Chapter 37

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Chapter 37: The Mastermind

Before tens of thousands of witnesses, a dignified Wind Tribulation Immortal kowtowed to some brat. The humiliation was beyond measure.

The Yuan Family Leader, a man of unyielding pride, had done the unthinkable. Truthfully, he’d never have lowered himself this way if not for Fang Lie holding his entire clan hostage—one word from that youth could erase the Yuan bloodline.

Had it been only his own life at stake, the stubborn old man would’ve chosen death over submission. Everyone knew his fiery temper. Even Fang Lie recognized this wasn’t cowardice, but sacrifice for family.

Watching this proud elder debase himself, every Cultivator present felt creeping dread. Members of the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families and the leader’s old comrades burned with fury, itching to rip Fang Lie apart.

Though grudging respect flickered in Fang Lie’s heart, memories of the man’s crimes hardened him. "Begging now?" he scoffed. "Where was this humility earlier?"

"This isn’t for me." The old man’s voice rasped like grinding stones. "Spare my clan’s women and children. I alone forced them into wrongdoing. Take Yuan Qing. Take my bones—grant me the Thousand Cuts if you will, but let them live!"

"Hah!" Fang Lie’s laugh held no mirth. "You’re already mine. Bullying the weak, willful crimes—your proper fate is dismemberment! Why should your deserved punishment buy mercy for accomplices?"

"The Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation." The leader’s words dropped like anvils. "Spare us, and all 108 ancestral formation flags are yours—main banner included."

Gasps erupted. Fang Lie froze.

That formation ranked among Mo Sect’s greatest treasures. The central flag? An Eighth-rank Treasure—rarest of the rare. Such artifacts couldn’t be forged unless using materials that defied the heavens. Otherwise, Thunder Tribulation Immortals must pour Magic into Seventh-rank Treasures for millennia… with less than thirty percent success.

Most Eighth-rank Treasures bore such origins—each representing centuries of a supreme Cultivator’s devotion. Over Mo Sect’s 10,000-year history, only 200-300 existed. Half now lost. The sect retained perhaps a hundred.

Maintaining a treasure for peaceful nurturing proved near impossible. These were weapons—meant for battles where Seventh-rank Treasures often shattered, doomed never to ascend.

Yet here was a full set—main flag Eighth-rank, others Sixth or Seventh. To Fang Lie, who treasured mere spirit stones? A golden mountain falling from the sky.

With this, he’d live like royalty. His siblings could rule mortal kingdoms. The temptation left him speechless.

Onlookers seethed with envy. Only the Yuan clan’s utter vulnerability forced this offering—their leader’s life meant less than these flags. But with extinction looming? Even precious heirlooms became discardable. Dead men needed no treasures.

Rather than let this set of formation flags gather dust in the clan, it would be better to simply use them to save the family from destruction.

Some stubborn old men secretly marveled at the Yuan Family Leader’s decisiveness. This move was truly clever. They reckoned the entire Yuan clan’s lives would be preserved this time.

Yet just as everyone thought so, Fang Lie’s eyes gradually regained clarity.

The impact and temptation of the Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation were indeed overwhelming. Even with Fang Lie’s strong will, his mind had been momentarily clouded, filled with visions of the formation flags’ mighty power.

But after enduring Thunder Tribulation Immortal Zhou Zhengqing’s mental trial earlier that day, Fang Lie had realized cultivating Dao meant cultivating one’s heart. This strengthened his convictions, clearing his thoughts. Though briefly tempted, he soon broke free from the illusion.

With solemn expression, Fang Lie directly addressed the kneeling Yuan Family Leader: "I refuse!"

"What?" The clan leader looked as if struck by thunder, completely stunned.

Not just him – even the surrounding thousands of Cultivators froze in disbelief.

After long moments, someone finally exclaimed, "Did I hear right? Fang Lie refused the Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation?"

"You heard correctly! The lad actually said it!"

"What kind of fool is this Fang Lie? Ten thousand times more stubborn than his father! Doesn’t he know what the Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation represents? Or how rare Eighth-rank Treasures are?"

"I once thought the Fang Family’s stubbornness had limits. Today proves their bullheadedness knows no bounds!"

Regaining composure, the Yuan Family Leader asked tearfully, "Why? You survived our attack! Isn’t a full set of Great Heaven Fierce Fire flags sufficient compensation?"

"My worthless life isn’t worth a single flag, let alone the whole formation," Fang Lie declared. Suddenly his expression hardened: "But today’s circumstances differ!"

"The Mo Sect Ancestral Hall embodies our sect rules – laws set by ancestors!" Fang Lie thundered. "If rule-breakers could simply pay their way out, what purpose would these ancestral laws serve? The formation may be priceless, but it can’t purchase exception from our sect’s foundation!"

Fang Lie’s blazing gaze swept the crowd. None dared meet his eyes – whether from guilt or awe, all felt primal fear towards this young man.

For the first time in countless years, someone prioritized justice and sect rules above all. Not even the legendary formation could sway his resolve.

Fang Lie then turned to Law Enforcer Liu Zifeng. "What are you waiting for?"

All eyes shifted to the sweating official. Under immense pressure, Liu Zifeng sighed at the Yuan Family Leader: "Elder Yuan, I’ve no choice. Forgive us."

Slamming his judge’s wooden hammer, he roared: "Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers! Execute all offenders with flaming and watery great rods!"

Heavenly Soldiers materialized, seizing 108 Cultivators. The Ancestral Hall soon echoed with heart-wrenching screams – the day’s second round of executions.

Desperate prisoners begged Fang Lie, threatened with clan influence, or yelled at their leader: "Summon that elder who promised victory! Save us!"

The Yuan Family Leader paled, shouting: "Die with dignity! Our clan still has one surviving heir!"

"Play hero yourself!" others retorted. "Reveal the mastermind who claimed Fang Lie only escaped through Teleportation techniques! Why protect him now?"

"Exactly!" elders wailed. "That elder abandoned us! He might’ve framed our clan!"

"Fang Lie! We’ll name the conspirator! Spare us!"

"Silence!" the leader bellowed. "This disaster stems from our own poor judgment! No conspiracies exist!"

"Lies!" countered voices. "That elder swore the formation would ensure victory! You authorized using our treasure based on his word!"

"Now he ignores us! He planned this betrayal!"

"Fang Lie! Halt the beating! We’ll confess everything!"