Chapter 437

Chapter 437: A Trap

Fang Lie was clearly making an exorbitant demand. While two thousand Wonderful Bodhi Fruits might fetch an Eighth-rank Treasure or more in external markets, Mo Qianxun knew better. He was fully aware Fang Lie still possessed abundant reserves of these fruits, with one harvested annually. Naturally, he wouldn’t casually part with an Eighth-rank Treasure.

Yet Mo Qianxun remained unperturbed, replying with confidence, "No funds available."

"Expecting free gains?" Fang Lie retorted angrily. "Not happening!"

"I never take without compensation," Mo Qianxun chuckled. "As Sect Leader, would I exploit juniors?"

"Pretty words mean little," Fang Lie scoffed. "State your terms."

"I offer information," Mo Qianxun said casually. "News regarding the Heavenly Eye. Exchange it for those two thousand fruits."

"You-" Fang Lie’s anger flared. "This exceeds greed! Trading mere rumors for an Eighth-rank Treasure’s value? Have you lost reason?"

"Refusal is permissible," Mo Qianxun smirked. "But remember – Heavenly Eyes surface rarely, and this lead expires swiftly. Miss this chance, regret eternally."

Frustration overwhelmed Fang Lie. Possessing the Earth Eye Divine Skill already, he only required the Heavenly Eye to complete the Twin Eyes of Heaven and Earth. This fusion would evolve into an innate bloodline ability – transcending mere reconnaissance to eventually manipulate time and space itself.

While Earth Eyes emerged approximately each century, Heavenly Eyes depended entirely on fortune, sometimes vanishing for millennia. Since acquiring his Earth Eye, Fang Lie’s thousand-li surveillance rendered no terrestrial treasure or foe invisible.

Desperation drove Fang Lie to post bounties across Wanxing Sea, Iron-Walled Jin City, and Mo Sect – offering an Eighth-rank Treasure for the Heavenly Eye, with Sixth or Seventh-rank treasures for credible leads. Two years yielded nothing.

Now Mo Qianxun dangled this crucial information during extortion attempts, fueling Fang Lie’s exasperation. Yet the Twin Eyes’ importance outweighed all. Without them, he might never attain this supreme ability.

Swallowing pride, Fang Lie conceded bitterly, "You prevail, Sect Leader. Deal struck."

"Ha!" Mo Qianxun crowed. "Youth remains no match for experience! Demonic cunning bows to righteous wisdom!"

"Enough gloating," Fang Lie grumbled, tossing a Sumeru Bag containing the old bird’s prepared fruits. "Deliver your news."

Mo Qianxun inspected a fruit, musing, "Genuine Wonderful Bodhi… though quantities seem lacking." His meaningful glance demanded more.

Fang Lie feigned ignorance. "Fair exchange, Sect Leader. Deceive me now, and future dealings may suffer. Tread carefully."

Recalling Mo Sect’s reliance on Fang Lie’s Spirit Liquid for alchemy, Mo Qianxun abandoned further coercion. "Mark this – Chaos Demon City hosts a grand auction in three moons. The Heavenly Eye concludes the event."

"Chaos Demon City?" Fang Lie frowned. "Unknown to me."

"Weeks from Mo Sect by Flying Boat," Mo Qianxun explained. "Nearer Ghost Realm Sect. Lawless haven for Demonic Path and scattered cultivators, though righteous persons occasionally visit. Proximity to ancient sect ruins yields frequent antique treasure discoveries."

Fang Lie pondered for a moment before asking, "Wouldn’t our Mo Sect’s influence be minimal in such a place?"

"Absolutely nonexistent!" Mo Qianxun chuckled. "I’m not mad enough to dispatch disciples to their deaths there."

"That’s odd. It’s so distant and isolated without any of our people present. How did you receive this information?" Fang Lie furrowed his brows.

"Ha! Though stubborn as an ox, you’re no fool!" Mo Qianxun grinned. "Truth be told, I found it peculiar too. Upon investigation, it appears wandering Cultivators from our sect happened to report it. A mere coincidence – though I’ve little faith in such chances. What say you?"

"Coincidence? Never!" Fang Lie scoffed. "The moment I seek Heavenly Eye, it surfaces in some remote auction? With our sect members conveniently present to report? This trap reeks of desperation. Do they take me for a fool?"

"Ah…" Mo Qianxun sighed deeply. "You misunderstand. This isn’t merely a trap – it’s an unveiled stratagem!"

"I don’t follow," Fang Lie frowned.

"The auction’s real. Heavenly Eye truly exists there," Mo Qianxun explained. "Local dignitaries spread this news – they’d never risk their reputation with falsehoods. Were it deception, every wronged master would seek vengeance."

"Understood," Fang Lie nodded. "Proper bait’s needed for fishing. Fake lures catch nothing."

"Precisely the crux!" Mo Qianxun’s expression turned grave. "Heavenly Eye awaits. Abstain, and you might lose it forever while wondering about potential traps. This gnawing doubt could plague your spirit, breeding heart demons! Their scheme succeeds merely by sowing this uncertainty!"

"True enough," Fang Lie grimaced. "Avoiding the trap means losing Heavenly Eye. I’d never forgive myself, trapped in endless second-guessing."

"Hence the only solution – confront it directly!" Mo Qianxun warned. "But danger lurks. They know your undying nature yet proceed. Their confidence worries me. So – will you walk into this obvious snare?"

"Absolutely!" Fang Lie’s sneer widened. "They’ve worked so hard to gift-wrap Heavenly Eye. How could I decline such hospitality?"

"Bold! Charging tiger-infested mountains knowingly!" Mo Qianxun tossed a black robe. "Take this."

Examining the smooth fabric lacking protective Formations, Fang Lie questioned, "What’s this?"

"A Transformation Garment," Mo Qianxun revealed. "Refine it to alter appearance, stature, even Spiritual Pressure. Disguise yourself as Wind Tribulation Immortal – only Semi-Immortals could pierce the illusion. Expect Thunder Tribulation opponents at worst."

"With those conspicuous golden ‘Dao De’ wings and one-eyed visage, you’re easily recognizable. This enables covert operations."

"Magnificent!" Fang Lie grinned. "With this, I’ll claim Heavenly Eye and make those schemers bleed!"

After saluting, Fang Lie departed for the Ancient Heroic Souls Temple. The perpetually crowded shrine’s visitors grumbled about his queue-jumping privilege but held their tongues upon recognizing him.

Sealing the great hall, Fang Lie bowed to the altar. "Honored senior, how fare you?"

The Ancient Heroic Soul’s aura now radiated Fire Tribulation Immortal potency. "Thanks to you, I’ve reached Eighth-rank – equivalent to Fire Tribulation mastery. Without your aid, I’d have perished long ago."

The spirit’s voice warmed with curiosity. "But surely you seek something?"