Chapter 546

Chapter 546: Refining the Ruyi Shield

Hearing Fang Lie’s words, Mo Qianxun immediately furrowed his brows and snapped, "You usually act clever enough, so why turn foolish at critical moments? Do you think Great Thunder Sound Temple would yield so easily? I might not know others well, but their new abbot Master Tianlong – I understand him perfectly. We guarded a demonic rift together for a full Hundred Years."

"Outwardly fierce with a violent temper, he warped a Buddhist divine skill meant for enlightenment. The Tianlong Zen Chant should awaken minds like sudden thunderclaps, yet he forged it into lethal art blended with Wrathful King’s essence, creating destructive divine skill that helped him pass Semi-Immortal Tribulation!" Mo Qianxun said gravely. "Such man thirsts for challenges even when unprovoked. After you ravaged his temple, do you think he’d show mercy? With his temperament, devouring you alive seems more likely than leniency!"

"But~" Fang Lie frowned. "Wouldn’t his status prevent breaking vows? However ill-tempered, such prideful man wouldn’t disgrace himself through broken promises!"

"True, Master Tianlong honors his word!" Mo Qianxun’s frown deepened. "Which makes it worse – his confidence in lethal methods shows he believes you’ll never leave Celestial Platform alive!"

"I possess undying nature!" Fang Lie shrugged. "How could he kill me?"

"Fool!" Mo Qianxun scolded. "You think undying means invincible? Whatever strange inheritance you gained, I guarantee it can’t withstand karmic divine skills!"

"Hehe~" Fang Lie chuckled. "Karmic laws require Semi-Immortal comprehension. Celestial Platform fighters mere Qi Sea cultivators – how could they wield such power?"

"You sorely underestimate worldly talents!" Mo Qianxun scoffed. "Geniuses and miracles abound! You control spatial laws through Dao Pattern Heavenly Eye – something most Thunder Tribulation Immortals can’t achieve. Other sects’ elites get nurtured by major powers. At least two wield karmic divine skills – Xuan Sect’s Qing Feng and Great Snow Mountain’s Kuang Lan!"

"Impressive…" Fang Lie shrugged. "But Great Thunder Sound Temple’s chief lacks such. No time to learn anyway!"

"Hmph! They might wield treasure instead!" Mo Qianxun retorted. "Know this – Chongming Ancient Temple’s most famed treasure wasn’t Ninth-Rank artifacts, but Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword! Legend says Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva bestowed it, allowing high monks to ascend directly upon use!"

"Chongming Ancient Temple?" Fang Lie paled. "Master Tianlong discovered it first, passed to unworthy son. Though I took two treasures from Secret Vault, he likely claimed the sword?"

"Highly probable!" Mo Qianxun said lightly. "If so, Great Thunder Sound Temple’s chief disciple wields it. Should it slay you, even undying nature can’t prevent ascension to Buddha kingdom!"

Cold sweat dripped as Fang Lie cried, "Impossible! Sacred relic for enlightenment – using it lethally defiles Bodhisattva’s gift!"

"Great Thunder Sound Temple’s roots run deep. Kṣitigarbha won’t punish directly. Master Tianlong isn’t stupid – he’ll atone by sending dying Thunder Tribulation Immortals to Buddha kingdom through sword. Minor offense easily pardoned!"

"Wouldn’t Tao Sect protest?" Fang Lie pressed. "Buddhists stealing Tao disciples – unacceptable!"

"Who do you think you are?" Mo Qianxun snapped. "Even I’m mere ant to higher powers. They’ll murmur complaints at most, unless repeated offenses occur. You’re less than ant to them!"

"Damn!" Fang Lie swore. "Then we’ll see! If they deny my survival, I’ll deny theirs!"

Storming off, he retreated to his lair.

Ignoring siblings, Fang Lie entered stone chamber and contacted Bird Bro. "Heard? Clan Leader says bald devils might use Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword against me!"

"They’re bald devils, not bird-men!" Bird Bro corrected irritably before sighing. "Troublesome relic indeed…"

"You said undying nature fears karmic laws – clone deaths could harm my true seed. But with you guarding Original Essence Blood, sub-Ninth-Rank karmic treasures can’t hurt me, right?"

"Normally true…" Bird Bro admitted. "But Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword’s Immortal Artifact rank surpasses mine. Though non-combative, its karmic nature could bypass my protection if it slays you!"

"Then I’m doomed!" Fang Lie gasped.

"Not entirely!" Bird Bro countered. "The sword functions as mundane weapon unless delivering killing blow. Avoid being restrained and struck, and you’re safe!"

"What about clones?"

"Ordinary clones fine. But blood clone contains Original Essence Blood – if destroyed by sword, karmic backlash would annihilate all clones and true body instantly!"

"Understood." Fang Lie nodded. "Must avoid blood clone usage and eliminate wielder from extreme range!"

"Exactly!" Bird Bro affirmed. "Others may possess unknown karmic skills/treasures. Exercise utmost caution during Celestial Platform Competition. Minimize blood clone use, protect it when deployed!"

"Will do!"

"Don’t despair!" Bird Bro encouraged. "Once Qi Sea spans ten thousand miles with new divine skills, coupled with Explosion Qi Technique and Blood Ignition Technique, you’ll intimidate all rivals!"

"I’ll claim victory!" Fang Lie vowed.

"Good! Now refine treasures – starting with Purple Gold Ruyi Shield!"

Producing the shield, Fang Lie prepared as Bird Bro instructed: "Eighth-Rank treasures possess spirit and transformation ability. Proud beings only obey Semi-Immortals normally. Lower cultivators require elder assistance…"

"But I crafted this shield!" Bird Bro declared. "It heeds me somewhat!"

Rainbow light shot from Fang Lie’s brow, striking the shield. The inert artifact awakened, glowing purple-gold while morphing into foot-long turtle.

The spirit-turtle eyed Fang Lie disapprovingly but projected refinement secret into his mind.

Delighted, Fang Lie promised: "Follow me for glorious days!"

The turtle rolled its eyes incredulously.