Chapter 516

Chapter 516: Arbitration Concludes

In a secret room within Great Thunder Sound Temple, more than ten high monks equivalent to Tao Sect’s Thunder Tribulation Immortals gathered. Leading them was the temple’s abbot, the tall and elegant Master Bai Quan.

After White Lotus Chan Master finished recounting the events, everyone sucked in cold breaths before erupting into heated arguments.

"That vile Fang Lie! How dare he twist words so cunningly? The Fang Family was known for honesty, yet this boy schemes like a fox!"

"Who could’ve imagined he’d bind both transactions together? Whether we accept or cancel, both options leave us in dire straits!"

"We only mentioned the first deal as an excuse, yet ended up tripping ourselves! Now that brat’s using our own words against us!"

"I warned against breaking the seal so soon! Had we waited centuries, we could’ve pleaded ignorance if things went wrong. Instead, we botched this scheme and tarnished Great Thunder Sound Temple’s reputation through extortion!"

"Enough pointless regrets! We broke the seal to force Fang Lie into surrendering Chongming Ancient Temple’s secret treasure. The Past King Fist’s inheritance outweighs mere reputation!"

"But we’ve lost both reputation and the inheritance! Gained nothing but trouble! Even dragged the Elder Council into this mess—we’re the accused party now! Since when did our noble sect stoop so low?"

As tempers flared, Master Bai Quan coldly snorted. "Silence! Our priority is resolving this crisis. Which of Fang Lie’s two proposals should we choose?"

"Neither works!" White Lotus Chan Master groaned. "Rejecting both deals forces us to return Eighteen Arhats—treasures forged from our founder’s relics! That’s betraying sect and ancestors! Accepting both compels us to apologize for tampering, letting Fang Lie exploit Thunder Sound Golden Bell to extort us like East Kunlun suffered!"

Master Bai Quan paled. "Are we truly trapped?"

"Following his terms guarantees defeat." White Lotus spread his hands. "Our only path: cancel the first deal entirely. For the second, we’ll apologize for minor tampering but refuse to return Eighteen Arhats. If he demands cancellation, we’ll substitute other treasures of greater value."

"That seems tyrannical." Master Bai Quan frowned. "Will the Elder Council accept this?"

"We’re clearly wrong," White Lotus admitted bitterly. "But enduring their reprimand costs only temporary shame. Letting Fang Lie win could bleed us dry!"

"True." Master Bai Quan nodded. "Thankfully, we spent Mo Token to keep Mo Sect neutral. This remains our private feud. Fang Lie lacks power to threaten us, and it won’t escalate to sect war. What’s there to fear?"

"Understood." White Lotus bowed. "I’ll deliver our terms."

Soon after, White Lotus returned to the assembly hall. After saluting the elders, he declared: "Our verdict: First, the Chongming Ancient Temple deal was fraudulent under Fang Lie’s deception. Thunder Sound Golden Bell is hereby revoked! Second, we admit minor tampering in the fair second transaction and will make amends. If Fang Lie rejects this, we’ll replace Eighteen Arhats with superior treasures but never return our founder’s relics!"

"Well, well!" Fang Lie sneered. "How mighty Great Thunder Sound Temple acts! Canceling deals with baseless accusations while keeping stolen goods! Are you righteous monks or Demonic Path bandits?"

"Fang Lie!" White Lotus roared. "Mind your slander! Our sect acts with honor!"

"Honor?" Fang Lie laughed coldly. "Tampering with trades then extorting victims—this is your honor?"

"There were extenuating circumstances!" White Lotus flushed crimson.

"Enough!" Fang Lie turned to the elders. "You’ve witnessed their bullying. I implore the Elder Council to judge fairly!"

Feiyun Monk awkwardly cleared his throat. "Junior Brother White Lotus… nullifying your own initiated deal seems improper. Refusing to return rightful treasures compounds the offense."

White Lotus clasped his hands pleadingly. "Senior Brother, Eighteen Arhats contain our ascended ancestors’ relics! We’ll bear any infamy to protect them!"

"Ah, I see!" Fang Lie smirked. "You’ll abandon all decency to rob me!"

"Robbery? Those are our sect’s treasures!" White Lotus spluttered.

"If they’re yours, why do I hold them?" Fang Lie countered. "Your own disciple tried ambushing me, got himself killed, and left them in my hands. Such stellar guardians of ancestral relics!"

White Lotus trembled with rage, unable to retort. The assembled elders pitied the humiliated Thunder Tribulation expert being schooled by a youth.

"Enough delays." Fang Lie crossed his arms. "Let’s conclude this arbitration."

Feiyun Monk sighed heavily. "Final chance—will Great Thunder Sound Temple reconsider?"

"Never!" White Lotus glared. "Let the junior do his worst!"

With resigned nods from fellow elders, Feiyun announced: "By the Righteous Sects Alliance’s authority, we rule Great Thunder Sound Temple’s actions improper. We urge rectification and apology to Fang Lie."

"Note this remains advisory." Feiyun added sternly. "But know this—should you refuse, any retaliation Fang Lie enacts will be deemed justified. The Alliance won’t intervene."

White Lotus stiffly bowed. "Understood."

Fang Lie grinned, clasping his hands. "My thanks for this justice."

"Fang Lie," Feiyun Monk cautioned, "I advise mercy despite your grievances."

"Mercy?" Fang Lie chuckled darkly. "Tell that to the master who sent assassins. How much crueller could I be than attempted murder?"

Feiyun Monk reddened, rendered speechless by the truth.