Chapter 245

Chapter 245: Facing Provocation

At this moment, Fang Lie became puzzled. Eighth-rank Treasures weren’t ordinary items – even a massive sect like Mo Sect only possessed a few dozen such treasures accumulated over millennia, distributed among various family clans.

Not even Thunder Tribulation Immortals in Mo Sect could guarantee owning Eighth-rank Treasures. For Fire Tribulation Immortals to wield such treasures was exceedingly rare.

This Fire Tribulation Immortal didn’t appear to be from any major sect, otherwise he wouldn’t auction treasures here. How then did he obtain enough resources to cultivate so many Fire Spirit Gu?

Continuing through the description, Fang Lie found his answer.

The Fire Spirit Gu weren’t mere expenses. Large Gu insect colonies typically produced valuable byproducts, though profitability varied by species. Their specialty was Fire Spirit Liquid – nourishment for Mother Gu, Gu Kings, and Gu Emperors, secreted after absorbing Fire Element Spiritual Energy.

Ordinary Fire Spirit Gu produced low-grade liquid only suitable for Mother Gu. This liquid contained pure fire energy and vital essence, serving as excellent cultivation material.

Fire element Cultivators using it could boost their cultivation and enhance fire element Dao magic potency. Regular consumption helped fire element demon beasts increase magic power and advancement chances.

The liquid’s value came from alchemy and refining applications – ten pounds traded for one small spirit pearl. Blue-pattern Fire Spirit Gu produced liquid several times stronger, exchanging one pound per pearl. Golden-pattern variants created premium golden liquid, with one ounce equaling a pearl, though scarce in markets.

These consumables faced heavy demand – Gu Emperors, Kings, and Mothers required constant feeding, plus extra for breeding. Typically, a million Fire Spirit Gu could sustain a Mother Gu or Gu King, with surplus insects becoming profit sources.

At Fire Spirit Peak’s peak, hundred billion Gu insects yielded tens of thousands of liquid pounds annually. But this prosperity lasted mere years.

The Fire Tribulation Immortal had invested centuries feeding Mothers and Kings spiritual energy from heaven and earth, prioritizing population growth over harvesting. Reaching hundred billion insects took three centuries.

Just as returns beckoned, a Thunder Tribulation Immortal forced a life-or-death duel. Though victorious, his Gu colonies were decimated, leaving investments largely unrecovered.

Rebuilding to former scale required tens of thousands small spirit pearls and decades – impossible while needing resources for injury treatment. Without sufficient Fire Spirit Gu, Mothers and Kings required fire element small spirit pearls to avoid starvation. Three months remained to gather nearly ten thousand pearls.

Fang Lie’s interest stirred. This treasure offered both combat advantage and profit potential. Such chances were once-in-a-lifetime – few cultivated Gu colonies this large, fewer still sold them. Missing this meant losing forever.

As Fang Lie pondered bidding strategies and pearl acquisition methods, Little Peach Red entered pouting: "Master, troublemakers outside! That Master of a Hundred Poisons challenges you to life-or-death duel again!"

"Him?" Fang Lie blinked. "Challenge me? He couldn’t defeat even you. What fool’s courage drives him?"

Little Peach Red was the demon beast bodyguard Fang Lie had subdued. By the rules, she could assist him in duels.

With Little Peach Red, a fully-armed Fourth-Rank great demon, even eight or ten Masters of a Hundred Poisons wouldn’t stand a chance.

Moreover, during the recent battle, the Master of a Hundred Poisons had lost over half his poison Gu insects. It would take years to restore them. His current combat strength didn’t even reach half its peak level. What gave him the courage to challenge Fang Lie?

Little Peach Red scoffed, "I saw a dozen Wind Tribulation Immortals reeking of evil behind him. Many were those who sought audience with you but got rejected. They’re likely propping up this poison peddler to cause trouble!"

"Is that so?" Fang Lie’s laughter turned icy. "I’ve spared them so far, yet they dare provoke me? Time to deliver proper lessons!"

With a cold snort, Fang Lie soared from the courtyard.

Chaos reigned outside. The Master of a Hundred Poisons publicly challenging Fang Lie made for rare spectacle. Troublemakers had spread the information, drawing numerous high-level Cultivators.

Within moments, over a hundred gathered – mostly Nascent Soul True Immortals or higher, with a third being Wind Tribulation Immortals.

Yet Fang Lie’s gaze instantly found the prime culprit. The gloomy-faced youth showed none of his previous humiliation, now arrogantly jabbing his finger at Fang Lie. "You backstabbing rat! Fight me properly, boy! I’ll pound your guts out!"

Fang Lei ignored him, scanning the figures behind.

A dozen Wind Tribulation Immortals stood there – some wreathed in black fog, others trailed by grievances. Necklaces of skulls and dried heads adorned some. A few projected righteousness yet reeked of karma’s black miasma. How many murders did that require?

Clearly these demonic path masters included participants in his father’s siege.

Proud and trigger-happy, they’d massacre entire clans over slights. Most scattered cultivators fled their presence.

This bred absolute arrogance. They demanded reverence everywhere, lashing out otherwise.

Yet Fang Lie had rejected their sincere visits – whether seeking alliance or alchemy favors. Worse, he’d publicly told them to scram!

An open slap to tyrants who never tolerated disrespect!

But Fang Lie’s combat power and undying nature made direct confrontation unwise. Even fearless overlords feared for their Disciples’ safety.

The young lord wasn’t above slaughtering juniors if provoked. These Old Demons, despite their cruelty, had lineages to protect.

Thus the Demonic Overlords swallowed their pride, resorting to underhanded schemes instead.

They’d recruited the freshly-humiliated Master of a Hundred Poisons, bribing him to challenge Fang Lie. Their hope? Repeated deaths might break his spirit. Once he begged mercy, victory would be theirs.

Fang Lie’s icy gaze swept the demons. "You vermin plotting in shadows? Got guts to rile this dog but none to face me?"

The Demonic Overlords avoided his eyes – some meditating, others studying their feet. Not one admitted guilt!

Shameless fiends cared nothing for honor.

Helpless, Fang Lie turned back to the poison master.

"Want a duel?" Fang Lie sneered. "Bring worthy stakes. I won’t bother killing trash without proper prizes."

"You–!" The Master’s face purpled with rage. "Don’t mock me! I’ll wager a Fourth-tier Magical Item!"

Fang Lei curled his lip. "Penniless fool! My mere appearance warrants Fourth-tier trash? Know your place! Beat me, and the Sixth-Rank Treasure Ship Crystal Palace’s yours. Now match that value!"