Chapter 224

Chapter 224: A Mouse in the Grain Warehouse

After Fang Lie was captured alive, though his body and divine sense remained immobilized, his mind stayed active. His five senses still functioned, allowing him to perceive everything happening around him.

He overheard the entire conversation between Immortal Han Xuan and Immortal East Sea, realizing he’d fallen victim to this woman’s ambush.

This unexpected betrayal ignited volcanic wrath within Fang Lie. Yet the hardened youth endured both pain and anger, suppressing his urge to recall his spirit and resurrect. He pretended complete helplessness, biding his time.

His goal wasn’t submission but counter-scheming. Even if he couldn’t kill a Wind Tribulation Immortal, he vowed to locate her stronghold and deliver an unforgettable lesson.

Poor Immortal Han Xuan remained oblivious that she’d brought home a Plague Spirit Immortal. Had she consulted the Mo Sect, she’d have learned capturing Fang Lie proved futile. But arrogance blinded her to this Qi Sea cultivator’s significance, leading her to drag him directly to her mountain gate.

The journey spanned tens of thousands of miles. Riding the Tian Gang’s upper currents at Wind Tribulation speeds, they reached Han Xuan Island by sunset.

The thousand-mile island glittered like carved crystal, its frozen landscapes shimmering under sunlight. At its heart rose a massive mountain crowned by the sprawling Han Xuan Palace, its structures spanning hundreds of miles.

Propelled by magic, Immortal Han Xuan carried Fang Lie to a central terrace where dozens of female cultivators – Nascent Soul and Purple Palace level – bowed in unison: "Welcome Master’s return!"

"Rise," she commanded while striding inward. "Prepare for delivery – the Four Seas Alliance sends a thousand sea ships soon. Our maritime trade begins."

"Master succeeded in capturing Fang Lie then?" asked her senior disciple Immortal Xuan Yue, a Nascent Soul cultivator glancing at the frozen youth. "This petty Qi Sea cultivator?"

"Precisely." Immortal Han Xuan smirked. "Hardly required effort. Those Four Seas fools couldn’t handle what took mere basic spells. Incompetents!"

"None match Master’s prowess," Immortal Xuan Yue fawned. "Their troubles become your trifles."

"Sweet-tongued as ever." The master cultivator preened. "Prepare supper now. After dining, I’ll resume cultivation."

"Master," Immortal Xuan Yue pressed, "shall I dump this in the ice prisons below?"

Immortal Han Xuan’s fortune came from trading frozen slaves and demon beasts. Her palace’s underbelly housed specialized ice cells for such merchandise.

"Absolutely not!" The cultivator snapped. "This treasure stays secured. Loss would prove catastrophic!"

"Treasure?" The disciple blinked. "We don’t peddle Qi Sea trash."

"Fool!" Immortal Han Xuan chided. "He bears three treasured items – Fifth Rank halberd, Sixth-rank Demon Sword, and that Four Seas Alliance spirit pearl! But greater still…" Her eyes glinted. "…his undying nature’s secret. Unlocked, none shall oppose me!"

"Why delay?" Immortal Xuan Yue urged. "Apply soul confusion magic now!"

"Patience." The master waved lazily. "After today’s thousand-league flight, I’ll feast and cultivate. Interrogation waits till dawn."

"Then where…?"

"My treasure vault, naturally!" Immortal Han Xuan cackled. "Prime treasures deserve prime security!"

Laughter echoing, she departed. Fang Lie felt himself hauled through labyrinthine palace corridors, twisting through countless turns before reaching a sealed secret room.

This place was only about a hundred yards wide. The ground was covered with a layer of cold mist, with nothing but a cold jade bed at the center.

Clearly, this was Immortal Han Xuan’s cultivation chamber.

Immortal Han Xuan walked straight through the secret room to the stone wall.

It looked ordinary at first glance, but when she performed a series of secret techniques, a hidden door silently appeared.

She entered, placed Fang Lie on the floor, and sneered, "Stay here for now, little pet. When daylight comes, I’ll properly get acquainted with you!"

With those words, she left and sealed the stone door.

Only then could Fang Lie observe his surroundings – and what he saw shocked him.

This was Immortal Han Xuan’s Treasure Vault. Though barely thirty yards across, numerous shelves overflowed with treasures.

Fourth-Rank items formed the lowest tier here. Even with limited vision, Fang Lie spotted two fifth-rank treasures among spirit pills and herbs. Such wealth surpassed anything from raiding ten Four Seas Alliance shops.

The boy nearly drooled. Through his consciousness sea, he called: "Bird Bro! See all these treasures?"

"Junk," Old Bird scoffed. "Worthless trinkets."

"Maybe to a Ninth-Rank Treasure like you," Fang Lie retorted. "But these are golden mountains to me!"

"True enough," Old Bird conceded. "This hoard could bankrupt a Wind Tribulation Immortal. Never seen such stupidity – inviting rats into the granary!"

"I’m no rat!" Fang Lie protested, then grinned. "But for this loot, I’ll gladly be one! Watch me crack these restrictions!"

"Fool!" Old Bird snapped. "You think a Wind Tribulation Immortal’s life savings lack alarms? Break those seals and she’ll reduce you to pulp within minutes!"

"Worth dying for," Fang Lie shrugged.

"Idiot! Why die when you can kill her first?"

"Kill her?" Fang Lie blinked. "Even possessed by Demon Sword’s killing energy, I barely match a Wind Tribulation Immortal. Han Xuan could challenge Fire or Thunder Tribulation Immortals!"

"Who said fight fair?" Old Bird snorted. "Her cultivation chamber’s right outside."

Realization dawned. "Ambush during her critical cultivation phase?"

"Exactly. When Cycling Energy at midnight’s peak Yin hour, she’ll be defenseless. Strike then."

"Tonight at midnight!" Fang Lie’s eyes gleamed. "That bitch will pay!"