Chapter 199

Chapter 199: The Mo Sect’s Chief

The empty space suddenly rippled, revealing a cave entrance that unveiled a lush countryside scene.

Mo Wanfang startled. As he stepped inside, he thought privately, "Truly a secret tradition of the Xuan Sect. Even this diminished Little Xumi Paradise of the Heavens remains wondrous—I couldn’t detect its presence despite standing before it. For Fang Lie to acquire such a Formation… many must hold him in high regard!"

"But then," he mused, "a young Great Pill Master producing supreme-grade spirit pills would naturally draw attention. Pity this boy’s stubbornness made him clash with family clans through the Sect Leader. Were it not for his undying nature, he’d have perished long ago. How ironic our mighty Mo Sect couldn’t even accommodate him!"

Fang Lie appeared with Ice and Fire Poison Dragon and three others.

"What?" Fang Lie frowned.

By seniority, such bluntness was improper. Yet Fang Lie’s resentment simmered—exiled to die in Wanxing Sea by Mo Sect Higher-ups, courtesy felt unnecessary. Had Mo Wanfang not shown earlier kindness, he wouldn’t have granted entry.

"A request," Mo Wanfang pressed, ignoring the discourtesy. His gaze locked onto Longxing Tianxia. "Rumors say poison had seized his heart—a death sentence. Yet you cured him?"

"Yes," Fang Lie confirmed.

"How?" Mo Wanfang leaned forward. "That’s an incurable ailment."

"My secret," Fang Lie deflected.

"Not your methods—just whether you can repeat this." Mo Wanfang’s urgency surfaced. "Does your family have such a case?" Fang Lie smirked.

"Indeed," Mo Wanfang admitted with an awkward chuckle. "I seek your aid."

"I could," Fang Lie said, "but first—who requires healing?"

Logically, the Mo Sect Leader’s lineage possessed ample resources. Even fatal poison could be countered by a Puppet That Dies in Place—priceless as a Seventh-rank Treasure, yet trivial for their stature.

After hesitation, Mo Wanfang relented: "My daughter."

"Mo Lanyun?" Fang Lie blurted.

"Yes."

"Impossible!" Fang Lie scoffed. "She’s the chief Core Inner Gate Disciple!"

Among low-ranking disciples, only five held this title—Bai First Young Master excluded. Each was a Top Talent, but Mo Lanyun stood peerless. Months younger than Fang Lie, her cultivation boasted a Three-thousand-mile Qi Sea. Last year, she’d dominated Purple Palace cultivators and challenged Nascent Souls—Mo Sect’s undisputed rising star.

Her fame permeated the sect. Personally guided by Thunder Tribulation Immortal Mo Qianxun, what ailment could baffle the Mo Sect Leader? Even dire cases warranted a life-replacing Puppet. Fang Lie eyed Mo Wanfang suspiciously.

Mo Wanfang grimaced. "Complex circumstances. May we speak privately?"

Clearly, he wished to exclude Fang Lie’s four companions.

Mao Mao, being the most sensible, immediately said, "Brother, I’ve tended to the spirit herbs!"

"Ah, we’ll take our leave too!" Ice Second Brother and the others chimed in.

They all departed, leaving only Fang Lie and Mo Wanfang behind.

Fang Lie glanced around. The gate wasn’t a proper place to host guests.

"Let’s sit over there," he suggested, pointing to a large tree nearby with a stone table and chairs beneath it.

"Agreed," Mo Wanfang nodded. The two walked over and settled at the stone table.

Mo Wanfang took great care, first casting multiple soundproof barriers before solemnly stating, "You probably think that no matter how severe Lanyun’s injuries are, a Puppet That Dies in Place would suffice, correct?"

"Yes," Fang Lie nodded, then frowned. "Isn’t that the case?"

Mo Wanfang sighed heavily. "For others, yes. But not for Lanyun."

"Why?" Fang Lie asked, puzzled.

"Do you know what spiritual root she possesses?" Mo Wanfang abruptly changed topics.

"How would I? Your sect’s kept that secret tightly guarded," Fang Lie retorted, shooting him a sidelong glance.

"Water. Guan. Yin." Mo Wanfang enunciated each word. "Her spiritual root is Water Guan Yin."

"Damn!" Fang Lie’s expression shifted. "That’s an immortal spiritual root!"

In this world, countless spiritual roots existed. Among the hundreds of high-grade spiritual roots, the highest tier bore names of deities or Buddhas—thus called immortal spiritual roots.

As Guan Yin was a Buddha’s name, the Water Guan Yin root stood as the supreme water-element immortal spiritual root. This root granted terrifying abilities—its cultivated water magic could absorb and assimilate any opposing force. Attacks would strengthen her, treasures could become hers. It was like throwing meat buns at a dog: nothing ever returned. The only counter was avoidance. Truly an invincible root!

Such roots were exceedingly rare. The vast Mo Sect might see one only every few centuries. Mo Wanfang’s luck in having such a daughter was unbelievable.

Mo Wanfang explained, "Exactly. The immortal energy within it can’t be replicated by Puppet That Dies in Place. Using one would degrade her root to second-tier Azure Dragons Playing in the Sea or worse—Boundless Sea!"

Azure Dragons Playing in the Sea ranked just below immortal roots among water-element spiritual roots, comparable to Fang Lie’s Flame Dragon root. Though exceptional, it paled against an immortal root.

Now understanding Mo Wanfang’s reluctance, Fang Lie nodded. But Mo Wanfang continued bitterly, "Only Xuan Sect’s Gate of All Mysteries can replicate immortal roots. They demanded Lanyun join their sect as payment!"

Fang Lie shrugged. "Xuan Sect accepts at most two disciples per century. Even I wouldn’t qualify. Her acceptance proves her excellence."

"Excellence?" Mo Wanfang spat. "A Mo Sect prodigy appearing once every ten millennia! My own flesh and blood! Those Xuan Sect dogs want to steal her! It’s an insult!"

"Alright, alright," Fang Lie chuckled. "What exactly happened to her?"

"Last month," Mo Wanfang fumed, "she gathered herbs in a Secret Realm when a thousand-year Great Demon—a Ghost-Faced Serpent—ambushed her. Though she escaped, the poison reached her heart. We froze her in Eternal Ice Marrow while seeking treatment. Xuan Sect’s extortion left us furious. Cure her, and you’ll be richly rewarded."

Fang Lie smiled. "Poisoned heart? I can treat that. But my price will be steep."

"What?" Mo Wanfang reddened. "Fang Lie! We helped you! Is this the Fang Family’s famed integrity? Exploiting our crisis?"