Grasping Evil

Zhihe stayed at the Ning Family's house and Ning Qian accompanied her in the room.

Outside the house, Ning Fan was sitting slantingly on the back of a black ox while holding a willow whip in his hands. His gaze was calm and tranquil.

His physical body might look weak and thin, but his presence made the black ox not dare to show any resistance nor frustration towards him.

Having the royal bloodline of Fu Li had made every demon to evade him. The black ox which was not even a demon naturally would not dare to provoke Ning Fan.

Carpenter Wang knew about his daughter's decision. After letting out a few sighs, he gave up the intention of stopping her.

However, the Wu's family seemed to have sent quite a lot of ruffians and rascals from the local county town to the Ning Village with the intention of causing trouble to the village in a large group.

Most of them carried weapons and they surrounded the bamboo fence that encircled the Ning Family's house. They even had someone carry fire torches and claimed that if the Nings does not release Zhihe, they would then set the house on fire.

"Hehe, if you still do not release the person we want, we will deal with you using the hard way… I heard that this Ning Fan's mother, Ning Qian was once a peerless beauty of this village. Although her age has exceeded 30, her charm still remains. The Lord wants Zhihe so we dare not lay a finger on her. But for this Ning Qian…hehe"

Each and every one of the ruffians was unruly in nature.

Nevertheless, they did not know that they were nothing in front of Ning Fan who was truly a lawless person.

Every insult they spat made Ning Fan's gaze become colder. At the moment when his eyes shone with cold-piercing light, he charged forward with the black ox and wielded the willow whip in his hand!

The shadow of a whip being wielded was cast over the ground, but it seemed to be divided into hundreds of shadows in an instance, whipping on the bodies of the gang of scoundrels at the same time.

It was clearly a whip made of willow and yet, the pain inflicted on one's body by it was more intense as compared to an iron bar!

*Ah!*

The ruffians' screams of agony reverberated to the whole village. making all the livestock in the village make noise and cry out of that sudden surprise!

Ning Fan did not kill any person… For the past eight years, for the past 96 months, he was living a dull and harmonious life just to cultivate the heart to ask for the Dao. If he kills someone and allows bloodshed to influence his mind, his heart of asking for the Dao would shatter due to his intent to kill. He then could no longer stay in this illusory realm.

The time to spend with his mum would then come to an end...

Moreover, Ning Qian is just a mortal female in this mirage. If she sees me killing people, will she fear me afterwards…

"In order to stay with my mother for a few more days, I'll spare your inconsequential lives for now… Interesting. It's really beyond my expectation that there will be a day when I, Ning Fan will choose not to kill someone! However, even if I don't kill you, I want you all to feel fear and remorse!"

Ning Fan's gaze fell on the scoundrel who assailed his mother with obscenities just now and his eyes flashed with absolute ferocity.

With a flick of his finger, he crushed the willow whip splitting the leaves from its body. Each of them turned into green, razor-sharp blades and pierced right through their mouths and cut off their tongues!

*Ah!*

Every ruffian felt excruciating pain as if it was drilling into their hearts. Moreover, none of them was able to utter a single word anymore because every single one of them had become mute, losing their ability to speak after having their tongues cut!

All the ruffian looked at Ning Fan's direction in unison afterwards and confoundedly prostrated themselves on the ground before Ning Fan. The technique that Ning Fan used to cut their tongues using only the willow leaves had made them be stricken with fear!

It's a demonic technique! This Ning Fan isn't a person! He is a demon!

No! We must not provoke him... even if we have a thousand guts! How can we, the humans fight a demon monster like him?!

Moreover, every single member among the gang of ruffians had never seen any demon who could kill someone using just willow leaves before despite living for countless years.

Even if there were some little demons that occasionally appeared in the rural county, they could at most possess one's spirit, create some minor disturbance in the residence or just cause one to feel uneasy to sleep or eat.

Those who could act outrageously and kill people at his whim must be a competent expert with powerful means!

Unfortunately, even though they had known the secret about Ning Fan being a "demon", they would not be daring enough to spread the news even if their ability to speak still remains.

The gang of men quickly ran away and went back to the country town as if their lives depended on it. Seven days later, at the Wu's House in the eastern county, Wu Dongnan's expression was seething with anger when he looked at 47 ruffians who was personally kept by him had their tongues cut off!

"What happened?! Weren't you guys supposed to rob the bride? Why did all of you end up losing your tongues? Who is so audacious to offend me, Wu Dongnan in the land of the eastern county!"

Each and every one of the ruffians was completely terrified by Ning Fan's demonic technique. The only ruffian among the gang who knew how to write a few words managed to write nine words on a piece of paper with much effort.

Ning Fan is a demon. Do not offend him!

"Demon? Ridiculous! A decent man will never talk about supernatural or superstitious things. It is impossible to have so many demons in the world. Alright, maybe Ning Fan is an expert of martial arts. Rumor has it that if a martial artist has cultivated to a very profound realm, he would also be able to kill people using leaves… Hmmph, this time I will personally invite Coach Hong to go into action. It won't be difficult to bring down this Ning Fan… However, I shall also invite Immortal Master Zhuge as well to join him. Just in case if he is really a demon, that Taoist master will be able to handle him…"

Three days later, after paying them a visit, treating them a feast and giving them some gifts, Wu Dongnan managed to get help from Coach Hong and Immortal Master Zhuge who were very prominent in the county.

The former who was in his forties was a martial arts expert. He had strong inner force while his temple was high and bulging. His mastery in using hidden weapons was so profound that he had reached the stage of killing people by just using leaves. When he heard that there was a young expert in Ning's village, he immediately replied in a scornful tone.

"Mister Wu, you can rest assured. This person might have good talents and understand the secret technique of 'Flying Leaves Murder' but he is still just a 16-years-old boy. No matter how good his talent might be, it is impossible for him to have stronger inner force than me. In other words, he might be good when he fights against normal people but in front of me, he isn't even worth mentioning!"

Immortal Master Zhuge snorted coldly and sneered.

"So what if one is an expert in the world of martial arts if he does not know there are actually immortals in the world… Although I am just a 4th Level Vein Opening Realm cultivator, I can eliminate three to five mortal experts with ease…This matter does not need Coach Hong to act. I alone will suffice ! With just a fire talisman, he will be turned into ashes!"

The words that Coach Hong and Immortal Master Zhuge spoke were clearly directed against each other. Apparently, they must have some conflicts prior to this.

When Wu Dongnan noticed that the conversation was growing more intense, he immediately soothed the atmosphere with some kind words. Even so, his words were filled with the intention to kill. .

"Coach Hong and Immortal Master Zhuge, please remember that Ning Fan is truly a demon!"

Wu Dongnan insisted Ning Fan's identity as demon. Therefore, it would not be going against the law of the Yue Country if Ning Fan is killed.

Upon hearing his words, Coach Hong and Immortal Master Zhuge immediately caught the underlying meaning of his words and they coldly smirked as they exchanged glances with each other.

For promising to help Wu Dongnan out, the two of them were given a hundred silver coins each.

It was just a custom to help one mitigate his ill fortune after receiving the pay. Now, after insisting that Ning Fan was a demon, they felt delighted and relieved since it would not be guilty to kill him!

In a formidable array, a group of men went out from the county town in the name of eliminating demons.

When they reached the entrance of the Ning's village, they saw Ning Fan riding an ox out from it with a willow whip in his hands. His frigid cold gaze scanned through the crowd.

"This person is Ning Fan!" A young manservant who was responsible in leading the way pointed at the young man riding on the ox and yelled.

As soon as Coach Hong and Immortal Master Zhuge heard that, they stared at Ning Fan from top to bottom. After confirming that this young man was only fifteen or sixteen years old, they revealed a greedy look and each of them wanted to become the first person to kill him and obtain the merits.

At the end of the day, Coach Hong's steps were still bigger and faster than Immortal Master Zhuge. With a fearsome and frightful appearance like that of a tiger, he reprimanded with a big knife in his hand.

"Demon Ning Fan, come down and die!"

"Just you?"

Ning Fan's gaze became even more cold-blooded. Suddenly, rays of blood light encircled his body and his killing intent surged drastically.

At this moment, those whose eyes met his gaze felt their knees weaken and knelt on the ground, trembling and shivering in fear.

Immortal Master Zhuge's countenance changed. At the same moment, he was 100% sure that Ning Fan, the young boy in front of him was a cultivator! In fact, he was a cultivator who was countless times more powerful than he was! By just displaying his aura force, he made all his 16 immortal veins break.

*Puff!*

He spat out a mouthful of blood while using his fly-whisk to support his body on the ground. Within seconds, he was already overwhelmed with fear and he shifted his gaze to Wu Dongnan angrily.

What a nasty Wu Dongnan! He told me that he was just puny, small thief but it turns out to be such a powerful senior… He is literally luring me to death!

Coach Hong was standing much closer to Ning Fan. As such, he was more sensitive towards Ning Fan's aura force.

When the power of the blood light charged onto him, his ringed-sword that was forged with fine steel was crushed into powder! Moreover, one of his arms had even been pulverized, turning into blood mist. The agony he felt was utterly unbearable!

His dantian was destroyed and his five main internal organs seemed to be scorched by fire. Coach Hong felt that his chest seemed to be struck with a heavy blow causing him to fly backwards and crash to the ground. Afterwards, he could not stand up from the ground anymore. Incessantly, he coughed up blood and his gaze also shifted to Wu Dongnan with hatred.

What is he?!

He is certainly not a martial art practitioner! That attack is not inner force as well. This person really is a demon, a demon that I don't even dare to provoke even if my life is threatened to do so!

"Who dares to snatch my wife?!"

Ning Fan uttered in a soft tone but his voice blew up in their ears like countless thunderstrikes. All of them quickly lied prostrating on the ground.

As for Wu Dongnan, he completely ignored the hateful stares from Coach Hong and Immortal Master Zhuhe. He only stared at Ning Fan in disbelief. Deep inside, he felt that he had seen that face before. However, prior to this event, he had never expected that Ning Fan was that person!

The owner of that appearance emerged within his dreams every single night!

In that dream, Wu Dongnan was an immortal who could fly in the sky or travel underground. However, he would always be killed by that person with ease every single time!

No…I can't…I can't mess with this man!

If I've known that he is the person who took Zhihe, I would never have displeased him even if I have a million guts!

So what if he had a mountain of wealth… So what if he was a high-status person who came from a scholarly background…

Wu Dongnan believed that even if Zhihe has fallen into the hands of the king of the Yue Country, Ning Fan would certainly be bold enough to kill his path into the king's palace and bring his beloved woman away.

"I beg you, Revered Ning! Please spare my life!"

Wu Dongnan knelt on the ground and desperately kowtowed to Ning Fan. Using the method of how he addressed Ning Fan in his dreams, he called out "Revered Ning".

"I don't want to see your faces in my whole life again… Get out of my sight!"

In the old cottage, the purple-robed young man who was in the middle of teaching had a pleased look on his face.

"This kid is ferocious in nature and he has a liking to killing. That isn't a bad thing. But if one only knows about killing and slaughtering, it would be difficult for him or her to go far in the path of immortals… To have more time to spend with his mother, this kid chose not to kill so that the atmosphere within this illusory realm will not be destroyed… This Sovereign likes a dutiful son the most… It has been 97 days. It's about time to pass him some insights about the Dao…"

With a face full of dirt, Wu Dongnan turned around and left hastily, followed by the rest of his men. The matter in the Ning Village gradually calmed down.

Ning Fan rode his ox and returned. The smell of cooked dishes spread from within his house.

Mum, Zhihe and me…

It was the tender feelings that Ning Fan yearned for even when he was dreaming…

He slowly closed his eyes and his lips curved into a contented smile, despite knowing that everything before his eyes was just an illusion.

When it was late at night and the two women had gone to bed, Ning Fan rode his ox and went out from the village, heading north.

There was a mountain in the northern direction but it was just five hundred zhang* tall. On the peak of the mountain stood a purple-robed young man, gazing upon the earth. It was as if he could turn heaven and earth into nothingness with just a look!

Ning Fan leaped down from the black ox, patted its head and bid farewell to it.

The black ox turned around and walked. However, it seemed to be unwilling to leave Ning Fan as it would turn back and look at him every few steps it made. But it knew it could not stay there because Ning Fan had ordered it to return.

With a leap, Ning Fan's body transformed into a cloud of purple smoke and appeared at the mountain peak. Standing a step behind the purple-robed young man, he cupped his fists and greeted, "Junior Ning Fan has come to see Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign!"

"En!"

At this moment, the eyes of the purple-robed young man were filled with loftiness. He was on the mountain top, therefore, he was no longer the Mister Purple who taught in the school of the mortal world. Instead, his current identity was the Immortal Sovereign!

"I suppose there is a special affinity between the two of us, child! You've passed the test designed by me and you will receive a Dao enlightenment… But before that, I have some questions to ask you… You chose to scare off the evil thieves with just your valiance. You restrained the intention to kill so that you can stay longer in this illusory realm. Why don't you spend more time with your mother and wife but come looking for me in such a hurry?!"

"I need to improve my cultivation level so that I can reunite with them in the real world!"

"Hmm. Your answer is barely satisfactory… Well, I can't blame you for not being able to see through the truth and falsity at your current realm… The external realm might be real but this illusory realm isn't necessarily fake… Perhaps, one day, you will have a clearer understanding about samsara and you will know…"

The purple-robed young man did not utter any more words. His body gradually became ethereal and eventually turned into purple mist, scattering all around.

Just as the purple mist encircled the whole area, the hill which was supposed to be five hundred zhang* tall grew taller suddenly, soaring high up into the sky until it reached a height of seven million zhang* tall.

Ning Fan was greatly shocked. At the current moment, be it his physical body in the outside world or his consciousness in the illusory realm, both of them were at the peak of a mountain of the same height!

"From the Endless Sea, you entered the Broken World. Your consciousness entered the Sea of Clouds from the Broken World and your Dao Heart entered the illusions of heart from the Sea of Clouds. Among them, are you able to tell which one is true and which one is fake?"

"The diligent and industrious you may not necessarily be fake. The merciless and ruthless you in the Rain World may not necessarily be true… Reality and fantasy is just the difference of a single thought!"

"This Sovereign will conjure the purple mist using my power of Samsara. Within the purple mist, try to comprehend it with caution. As for how much understanding you can get, it depends on your luck!"

As Purple Dou's voice fell, traces of purple qi flowed into Ning Fan's body like endless streams.

Ning Fan closed his eyes, while standing firmly despite the strong northern wind blowing at the peak of the seven million zhang* tall mountain, carefully feeling the flow of the mist.

There was no way he could see through samsara with his weak cultivation level. Currently, he was just at the First Step of cultivation whereas the Immortal Sovereign claimed that he had attained the Fourth Step!

The True Immortals in the Four Heavens were just at the Second Step. That is to say, the reason why the True Immortals could not even look up to the Immortal Sovereign was because they were far from reaching the Third Step. Before attaining the Third Step, how should one even think about the Fourth Step…

This is the opportunity granted by the strongest being of the ancient times.

I must never let it go to waste!

With the endless flow of purple qi, one might seem to be able to grasp the true meaning of samsara in just an instance and display the technique of samsara that could cause even Meng Xuanzi to feel dreadful.

However, too much purple qi was drifting away from the tips of his fingers, just like imperishable fine sand that could not be held, the never-ending time that could not be stopped.

"I have yet to fully complete my Divine Transformation. My current level is not enough to comprehend the power of Samsara… But it may not necessarily be impossible for me to just imitate the purple qi and create a new technique… Even if I could just partially model the power of Samsara, this technique will be imbued with a trace of the power of Samsara. When my cultivation realm attains the suitable level, I will definitely be able to master the meaning of samsara based on this technique!"

His eyes flashed with determination. His hands began to move to design a certain pattern of hand seals, inventing his own technique.

98th day, 99th day… In a flash, Ning Fan had been standing there for 247 days!

On 248th day, he opened his eyes. Condensing his latest hand seals, the purple mist surrounding his body broke away like crystals, turning into sparkling dust.

Each particle of dust was golden purple. The particles were so fine that they looked just like a cloud of smoke or a pile of sand that was blown by the wind.

Ning Fan failed to comprehend the true meaning of samsara but he managed to invent a brand new technique.

In the Sea of Clouds, he reopened his eyes and turned around, staring blankly at Meng Xuanzi's direction. He then performed his hand seals.

At this moment, Meng Xuanzi's face was filled with surprise.

248 days! This kid has actually stayed 248 days within the illusory realm of Dao Asking!

Besides, from the look on his face and his hand seals, he seemed to have learnt a new technique.

It was not a big deal if he just created a new technique. However, I can't identify the grade of that technique!

"Without a grade?! There is only one possible reason why this technique does not have a grade… It's because the power of this technique is extremely great to the point where it could not be gauged by any grade… His current cultivation level has not completely reached the Divine Transformation Realm. Therefore, he could only unleash the Mid Divine Transformation Realm power of the technique when he displays it. If he breaks through to the Void Refinement Realm, the technique will then become a Void Technique! If he becomes an immortal, this technique will then improve and evolve, becoming an immortal technique! The truth of why it does not have a grade is its level is too high and he can't comprehend all of it in one go!"

Meng Xuanzi's eyes became stern. The technique that was newly invented by Ning Fan was not complete at all. In fact, it had quite a lot of flaws. With his current cultivation level, he could only bring out the power equivalent to a Mid Divine Transformation Realm technique. However, the potential residing within that technique was able to cause Meng Xuanzi, an Immortal Emperor to feel troubled…

As Ning Fan's hands were moving, his eyes gradually filled with golden purple color.

At the same time, traces of power of samsara transformed into golden purple sand that blew towards heaven and earth like a cloud of smoke. However, everything including the mountain rocks, grasses and trees that were caught by the golden purple smoke withered and disintegrate at an unimaginable speed!

"I might not know much about samsara… but I do understand the feeling of rush and haste due to time constraints. Aiming to attain the Void Fragmentation Realm within a hundred years is like placing giant boulders on my shoulders. That stress, that pressure almost makes me unable to move… That is the bit of understanding that I know about time…"

He took in a deep breath, completely forgetting himself as he was trying to perfect this technique that he had just comprehended.

Nine Steps: Sky Treader. Black Tempest Rupture Art. Each of them was his ultimate trump cards.

As for this technique which would be his third ultimate technique, it had to be much stronger than the previous two! Because it was comprehended from the opportunity given by the Immortal Sovereign!

"What is time? What defines time… Time is just like flowing sand and old age is just a period of time which has passed. This technique can erode time and cause all things to age and decay. I will name it as – Purple Technique, Wind Mist!"

"I will make all of my enemies decay into soil and disintegrate into ashes under my Wind Mist Finger!"

When Ning Fan completed the hand seals and made a touch in the air, the cloud of golden purple smoke moved at Meng Xuanzi's direction.

His expression was filled with shock. Lifting his finger, he conjured a ray of golden light which transformed into a gust of whistling breeze, intending to offset the incoming golden purple smoke.

Although it's just a gentle breeze, it's more than enough to cancel a High Grade Mid Divine Transformation technique.

But when that breeze collided with the golden purple smoke, it could not hinder its movement at all. In stark contrast, the power of his breeze was weakened and slowly dispersed into nothingness!

There was not a single thing that could escape aging, including wind!

The golden purple smoke went past Meng Xuanzi. With the strength of his immortal body, he of course came out unscathed.

However, even though he had no injuries, he could clearly feel that his physical body had slightly aged, as if his life force had been taken away…

With just a brief moment of contact, a mere Mid Divine Transformation Realm technique could actually hurt me? Although it only took away a trace of my life force, it's just too ridiculous!

If Meng Xuanzi was not wrong, the power that seized his life force was imbued with the power of Samsara… The modified version of the power of Samsara…

"This kid has really learnt a trace of the power of Samsara! If this kid is at the same cultivation level as me, that technique he displayed would be enough to defeat me on the spot!"

The Third Step of Mortal Severance ended!

Ning Fan's eyes turned completely clear as he smiled bitterly.

I actually attacked Meng Xuanzi while I was in the middle of comprehending the technique. But luckily, this Immortal Emperor does not seem to be blaming me for it.

Deep inside, he was feeling glad because of the power of that technique.

By displaying it, Ning Fan was confident that he could eliminate a Mid Divine Transformation Realm expert with just a finger. Besides, he would even have a slight chance of killing an expert at the Late Divine Transformation. That technique was capable of turning his enemies into flying ashes within the smoke!

248 days passed by. His magic power had increased by 2480 units, amounting to a total of 3495 units!

Besides, after a course of enlightenment, he felt that he could almost complete his Divine Transformation. Now, he was only left with the final step – engraving his name on the Divine Tablet.

"Thank you, Mister Purple Dou…"

Facing the cloud of purple mist in the distance, Ning Fan cupped his fists and muttered.

The Immortal Sovereign should have already died. The master-disciple relationship between Ning Fan and him within the illusory realm was just for the inheritance of a technique.

That is a power that I can't comprehend for now. But some day, I will surely be able to comprehend it, discern reality from fantasy and grasping the true meaning of samsara.

"Young man, are you interested in ascending to my Void Realm and join my Tablet Master Palace…"

For the first time, Meng Xuanzi took the initiative to offer to keep someone as his disciple!

"Junior already has a master…"

"Really… Then, it's too bad…" Meng Xuanzi shook his head and sighed. After all, it was more than enough to make that offer once for someone like him. It would be impossible for him to speak the same line for a second time as he would seem to be forcing someone into becoming his disciple.

Without uttering any more words, he held Ning Fan's shoulder and vanished with a flick of his sleeve. Heaven and earth trembled. The next moment, both of them appeared below the three Divine Tablets.

Since Ning Fan was attaining the Divine Transformation Realm in the aspect of his demon power, he would of course have to carve his name on the demon tablet.

"This is the technique of 'Congealing Luck into Pen'. Carving your name using this technique would allow you to obtain the blessing from your luck…"

With another flick of his sleeve, a piece of jade slip appeared in front of Meng Xuanzi. Ning Fan grabbed it with his hand and placed it on his glabella.

Within seconds, he had learnt about the technique mentioned by Meng Xuanzi.

As a matter of fact, his luck had already been receiving blessings from the Bell of Samsara. Therefore, he did not think he would need to go through extra steps.

Moreover, there was a trace of purple luck camouflaged by his black-colored luck.

With that first-class luck, if Ning Fan was willing, he could simply carve his purple name on the tablet. However, that straightforward action might receive attention from the True Immortal who plotted against him in the past and allow the latter to know about the secret regarding the change of his luck. If that happens, he would definitely suffer huge losses…

It isn't worth the candle…

"Condense!"

Ning Fan flicked his sleeve and conjured a golden pen. Holding it in his hand, he made a step forward, appearing in front of the Demon Tablet. He lifted his hand, landing the tip of the pen onto the tablet!

A black-colored name emerged – Ning Fan!

"Black-colored?" Meng Xuanzi felt slightly surprised. But a brief moment later, he shook his head, laughing.

"For common beings, if their luck is black in color, they would definitely have no hopes in becoming immortals. But you're different… Your talent is monstrous and your potential is immeasurable. Even if your luck is black, it might be enough for you to attain immortal ascension… This old man will be waiting for the day when you become an immortal at the Black Tortoise Star. Go now! Hurriedly return to the mortal world and complete your Divine Transformation!"

With a wave of his hand, Meng Xuanzi sent Ning Fan's consciousness back to the mortal world.

However, just as he was waving his hand, a thought struck him. He took out an item and gave it to Ning Fan as a present.

"Take this item. Treat it as an item from this old man to establish a good relation with you!"

Below the Dragon Pond, Ning Fan had been slumbering for eleven years!

The black dragon which was nearly bored to death was capturing the dark beasts and swallowed them to assimilate them.

As for the partially-decayed dragon corpse of the royal member of the Black Dragon Race, he had already consumed it with great sufferings.

In the past eleven years, he had almost hunted down all the dark beasts of the Dragon Pond. His power was on the verge of breaking through to Half-Step Void Refinement Realm1! When he was consuming the royal bloodline, he had one chance of reawakening the royal bloodline himself. But sympathetically, there was a thin layer of barrier which rendered his one and only attempt a failure…

Within his body, there was still a big chunk of pure demon blood from the dark beasts. The poison contained inside the blood was removed by the black dragon. After eleven years of continuous refinement, he had managed to condense it into a faint golden blood ball the size of a fist.

The black dragon was very confident that he could truly advance into Half-Step Void Refinement Realm once he completely assimilates the entire blood ball!

When the time comes, even if his qi is unstable, even if he does not have a royal bloodline nor a demon body, he would still be regarded as a Half-Step Void Refinement Realm being, isn't he?

He might appear weak among the experts at the same realm as him, but the chances of him defeating a Peak Divine Transformation Realm expert aren't slim too…

Hehe. The Half-Step Void Refinement Realm is a big cultivation gap from that malefic being who is just at the Half-Step Divine Transformation Realm…

"Once this Elder Brother breaks through to the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm, it will be the time for me to try breaking free from the Demon Seal!"

The black dragon sneered coldly.

When I break free from the Demon Seal, I will then be truly free! I don't have to be afraid of him anymore.

"Then, I will surely subdue this malefic being on the ground, trample upon him and torture him with my Half-Step Void Refinement Realm power!"

"Hey, you, malefic guy, you wait and see. Wait for your Grandfather Black Tooth to erase the Demon Seal and then eat you!"

The black dragon wore a malicious smile on his face. However, at the next moment, that expression on his face hardened, just like a fool who had just woken up from his world of fantasy.

In a lotus position, Ning Fan had been sitting above countless skeleton in silence for a long time.

At that moment, his aura rose drastically. Besides, he emanated a blast of aura force that was overwhelming even for the black dragon, greatly frightening the latter.

It was a Half-Step Void Refinement Realm aura force. Moreover, there was a trace of True Immortal's prestige within it, which made the black dragon's heart beat with fear.

"This malefic being has succeeded in his Divine Transformation?! How can it be so coincidental?! Aside from that, why has his aura force become Half-Step Void Refinement Realm despite his cultivation level being at the Divine Transformation Realm!"

From just the impact of his aura force, the black dragon felt pain in his dragon body and his breathing became irregular.

The black dragon's eyes flashed with astonishment. Because at this moment, Ning Fan stabilized his aura and suddenly rose up from the skeletons around him. He kept the gift from Meng Xuanzi and shifted his gaze towards the black dragon in a cold manner.

"You want to subdue me on the ground, trample upon me and torture me?"

His current demon power was at 14750 units while his magic power was at 3495 units with his spirit sense which was now at the Mid Divine Transformation Realm!

Ning Fan stared at the black dragon with his cold piercing eyes. Ferociously, he activated the Demon Seal and immediately, the black dragon felt the excruciating pain which caused him to wriggle and howl in agony. All the pride and arrogance he had dissipated and what was left within him was just the intention to ask for mercy.

"Master, please have mercy! Please have mercy! This little brother was just joking. I'm just joking…Argh!"

"Joking?"

Ning Fan snorted coldly. With a beckon of his hand, he brought the massive black dragon before him. His eyes sparkled.

This black dragon certainly has excellent natural potential. After devouring the dark beasts and the royal dragon corpse, his cultivation level has improved to the peak stage of the Divine Transformation Realm and he nearly awakened the royal bloodline of his race too. However, there seems to be a barrier that hindered him from the breakthrough. Otherwise, his combat power would have increased by a large margin…

In his body, there is also a glob of dark beasts' blood essence that has been purified with great effort and care. However, it is still yet to be assimilated… If I consume it, not only could I further improve my demon power but also stabilize my new cultivation realm.

Such a great nourishing item is truly hard to find.

"Give me the blood essence of the dark beasts!" Ning Fan ordered indifferently.

"Wha…What?! You want to seize my thing?!"

The black dragon revealed a sorrowful look on his face. But before he could even talk back to Ning Fan, he let out a painful cry.

It was the Demon Seal.

Most likely, the black dragon could not keep the blood essence anymore…

<strong>Translated by Tommy, edited by Roel</strong>

<strong>Note: </strong>

1. Just to remind the sequence of the cultivation level. The following is the sequence of advancement in a cultivation level from the weakest to the strongest.

Let's take Divine Transformation Realm for example.

-Early Divine Transformation Realm

-Mid Divine Transformation Realm

-Late Divine Transformation Realm

-Peak Divine Transformation Realm

-Half-Step Void Refinement Realm