Chapter 89

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Chapter 89: Ancient Heroic Soul

Fang Lie frowned deeply as he listened, sensing something amiss.

Feigning hesitation, he knitted his brows. "I don’t possess that many spirit pills currently. The competition approaches within days – there’s insufficient time for alchemy."

"Heh, others might fail, but you?" The Burning Blood Peak Master chuckled. "You inherited Mo Ancestor’s miraculous alchemy! Ancient records in my family’s archives speak of his ability to transmute low-grade herbs into high-grade spirit pills. You can’t deceive me!"

"Very well," Fang Lie conceded with bitter smile. "Since you’re informed, I’ll spare the arguments. Herbs pose no issue, but your Blood God Puppet – is it truly potent? Or is this deception?"

"Others’ claims I know not. Our Blood God Puppet descended from antiquity, treasured by our clan for millennia. At peak strength, it stood as Ninth-Rank Treasure. Degraded now through circumstances, yet I vow – once mastered, it shall effortlessly crush third-tier magical items!" The Peak Master raised his palm. "I swear Heart Demon Oath: Should falsehood taint my words, may cultivation deviation strike me. Should it underperform third-tier, I’ll reclaim it!"

This declaration eased Fang Lie’s doubts. Heart Demon Oaths weren’t trifles – violators risked inner demons barring advancement. Few cultivators dared break such vows.

Moreover, Fang Lie’s position as candidate Benevolence Token Lord provided safeguards against fraud. The Benevolence Token’s protections extended even to deceitful transactions, permitting recompense through its authority.

Convinced none would dare oppose Mo Sect and Benevolence Token combined, Fang Lie agreed, arranging delivery terms.

Post-agreement, Fang Lie rushed to Baibao Zhai, procuring cartloads of low-grade herbs.

With time pressing, Fang Lie enlisted Fang Huo’s aid, employing all materials simultaneously.

Three exhausting days later, gleaming spirit pills filled their workshop. Though both youths staggered with fatigue, triumph sparkled in their eyes.

Producing such quantity and quality within three days defied normal alchemical principles. Beyond success rates, the rare ingredients required couldn’t be simply purchased.

Common alchemists required decades to accumulate sufficient materials for single batches yielding mere handfuls of pills. Yet Fang Lie’s substitution of low-grade herbs produced hundreds per furnace – perfect success rate, zero failures.

This transcendent skill bordered on divine artistry. Were it not for Nirvana fire’s exclusivity to Fang Lie, all other alchemists would face obsolescence.

Two days remained before Outer Sect Competition when new complications arose.

Anxious about delays, Fang Lie hastened to Burning Blood Peak. The Peak Master’s elation overflowed upon receiving the pills. "Our peak’s resurgence begins today!" he exclaimed repeatedly.

Understanding the pills’ value to the declining sacred mountain, Fang Lie endured the effusive gratitude. When the man finally settled, Fang Lie demanded the Blood God Puppet.

The Peak Master promptly activated rear mountain formations, unveiling yawning cavern mouth.

"Within lies Blood God Puppet," he smirked. "Retrieve it, and it’s yours."

Frown deepening, Fang Lie demanded, "What dangers lurk below?"

"Naturally perilous!" The Peak Master laughed. "Once Ninth-Rank, it developed rudimentary intelligence. Mastering it requires feeding your blood essence until familiarity permits communication. Whether it accepts you depends on fate! Had the process been simpler, we’d have refined it ages past."

"How much essence blood?" Fang Lie pounced on the crux.

Seeing concealment futile, the Peak Master shrugged. "Catastrophic amounts. Original Ninth-Rank requirements demanded Thunder Tribulation Immortal’s essence. Though weakened, it still devours more than cultivation clans can bear. Our family’s fortunes rose and fell through this puppet – contracted members died drained dry! Now I stand as last remnant of my lineage."

Fury darkened Fang Lie’s complexion. "You withheld lethal consequences!"

"Deception?" The Peak Master spread his hands. "You desired treasure; I sold it. No lies were spoken."

"Omitting mortal peril constitutes fraud!"

"For ordinary cultivators, perhaps. But you’re the Immortal Phoenix! Even Nirvana fire’s trial couldn’t kill you. What danger exists?"

"Since when am I called Immortal Phoenix?"

"The entire Mo Sect dubs you thus. Apt title, no?" The Peak Master’s grin turned feral. "Enter or retreat, but pills stay forfeit either way."

Realization dawned – Uncle Chang’s recommendation reeked of conspiracy. Rage ignited as Fang Lie hissed, "You and that white-robed Chang conspired against me!"

"Acquaintance ≠ conspiracy." The Peak Master smirked. "The puppet’s authenticity stands. Would I relinquish Ninth-Rank heritage unless desperate?"

Fang Lie’s retort died as Old Bird’s voice interrupted: "Cease prattling! Descend immediately – this might be the legendary Ancient Heroic Soul Puppet!"

Eyes blazing with renewed purpose, Fang Lie dove into the abyss, ignoring the Peak Master’s mocking laughter.

"Foolhardy indeed! Your demise completes two profitable transactions!" As the cavern sealed, the Peak Master cackled. "Heirloom trash yielding double windfalls! Our revival is assured!"

Within the lightless depths, Fang Lie sensed the mountain’s protective formations reactivating. Qi Sea realm cultivation couldn’t breach such seals – entombment’s certainty fueled indignation.

"Treacherous snake!" Fang Lie spat.

Old Bird chortled. "Worth any confinement! Sect competitions recur thrice yearly – this prize outweighs temporal setbacks."

"But blood-related artifacts reek of Demonic Path. As Benevolence Token Lord, wielding such…"

"Pah! Blood doesn’t equate evil," Old Bird scoffed. "Mo Sect’s Ninth-Rank puppets embody righteousness. This is Ancient Heroic Soul Puppet – supreme relic from primordial chieftain’s spirit! World-shaking might awaits!"

Wariness colored Fang Lie’s advance through the dripping cavern. Towering stalactites bore glowing runes; walls shimmered with layered seals. The aura suggested demonic containment, yet Old Bird’s certainty propelled him forward.

"Then why Blood God Puppet moniker?"

"Later rebranding. Original artificers named it Ancient Heroic Soul. Should this be that legend… Boy, you’ll wield power eclipsing entire sects!"

Hope quickened Fang Lie’s pulse as he penetrated the sealed chamber’s heart, unaware of destiny’s wheel turning.