Chapter 462

Chapter 462: Never Let Go

Immortal Qingxu examined the treasure cauldron carefully, then excitedly declared, "This is indeed the Taiyi Qingxu Cauldron, the very treasure our Xuan Sect lost! After all these years, it’s finally been recovered!"

He turned to Fang Lie with gratitude. "Thank you, young friend, for retrieving this treasure and shedding light on the truth behind that ancient case. But might we request its return to our sect? Rest assured, we won’t ask without compensation—name your terms!"

Immortal Qingxu’s voice carried tension.

Though no feud existed between Xuan Sect and Fang Lie, the latter was also an alchemist—a Great Pill Master who’d inherited the Mo Ancestor’s Pill Scripture. What alchemist would willingly part with such a cauldron? Especially the Eighth-Rank High-Grade Taiyi Qingxu Cauldron, housing the unique Taiyi Qingxu Immortal Flames that enabled the refinement of exclusive elixirs.

Xuan Sect possessed over a dozen pill recipes requiring this very cauldron. As fellow alchemists, Immortal Qingxu understood the difficulty of relinquishing such a treasure, already bracing for refusal.

Yet Fang Lie waved magnanimously. "Since this is Xuan Sect’s ancestral treasure, its return is only proper."

"Truly?" Immortal Qingxu rose, trembling. "Xuan Sect shall remember this kindness. Whatever you require, we’ll fulfill it without hesitation!"

Onlookers burned with envy—not at Xuan Sect’s newfound rapport with Fang Lie, but at their effortless recovery of the heirloom. Had they foreseen this, none would’ve permitted their disciples to frame Fang Lie’s father. Losing insignificant disciples paled before regaining such treasures!

But remorse served no purpose. Having publicly taken their stance, retracting it now would shame their sects. Even swallowing bitterness, they’d never yield to a mere Qi Sea cultivator—righteous sect leaders couldn’t afford such humiliation.

Fang Lie scratched his head awkwardly. "Actually, there is something only Xuan Sect can help with."

"Oh?" Immortal Qingxu leaned forward. "Do tell."

"I acquired numerous treasures from Ghost Realm Sect," Fang Lie explained seriously, "including an Eighth-Rank High-Grade large treasure weapon. My Earth’s Magnetic Force Warship was destroyed in the Little Demon Chamber—I wish to make this my new treasure ship. But lacking strength to refine it, I seek your aid."

He produced a flickering flame, twelve Netherworld Ghost Fire Flags, paired Netherworld Ghost Fire swords, and seven Netherworld Ghost Fire needles. "These share the same origin—please fuse them into the main weapon as supplementary treasures."

Large treasure weapons could incorporate compatible artifacts, much like adding cannons to warships. Fang Lie’s spoils, all forged with Netherworld Ghost Fire, perfectly harmonized to boost the Netherworld warship’s power.

The audience gaped as Fang Lie conjured over a dozen Eighth-Rank treasures. Had he emptied Ghost Realm Sect’s vaults?

Even Immortal Qingxu marveled. "Did you leave anything for Ghost Realm Sect?"

"Naturally!" Fang Lie grinned. "I only took the Eighth floor’s contents—left the Ninth-floor Ninth-Rank Treasures and Seventh-floor dregs untouched."

"The Seventh-floor’s Seventh-rank trash held no appeal," Immortal Qingxu noted. "But why spare the Ninth-Rank Treasures?"

"Their item spirits would’ve caught me red-handed," Fang Lie admitted ruefully.

Laughter erupted through the hall.

"So even you have limits!" Immortal Qingxu chuckled.

Collecting the treasures, the immortal vowed, "My two Junior Brothers and I will refine these. Expect over a decade’s work."

"I’ll wait gratefully," Fang Lie bowed.

From Mo Qianxun, he’d learned refining such treasures demanded immense effort—even three Semi-Immortals required years to complete, followed by equal recovery time.

That meant Fang Lie’s task would require three Semi-Immortals over thirty years to complete.

With the capabilities of Xuan Sect’s Semi-Immortals, their earnings from alchemy alone could easily purchase an eighth-rank top-grade treasure and still have surplus!

However, the Taiyi Qingxu Cauldron was Xuan Sect’s treasured item—they had to reclaim it. Moreover, during the Little Demon Chamber battle, Fang Lie turned the tide, saving all remaining survivors. Ming Yue, a Core Inner Gate Disciple of Xuan Sect, owed his life to Fang Lie. Though unspoken, Xuan Sect held deep gratitude.

Additionally, Xuan Sect greatly valued Fang Lie, particularly his heaven-defying ability to refine spirit pills. They urgently required his help with scarce medicinal resources. Hence, Immortal Qingxu agreed without hesitation.

Noting Fang Lie’s courtesy, Immortal Qingxu smirked craftily. "Don’t thank me. This benefits us too. Ghost Realm Sect’s Netherworld Ghost Fire has long intrigued us—we’ve sought to study its alchemical applications but lacked opportunity. By assisting you, we gain valuable research materials. A mutual victory!"

"Then this is ideal!" Fang Lie replied with a grin.

Thus concluded their transactions.

The waiting Semi-Immortals grew restless. Master Da Fang of Great Thunder Sound Temple spoke urgently, "Benefactor Fang, does our temple’s treasure remain in your possession?"

"A human-skin sutra named Crossing Calamity Sutra," Fang Lie answered, producing the golden scripture and shaking it mockingly.

Master Da Fang swept it with divine sense and exclaimed, "Yes! Our lost treasure! Benefactor, return it!" He pressed palms together and bowed.

Fang Lie pocketed the sutra, sneering, "Why should I?"

Master Da Fang’s face darkened. "You returned Taiyi Qingxu Cauldron. Why withhold ours?"

"Because Xuan Sect didn’t murder my father!" Fang Lie retorted. "You killed my late father, slandered his name, yet dare demand your treasure back? Master, does your ‘greatness’ stem from shamelessness?"

"You—" Master Da Fang’s aura erupted skyward before fading. Publicly attacking Juniors over personal grievances was untenable.

Suppressing rage, he insisted, "We acknowledge fault regarding your father. I offer apology and compensation. Why cling to ancient history?"

"A father’s murder demands vengeance. Unlike the heartless, I won’t forget!" Fang Lie’s voice dripped ice. "Your ‘apology’ expects forgiveness for atrocities? Such arrogance! The world holds no bargains this cheap."

"What then?" Master Da Fang growled.

"Simple." Fang Lie’s killing intent thickened. "Blood for blood. None shall escape. Total annihilation."

His ferocious expression drew uneasy frowns—such bloodlust promised future trouble.

Master Da Fang paled. "Would you slaughter all righteous sects?"

"Obstruct me, die." Fang Lie grinned savagely. "With justice as my blade, what matters their numbers?"

"Madness!" Master Da Fang roared. "You lack such power!"

Fang Lie threw back his head, laughter booming. "Wait and witness!"