Grasping Evil

Ning Fan held Little Stammer's hand and made their way up to the fifth floor step by step. They then sat down on the seats near the window. Ning Fan did not plan to go up to the higher floors as each of the floors above had the Aura Force Formation. Any cultivator who tries to enter those floors without the required cultivation level would certainly be wounded by the aura force exerted by the formation.

Not to mention Ning Fan whose current level does not possess the sufficient aura force to offset the formation, Little Stammer who had zero cultivation would be completely unable to go up.

His presence was like a razor-sharp sword. As he went through the crowd, all the guests hurriedly made way for him, as if they were trying to avoid a malefic being.

Most of them at the scene were Gold Core Realm demons. Only a minority of them were at the Nascent Soul Realm with the strongest at the Mid Nascent Soul Realm.

None of them were able to maintain the orderly circulation of their qi under his ferocious Violent Qi, let alone having the guts to denounce him!

Relying merely on his Violent Qi, he was capable of putting an Early Nascent Soul Realm demon like Young Master Hao being in a critical state. Such immense Violent Qi could only be condensed by Divine Transformation Realm Demon Generals.

This person is truly terrifying!

But if he is one of the elites among the 700 Demon Soldiers, why would he be unknown until now?

"*cough*… You are Lu Bei?!"

Hao Chen who was wearing a red robe had blood all over his mouth and his eyes flashed with a hint of unquenched hatred.

However, more of him was filled with disbelief.

Hao Chen was a famous son of a notable family of the Northern Desert City. In stark contrast, Lu Bei was a person on the opposite extremity.

Hao Chen was a domineering person with great capabilities. His father was the flamen who was in charge of the Bloodline Pool for the Bloodline Awakening. In other words, he was a person with high status.

Lu Bei was domineering too. However, he only dared to display his arrogance in front of the Gold Core Realm juniors. His power could be considered ranked at the bottom among the Nascent Soul Realm demons. Besides, his family had already been in decline.

In the past, when Lu Bei met Young Maser Hao Chen in the Northern Desert City, he would always submissively cup his hands with his head lowered to greet the latter with utmost courtesy.

Now, Lu Bei's attitude turned one hundred and eighty degrees and he became so bold that he even dared to hurt Young Master Hao Chen!

The most unbelievable fact to Hao Chen was that Lu Bei who was known to be the weakest Nascent Soul Realm being in the Luo Yun Tribe could actually hurt him depending solely on his ferocious aura!

It might sound absolutely absurd to others but it literally happened in front of Hao Chen!

He is the biggest trash of the Luo Yun Tribe – Lu Bei?!

All the old monsters at the scene lost their composure, especially the Nascent Soul Realm old monsters. It was no wonder they felt like they had met him before. He was used to be known as the useless scumbag of their tribe…

One month ago, they heard the rumor that Lu Bei privately went out of the city into the Vast of Meadow alone and brought back 71 corpses of their enemy tribe. At first, none of them believed it…

But judging from what had happened earlier, the rumors seemed to have described him differently. His cultivation level was clearly at the Early Nascent Soul Realm but his qi was even stronger than a Peak Nascent Soul Realm demon's!

Sure enough, rumors are never reliable! The Lu Bei who was so badly criticized by the members of the tribe was actually a powerful expert!

"Lu Bei?!"

A voluptuous woman stood from a seat in the middle of the fifth floor. As she stood, no one could resist the urge of having their eyes be drawn to her. Her presence was just like a bright, round moon among clusters of stars in the night sky. Her gaze shifted towards Ning Fan's direction but her eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment and resentment.

"Is there something that you want?"

Ning Fan shot her a glance and asked, showing little interest in her.

This woman wore purple robes. Her bosom was round and full and her waist was slim, perfectly shaping her body into an hourglass figure. The youthful look on her face combined with her natural beauty made her a cute, angelic woman. "A young face with big boobs" was the best description for her.

However, when such a cute appearance looked at Ning Fan, it was filled with irritation and displeasure. Apparently, she had those feelings because she was brazenly provoked by Lu Bei many times in the past. Ning Fan did not manage to discover too much details about it from Lu Bei's fragmented memories. Besides, he was disinclined to even know about such information.

The only thing he knew about her was that she was the sister of the governor of the Northern Desert City – Lu Wan'er.

Her cultivation level was at the Mid Nascent Soul Realm. She was 900 years old. Her natural potential was not bad but she was not qualified enough to have Ning Fan put her in his eyes. Her brother, Lu Sheng, might be an Early Divine Transformation Realm Demon General, but he probably was not Ning Fan's opponent too.

"Huh?"

Lu Wan'er had actually prepared a few swear words to talk back at "Lu Bei" in case he assails her with obscenities. To her surprise, it was her first time being mildly rebuffed by "Lu Bei".

"Is there something you want?" It was obviously a rejection. Unexpectedly, this Lu Bei seems to be uninterested in me…

How is it possible?!

Lu Wan'er was stunned. Usually in the past, whenever she met Lu Bei, his eyes would definitely lasciviously focus on her and even shamelessly flirt with her…

But today, Lu Bei did not show any interest in her, let alone harbor any lecherous thoughts towards her.

No. He wasn't pretending!

If he was pretending, he would certainly reveal some signs. However, Lu Wan'er who was able to read someone like an open book due to her keen observation found out that the current Lu Bei was like a completely different person as compared to the past.

"No. It's nothing… Ming Lu Building is my brother's restaurant. Just now, it was indeed Young Master Hao Chen who was impolite at first. However, since Young Master Lu has taught him a lesson, just leave him alone. Consider it as giving me face, okay? As an apology, I am willing to invite Young Master Lu for a drink."

"I think you can save it for someone else. When I am here, I simply don't want to be disturbed by anyone else. I will let this matter pass. But if there is someone else who tries to provoke me, don't blame me for being merciless…" Ning Fan only looked at Little Stammer beside him, as if he was thinking of something. When he talked, he did not even turn his head.

Compared to Lu Wan'er, he was more concerned about how he should deal with this young little girl.

His indifferent tone carried a bone-chilling coldness. Lu Wan'er could not help but hug herself, shivering from the coldness of it. Inwardly, she was surprised.

If she were to invite Lu Bei for a drink in the past, perhaps he would immediately agree and keep pestering her like a fly.

Today, it was truly abnormal to her for him to behave in a courteous manner…

"Since Young Master is reluctant to do so, I will drink a cup myself as a compromise. Then, we will be done with that matter…"

Lu Wan'er raised her cup and gulped down the wine before she sat down again. Hao Chen consumed some pills to suppress his injuries and returned to his seat. A few seconds later, every guest went back to their respective seats.

This time, however, the atmosphere in the fifth floor was no longer full of noises. Everyone seemed like they were sitting on a spiked rug, feeling uneasy. As for Hao Chen, his gaze would glance sideways at Ning Fan from time to time. Those eyes were filled with hostility and also dread…

Quickly, Ning Fan had put the earlier matter behind him.

He looked at Little Stammer while she was also looking at him, but a loud growling sound came from her stomach.

"Hungry now?" Ning Fan laughed.

"Mm…" Little Stammer lowered her head. Her little face reddened in shyness. It was quite embarrassing to her when her stomach growled…

The manservant of the restaurant jittered when he came to take Ning Fan's orders. Not long after, their table was full of exquisite delicacies.

At first, Little Stammer was affectedly bashful to even touch the food. Subsequently, she began to gobble down the food herself without caring about Ning Fan. In a way, she shared a similarity with the female corpse as well as Mu Weiliang – being heartless and ungrateful to Ning Fan.

Ning Fan remained silent.

Even though she knew that this girl was the second soul of the female corpse, he was reluctant to kill her and take her soul no matter what.

This girl is obviously a duplicated version of Mu Weiliang…The 10-year-old version…

"Hai…"

He rubbed Little Stammer's head again. She curiously lifted her head up and looked at Ning Fan with her mouth full of food.

"Did Xiao Huan[2] do something wrong?"

"No. It's nothing. Just eat…"

Ning Fan bitterly laughed.

'I am thinking whether to kill you or not…' How could he tell her such words?

Little Stammer, your name is Xiao Huan. But your surname is Mu, do you know that? Your name should be Mu Xiao Huan, do you know that?

Just look at your silly face…You are really comparable to Zhihe…

The ray of light of the setting sun permeated through the window, shining into the fifth floor. Multiple demon lamps were successively lit up, illuminating the Northern Desert City with brilliant lights.

It has been a long time since the last time I had a meal in such a quiet and peaceful environment… Ning Fan stared at Little Stammer and his heart felt a trace of warmth.

"Master said I have to bask myself in the sun more. Unfortunately, it's so rare for me to even bask myself in the sunset."

In the midst of feeling that simple tenderness, the affection that Ning Fan lacked the most in his state of mind was gradually filled up, causing his state of mind to slowly improve. Finally, it broke through to the Peak Nascent Soul Realm.

As soon as he achieved a breakthrough in his state of mind, his eyes flashed brightly. But that look faded in a flash.

No one at the scene noticed anything. To put it in a more accurate way, no one would dare to be so ignorant to provoke Ning Fan after he displayed a portion of his power.

However, only Lu Wan'er was aware of what had happened.

She looked at him with her mouth agape, finding it difficult to believe. None of Hao Chen's flatteries and words of flattery to her were able to enter her heart.

"He actually improved the cultivation realm of his state of mind in just a meal!"

Almost immediately, Lu Wan'er stood up and shot Ning Fan a look of disbelief!

His current state of mind is already at the Peak Nascent Soul Realm, it can't be wrong! His demon power is higher than 1500 units, and this can't be wrong too! But his demon cultivation level is only at the Early Nascent Soul Realm.

Having immense demon power comparable to the Peak Nascent Soul Realm yet remaining stuck at the Early Nascent Soul Realm… Doubtlessly, it was because his demon bloodline had not gone through the Second Bloodline Awakening.

Lu Wan'er was a person who had seen multitudes of people and read countless minds. In her eyes, the current Ning Fan was the only person who managed to gain her admiration. But the fact that such an exceptional being like him failed in the Second Bloodline Awakening was mind-boggling to her.

"How could he possibly fail to achieve the Second Bloodline Awakening?! Wait. The Bloodline Pool seems to be controlled by the father of Hao Chen. Is it possible that he tampered with the pool when Lu Bei was in the midst of the Bloodline Awakening?!" I suppose he sure has something to do with it. If not, how could Lu Bei be unable to achieve the Second Bloodline Awakening in the Bloodline Pool with his monstrous capabilities?

As she thought of that possibility, Lu Wan'er cast an unpleasant look at Hao Chen and let out a cold harrumph.

How could someone else bury a talented person like Lu Bei due to personal grudges especially in this demon city that is governed by my own brother? There's no way I can condone such misconduct!

The more she contemplated, the more reasonable she felt why Lu Bei would have a notorious reputation.

Perhaps it was because after being set up by others, Lu Bei felt that he must not reveal his true capabilities before improving his power. Therefore, he purposely besmirched his own reputation and allowed himself to indulge in hedonism so that he could cast a mist before everyone's eyes. He might be nicknamed as "the weakest Nascent Soul Realm demon" and disparaged by everyone, but he was working hard with his cultivation in private to accumulate enough demon power so that he could one day awaken his demon bloodline and break through to the Peak Nascent Soul Realm in one fell swoop!

As her mind thought of that probability, she immediately felt that the Lu Bei who always flirted with her every time they met was not that loathsome after all.

He is truly a forbearing man… As for the incident today, it marks the beginning of his resurgence!

Lu Wan'er had no idea that her thoughts were totally wrong. The bastard who frequently flirted with her was actually the useless Lu Bei. The peerless expert before her was just a fake Lu Bei. There were not so many twists and turns in his life like what she thought.

As for Hao Chen who was in the middle of pleasing Lu Wan'er, he was startled by her sudden coldness.

He was really clueless of what he had wrongly spoken which upset her, not to mention the fact that he was already being viewed as the accomplice who tricked Lu Bei to fail in his Second Bloodline Awakening by Lu Wan'er due to some misunderstandings.

"Mistress Wan'er, I wonder what have I done which displeased you…" Hao Chen smiled apologetically. It was a terribly unlucky day for him. After offending Lu Bei, only then did he found out that the latter was actually a diamond in the rough who was able to kill someone with his Violent Qi alone. As for Lu Wan'er, he was certain that he had behaved respectfully and he had never spoken a single distasteful word after honestly reflecting on his earlier conversation with her. In spite of that, Lu Wan'er just got upset with him for no reason!

Why?! At the very least, I need a reason for that!

"I'm sorry. I'm a little exhausted. Please excuse me. Young Master Hao Chen, please help yourself…"

Lu Wan'er wiped her lips with her silk handkerchief and rose from her seat. She walked towards Ning Fan, feeling complicated.

"Is Young Master Lu preparing to awaken your demon bloodline?!"

"Er… How do you know about it?" Inwardly, Ning Fan felt strange.

Does she know the Mind Reading Technique? How does she know what's in my head?

No matter how smart Ning Fan was, he could never have thought of the ridiculous assumptions made by Lu Wan'er.

"Why haven't Young Master gone there yet? Are you afraid of being tricked by some bad guys?"

"Bad guys?"

Ning Fan's gaze shifted to Hao Chen who was sitting opposite him right at the moment when the latter was glaring at him. Upon seeing Hao Chen's bitter look, he chuckled to himself.

I suppose Hao Chen should be one of the bad guys she meant…This Lu Wan'er is rather interesting. Hao Chen invited her for a meal, yet she stands at my side after I've injured that man. She even calls him the "bad guy"…

However, Ning Fan thought that what she mentioned was correct too. From Lu Bei's memories, he discovered that Hao Chen's father, Lu Zongyun, was a Peak Nascent Soul Realm demon. That man also possessed another identity in the Northern Desert City – the flamen of the Bloodline Pool. It was a place for Nascent Soul Realm demons to achieve their Second Bloodline Awakening.

Since I've hit Hao Chen today, I wonder if that Lu Zongyun would take revenge on me…

Anyhow, Ning Fan did not put Lu Zongyun in his eyes at all. In the First World, he had killed 300 demon creatures which were nearly at that man's level in just one month!

"I am not afraid of bad guys. At least, that man isn't worth my respect." Ning Fan muttered while shaking his head.

"Then why haven't you gone to the Bloodline Pool?"

"I don't have enough battle points!"

Ning Fan put on a wry smile, as if he was mocking himself. However, that smile on his face hardened in the next second.

A boundless aura spread throughout the entire Ming Yu Building all of a sudden!

As soon as this aura arrived, none of the demon experts could remain in their sitting postures. All of them were pressed to the ground by that aura.

It was an extremely overbearing aura!

But when this aura went towards Ning Fan and Mu Xiao Huan, it dissipated after Ning Fan flicked his sleeve.

"Very well, Lu Bei! Even under my overpowering aura, you can still remain unaffected! It's no wonder that Yao Yuan would commend you with high praises. Originally, I didn't believe him. If I have not seen it myself this time, it would be difficult for me to believe that the disreputable Lu Bei in my Northern Desert City is actually such a formidable expert! The question that I am about to ask you is similar to my sister, Wan'er. You, Lu Bei, as a demon, you should have the courageous heart of a hero and the unyielding spirit to swim against the currents. How could you hide your capabilities and conceal your true self? Why don't you attempt to awaken your bloodline once more?!"

A young man wearing black armor gradually emerged beside Lu Wan'er.

He was the owner of that domineering aura!

The demon general of the Northern Desert City, Lu Sheng!

"You mentioned battle points, didn't you?! Very well! I am going to give you a chance to obtain battle points! Today, if you are able to set your foot on the tenth floor of this building and endure the intimidating pressure that is equivalent to that of a Mid Divine Transformation Realm being, I will straight away grant your fifty thousand battle points! After that, I will give you ten days to kill a person. If you are able to accomplish that task, I will grant you another fifty thousand battle points. All in all, you will get one hundred thousand battle points, which will be enough to give you a chance to awaken your demon bloodline. With your potential, if there isn't anyone playing tricks on you, you will certainly be able to succeed in just one attempt. However, are you daring enough to accept my challenge?!"

The black-armored young man's eyes flashed. In the entire Luo Yun Tribe, the only being who could restrain him would be the Honorable Demon General himself!

Even so, Ning Fan's presence was able to make him feel a trace of tension!

The reasons why he challenged Ning Fan was because he was unwilling to neglect a talent and he was trying to test Ning Fan's true capabilities.

Ten thousand battle points. Maybe ordinary Early Nascent Soul Realm demons would not be able to gather that large sum of battle points even if they participate in hundreds of battles.

But the black-armored young man gave such a great opportunity to Ning Fan. He intended to see whether Ning Fan would be able to grab hold of that golden chance!

"Lu Bei, do you think you can climb up to the tenth floor of Ming Yu Building?!"

"No. I can't do it!" Ning Fan indifferently replied.

"What?!"

The black-armored young man's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment.

Could I be overestimating him?

"If I forcefully go up the tenth floor, this building will surely collapse!"

The young man took a deep look at Ning Fan.

This kid really has exceptional foresight!

The Aura Force Formation of Ming Yu Building was extremely unique. As a matter of fact, a special formation was established at the tenth floor, allowing only the Honorable Demon General to enter. Anyone with a cultivation level lower than the Mid Divine Transformation Realm would never be able to enter. Even if someone manages to access that floor, the special formation would then be triggered, causing the building to collapse!

It was because the Honorable Demon General disdained sharing a room with others!

Ning Fan was able to see through the special formation on the tenth floor. That observation skills alone was enough to prove that his knowledge in the Dao of Formations was truly profound!

"You really are a wild and arrogant kid! This Ming Yu Building is built using the Moonlight Crystal of the Demon World. Even if it collapses, it can be reconstructed using the power of moonlight. You don't have to be worried about it! Ever since it was built, it only collapsed three times. If you are able to make it collapse for the fourth time, I guarantee that you will get fifty thousand battle points on the spot!"

"As such, I will accept your challenge… Xiao Huan, let's stop eating for a while. For now, we will go up to the tenth floor. And then, you may continue eating there."

He held Little Stammer and walked towards the jade ladder that was connected to the sixth floor.

The young man in black armor had a drastic change in his facial expression and warned, "This aura force of the building's formation multiplies according to the number of people. If you bring this mortal young girl along with you, the aura force on the tenth floor will be equivalent to that of a Late Divine Transformation Realm being and the ninth floor will exert the Mid Divine Transformation Realm aura force on you. I suppose you won't be able to even get up to the ninth floor…Are you certain you want to bring her along?"

"Precisely. I don't feel good leaving Xiao Huan alone!"

As his words fell, he took a step forward and began to climb the jade ladder. When that first step landed, the building shook violently, as if it was shuddering in fear!

With the Eastern Ocean Bell by his side, an inexplicable eccentricity pervaded the atmosphere suddenly. A vivid spirit spontaneously arose from his back. The emergence of the figure on his back caused every demon at the scene to be filled with the intention to submit to him!

Under this shadow, the young man in black armor felt his heart palpitating for the first time while facing Ning Fan.

"The figure of his back is…is rather…"

The young man felt a great familiarity towards the view of his back.

Gradually, he recalled his first time seeing that figure which was when he was in the midst of achieving the Third Bloodline Awakening. After kowtowing to the rock statue of the Demon Ancestor, he was granted the Power of Restoration which helped him successfully complete his Third Bloodline Awakening by that figure. The figure of his back was the same figure who granted him the Power of Restoration back then. It was the virtual image of the Demon Ancestor. It was such an oppressive feeling that he only felt from the Demon Ancestor…

"Demon Ancestor!"

Bewilderment began to fill his eyes.

<strong>Note:</strong>

1. Little Stammer - A way Ning Fan chose to address the young girl who stutters

2. Xiao Huan - Basically Xiao Huan = the young girl = Litter Stammer. Her name was mentioned in 243(2).

<strong>Translator Team:</strong>

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