Chapter 35
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Chapter 35: Fang Lie Is Not Dead Yet
After killing Fang Lie, the blazing fire dissipated, revealing 108 cultivators all at Golden Pool level or higher. Leading them stood the Yuan Family Leader – a Wind Tribulation Immortal in green robes.
Yuan Qing stood obediently beside the family head.
Besides Yuan Qing, over sixty Yuan family members remained. Half were women – either Yuan daughters-in-law or married-off daughters. The rest consisted of experts brought by these married daughters from their husbands’ families.
For this ambush, the Yuan family had deployed all their elite troops. Only their top talent Yuan Zhenggang was absent, undergoing closed-door training to reach Purple Palace realm. Every Golden Pool expert from the Yuan clan now stood present.
The crowd gazed at Fang Lie’s vanished form with vindictive satisfaction.
A red-clad woman stepped forward. "Father-in-law, with Fang Lie dead, we’ve given some account to the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families."
"Merely an excuse," the Yuan Family Leader sighed. "This won’t appease the great family clans’ wrath, especially those who lost cultivators today. Yuan Qing’s misfortune forced his hand, but the blood remains on his orders."
"We were compelled by Fang Lie!" Yuan Qing protested. "We avenged them by killing the prime culprit. What more could they want?"
"Do you imagine the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families as reasonable saints?" The leader’s face hardened. "Fools! Their dead fell by your command. No dog’s life like Fang Lie’s can mend this!"
"What must we do?" Yuan Qing asked weakly.
"First, send lavish gifts as condolence offerings. Second-" The leader pointed at Yuan Qing, "-you’ll resign as Law Enforcer and wander abroad fifty years. No remaining at Mo Sect headquarters to provoke tempers."
"What?" Yuan Qing recoiled. "Our family fought hard for that position! How shall I cultivate exiled?"
"Surrendering the post shows our contrition. As for cultivation…" The leader waved dismissively, "You’ll receive spirit pills and resources. Inferior to sect provisions, but sufficient. Endure it."
"Yes…" Yuan Qing acquiesced, knowing arguments proved futile.
The leader turned to others. "Distribute gifts generously. Repair our clan’s reputation. Understood?"
A chorus of assent followed.
Satisfied, the leader recalled the Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation flags and departed.
After his exit, Yuan Qing suddenly palmed his forehead. "Damnation! Fang Lie tricked us! His useless siblings would need hours to reach Ancestral Hall, passing Eight-Hundred families who’d surely intervene! The accusation threat was empty!"
"When did that whelp grow so cunning?" another spat. "He provoked quick execution to avoid slow torture! Let the cur die easily!"
"Enough," a Yuan Nascent Soul True Immortal interjected. "He’s ashes now. Follow the leader’s orders."
The group dispersed reluctantly to lobby family disciples.
Truthfully, the Yuan clan walked precarious ground. Though mighty to low-level disciples, among Mo Sect’s Eight-Hundred-Generation Families they ranked middling at best. True great family clans could crush them effortlessly.
Hence their caution. Though blameless and having slain the culprit, they still kowtowed with gifts and harsh punishment, fearing any powerful clan’s displeasure might bring doom.
When death came, Fang Lie felt no fear, only satisfaction at his successful ruse. A quick death beat prolonged agony.
He mentally thanked the old bird’s warning. Without it, he’d have carried the Shadow Heart-Questioning Dagger and Sect Benefits home – all incinerated by the Eighth-rank Treasure formation. Not even top-grade second-tier treasures could withstand such power.
The Yuan clan’s excessive measures – deploying seventh and eighth-rank treasures against him – fueled Fang Lie’s fury. He sneered inwardly: "Proud Yuan clan! Let’s see your arrogance now!"
Two hours later, Fang Lie revived completely. As predicted, his Qi Sea ballooned to 250 zhang diameter, Magic reserves doubling instantly.
Fang Lie never expected that his stubborn refusal to yield to temptation today, even at the cost of angering a Thunder Tribulation Immortal to expose hidden crimes, would bring such immense rewards despite appearing foolish.
He finally understood why seniors always said cultivating Dao meant cultivating one’s heart – only with clear thoughts and pure spirit could one advance without confusion. Though he hadn’t comprehended this before, the Divine Phoenix Nirvana Scripture’s miraculous experiences had enlightened him.
The importance of mental clarity for cultivators now burned brighter than ever in Fang Lie’s resolve. After revival, he stabilized his boosted cultivation through several energy cycles before rushing from the Cycle of Fire.
In the Ancestral Hall, the on-duty Law Enforcer Liu Zifeng sat drowsily. This small-framed Elder with gleaming eyes and shimmering three-foot beard shouldn’t have been here – Yuan Qing had begged him to cover the shift while pursuing Fang Lie.
The hall’s stone floor still smelled of blood from recent executions. Though cleaned of corpses, nobody wanted to guard this grim place. Liu Zifeng had nearly dozed off when golden wings suddenly filled his vision.
"Ah!" The Purple Palace realm cultivator recoiled, seeing Fang Lie alive in fiery robes. "Ghost or man? Why aren’t you dead?"
His terror proved justified. As duty Law Enforcer, Liu Zifeng controlled part of Mo Sect’s protective array. He’d deliberately suppressed its alerts when the Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation killed Fang Lie earlier.
By sect rules, Law Enforcers should patrol using Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers. But corruption from Eight-Hundred-Generation Families made rules meaningless – none dared trouble those powerful clans.
Yet the protective array should’ve reacted when that terror-ranked Formation activated. Liu Zifeng’s complicity in the murder made Fang Lie’s reappearance more shocking. The Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation could slay Thunder Tribulation Immortals! How did a mere Qi Sea level cultivator survive?
