Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Huge Gain

A middle-aged cultivator appeared in the air, seated upon a black skull. His small eyes glinted with greed as they fixed on the Underworld Dragon Orb. He stretched out his hand, transforming it into a giant palm the size of a field, and reached directly for the orb.

This was Immortal Wan Gui. He had originally planned to rescue Ghost-Eating Monster Granny at the last moment, but upon spotting the Underworld Dragon Orb, fury surged within him.

A treasure like the Underworld Dragon Orb was priceless. Crafting it required a dragon-type Great Demon’s Seventh-rank Demon Pill as its core.

A Seventh-rank dragon-type Great Demon possessed combat power rivaling an ordinary Fire Tribulation Immortal. Even if two or three Thunder Tribulation Immortals joined forces, securing its Demon Pill wouldn’t be guaranteed.

Such a Demon Pill was beyond valuable. Yet Ghost-Eating Monster Granny had hidden it to forge the Underworld Dragon Orb instead of presenting it to Immortal Wan Gui, igniting his wrath.

Truthfully, using it for the Underworld Dragon Orb was wasteful. In Immortal Wan Gui’s hands, it could have been refined into a top-grade Seventh-rank treasure far surpassing the orb.

But it was too late now. Consumed by anger, Immortal Wan Gui abandoned Ghost-Eating Monster Granny and resolved to seize the Underworld Dragon Orb. Even he coveted a Seventh-rank treasure!

As a Fire Tribulation Immortal, he assumed snatching the orb from mere Wind Tribulation Immortals would be effortless.

Yet Fang Lie merely snorted coldly and flicked a blood bead into the air.

The blood bead shimmered and transformed into a handsome teenage boy. Without a word, the boy raised his hand. Five Divine Swords of the Five Elements materialized, merging into a multicolored blade radiating terrifying power. It sliced through Immortal Wan Gui’s giant palm instantly.

The sword’s momentum didn’t falter, crashing down like a collapsing mountain toward Immortal Wan Gui’s head.

Immortal Wan Gui recoiled in shock, not daring to block the strike. He hastily performed hand seals and vanished using a ghostly escape technique, reappearing miles away.

His skull mount wasn’t so fortunate—the sword reduced it to ash.

But Immortal Wan Gui ignored this, his terrified gaze locked on the boy. "Mo Qianxun?!" he gasped.

Cultivators from major sects, especially those of the demonic Path, knew their righteous counterparts well—encountering one meant immediate retreat.

Mo Qianxun, Mo Sect Leader, ranked among the world’s top ten experts. Though slightly below East Kunlun’s Sword God, the gap was negligible.

Who wouldn’t know him? Who *dared* not know him?

Seeing the youth, Immortal Wan Gui recognized him instantly, fear freezing his veins. Had this been the real Mo Qianxun, death would be inevitable—escape impossible. Even with an hour’s head start, a mere finger flick from Mo Qianxun could end him.

Such was their disparity.

Yet Immortal Wan Gui noted this version appeared too youthful, clearly a divine skill manifestation. Though bearing Mo Qianxun’s likeness and a Thunder Tribulation Immortal’s aura, it wasn’t the man himself.

Still, Immortal Wan Gui stayed cautious. That single sword strike’s power made victory uncertain even at full strength. Moreover, the Seven Dragon True Immortals stood nearby—now free after sealing the orb, they could trap him in their Seven Dragon Formation.

Facing these threats, Immortal Wan Gui knew seizing the orb was nearly impossible.

His last option—kidnapping Fang Lie—proved useless against the junior’s undying nature. It would only breed vengeance.

Gritting his teeth, Immortal Wan Gui spat, "Consider yourself lucky, junior. I didn’t expect your Sect Leader to gift such a treasure. For his face, I’ll let this end today!" He turned and fled.

The watching crowd buzzed with shock. Those scheming mischief abandoned their plans.

The Seven Dragon True Immortals alone were daunting. Combined with a Sect Leader’s avatar that repelled a Fire Tribulation Immortal—Fang Lie’s might seemed heaven-defying.

Whispers spread through the crowd: "That’s young Mo Qianxun! His ‘Thousand-Seeking Sword’ title came from legendary sword formations. No ordinary Wind Tribulation Immortal could unleash such power—that blade must’ve been personally refined by the Mo Sect Leader!"

"That’s strange. Didn’t Fang Lie have conflicts with the Mo Sect’s Higher-ups? Why would the Mo Sect Leader give him such treasure for protection?"

"Nothing odd about that. Those rumors were likely false. Maybe Fang Lie offended some family clans, but the Mo Sect Leader recognized his worth and sent him here to train."

"I thought the same. Otherwise, why give away such precious items?"

"It’s not just the treasure. This serves as both warning and declaration—making clear Fang Lie enjoys the Sect Leader’s protection. Even Thunder Tribulation Immortals would hesitate to act against him now!"

"Exactly. With Fang Lie’s talents—top-tier alchemist, undying nature, supreme aptitude—any sect would nurture him fiercely. Only fools destroy such genius. Someone as shrewd as Mo Qianxun would never allow it."

"True. I’ll wager Mo Qianxun wants him as son-in-law. Why else send his personal avatar? Common protective treasures would’ve sufficed otherwise."

"Spot on! Who else in Mo Sect matches that Immortal spiritual root besides Fang Lie? A son-in-law earning mountains of gold daily? I’d offer dowry gifts too!"

"Hah! Seems Mo Qianxun’s already paying dowry!" The crowd roared with laughter.

Unaware of the commotion caused by his Blood Puppet, Fang Lie stored it calmly and remained vigilant.

After half an hour, the Seven Dragon True Immortals finally subdued the Underworld Dragon Orb. Immortal Wind Dragon sealed it in a jade box, presenting it to Fang Lie. "Island Lord, this belongs to you now."

"My thanks." Fang Lie accepted it briskly. "Let’s sweep this island. Ghost-Eating Monster Granny’s lair must hold plentiful treasures."

The Immortals eagerly complied. By the bone altar, they discovered a cave mouth.

Mr. Suan Mei dismantled the restrictions. Descending slowly, they entered a cavernous underground space—likely storage vaults repurposed into a cave dwelling by the old hag.

Contrary to the outer gloom, thick Spiritual Energy nourished lush spirit herbs here, creating an Immortal Realm ambiance. The hundred-acre dwelling contained distinct areas: Pill Room, refining workshop, ghost-forging chamber, cultivation quarters, and over a dozen Warehouses.

Knowing the hag’s viciousness, they let Mr. Suan Mei lead. For hours, he disabled deadly Mechanical Traps, sweat drenching his robes as near-misses made him curse her malice.

The Pill Room yielded a fifth-rank Pill Furnace, two shelves of pills, and materials. Fang Lie declared, "I’ll take the materials. Split the pills among yourselves—sell what you don’t need."

The hundred-odd pill bottles represented substantial wealth. Having claimed the Underworld Dragon Orb, Fang Lie left these for the Seven Dragon Immortals, who accepted gratefully.

Mr. Suan Mei stared fixedly at the Pill Furnace, aching for what he couldn’t claim. Noticing this, kindhearted Immortal Wind Dragon interceded, "Island Lord, he lacks a proper furnace. If unused…"

Fang Lie chuckled. "He schemed against me, forfeiting spoils. But for your efforts and their plea—take it. But no more treasures later!"

"Understood! My thanks, Island Lord! Fellow Dao friends!" The alchemist bowed repeatedly before snatching his prize—a fifth-rank furnace rivaling sixth-rank magical items in value.

Reinvigorated, Mr. Suan Mei breached the refining workshop’s defenses in half an hour. Mostly ghost-cultivator gear filled it, except thirty-six fifth-rank Evil Ghost Flags forming a lethal Soul-Devouring Formation—deadly even to Wind Tribulation Immortals. Valued at five sixth-rank items, this proved the hag’s vast resources.

Disinterested, Fang Lie waved, "Yours." The Immortals claimed them gleefully.

Similar scenes repeated in training and ghost-forging chambers. Embarrassed by Fang Lie’s generosity, they relented only when he valued the Underworld Dragon Orb at "a hundred sixth-rank items."

Warehouses revealed spirit stone mountains and Low-grade Materials. The Immortals insisted Fang Lie keep all for Fire Spirit Peak’s needs.

Finally, Fang Lie produced Ghost-Eating Monster Granny’s storage pouch. "Last of the Spoils of War! Let’s see…"

He upended it. A glittering avalanche of treasure cascaded forth!