Chapter 189

Chapter 189: Hard-Fought Victory

The young master of Purple Beard Villa’s Thunder Law possessed power nearly surpassing top-grade fourth-rank treasures, almost matching half the might of a fifth-rank thunder treasure. Only such overwhelming force could break through Fang Lie’s three protective treasures.

Fang Lie couldn’t comprehend how this scoundrel unleashed such terrifying power through mere spellcraft.

Refusing to yield, Fang Lie activated his Earth Eye. Though unable to pierce the high heavens, their battle now raged near shallow coastal waters barely a dozen zhang deep. The seabed’s solid earth allowed the Earth Eye Divine Skill to reveal crucial details.

There it was – twin azure bracelets adorned the young master’s wrists, ancient artifacts radiating thunderous energy. These treasures amplified his Thunder Law’s power while drastically reducing magic consumption. Even Purple Palace realm cultivators couldn’t normally sustain such assaults, yet with these bracelets, the young master could maintain this onslaught for days.

Fang Lie knew he’d perish within hours. This was an ambush, not a suicide mission. Desperate, he hurled his unrefined fifth-rank armor treasure toward the enemy.

The metallic armor immediately drew lightning like a lodestone. Its humanoid silhouette tricked the young master into diverting all attacks. Seizing this momentary reprieve, Fang Lie burst through weakened storm clouds with his Bright Silver Shield.

Only when Fang Lie emerged did the young master realize his error. Anger turned to glee as he claimed the fifth-rank treasure. "Generous fool!" he crowed, inspecting the armor. "For this gift, I’ll grant you an intact corpse!"

Recovering breath, Fang Lie knew direct confrontation meant death. Without warning, he pressed fingers to his brow and shouted, "The Great Unity Spell!"

A spectral butterfly materialized, fluttering gracefully through the young master’s two-foot lightning blast unaffected. Protective umbrella treasures proved equally futile as the phantom passed through colorful light barriers to enter the young master’s forehead.

"What sorcery is this?!" The young master probed his body fruitlessly. "What did you do, cur?"

Fang Lie grinned. "A little gift to bind our fates."

"Bind this!" roared the enraged noble, lightning crackling around his fists. "Speak now, and I’ll make your death quick!"

"Hmph!" Fang Lie sneered, "You’re only acting tough because of those treasure bracelets on your wrists, right? Let’s see how you strut without them!"

"Ha!" The young master laughed triumphantly, "Correct! These Thunder God Bracelets let me roam the world freely. A mere junior like you wants to steal them? Don’t flatter yourself – you lack the skill!"

"Oh?" Fang Lie suddenly smirked. "Then I’ll steal them right before your eyes!"

Golden wings behind him snapped open as Fang Lie shot toward the young master like thunder.

"Hmph!" The young master clasped his hands together to summon lightning. But mid-flight, Fang Lie performed an astonishing act – stretching both arms forward, he commanded Chifeng Sword with his divine sense to slash downward, severing both his own arms at the elbows!

The young master gaped in shock. Why would his opponent rush over just to maim himself?

Before he could react, burning pain erupted in his own arms. His magic connection to his forearms snapped. Looking down in terror, he found his arms identically severed – right down to the elbow joints.

Having devoted his life to Thunder Law cultivation, ninety percent of the young master’s combat strength resided in his upper arms and those bracelets. Now armless and bracelet-less, he became a toothless tiger.

Against this weakened foe, Fang Lie struck decisively. Chifeng Sword unleashed ten thousand Sword Rays, each bearing crimson mountain force that battered the umbrella treasure until it shattered. Normally challenging, the attack succeeded easily now – the young master’s agony and severed arms left him barely conscious, reducing his protective treasure’s effectiveness to less than ten percent.

The top-grade fourth-tier treasure stood no chance against Chifeng Sword under these conditions. After breaking defenses, Fang Lie didn’t slay his foe. Instead, he streaked overhead and delivered a full-force kick to the face.

The young master screamed as he flew backward, knocked unconscious instantly. Fang Lie’s kick combined full strength with flight momentum – enough to shatter iron. Only the young master’s Purple Palace-enhanced body prevented his skull from exploding.

Laughing heartily, Fang Lie activated Healing Art from the Divine Phoenix Nirvana Scripture. Within breaths, new arms regrew. He stored Chifeng Sword and produced the Demon-Subduing Golden Bowl, sealing the unconscious noble inside.

After retrieving the fallen Thunder God Bracelets from the sea (ignoring the severed arms), Fang Lie summoned his small boat. Next came the Soul-Losing Golden Crown. Releasing the captive briefly, he placed the newly refined crown on the young master’s head before resealing him – insurance against potential trouble.

With a secret technique activation, the young master’s eyes snapped open. "Master," he droned mechanically, movements puppet-like.

"Who are you?" Fang Lie tested.

"Young master of Purple Beard Villa. Your servant." The monotone reply couldn’t have sounded more artificial.

"Can you take me inside? Especially to your father’s Purple Tower?"

"Affirmative. I know the protective array’s secrets. Have Purple Tower access."

"Perfect!" Fang Lie checked the sunset – darkness would cloak their return to Qingyu Island. Hugging the Demon-Subduing Golden Bowl, he soared toward Purple Beard Villa.