Grasping Evil

Because of that outrageous night, Ning Fan had no choice but to stay in the Li Kun Palace for a few more days.

While giving Xi Ran and Yuan Yao some time to recover, he took advantage of the time to use the demon souls he gathered from 300 Wild Beasts to improve the grades of his group of spiritual puppets.

The Evil Cold Worm had already been neutralized by countless amount of demon blood, allowing the power of Ning Fan's spirit sense to break through to the Peak Divine Transformation Realm.

As for the other four venomous worms, they were still yet to be assimilated. Other than that, the demon blood within his body was stored up as he did not have enough time to refine it.

Once he refines it, he would certainly need to enter into seclusion for a rather long period of time. Currently, he was in a rush to return to the star island. As such, he would of course not refine it for the time being.

Puppet Raising Secret Technique. He had already inquired about it from Stone Warrior's mouth.

This time, however, the secret technique which was given by Yuan Yao was the most complete inheritance of the puppet technique in the Lost World Palace. Without a doubt, it was beyond comparison when comparing it to the information given by Stone Warrior.

Just like what Yuan Yao had said, this Puppet Raising Technique was powerful. As long as Ning Fan could practice it for one thousand years diligently and keep refining spiritual puppets using spiritual ingredients while travelling around the Nine Worlds, he could be unmatched among experts below the Void Fragmentation Realm with a great army of puppets.

"Unfortunately, one thousand years is just too long… Fine. I'll just upgrade the puppets for the time being."

Stone Warrior and the Yuan Yao Jade. Ning Fan would of course not display these problematic items in order to avoid more troubles.

There were 10 spiritual puppets which were needed to be upgraded with 5 of them being at the Early Divine Transformation Realm, 4 of them being at the Mid Divine Transformation Realm and one being at the Late Divine Transformation Realm. Among them, four of the Early Divine Transformation Realm puppets were damaged.

However, there was one benefit in using spiritual puppets: as long as you have enough ingredients, no matter how seriously a spiritual puppet was damaged, it could still be repaired with ease.

Within just half a day, Ning Fan had managed to repair all four of them.

Among the 300 demon souls, 207 of them were at the Early Divine Transformation Realm, 55 of them were at the Mid Divine Transformation Realm, 41 of them were at the Late Divine Transformation Realm, 15 of them were at the Peak Divine Transformation Realm while the remaining 9 were at the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm.

The Early Divine Transformation Realm demon souls were not of great use as only demon souls at the Mid Divine Transformation Realm could be used to upgrade the Early Divine Transformation Realm puppets.

After using 50 of the Mid Divine Transformation Realm demon souls, 5 of the Early Divine Transformation Realm puppets were all upgraded to the middle stage.

After exhausting 40 Late Divine Transformation Realm demon souls, the four Mid Divine Transformation Realm puppets advanced into the late stage.

The 10 Peak Divine Transformation Realm demon souls made the only the Late Divine Transformation Realm puppet attain the peak stage.

As for the nine demon souls of the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm, they were unable to allow the aforementioned black corpse to attain a further improvement.

Gritting his teeth, Ning Fan poured in all the remaining demon souls into the Peak Divine Transformation Realm black puppet.

In the end, he managed to forcefully raised that particular black puppet's cultivation level to the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm. Moreover, in terms of aura, it was slightly stronger than that of the black dragon, making it on par with Dong Xu.

Five Mid Divine Transformation Realm puppets, four Late Divine Transformation Realm puppets and one Half-Step Void Refinement Realm puppet!

Now, speaking of fighters at the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm, there were two, including the black dragon and the black corpse!

The series of killings and massacres surely did not go in vain.

In the Puppet Raising Technique given by Yuan Yao, it also had records of some kind of joint attack technique performed by puppets: Blessings of Ghostly Soldiers!

This technique could be performed through offering a spiritual puppet as a sacrifice in order to raise the power of another puppet. As for the puppet which was sacrificed in the process, it would suffer permanent damage, making it impossible to be repaired.

If Ning Fan were to sacrifice all the other nine spiritual puppets, he had the confidence of increasing the black puppet's power to the early stage of Void Refinement Realm in a short period of time using that secret technique!

That was a trump card which was sufficient to allow him to dominate the Star Sea!

Even when he returns to the Endless Sea in the future and become enemies with the Venerated Seven of the Internal Endless Sea, he could also protect himself and remain undefeated using that technique!

Of course, on the surface, there might only be seven Half-Step Void Refinement Realm beings in the Internal Endless Sea. However, Ning Fan had no idea if there were any more Void Refinement Realm being that existed without revealing themselves.

The Endless Sea was an independent domain which was not bound by the restrictions of the Rain Palace's World Law. If the domain is said to have no force that is strong enough to make the Rain Palace afraid, then Ning Fan would certainly not believe it.

Well at least in his opinion, the seven venerated beings who were at the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm were not powerful enough to cause the Rain Palace to fear them.

"One must never belittle his enemies. Even if I am strong enough to wipe out the Internal Endless Sea, I must always remain vigilant and cautious…"

Keeping all his spiritual puppets, Ning Fan began to stabilize the new improvements he achieved from neutralizing the Evil Cold Worm.

As for his current spirit sense, it had already reached the peak stage of the Divine Transformation Realm!

To ordinary people, the improvement of spirit sense might be sharpening their senses and enhancing their pill refinement and equipment refinement techniques. To Ning Fan, however, it meant a direct boost in his power!

In other words, when he displays the Sense Soul Incarnation Chant and virtualizes his true body, he could go head-to-head against a Peak Divine Transformation Realm expert with his incarnation!

Furthermore, while he was stabilizing the level of his spirit sense, he suddenly found out another good thing.

Within his body, there was an additional trace of Fu Li ancestor blood!

At first, he only possessed four drops of ancestor blood. Today, however, after he condensed the four drops of ancestor blood, there was an additional streak of blood besides the fourth drop sparkling in purple black!

"This is…"

He inhaled lightly, feeling it slightly incomprehensible.

In Dragon Burial City, he had seized one and a half drop of ancestor blood. He did not devour them but he directly ignited them instead, killing anyone that opposed him everywhere. His actions might seem to have been insane but it was in fact a method to avoid further conflicts which was made after proper consideration.

The Black Dragon's ancestor blood was indeed precious. However, since he already had the Fu Li ancestor blood, it was useless for him to consume it.

Theoretically speaking, after consuming the Black Dragon's ancestor blood, it could greatly enhance one's demon power and strengthen one's bloodline. Nevertheless, the enhancement did not include increasing the quantity of one's ancestor blood. At the very most, it could only increase the quality of one's bloodline.

Since he did not have any female cultivators of the Dragon Race by his side, the ancestor blood of the Black Dragon was impractical to him.

If he were to keep the ancestor blood, perhaps he might have been besieged by the two star lords. In contrast, after igniting the blood, it ended every possible trouble he might face.

This item is just too rare. Because of that, keeping it would be equivalent to seeking troubles, just like that saying goes, one's only crime is to carry a jade.

But after igniting the ancestor blood, the quantity of my Fu Li blood actually increased.

"Is there a theory that I can't understand contained within this process? Or does that mean that the blood of Fu Li is originally the residual bloodline of the other True Spirits after their bloodlines are ignited…"

Without having any conclusions, Ning Fan cast that matter aside. To him, the appearance of that trace of ancestor blood could be said to have a significant meaning.

As long as he cultivated that blood streak with care, when it grows stronger in the future, it would be the time for Ning Fan to condense the fifth ancestor blood.

Besides, Ning Fan might have chances of obtaining the ancestor blood of the other True Spirit Races. If he really gets one, he would be very pleased to ignite the blood again to try whether it would give him another trace of blood streak.

All in all, Ning Fan truly had a great harvest this time.

Ten days passed by in a flash.

Gui Chen and the other Divine Transformation Realm generals had to remain in the Star Sea forever and worship Ning Fan's statue to provide him a continuous flow of incense flame.

As for Feng Han and his group, they stayed in the Li Kun Palace temporarily to treat their wounds. Besides, they decided not to enter the Heaven Hall. Moreover, as soon as they receive the orders from the Wind General, they would then retreat to the Second World.

The sea breeze was a little bleak and chilly. Despite that, Ning Fan still had to break out of the sea and departed for their destination.

Xi Ran, Yuan Yao and him got on the Golden Flame Chariot and vanished in a ray of golden light. The black dragon which was responsible of pulling the chariot was transformed into an ordinary size by Ning Fan so that it would not shock any common beings anymore.

Although the size of the black dragon changed, it would be fine as long as the speed of the Golden Flame Chariot remained the same.

Two months had passed since the very day they left the Star Island. Wei Xuan might have said that he would help Ning Fan delay the group of outstanding beings from the Heavens for six months. However, since even Yuan Yao could reach the Star Island from the Northern Heaven, Ning Fan could not guarantee whether the other experts would reach earlier than the time expected.

After awakening my medicine soul, I will then use the Star Tempering Purple Zoysia to reconstruct the Sea of Consciousness of Weiliang.

Then, I will enter the Heaven Hall, handle Imperial Concubine Zi, rescue Lu Wu and eventually acquire the Star of the Celestial Emperor.

Afterwards, I'll leave this place…

The consecutive killings and nervous atmosphere throughout the two months did not make Ning Fan reveal the slightest bit of weariness.

However, there was a faint hint of worry within his eyes from the beginning until the end.

"You actually have the Golden Flame Chariot. It's the war chariot of the Ancient Heavenly Court. Why would you possess it?" After a few days of rest, Yuan Yao's mood began to lighten up. Facing the gentle sea breeze, she would adjust the phoenix hairpin on her hair from time to time.

"I just get it by luck. Oh yes, I have something to ask you. On the day I saved you, there was only one Realm Beast's corpse which fell down along with you into the Star Palace." Ning Fan indifferently said.

"There was only one?! Impossible! Before I became unconscious, I had activated the divine technique of Purple Lust with all my might. It should have been enough to kill the two Realm Beasts. Why would there be only one corpse?"

All of a sudden, Yuan Yao's phoenix eyes turned cold.

The coldness in her eyes was not directed against Ning Fan. Instead, it was because some terrible thoughts hit her.

"Could it be that the other Realm Beast has not died yet?! Where could it be right now?!" Yuan Yao thought of one of the possibilities.

"Would it be possible that it ran away after it was hurt?" Xi Ran thoughtlessly replied while fiddling with something on an exquisitely-designed jade slip. She seemed to have imprinted something on it but she did not tell Ning Fan anything about it, let alone allow him to look at it. Apparently, it was some kind of secret.

"No. This beast should not have left yet… I'm seventy-percent certain that this Realm Beast has already intruded the Star Palace and is waiting for a chance to assault you! As for the remaining thirty-percent, I'm not thinking that the beast has already left. Instead, I guess that beast might have already died under the magical technique. It was just that even the skeleton of the beast was also destroyed. It would be better if the latter scenario is the true one…"

Ning Fan's tone was determined whereas his eyes glinted with concern.

He was worried that the Realm Beast which survived Yuan Yao's divine technique was right inside the Star Palace, waiting to assault her!

"Oh? Why are you so certain that the other Realm Beast would remain in the Star Palace rather than run away? Do you have any proof for making that assumption?" Yuan Yao suddenly became interested in Ning Fan. The latter was clearly just a young man with a bone age not exceeding four hundred years. His style and demeanor, however, were like those of an elderly man.

"Are you testing me?" Ning Fan darted a strange glance at Yuan Yao.

"Sort of."

"Proof, huh… Normally, Realm Beasts would only attack immortal cultivators. However, even after you had suppressed your cultivation level to the Void Fragmentation Realm, they still assaulted you. It just doesn't make sense. Besides, it is impossible that a Realm Beast would carry the Decaying Immortal's Poison. There must be someone plotting against you, someone who specially reared those Realm Beasts. If the Realm Beasts were under someone's control, then they would never leave before they had accomplished their purpose."

"The Third World of the Star Palace could at most allow a being of the Void Refinement Realm. If that Realm Beast still remains in the Star Palace, it would at most be at the Void Refinement Realm. Otherwise, the Third World would have already crumbled because of it. Therefore, I guessed that this beast is either dead or it is hiding itself in the Star Palace with grievous injuries while looking for you to kill you!"

Ning Fan's words made Xi Ran so confused that her mind seemed to be wandering amongst the clouds.

Yuan Yao, however, nodded her head, deeply agreeing with Ning Fan's point.

"That's what I think too. You're quite smart and shrewd. Your power is not bad too. However, your cultivation method is a little weak…"

Yuan Yao lightly let out a sigh while staring at Ning Fan, feeling bad for the latter.

"Yin Yang Devil Cultivation Method: plucking yin to replenish yang. Unfortunately, it isn't a cultivation method of the righteous path. Moreover, it's difficult to cultivate it to the peak of the Immortal's Path. In the past, I also have a friend like you. Well, let's just consider her as a friend for the moment. She was eager for that kind of cultivation method. Besides, not only did she secretly learnt this cultivation method, but she also searched everywhere for the emperor's treasure left by the Immortal Emperor Ancient Chaos, the Yin Yang Locket…"

Yuan Yao faintly sighed. Within the Yin Yang Locket, Luo You's shoulders seemed to have just lightly trembled for a while.

The past had gone by. However, even though it was the resentment of the past, it was also memorable to one.

"Yin Yang Devil Cultivation Method?" Xi Ran tilted her head to the side, feeling unable to understand.

Isn't Lu Bei, a member of the Fu Li Demon Race? Since when has he become a cultivator of a devil cultivation method?

There was no explanation that could satisfy her curiosity. Yuan Yao continued to persuade Ning Fan with a sympathetic tone.

"This cultivation method does not suit you. Plucking women hurts the heaven's harmony too much. Besides, it's all about sexual relations between women and men. With that, you won't be able to cultivate to the realm of Venerated Indifference. In the end, you won't be able to reach the pinnacle of the Immortal's Path… If you are willing, after I break free the seals, I can help you abandon this cultivation method and help you choose another more powerful cultivation method of a fiendgod. Besides, I have a friend who is an immortal of the Lost World Palace at the Northern Immortal Domain. That person could grant you a spot for ascension. In the future, it would assist you to ascend to the Northern Heaven directly, avoiding the Heavenly Tribulation…"

What Yuan Yao had in mind was a piece of kindness. She just did not want to see Ning Fan who was like a fine piece of jade to be ruined by a lowly cultivation method.

However, if Yuan Yao knew that the Yin Yang Transformation was actually not a trashy cultivation method at all but a terrifying divine cultivation method which enables one to cultivate the power of three races instead, she would definitely not speak such unnecessary words.

"A spot for ascension?" Ning Fan replied with his eyes affixed to Yuan Yao's. Apparently, this was his third time being regarded as an exceptional being by the members of the Lost World Palace.

Bei Xiaoman had set his eyes upon Ning Fan's capabilities. However, because she was in a fit of annoyance, she deliberately chose not to recruit him.

Bei Li intended to recruit Ning Fan but unfortunately, she did not have the opportunity.

As for Yuan Yao, she straightforwardly promised Ning Fan a hopeful future. However, among the offers she gave, not all of them were necessarily sympathizing for Ning Fan's potential and talents. Perhaps some of her decisions were affected by her complicated feelings.

"I'm not going to give up on this cultivation method!" Ning Fan spoke determinedly.

"What?! Do you have any idea how powerful the cultivation method that I am about to recommend to you? With your potential, if you cultivate this type of divine veins, you will be able to attain the Void Fragmentation Realm within one thousand years! Within ten thousand years, you could then break through to the Life Immortal Realm! In the next thirty thousand years, you can break through the three realms of True Immortal! One hundred thousand years later, you might even have the chance to become an Immortal Emperor! Are you really willing to abandon such a powerful cultivation method for merely a Yin Yang Transformation?!"

Yuan Yao gently bit her lips. She had never been so compromising towards any man she had met.

Today, however, Ning Fan rejected her offer even though she had already promised to give such a powerful cultivation method to Ning Fan…

This young man… Is he a fool?!

However, Yuan Yao did not know why she would feel angry when Ning Fan rejected her cultivation method.

Perhaps, without her knowing consciously, she hoped Ning Fan would have a great and ambitious future so that the gap between them would diminish… Perhaps deep inside her heart, she was also yearning for something which was too difficult to be realized. After all, the gap which existed between their identities was just unimaginably huge, making her dare not to even think about it.

"Do you think the cultivation method I am offering is not good enough?!"

"No."

Ning Fan took a deep breath and the look on his face softened. Within his mind, the past memories began to surface and flashed past. Each of the scenes was connected together because of the Yin Yang Transformation.

"This cultivation method was once my hope to seek revenge. Today, however, it has an important meaning to me. I promised a woman that I will give her freedom by cultivating this cultivation method! I promised my master to help heal his mistress by cultivating this cultivation method! The most important part is that… this cultivation method was given to me by Zhihe… Within this cultivation method, it contains my Dao! I will never abandon it, just like how I am not going to abandon the Seven Apricot City, my master, Zhihe and all the women whom I loved and missed… I have no idea what 'Venerated Indifference' is but even if I reach that realm one day, I will never choose to forget my emotions!"

Ning Fan's words were neither haughty nor humble and his voice loudly reverberated in the air!

His body might look scrawny and weak but the view of his back was as majestic as a gigantic mountain!

His face was calm and composed but his eyes looked firm and sharp like a monolith!

His cultivation level was at the Divine Transformation Realm. At this moment, however, within his body, his Dao was born!

"I have my own Dao!"

Ning Fan's words echoed at Yuan Yao's ears for a while, filling her beautiful eyes with admiration.

With her status and cultivation level, it was impossible for her to notice any good points on Ning Fan.

At this moment, however, the firmness of Ning Fan's Heart of Dao made her, a True Immortal of the Shedding Void Realm, feel ashamed of her inferiority.

"If only you had been born millions of years earlier…" Yuan Yao shifted her gaze to the end of the horizon and laughed, as if she was mocking herself.

"Sister Bei Yao, what're you talking about?" The busybody self within Xi Ran suddenly woke up.

"It's nothing… Based on your deduction, if that Realm Beast is not dead, then it would hide itself within the Star Palace to ambush me. In my current situation, I don't have the slightest power to resist him and I will only get you into trouble… Therefore, before entering the Heaven Hall, I will part with you…"

"You're just looking down on me… I might be a little selfish, but towards the women whom I have slept with before, I have never once cast them aside and leave them alone." Ning Fan teased.

"Y-You! What have you just said?! I dare you to say that again!" Yuan Yao's gentle expression suddenly became cold and indifferent. Regardless of anything, she did not like Ning Fan bringing up the past.

"Fine. I won't mention it anymore. However, you don't have to worry. Before you have the power to protect yourself, I won't leave your side."

Ning Fan shook his head, inwardly thinking that this Bei Yao was really a serious person. Each of her actions was straight and narrow. Aside from being thoughtful and meticulous, she was also concerned about her reputation. Well, after all, it was difficult to blame her. If Bei Yao is really Bei Xiaoman's sister, it should be regarded as a serious crime to tarnish her own reputation since she was also one of the mistresses of the Lost World Palace.

He might be able to tell such a joke to other women but not to Yuan Yao.

Fine. This Bei Yao is a True Immortal of the Shedding Void Realm, a significant being of a high and lofty status while I am just a cultivator who have not even clearly understood how many levels there are for a True Immortal. I suppose the casual romance we had last night was the first and will also be the last. There wouldn't be a second time for us to share the pillow together… With her identity, she would have been pursued by many suitors. How would she set her eyes upon me? I'll just protect her from any danger in her journey here at the Star Palace. When she regains her cultivation level later, she would definitely have her means to protect herself. After that, she naturally would not regard me as someone important anymore. As for me, I just wish to be free from any complication.

Ning Fan was not a fool. He knew that between him and Yuan Yao, the disparity of their cultivation levels was just too vast.

There was always an unyielding spirit engraved deeply within his bones. If the other person does not like him, he would never sacrifice anything to keep them.

Ning Fan remained silent. However, he did not show any signs of leaving Yuan Yao alone.

After seeing Ning Fan no longer crack a single joke ever so suddenly, Yuan Yao was at a loss of what to do next.

Within her heart, she felt touched by his action. Meanwhile, she also felt a hint of disappointment.

The reason she felt touched was because she had never needed anyone's protection with the identity she possessed. Today, while facing a formidable Realm Beast which might still be alive, Ning Fan promised without any hesitation to protect her. It was her first time tasting the feeling of being protected.

What she was disappointed about was her own words which seemed to have delivered a blow to Ning Fan's pride.

"I'm not looking down on you. It's just that…"

"It's just what?"

"It's just that we… Forget it. You will understand it in the future. The reality is cruel. Most of the time, people don't have the right to choose their destiny at all."

Gazing into the distant sky, Yuan Yao's mind seemed to be flooded with her past.

For how many years haven't I gazed into the sky like a child?

Do you still remember how many stars there are in the sky when we were counting stars together in the past?

Yuan Yao was thinking whether Ning Fan would understand that in this world, there was a type of affection called 'destined to meet but not fated to be together'.

…

In the Seven Kills Sea Domain, far beneath a deep pool, an enormous beast whose body was completely decayed was stabilizing its injuries after devouring countless sea beasts.

With a shake of his body, he transformed into a burly man draped with a cape. His appearance remained covered and he only exposed a pair of eerie green eyes like those of an evil spirit.

"The lowly maid has taken a serious damage and her cultivation level has been sealed by me to the Nascent Soul Realm. If she falls into the Star Sea, she would definitely be eaten by the ferocious beasts residing within the sea… However, I will still need her corpse in order to report to my lord. If she doesn't die… Hmmph!"

The big cloaked man made a step forward and the sea domain within the vicinity of one hundred thousand li* (500m per li) was turned into powder. The aura of an Early Void Refinement Realm expert spread throughout the place!

"If she isn't dead yet, then I will make her feel that living is no better than dying! The palace lord of the Lost World Palace, Yuan Yao!"

The burly man maliciously sneered.

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

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