Chapter 533

Chapter 533: A Grand Scene

"Hehe, rest assured, I won’t forget!" Fang Lie smiled faintly before taking his leave.

He didn’t bother worrying about how Mo Qianxun would negotiate with the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect—such matters were beyond his involvement. After handing over the items, he washed his hands of the affair and returned home.

His siblings erupted with joy upon seeing Fang Lie. All except those in closed-door training rushed out to celebrate.

Under the enthusiastic leadership of Ice Second Brother, Fang Huo, and Longxing Tianxia, they drowned Fang Lie in wine until he nearly collapsed.

Though thoroughly intoxicated, Fang Lie remained grinning. Only among his siblings did he find true happiness—their bond forged since childhood, untainted by schemes or deceit, pure and simple.

After two blissful days of family warmth, Fang Lie reluctantly bid farewell and began his journey to the Great Thunder Sound Temple.

Meanwhile, the Mo Sect had already spread the news far and wide. Through their efforts, nearly everyone in the cultivation world learned of Fang Lie’s quest for vengeance against the temple.

This was entirely Mo Qianxun’s cunning design. Still bitter about being outmaneuvered by the temple, the Old Fox seized this chance to publicly shame them.

He also feared the temple might act desperately in defiance. With Fang Lie merely at the Qi Sea Realm, direct confrontation could prove disastrous.

Bound by the Mo Token’s restrictions, Mo Qianxun couldn’t intervene personally. Thus, he weaponized public opinion—flooding the world with news of the conflict, forcing the temple to uphold its reputation under global scrutiny.

As predicted, the revelation caused an uproar. Cultivators from all corners flocked to the Great Thunder Sound Temple.

While spectacle-seeking played a role, their true aim was securing face time with Fang Lie—the current obsession of every powerful cultivator. Spiritual cultivation required spirit pills, which demanded rare herbs. Fang Lie’s ability to produce Spirit Liquid offered salvation from this bottleneck.

Previously, neutral family clans and sects had struggled to approach the Mo Sect’s golden boy. Now, this confrontation provided the perfect opportunity—a few supportive words during the temple clash could earn priceless goodwill.

Thus experts poured into the temple grounds. Righteous sects came in force, neutral factions sent observers, and even East Kunlun dispatched a Thunder Tribulation Immortal—though theirs sought to hinder Fang Lie rather than help.

Fang Lie’s leisurely two-day delay and slow travel pace meant he arrived after most spectators. The temple now hosted over a hundred Thunder Tribulation Immortals and a thousand Fire Tribulation Immortals—a crowd typically seen only during abbot succession ceremonies.

The temple monks seethed with quiet fury. They understood most "guests" came either to curry Fang Lie’s favor or revel in their humiliation. Yet protocol demanded they hospitality to all, however unwelcome.

With no outlet for their anger, the monks’ resentment focused entirely on Fang Lie. When his voice finally boomed at the mountain gate, the temple erupted. Monks swarmed from every direction, their burning wrath threatening to immolate the young cultivator where he stood.

But sadly, in addition to them, those guests also came out. With these guests present, the Great Thunder Sound Temple monks couldn’t act against Fang Lie despite their hatred!

The overwhelming scene still gave Fang Lie a huge shock!

Over a hundred Eighth-rank flying treasures appeared, each representing a Thunder Tribulation Immortal. Thousands of Seventh-rank ones followed, each signifying a Fire Tribulation Immortal!

This sea of experts combined with tens of thousands of monks blotted out the sky, leaving Fang Lie utterly dumbfounded!

He thought, Did my casual shout really need to summon so many? Since when did Great Thunder Sound Temple have this many experts? Something’s wrong here.

Looking closer, Fang Lie realized most weren’t from the temple but various Tao Sects – both righteous sects and Neutral Sects.

The experts then realized their mistake. Arriving en masse with the temple monks might make Fang Lie think they were allies!

Unacceptable! They came to win Fang Lie’s favor! This misunderstanding had to be corrected immediately!

A Thunder Tribulation Immortal from Penglai Sword Sect acted first. Throwing open his Eighth-rank flying carriage’s curtain, he called out, "If it isn’t Mo Sect’s Fang Lie! I’m Penglai’s Flying Son! What fortune to meet you here!"

Others quickly followed suit, revealing themselves and greeting Fang Lie like cherished nephews.

Fang Lie had no choice but to return each greeting individually.

It proved exhausting! Over a hundred Thunder Tribulation Immortals introduced themselves, requiring Fang Lie to exchange pleasantries with each. Hundreds of responses took over half an hour!

The Fire Tribulation Immortals could only watch anxiously, lacking the qualification to speak.

Great Thunder Sound Temple monks seethed silently. Who’s the real host here? Fang Lie came for us, yet these interlopers took over!

Fortunately, the guests knew their limits. After introductions, they withdrew, maintaining neutral appearances despite the temple’s irritation.

Finally, Fang Lie shouted, "I bring the Thunder Sound Golden Bell to make demands! Send out your abbot!"

Normally, a mere disciple couldn’t summon an abbot. But the Golden Bell – founder’s Token – required the abbot’s personal attention.

Bai Lian Chan Master materialized, sneering, "I told you last time – that Golden Bell was obtained through fraud!"

"True," Fang Lie smiled. "That’s why I tossed that broken toy away long ago."

The monk’s face reddened. Though invalidated, the genuine Golden Bell bore all Thunder Tribulation high monks’ special marks. This insult stung deeply.

"Then why return?" he demanded.

"To use a different Thunder Sound Golden Bell!" Fang Lie grinned. "Mine was invalid, but others still work, right?"

"What?" The monk’s head spun. Trembling, he asked, "Whose… whose Bell do you have?"

"The Zhongli Family’s!" Fang Lie displayed the Bell with its special marks.

"You stole it!" the monk roared.

"Stolen Tokens hold no power," Fang Lie countered. "But I did recently visit Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s treasure vault. Found the Nine Dragons Flame Order – the Zhongli Family Head’s Token! They had no choice but exchange their Golden Bell for it. Blame me, not them!"

Pounding his chest, Fang Lie stood defiant.