Grasping Evil

After the crisis in Ju Shan Guan was alleviated, countless Gold Core Realm cultivators flew towards the walls coming from inside the city, hoping to meet the Nascent Soul Realm Old Ancestor that annihilated the demons.

Ning Fan passed all the 'troubles' to Jing Zhuo to handle while he and Suqiu entered the pass.

"You're trying too hard… One against four, do you really think you're as great as a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator…" Ning Fan shook his head and Suqiu immediately retorted.

"What about you, why did you get yourself into such trouble… the Heaven Frost Chilly Qi --- Cold Pine Essence is not something you should take. It's been said that the elders of Rain Palace think highly of it, surely a hot potato…"

Suqiu knew that Ning Fan was a dual spirit cultivator who possessed both fire and ice spirits and also witnessed the firepower of the dragon vortex that was created into existence by the Black Demon Flame. But that was in Yue where Ning Fan was invincible, which wouldn't pose any problem even if the Black Demon Flame has been exposed and he could compete for other Heavenly Cold Qi and Earth Flames. But there were countless Nascent Soul Realm and Divine Transformation Realm cultivators based in Jin, yet he dared to enter into the trouble named Cold Pine Essence…

Don't be deceived on how easily Ning Fan destroyed those demons. Suqiu knew that he was, in fact, still a Half-step Gold Core Realm cultivator, and the reason for why he wanted to go to the Endless Sea was to form his Gold Core.

Disguising as a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator was already trying too hard, while offending Divine Messenger Yun Kuang only gave rise to more troubles. And now, there was another chance of creating hostility with the Rain Palace's Divine Transformation Realm elder… It was dangerous and Suqiu was worried…

"There's no need to worry. I might worry a bit about matters regarding Revered Snow if it was in the past. But the previous message transmission and spirit sense had exposed his injury, leading me to a great opportunity… While this person's injury may be difficult for others, but not for me… I know how to deal with it and I'm confident that I can bargain with him to not take the Cold Pine Essence and protect us during our stay in Jin by treating his wounds."

"What? You've just arrived here in Ju Shan Guan and haven't even met the elder yet but you've already seen through his injury?" Suqiu covered her pink lips while feeling greatly shocked. He shouldn't be able to identify a person's injury from just a message transmission or spirit sense, even if he's a Fourth Revolution Pill Master…

"Yes, I may not be able to identify anything at all if it was any other injury. But this… I'm very familiar with it. Alright, let's stop. Revered Snow had summoned all the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators to meet him, therefore, I must go too. Take a rest and only be stubborn again once your injury is healed…"

Ning Fan understood that it was impossible to have Suqiu rest and avoid battles. Once this girl recovered her magical strength, she'll immediately go and defend the city… quite a stubborn woman.

Ning Fan nodded and teleported away, rushing towards Tian Chi Waterfall from a thousand li of distance and flew towards the misty palace that was situated above the ten thousand zhang waterfall.

There were cultivators of Rain Palace guarding outside of the palace, with strength at least Gold Core Realm. These cultivators have been used to being arrogant and they immediately stopped Ning Fan after seeing him closing in.

"Who goes there!" The leading white-robed Gold Core Realm cultivator sternly said.

"Jin's Commander, Zhou Ming!" Ning Fan said monotonously.

"What?! It's the newly appointed Seventh Commander, Old Ancestor Zhou Ming!"

The news from Ju Shan Guan had not reached them yet and these Gold Core Realm cultivators' spirit sense couldn't detect what had happened over there.

These Gold Core Realm cultivators had no idea how powerful Ning Fan was but they all froze after hearing the word 'Zhou Ming' and their arrogance immediately dissipated and became extremely respectful.

"Us, juniors, welcome Old Ancestor Zhou Ming! The elder is convening with the various Nascent Soul Realm cultivators inside. Old Ancestor may proceed. If anyone asks, show them the merit jade and no one would dare to obstruct…"

"En."

Ning Fan replied monotonously and walked into the Wind Palace.

The average Gold Core Realm Jade of Achievement was green in colour while Ning Fan's was black. The colour black signifies respect as it represents the identity of Jin's Commander.

By having the black jade in his hand, there really wasn't anyone stopping him. There were even cultivators of Rain Palace that came to show him the way, their expression extremely respectful.

After passing through various hallways, the inner palace could be seen. The inner palace was heavily guarded where a white-haired young man standing imposingly at the jade steps but his expression looked unwell.

There were nineteen Rain Palace Nascent Soul Realm cultivators and thirteen Jin Nascent Soul Realm cultivators under the steps.

The King could not be seen among Jin's Nascent Souls Realm cultivators group. Jin cultivators have been forcefully taken over by the Rain Palace. However, no matter how strong the Rain Palace was, they could not order a king around. The law of the Rain World specifically said that Kings are exempted from service…

The Ruler of Jin was not present and Ning Fan only recognized Jie Xiu in the Jin cultivators' side. But in the Rain Palace's camp, he could see a few familiar faces.

The green-robed old scholar, Song Yi. The Orchid Skirt Lady, Liu Yunxu. Ning Fan recognised these two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators since they clashed with him in Wei.

Furthermore, he also saw an ugly man among the people from Rain Palace… That ugly man was Yun Lie. It was the same guy that had once chatted with him when he first entered Ming Que Gu (Dark Sparrow Valley). This guy easily crushed that Gold Core Realm cultivator's ship when his words offended that Gold Core Realm cultivator, which was majestic. Ning Fan couldn't see through his cultivation base, but his aura was much mysterious than the Ruler of Jin… Peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator!

But the most unbelievable thing was that he spotted a barefooted girl and his expression became weird.

That girl stood there alone, not mingling with the group, as if she was out of place. Her thick black hair was pinned together by a pine shaped hairpin that has a pine leaf as an ornament. She had a pair of bright eyes as bright as the stars on the midnight sky that emitted a hint of mysteriously demonic beauty. Her thin and finely sculpted body donned a pale green robe, a bracelet that had a silver bell on her wrist, and the most unique thing about her was that she was barefooted, her lotus feet were as smooth as jade and her ankle wrapped by a silver chain. However, no dust or dirt could contaminate her delicate toes as they touched the ground under the protection of her magical force.

The Mid Nascent Soul Realm Old Demon of Lanruo Temple (Orchid Temple)... Yun Ruowei! The Old Devil brought him to loot in various countries and passed by Lanruo Temple. He used shameless tactics and even forced her…

When the girl saw Ning Fan was looking at her, a shred of almost unnoticeable anger flashed through her beautiful eyes immediately.

Ning Fan noticed it and understood that she still hates him and their relationship would probably not able to recover.

But what Ning Fan was really bothered was that the girl was a Divine Messenger of the Rain Palace. Rain Palace's Divine Messengers must only cultivate techniques of the Righteous Path and no Devil Path practitioners could be accepted, especially those of the Demonic Path. Whether she's really a demon or she was lucky enough to open up a demonic vein and cultivate the demonic art, it would be considered to have entered the Demonic Path and would not be qualified to become a Divine Messenger of the Rain Palace… But she managed to join Rain Palace and was even able to join the battle in eliminating demons with her sensitive identity. Looks like she has someone influential backing her.

All of them immediately became silent right at the moment Ning Fan stepped into the building.

Jie Xiu immediately let out a sigh of relief after he saw Ning Fan coming in. He then introduced him to the others with a smile.

"Everyone, please look, this is the newly appointed 'Seventh Commander', Zhou Ming that was appointed by my King! Each divine sense should have witnessed this person's strength from the previous battle and should know that he is more than qualified of holding the position of the Seventh Commander. According to this Old Daoist, there's no need for Divine Messenger Yun Kuang to take over the position of the Seventh Commander…"

Jin's Nascent Soul Realm cultivators nodded in agreement on Jie Xiu's words. While the Rain Palace's cultivators became silent. But Yun Kuang's eyes became serious and madness could be seen, he then looked at Ning Fan coldly.

"Seventh Commander? He is not worthy!"

"Oh? Looks like Fellow Daoists was debating in the matter regarding this Zhou. But this Zhou has just arrived, could Fellow Daoist Jie inform me what was everyone discussing…" Ning Fan avoided Yun Kuang's gaze, trying to not offend this person at the current time. It wasn't a pleasant feeling but he had to endure.

However, when Jie Xiu wanted to help Ning Fan out, Revered Snow who hadn't spoken a word yet suddenly said.

"I summoned all the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators here to discuss on the matter regarding your Seventh Commander position. As for the process of the discussion, this senior had already imprinted a copy of jade slip for your reference…"

Revered Snow nodded and a Rain Palace Divine Messenger immediately delivered a jade slip to Ning Fan.

Notwithstanding Revered Snow doing something out of everyone's expectation… The white-haired teenage-looking old man slightly smiled at Ning Fan.

"Read it slowly, there's no rush…"

That smile did not appear to be fake, it was a genuine smile that held the intent of befriending others.

At this moment, both cultivators from Jin and Rain Palace's hearts trembled. Even Ning Fan himself showed an expression of shock.

What?! The Revered Snow that was dubbed as the 'Unmelting Cold Ice' that rarely gave out a smile to those elders that were in his level has given a smile to Zhou Ming!

Strange, extremely strange! It has been rumoured that Zhou Ming possesses the Cold Pine Essence that Revered Snow wanted!? It wouldn't be unusual for the elder to look at him with anger, but to even smile at him, what is there to smile about? Why?!

Due to the main topic of the discussion, Rain Palace's Nascent Soul Realm cultivators were unfriendly towards Ning Fan. As for people like Yun Kuang, he already had a bone to pick with Ning Fan.

Everyone's image of Revered Snow was that of an ice-cold person. If he knew that Ning Fan possessed the Cold Pine Essence, it would've been normal for him to rob it in anger, so there was no reason for him to smile at Ning Fan at all…

Could it be that Revered Snow's personality had a complete a 180°? That should be impossible.

Or… Is there a hidden agenda behind the elder's smile1? The smile shouldn't be directed to Ning Fan but for the Cold Pine Essence instead since it arrive right at his lap. Yes, that much is possible…

This was the thought process of Yun Kuang.

After hypothetically guessing that the elder did not hold any good intentions toward Ning Fan, he fully unleashed all his hostility towards the latter. The hostility was much intense than when he was jealous of Suqiu at the border!

Ning Fan was not concerned with how others looked at him, even Yun Kuang was automatically ignored by him. Only the smile of Revered Snow was something he couldn't fathom, whether it be with good intentions or malice…

After his spirit sense scanned through the contents within the jade slip, the discussion that had gone on for several days immediately replayed within his mind.

"Ohh… So this is what happened…" Ning Fan said to himself.

No wonder those Nascent Soul Realm cultivators of the Rain Palace were unfriendly towards him and for Yun Kuang to be much more hostile than before. All of it stemmed from the title of 'Seventh Commander'.

The Seventh Commander, Xun Ri, died in battle to the demon tide… The authority he possessed suddenly became ownerless so the Rain Palace wanted to have Yun Kuang take over Xun Ri's authority. But the King of Jin was not willing to have Jin's power fall into the hands of the Rain Palace. Therefore, he tried so hard to look for a foreign cultivator to replace Xun Ri…

Rain Palace's command over the cultivators of Jin was temporary. But if Yun Kuang becomes the Seventh Commander, it'll mean that the Rain Palace Division's authority will be much deeply rooted in Great Jin.

This is the politics between the Rain Palace and Jin, and I have been dragged into it…

For Yun Kuang, his beloved Suqiu was snatched away by Ning Fan and Great Jin's Seventh Commander title that he longed for was also similarly snatched away by the same person. This hostility would be hard to erase.

"You're not fit to be the Seventh Commander! This Yun is clearly much more suitable!"

Yun Kuang's cold statement disrupted Ning Fan's thought process and his gaze became serious.

This Yun Kuang is too cocky. If one would be tolerant of people like this, they would become much more unbearable. Ning Fan wasn't interested in the position of the Seventh Commander, but he couldn't tolerate against Yun Kuang anymore. His Dao was the Dao of unyielding, to exercise forbearance for a few times was more than enough.

"Whether this Zhou is worthy of this position is for the King to decide and the appointment of the Rain Palace. It's not something you, Yun Kuang, can decide!"

"Hmph! If you dare to receive one sword strike from me, no matter if its a failure or a success, this Yun will recognize you as the Seventh Commander! But… Do you dare?!"

Yun Kuang coldly laughed and shook his sleeve as a jet black thin sword appeared in his hand.

The hidden sword was a weapon meant for assassination and possessed a strange divine attribute. Unlike the typical flying sword, only going straight back and forth.

It was said that a single sword strike of the 'Night Sword' Yun Kuang was enough to make the average Mid Nascent Soul Realm cultivator to not take it to head on, fearing that they might fall into his trap.

Do you dare?!

Do you dare?!!

Do you dare?!!!

Those three words echoed continuously within the inner palace. This reverberation technique had created a small ripple among the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, causing them to be slightly surprised. To make one's voice to resound in Heaven and Earth without dissipating was a feat only accomplished by those cultivators above Late Nascent Soul Realm!

This Yun Kuang could do such a feat while still at Mid Nascent Soul Realm. Extraordinary, simply extraordinary!

But for Ning Fan, that reverberation made his eyes flashed a cold light.

The Thunder Star on his glabella flashed and a single voice that was like heavenly thunder dispersed all of Yun Kuang's voice.

"What is there to fear!"

None of the Rain Palace's cultivators tried to stop their battle and was happy to see Ning Fan fail and lose.

And on the side of Jin, aside from Jie Xiu being slightly nervous, no one wanted to stop their battle since they wanted to see how strong Ning Fan was.

The annihilation of the demons at the walls of Ju Shan Guan was enough to prove that Ning Fan possesses the strength of a Mid Nascent Soul Realm. But Yun Kuang was also a Nascent Soul Ream cultivator, so both of them had to clash to see who was the better Nascent Soul and decide on who was more worthy of being the Seventh Commander.

Ning Fan could not back down as he only had one chance to prove his strength. He must also gain recognition from both sides and make Revered Snow be fearful of him.

The Star of Imperial Lightning! Thunder Voice!

Under this technique, a mere reverberation technique meant nothing!

Yun Kuang's expression drastically changed after his reverberation technique was neutralized. Both the cultivators from the Rain Palace and Jin also had their expressions turned serious except for Song Yi, Jie Xiu and the others who had seen the Thunder Star!

"Immemorial Divine Veins! Thunder Veins! Could… could this child be…"

But the one who felt the strongest shock on Ning Fan techniques was none other than…Yun Ruowei!

Because of Ning Fan's actions in the past, the girl was constantly plagued by her heart devil for the past several years. The lingering warmth of that finger would always reverberate in her heart, causing her to feel ashamed and making her unable to cultivate.

She held two distinct feelings towards Ning Fan and they were hatred and shock.

She knew that Ning Fan was the Old Devil's disciple…

She also knew that this child was just a Harmonious Spirit Realm ant a few years ago. Even if she were to go easy on him, he wouldn't have been able to harm a single strand of hair on her head… Yes, if Ning Fan did not use underhanded tactics, she would definitely not face such humiliation…

Today, the Ning Fan in her eyes became astonishingly powerful at the moment he evoked the Thunder Star and even gave her an extremely strong sense of danger.

The Demon Clan feared lightning so that lightning possessed a strong restraining effect against her…

"For him to grow to such an extent in just a few years! But several years is not enough to form a Nascent Soul. It's not even enough to form one's Gold Core, what is happening to his Qi… How is it possible for him to have the strength of a Nascent Soul Realm…"

For unknown reasons, her heart devil suddenly awakened and Yun Ruowei helplessly found out that she could not wipe away the shadow that Ning Fan had cast in her heart.

She couldn't achieve being indifferent and turn a blind eye on the battle between Ning Fan and Yun Kuang.

"Damned smelly man… But can he take on Yun Kuang's sword strike? That sword strike is not something even I could easily face head-on…" Yun Ruowei angrily bit her lips but could only helplessly worry about the safety of Ning Fan.

She was worried. Since it was Ning Fan that had planted that heart devil within her… This feeling couldn't easily be gotten rid of!

<strong>Note:</strong>

1. Lit: A hidden blade in a smile. The English equivalent of "Be a wolf in sheep's clothing".

<strong>Translator Team:</strong>

G-Team [Tommy (TL), Roel (Editor)]