Grasping Evil

As his hand stroked the dead body, it gradually became softer.

The naked female corpse then lied down on the wooden basin filled with warm water. Even though the water was lukewarm, her skin was hurt.

"Hot…" She looked at Ning Fan with a pitiful gaze.

"Really?" He asked in resignation and submerged his finger into the bath water. The temperature of the water was just slightly higher than the normal body temperature. It was not hot at all.

Perhaps she was accustomed to taking cold baths.

Towards his enemies, he would be as cruel as possible. However, for his wives, he would not mind taking more care with them.

The female corpse was not his wife. But he had good feelings for Mu Weiliang and he had once dual-cultivated with the female corpse. Those two factors made her to be a special woman to him, just like his wives.

In a flash, he exerted a trace of ice power into the water, turning it into a cold bath.

The frown on the female corpse faded. She felt more comfortable and let out a sweet smile to Ning Fan.

"Light…Thank…you…"

"Alright. Don't simply move. Let me help you bathe."

Some parts of her pale white face had yet to recover from the rot, exposing the white bones beneath her skin. Despite that, her eyes were innocent and kind. Her hands gently stirred the water and touched the reddish flower petals that floated on the surface while humming a nursery rhyme.

Her expression now reminded Ning Fan of Si Wuxie.

"Si Wuxie…"

He pondered in silence for a second and rolled up his sleeves. In his hand was a small towel which he would use for wiping and cleaning her decayed body.

For outsiders, it would be hard for them to imagine that a ruthless devil lord like him would have such a gentle side.

When he was still at the Early Nascent Soul Realm, he could not keep his devil qi within his heart. But after he attained the Mid Nascent Soul Realm and his state of mind improved, he finally did it.

"Weiliang, is it still painful…"

A corpse devil should not have the ability to sense pain, let alone whether something is cold and hot. On the contrary, this female corpse could do the opposite and she also could feel the pain when she had been under the effect of the Primordial Devil Suppressing Light.

"No…" She shook her head in response to Ning Fan's question. He then applied the liquid medicine made from fragrant grass on her hair. After rubbing it for a while, bubbles began to form.

Her round puppy eyes got bigger and looked at the bubbles in excitement. She raised her finger and poked at each of the bubbles.

Afterwards, she pointed at herself and tilted her head to one side, asking, "My…name…is…Wei…Liang…?"

"Yes. You're Mu Weiliang. I'm Ning Fan. However, in the External Endless Sea, you must call me Zhou Ming…"

"No…You…are…Light!" She firmly spoke. She wanted to call him that.

"Haha. You can call me anything you wish…" Ning Fan burst into laughter while caressing her hair.

His hand gradually moved down from her cheek to her collarbones, her chest to her small belly, and even the part between her thighs. He washed every part thoroughly.

Every time Ning Fan touched her sensitive part, her body would tense up.

Occasionally, her eyes would turn fierce as if her ferocity was triggered. But she would be coaxed to be obedient as he would threaten her with the pin.

In the last time she showed signs of ferocity, she consciously suppressed it herself. To Ning Fan, it was indeed good news.

After that, she no longer rejected his touch.

"Alright. It's done. Go and rest for a moment…"

The female corpse was wrapped in a bath towel. When she climbed up to her bed, she shot Ning Fan a confused look.

"What…is…rest…"

"Oh yes. I forgot. Corpses don't need to rest. Then perhaps you can do embroidery. I'll concoct medicines for you to prevent your body from rotting any further…"

A few days passed by. Ning Fan did not even set his foot out of the room. He had been refining medicines for the female corpse.

At first, she did not like intimate contact with Ning Fan. But slowly, she adapted. She held the white robe that Ning Fan always wore and embroidered a dark floriation on it.

The design was unique. It was not something that could be found in the mortal world. At least Ning Fan had not seen it before. As for how he knew, it through the memories of the Ancient Chaos Emperor. It was called the Liberal Cloud Flower.

A refined corpse or corpse devil could never recover by themselves as their life forces had vanished. The only thing that Ning Fan could do was to preserve her body with the help of medicines. When the medicines were finished, he would use a method which was similar to the method of refining a corpse to recover her injuries using flames. Not only that, he would cover her body with the corpse qi that belonged to a corpse devil.

At the beginning, she was afraid of the flames that Ning Fan summoned. But after she was familiar with him, she eventually willingly jumped into the sea of flames, recuperating her wounds.

When she changed into a white robe, she no longer emanated any corpse qi.

Other than her deathly pale face and ashen lips, her actions were not much different than ordinary people.

She combed her long, messy jet black hair to one side and tied them up into a bun. Meanwhile, the pin was kept into her sleeve.

If she does not open her mouth to speak, no one would be suspicious of her identity.

If she does not engage in battle, no one would discover that this female corpse was a terrifying corpse devil that was comparable to a Mid Divine Transformation Realm expert!

Later, Ning Fan brought the beautiful corpse devil outside the palace. Each and every member of the female guards gaped in shock.

This woman is like an angel…Although her eyes were innocent and harmless, her brows belonged to those of a highly respected individual. No one dared to have their gaze linger on her body.

She looked just as saintly as Si Wuxie.

However, her innocence and cool were exactly like Mu Weiliang.

"Congratulations! Master has got a new wife…"Bing Ling and Yue Ling saluted. Ning Tianer, Ning Pinger and the other female guards followed their actions together.

"En. Apparently, we've been staying too long at the Pill Cauldron Gate. You all return to the Cauldron Ring first. I'll let you all breathe some fresh air if there's a chance in the future."

"Yes!"

…

Exit from seclusion!

A total of three months of seclusion boosted Ning Fan's power to a whole new level.

His magic power was now at the Mid Nascent Soul Realm. While his demon power was at the Early Nascent Soul Realm. Additionally, his body refining realm was now at the peak of Silver Bone realm. His spirit sense achieved the Peak Nascent Soul Realm.

He activated the second ability of the Yin Yang Locket after breaking through to the second realm. Ultimately, he could be considered successful in bringing the female corpse under his control.

The female corpse might not be able to fight for him since he could not control her heart to kill, but she would come in handy someday. After all, it could be said that he has a total of two Divine Transformation Realm fighters: Stone Warrior and the female corpse!

For three months Xiao Wanluo had been bitterly waiting outside the chamber.

When the door of the chamber opened, he immediately approached the man and woman who walked out from the chamber, welcoming them. However, he was shocked inside.

He did not have any idea of Ning Fan's current cultivation realm!

The latter's aura became condensed and still. It was completely different from what he felt three months ago!

If he did not know that this young man was Zhou Ming, the devil lord who slaughtered thousands of cultivators in a single day, he would definitely mistake this person as a common young master. As for the female corpse beside him, he could not see through her as well. He only considered her as one of his cauldrons or concubines and brushed her off his thoughts.

He knew Ning Fan had attained the Mid Nascent Soul Realm. He personally witnessed the latter eliminating the Heavenly Tribulation. However, he knew that Ning Fan's combat power and techniques was doubtlessly stronger than Peak Nascent Soul Realm experts.

Before he entered seclusion, he could already defeat Xiang Liao. Now, after he had comprehended the Soul Extraction Technique, he would be unrivalled among the cultivators below the Divine Transformation Realm in the External Endless Sea.

"Congratulations fellow Daoist Zhou! Your cultivation realm has greatly improved!"

"Hehe. Thank you." Ning Fan cupped his fist and smiled.

His action made Xiao Wanluo petrified.

Smile?!

Zhou Ming, the ruthless devil was smiling?!

This is… horrifying!

It was rumored that only powerful devils are able to keep their killing intent within their hearts. When they laugh, it means that they have lifted their killing intent.

Xiao Wanluo felt uneasy from his head to his toes.

Did I say something that offended him just now?!

Otherwise, why is this devil smiling at me? That really is a freakishly weird smile!

"Does Fellow Daoist Zhou have an advice for an old fellow like me?" Xiao Wanluo cautiously asked.

"Advice? I don't have any of them. However, I heard that fellow Daoist Xiao has been waiting for me outside the chamber. Is there something urgent that you want to discuss with me?"

"Hehe. Precisely. In fact, I have a request. With Fellow Daoist's intelligence, you must have guessed my intentions. A straightforward person does not resort to insinuations. I'll cut to the chase. I want to invite Fellow Daoist to become the old ancestor of my Pill Cauldron Gate!"

"The old ancestor of Pill Cauldron Gate?"

Ning Fan was slightly surprised. Originally, he expected that Xiao Wanluo would at most request him to become a Feudal Ranking Elder. To his surprise, Xiao Wanluo wanted him to hold the seat of the old ancestor of the sect.

What was a Feudal Ranking Elder? In layman's terms, a Feudal Ranking Elder is the guardian of the Pill Cauldron Gate.

What was an old ancestor? To put it simply, it meant that Xiao Wanluo was lowering his pride to recognize Ning Fan as his senior…

If Ning Fan were to replace Xiao Wanluo as the old ancestor of the sect, no one would be so bold to offend the sect anymore.

That is to say, the Pill Cauldron Gate would change hands…

"Is Fellow Daoist Xiao joking with me…" Ning Fan stared at Xiao Wanluo. He was wondering what exactly was he up to.

If only the Yin Yang Locket could read men's minds, Ning Fan would be more than willing to read Xiao Wanluo's mind now.

"Please don't misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I sincerely intend to make you the old ancestor of my Pill Cauldron Gate in order to solve the difficulties we are facing. I also heard that fellow Daoist Zhou is an old friend of Elder Ling…"

"I won't do things that bring no benefits. You don't have to make an acquaintance out of me!" Ning Fan was direct at his demands.

"Naturally, there will be lots of benefits for Fellow Daoist…" Xiao Wanluo did not flinch at Ning Fan's demands but inwardly felt bad that he could not move Ning Fan using the relationship between him and Ling Guiku.

"Firstly, every immortal jade that you spent in the auction will be returned to you … Secondly, all the human cauldrons in the Pill Cauldron Gate would belong to Fellow Daoist from today onwards!"

Xiao Wanluo paused and observed Ning Fan's reaction. But the latter did not even raise his eyebrows after hearing his offer.

To rookie cultivators, the two promises were the same as two meat pies as large as heaven. They would surely be moved. However, in Ning Fan's eyes, they were just empty promises.

"If I want immortal jade, I could just kill you since killing you is as easy as picking one's pocket! Do I need you to return them to me?! Moreover, all human cauldrons in the Pill Cauldron Gate has already been bought by me. It would take at least hundreds of years to raise another Nascent Soul Realm human cauldron… Your promises are worthless! If you aren't sincere enough, don't say that I have turned against you!"

His smile faded and was replaced by a cold expression. Xiao Wanluo uncontrollably retreated a few steps. His forehead was beaded with cold sweat.

"I'm sorry Fellow Daoist Zhou. Please be a little more patient. I have yet to finish what I want to say! There are still a few other benefits and one of them is something precious!"

"Speak!"

"Does Fellow Daoist know about the 'Pleasure Devil Sect'?"

"Do you think I am unaware of a sect that is among the top ten sects? I heard that they trade human cauldrons. I actually plan to visit the sect someday to buy some human cauldrons."

Ning Fan kept his indifferent demeanor. Only then did Xiao Wanluo heave a sigh of relief. Inwardly, he thought that this Zhou Ming truly was not a fool. The latter was not a person that was easy to deceive.

It was true that the first two promises were pointless promises. The third promise he was about to give Ning Fan was the promise that he knew could itch the latter's heart.

However, the third promise was too costly. If he was not in a situation with no other alternatives, he would definitely not promise to give Ning Fan the third benefit.

"There is something that Fellow Daoist might not know about the Pleasure Devil Sect. The human cauldrons that they sell are usually kidnapped from the External Endless Sea. However, most of their female cauldrons are women from the Internal Endless Sea… This sect has an unfathomable background. It is rumored to be a sect that was arranged to establish a presence in the External Endless Sea by one of the Venerated Seven of the Internal Endless Sea. The human cauldrons auction of the sect is divided into three stages. The first auction is selling the Gold Core Realm cauldrons; the second would auction the Nascent Soul Realm cauldrons; and the final one would auction the cauldrons at the Peak Nascent Soul Realm. Not everyone would be able to attend the auction. Only those with the 'Pleasure Devil Pass' are permitted to enter. Fellow Daoist might have heaven-defying power. But if Fellow Daoist does not have a pass, then you would not be able to enter into any of their auctions."

"Oh? There's something like that? How does it relate to becoming the old ancestor of the Pill Cauldron Gate? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Xiao has one of those passes and you will be willing to gift it to me once I help you?"

"Precisely! This pass is a token of friendship that was given by the Pleasure Devil Sect to my previous master who was a Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm expert. If fellow Daoist is willing to hold the position of old ancestor in our sect, I assure you that I will present it to you with both of my hands! Besides, the pass will bring you one more benefit… Aside from being able to participate in the auction of the Peak Nascent Soul Realm cauldrons, you will also get the 'Profound Liquid of Mother Earth'!"

"Profound Liquid of Mother Earth?"

Ning Fan was astonished. He had heard of this item before. A drop of the liquid could increase 10 units of magic power. It was extremely rare, but anyone who possess a pass would definitely be entitled to some of it.

However, Ning Fan was not after the liquid. He was after the Profound Heart of Mother Earth!

The Profound Liquid of Mother Earth was something that can only be produced by the Profound Heart of Mother Earth. If Pleasure Devil Sect has the liquid, it also meant that the sect possesses the heart…

Moreover, the Profound Heart of Mother Earth had been rumored to increase 10% of the success rate of attaining Divine Transformation Realm once consumed by a Peak Nascent Soul Realm expert!

Attaining Divine Transformation Realm was extremely difficult in and of itself. For ordinary cultivators, the chance of achieving the realm was not even 1%. Increasing the success rate by 10% was truly heaven-defying!

Doubtlessly, the Pleasure Devil Pass was an invaluable item.

But Ning Fan could not understand why the Pleasure Devil Sect which was supported by one of the Venerated Seven would give out the Profound Liquid of Mother Earth to rope in the Peak Nascent Soul Realm experts of the External Endless Sea.

Is it even necessary?

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, especially in the External Endless Sea where every cultivator were greedy and would even kill for their own benefits.

With the pass and the identity as the old ancestor of the Pill Cauldron Gate, I can join the auction of the Peak Nascent Soul Realm cauldrons and also obtain a drop of the Profound Liquid of Mother Earth. However, I'm afraid that they won't give out the juice for nothing. I suppose they will request the cultivators to do something in order to obtain the juice as a reward.

Ning Fan's eyes turned clear and directly stared at Xiao Wanluo.

This Xiao Wanluo must only be telling me the good things and holding back the unpleasant ones!

"You haven't finished speaking yet, I presume. I believe I will need to perform some tasks for the Pleasure Devil Sect after having the pass…"

"Aiya. Look at my memories. I was so clumsy to the point where I forgot to tell you about it. It's true that the benefits of having the pass are appealing. However, once Fellow Daoist arrives at the Pleasure Devil Sect, Fellow Daoist must obey their request. They normally ask the cultivators to enter the 'Secret Realm of the Broken World' to find some 'little things' and accomplish the given task… The task is dangerous. But if Fellow Daoist act cautiously, it is not hard to complete. Besides, even if Fellow Daoist fails the task, it won't matter as Fellow Daoist will still get the liquid!"

Xiao Wanluo was putting on a smile but the sweat on his forehead started to slide down to his cheek. He could not even conceal a single trace of information.

This Zhou Ming is not easy to trick.

"Whether it is dangerous or not, I will judge it for myself! It is not a valid reason for you to hide it from it! Leave me now! I'll consider it!"

"Yes, yes!" Xiao Wanluo replied while cursing himself inwardly. He seemed to have offended Ning Fan because of his dishonesty.

When he faced Ning Fan, all his pride of being a Late Nascent Soul Realm expert was crushed. What he displayed was just fear and anxiety.

Hopefully Ning Fan would accept his offer and becomes the old ancestor of the sect. Otherwise, Xiao Wanluo would really end up running away.

After Xiao Wanluo left, Ning Fan went into a shady place and summoned Stone Warrior to check the genuineness of what Xiao Wanluo said.

Stone Warrior was an honest spiritual puppet that would tell Ning Fan everything he knew.

"This man did not lie. It is true that the Pleasure Devil Sect has the Profound Heart of Mother Earth. Every person who possesses the Pleasure Devil Pass will be given a drop of Profound Liquid of Mother Earth. The cost is to enter the Secret Realm of the Broken World and hunt some demon beasts to collect demon pills… That Secret Realm is located beneath the sea of the Pleasure Devil Immortal Island. Only cultivators below Divine Transformation Realm can enter the place. Furthermore, the demon pills that the sect wants are the Demon Pills of Wild Beasts!"

"Wild Beast? Those beasts which are comparable to Divine Transformation Realm experts? Entering the Secret Realm to kill those beasts and obtain demon pills? This isn't just dangerous, but also insane!

"Speaking of the Wild Beasts in the Secret Realm, they are different from what you think. The Secret Realm is a strange place… A Gold Core Realm demon beast that enters into it would turn into a Divine Transformation Realm Wild Beast in merely hundreds of years… However, they are like demons that were forcefully strengthened. Their demon power is at the Divine Transformation Realm but their demonic techniques, skills and cultivation level are just at the Gold Core Realm. Therefore, they are also known as Fake Wild Beasts... That is why the elites among the Peak Nascent Soul Realm experts would still be able to hunt some of them… The good thing about entering the Secret Realm is because cultivators will still get a drop of liquid even if they return without contributing any demon pills. However, the reward would be better if they do bring back some demon pills as they can be used to exchange for more drops. One Fake Wild Beast will spawn one pill and it can be exchanged for a drop of liquid. I once heard that a Peak Nascent Soul Realm expert had managed to obtain eleven demon pills and exchanged for eleven drops of liquid. In a flash, he raised his magic power by 110 units… If you intend to break through to the Late Nascent Soul Realm, the Secret Realm is a good place for you."

"A Fake Wild Beast which has only Gold Core Realm techniques despite its Divine Transformation Realm magic power… One demon pill for one drop of Profound Liquid… This is a good deal. Apart from buying human cauldrons, going to the Secret Realm makes the trip all the more worth it. If they are genuine Wild Beasts, I will naturally retreat. If they are Fake Wild Beasts like what you said, it will not be difficult to kill them! If I get a thousand demon pills, I will gain ten thousand units of magic power! Besides, if there is a chance, I'll steal the Profound Heart of Mother Earth away. However, such a precious item wouldn't be kept in the External Endless Sea. I suppose it's in the hands of the mysterious supporter of the sect…"

"I have no opinion in your intentions to go to the Pleasure Devil Sect. But what about the things that you've promised me…" Stone Warrior began to blabber.

"Don't worry. Before I leave Peng Lai, I will first find Bei Xiaoman!"

Ning Fan lost his patience. He moved his finger, turning Stone Warrior into a stone statue and kept him.

Almost immediately, Ning Fan made up his mind.

To explore the Secret Realm in the Pleasure Devil Sect, I must accept Xiao Wanluo's request. I have to first become the old ancestor of the Pill Cauldron Gate and obtain the pass!

…

Just as the moment Stone Warrior was turned into a statue, his gaze swept across the female corpse.

As she noticed him, a faint light flashed in her eyes as discontentment came over her. She did not like to be watched by any other men except for Ning Fan!

That glimpse he had on her was enough to make him tremble in fear, causing him to feel shocked and unclear towards the female corpse!

"She does not display any traces of magic power but why is she giving me a threatening feeling?! Don't tell me that she's a Mid Divine Transformation Realm expert?! Since when did Zhou Ming subdue another Mid Divine Transformation Realm fighter?!"

<strong>Note:</strong>

-

<strong>Translator Team:</strong>

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