Chapter 624

Chapter 624: Terrifying Mao Mao

Once, the Mo Sect collected rare materials from the chaotic western lands. Among them lay a Ninth-Rank treasure coveted even by Thunder Tribulation Immortals and Semi-Immortals.

At this critical moment, rumors leaked. Reckless scoundrels emerged, seeking to plunder the treasure.

Only a single Mo Sect outpost stood in the region. Though they’d hired temporary guards, they remained trapped within the city walls, forced to beg the sect for aid.

All Thunder Tribulation Immortal experts were either occupied or too fearful to act.

They couldn’t possibly send Mo Qianxun – a dignified Semi-Immortal. Enraged, he unleashed Mao Mao.

Clad in black and masked, Mao Mao departed alone aboard a Fifth-Rank Flying Boat. Under the stunned stares of outpost disciples, she collected the priceless materials and began her return journey.

The outpost had been under surveillance by countless experts. Mao Mao’s cultivation couldn’t hide from Thunder Tribulation-level bandits.

When they saw a mere Qi Sea cultivator boldly carrying the treasure, they gaped in disbelief.

Many assumed her to be a pampered young mistress – perhaps powerful due to family backing, but too naive to survive.

Even Mo Sect disciples at the outpost thought her mad. The leader tried surrendering the treasure, but Mao Mao forced compliance using her sect token. He immediately reported to headquarters, begging for rescue.

Receiving no reply, the disciples concluded Mao Mao had offended sect Higher-ups and been sent to die.

What followed left everyone stunned.

Mao Mao encountered countless foes: evil faction disciples, disguised righteous sect members, and desperate scattered cultivators.

They attacked in groups, set traps, even summoned Thunder Tribulation Immortals.

All fell before Mao Mao’s terrifying strength.

With her Plague Spirit Immortal Root and sixty-thousand-mile Qi Sea cultivation, none could withstand her. A single palm strike unleashed devastating plague poison carrying immortal energy – contact meant certain death.

She slaughtered her way home: three Thunder Tribulation Immortals, over ten Fire Tribulation Immortals, and a thousand others perished.

Yet Mao Mao remained oblivious. Despite her Plague Spirit Immortal Root, she was merciful.

She believed she merely disabled foes with non-lethal poison before departing.

In truth, her plague poison seeped into body and soul. Most below Fire Tribulation Immortal level inevitably died – only the timing differed.

Three Thunder Tribulation Immortals and several Fire Tribulation survivors from major sects survived through Semi-Immortal intervention, though their cultivation foundations were ruined beyond recovery.

The dead came from scattered cultivators and minor sects – without Semi-Immortal aid, all perished within a year.

When news spread, the cultivation world reeled.

Mao Mao gained the moniker "Poison Hag." Her toxic nature and secrecy bred universal fear.

Though Mo Sect learned the truth, Mo Qianxun ordered complete secrecy. Mao Mao never discovered her body count.

Fang Lie knew everything. Though in closed-door training, his old bird informants kept him updated – sometimes faster than Mo Qianxun himself!

Fang Lie rushed home chiefly to comfort Mao Mao, fearing she’d break upon learning her unintended slaughter.

Entering his cave dwelling after 25 years, he nearly mistook the location.

Before him stretched endless Purple Bamboo forests. Pure Spiritual Energy washed over him – a true Immortal Realm landscape.

Purple Bamboo was a valuable treasure. Specimens over a Hundred Years became third-rank materials, those over a thousand years reached Fourth-Rank, and ten-thousand-year-old ones became sixth or seventh-rank materials—priceless beyond measure.

Not only this, it possessed potent purifying essence that expelled turbid energies and aided cultivation, making it highly sought-after.

Such an extensive Purple Bamboo Forest couldn’t be acquired without significant effort.

As Fang Lie flew above the Bamboo Forest, over a dozen figures quickly appeared to intercept him.

Upon closer inspection, Fang Lie realized none were human—all were Seventh-rank mechanical puppets serving as mere gatekeepers.

This starkly revealed how dramatically Fang Lie’s home had transformed, now nearly matching the grandeur of great family clans.

Within moments of being recognized, a black-cloaked, veiled girl materialized before him—Mao Mao.

Without uttering a word, Mao Mao flung herself into Fang Lie’s embrace, silent tears soaking his robes.

Seeing her, Fang Lie’s heart surged with emotions. Though only five years had passed in cultivation time, twenty-five mortal years separated them. While the old bird had kept him informed of Mao Mao’s circumstances, being unable to see her had left an aching void.

Patting her shoulder, Fang Lie teased, "Silly sister, why the tears? Unhappy to see your brother?"

"No! Mao Mao’s happiest seeing Brother!" She hastily scrubbed at her face.

When Fang Lie gazed at her with his golden and silver eyes, he froze in astonishment.

He remembered Mao Mao’s congenital condition—the coarse, oily black hairs covering her face that made her wear veils constantly. Yet now, even through her mask, he saw…

No ugly duckling, but a celestial being. Porcelain skin, luminous eyes, noble features—utter perfection.

Noticing his shock, Mao Mao gasped, "Brother! You can see my face now?" She immediately covered it with both hands.

"Hah!" Fang Lie roared with laughter. "What’s wrong with looking? When you were ugly, I averted my eyes. Now you’re stunning—shouldn’t I admire properly?"

"Mean Brother!" Mao Mao thumped his chest before vanishing in a flash.

Before Fang Lie could react, Ice Second Brother and others swarmed around him.

The core group looked unchanged—their cultivation maintaining youthful appearances. But younger siblings who’d been children during Fang Lie’s departure now appeared as adults in their prime.

Though time had reshaped their features, bonds remained unbroken. All owed Fang Lie profound gratitude—he’d rescued them from abandonment, then used the White Jade Divine Fish to grant cultivation abilities. Now Golden Pool Powerful Beings, they even had prospects of advancing further.

During emotional reunions, Fang Lie noticed nearly half had found Dao companions. None had wed formally, awaiting their elder brother’s blessing.

Laughing heartily, Fang Lie promised ceremonies soon. The group then proceeded through the Bamboo Forest’s protective barrier to a hundred-li mountain crowned with gardens and pavilions.

At the summit stood Fang Lie’s personal palace—over a dozen stories tall. On its rooftop gathering space, Mao Mao eventually reappeared to cling shyly to Fang Lie’s side. More siblings arrived until nearly fifty surrounded him, absent only those truly unavailable.

After multiple toasts, demands arose for Fang Lie to reveal his cultivation progress.

With a wry shrug, he confessed, "Shameful, truly. After consuming mountains of spiritual items, my Qi Sea spans just over sixty thousand li—same as Mao Mao."

The crowd erupted. Ice Second Brother groaned, "Big Brother, must you humblebrag?"

Fang Huo chimed in, "Putting us to shame!"

Longxing Tianxia threw up his hands. "Sixty thousand li unsatisfying? What about us forced into Golden Pool advancement at six thousand?"

"Truly!" Fang Lie raised placating hands. "You achieved more with less—that’s admirable. But Mao Mao used barely a tenth of my resources to match my progress! I’m not just ashamed—I want to crawl into a hole!"

His pitiful gaze at Mao Mao drew fresh laughter, the joyous noise echoing through the starlit palace.