Chapter 32
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Chapter 32: Choosing a Dao Book
"What good would lying to you do me?" The old bird snapped. "Long story short – after you die, you’ll find out whether I’m telling the truth!"
"Ohoho! After hearing that, I can’t wait to die now!" Fang Lie chuckled darkly.
"Death comes easily!" The old bird suddenly warned. "Through the protective array, I detected people plotting to ambush you!"
"Hah!" Fang Lie laughed without anger. "These scoundrels only remember the rewards, not the beatings! I just killed a hundred, yet they come crawling back. Maybe I’ve been too lenient? Why won’t they learn?"
"Lenient? You killed over a thousand. You’ve no right to complain," the old bird scoffed.
"Then why keep attacking?" Fang Lie frowned.
"Perhaps they believe they can truly eliminate you this time," the old bird said dismissively.
"Should I let them try?" Fang Lie asked with feigned innocence.
"Patience. They need time to prepare," the old bird advised. "Visit Gentle Breeze Tower’s fourth floor first. Find useful Dao magic and store that Shadow Heart-Questioning Dagger safely before getting yourself killed."
"Storing the dagger’s easy, but the fourth floor?" Fang Lie grimaced. "Ten years serving Mo Sect only earned me 78 contribution points! Fourth-floor books cost hundreds!"
"Enough whining," the old bird chortled. "As candidate Token ord, you get special privileges. Basic Dao books like these scraps are free to copy."
"You should’ve told me sooner!" Fang Lie exclaimed.
He dashed upstairs.
The fourth floor buzzed with disciples selecting texts. Since the Five Great Stewards’ demise, Gentle Breeze Tower’s original systems revealed shocking truths – contribution exchange prices had been halved, Dao book fees slashed by 70%. The stolen surplus fueled fresh hatred for the corrupt Stewards.
When Fang Lie entered, the room froze. Then every disciple bowed silently, gratitude shining through fearful glances at Eight-Hundred-Generation Families’ spies. Though none dared speak, Fang Lie’s heart warmed at their unspoken thanks.
Nodding briefly, he approached a puppet soldier. Mo Sect’s millennia-old collection sprawled before him – millions of volumes on alchemy, refining techniques, Flying Sword formulas, Five Elements cultivation methods.
Before obtaining the Divine Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, Fang Lie practiced his family’s Blaze Fire Dragon Technique – specialized cultivation for Cannon Experts. These Mechanical Cannon masters traced their roots to ancient times when demon beasts ruled.
Mo Sect’s founder Mozi built Mechanical Cities and treasure ships during humanity’s Great War for survival. Aboard these fortresses, dedicated crews honed Mechanical Cannon operation into an art, birthing the Cannon Expert tradition.
Some cultivators were tasked with operating large defensive shields, becoming the Mo Sect’s unique Shield Experts. Others specialized in close combat, eliminating demon beasts that breached the treasure ships. These warriors controlled mechanical beasts, sword cases, or crossbows – evolving into the sect’s distinct puppeteers and mechanical engineers. Those skilled in healing and alchemy formed the Mo Sect’s most valued physicians and alchemists.
With millions of cultivators, the Mo Sect boasted over a dozen specialized cultivation systems. Their Eight-Hundred-Generation Families each maintained distinct hereditary expertise. The Fang Family, Fang Lie’s lineage, excelled as Cannon Experts renowned for their Wrathful Blazing Dragon Cannons.
Fang Lie’s father had dominated the Mo Sect using their ancestral cannon, crushing countless peers to claim the title of Supreme Elder – the undisputed strongest below Immortal realm.
A Cannon Expert’s power resided in their life-bound Mechanical Cannon. Unlike ordinary weapons, these cannons delivered obliterating strikes by channeling massive Spiritual Energy into single shots. Though slow to reload and Spirit-draining – often exhausting users after few volleys – their earth-shaking power justified the costly spirit stone consumption.
When cannons roared, they shook heaven and earth. Against equal-ranked foes, survival was unlikely even with protective treasures. Cannon Experts uniquely could challenge higher realms – a Golden Pool realm expert could vaporize Purple Palace cultivators with proper preparation. Experienced enemies naturally attacked first or fled rather than face these devastating blasts.
Fang Lie had adored cannons since childhood, particularly their decisive lethality. For years he trained relentlessly, dreaming of obtaining his sect-bestowed Mechanical Cannon upon reaching Golden Pool realm to emulate his father’s glory.
Yet now his path grew uncertain. The Divine Phoenix Nirvana Scripture’s cultivation made him question continuing as Cannon Expert. The Gentle Breeze Tower’s scripture selection would determine his future, leaving him torn between tradition and adaptation.
The old bird noticed his distraction. "Struggling to choose scriptures?" it chuckled.
"Yes," Fang Lie frowned. "I’m lost – continue as Cannon Expert or change paths? Old bird, advise me."
"First answer: do you truly love cannons?"
"I adore them! The cannon’s my soul!"
"Then keep firing!" The old bird laughed. "Cannons and your scripture complement each other. Forget control manuals – copy the Explosion Qi Technique!"
When the mechanical puppet produced the beast-skin manual, Fang Lie scanned it and leaped up shouting: "Old bird! Are you trying to kill me with this madness?"
