Chapter 564

Chapter 564: The Fire from the Gods

"Hmph, you think I fear you?" Master Tianlong sneered coldly.

"Bastard!" Mo Qianxun roared furiously. "Mark my words—this isn’t over! If Fang Lie survives, so be it. But if he dies, I’ll drag your wretched corpse to accompany him in death!"

Even Master Tianlong grew uneasy under Mo Qianxun’s murderous threats. Though his Tianlong Zen Chant was unparalleled, he dared not claim invincibility—especially against Mo Qianxun. While the Old Fox’s combat strength wasn’t exceptional, his cunning was peerless. Once targeted, one might die to his schemes without warning!

If not utterly necessary, Master Tianlong would never have provoked him. He hadn’t anticipated Mo Qianxun’s furious reaction.

To him, Fang Lie was merely a minor figure. Even with talent, such a youth shouldn’t warrant Mo Qianxun’s desperate retaliation, let alone risking war against a Semi-Immortal.

Yet Mo Qianxun’s outburst proved Master Tianlong wrong. Fang Lie clearly held a secret, pivotal role in the Mo Sect. Otherwise, the Sect Leader wouldn’t risk open conflict.

Master Tianlong guessed correctly. The old bird had revealed Fang Lie as the Mo Sect’s greatest hope since Mo Ancestor himself—a figure surpassing even Mo Qianxun in importance.

Moreover, Fang Lie was destined to become the Mo Sect’s pillar not just in the Mortal Realm, but also in the Immortal Realm. Should such a prodigy perish under Mo Qianxun’s watch, the Sect Leader would face harsh punishment from the ancestors even after ascending.

Hence Mo Qianxun’s desperation, even threatening war against a Semi-Immortal. Under normal circumstances, Master Tianlong might have conceded to avoid provoking the Old Fox.

But his hatred for Fang Lie outweighed all reason. Publicly, Fang Lie had humiliated Great Thunder Sound Temple. Privately, he’d slain Master Tianlong’s secret heir—the Man-Eating Demon Monk—and stolen a Buddhist treasure meant for the young man.

Though Master Tianlong never acknowledged the disgraced monk as his son, the youth remained his only descendant. The temple’s grievances merely added justification to his personal vendetta.

Meanwhile, Fang Lie struggled defensively. Protected by his Tianlong Arhat transformation through the Golden Bell, Ming Kong pursued relentlessly. The Great Might Tianlong chased Fang Lie’s clones like rabbits, scattering them across the battlefield. Only the Void Escape technique prevented total annihilation.

With Ming Kong’s joining, the situation worsened. Empowered by the Golden Bell, the Tianlong Zen Chant’s invisible assaults became lethal. Three clones suddenly crumbled to dust, slain without warning.

Fang Lie’s anger burned, but he remained cautious. While evading Ming Kong, he urgently asked, "Bird Bro, can the Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword kill me?"

"Absolutely!" the old bird replied. "That’s a mortal-grade Immortal Artifact bestowed by Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva himself. If it slays your true body, even I can’t protect your true spirit seed—you’ll end up a bald devil in his Buddha kingdom!"

"Damn! I’m doomed then!"

"Not if he only kills clones!" the old bird clarified. "Your blood clones lack souls—just flesh controlled by divine sense. Unlike proper clones with Soul Fragments, theirs deaths won’t karmically link to you. The Vow Sword can’t touch you through them!"

"Really?" Fang Lie brightened. "You’re certain?"

"Positive! Expert-made clones risk main body death if destroyed by karma weapons. But yours? Useless targets. Just ensure your true body stays hidden!"

Relief washed over Fang Lie. "Then Ming Kong’s mine for the taking!"

"You’ve got a plan?" the old bird pressed eagerly.

"Got it!" Fang Lie nodded with a sly grin. "Time to show real skills. Watch me shame this bald devil!"

Dozens of Fang Lie clones dodged while shouting, "Monk Ming Kong, you push too far! Today I’ll slap your face to teach you a lesson!"

Over a dozen unoccupied clones raised their right hands, aiming fierce slaps at the monk’s face.

Monk Ming Kong knew Fang Lie’s tricks well. The Buddhist Past King Fist worried him most, making him extra cautious. Seeing Fang Lie actually use it, Ming Kong pressed the Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword against his cheek, blade facing outward.

Several phantom palms materialized, slapping hard against the sword’s edge. Normally, Past King Fist couldn’t be blocked – it struck one’s past self on a different timeline. Present-day defenses meant nothing unless protection existed in the past too.

Like Ao Jianzi of East Kunlun, who’d instantly shielded himself with sword soul energy. Fang Lie’s immature Past King Fist only hit a split-second in the past. When the attack landed, Ao Jianzi’s sword soul already protected him, making Fang Lie’s strike hit sword energy instead – hence his failure.

But now, a karmic treasure disrupted the Law of Cause and Effect behind Past King Fist, forcing it to affect the present. Fang Lie paid dearly – over half the clones’ palms got sliced off.

The Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword’s terrifying power shone through. Every wounded clone screamed and disintegrated into ash. Thankfully, Fang Lie’s main body stayed back. Crucially, attacking clones targeted both cheeks.

The sword could only guard one side. Though Ming Kong slew many blood clones, several loud slaps still struck his face.

*Smack!* The crisp sounds echoed across Celestial Platform. Though unharmed, Ming Kong burned with humiliation. Onlookers gaped in shock.

Enraged, Ming Kong roared, "Fang Lie! I’ll end you!" He charged faster, determined to kill.

But Fang Lie gave no more chances. The remaining clones grinned, fleeing while chanting. As spells resonated, colorful flames erupted from Ming Kong’s face – roaring one zhang high!

Ming Kong’s agonized scream cut through the air. He stopped chasing, pouring all Magic into suppressing the fire. But the flames clung to his face and soul, feeding on his flesh and spirit. His Magic only fueled them, spreading flames across his entire head.

Terrified, Ming Kong unleashed divine skills and treasures – even water-element ones – but nothing worked. His head blackened. Soon, he’d be reduced to ashes.