Chapter 616

Chapter 616: Brothers Reunited

After passing the Kṣitigarbha King Hall, Fang Lie reached his ancestral lands. Across from it stood another grand temple dedicated to the Ancient Heroic Soul.

With the emergence of The Great Unity Spell and Fang Lie’s rising status, this place had flourished. Nearly a thousand people came daily to offer tributes.

Nourished by the blood essence of numerous experts, the Ancient Heroic Soul’s recovery accelerated rapidly. It had now reached the late Eighth-Rank puppet stage.

However, advancement grew slower at higher levels. It might take a decade or two to return to the Ninth-Rank.

Beyond The Great Unity Spell, the Ancient Heroic Soul began imparting special divine skills—though these still required blood essence offerings.

Only two skills were taught: Soulfire Lance and the blood clone.

Soulfire Lance consumed blood essence but could severely injure opponents of equal rank and even threaten those a rank higher, making it ideal for desperate battles.

Yet without Fang Lie’s endless blood essence reserves, users risked mutual destruction. Thus, few showed interest.

The blood clone gained fame through Fang Lie’s improved version. Many learned the original technique, only to discover its inferiority to his modified version.

Still, both skills were valuable. Purchasing similar divine skills within the Mo Sect would cost hundreds of thousands of contribution points, while here, mere blood essence sufficed—perfect for cash-strapped disciples.

Fang Lie glanced at the Ancient Heroic Soul temple but headed straight home instead of entering.

Over a year had passed since his last visit. The transformed interior astonished him—the space had expanded tenfold, now filled with rare spirit essences, including supreme specimens aged over ten millennia.

The Herb Gardens boasted precious medicinal plants instead of common herbs. Ice Second Brother, Fang Huo, and Longxing Tianxia had clearly worked diligently during his absence.

His younger siblings came flying from all directions. Years of White Jade Divine Fish nourishment had turned these former mortals into cultivators. Despite average spiritual roots, Fang Lie’s resources ensured even the weakest possessed Qi Seas spanning dozens of miles, all qualifying as inner gate disciples.

Indeed, all had joined the inner gate—partly through effort, but mainly through Fang Lie’s influence. None in the Mo Sect dared oppose them now, with most instead currying favor.

Over forty siblings had left for master-apprentice training, leaving only the youngest teens behind. These fourteen and fifteen-year-olds rushed to embrace Fang Lie.

After surviving battles during their separation, the reunion felt particularly heartfelt. A grand feast followed, attended by Ice Second Brother and Fang Huo. Longxing Tianxia remained absent, still unaware in a Secret Realm.

After wine flowed freely, they asked about Fang Lie’s recent exploits. His account of slaying three Thunder Tribulation experts and capturing a Semi-Immortal left them speechless.

When Fang Lie inquired about their welfare, troubling news emerged. While none faced open hostility, shadowy schemes abounded—deadly ambushes during blood essence training, mysterious beast attacks, and lethal trap arrays. The "luckiest" had died thrice already.

Clearly, relatives of the thousands of family disciples Fang Lie had killed sought vengeance through his siblings. Knowing the Nirvana Fire Pool protected them, attackers carefully hid their identities.

Fury blazing, Fang Lie proposed making examples of the culprits. Ice Second Brother objected: "Big Brother, you’re too prominent now. We’ll handle this ourselves."

Fang Huo added, "We suspect individual grudges rather than clan plots. Acting without proof would ruin fragile peace—exactly what they want."

"But your repeated deaths torment me!" Fang Lie clenched his fists. "My sins shouldn’t haunt you!"

Surprisingly, Fang Huo smiled. "These life-death cycles strengthen our Dao hearts and cultivation speed."

Ice Second Brother nodded. "Death’s terror shattered my bottlenecks twice! The insights gained erased cultivation barriers instantly."

"Combat experience too," Fang Huo continued. "Being hunted by high-rank demon beasts taught us composure—no more panicking next time."

Fang Lie’s tension eased slightly. "Turn misfortune to advantage then. But avoid excessive deaths—they could damage Dao hearts permanently."

When asked about his plans, Fang Lie revealed: "Three months. Then I’ll enter the Purple Palace Secret Realm for twenty-five years."

"Twenty-five years?!" Ice Second Brother blurted. "We’ve never been apart so long!"

"Dao pursuit demands solitude," Fang Lie sighed. "A mere quarter-century for immortality seekers. You won’t forget me, surely?"

"Never!" they chorused.

Fang Lie’s gaze softened. "We’ll see Longxing Tianxia soon. But Mao Mao…" His voice trailed off.

"That girl barely visits since becoming the Sect Leader’s disciple!" Ice Second Brother grumbled.

"Don’t fault her," Fang Lie chided. "Her talent surpasses even Mo Lanyun’s. The Sect Leader must compensate for her wasted early years."

"Wait—Mao Mao’s that gifted?" Fang Huo blinked. "She never showed it before!"

Fang Lie chuckled. "Semi-Immortals beg to teach her! Remember—she matched our cultivation just nibbling low-grade spirit stones occasionally. Her current progress nearly equals Mo Lanyun’s. Were the Celestial Platform Competition not limited to two entrants, she’d qualify easily!"