Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Battling the Master of a Hundred Poisons

A fiery lance over ten feet long shot toward the Master of a Hundred Poisons’ head as the voice echoed.

Despite the sudden ambush, the battle-hardened demonic sect disciple managed to react swiftly. Though unable to summon his treasure in time, he yanked the red-clad woman beside him as a human shield.

The Soulfire Lance pierced through the unprepared woman instantly. That split-second delay allowed the Master of a Hundred Poisons to activate his protective treasure—a black gu insect resembling a massive shield.

A charred hole gaped in the woman’s chest, crimson flames still consuming her heart. With her final breath, she glared venomously at the Master of a Hundred Poisons and cursed, "You scum! Even in death, I’ll bind you with endless curses!"

Her eyes dimmed as dark mist rose from her corpse, coiling around the Master of a Hundred Poisons. This was her sect’s unique Curse Technique—weak in direct power but impossible to remove. It would disturb his cultivation and act as beacon, alerting her sect members within a thousand miles to seek vengeance.

Knowing the curse’s persistence, the Master of a Hundred Poisons smashed her body to pieces while snarling, "Fool! The killer wasn’t me! Damned whore!" He then glared toward the attack’s origin and roared, "Who dares ambush me?"

"Your granddaddy!" Fang Lie emerged grinning with Xiao Taohong, deliberately blocking the retreat path to the Crystal Palace treasure ship.

"You!" Recognition flashed across the Master of a Hundred Poisons’ face. "Fang Lie! You Righteous Sect hypocrite attacking from behind?"

"Hypocrite?" Fang Lie scoffed. "Says the man who hides behind poison insects! Since when do vermin from the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect lecture others about honor?"

The Master of a Hundred Poisons’ face purpled with rage. His sect’s battle style involved stealth and poison gu insects, but he couldn’t admit this. Switching tactics, he barked, "I’m an honored Four Seas Alliance guest! Attacking me insults their authority!"

Nearby, the Alliance Steward frowned. Protecting guests was customary, yet offending Fang Lie carried greater risks.

Fang Lie smirked. "Guest? Show their invitation."

"I need no invitation! All attendees are welcome!"

"Empty words." Fang Lie countered. "You’re still at sea, not on Alliance territory. That floating corpse proves you never reached shore."

The Master of a Hundred Poisons whirled toward land, but Fang Lie brandished the Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd. "Stay!"

Crackling Little Formless Divine Lightning erupted toward the fleeing figure.

Master of a Hundred Poisons had been blasted by Fang Lie before, so he was prepared. When Fang Lie brandished the Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd, the terrified Master swiftly activated secret techniques, transforming into countless poison Gu insects and vanishing into the swirling insect cloud.

The Little Formless Divine Lightning struck nothing but air, destroying merely a few hundred poison Gu insects.

Fang Lie snorted disdainfully, "In the past, I might’ve struggled against you. But now? You’re doomed!"

He gestured to Little Peach Red beside him.

Eager for action, Little Peach Red immediately activated the newly refined black-and-white earth’s magnetic spheres. The rotating spheres unleashed intertwined waves of earth’s magnetic force, shredding every nearby poison Gu insect with invisible might.

This wide-area attack treasure proved lethal to the swarm. After several spiraling passes through the sky, over half the insect cloud perished. A black rain of mangled insect corpses darkened the sea below.

Master of a Hundred Poisons nearly wept. These poison Gu insects represented years of labor and mountains of spirit stones—yet over a third had been obliterated in moments!

Enraged beyond reason, Master bellowed, "Fang Lie! This ends now!"

The remaining insect cloud dispersed to evade the magnetic onslaught before surging toward Fang Lie and Little Peach Red under Master’s command.

With a chuckle, Little Peach Red summoned the spheres above her head. Their rippling earth’s magnetic force formed a hundred-yard barrier around her, instantly disintegrating any poison Gu insect that approached.

Trapped between overwhelming power and humiliating retreat, Master of a Hundred Poisons ground his teeth. Though his strength surpassed ordinary Purple Palace and Nascent Soul cultivators, he’d encountered a freakish opponent. Little Peach Red’s magic rivaled Wind Tribulation Immortals, while her fifth-rank top-grade treasure perfectly countered his swarm tactics.

"Remember this, Fang Lie!" Master spat through the dissipating insect cloud. "There will be reckoning!"

As the remaining Gu insects scattered, Master likely fled to the island amidst the confusion. Fang Lie made no move to pursue, instead turning to Little Peach Red with a grin: "The Sixth-Rank Treasure Ship is ours. You seized it—go claim it."

"Really?!" Little Peach Red kissed Fang Lie’s cheek before darting off. "You’re the best, master!"

Left with fading blush and a headstrong companion, Fang Lie could only sigh in resignation.

While Little Peach Red refined the ship, Fang Lie explored its decks. Apart from jars of spiritual wine steeped with venomous creatures—clearly Master’s private stock—little differed from previous encounters. He sampled a cup, savoring the potent Spiritual Energy and rich flavor before appropriating the entire collection.

Hidden in the distance, Master of a Hundred Poisons seethed: "My ship! My spiritual wine brewed with rare ingredients! That thieving Fang Lie will pay for this!"

As Fang Lie enjoyed his spoils, a Four Seas Alliance leader requested audience—none other than Immortal South Sea, second only to Immortal East Sea in their hierarchy.

Immortal South Sea greeted with strained courtesy: "Island Lord’s killing energy remains peerless! A death, a rout, and a Sixth-Rank Treasure Ship seized upon arrival—what an impressive debut!"

Fang Lie awkwardly rubbed his neck. Hosts deserved better than battles and plunder under their noses. "Merely retrieving stolen property," he deflected. "It won’t recur."

Immortal South Sea’s tension eased. "Then let this humble one escort Island Lord to proper accommodations."