Chapter 596

Chapter 596: Taking the Treasure Tower

At this moment, everyone inside the tower was stunned, shouting in panic, "What’s happening? Why did the Treasure Tower’s restrictions suddenly activate and trap us?"

"Sir, I didn’t do anything! Why are you arresting me?"

"Explain this! I paid for the Zhu Xian Token. I’m just here for business. You can’t detain me like this! Even Assassin Organizations should uphold some credibility!"

Guests and attendants inside the tower screamed in chaos. Though clueless about the situation, the sensation of being trapped filled them with dread.

In a secluded garden-like space spanning several li atop the tower—a serene area abundant with Spiritual Energy where Zhu Xian’s core inner gate disciples resided—the Formation’s grip had also confined them. Though restricted to their courtyards, they could still move within.

As seasoned assassins, their instincts flared. Sensing catastrophe, they frantically attacked the barriers.

Their defiance triggered a brutal counterattack. The restrictions blazed with terrifying radiance, unleashing deadly beams. Several weaker disciples were instantly pierced by Divine Light, their bodies disintegrating into ash.

The survivors froze, retreating to higher vantage points. Seeing others similarly trapped, they cried, "What’s going on?"

"No idea! The Formation trapped us suddenly!"

"Only the tower master controls the Formation. Has Immortal Xuanqing turned against us?"

"Foolish talk!" Immortal Xuanqing finally emerged—a mild-mannered Taoist who seemed more merchant than Zhu Xian’s local liaison. Now, however, his composure had shattered. "Can’t you see I’m imprisoned too?"

"How?!" the crowd gasped.

"How should I know?!" Xuanqing brandished a token furiously. "This controls the Formation’s core, yet it’s utterly useless now!"

"Could someone with higher authority be here?" a disciple ventured. "Have the sect’s Higher-ups come to punish us?"

"Ridiculous! I’ve committed no major crimes!" Xuanqing hesitated. "At least nothing warranting their attention. Besides, this Treasure Tower’s just a trifle to them—its blueprints were bought from Mo Sect! Our elders could storm it effortlessly. There’d be no need for hidden overrides—my token should be supreme!" Suddenly, he paled. "Wait… Mo Sect designed this tower. Only they could seize control unnoticed!"

"Mo Sect?" another disciple protested. "They’re continents away! Why target us?"

"We’ve had no conflict with them for millennia! No recent contracts either."

"We just took one!" Xuanqing mopped his brow. "The sect recently boasted about ambushing Mo Sect’s Fang Lie, breaking his undying nature. They ordered us to publicize this victory!" His face darkened. "Clearly, this is Mo Sect’s retaliation."

Despair gripped the group. They understood—Fang Lie, a Core Inner Gate Disciple and Celestial Platform Competition champion, was Mo Sect’s jewel. His vengeance would be merciless.

Suddenly, a youth materialized before them—golden wings arched behind him, eyes gleaming metallic gold and silver. Fang Lie.

He smirked. "Impressive deduction. From scraps of evidence, you guessed I’d come."

Those iconic wings and the Dao De characters etched on his back left no doubt.

"Fang Lie?! You should be dead!" Xuanqing croaked.

"Zhu Xian and Shi Shen—pathetic strays thinking they could ambush me?" Fang Lie scoffed. "You overreach."

Disciples shot accusing glares at Xuanqing. One spat, "You claimed he was dead! Now he’s here for blood! What incompetent Higher-ups!"

"Fool!" Xuanqing snapped. "Two Ninth-Rank Treasures, three Semi-Immortals, and a grand Formation were deployed! That could’ve slain even a Semi-Immortal!"

Fang Lie’s voice turned icy. "You exhausted every scheme to kill me, yet failed. Since you welcomed me so warmly, I’ve come to return the favor."

His murderous aura chilled their bones.

Xuanqing trembled. "We’re mere pawns! Slaying us won’t harm Zhu Xian. They’ll not care!"

"I know." Fang Lie grinned. "You’re Zhu Xian’s dogs. Masters don’t mourn dead hounds."

Hope flickered among the crowd—until Fang Lie continued:

"Since I can’t storm Zhu Xian’s stronghold, I’ll make an example of you. ‘Beat the dog to shame its master.’ I’ll hang your corpses outside, labeled as Zhu Xian assassins, and await your masters’ response. Let’s see if they tolerate such humiliation!"

"Madness!" Xuanqing raged. "Zhu Xian’s ancient legacy will crush you! Your death will be agonizing!"

"We’re already at war." Fang Lie coldly raised a hand. "I fear no trouble. Today, Zhu Xian faces me!"

A colossal palm materialized, smashing through restrictions to crush Xuanqing’s chest. Bones shattered.

True to his assassin training, Xuanqing met death defiantly, snarling, "I’ll await you in hell!"

Fang Lie ignored the taunt, systematically obliterating the remaining assassins.

Entering Xuanqing’s courtyard, he located the study. Guided by old bird, he found the classified Jade Slip.

Though encrypted, its protections proved feeble against old bird’s prowess. The contents enraged Fang Lie.

The Slip detailed two horrors: First, outer disciples were kidnapped children. Zhu Xian, unable to recruit openly, resorted to theft and ruin—orphaning older youths to mold vengeful killers.

Their Left Dao cultivation demanded live sacrifices and mass civilian slaughter. Each graduate had butchered tens of thousands.

Fang Lie’s lingering doubts vanished—executing these butchers was justice.

The second section revealed Zhu Xian’s thriving business—monthly contracts targeting vulnerable scattered cultivators and minor factions, rarely challenging major powers.