Chapter 652

Chapter 652: The Whole World Is Shocked

Fang Lie took the Netherworld warship and carefully inspected it, finding nothing unusual. Still uneasy, he asked the old bird to inspect it again. When no issues were detected, he finally stored it away.

He then stretched out his hand and demanded coldly, "You destroyed dozens of my clones and forced me to expend so much Semi-Immortal Sword Energy. Compensate me for all losses!"

"What?" roared the Blue Founder. "Fang Lie, you go too far!"

"Mo Qianxun already extracted compensation from us. Why should you get more?" the Purple Founder snapped angrily.

"I told you—he represents the sect, while I act for myself. We’re different!" Fang Lie retorted with a sneer. "The sect reaps benefits, but my losses are real. Who else should pay? I’ll be reasonable—just ten strands of Semi-Immortal Sword Energy. Hand them over now, or we resume fighting. I’ll keep battling you till the world crumbles!"

"Outrageous!" The two Semi-Immortals nearly exploded with fury.

Yet under another’s roof, they had to bend. Though the Ximen family clan was powerful, they couldn’t endure further losses. One more conflict might degrade their clan’s standing entirely.

Swallowing their wrath, the Blue and Purple Founders each gave Fang Lie five Jade Swords. The Blue Founder offered azure blades, the Purple Founder violet ones—each finger-sized but containing their full-power strikes, capable of slaying Thunder Tribulation Immortals effortlessly.

Fang Lie took them without a word but was thrilled inside.

Not all Semi-Immortal Sword Energy held equal power. Mo Qianxun, no true sword cultivator, treated swordsmanship as a minor skill—his Sword Energy ranked weakest among Semi-Immortals.

The Ximen Founders differed. As dedicated sword cultivators, their Sword Energy surpassed Mo Qianxun’s by severalfold. A single Jade Sword from them matched three to five of Mo Qianxun’s. Having used only six or seven strands earlier, Fang Lie now regained his losses with ample surplus.

Seeing the Jade Swords stored, the Blue Founder pressed impatiently, "Satisfied? Now leave!"

"Mind your manners!" Fang Lie’s face darkened. "Is this how you treat a Mo Sect Elder? Do you mean to insult me?"

"You—" The Blue Founder’s eyes blazed, thinking, What if I am?

Before he could act, the Purple Founder restrained him, warning, "He’s baiting us. Don’t take the hook."

The Blue Founder mastered himself and growled, "Enough chatter. Depart at once!"

"Leave like some whipped cur?" Fang Lie narrowed his eyes. "As Mo Sect’s Elder, I deserve proper protocol. I missed the welcome music—will you deny me a farewell fanfare?"

"What?" The Blue Founder nearly laughed incredulously. "After slaughtering our people, you expect celebratory music?"

"Courtesy demands it," Fang Lie countered cheerfully. "I represent Mo Sect. Guests merit respect! Your shabby sendoff insults both me and Mo Sect. When disrespected, I grow angry—and my rage terrifies even myself!"

The naked threat hung heavy. Against any other, the Founders would’ve struck instantly. But now, caution stayed their hands.

They recognized Fang Lie’s reluctance to withdraw, compelled only by Mo Qianxun’s orders or face-saving. These provocations were mere excuses to reignite conflict.

Veterans of centuries, the Founders saw through his ploy. They resolved to deny him any pretext.

"Very well," the Purple Founder spat. "Your farewell music!" He gestured sharply.

From headquarters came a full ensemble—a thousand comely musicians playing discordant farewell melodies, their humiliation souring the notes into something dirge-like.

Fang Lei listened raptly, savoring this ultimate capitulation. Forced to serenade their tormentor’s departure—this indignity would tarnish the Ximen clan’s reputation for ages.

"Ahahaha!" Fang Lie couldn’t help but burst into laughter, throwing his head back.

Not one Fang Lie, but hundreds of them roared with laughter simultaneously. The cacophony spread across the entire territory of the Ximen family clan.

Amidst the shrill laughter, countless Ximen cultivators burst into tears, consumed by humiliation and grief! Nearly all glared at Fang Lie with intense hatred.

Yet Fang Lie showed no fear. Instead, he provocatively summoned the Netherworld warship, gathering his clones from various locations. Under the hostile gazes, he boarded the Flying Boat and departed.

Before leaving, Fang Lie shouted mockingly, "Thanks for your hospitality! I’ll return for another visit soon!"

These words slapped every Ximen disciple like physical blows.

The Semi-Immortal Blue and Purple Ancestors suffered the harshest humiliation.

After Fang Lie’s departure, Blue Ancestor stomped the ground viciously, teeth grinding. "This disgrace shall never fade! Fang Lie! Our feud ends only in death!"

"Big Brother," Purple Ancestor spat bitterly, "Let’s scour our ancestor’s secret archives. There must be a way to counter his undying nature!"

"Agreed!" Blue Ancestor snarled. "Once we find how to kill that bastard, I’ll risk confronting Mo Qianxun himself to carve Fang Lie into ten thousand pieces!"

Both vanished instantly.

With the Semi-Immortals gone, Ximen Qingdong inherited the disastrous aftermath. Initial counts revealed over 300,000 Ximen disciples slaughtered, 70,000-80,000 accidental deaths among visitors, and innumerable wounded.

The destruction spanned over a dozen trading towns, hundreds of burnt estates, and more than 500 plundered Spiritual Fields, Spirit Mines, and Spirit Plantations.

Though most losses involved common assets, irreplaceable treasures like the Ten-Thousand-Year Field, Spirit Jade mines, and ancient Spirit Plant groves were permanently lost.

Financial calculations shocked the clan – material losses equaled over a hundred Eighth-rank Treasures, surpassing the Ghost Realm Sect and Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s prior losses to Fang Lie.

Though those sects could recover through retained income streams, the Ximen clan faced worse: destroyed resources and three strategic enclaves ceded to Mo Sect slashed their income by 30%.

Ironically, reduced expenses from eliminating 300,000 stipend-receiving members (including Thunder Tribulation Immortals) balanced their budget. No one thanked Fang Lie – hatred burned hotter than ever, extending to Mo Sect.

Formerly cold relations turned openly hostile. Though no formal war was declared, eight of ten chance encounters now sparked conflicts.

As the Ximen clan licked its wounds, news exploded across the cultivation world. Despite attempts to suppress it, numerous merchants and allies witnessed the debacle.

The revelations caused universal shock!

A mere Qi Sea cultivator had rampaged through the mighty Ximen clan – slaughtering, looting, and burning unchecked!

This despite the clan’s millions of cultivators, twenty Thunder Tribulation Immortals, three Ninth-Rank Treasures, and two Semi-Immortal guardians defending their home territory!

Initial disbelief gave way to reluctant acceptance when Mo Sect officially occupied three former Ximen territories.

Though the cultivation world mocked the Ximen clan as fools, major sects urgently warned members against provoking Fang Lie. The Great Thunder Sound Temple and other Fang Lie-targeted factions boosted defenses while dissecting his tactics, desperate to counter his inevitable next strike.