Chapter 554

Chapter 554: You Youzi

The proud Sword God flushed crimson with shame after Fang Lie’s remarks, teetering on the edge of losing composure.

Fang Lie spoke truth – East Kunlun indeed acted without accepting consequences. The incident involving Fang Lie’s father was so vile that even Demonic Path sects would hesitate to ambush allies from behind, let alone East Kunlun who always posed as Righteous Sects!

They stubbornly refused this disgraceful label.

Yet their denials proved futile. Had all involved parties agreed, they might’ve twisted the narrative through influence. But five of six participating sects had publicly admitted guilt, leaving East Kunlun’s resistance pathetically feeble.

The scandal’s widespread notoriety made the crowd immediately grasp Fang Lie’s meaning. Mocking stares converged on the Sword God.

Mortification turned the Sword God’s face scarlet. He nearly contemplated filicide – his son’s petty quarrel had catastrophically tarnished East Kunlun’s reputation through sheer idiocy.

Confronted by Fang Lie’s taunts, the Sword God could only snort furiously before retreating with his disciples.

He hurled the Ming Yue Disk at Mo Qianxun while departing, venom dripping from his words: "Congratulations, Junior Brother Mo."

"Much obliged," Mo Qianxun chuckled.

"Enjoy this hollow victory," the Sword God sneered. "Though obtained through Herculean effort, the Ming Yue Disk suits Mo Sect’s keeping. But returning it constitutes aiding Demonic Path enemies. Surely you won’t please foes while grieving allies?"

The audience inhaled sharply, recognizing this poisoned chalice. The Ninth-Rank Treasure served as Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s inheritance artifact – non-combative yet irreplaceable for breeding high-rank gu insects.

Without it, Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s Eighth-Rank and Ninth-Rank poison gu production would plummet 80%, threatening their survival. They’d wage total sect war for its recovery.

Though Ten-Thousand Gu Sect nearly matched Mo Sect’s strength, prolonged conflict would drain both sides’ Nascent Soul energy over centuries of warfare, leaving victor and vanquished equally devastated.

By forcing Mo Sect into keeping the treasure through righteous pretext while Ten-Thousand Gu Sect desperately needed it, the Sword God created inevitable sect war. A masterstroke from this formidable leader.

All eyes turned to Mo Qianxun, anticipating how the reputed strategist would counter.

The old man’s brow creased momentarily before declaring: "Senior Brother speaks wisdom. This Ancient Treasure belongs with the virtuous. Mo Sect shall safeguard it meticulously."

The Sword God nearly choked at Mo Qianxun’s implied virtue claim, but satisfaction bloomed upon hearing the treasure’s retention. Let the old fox battle Ten-Thousand Gu Sect to death over his greed!

"Expected nothing less from you," the Sword God smirked before fleeing with his entourage.

East Kunlun’s humiliation burned brightly – self-proclaimed righteous leader, first eliminated from Celestial Platform Competition, losing both their Core Inner Gate Disciple and Ninth-Rank Treasure.

Bystanders chuckled at their retreating backs. East Kunlun’s recent arrogance had bred many enemies now savoring their downfall.

At this time, Fang Lie returned to the Glorious Heavenly Palace and went straight to Mo Qianxun and Mo Lanyun. After bowing and sitting down, he immediately grabbed the delicacies on the table and began devouring them.

Watching his ravenous eating, Mo Qianxun said irritably, "You’re supposed to be the Mo Sect’s shining example now. Can’t you show some manners?"

"Starving~" Fang Lie grumbled. "That bastard Ao Jianzi wasn’t easy to handle. I’m completely drained – almost died of hunger!"

Mo Qianxun chuckled helplessly. "If Ao Jianzi heard this, he’d probably die of rage again. You’re saying his full strength only made you slightly hungry?"

"Naturally!" Fang Lie declared proudly. "A mere Ao Jianzi couldn’t force me to reveal any trump cards. Typical East Kunlun trash!"

"What? No trump cards used?" Mo Qianxun’s expression shifted. "But you died multiple times and lost billions of Fire Spirit Gu!"

"You think those count?" Fang Lie scoffed. "I’ve crafted countless Nirvana Fire Seeds these past two years – dying a hundred more times wouldn’t matter. As for the Fire Spirit Gu? Their exposure during public purchase ruined their surprise value. Not real trump cards."

Mo Lanyun leaned forward curiously. "Senior Brother, what are your real trump cards then?"

Fang Lie eyed her playfully. "Asking so specifically, Junior Sister? Planning countermeasures already?"

"Of course not!" Mo Lanyun lifted her chin. "No matter what tricks you have, you’ll never beat me!"

"Such bold claims!" Fang Lie laughed.

"Then let me prove it!" Mo Lanyun turned to Mo Qianxun. "Grandfather, Ghost Realm Sect’s You Youzi challenged Senior Brother. Let me crush him instead!"

Mo Qianxun nodded approvingly. "Excellent idea. Disposing of You Youzi gives you a victory while helping your senior brother – two benefits at once!"

He flicked a challenge talisman toward the Ghost Realm Sect’s seating.

Ghost Realm Patriarch caught it with a scowl. "So impatient, Mo Qianxun?"

"Just passing time by swatting flies," Mo Qianxun replied cheerfully. "Returning your earlier challenge favor, as etiquette demands."

The Ghost Realm Patriarch’s face darkened. "You’ll regret this! When your granddaughter lies dead, don’t come crying!"

Though his words sounded fierce, everyone detected the underlying fear.

Challenging Fang Lie gave You Youzi decent odds. But facing Mo Lanyun? Entirely different.

Born with spiritual roots and trained by Semi-Immortal Mo Qianxun, Mo Lanyun already ranked among the top fifteen disciples. Then came Fang Lie’s gift – a Dragon Turtle with divine beast bloodline and water divine skills. Combined with her Guan Yin Water spiritual roots, her combat power skyrocketed, propelling her into the top five contenders.

You Youzi, ranked outside the top twenty, stood no chance – less than 20% victory odds. The Ghost Realm Patriarch knew this, but rules forbade rejecting challenges.

Mo Qianxun boomed: "Enough chatter! Let battle commence!"

Cornered, the Ghost Realm Patriarch reluctantly dispatched You Youzi with whispered advice: ‘Surrender if things turn dire.’