Chapter 397

Chapter 397: The Army Sets Out

With Bird Bro’s treasured sword and the lure of great benefits, Fang Lie threw himself into the investigation. He sent more men, interrogated suspects day and night, and eventually uncovered clues that revealed the truth.

Over a decade ago, the Magma Lake had erupted violently.

This Iron Juice Magma Lake connected to the endless magma sea deep within the ground veins—a place rich in treasures from heaven and earth but too deep and filled with endless underground fire poison. Even Semi-Immortals struggled to retrieve treasures there.

Normally, the lake’s magma carried few treasures. Only during eruptions would rare items surge up from the depths.

Ground vein eruptions were common, usually mere pillars of fire. But the eruption ten years ago was unprecedented, unleashing a fireball dozens of miles wide. Its force shook the protective array; had the Formation not contained it, the entire city would’ve been destroyed.

The eruption obliterated over a thousand treasure ships and killed tens of thousands of Cultivators. Yet it also brought countless treasures to the lake’s surface via shockwaves.

After the explosion, the sight stunned everyone. The lake’s surface teemed with shimmering, sticky treasures—normally rare, now numbering in the tens of thousands.

Chaos ensued. Cultivators, even Wind Tribulation Immortals, dove into the lake to grab treasures. New batches surged up as others were taken, lasting nearly half a month.

Experts estimated the haul equaled centuries of normal output. Yet official records showed no spike in purchases that year—proof the Bai family and Four Great Gangs’ Higher-ups had stolen the surplus.

Since the Mo Sect paid far less for materials, the Bai family profited by smuggling treasures elsewhere.

Fang Lie also learned about the Divine Marrow: two pieces encased in pale red iron juice. The lump, a hundred zhang wide, seemed fragile but was incredibly tough.

Seeing solid Divine Marrow within, observers knew it was priceless—only supreme materials stayed solid in such heat. Several Immortal realm masters tried cutting it with Flying Swords, but the blades sank only two or three zhang before the magma melted them. Even pouring Magic into retrieval efforts failed, leaving them to watch their treasures dissolve.

This proved the iron juice’s value. The North Gang leader, nearby, claimed it. Amid the chaos, few noticed or dared challenge him.

Later, when Fang Lie offered rewards for clues, low-level Cultivators who’d witnessed the event came forward. The Divine Marrow was found in the North Gang leader’s quarters—one piece three feet long, the other two feet three inches, now missing.

Fang Lie pressed the hunt for North Gang Higher-ups. Though many died in the raid, some survived by being away. Afterward, they vanished.

As local snakes, they knew the terrain well and were difficult to track after hiding. But Fang Lie had completely taken over the city’s defenses and sealed all exits, ensuring they remained trapped.

After a full day of applying various tortures, Fang Lie finally cracked the low-ranking North Gang members. Following the leads, he captured a high-value target in a shadowy corner – a Wind Tribulation Immortal who served as North Gang’s deputy leader. This handsome scoundrel had been enjoying time with his lover when he witnessed Fang Lie crushing the Four Great Gangs’ bases. Terrified, he went into hiding but was ultimately caught.

Initially, the prisoner put on a brave face, revealing his sect connections. He declared the North Gang leader was Sword Fortress Leader’s direct disciple, making North Gang Sword Fortress’s subordinate Organization.

Sword Fortress was founded by a Thunder Tribulation Immortal near East Kunlun’s territory. Though not an official East Kunlun inheritance, their close ties made them a peripheral Organization.

With this backing, the prisoner spoke arrogantly. But Fang Lie didn’t care about political connections. Ignoring the threats, he coldly ordered extreme torture.

First, the True Yin Flood drowned him, rotting his skin and flesh. Then the Blue Flame Divine Fire scorched half his body to a crisp. Thunderbolt strikes shattered his meridians, followed by gu insects gnawing his flesh.

Though initially stubborn, the prisoner broke under these life-threatening tortures. Loving his luxurious life too much to die young, he confessed everything.

The Divine Marrow had been sent to Sword Fortress Leader with other divine materials as tribute. The prisoner personally escorted it, earning rich rewards. Unaware there were two pieces, he explained how North Gang leader kept the larger one after salvaging them, gifting only the smaller to his Master.

This revelation brought Fang Lie mixed feelings. While glad to track the treasure, he worried Sword Fortress Leader might send it to East Kunlun. If that happened, even Benevolence Token couldn’t retrieve it.

Fang Lie’s only hope was Sword Fortress Leader’s greed. Most Cultivators hoard such treasures rather than share with sects. But recent events might have prompted North Gang leader to warn Sword Fortress Leader, risking the treasure’s transfer.

Panicked, Fang Lie immediately commanded the Earth’s Magnetic Force Warship to attack Sword Fortress.

Seven Dragon True Immortals and Mr. Suan Mei gaped in shock. Mr. Suan Mei urged: "Young master, this is reckless! Sword Fortress Leader’s protective array repels multiple Thunder Tribulation Immortals. Even you can’t breach it!"

"Request Mo Sect’s army instead!" advised the lead Seven Dragon True Immortal.

Fang Lie laughed: "I’m no fool. Days ago I couldn’t face a Thunder Tribulation Immortal, but now I’d make even East Kunlun’s Semi-Immortal Sword God kneel!"

The eight Immortals stared incredulously. A Qi Sea cultivator claiming to defeat the world’s strongest swordsman? Yet knowing Fang Lie’s honesty, they couldn’t dismiss it.

Without explanation, Fang Lie declared: "I’ll go alone. Guard this place." He boarded the warship with Little Peach Red and Mi Qing, speeding toward Sword Fortress.