Chapter 454

Chapter 454: A Marriage Contract

Fang Lie was speechless at Mo Qianxun’s words. This was clearly a mutually beneficial arrangement. Considering the entire Mo Sect, as long as the Mo family refused to marry Mo Lanyun outside, Fang Lie remained their only viable option—a near-certain outcome.

Yet that Old Fox Mo Qianxun had exploited the situation to demand an Eighth-Rank High-Grade treasure from Fang Lie, leaving him no choice but to comply without protest. Truly, Mo Qianxun’s title of "the Wise" wasn’t merely for show.

Without delay, Mo Qianxun raised his hand, his Magic surging forth. A Space Gate materialized, and Mao Mao was pulled from her closed-door training.

The Mao Mao who appeared before Fang Lie bore no resemblance to the wrinkled, foul-smelling girl with blackened skin. Now she stood as a radiant beauty—her skin smooth and fair, her face brimming with childlike innocence, like an enchanting sprite.

The moment she saw Fang Lie, she threw herself into his arms. "Brother! I missed you so much!" Having rarely been apart since childhood, her excitement overflowed.

Fang Lie stared in disbelief. "Mao Mao… you’ve changed completely. If not for your familiar aura, I wouldn’t recognize you!"

"Hehe!" Mao Mao grinned. "All thanks to Master!"

Mo Qianxun interjected, "Her former appearance resulted from plague poison accumulating beneath her skin. By mastering the Plague Spirit Immortal’s Dao Magic, she converted those toxins into Magic. I never imagined her true form would be this striking. Were I a millennium younger, you’d stand no chance, brat!"

"Master!" Mao Mao protested shyly.

Fang Lie chuckled. "Ignore the old coot. Look what I brought you!" He produced the Plague Spirit Immortal Banner from Chaos Demon City’s auction. A sinister energy rippled through the air as it appeared.

Mao Mao gasped. "An ancient plague poison treasure! It perfectly matches my spiritual root! Master promised me one but could never find…" She seized the banner, marveling at it.

Mo Qianxun flushed. "The Plague Spirit Immortal’s lineage belonged to the ancient Left Dao. Their treasures vanished millennia ago. Finding one isn’t simple, even for me."

"I know, Master!" Mao Mao teased, tongue poking out. "I just wanted to see you flustered!"

"You!" Mo Qianxun sputtered.

Fang Lie smiled warmly. The once-timid Mao Mao, liberated from her insecurities, now glowed with playful vitality—her childhood self restored. His gratitude toward Mo Qianxun swelled.

"Daughters outgrow their masters," Mo Qianxun sighed before sobering. "Mao Mao, I summoned you for a discussion."

"What about?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Ahem." Mo Qianxun fidgeted. "Fang Lie is our Sect’s foremost youth. Your senior sister Mo Lanyun favors none but him. I propose their marriage. Your thoughts?"

"Oh." Mao Mao’s head dipped, shoulders trembling.

Fang Lie embraced her. "You’re my Fiancée by Father’s decree. I’ll honor that. If you object, we’ll refuse."

"Mao Mao!" Mo Qianxun pressed. "Heroes attract many wives. Better our ‘fertile water’ stays within family! Your sister won’t rival you, but outsiders might bully you. Recall her kindness—would you condemn her to loveless misery?"

Tears cascaded down Mao Mao’s cheeks. "I consent! I’ll treat Sister well!"

"My wise disciple!" Mo Qianxun exhaled before rounding on Fang Lie. "My treasured granddaughter, coveted by countless suitors—yet here I beg YOU! What virtues do you possess?"

Fang Lie smirked. "Blame my looks. Beauties flock unbidden."

"Keep preening!" Mo Qianxun snorted.

"Truth speaks!" Fang Lie retorted. "White Bone Sect’s Talent Mi Qing became my personal maid willingly!"

Now, Mo Qianxun couldn’t argue anymore. Though Mi Qing’s status and talent fell short compared to Mo Lanyun and Mao Mao, she wasn’t ordinary either. Any Purple Palace realm cultivator with Qi Sea a Thousand Miles counted as a minor genius, yet she could only become Fang Lie’s maid – clear proof of Fang Lie’s rising prominence.

What truly vexed Mo Qianxun was Fang Lie’s growing value. Sooner or later, Talents and saintesses might throw themselves at him!

This wasn’t mere speculation but an inevitable outcome. Fang Lie’s incredible skill in refining Spirit Liquid alone made Thunder Tribulation Immortals and Semi-Immortals covetous.

Marriage remained the swiftest method to secure his loyalty. Once wedded, demanding Spirit Liquid would become perfectly justified.

For their Thunder Tribulation Elders’ cultivation, wouldn’t the sect’s so-called saintesses become mere bargaining chips?

Foreseeing this through his Wisdom, Mo Qianxun had simply settled matters today.

By acting now, Mo Lanyun could become second wife alongside Mao Mao, their sisterly bond easing tensions.

Wait a few years? She might rank fifth, sixth, or lower!

The Mo Sect’s princess couldn’t afford such humiliation!

After Mao Mao’s approval, Fang Lie signed the marriage contract, formalizing his engagement to Mo Lanyun.

Mo Qianxun hastily stored the Eight Steeds Carriage, declaring, "This betrothal gift’s mine now!"

Fang Lie protested, "Shouldn’t the bride’s family present gifts too?"

Mo Qianxun smirked. "Already gave it!"

"When?" Fang Lie demanded.

"Long ago!" Mo Qianxun gloated. "Did you think a Fifth Rank puppet could trade for Eighth-rank treasure? That soul-nourishing wooden core was Lanyun’s ancestral treasured item – her betrothal gift!"

"Damn!" Fang Lie grimaced. "You schemed from the start!"

"Schemed?" Mo Qianxun huffed. "I recognized your potential early!"

"Bullshit!" Fang Lie retorted. "You kept silent about the gift’s purpose! Had I failed, you’d have killed me. Since I succeeded, you claim me as son-in-law. Typical Old Fox!"

*Ahem!*" Mo Qianxun coughed, flushing. "Must you insult your father-in-law?"

Fang Lie glared silently.

Turning to Mao Mao, Mo Qianxun urged, "Return to your breakthrough cultivation. You’ve wasted enough years."

"Some should’ve guided her better," Fang Lie jabbed.

Mao Mao smiled. "Yes, Master."

After sending her away, Mo Qianxun changed subjects: "We must strike Ghost Realm Sect!"

"Your problem," Fang Lie shrugged. "I’ve profited enough."

"You’re Mo family now!" Mo Qianxun brandished the marriage contract. "Our fights are yours!"

Fang Lie groaned. "Trapped again?"

"Enough!" Mo Qianxun snapped. "We’ll expose Ghost Realm Sect’s crimes using your treasures as evidence."

"Evidence, yes. Returning them? Never!" Fang Lie’s voice hardened. "They murdered my father. Revenge for a father’s murder isn’t negotiable."

Mo Qianxun sighed. "Must you annihilate them? Their wrongs don’t justify genocide."

"Genocide?" Fang Lie’s eyes blazed. "You’d have me forget?"