The Great God Who Abandoned His Cultivation to Win Back the Female Lead for the Male Supporting Character 08

Fang Zhiyi gave a light squeeze with his hand, and the massive phantom conjured by the magical artifact instantly shattered!

The Sect Master of Qihua spat out a mouthful of blood, his face filled with despair. After all, each cultivation realm was divided into three stages. A difference of one stage might still leave room for struggle, but a gap of an entire realm meant absolute suppression!

"You! What you're doing now is no different from a demonic cultivator!" he cried out, still unwilling to give up, attempting to restrain Fang Zhiyi with the name of righteousness.

Fang Zhiyi glanced around at the onlookers and asked, "Oh? Why don't you ask them—am I a demonic cultivator?"

An overwhelming pressure radiated from him, causing the gathered spectators to shake their heads vehemently. "How could Palace Lord Fang be a demonic cultivator?"

"Exactly! Old Monster Ding, this rumor of yours is too outrageous."

"You even slandered Yue Anyao? You really deserve this."

Fang Zhiyi nodded in satisfaction before looking down at the disciples of Qihua Sect. "I’ll give you a choice. Those who believe I’m a demonic cultivator can stand by his side. Those who think he’s spouting nonsense may step forward."

The disciples hesitated for a moment before one slowly moved to safety. Soon, a flood of disciples followed, fleeing to the other side.

The Sect Master of Qihua felt his heart turn cold. Even two of his elders swiftly abandoned him and ran toward Fang Zhiyi.

"Palace Lord Fang, you’ve arrived just in time! This Old Monster Ding has been stirring up trouble every day, plundering treasures and secret manuals from smaller sects and enslaving them to tend spirit fields. He’s truly committed every evil imaginable!" one elder shouted.

The crowd let out a collective "Oh!" and turned their gazes toward Old Monster Ding.

Another elder added, "He forbade his disciples from eating mortal food, yet he secretly took over a dozen female cultivators as his dao companions and indulged with them in human cities!"

"Oh~" The spectators couldn’t help but feel a hint of admiration—over a dozen dao companions! Old Monster Ding was truly impressive!

Yet another elder, determined to break free, declared, "What nonsense are you all spouting? This Old Monster Ding secretly replaced the spirit stones in the formation when the previous sect master was ascending, causing him to be struck dead by the heavenly tribulation! Afterward, he threatened me into silence!"

The crowd erupted in shock—this was a scandal too massive to ignore.

Suddenly, the elder felt something strike him from behind before he could defend himself. His nascent soul was forcibly yanked out of his body, only to be crushed by Old Monster Ding’s grip.

"You win, Fang Zhiyi. Today, I admit defeat. We’ll meet again!" As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished into the void—a spatial movement only a Soul Unity realm expert could perform!

Yet Fang Zhiyi remained unperturbed. He reached out casually, grasping at the air, and Old Monster Ding’s fleeing form was dragged back into reality.

"Leaving?" Fang Zhiyi didn’t waste words. With a single palm strike, an invisible force pressed down like an immense wall, crushing Old Monster Ding until his body exploded. Yue Anyao flicked her fingers, sending out a flame that reduced the remains to ashes.

Fang Zhiyi scanned the crowd once more, his face now wearing a warm and amiable smile. "Thank you all for your assistance today. You’re welcome to visit Cloud Sky Palace for tea whenever you wish."

The onlookers hastily cupped their hands and nodded in agreement. Even if he really were a demonic cultivator, who would dare say so? Hadn’t they just witnessed a Soul Unity expert being obliterated in a single move?

After this incident, Cloud Sky Palace’s reputation soared. The news that Palace Lord Fang Zhiyi had reached the Mahayana realm further solidified belief in his proposed cultivation methods. Many sects now encouraged their disciples to venture into the mortal world for experience, and some elders even took up residence in human cities.

However, money became a pressing issue. They had no choice but to reconsider doing business with mortals—only to discover that most profitable ventures were already monopolized by Cloud Sky Palace’s merchant guild. Left with little choice, these sects reluctantly joined the palace’s trade alliance.

Meanwhile, Chu Aotian’s situation was far less comfortable.

He couldn’t understand how his well-laid plans had gone so wrong. Based on past events, Fang Zhiyi undoubtedly harbored feelings for Zhong Ling'er. Though Chu Aotian had also fallen for her, watching Fang Zhiyi’s effortless dominance, he had gradually devised a gamble—betting that he, too, held a place in Zhong Ling'er’s heart. And he had been right.

Zhong Ling'er had pleaded with Fang Zhiyi on his behalf, only to be outright rejected!

Now, Chu Aotian lay in frustration. He had begged his father to gravely injure him in this elaborate ruse, yet it had spiraled out of control. What should have been a win-win—had Fang Zhiyi agreed to help, he could have reforged his bones, shedding his mediocre aptitude to advance further in cultivation—had turned into a dead end.

Once he had surpassed his father, he could have seized the throne of the Demon Lord. Only then would he have turned his sights on Fang Zhiyi, reclaiming Zhong Ling'er for himself.

But now, Chu Aotian could only lie on his stone bed in defeat, staring blankly at the ceiling. He knew his father would never waste his own cultivation to heal him.

Zhong Ling'er stepped inside, clad in a newly purchased short skirt and sleeveless top, her exposed thighs and arms stirring a restless heat in Chu Aotian. Suppressing his urges, he forced a weak smile. "You’re back, Ling'er? That outfit does look lovely—no wonder everyone’s buying them."

Zhong Ling'er glanced at him, her eyes a mix of complicated emotions, before sighing. "While I was out today, I overheard two cultivators talking. They said Cloud Sky Palace mobilized its full force to annihilate Qihua Sect."

Chu Aotian’s eyes lit up briefly before he feigned sorrow. "Weren’t they both orthodox sects? How could this happen...?"

Zhong Ling'er murmured, "From what they said, it was because Qihua Sect spread rumors that Cloud Sky Palace was demonic. Zhiyi declared in front of everyone that slandering him was one thing, but he wouldn’t tolerate attacks on Yue Anyao." She gritted her teeth as she spoke Yue Anyao’s name.

Why? Why did Yue Anyao get to bask so comfortably in Zhiyi’s protection? Resentment and jealousy churned within Zhong Ling'er’s heart.

"Zhiyi... has reached the Mahayana realm."

The words struck Chu Aotian like a physical blow. The thought of that unreachable figure left him struggling for breath.

"Aotian, your father hurt you this badly... and he’s really not going to help you?"

Chu Aotian smiled bitterly. "He won’t. The only thing he cares about is his own cultivation. He saved me only because I’m his son, but he’d never waste his power to heal me. Maybe... you should just go back. Palace Lord Fang must still have feelings for you."

Zhong Ling'er hesitated before shaking her head with self-mockery. "Impossible. He’s long since moved on."

Seeing her sorrowful expression, Chu Aotian’s heart ached. "How could that be? The last time we saw him, he was pouring his heart out to you. Unless he’s been possessed, how could he let go so quickly?"

Zhong Ling'er froze. "What did you say?"

Chu Aotian blinked in confusion.

"Possessed?" Zhong Ling'er’s mind raced as she pieced together recent events, suspicion growing in her eyes.

"Warning, Host. The female lead is beginning to doubt your identity. If exposed, the mission will fail." The black system flailed its arms, visibly agitated.