Chapter 671

Chapter 671: Discussing Cooperation

Fang Lie frowned upon hearing this and blurted out, "How could this be? Are the Sea Demon Tribes mobilizing many Semi-Immortal-level old monsters?"

"There are certainly a few Semi-Immortal elders, but not many," Abbot Mountain Man explained. "Their true threat lies in their sheer numbers. Unlike other demon tribes, sea demons stick together tightly—especially fish demons and shrimp demons. When they swarm, their numbers blot out the sky, endless as the horizon. Worse, they can jointly activate strange Bloodline Divine Skills!"

"Individually, these Bloodline Divine Skills are worthless. But when billions of little demons combine their power? That’s catastrophic. Even describing it as ‘overwhelming’ falls short. At times, the divine skills unleashed by massive clans rival Semi-Immortal combat power!" Abbot Mountain Man added, "Such colossal clans rarely form under normal circumstances. But during a Sea Demon Disaster, they gather endlessly. Imagine that scene!"

Fang Lie sucked in a sharp breath. If true, he’d face waves of enemies matching Semi-Immortal strength—far beyond his current defenses.

"How was this handled before?" he pressed.

"We abandon coastal areas," Abbot Mountain Man said. "Take everything portable, hide what can’t be moved, then retreat inland. Sea demons dominate the ocean, but on land? They’re helpless. We barely need to fight—just wait until their momentum fizzles. Of course, repelling their vanguard still costs resources, but it’s manageable."

"That simple?" Fang Lie frowned. "You described endless demon hordes. How can mere retreat work? Their Semi-Immortal commanders could stall us endlessly!"

Abbot Mountain Man chuckled. "Young Fang, their numbers are unmatched, but they’ve one fatal flaw: no supply lines! Only nobles bring servants and spirit food. The rest? They travel empty-handed, eating whatever they find. Guess their food source?"

Fang Lie’s eyes widened. "They… eat each other?"

"Exactly!" Abbot Mountain Man nodded. "A ravenous army of billions? They devour their own low-ranked kin. The Sea Demon Disaster ravages both humans and demons. Only high-tier demons benefit—gorging freely to boost their cultivation!"

"What about the Dragon Palace ruins?" Fang Lie asked.

"We gather human experts annually," Abbot Mountain Man said. "Next year, thousands of Fire Tribulation Immortals and above will join forces under Semi-Immortal leaders to raid the ruins. Semi-Immortals can’t enter—ancient restrictions annihilate anyone unleashing Semi-Immortal power inside. But others may battle freely in this ‘Path Contest.’ Survival rates… aren’t high."

"I’ll join next year," Fang Lie declared. "Watch my back out there?"

"Gladly!" Abbot Mountain Man smiled. "In return, protect my disciples inside. With your undying nature, you’ll thrive there."

Privately, Fang Lie scoffed. The old schemer’s politeness stemmed from fear—Fang Lie had crushed the Ximen family clan single-handedly. Abbot Mountain Man, infamous for ruthlessness, now treaded carefully.

After setting a meeting date, Fang Lie returned Li Fanghe and the Eighth-rank Abbot Stone. Once the pair left Qingyu Island, Abbot Mountain Man erupted.

"You brainless fool!" he roared at Li Fanghe. "Fang Lie terrifies even me! Yet you robbed him? If you crave death, jump off a cliff—don’t doom the sect!"

"I didn’t know it was him!" Li Fanghe whimpered.

"Even if it wasn’t—a Thunder Tribulation Immortal robbing juniors? Disgraceful!"

"I needed the Ten-Thousand-Year Phoenix Blood Herb for Qingshi!"

"Idiot! Everyone knows Fang Lie stole the herb from the Ximen clan! You walked into his trap!"

Li Fanghe hung his head.

"And bribing his subordinate with a Ninth-Rank Life-Extension Pill? For White Jade Divine Fish?"

"It’s vital for the sect!"

"Nonsense! Why not steal East Kunlun’s sword arts or Mo Sect’s refining secrets? Because they’d obliterate us! Mo Qianxun would flatten Abbot Mountain if you’d succeeded!"

Li Fanghe paled. "I… I erred."

"You lost everything. What else?"

Sweating, Li Fanghe whispered, "The Heavenly Dao Turtle… I need it back."

Abbot Mountain Man froze. "You had a Heavenly Dao Turtle… and lost it to Fang Lie?!"