Cycle of Fire once, I can repeat it. My word in the Ancestral Hall is law now. We won’t bully others, but none shall bully us!"

"No more stolen sect benefits?" Ice Second Brother gasped.

"No unfair deductions when we work?" Fang Huo added eagerly.

"Keep all our spirit stones without paying protection fees?" Longxing Tianxia’s eyes sparkled.

"Won’t I be safe from getting robbed when selling medicine now?" Even Mao Mao chimed in excitedly.

"That’s right. No more worries!" Fang Lie replied, his voice tinged with bitterness.

These children were the most unfortunate souls in the entire Mo Sect, yet they endured the cruelest injustices and constant bullying.

By official rules, the five outer disciples should’ve received monthly spirit stones and spirit pills. But since losing Fang Lie’s father, they’d never seen a single one.

Forced to survive, they took odd jobs—tending alchemy fires with Spiritual Energy, caring for Spirit Beasts, laboring in medicinal fields, all the grunt work no one else wanted.

Even then, layers of exploitation left them with barely a third of their rightful earnings.

Mao Mao suffered worst. Her strange odor drove everyone away, leaving her to rely on her Poisonous creatures talent to brew special medicines.

Without coin for herbs, she scavenged mountains through storms, only to risk her medicines being stolen or getting beaten at the outer disciples’ shady market.

To those unaware, this Mo Sect headquarters resembled a Demonic Sect lair more than a Righteous Sect stronghold!

Each thought of his siblings’ suffering stabbed Fang Lie’s heart like blades.

Despite Fang Lie’s earnest vow, his juniors remained skeptical.

Ice Second Brother scratched his scalp. "Boss, is this for real? Even if you win every lawsuit, what’s the use? Those Eight-Hundred-Generation Families scoundrels kill first!"

"Exactly!" Fang Huo muttered. "If they murder you, who’ll hear your complaint?"

"You think I didn’t plan for that?" Fang Lie retorted. "I’ve gained an undying nature! Death means nothing now!"

"Big Brother… fever dreams again?" Ice Second Brother gaped.

"This delirium’s severe!" Fang Huo nodded.

"Brother, I’ve medicine here~" Mao Mao fretted.

"Are you feverish or concussed?" Longxing Tianxia blurted. "Why spout nonsense?"

Fang Lie sighed. He couldn’t blame them—undying nature sounded absurd even in their mystical world.

Resigned, he explained, "This isn’t bragging. Remember the Cycle of Fire legend? Its hidden secret is this!"

"Undying? Impossible!" Ice Second Brother scoffed.

"Not buying it!" Fang Huo crossed his arms.

Mao Mao’s soft plea cut deepest: "Brother, please take your medicine."

"I’m not ill!" Fang Lie groaned. "Check the rumors—I died yesterday!"

"WHAT?!" Four voices shouted.

"Last night, Eight-Hundred-Generation Families ambushed me. Golden Pool cultivators, all. They slaughtered me." Fang Lie grinned. "Yet here I stand, having sued them at dawn in the Ancestral Hall!"

He added slyly, "The Law Enforcer? Yuan Hua’s own father! Our Blood Sea feud didn’t stop me forcing him to execute my killers. That’s how I returned unharmed!"

"Truth or tall tale?" Ice Second Brother breathed.

"You’re not fooling us?" Fang Huo pressed.

Mao Mao simply stared, eyes glittering.

Longxing Tianxia marched out. "I’ll verify!"

He returned swiftly—disciples now swarmed their once-quiet home since Fang Lie’s rampage. Under Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers’ gaze, he’d demanded answers freely.

Clutching Fang Lie’s leg, Longxing Tianxia begged, "Teach me undying nature! Please!"

"It’s TRUE?!" The others gasped.

"You think I’d provoke Eight-Hundred-Generation Families without insurance?" Fang Lie chuckled. "But this Dao magic’s too complex for you. That’s why it’s sealed in Cycle of Fire!"

"Should’ve braved the trials!" Longxing Tianxia lamented.

"You’d be ash!" Fang Lie glared. "Keep this secret!"

Four heads bobbed obediently.

Ice Second Brother rubbed his hands. "Boss, with undying power and Ancestral Hall victories… shall we grab some spirit stones first?"