Chapter 247

Chapter 247: Forcing Back the Demons

As everyone stood stunned, Fang Lie swiftly summoned the Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd. A dark streak flashed as the Taotie Divine Beast manifested from the halberd, devouring the masterless Thousand Souls Banner in one gulp.

Normally, the sixth-rank magical item couldn’t be consumed by the Chaos Halberd. But lacking an item spirit, the banner remained inert. Though infused with Ghost-Eating Monster Granny’s magic, the inanimate object couldn’t resist without its master’s guidance.

A wisp of Chaos Breath enveloped the banner, severing all connections to the outside world. It could no longer emit its aura or receive divine commands.

Ghost-Eating Monster Granny, still arguing moments earlier, gaped as her life-bound treasure vanished. At first, she sneered inwardly: *What a fool! Do you think you can seize a high-rank treasure? I’ll let you take it, then reclaim it along with your soul!*

But her smirk froze. The bond to her treasure had snapped—it felt erased from existence.

Panicking, she silently chanted retrieval spells, yet found nothing. The banner might as well have vanished from this realm.

"Fang Lie!" she shrieked. "Return my Thousand Souls Banner!"

The crowd whirled in shock. Seeing Fang Lei holding the banner, many high-rank cultivators smirked. Even some Demonic Overlords hid grins.

These selfish fiends constantly schemed against each other. Losing her life treasure would cripple Ghost-Eating Monster Granny’s combat strength by thirty percent—enough for rivals to eliminate her.

The hag’s face twisted with rage. She’d kill Fang Lie here and now, dignity be damned, if he refused.

Fang Lie smiled lazily. "Duel rules grant the victor all possessions of the fallen. The banner’s mine."

"Lies!" she screeched. "My life-bound treasure was stolen!"

She avoided admitting she’d lent it—that would breach duel protocols. Better shame than losing legal footing.

Unfazed, Fang Lie snorted. "Spare the act, hag. You lent treasures for that Ambush. Now pay the price. The banner stays with me. What’ll you do about it?"

"Brat!" Smoke seemed to puff from her seven orifices as she lunged, claws bared.

Four figures blocked her—the True Immortals of East, South, West, and North. Immortal East Sea spoke gravely: "Control yourself, Dao friend. The island lord claimed it fairly. This disgraceful behavior sullies your standing."

"You dare oppose me?!" she roared, though inwardly quailing. One opponent she could handle; four meant annihilation.

"You overstep," Immortal East Sea frowned. "Attacking our guest in our territory insults us all."

"Make him return it, then!" She glared at fellow Demonic Overlords, demanding support.

The fiends split. Those hostile to her stayed silent, relishing her plight. Others, resentful of Fang Lie’s gain, stepped forward.

Poison Heart Young Master flicked open his fan. "Alliance leaders, stolen goods should be returned. Persuade Fang Lie to comply."

The four True Immortals tensed. While unbothered by the hag alone, facing Poison Heart and seven other Overlords tipped the scales.

The Immortal East Sea turned to face Fang Lie. Though silent, his pleading was evident.

Fang Lie sneered and shouted at the group, "You’re Poison Heart Young Master, right? You look like trouble! Want the Thousand Souls Banner? Fine! Fight me. Win, and it’s yours. If you cowards won’t fight, then scram!"

The Demonic Overlords turned livid. These centuries-old fiends, drenched in blood and infamy, had never been insulted so brazenly. Yet here, a mere Qi Sea level cultivator dared curse them openly.

Poison Heart Young Master’s jaw clenched, veins throbbing on his forehead.

"Heh," he hissed. "Boy, think you’re invincible? Let’s see!"

As he stepped forward, his crushing aura forced nearby cultivators back—even the Four Seas True Immortals retreated.

Poison Heart Young Master led the Demonic Overlords not by charm, but power. A near-thousand-year-old Wind Tribulation Immortal from the top ten demonic sects’ Carefree Sect, he stood half-step from Fire Tribulation. His combat power surpassed ordinary Fire Tribulation Immortals. Against him, even eighteen Four Seas True Immortals would fall.

Fang Lie knew he’d lose even with the Demon Sword and Amethyst Silkworm King. Yet he grinned. "Think hard—should Bliss Island relocate?"

Poison Heart Young Master’s killing energy shattered like avalanche ice. Bliss Island, his Wanxing Sea stronghold, housed his disciples, descendants, and hundreds of wives. Fang Lie’s threat was clear: touch him, and the Demon Sword would paint Bliss Island red.

Risking his lineage for Ghost-Eating Monster Granny? Foolishness.

He dropped his aura, snarling, "Have you no pride?"

"A millennium-old monster bullying a twenty-year-old—that’s your pride?" Fang Lie jeered. "Senior, you’re *so* impressive!"

"Damn you!" Poison Heart Young Master roared. Unable to strike, he stomped, shattering Qingshi stone across hundreds of feet before vanishing skyward—fleeing humiliation.

His retreat sparked dominoes. Why provoke an unkillable madman for Ghost-Eating Monster Granny? The Demonic Overlords withdrew, abandoning her.

The old hag’s wrinkled face twisted. Sighing, she simpered, "Island Lord Fang, I erred lending the Thousand Souls Banner to Hundred Poisons. I apologize—please return it."

Fang Lie snorted. Demonic Path cultivators were treacherous liars. Returning the banner would earn only mockery.

"Stop acting," he snapped. "Want it? Buy it at the auction."

"You’d sell it?!" she shrieked.

Ignoring her, Fang Lie turned to the Immortal East Sea. "I’ve treasures for the auction."

"This way," the Immortal gestured hastily.

They entered the courtyard, leaving Ghost-Eating Monster Granny seething alone.