Chapter 49
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Chapter 49: Mao Mao’s Past
Fang Lie waved his hand and said, "Keep them. After cleansing the pill toxin, you must consume large quantities of spirit pills to boost your cultivation. You’ll need the Five Elements Detox Pill again to remove the accumulated toxins!"
"Ah—" Ice Second Brother exclaimed, "Using Five Elements Detox Pills to accelerate cultivation speed? Isn’t that too wasteful?"
"Waste isn’t an issue since I can refine more. What matters is improving your cultivation swiftly!" Fang Lie declared firmly. "We fell behind the family disciples of the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families due to poverty. Now we must catch up. You know how deeply those clans resent me. Since they can’t touch me directly, they might target you instead. Strengthen yourselves quickly!"
The three grew solemn and nodded. "Understood, Big Brother! We’ll stay secluded and focus entirely on closed-door training!"
"Good. Go now." Fang Lie dismissed them.
"Yes!" The three departed without hesitation.
Turning to Mao Mao, Fang Lie sighed. "Mao Mao, your magic carries deadly poison. The detox pill might harm you, so I didn’t dare give you any."
"I know Brother cares for me," Mao Mao replied meekly.
Fang Lie ruffled her hair affectionately. "My clever girl."
Mao Mao leaned into his touch like a contented puppy.
"Don’t worry," he reassured. "Once these pills sell well, I’ll find an expert to examine your condition."
"Mao Mao can wait," she said softly. "It’s been years already."
"But I can’t wait!" Fang Lie teased. "You’re my future bride!"
"Brother!" Blushing crimson, Mao Mao fled the room.
As Fang Lie chuckled, the old bird’s voice echoed in his mind: "What’s Mao Mao’s story?"
"She’s… unusual," Fang Lie explained. "When Father brought her to Mo Sect, she was a radiant Young Girl unmatched in beauty—everyone believed she’d grow into a devastating beauty. But two years after Father’s death, dark fur covered her body, her skin wrinkled… she resembled a black caterpillar."
"Worse, her wood-element magic mutated. Though her spiritual root remains top-tier, her power now carries lethal toxins. A single touch from her could melt flesh to pus. Ironically, she’s our strongest fighter, yet refuses to harm others even when bullied."
"We were too poor before to seek help. Now I’ll find a cure. Old bird—any insights?"
After a pause, the old bird replied, "Her bloodline might be transforming her, like a cocoon awaiting reincarnation. Protect her well—this trial could forge greater strength."
"Then why does she devour spirit stones?"
"Few demon beasts possess that trait. She likely carries such blood."
"If only I were stronger…" Fang Lie clenched his fists, recalling how former friends became Mao Mao’s cruelest tormentors after her transformation. Their sneering faces fueled his wrath—he’d make them pay someday.
Exhaustion suddenly overwhelmed him. Stumbling to his ramshackle bed, he fell into deep slumber.
When Fang Lie awoke, dawn’s light painted the sky.
Fang Lie hastily freshened up and joined his younger brothers and sisters outside for morning practice.
The other children sat cross-legged, meditating and regulating their inner energy. Even Mao Mao and the others followed this routine.
But Fang Lie stretched his limbs and focused completely on practicing his martial forms.
The technique he practiced had been dug from his family’s discarded items – Blazing Heart Palm. The generic-sounding name initially made Fang Lie dismiss it as some poorly-named skill from rival martial artists.
But after selling his treasures and being forced to rely on this art for defense, he discovered its true value. No wonder the Fang Family ancestors had stored it in their treasury.
The palm technique’s uniqueness lay in its specialized power delivery method, bypassing defenses to strike directly at internal organs.
This proved devastating. Even Cultivators’ innards weren’t significantly tougher than mortals’. Internal strikes could cripple anyone.
Paired with Fang Lie’s aggressive family Dao magic, a single palm strike could inject destructive magic into enemies. It didn’t just burn hearts – it could make opponents combust entirely!
The technique emphasized precision over brute force, using subtle movements paired with mystical footwork that created phantom Shadows.
After mastering it, Fang Lie gained renown among Mo Sect’s outer disciples. Opponents often fell before even seeing his strikes.
His burning magic would ravage victims’ bodies, leaving them screaming for mercy. Without intervention, his fiery energy could burn them alive.
Ordinary people couldn’t dispel this family Dao magic’s effects, forcing them to beg Fang Lie personally.
This skill let Fang Lie’s group survive the outer gate’s harsh life while supporting dozens of siblings. Weaker disciples could barely sustain themselves, let alone others!
After completing his practice, Fang Lie brought yesterday’s three Five Elements Detoxification Pills to Baibao Zhai.
The Young Girl’s eyes sparkled upon seeing him. "You actually made the pills?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes. How did you know?" Fang Lie frowned. During his Pill Furnace and Herbs purchases, she’d mocked him constantly. Why the sudden politeness?
"Hehe, I just knew!" She led him inside, proclaiming to the Shopkeeper, "Master! Fang Lie really ‘made’ those pills!"
The Baibao Zhai Shopkeeper chuckled, "Stop fooling around! Serve our guest tea!"
As she left, the Shopkeeper apologized, "That’s Zixuan. I’ve spoiled her since she’s an old friend’s descendant. Please excuse her manners."
"No matter." Fang Lie waved dismissively. "I don’t quarrel with children."
Seated, the Shopkeeper leaned forward. "The Five Elements Detoxification Pills are ready?"
"Judge for yourself." Fang Lie produced an earthen Bottle.
The Shopkeeper grimaced upon touching the greasy surface. The faint vinegar smell revealed it was Fang Lie’s household condiment container.
Hundred-thousand-coin Spirit Pills… stored in a used vinegar bottle? The Shopkeeper’s cheek twitched violently.
