Chapter 584 - 405: Teaching a Lesson to the Blind

Fang Qingyuan watched the approaching man, quickly recalling everything he knew about him.

Qimeng Mountain was a Nascent Soul Sect located within Qi Yun’s territory, its Sect Leader a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator. As it was the closest of Qi Yun’s Nascent Soul Sects to the Southern Border and the White Mountain Territory, Qimeng Mountain held some influence in both regions.

Now, this Meng Fen from Qimeng Mountain had quickly caught up to him after the auction. Fang Qingyuan had no idea what he was up to, but his open approach didn’t suggest he was planning a robbery.

The Meng surname was the most prominent in Qimeng Mountain—the sect’s very name contained "Meng." This Meng Fen was a Late-stage Golden Core Cultivator, so his position in Qimeng Mountain was likely quite influential. ’Would someone like that really be concerned about seven or eight hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones?’

"Fellow Daoist Meng, why are you blocking my way?"

Fang Qingyuan’s tone was curt. He was at a critical moment in his attempt to fish out Hao Shi, and this tactless Meng Fen from Qimeng Mountain had just barged in, wasting his time. Fang Qingyuan wanted to get rid of him quickly and see if Qiqi could still manage to lure Hao Shi out.

Meng Fen paid no mind to Fang Qingyuan’s attitude and said with a light chuckle:

"I’ve come to discuss the matter of the Light Spirit Water with you, Fellow Daoist Fang. To be frank, this Light Spirit Water is a secret product of my sect. The portion you hold is only enough for a mere five uses. If you wish to use this water to refine an Eye of Light Spirit, or even the higher-tier Eye of Spirit Ascension, the amount of Light Spirit Water you’ll need is no small sum. Therefore, I’d like to propose a deal."

Hearing Meng Fen’s words, anger and astonishment flared in Fang Qingyuan’s heart. ’You shameless cultivator! So you were bidding against me at the auction just to drive up the price of your own product! And here I thought you were doing it for the Female Cultivator beside you.’

’I was trying to use Qiqi to fish for someone, but now Meng Fen is using the Light Spirit Water to fish for me! From the sound of it, the Light Spirit Water I just bought is nothing more than a sample. If I really commit to refining an Eye of Light Spirit, a mountain of expenses is waiting for me.’

’You crooked merchant!’

Fury erupted within Fang Qingyuan. ’So you’re plotting against me, are you? I’ve been looking for an outlet for my anger lately! Ever since I made my position clear to Lechuan, and on top of that, getting extorted for fifty thousand by Ji Jiaqing, I’ve been bottling up my rage. Now this oblivious Meng Fen has served himself up on a platter.’ He decided he wasn’t going to take it anymore.

Fang Qingyuan let out a cold laugh and said bluntly:

"You’ve got some nerve, Meng Fen, toying with me like this. You think your Late-stage Golden Core cultivation means you have me cornered? Trying to strong-arm me, are you? I’ll tell you what—in your dreams!"

With a few choice words, Fang Qingyuan seized the moral high ground. Meng Fen was still bewildered. ’We’ve barely said two sentences, and he’s already spoiling for a fight?’

And Fang Qingyuan really was spoiling for a fight. He roared:

"Qiqi, do it!"

As soon as he spoke, Qiqi emerged from the shadows. Meng Fen’s face fell as he discovered the Late-stage Golden Core demonic beast.

"Hold on, hold on!"

Qiqi paid no heed to what the human Cultivator was saying. Fang Qingyuan had told her to act, and she obeyed his command to the letter. She immediately unleashed one of her Innate Divine Techniques.

An immense pink mist billowed out from Qiqi’s body, in the blink of an eye spreading for miles. The mist carried a cloyingly sweet, fine aroma. The moment Meng Fen smelled it, he felt his mind grow faint.

"You...!"

Meng Fen was furious now. He was, after all, one of the true wielders of power in a Nascent Soul Sect. With the Nascent Soul Ancestors rarely making public appearances, he represented the face of his sect. ’How could they treat me like this?’

"Don’t think for a second that I’m afraid of you! Fine, fine! In that case, we’ll fight first and talk later."

Meng Fen summoned his Lifebound Magical Treasure—an ancient mirror. It was of a simple, archaic design, its surface a hazy gray, incapable of casting a clear reflection.

"Spirit Ascension Dharma Eye, open!"

Meng Fen’s eyes suddenly transformed, turning a deep azure. In an instant, he pinpointed Qiqi’s true form hidden within the vast pink mist.

The Spirit Ascension Dharma Eye could pierce through illusions. Qiqi’s Innate Divine Technique was completely unable to hide her from Meng Fen now that he had activated it.

Having located Qiqi’s true form, Meng Fen aimed the Treasure Mirror in his hand at her and roared:

"Soul Capturing!"

Instantly, Qiqi felt her very soul being torn from her body, pulled toward the small mirror. The sensation of her spirit being ripped away sent a jolt of terror through her.

At this moment, Qiqi finally revealed her true form. Her body, originally just taller than a man, suddenly swelled, and in the next instant, she had become a fifty-foot-tall behemoth.

Her once-cute raccoon-like face was now savage. Fangs jutted from her maw, glinting with a cold, grim light. Her tricolored fur of black, white, and yellow roiled with demonic energy, her ferocious presence billowing to the heavens.

In her complete form, Qiqi’s physical resistance was greatly enhanced. Despite the ancient mirror’s repeated tugging, it failed to wrench her soul from her body.

A vicious glint in her eyes, Qiqi bounded through the air, shattering the sound barrier with each step. She instantly closed in on Meng Fen, her jaws gaping wide, ready to devour him.

Seeing Qiqi’s monstrous form, Meng Fen’s eyelid twitched. He waved his hand, flinging out a humanoid figure.

The figure grew in the wind, swelling to seventy or eighty feet tall in the blink of an eye. Its yellow sleeves billowed, its features simple and archaic. Wielding a shield in one hand and a sharp awl in the other, it lunged straight for Qiqi.