Chapter 535

Chapter 535: Pitiful Bai Quan

When Fang Lie uttered his arrogant words, everyone present rolled their eyes simultaneously. Not only were Master Bai Quan and the disciples of Great Thunder Sound Temple seething with rage, but even bystanders felt displeased, silently cursing: ‘Fang Lie’s still too young, unaware of the world’s dangers. Instead of leaving after gaining advantage, he keeps provoking? Does he truly believe a Semi-Immortal can be trifled with?’

Enraged beyond reason, Bai Quan abandoned decorum and bellowed: "Impudent whelp! How dare you! When would our noble Great Thunder Sound Temple ever need your help? I swear this today – if our temple ever requires your assistance, I’ll change my Dharma name from Bai Quan to ‘Idiot’!"

The crowd collectively gasped. Everyone understood the Semi-Immortal had lost all composure, reduced to trading barbs with a junior.

Any sensible person would have apologized and retreated immediately.

Yet Fang Lie did the opposite. Grinning mischievously, he taunted: "Do you mean that?"

"Every word!" Master Bai Quan thundered. "My vow stands firm!"

"Excellent!" Fang Lie produced an emerald bamboo stick and began waving it before Bai Quan’s face – left to right, right to left, in continuous motion.

Onlookers froze in horror. Teasing a Semi-Immortal with bamboo like a dog? This was suicidal!

Such blatant mockery would enrage even ordinary men, let alone a revered abbot. Many expected Fang Lie to be reduced to paste instantly.

Yet the unexpected occurred. Instead of fury, Master Bai Quan stared transfixed at the bamboo, his head swaying like a trained hound. Bai Lian Chan Master and several Thunder Tribulation Immortals mirrored this bizarre behavior.

Murmurs erupted: "Have they been spellbound?"

"Impossible! That bamboo must hold significance!"

As speculation swirled, Bai Quan croaked hoarsely: "Did… did you obtain this from Ten-Thousand Gu Sect too?"

"Indeed." Fang Lie pocketed the bamboo with a sly grin. "Until we meet again, Master. I’ll await your retaliation at Mo Sect – no need for pleas!"

The crowd braced for violent retribution as Fang Lie departed. Instead, the temple experts wore expressions of utter despair. The Semi-Immortal abbot radiated defeat.

Bai Lian Chan Master urged: "Senior Uncle Abbot, rest. Let me handle this."

"Enough." Bai Quan sighed bitterly. "My poor decisions brought this calamity. Our sect’s reputation lies ruined through my failures."

Addressing the crowd, he declared: "Two announcements!"

Silence fell instantly.

"First," his voice steadied, "Henceforth, my Dharma name becomes ‘Idiot’. I am now Master Idiot."

Gasps erupted. A Semi-Immortal willingly adopting such humiliation?

"Second," he continued, "I resign as abbot for repeated failures. Junior Brother Tianlong inherits the position. During his closed-door training, Bai Lian and the Elders shall govern. I sentence myself to millennium-long seclusion for reflection."

After speaking, Master Bai Quan handed a token to Bai Lian Chan Master without allowing any argument and drifted away.

With that, the abbot of Great Thunder Sound Temple officially stepped down. Watching his lonely figure, the visiting outsiders felt deep sorrow.

Many temple disciples shed tears. Bai Lian Chan Master wore grief-stricken expression as he called out, "Disciples respectfully bid farewell to Senior Uncle!"

He pressed his palms together and bowed deeply toward where White Lotus had vanished.

Other monks followed suit with bows. Their voices marked the end of Bai Quan’s centuries-long rule over Great Thunder Sound Temple.

At this moment, a well-informed Thunder Tribulation Immortal suddenly exclaimed, "Green bamboo? If I recall correctly, the abbot’s inheritance treasure symbolizing authority is the famed Green Bamboo Zen Staff! They say the Founding Ancestor crafted this Eighth-rank Treasure from ordinary bamboo without using treasures from heaven and earth!"

"Could Fang Lie’s bamboo stick be that legendary staff?"

"Almost certainly! What else would force Great Thunder Sound Temple’s abbot to ruin his reputation for Fang Lie’s convenience?"

These words made everyone understand Master Bai Quan’s dilemma.

The Green Bamboo Zen Staff wasn’t just an Eighth-rank Treasure – it represented abbot authority and was the Founding Ancestor’s personal relic. Such crucial item couldn’t remain outside the sect!

But Bai Quan’s earlier rash oath left him no choice but to change his Dharma name to "Idiot". However, "Master Idiot" undermined dignity and couldn’t remain as abbot title.

Moreover, Bai Quan’s recent mistakes cost the sect both Mo Token and ancient chime bells. Someone had to take responsibility, even the abbot.

To avoid being ousted by Elder Council, he resigned voluntarily. Though Bai Quan retreated to closed-door cultivation, he left messy aftermath for Bai Lian Chan Master and elders.

The sect’s damaged reputation needed restoration. The inheritance-related chime bells required recovery. Worst of all, the abbot’s authority symbol Green Bamboo Zen Staff remained with outsider – they might need to beg Fang Lie!

These troubles turned Bai Lian Chan Master and elders’ eyebrows white. Had they hair, it’d whiten too!

But Fang Lie cared none. Soaring skyward after leaving temple, he felt wonderful. He’d settled scores with Great Thunder Sound Temple and gained extra interest!

Only annoyance came from swarming "flies". Though leaving first, powerful figures soon caught up using their strength, seeking excuses to approach.

Fang Lei maintained polite smiles for these righteous and Neutral Sect representatives, though impatient. Fortunately, they wanted favors and didn’t press too hard.

Fang Lie accepted offered business but refused all requests to avoid appearing cheap. The cunning youth used Mo Qianxun as excuse, claiming Spirit Liquid needed Mo Sect approval as special resource.

He distributed his Token, directing them to Mo Sect. This malicious move shifted trouble to Mo Qianxun – even his capabilities would strain under countless Powerful Beings’ requests!