Chapter 457

Chapter 457: Coercion and Inducement

"Sigh~" Great Fool Abbot sighed helplessly, saying, "That matter was indeed handled improperly. I owe you an apology, old friend. But between us lies personal friendship, while that incident concerned official sect affairs. The sect’s reputation supersedes all else—I must protect it even through dishonorable acts. As fellow Sect Leader, you must understand. Haven’t you committed similar deeds yourself?"

"Heh~" Mo Qianxun smirked. "I understand perfectly. I’ve done plenty of such shameful things myself, so I sympathize!"

Relief briefly flashed across Great Fool Abbot’s face. Yet before his smile fully formed, Mo Qianxun added, "But you’re not dealing with me now—it’s Fang Lie who holds your treasures. I possess no authority to command the Benevolence Token Lord. Your excuses mean nothing unless Fang Lie accepts them. Frankly, I doubt he will."

"Nonsense!" Great Fool Abbot spat bitterly. "He’s that man’s flesh and blood! Of course he’ll demand vengeance!"

"Good you recognize this!" Mo Qianxun’s grin turned wicked. "Ready to witness your sect’s sacred treasure becoming toilet paper?"

"You—" Great Fool Abbot’s face contorted grotesquely, internal fury blazing.

The Crossing Calamity Sutra—their sect’s ancient treasure crafted from the skin of an enlightened Buddhist master—stood as both artifact and holy relic, embodying countless disciples’ spiritual faith. Should it truly be defiled thus, how could Buddhist followers endure? Great Fool Abbot and the entire Lotus Dharma Sect leadership would be eternally condemned!

This unbearable provocation shook even the Semi-Immortal abbot. After suppressing his rage, he hissed, "Mo Qianxun! Do you seek war between our sects?"

"You brought this upon yourselves by provoking Fang Lie," Mo Qianxun retorted mockingly. "Since when do bald devils preach reason?"

"He’s your disciple!" Great Fool Abbot thundered. "You must answer for his crimes!"

"Simple solution—" Mo Qianxun shrugged. "I’ll expel him. Truthfully, I’ve long resented how he operates beyond my control. Once he inherits the Benevolence Token, he’ll lord over me. The proverb says—what’s tolerable and what’s not? Why not eliminate him for me? I’d be grateful."

"You—" The abbot choked. Were Fang Lie ordinary, slaughtering a Qi Sea cultivator would be trivial. But this youth possessed an undying nature backed by the Benevolence Token’s authority. Even killing him would achieve nothing—Fang Lie would simply resurrect, escalating retaliations.

The Blazing Dragon Cannon inherited from Fang Gang alone—infamous destroyer of privileged immortals—could devastate the sect’s future by targeting Core Inner Gate Disciples. Such losses would cripple the Lotus Dharma Sect.

Mo Qianxun’s feigned dismissal concealed blatant threat. Recognizing the mockery, the abbot flushed crimson. "Don’t overestimate that brat! He’s no threat to our sect!"

"True—a mere Qi Sea cultivator can’t intimidate your mighty sect." Mo Qianxun’s eyes glinted. "But consider this—while normal Semi-Immortals pose no danger, an undying one could eradicate you entirely."

Ice water seemed drench the abbot’s spine. Ninth-Rank Treasures and deep-rooted defenses repelled ordinary Semi-Immortals, but an immortal killer who could repeatedly self-detonate? Even mountain-protecting arrays would crumble under thousandfold explosions. For Fang Lie, endless deaths meant nothing.

"Does… his undying nature have weaknesses?" the abbot croaked.

"None known." Mo Qianxun spread his hands. "Undying means inevitable growth. Other geniuses risk early deaths, but Fang Lie? With great merit shielding him, reaching Semi-Immortality is certain. I foresee no obstacles."

The abbot’s frown deepened. Merit’s power was clear—70-80% advancement odds for blessed cultivators versus under 10% for karma-burdened ones. Fang Lie’s heroic sacrifice during the Small Demon Cave suppression, losing a Seventh-rank treasure to save countless lives, must have garnered staggering heavenly merit.

Destiny itself favored this youth. Resistance seemed futile.

"What must we do?" the abbot finally whispered.

"Public apology. Punish those responsible. Clear his father’s name." Mo Qianxun counted fingers. "Simple demands."

"A major sect bowing to some junior? Unthinkable!" the abbot protested. "I’ll personally apologize!"

Mo Qianxun snorted. "Fang Lie cares not for your pride. Only public vindication satisfies Fang Family temper. Your sect framed his father—did that show restraint?"

Cornered, the abbot blustered, "I won’t humiliate our sect!"

"Then enjoy endless war." Mo Qianxun’s voice turned glacial. "Today’s mediation is my final effort. Reject this, and Fang Lie’s vengeance will pursue you eternally. Decide now—peace or perpetual strife?"

The abbot trembled before muttering, "Why must we alone suffer? Others were involved!"

"All eight righteous sects have treasures in Ghost Realm Sect’s vaults—now Fang Lie’s possessions."

"Amitābha! Those fiends!" the abbot cursed.

Mo Qianxun chuckled. "After millennia of conflict, every sect hoards rivals’ treasures. Don’t pretend otherwise."

"What of our artifacts?"

"East Kunlun’s case is hopeless—Dark River Divine Sword orchestrated the plot. Yours? Fang Lie permits redemption post-reconciliation. Negotiate terms yourselves."

The communication severed abruptly.