Chapter 707

Chapter 707: Unexpected Encounter on the Way

Over half a month swiftly passed, and Fang Lie’s group boarded the Netherworld Ghost Fire warship, abandoning their previous method of travel.

While many factions possessed warships, those of Eighth-rank and higher were typically massive and sluggish. Within the Dragon Palace ruins, such vessels risked being cornered by patrols of Xuan Water Puppets, leading to prolonged battles.

The Dragon Clan’s obsession with security bordered on madness. Countless Xuan Water Puppet patrols—ranging from thousands to mere dozens—roamed the ruins, interconnected by a mysterious signaling system.

Once engaged, these puppets would instantly summon reinforcements. Alerts spread rapidly, multiplying until puppet armies across tens of thousands of miles mobilized.

Should invaders persist, the eight elite guard camps protecting the Dragon Emperor’s tomb would awaken, unleashing Semi-Immortal commanders and millions of troops.

Even united, every human and demon in the ruins stood no chance against such forces.

Thus, all entrants moved like thieves—bold enough to challenge lone foes but fleeing at the first sign of patrols.

Bulky warships became liabilities here, their size making them easy targets. Most avoided bringing Eighth-rank vessels entirely—except Fang Lie.

His Netherworld warship could shrink to a nimble, stealthy form, evading detection. Even when surrounded, Fang Lie could recall the ship and escape.

This unique advantage allowed him to navigate openly.

The Two Demon Kings eyed the warship covetously, inquiring about its price, but Fang Lie dismissed their hints with laughter.

Through their fortnight-long journey, the Dragon Palace’s dangers became clear. Daily, they dodged seven or eight patrols, relying on the warship’s detection treasures to reroute early.

Occasionally, isolated puppets or treasure-laden structures tempted them, only for approaching patrols to force hasty retreats.

Patience might have revealed patrol patterns for safer plundering, but Fang Lie prioritized the Dragon Tomb over such delays.

They secured only three treasures in those weeks. Fang Lie gifted one—a demon bone—to the Two Demon Kings, as such items served demons better.

Grateful for his fairness, the Demon Kings grew more committed to their alliance.

Other encounters proved less cordial. Every demon and Human Tribe cultivator fled the warship’s approach. Fang Lie chuckled at demons scattering but frowned when humans outpaced them. ‘Do they see me as some murderous Demon King?’ he wondered.

His amusement vanished when a human group finally approached—with thousands of Xuan Water Puppets in pursuit.

Biting back wrath, Fang Lie ordered retreat. Engaging now would aid the puppets. Later, he’d settle scores.

The warship shifted into a Mo Sect-designed spindle-shaped Flying Boat. Empowered by Eighth-rank engines, it streaked through water, leaving pursuers swallowing its wake.

Cultivators floundered in its hydrodynamic trail, unable to close the gap or execute tricks. The mixed group—righteous, demonic Path, even two demons—had coalesced from scattered trios and pairs during their desperate flight.

One group of people stirred up a bunch of Xuan Water Puppets, which clung to them tightly, refusing to let go. They simply sought out the cultivators they had seen before, regardless of whether those cultivators welcomed them or not, and brought along a crowd of puppets.

The cultivators who were dragged into this situation had no choice; they couldn’t fight back and had to flee together. During this frantic escape, they attracted more puppet patrols, causing the chasing team to grow larger.

Of course, their own team was also increasing, as these scoundrels were feeling stifled, seeing no one better off than themselves. Whenever they spotted anyone from outside, whether it was a cultivator or a demon, they would drag them into the chaos.

Thus, they ran for seven or eight days, resulting in such an unconventional group as well as a powerful pursuer team.

After such a long time of fleeing, even though these individuals were skilled, some could barely hold on. Among them, two Thunder Tribulation Immortals felt they had a chance to escape, while the others, including Fire Tribulation Immortals and two Eighth-rank Great Demons, could only slowly await their fate.

However, the two Thunder Tribulation Immortals had worries, with each having disciples from their sect, and they couldn’t just abandon them. So, they had no choice but to stay.

At this critical moment, they spotted Fang Lie and his Netherworld Ghost Fire warship. Naturally, they refused to give up and looked at it as their last straw of hope.

While they knew they couldn’t catch up, they could still call out. One old man with a black beard shouted, "Fang Lie, I am Lan Zhen from West Kunlun. Please, for the sake of being from the righteous sects, lend us a hand!"

Hearing this, Fang Lie’s Netherworld warship suddenly paused, its speed slightly slowing, but it was still faster than them, showing some hesitation.

Fang Lie could ignore others, but West Kunlun had no grudges against him. It wasn’t in his nature to watch someone perish without helping.

Seeing this situation, the group immediately realized they might have a chance. Another Thunder Tribulation Immortal quickly said, "Fang Lie, I am Immortal Scorpion from the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect. Although there have been misunderstandings in the past, now we face a united front against the sea demons. The Fang Family is known for its strong principles. Do you really want to look on while we perish? Think of your ancestor’s reputation; you can’t disgrace your family’s values!"

As he said this, the faces of the Human Tribe cultivators showed strange expressions. They had previously gone against Fang Lie, and even Fang Lie’s father, and both righteous and demonic paths intensely hated the Fang Family’s strictness.

Whenever they acted justly, people from the Fang Family would risk their lives to enforce their values, living by the principle of not turning back until they hit the South Wall. Many cultivators from both righteous and demonic paths had been taught a lesson by the Fang Family for their misconduct, and some even lost their lives because of it.

This was the main reason for Fang Lie’s father’s demise. But now, everyone secretly prayed that Fang Lie would continue to be so steadfast and not turn cunning.

This was a matter of life and death for them. As long as Fang Lie held onto his family’s principles, he would clearly detest them, yet still come to their rescue. If Fang Lie became the kind of person they hoped for—an untrustworthy schemer—they would just have to wait for death.

After a short period of contemplation, Fang Lie’s Netherworld Ghost Fire warship finally slowed down and gradually moved closer to the crowd.

Seeing this, the Human Tribe cultivators breathed a sigh of relief, secretly grateful that Fang Lie remained so straightforward, or else they would all be doomed. This was the first time in history they felt thankful for the Fang Family’s eccentric nature!

At this moment, however, the two demons stood out. The faces of the Human Tribe displayed killing intent. Before, they had to bring them along, but now that they had a chance for rescue, and the one saving them was an ethical oddball, they didn’t want the two demons to ruin their image in Fang Lie’s eyes.

Thus, all the Human Tribe cultivators gradually surrounded the two demons, clearly intending to strike them down at any moment.

The two Eighth-rank Great Demons seemed to understand the situation, their expressions changing dramatically, and they couldn’t help but cry out, "Don’t force us! Otherwise, we’d rather self-detonate our Demon Pills than let you have an easy time!"

"Self-detonate your Demon Pills?" Daoist Lan Zhen sneered, "With your strength, do you think you can self-detonate your Demon Pills in front of us? Aren’t you being a bit naive?"

As he spoke, Lan Zhen intended to join forces with Immortal Scorpion to injure the two demons and buy time for escape.

Faced with the two Thunder Tribulation Immortals, who were a whole rank above them, despair appeared on the faces of the two Great Demons.

Just then, Fang Lie’s voice suddenly came through, "Don’t harm them. I am working with their elders; I will spare those two little demons!"

It turned out that these two demons were from the Huangyu tribe and had been brought in by Huangchun. Upon seeing them in danger, they quickly sought Fang Lie’s help.

Given the current cooperative relationship, Fang Lie could only readily protect their lives.

Although Lan Zhen and Immortal Scorpion were both bewildered, they didn’t dare to offend Fang Lie in the current situation. They could only withdraw their Dao magic and continue moving towards the Netherworld Ghost Fire warship.