Chapter 88
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Chapter 88: Blood God Puppet
Fang Lie froze momentarily before realizing this was clearly a covert tip-off!
"Many thanks!" Fang Lie hastily bowed toward the retreating figure of the Baibao Zhai shopkeeper before departing.
He knew little about Cuiping Mountain due to its obscurity. The Mo Sect headquarters spanned over a hundred thousand miles across its visible territories alone, not counting numerous Secret Realms – the true scale defied imagination.
No matter. Since mentioned by the Baibao Zhai shopkeeper, locating it shouldn’t prove difficult. Shady markets typically operated at night, hence their name. Simple enough – arrive after dark and chances were good.
Returning home, Fang Lie dispatched the four Ice and Fire Poison Dragon members to gather intelligence. While their connections couldn’t handle major affairs, information gathering sufficed.
Fang Lie’s recent ascension to Great Pill Master elevated his position, making many cautious around him for fear of offending powerful family clans. His siblings faced fewer such reservations.
Within hours, they pinpointed Cuiping Mountain’s location – thousands of miles distant. Glancing at the afternoon sun, Fang Lie immediately unfurled his wings and soared westward.
He arrived as sunset painted the sky. Behind the mountain’s shadowed slope flowed a broad river flanked by pavilions where Cultivators peddled wares.
The weakest Cultivators here boasted Golden Pool cultivation. Though merchandise appeared sparse, each item radiated treasure glow – clearly superior goods.
Despite modest crowds – a dozen stalls with about hundred visitors – perfect order prevailed. Stallkeepers showed no vigilance while buyers maintained decorum.
Fang Lie instantly recognized this harmony required formidable oversight. Hesitation gripped him – what if the peacekeeper belonged to his enemies? Public expulsion would cost serious face.
As he wavered, a white-clad boy materialized before him like mist, movement imperceptible. This alone revealed the newcomer’s strength – at minimum Purple Palace realm.
The youth flourished a folding fan with jade-like elegance, exuding instant amiability. "Young Fang of the Fang Family," he smiled casually, "quite the rising star now!"
"My eyes fail me. Might I know your honorable name?" Fang Lie inquired respectfully. Straightforwardness didn’t preclude basic courtesy toward seniors.
"Chuckling, the youth replied, "I shared ties with your father. The Chang surname is mine – Uncle Chang suffices."
"Uncle Chang! Fang Lie pays respects!" He bowed properly while remaining guarded internally. Every paternal acquaintance was known to him – this smooth-talking stranger raised suspicions.
"No need for formalities, nephew," Uncle Chang waved dismissively. "You’re here about those Arena Masters suddenly obtaining third-tier magical items, yes?"
Fang Lie’s expression hardened. "Precisely. Their ‘fortunate encounters’ reek of conspiracy. I’ll not lose through underhanded means – hence seeking similar arms here."
"As Great Pill Master, you lack neither spirit pills nor stones. Yet I regret saying you’ll find nothing here." Uncle Chang spread his hands. "As market guardian, I received strict heads-up – no third-tier items may be sold to you."
Fang Lie’s eyes narrowed. "Those scoundrels persist! But none can monopolize heaven’s canopy!" With that, he descended toward the pavilions.
Uncle Chang’s forced chuckle hung in the air. Within Mo Sect, only Fang Lie dared insult elders so brazenly. Others risked severe consequences for such impudence.
But Fang Lie wasn’t one to blindly trust others. Though Uncle Chang had spoken, he stubbornly circled the area anyway.
Truthfully, he doubted this sudden appearance of Uncle Chang. What if the old man lied? Fang Lie couldn’t risk being tricked.
The outcome proved Uncle Chang right. Vendors hastily closed stalls upon spotting Fang Lie. Polite ones muttered apologies; rude ones snapped at him to leave. Only their fear of the Benevolence Token he wielded kept them from outright insults or violence.
Otherwise, humiliation would’ve followed.
Abandoning the futile effort, Fang Lie shrugged. Being barred from the inner gate temporarily meant little—opportunities would come later!
He turned to bid Uncle Chang farewell when the old man abruptly declared, "Obtaining powerful treasures isn’t hopeless!"
"Eh?" Fang Lie’s eyes sharpened. "Who’d dare sell me such things?"
"After decades here, I know of only one seller." Uncle Chang lowered his voice. "The treasure’s tainted. Most avoid it—tread carefully."
"Who? What treasure?"
"Seven hundred miles east lies Burning Blood Peak, owned by the Chi clan of Eight-Hundred-Generation Families. Their last Cultivator, Peak Master Chi Wufeng, nears his lifespan’s end at Golden Pool’s peak. Without reaching Purple Palace, his lineage dies." Uncle Chang leaned closer. "Their Blood God Puppet could crush any third-tier magical item."
"They’d risk angering the factions by selling to me?"
Uncle Chang chuckled. "The ban only covers third-tier items. You’re a Great Pill Master—none can block pill trades. This puppet once ranked Ninth-Rank, but its power faded. Now? Barely Fourth-Rank. Selling it breaks no rules."
"Ninth-Rank?!" Fang Lie gasped. Such puppets could slaughter Thunder Tribulation Immortals! "Why sell it? I can’t afford—"
"Its glory faded millennia ago." Uncle Chang waved dismissively. "Current strength matches its price."
"What caused its decline?"
"Chi clan’s secret. Ask them yourself."
Nodding, Fang Lie departed. Nighttime mattered little—the competition loomed.
Eastward flight revealed a crimson mountain. Blood-red flowers blanketed slopes, shimmering like liquid flame amidst jade-green peaks. Circling it, Fang Lie found the "Burning Blood Peak" stone marker.
"Outer disciple Fang Lie seeks audience with the Peak Master!"
A red-haired armored man emerged, blood-hued armor glistening. He boomed laughter. "About time! I’d have hunted you down otherwise!"
"You expected me?"
"Who else sells you treasures before the competition?" The Peak Master’s grin turned predatory. "Ten Purple Palace Pills for my breakthrough. Hundred Golden Pool Pills. Deliver these, and the Blood God Puppet’s yours."
