Chapter 240

Chapter 240: The Peach Tree Demon

Three days of arduous work had thoroughly exhausted Fang Lie.

He emerged from his closed-door training chamber and instructed Mao San and Gou Si to prepare a lavish feast of demon beast dishes.

Additionally, he specifically ordered a large barrel of demon beast blood essence for the Amethyst Silkworm King.

The Amethyst Silkworm King thrived on consuming blood essence to advance its cultivation.

Previously, the Zhou Family had restricted its blood essence intake for fear it might rebel after evolving. This suppression had forced the creature to accumulate energy slowly over years.

Fang Lie held no such reservations. He eagerly anticipated the silkworm’s swift progression.

True to its status as a sixth-rank demon beast, the Amethyst Silkworm King drained the entire barrel instantly, leaving only dried residue.

Satiated, the violet crystal creature fluttered onto Fang Lie’s palm, conveying gratitude through their spiritual connection.

This moment marked the beginning of mutual trust between master and beast.

With a faint smile, Fang Lie tucked the creature into his sleeve. "Stay vigilant, little one," he murmured. "Your blood essence rations shall remain plentiful."

The silkworm pulsed with eager battle intent before settling quietly.

As Fang Lie prepared to resume cultivation after his meal, Mao San approached bearing a visitation card.

"Island Lord," the attendant announced, "a Wind Tribulation Immortal seeks audience."

The card bore the name Immortal Yōuhún. The ominous title immediately identified its owner as a Demonic Path cultivator, stirring Fang Lie’s revulsion.

Though inclined to refuse, Fang Lie recognized the impracticality of dismissing a senior demonic practitioner. "Admit him," he ordered through gritted teeth.

The gray-robed visitor entered with an aura of palpable malice. Swirling black vapors surrounded him, carrying faint echoes of tormented spirits. His very presence ignited Fang Lie’s wrath like kindling – a visceral reaction to the man’s overwhelming burden of negative karma.

Fang Lie remained seated, his contemptuous stare meeting the elder’s hostile gaze.

Immortal Yōuhún’s eyes narrowed at the disrespect, but necessity tempered his response. Forcing an obsequious smile, the demonic cultivator clasped his hands in formal greeting. "This humble Daoist of Ghost Realm Sect pays respects to the Island Lord."

The sect’s mention stoked Fang Lie’s murderous impulses. Ghost Realm Sect numbered among the Ten Great Demonic Sects responsible for his father’s death. By temporal reckoning, this very elder likely participated in that fatal confrontation.

Years prior, Fang Lie would have attacked without hesitation. Now, strategic curiosity stayed his hand. "What business brings a disciple of the Ten Great Demonic Sects to my door?" he inquired icily.

Unperturbed by the hostility, the elder pressed on: "Rumors of your exceptional alchemical skills have spread far. I seek your expertise in crafting spirit pills using substitute materials."

As Fang Lie’s lips curled in refusal, the demonic cultivator interjected hastily: "Before rejecting, consider this – in Wanxing Sea, sectarian disputes hold no currency. My offer includes…" he revealed a glowing containment orb, "…a Fourth-Rank wood element spirit – a millennium-old Peach Tree Demon."

As he spoke, Immortal Yōuhún pointed his finger, and a peerless beauty materialized before Fang Lie. She possessed natural peach-blossom eyes, a porcelain-like complexion, and a voluptuous figure draped in red and green silks that accentuated her delicate charm.

Trembling like a frightened rabbit, she stood there radiating such pitiable vulnerability that even stone statues might soften at the sight. Though Fang Lie had encountered many beauties, this vision stunned him – her allure rivaled even Mo Lanyun, the foremost beauty of the Mo Sect.

Noticing Fang Lie’s momentary daze, Immortal Yōuhún’s spirits soared. "This newly acquired peach tree demon remains untouched," he pressed urgently, producing a black wooden plaque. "Her true form’s sealed within, containing a strand of her spirit soul. Control this, and you control her life and death – command anything, even ‘devouring’ her!" He leered suggestively while emphasizing the last word.

The plaque revealed an intricately carved peach tree in full bloom. Meanwhile, the beauty misinterpreted the exchange and wailed: "Don’t eat me! I’m all hard wood! Try my children instead – plump and juicy!"

Fang Lie nearly choked. ‘Do I resemble some child-eating monster?’ he thought wryly.

Immortal Yōuhún chuckled. "Island Lord, this naive sprout misspeaks. She offers her peaches – celestial fruits ripening once per Hundred Years, extending lifespan and boosting cultivation. Though young and her Spiritual Energy weak, they provide steady income."

"Indeed," Fang Lie nodded coldly. "Now die."

The Amethyst Silkworm King shot from his sleeve as purple lightning. Before Immortal Yōuhún could blink, the silkworm penetrated his chest. The cultivator’s essence drained rapidly – hair whitening, skin wrinkling like accelerated decay.

"Why?!" the withering immortal rasped. "I sought alchemy in good faith!"

"Fool!" Fang Lie snarled. "You killed my father Fang Gang – heroic martyr of the righteous and demonic war – then dare beg favors?!"

Recognition dawned. "That reckless fool’s spawn?! Had I known-"

"Die knowing." Fang Lie watched impassively as the husk crumbled to bones. The silkworm buzzed contentedly – a Wind Tribulation Immortal’s blood essence promised swift ascension to Seventh-Rank.

Nearby, the peach spirit shrieked: "Don’t eat me! I taste terrible!"

"Cease braying!" Fang Lie rubbed his temples. "Are you peach or donkey spirit?"

"I-I’m Little Peach Red!" she stammered. "Promise not to eat me and I’ll be your maid!"

"Done," Fang Lie chuckled. "Mao San and Gou Si will train you."

The Fourth-Rank spirit possessed Nascent Soul cultivator strength despite her ditzy demeanor. Fang Lie grinned – owning such a powerful yet comely maid proved unexpectedly satisfying.