Chapter 423

Chapter 423: Ten Demonic Sects

Following Mo Lanyun’s gaze, Fang Lie turned and saw a crimson huge sword stretching a thousand zhang. Its broad blade carried ancient charm.

At the sword’s tip stood an arrogant young man wearing pristine Taoist robes that shimmered with spiritual light – clearly a Seventh-rank treasure. A Divine Sword hung at his back, its fierce sword intent radiating pressure even from distance. This Eighth-rank weapon looked lethally sharp.

The youth possessed handsome features with sword-like eyebrows, yet wore contemptuous expression as if despising all beneath heaven. Sensing their attention, he turned with impassive face, eyes brimming with disdain. Only upon seeing Mo Lanyun did his gaze soften, offering slight nod.

Fang Lie received no acknowledgment despite recent fame. Unperturbed by this rudeness, Fang Lie coldly snorted while thinking: So this whelp sired by my father’s murderer? Pray your Small Demon Cave suppression goes smoothly, lest I seize opportunity to end you.

Noticing Fang Lie’s darkening expression, Mo Lanyun recalled their clans’ feud. Fearing public confrontation that might amuse Demonic Path cultivators, she hastily redirected: "See that Buddha Mountain? The monk atop is Suxi, infamous Smiling Monk. Don’t trust his grin – beneath lies ruthless heart. I witnessed his Buddhist divine skill firsthand, thunderous beyond measure!"

Fang Lie observed three-thousand-zhang mountain glowing golden, covered in countless Buddha statues. At peak sat chubby grinning monk resembling youthful Maitreya Buddha, complete with potbelly and Buddhist aura.

Noticing their attention, the monk nodded cheerfully. Fang Lie returned gesture before asking: "How matches he against you?"

Mo Lanyun merely smiled triumphantly – answer enough. As Mo Sect’s top junior with spiritual roots, she naturally surpassed Great Thunder Sound Temple’s second-ranked disciple. Their chief hadn’t attended.

"Look yonder," Mo Lanyun continued. "Even mysterious Xuan Sect sent disciples. That boy’s Ming Yue. Their juniors follow strict hierarchy: Eldest Brother Qing Feng, Second Brother Ming Yue, Third Senior Brother Jin Shui, Fourth Senior Brother Yao Shan – collectively called Four Dao Boys."

Fang Lie turned to see massive Blue Lotus floating on mist. Upon lotus-pod platform sat porcelain-skinned 15-year-old Dao boy, intently solving complex Jade Ring Puzzle.

Jade rings? Children’s toys? Fang Lie gaped at childlike figure actually playing. Puzzled, he started when the boy suddenly looked up and flashed innocent smile – genuine friendly greeting.

Regaining composure, Fang Lie returned warm smile. The boy nodded happily before resuming play.

"Childish, no?" Mo Lanyun teased.

"Truly!" Fang Lie chuckled. "Living up to ‘Dao boy’ title with such purity."

"Xuan Sect’s teaching method emphasizes natural growth without forcing maturity. Their disciples retain childlike innocence yet remain endearing, free from worldly scheming. This clarity perhaps breeds their exceptional Talents." Mo Lanyun sighed wistfully. "I sometimes envy them. My qualifications don’t meet Xuan Sect’s standards – not even eligible for Dao name."

"What?" Fang Lie exclaimed. "You can’t claim any four titles?"

"Of course not." Mo Lanyun shook head. "Xuan Sect’s few disciples outshine masses. We Mo Sect counts million Qi Sea disciples; they have under hundred. Only top four earn Dao names as official disciples – each stronger than other sects’ chiefs."

"That boy’s strongest here?" Fang Lie stared.

"Undoubtedly." Mo Lanyun confirmed. "Despite youth, his cultivation surpasses both our chiefs."

"But your Dragon Turtle mount! Tianyi True Water reserves!" Fang Lie protested. "How lose to him?"

"Compare resources with Xuan Sect?" Mo Lanyun laughed. "Both sects boast wealth, but Mo Sect divides treasure among million disciples while Xuan Sect shares among thousand. Their accumulated treasures dwarf ours!"

"How?!" Fang Lie’s eyes widened. "Their income sources? That boy’s younger than you! Even with spiritual roots…"

"Alchemy ancestors." Mo Lanyun grimaced. "Fire Tribulation Immortals and above rely solely on their spirit pills. Their sect takes one-tenth of all refined pills as tax."

"Not much, Xuan Sect’s actually pretty fair!" Fang Lie said immediately.

"No, they take nine!" Mo Lanyun sighed. "We give ten batches of materials. We keep one pill, they take the rest!"

"Damn, that’s robbery!" Fang Lie shouted. "Beyond shameless!"

"Monopoly rules," Mo Lanyun shrugged. "That’s why they’re drowning in treasures. Their secret recipes make top-grade spirit pills they’d never share. Even I only get their scraps for cultivation. How could I compete?"

"Oh!" Fang Lie finally understood.

"Senior Brother, you must excel!" Mo Lanyun urged. "As Mo Ancestor’s Pill Scripture heir, you can’t lose! My future pills depend on you!"

"Easy!" Fang Lie thumped his chest. "My strength surged, inherited true fire’s stronger. I can craft Wind Tribulation Immortal pills now! Mo Ancestor’s Scripture has unique formulas too. I’ll check later – might find one perfect for you!"

"Ah! Thank you, Senior Brother!" Mo Lanyun clapped excitedly.

"Enough, enough. Keep explaining these odd characters here." Fang Lie chuckled.

Mo Lanyun continued introducing everyone.

This crisis concerned the entire Great Thousand World. If extramundane demons seized the Little Demon Chamber in that Small Thousand World, they’d establish a foothold to invade endlessly.

Extramundane demons destroyed all life – enemies of both righteous and Demonic Path sects.

Thus, enemies became temporary allies. All major factions came.

From righteous sects: All eight except West Kunlun attended – Xuan Sect, East Kunlun, Mo Sect (Tao), Great Thunder Sound Temple, Putuo Temple, Lotus Dharma Sect, Great Compassion Temple (Buddhist).

Demonic Path’s ten majors arrived: Blood Sea, White Bone, Ten-Thousand Gu, Ghost Realm, Soul Split, Poison Dragon, Rakshasa, Red Lotus Temple, Dragon-Tiger Temple, mysterious Great Snow Mountain.

Seven sects – Blood Sea, White Bone, Ten-Thousand Gu, Ghost Realm, Soul Split, Poison Dragon, Rakshasa – descended from ancient evil Left Dao branches.

Red Lotus Temple: Fallen Buddhist cultivators.

Dragon-Tiger Temple: Corrupted Tao cultivators.

Great Snow Mountain’s origins? Unknown. Their lineage reached ancient times. Disciples few but elite, though still inferior to Xuan Sect.

Xuan Sect took 3-4 disciples per generation – all reaching late-stage Thunder Tribulation potential.

Great Snow Mountain had dozens per generation – weakest barely reaching Thunder Tribulation.

Yet their strength rivaled top Demonic Path sects. Notably, over half were sword cultivators – some called them Snow Mountain Sword Sect.

Rumors claimed Great Snow Mountain split from Kunlun Mountain in ancient times before turning demonic. All parties denied this.

Curiously, their Dao magic, divine skills, and swordsmanship resembled Kunlun Sect’s – fueling endless speculation.