Chapter 208

Chapter 208: The Rising of the Heroic Soul

However, Mo Wanfang was a future Sect Leader candidate with sharp wits. Even in this disadvantageous situation, he managed to devise a solution.

Feigning surprise, he exclaimed, "So that bone fragment actually contained this divine skill? The sect only knew it held some divine skill, not which specific one."

"Heh," Fang Lie snorted coldly. "They gave me something without knowing its contents? The sect’s generosity truly overwhelms me!"

The biting chill in Fang Lie’s voice left no doubt about his resentment rather than gratitude.

Those present understood him perfectly. After performing Major Merits, he’d been given this dubious reward. Had it not been the Great Unity Spell, it might’ve endangered his life.

"Heh," Mo Wanfang pretended to miss Fang Lie’s bitterness, smiling ingratiatingly. "Since you’ve learned the skill, shouldn’t you return the treasured item to the sect?"

"Oh?" Fang Lie widened his eyes dramatically. "I recall you tossing it to me like garbage while repeating ‘this is your reward.’ Gifts given shouldn’t be taken back!"

"The sect only intended you to learn the skill, not keep the physical object!" Mo Wanfang protested.

"You clearly said the item itself was mine," Fang Lie countered. "Explain this contradiction!"

"I… might have misspoken accidentally," Mo Wanfang said with forced contrition.

"So it’s your mistake?" Fang Lie smiled mockingly.

"Yes," Mo Wanfang gritted out, swallowing his pride to retrieve the inheritance treasure.

"Then why should I fix your errors?" Fang Lie snapped. "It’s mine now. Want it back? Pay up."

Mo Wanfang deflated. With Fang Lie blameless, he couldn’t force compliance.

"Very well," he conceded. "I’ll compensate you with a top-grade fourth-rank treasure for its return."

"You insult me with trifles?" Fang Lie scoffed.

"What about fifth-rank treasures then?"

"Paltry offerings!"

"Damn you! Sixth-rank magical items – my final offer!"

"The Great Unity Spell equals our sect’s core teachings in value!" Fang Lie retorted. "You’d trade Left Dao secrets for sixth-rank trash? Take me for a fool?"

"That item was sect property!" Mo Wanfang shouted. "Must we pay Seventh-rank Treasure prices to reclaim what’s ours?"

"Not even Seventh-rank suffices," Fang Lie said coolly. "Remember my warning? You’ll pay tenfold for my cooperation now."

"This concerns official business!"

"Your personal blunder, not sect affairs," Fang Lie jeered. "Don’t equate yourself with the sect – you’re not Sect Leader yet."

Mo Wanfang choked on his fury, rendered speechless.

Fang Lie turned away, having never intended to surrender the treasure. This inheritance could elevate Mo Sect’s strength beyond what any Eighth-rank or Ninth-rank Treasure might achieve.

His icy gaze settled on Chi Hanshui. "Prepare to die."

"Mercy!" Chi Hanshui quaked. "I’ll surrender! Apologize!"

"Dream on," Fang Lie spat. "After what you did to my brother? You’ll pay in blood."

"This was mere sparring!" Chi Hanshui cried. "Must your Fang Family always slaughter fellow disciples?"

"Life and death are decided on the life-and-death platform!" Fang Lie grinned. "This is the Sect’s ten-thousand-year-old rule. Stepping onto this platform means being ready to die. You came here to kill me, didn’t you? Why fuss now that death’s at your door? What kind of man acts this cowardly?"

Fang Lie’s contemptuous look made Chi Hanshui’s face turn ashen. Swallowing his pride, the desperate man pleaded, "Show mercy! I’ll give five Spirit Marrows for my life!"

"Too late." Fang Lie shrugged. "Mo Wanfang already gave me ten Spirit Marrows. Time for you to die. Next life, try being less vicious – even beasts don’t kill their own brothers!"

With a casual wave, the Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd sliced through Chi Hanshui’s neck. A magical hand conjured by Fang Lie then snatched the storage pouch and Demon Sword from the falling corpse.

The bizarre duel concluded with Fang Lie’s absolute victory.

Most gamblers lost their bets, except Ice and Fire Poison Dragon and a few others now overflowing with winnings. Though normally prone to angry outbursts, the crowd now pressed forward in eerie silence.

"What do you want?" Fang Lie asked flatly.

A Nascent Soul True Immortal offered an oily smile. "Young friend, we merely wonder – that divine skill came from an inheritance treasure, yes?"

"Exactly." Fang Lie’s lips curled. "Our Sect’s leaders are blind fools. They tossed me trash, not realizing that bone fragment held ancient Left Dao secrets. The Great Unity Spell’s power now flows through me."

Gasps rippled through the crowd despite their suspicions.

"How could the Sect treat its hero like this?"

"What idiot mistakes treasure for junk?"

"Imagine controlling high-level demon beasts as personal enforcers! I must learn this spell!"

As murmurs swelled into demands, Fang Lie raised his hand. "Learn it you may – under my terms."

"What terms?" voices clamored.

"First, worship at the temple I’ve built for the Ancient Heroic Souls – the Blood God Puppet. Offer three drops of third eye blood and ten drops of heart blood. Only then can you receive the Great Unity Spell from them."

The crowd buzzed with discontent.

"Three years to replenish each third eye drop!"

"Why not take spirit stones instead?"

Fang Lie’s voice cut through the complaints. "I need treasures, not coins. This blood will restore the Blood God Puppet. Compared to centuries of Sect service for other secret techniques? My price is cheap."

After thoughtful silence, someone shouted, "Do we get the spell immediately after paying?"

"Yes." Fang Lie nodded. "But remember – drip third eye blood onto the relic to receive the knowledge directly in your consciousness sea. No sharing what you learn."

Groans mixed with excited chatter.

"My temple’s ready." Fang Lie spread his hands. "The Ancient Heroic Souls await your tributes. They’ll track contributions and grant learning opportunities accordingly."

The sea of cultivators surged skyward like startled crows. Watching them flock to his temple, Fang Lie’s grin widened.

Restoring the Ancient Heroic Souls alone might take millennia. But with millions of Mo Sect disciples donating blood essence? Fourth-Rank by week’s end, Fifth-Rank within reach!

Who would dare challenge him now?