Chapter 51
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Chapter 51: Sudden Arrest
Young Girl Zixuan had followed the Baibao Zhai Shopkeeper for many years, having examined countless treasures. She could accurately assess most items at first touch.
Yet when expecting praise, the Baibao Zhai Shopkeeper instead mocked, "After all these years, you only notice surface details? You missed the crucial point!"
Blushing, Zixuan lowered her head to re-examine the pills meticulously. After prolonged inspection, she noticed something amiss, her brows gradually furrowing. She scratched her head in frustration after failing to solve the mystery.
The Shopkeeper chuckled helplessly, "Stop scratching! You’ll go bald and end up unmarried!"
"Master! I don’t want marriage!" Zixuan protested, red-faced, then sobered. "Master, I now share your confusion. This defies all logic – it overturns basic alchemical principles!"
"Ah, so you spotted the anomaly in these spirit pills?"
"Of course! All three retain residual fire qi from their creation. But this should vanish within months, or linger mere years at most. This marker identifies newly forged pills!"
"Exactly!" The Shopkeeper’s frown deepened. "If truly new, Fang Lie must have made them. Our founder’s preserved pills wouldn’t retain useless fire qi. Moreover—"
"Moreover?"
"There’s another anomaly beyond your detection." The Shopkeeper stroked his beard. "New pills carry their furnace’s essence – water-types bear aquatic freshness, earth-types earthen musk. These imprints act as furnace signatures. Experts identify legendary furnaces by these traces."
"Have you discovered something?"
"These came from Fang Lie’s broken Pill Furnace."
"What? Are you certain?"
"Undoubtedly. That furnace served Mo Sect for ages before recently breaking. I’ve handled countless pills it produced – its ancient aroma is unmistakable."
"Perhaps another similar furnace?"
"Impossible! Only one such ancient furnace remained. Its recent destruction by that incompetent alchemist’s explosion grieved me. I kept its remnants as mementos until you sold them for ten spirit stones!"
Zixuan paled. "You mean that brat Fang Lie actually crafted flawless Five Elements Detoxification Pills using scrap herbs and a broken cauldron?"
"Absurd as it seems, these flawless pills are irrefutable proof. However unbelievable, we must accept reality."
"But how? If true, he’d shame all alchemists!"
"Consider this – Fang Lie inherits the Mo Ancestor’s legacy. However the sect hides it, nothing prevents the heavens-defying Mo Ancestor from forging him into an instant master alchemist."
"So Fang Lie’s truly become…"
"A supreme pill master. Guard this knowledge. Offending him risks annihilation – whether as Mo Ancestor’s heir or master alchemist, he could erase us with a word. Treat him with utmost reverence, surpassing even mine. Understood?"
"Understood." Zixuan nodded obediently, though inwardly scoffed, Just Fang Lie? Master’s likely imagining things.
Meanwhile, Fang Lie rushed excitedly to his sacred mountain, eager to tell Mao Mao about their imminent wealth.
Over a million spirit stones – enough to make Golden Pool Master covetous. Previously unimaginable, now soon theirs.
Best yet – this came from just three pills. With this golden touch, endless spirit pills meant endless wealth. Soon, suitors would beg favors with treasures, beauties, estates – whatever his heart desired!
Fang Lie, caught up in his excitement, failed to notice his surroundings.
This proved to be his fatal mistake. After eliminating numerous scoundrels who harbored ill will toward him, he mistakenly believed the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families had been cowed by his ruthless methods into avoiding trouble with him for some time.
Yet Fang Lie underestimated the world’s endless supply of fools.
His carelessness soon exacted a price.
Mid-flight, sudden dizziness overwhelmed him – then darkness claimed his consciousness.
When awareness returned, Fang Lie found himself in both humiliating and perilous circumstances.
Naked atop a stone platform, his body bristled with dozens of silver needles.
He discovered not only his limbs paralyzed, but his magic and divine sense completely sealed.
Only his eyes retained freedom of movement.
The dim underground chamber stretched several dozen square feet, its walls hung with torture devices. The metallic tang of old blood hung in the air.
Clearly captured and imprisoned, the surrounding instruments promised brutal intentions from his captors.
"Aiya!" came a mocking voice. "Our iron-willed hero finally awakens!"
Fang Lie’s eyes tracked the sound to three cultivators.
Foremost stood a middle-aged Human Immortal, handsome in his simple blue Dao robe, exuding scholarly refinement. Behind him lurked two youths sharing his facial features but none of his dignity – faces powdered, bodies draped in gaudy silversmith work.
Though inheriting their father’s looks, their gaudy attire turned them into ridiculous clowns. The speaker was one Fang Lie knew well.
Lin Yutang. Beside him stood his older brother.
These Lin siblings possessed neither talent nor skill, relying solely on family status to bully outer disciples like Fang Lie. During his false accusation trial, they’d flanked Yuan Hua, hurling insults.
Fang Lie hadn’t spared them when wielding the Ancestor’s Token. Charged with courtroom disruption, they’d been publicly flogged until their backs ran red, robes shredded to expose buttocks before thousands of sneering outer disciples. The humiliation kept them housebound for weeks.
Recognizing them, Fang Lie bared teeth in a wolfish grin. "Your Lin Family’s spirit pills work wonders – what few days to heal such injuries? Or are you fools truly too thick-skulled to learn?" His smile vanished like extinguished flame. "Did the Yuan family’s fate teach you nothing?"
