Chapter 217

Chapter 217: Bounty Wanted

Fang Lie’s raid brought slaughter, looting, and shop-smashing chaos—an exhilarating rampage that left onlookers dumbstruck.

Through the surviving customers, the crowd learned Fang Lie’s identity, amplifying their shock tenfold.

"Fang Lie of Mo Sect? The same scoundrel who seized Qingyu Island recently?"

"I know him! His shop sold quality goods cheaply—I bought some myself! Why’s he robbing Four Seas Alliance stores now?"

"Haven’t you heard? His shop’s popularity drained business from nearby Alliance outlets. The Alliance retaliated—sent a Nascent Soul cultivator with experts to ransack his store, kill his staff, and trap him in a mountain villa for days!"

"True. The Alliance acts brutally, ignoring Mo Sect’s stance. But why didn’t they finish him off when they had him cornered?"

"Maybe slipped up? But Fang Lie’s mad—escapes danger only to attack the Alliance instead of fleeing to his sect! Suicidal fool!"

"He’s poked a hornet’s nest. The Alliance won’t rest until he’s crushed. Fail to punish him, and every rogue’ll target their shops!"

As gossip swirled, sword beams shot from the town, spreading news across the region. Several streaked toward Four Seas Alliance headquarters.

Having operated here long, the Alliance had connections. While avoiding direct conflict with Mo Sect, relaying messages posed no issue. Thus, Fang Lie’s assault swiftly reached Alliance ears.

Four Seas Island spanned tens of thousands of miles, studded with Spiritual Veins and spirit-nourished landscapes—a cultivation paradise hosting the Alliance’s headquarters where its four leaders resided.

At a mountaintop courtyard beneath an ancient Bodhi tree, four blue-robed elders surrounded a jade table. Resembling siblings, their Immortal-Style Appearance and encircling breezes marked them as Wind Tribulation Immortals.

These were the Alliance’s leaders—brothers titled Immortal East Sea, Immortal West Sea, Immortal South Sea, and Immortal North Sea, collectively the Four Seas True Immortals.

Now grim-faced, they ignored their fragrant tea, reeling from reports of Fang Lie’s attack and their Qingyu Island forces’ annihilation. The news left them speechless for hours.

Finally, leader Immortal East Sea broke the silence. "How does a Qi Sea cultivator slay Purple Palace experts… even Nascent Souls?"

"Major sects’ core disciples achieve such feats—Xuan Sect elites can challenge us Wind Tribulation Immortals!" Immortal West Sea countered. "But those are Heavenly Dao favored children groomed as future Thunder Tribulation Immortals! Fang Lie’s supposedly a Mo Sect outer disciple!"

"Fourth Brother," Immortal East Sea turned to Immortal North Sea, "Didn’t your Mo Sect contacts confirm Fang Lie’s status?"

"They swore he’s an outer disciple who angered all family clans!" Immortal North Sea insisted. "They claimed Mo Sect would thank us for killing him!"

"Impossible!" Immortal South Sea interjected. "If he were ordinary, clans would’ve eliminated him long ago. Either he’s exceptional… or you’ve been deceived!"

"Damn it!" Immortal North Sea produced a bronze mirror, activating it with spell-seals. The surface shimmered, revealing Bai Fangya’s smirking visage.

"Trouble brewing, old friend?" the Middle-aged Human Immortal taunted.

"Bai Fangya!" Immortal North Sea roared. "You lied about Fang Lie!"

"Lies? Never!" Bai Fangya feigned hurt. "He remains an outer disciple—can’t enter inner gate for years! I’d stake my life on it!"

"Then explain this!" Immortal North Sea snapped. "He butchered our Purple Palace guardian today! Why hasn’t Mo Sect reined him in?"

Bai Fangya chuckled. "Sect rules forbid harming disciples without cause. Since he’s faultless, we exiled him to Wanxing Sea. Can’t four Wind Tribulation Immortals handle one Qi Sea brat?"

"We fear Mo Sect’s wrath if he dies!"

"Rest assured," Bai Fangya’s tone turned icy. "Kill him, and Mo Sect’s higher-ups will thank you. Our clans certainly will."

Terminating the spell, Immortal North Sea declared, "See? No backing—just personal strength!"

"Then we act!" Immortal East Sea decreed. "Issue a bounty: Fang Lie’s head for a fifth-rank treasure!"

"Fifth-rank?!" Immortal South Sea protested. "We’ve few such treasures! Send a Nascent Soul instead!"

"After losing one Nascent Soul?" Immortal East Sea retorted. "This youth’s seventeen with limitless potential. If Mo Sect secretly protects him, we can’t risk direct blame. Let others eliminate him!"

The decree spread through the Alliance’s vast network. Soon, every cultivator in the region hunted Fang Lie—fifth-rank treasures being priceless artifacts requiring centuries and countless materials to craft, typically reserved for elite Nascent Souls.

Meanwhile, Fang Lie sailed obliviously on his black awning boat toward his next target, reveling in successful vengeance, unaware his head now carried history’s richest bounty.