Chapter 228

Chapter 228: The Four Elders Surrender

Two days later, Fang Lie sailed on the Crystal Palace treasure ship across the sea when suddenly, four blue-robed Cultivators appeared and blocked his path.

The lead Elder spoke politely, "May I ask if you are Young Master Fang Lie? I am Immortal East Sea of the Four Seas Alliance, accompanied by my three Junior Brothers. We come with purpose!"

He and the others clasped their fists and bowed respectfully.

Fang Lie, curious, smiled and said, "Ah, so the four alliance leaders have arrived! I wasn’t prepared to receive such honored guests."

Then his tone shifted sharply: "If I’m not mistaken, you came to ambush me, right?"

"Not at all!" Immortal East Sea hastily waved his hands. "Young Master Fang, you misunderstand. We aren’t here to attack. We’ve come to sincerely apologize!"

"Hmm?" Fang Lie blinked. "Apologize? Are you… surrendering?"

The four True Immortals’ faces immediately darkened, inwardly cursing Fang Lie’s bluntness.

Suppressing his irritation, Immortal East Sea forced a bitter smile. "Yes. We surrender."

"Heh, doesn’t sound like your style," Fang Lie chuckled. "Is this a trick? Lure me into lowering the ship’s restrictions so you can attack?"

"No tricks!" Immortal East Sea said helplessly. "Truthfully, if we could kill you, we would. But we can’t. After your threats, island lords are expelling our shops. We’re collapsing. Hence, this peace offering. No schemes involved."

Fang Lie smirked. "I’m not scared of schemes! Even if you killed me and stole this rusty tub, I wouldn’t care!"

He casually deactivated the restrictions, leaving himself completely exposed.

The four True Immortals exchanged pained glances before meekly boarding and entering the main hall. They bowed again. "Greetings, Young Master Fang."

"Guests are guests. Sit," Fang Lie gestured.

"Thank you," they replied, seating themselves opposite him.

Fang Lie’s sheer audacity left the four awestruck. A mere Qi Sea cultivator fearlessly confronting Wind Tribulation experts, dominating the room through sheer aura—it demanded respect.

Once seated, Fang Lie declared: "Let’s be clear. For peace talks, hand over the prime culprit. My senior brother Liu Dingyi’s blood debt must be repaid first. No negotiations until then."

The four exchanged relieved glances—exactly as Immortal East Sea had predicted.

The Immortal promptly produced a severed head. "This is Old Fang. He commanded the Qingyu Island attack. Executed as proof."

Fang Lie frowned. "Some scapegoat?"

"On my Dao heart, I swear this is true!" Immortal East Sea vowed. "If I lie, may my cultivation stagnate forever!"

Fang Lie nodded, satisfied. He flicked his sleeve, sending the head flying overboard.

"With Liu Dingyi’s debt settled, you’ve earned negotiation rights," Fang Lie said. "But first, answer my questions truthfully. One lie, and we’re done."

"Of course," Immortal East Sea agreed hastily. "We’ll answer fully."

"Good." Fang Lie leaned forward. "First—how did you track me? You intercepted me during Han Xuan’s ambush and now here. How?"

Immortal East Sea stroked his beard. "You’re new here, so you wouldn’t know. We consulted Mr. Suan Mei, master of Yi Numerology. He pinpoints people’s locations. We paid him to calculate your route."

"I see," Fang Lie said angrily. "I can’t stand meddlesome scoundrels. Give me his location – I’ll settle accounts with him soon!"

Immortal East Sea hesitated before reluctantly revealing the island coordinates of Mr. Suan Mei. After all, the man’s whereabouts were common knowledge.

After obtaining the address, Fang Lie nodded approvingly. "Final question – you knew my identity, correct?"

"We did," Immortal East Sea confirmed. "You’re an outer disciple of Mo Sect. We inquired through their members."

"Heh," Fang Lie chuckled incredulously. "Then how dare four Wind Tribulation Immortals challenge me? You knew about my undying nature and high position! Don’t you realize even Thunder Tribulation Immortals fear me?"

Immortal East Sea grimaced. "We trusted the wrong person."

"Explain!" Fang Lie demanded.

"We consulted Bai Fangya of the Bai family clan," the immortal confessed. "That snake claimed you were just an exiled outer disciple who could be eliminated. Only after acting did we learn we’d disturbed a hornet’s nest! When confronted, he admitted using us against you – even taught Immortal Han Xuan that ambush to counter your undying nature."

"The Bai family again!" Fang Lie’s anger flared. "They haven’t lost enough members! Bai Fangya’s a dead man."

Immortal East Sea blinked nervously. "Young Master, Bai Fangya’s a Wind Tribulation Immortal from the Bai main lineage. His position…"

"You know who I am!" Fang Lie interrupted sharply. "Why ask foolish questions?"

"Apologies!" Immortal East Sea bowed hastily. "Please enlighten this ignorant one."

Snorting, Fang Lie declared, "I’m candidate Token Lord of Benevolence Token. While not full lord, I wield its power in cases involving me. Using this authority, I’ve executed hundreds of family disciples – including Wind Tribulation Immortals! The higher-ups exiled me here from fear."

"Ah!" The Four True Immortals gasped in unison, pounding their chests in dismay.

"The legendary Benevolence Token candidate?!" Immortal East Sea wailed. "Had we known, we’d sooner die than oppose you!"

"Each Five Great Token Lords embodies Mo Sect’s honor," Immortal West Sea muttered. "Our survival defies reason!"

"Bai Fangya meant to destroy us all!" Immortal North Sea cried. "Had your undying nature failed…"

"Not just us," Immortal South Sea added darkly. "The Ninth-Rank Treasure’s wrath could erase Thunder Tribulation Immortals!" Their robes clung to sweat-drenched backs.

Fang Lie shook his head in amusement. "Fools, outplayed by Bai Fangya’s schemes. Pathetic. Very well – take my letter to Mo Wanfang. Witness Bai Fangya’s execution yourselves."

"Truly?" Immortal East Sea hesitated. "The Bai family’s reach…"

"Mo Wanfang protects my messengers," Fang Lie assured. "None dare touch you under his watch."

"The Sect Leader’s heir?" Immortal East Sea brightened. "Fourth Brother will go immediately!"

"Big Brother!" Immortal North Sea protested. "Provoking the Bai clan…"

"You go," Fang Lie commanded coldly. "Bai Fangya dies. No debate."

Sighing, Immortal East Sea nodded. "Fourth Brother departs at once."

"Aye," Immortal North Sea acquiesced gloomily.