Chapter 287

Chapter 287: Slaying the High Monk

The sound of the Buddha’s chant was not particularly terrifying, nor did it carry a fearsome pressure. It was simply a kind of overwhelming power that shook the void!

It felt as if everything in the world appeared so small and weak before it.

As the chant echoed, Fang Lie was horrified to discover that the once mighty Jie Kong seemed to have aged for countless eons, turning into fine ash. Even the treasures he wore and the white lotus on which he sat were not spared!

In an instant, the large monk completely vanished, leaving no blood, no remains, and not even a trace of ash behind—he simply disappeared from the world!

Only a golden dragon-headed monk staff remained at the spot, letting out mournful cries!

After extinguishing Jie Kong, the golden monk shadow automatically surged back into the forehead of the Man-Eating Demon Monk.

Fang Lie hurriedly stored the Man-Eating Demon Monk away, then began to examine the remaining staff.

The staff was uniquely shaped, resembling a golden dragon coiled around a stick. That dragon seemed so lifelike, more like a living creature than a mere sculpture, especially with its pair of dragon eyes radiating an infinite majesty, making it feel as if one were facing a true dragon.

Fang Lie was immediately captivated. The Jie Kong monk, at the level of Fire Tribulation Immortal, had been turned to ash with both his human form and treasures under the divine skill of Master Tianlong, yet this item was left unharmed, indicating its extraordinary nature.

Fang Lie quickly grasped it and scrutinized it with his divine sense, and the more he examined it, the more astonished and shaken he became.

It turned out that the entire staff was covered in minuscule Buddhist divine patterns; the six-foot-long staff bore hundreds of thousands of these patterns alone.

And that golden dragon was even more incredible, constructed entirely of these Buddhist patterns, flowing seamlessly and lifelike, forming a powerful restriction with even emerging intelligence!

Fang Lie understood that this was an Eighth-rank Treasure, without a doubt and absolutely true. Other than Eighth-rank treasures, nothing else could withstand the divine skills of Master Tianlong.

Considering the recent events, it was evident that Jie Kong’s robe was at least a Seventh-rank Treasure, which had turned to ash, and even his spatial treasures and everything within had not survived, showing just how horrifying divine skills could be.

In fact, this staff had suffered significant damage from the impact of that divine skill; under normal circumstances, an Eighth-rank Treasure would be spiritually awakened to a level of low-level intelligence, capable of knowing who had killed its master and possessing the power to counterattack for revenge.

This meant that if the staff hadn’t been severely injured, even if left there for Fang Lie to take, it would automatically strike back and kill him on the spot.

But unfortunately, Master Tianlong’s divine skill was simply too powerful, not only slaying Jie Kong but also wounding his life-bound treasure, allowing Fang Lie to easily subdue it.

Regrettably, Fang Lie still didn’t know its origins. Although he could consult the old bird, the timing was clearly not right, as thousands had died here, and such a huge matter couldn’t be left unattended.

With no choice, Fang Lie decided to send this item to the Cycle of Fire, then sent a signal to gather his subordinates, preparing to clear the battlefield.

Upon hearing Fang Lie’s call, Mao San, Gou Si, Little Peach Red, and the newly recruited Mi Qing rushed over from their hiding places.

They had all been training elsewhere when the incident occurred, waking up to the commotion and witnessing the entire process from afar.

They initially thought that Fang Lie was doomed and that they themselves would be as well, certain that this Jie Kong monk would silence them. But unexpectedly, the situation turned dramatically as Fang Lie executed a brilliant counterattack, relying on the divine skill of the Man-Eating Demon Monk to not only save himself but also eliminate the opponent, which filled them with immense surprise!

A Qi Sea cultivator defeating a major sect’s Fire Tribulation Immortal? Once this news got out, no one would believe it, yet Fang Lie had accomplished it. Regardless of how it was done, it was a miracle.

Fang Lie’s subordinates secretly rejoiced for following the right person, especially Mi Qing, who came from a demonic sect and had grown up influenced by their brutal law of the jungle, constantly chasing after and admiring the strong.

Seeing Fang Lie’s exceptional prowess, her admiration grew, and she no longer dared to underestimate his cultivation.

As for all this, Fang Lie was completely unaware; in fact, he didn’t care to keep track of it. Once everyone gathered, he solemnly instructed, "No one is to speak of what just happened with the Man-Eating Demon Monk eliminating Jie Kong. If anyone asks, just say I used countless poison Gu insects from Fire Spirit Peak to kill him, understood?"

"Understood!" everyone quickly agreed. Those remaining here were Fang Lie’s subordinates, and naturally, they dared not disobey his orders.

Fang Lie insisted on this mainly to avoid exposing his powerful weapon too soon.

Seeing everyone affirmed, Fang Lie finally breathed a sigh of relief and commanded, "Help the injured, gather their Sumeru Bags, and for those with descendants, send them back intact!"

"Got it!" everyone quickly agreed and then dispersed one after another.

"Mi Qing~" Fang Lie called her aside, then took out a Shadow Record Stone, saying, "I recorded everything that happened on this Shadow Record Stone. I need you to make copies, but remove the segment where I eliminate Jie Kong; however, keep the part where he releases the Puppet That Dies in Place Divine Lightning. It mustn’t be included afterward! I also don’t want to expose the Man-Eating Demon Monk’s trump card, understood?"

"Understood, rest assured!" Mi Qing quickly replied, "I’ll handle it as you instructed, but how many copies should I make?"

"The more, the better. Distribute them everywhere; every major and minor power needs a copy. I want to ensure the reputation of the Great Thunder Sound Temple is completely tarnished!" Fang Lie said fiercely, "My Qingyu Island is not some random scoundrel can destroy!"

"Sure!" Seeing Fang Lie’s fierce demeanor, Mi Qing dared not say more and quickly agreed before rushing off to do it.

Afterward, Fang Lie looked at the destroyed Purple Tower and stamped his foot in frustration, saying, "Damn bald devils, we are not done. Just wait!"

With that, he casually found a spot and began communicating with the old bird.

"Bird Bro, I can’t let this sneak attack from the Great Thunder Sound Temple go unpunished!" Fang Lie declared fiercely, "They need to see consequences!"

"Alright, kid, don’t be too greedy!" the old bird chuckled wryly, "You lost a small building, but what about them? They not only lost a Fire Tribulation Immortal but also an Eighth-rank low-grade treasure! The Gold Dragon Monk Staff! They took a huge loss!"

"That’s their own fault!" Fang Lie retorted.

"Exactly, it was their fault, so they died in vain. You benefitted, what more do you want? You aren’t seriously thinking of going head-to-head with the Great Thunder Sound Temple over this, are you?" the old bird replied helplessly. "I’ll tell you, if it comes to a clash, the casualties from both sides could easily surpass tens of thousands. Do you really want to see the Mo Sect suffer huge damage over this trivial matter of yours?"

"Damn it, are we really going to let it end here?" Fang Lie seethed, "I was bullied right at my doorstep!"

"The prime culprit is dead. Do you expect the abbot of the Great Thunder Sound Temple to bow down and apologize?" the old bird scoffed.

"Ugh…" Fang Lie knew this was impossible. With no other option, he could only express his frustration, saying, "Are we really going to let it end like this?"

"Typically, it should end here; after all, you came out ahead while they suffered immensely. This matter can indeed be brushed aside!" The old bird suddenly smirked, "But I worry that the Great Thunder Sound Temple won’t let it rest!"

"Of course, after all, they lost a Fire Tribulation Immortal! They only had about one or two hundred of that level of expert in the entire Great Thunder Sound Temple, and now they have also lost an Eighth-rank treasure. How many treasures can their sect possess?" the old bird sneered. "Moreover, the crucial point is that they know the Man-Eating Demon Monk perished, so they will definitely set their sights on Chongming Ancient Temple, since it houses treasures left by great powers thousands of years ago! I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew what was inside. If that’s the case, they won’t give up."

"Hmph! Fine, I’ll wait for them!" Fang Lie declared sternly. "With the Man-Eating Demon Monk here, whoever comes will meet their end! Let them all perish by their own divine skills under the Great Thunder Sound Temple! Haha, that’s quite satisfying!"

"Stop dreaming; the one who died was a Fire Tribulation Immortal. This is a huge matter that is beyond the management of your mere Qi Sea cultivator. They will surely turn to their sect for help, and you will definitely have a fierce verbal conflict," the old bird laughed.

"Well, I’m not afraid!" Fang Lie grinned. "I’ve recorded everything with the Shadow Record Stone. That guy not only struck first but also slaughtered hundreds of innocents. His cruel methods are truly ignoble, and I believe the Great Thunder Sound Temple won’t have a word to say!"

"Kid, you’re truly insidious, intentionally recording evidence with the Shadow Record Stone. The Great Thunder Sound Temple has surely been caught off guard!" the old bird laughed. "I can’t wait to see these bald devils come in furious and leave in embarrassment!"

"Don’t worry; you’ll definitely see it!" Fang Lie said confidently. "By the way, since that staff is an Eighth-rank treasure and incredibly powerful, can I use it?"

"With your level of cultivation? You can’t even handle a Sixth-rank treasure, and you want to use an Eighth-rank one? Are you dreaming?" the old bird disdainfully replied.

"Didn’t you say that the higher the rank of the treasure, the higher their intelligence and the less power is needed to wield them?" Fang Lie asked curiously. "I remember that many experts could use Eighth-rank treasures long ago; why can’t I?"

"They can use it because they’ve earned the treasure’s acknowledgment. Those treasures willingly lend their aid, so it’s no issue!" the old bird sighed. "But you just killed the golden dragon staff’s master and practically beat him half to death. That staff nearly hates you now; do you really think it will help you?"