Grasping Evil

Lu Jiefen, the Sect Master of the Demon Sealing Sect, was currently humbly asking for Ning Fan's leniency!

This spectacle was definitely even more heart-stirring than Ning Fan beating Lu Jiefen with his strength!

If Ning Fan defeated Lu Jiefen after having an intense fight with him, the outsiders might think that it was because Lu Jiefen was suffering from serious injuries. That would be a convincing explanation for everyone.

However, it was just too inconceivable for Lu Jiefen to make an apology as soon as he arrived. It was simply unexplainable.

While it might still be possible for Ning Fan to defeat a member of the seven venerated beings of the Internal Endless Sea who was already wounded, how could it be possible to make a mighty being like that ask for forgiveness in such a manner?

Why is Lord Venerated Demon afraid of Zhou Ming?! What happened between the two of them?!

A lot of people there wanted to know the answer. However, neither Ning Fan nor Lu Jiefen would reveal anything.

"Lu Jiefen! Let me ask you. Did you order your subordinates to establish the Alliance of Ming Assassins with the intention to kill me?"

Ning Fan's voice was like a thunderclap blasting upon Lu Jiefen's ears which sent a jolt across his heart.

"What?! Revered Ming is saying that Purple Gu and the others have been using the name of my Demon Sealing Sect to establish the Alliance of Ming Assassins with the intention to assassinate you?! They're really… really… really foolish! Foolish to the extreme!"

Lu Jiefen glared at Purple Gu's primordial spirit with his eyes blazing with anger.

He was in a grievous state when he returned to the Demon Sealing Sect and he absolutely did not know that Purple Gu and the others had done such a crazy thing during his absence in the past twenty years.

Establishing the Alliance of Ming Assassins? Killing Ning Fan with just a dozen Early and Mid Divine Transformation Realm experts? What a joke!

Ning Fan was a fierce and powerful man who had killed countless Divine Transformation Realm experts and slaughtered Tan Lang's separated soul like pulverizing an ant. How could Lu Jiefen who had yet to recover from his injuries dare to offend him at this moment?!

Lu Jiefen's expression became tense. If Ning Fan insists on holding Lu Jiefen responsible for this matter and kills his way to the Demon Sealing Sect in the internal sea, Lu Jiefen may not be able to come out of it unscathed even if he has means to keep his life intact and run away.

Besides, if he runs away from the Endless Sea, the wealth that he had been building for his entire lifetime in the Internal Endless Sea would be completely ruined.

"Revered Ming, please calm down! Forming the Alliance of Ming Assassins is definitely not my idea but my reckless subordinates' instead. Heaven and earth can be the witness for this matter! It's indeed my oversight why my subordinates would act so boldly. Revered Ming, please give me an opportunity to make up for my mistake. I'll certainly prepare generous gifts which will surely satisfy you, Revered Ming!"

Lu Jiefen's tone sounded like he was pleading.

He was pleading with Ning Fan to let the Demon Sealing Sect off and was begging him to believe that he had nothing to do with this matter!

For heaven's sake, Lu Jiefen was already afraid of Ning Fan to the extreme, how would he get himself into trouble with him?!

Purple Gu was on the verge of losing his mind.

He felt that he must be out of his senses! If he was not, how would it be possible for him to witness Lord Venerated Demon asking for forgiveness from someone else?!

"Impossible! I don't believe it! It can't be true!"

"Our Demon Sealing Sect is one of the seven renowned forces in the Internal Endless Sea and Lord Venerated Demon is one of the seven venerated beings of the internal sea. It's impossible for him to make an apology to you, IMPOSSIBLE!"

"Zhou Ming! You're lying to me! You're using illusions to fool me… I don't believe it!"

Purple Gu seemed to be laughing and sobbing at the same time. He just could not accept this cold and harsh truth.

He could not accept that Ning Fan whom he treated as an ant would be a terrifying individual who could even make Venerated Demon bow in reverence!

Suddenly, Purple Gu recalled the words he had said before.

"Zhou Ming, you shouldn't be arrogant! Do you think you're the Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea?"

The Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea.

The Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea. Haha!

With this Zhou Ming's current strength and power, how could he be just the Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea. Even though he has yet to obtain the 'Bestowal of the Emperor's Tomb', he was still able to make Venerated Demon yield to him! I'm afraid his strength is ranked among the top of the Venerated Seven!

"I've offended such a ferocious man… I'm really stupid. STUPID!"

Looking at Purple Gu who was mentally deranged and the other two Mid Divine Transformation Realm elders, Lu Jiefen felt guilty.

They were his subordinates, but he would not dare to expect to save them from Ning Fan's hands.

Lu Jiefen knew that Ning Fan would never pay respect to him.

This man is cruel and merciless. Once anyone tries to go against him, he will definitely kill them all.

The only thing Lu Jiefen hoped for was that Ning Fan would not hold the other members of the Demon Sealing Sect accountable.

Otherwise, the Demon Sealing Sect would be devastated if Ning Fan kills his way to the Internal Endless Sea. If that happens, Lu Jiefen would have no choice but to use his secret technique again to escape from him, like how he escaped from the Realm Beast last time.

That would be the worst case scenario…

"Revered Ming, please do give me a chance to make up for my mistake. Anyhow, I'm also a supreme being who came out from the 'Emperor's Tomb' and I've obtained the bestowal from that 'Lord'. There are certainly a lot of excellent treasures there and they will surely satisfy you, Revered Ming!"

Lu Jiefen felt helpless. He could only make hints in the words he spoke to Ning Fan.

"Make up for your mistake…?"

Ning Fan frowned, inwardly contemplating the hidden meaning in Lu Jiefen's words.

Is the Emperor's Tomb he mentioned referring to the Tomb of the Thunder Emperor in the Internal Endless Sea? Who is that 'Lord'? Since he is at a level where Lu Jiefen will address him as Lord, could he be a Void Fragmentation Realm expert?

After all, there were many secrets in the Internal Endless Sea which Ning Fan had never been in contact with. The weirdest thing was that a lawless region like this Endless Sea actually existed under the World Law set by the Rain Palace. Probably, there must be someone who was powerful enough to strike fear into the Rain Palace hiding here and make them not dare to execute the World Law at this place.

A person who could cause the Rain Palace to be so afraid of him must have at least the power of the Void Fragmentation Realm!

Lu Jiefen's words had doubtlessly verified Ning Fan's guess.

Lu Jiefen was hinting to Ning Fan that while it might not be a big issue to cause troubles in the External Endless Sea, he must somehow restrain himself once he enters the Internal Endless Sea… Or else, he might displease a Void Fragmentation Realm expert.

Judging from Lu Jiefen's tone, it was not a threat, but more of a friendly reminder.

"Interesting… Considering that the Alliance of Ming Assassins was not your idea in the first place, it's alright to let you go. Lu Jiefen, I will give you a chance. If you can bring me treasures that will satisfy me, your Demon Sealing Sect will remain without being destroyed. If not, the next time I enter the Internal Endless Sea, it will be the end for your Demon Sealing Sect!"

Ning Fan deeply stared at Lu Jiefen, giving him a warning.

The Internal Endless Sea was vast and broad and the distance to the Demon Sealing Sect was extremely far. It was not realistic to kill his way into the Internal Endless Sea now.

Moreover, there might be a Void Fragmentation Realm expert hiding in the Internal Endless Sea and this expert seemed to be backing the Demon Sealing Sect in a certain sense.

Ning Fan was not afraid of the hidden Void Fragmentation Realm expert. It was just that it was unnecessary to offend such an expert before figuring out everything.

No matter how arrogant Ning Fan was, he would not take the initiative to mess with a Void Fragmentation Realm expert. He might not have the need to show self-restraint on his enemies, but it did not mean that he had to commit a futile act like breaking a stone with an egg.

He had already avenged Gusu as he had obliterated the Ying State Immortal Island.

By killing twenty Divine Transformation Realm experts on his own, the intensity of his accumulated notoriety was enough to frighten the forces of the Endless Sea, preventing them from provoking him in the future.

Especially the fact that Lu Jiefen begged Ning Fan for mercy today. Once this incident is spread, no one would probably harbor any thoughts of assassinating or taking advantage of him anymore.

Emperor's Tomb… that 'Lord'…

Ning Fan would only decide the fortune of the Demon Sealing Sect after clarifying these things.

Pieces of broken rocks of Ying State Immortal Island slowly sank to the bottom of the sea.

After getting Ning Fan's reply, Lu Jiefen felt relieved and withdrew the virtual shadow of his primordial spirit. He no longer stayed there anymore and left directly without caring about the life and death of Purple Gu and the other experts.

Ning Fan nodded at Zuo Tong as a gesture to greet him. Then, he glanced at Yun Niansu with a strange look. After that, he descended on Gusu Island together with Dong Xu.

Gusu Island was now a wasteland with corpses and blood everywhere. It no longer had the appearance of paradise.

Ning Fan's eyes were filled with emotion. Two-thirds of the total number of mortals in Gusu City had been killed by Luo Sen and the other two devils. If he did not arrive there in time, the remaining one-third might not even be alive.

"Ling Er, is Uncle Wang getting better…?" Ning Fan's gaze became soft. He would only reveal this expression to Xu Qiuling. His enemies would never be able to enjoy it.

"Mm. His injuries have been suppressed. It's all thanks to the marvelous pills Big Brother gave… However, although the physical injuries can be healed, how can the injuries on their hearts recover? They're destined to be unable to be mortals anymore…" Xu Qiuling's eyes flashed with sadness.

"Then, don't be mortals anymore…" Ning Fan then went silent.

In the past, he was also a mortal and was bullied and humiliated in the All Pleasure Sect. He was unwilling to die there and was also unwilling to be bullied helplessly. As such, he chose to begin his path of cultivation to resist his fate.

Ning Fan patted the storage pouch and produced a gunny sack. He shook it and released all the mortal women inside.

He then closed his eyes. Traces of rain intent revolved within his heart. Gray clouds gradually rose and covered the sky above Gusu Island. Rain began to drizzle upon the island, extinguishing the flames of war and washing away the blood into the soil.

"Young Master Zhou, no, Immortal Zhou, thank you… Without you, I would have already…" Bai Su slightly bowed as a sign of courtesy. Without Ning Fan, she would have been sullied by Wang Kun.

"You don't have to thank me. Just address me as 'Young Master'. In fact, I have to thank you instead. Without your advice, your basket of eggs and the food and wine you prepared for me in these five months, I won't be able to experience the happiness of being a mortal again."

Ning Fan stood in the rain for a long long time.

He was waiting for more and more onlookers to come.

For half a month, Ning Fan had not stopped the rain on Gusu Island. The people of the island buried their family members, rebuilt their houses and continued living with indomitable spirits after the disaster.

During this period of time, there were always some Gold Core Realm and Nascent Soul Realm cultivators coming to the Ying State Immortal Island hoping to spectate the showdown. Besides, even some Divine Transformation Realm experts from the Internal Endless Sea had secretly come to check things out after hearing the great incident that had happened in the External Endless Sea.

However, their travelling speed was too slow and they came too late. What they could only see when they arrived was the ruins of the Ying State Immortal Island and Gusu covered in rain.

In the eyes of countless cultivators of the External Endless Sea, Ning Fan was holding the primordial spirits of the twenty Divine Transformation Realm cultivators while having twenty-five Divine Transformation Realm spiritual puppets standing beside him.

He wanted to search the souls and memories of each of the twenty primordial spirits in front of countless cultivators and then feed them to his puppets.

Not only would his action increase the levels of his puppets, but it would also serve as a warning to everyone in the Endless Sea.

He, Ning Fan, was unprovocable!

To the countless cultivators who were spectating, it was indeed horrifying beyond description!

Ning Fan fed the twenty Divine Transformation Realm primordial spirits to the spiritual puppets after searching their souls and memories one after another.

Those aren't insignificant beings but Divine Transformation Realm old monsters! Despite that, they are being treated by that man like this… This man is really a madman!

Several days later, Ning Fan transformed into his giant form and carried Gusu Island on his shoulder to the sea region which was not far from the Pleasure Devil Immortal Island.

Imagine how shocking it would be to the members of the external sea and even the internal sea after Ning Fan had ferociously destroyed the island in its entirety.

There used to be ten influential sects and three renowned islands in the External Endless Sea. However, after one of the sects and one of the islands were eliminated, there were only nine sects and two islands left!

Among the experts of the Internal Endless Sea, eighteen Divine Transformation Realm experts have been killed. All the forces which had relations with these Divine Transformation Realm experts began to decline immediately one after another. Sects like the Black Buddha Sect were immediately wiped out by their enemies with their territories being divided by others right after losing all of their Divine Transformation Realm experts.

This was the reality of the cultivation world. Making one wrong step would bring death and extinction on an entire family!

This time, all the inhabitants of the Endless Sea truly understood that the vicious devil, Zhou Ming, was really back!

These were just changes in terms of the situation in the Endless Sea.

What was even more concerning to many was, of course, Ning Fan's notoriety. It had become so fearsome that it was able to strike fear into the hearts of the cultivators of the Internal Endless Sea for the first time.

The Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea - 'Venerated Ming', Zhou Ming!

Almost no one doubted whether or not Ning Fan had the capabilities to contend with the Venerated Seven of the Internal Endless Sea because of how Lu Jiefen behaved in front of him shocked too many people.

In Snowy Silver City on the Great Devil Island.

A white-haired young lady was leisurely playing on a swing with her knees stuck together. Looking at her would make one feel that she was a person who stood aloof from worldly affairs.

Beside her, several experts emanating vigorous auras were standing in front of a burly man with a dark complexion. They seemed to be reporting something to him.

After listening to everyone's reports, the burly man's eyes flashed with excitement and he let out a hearty laughter. A peerlessly strong aura force spread out, making ordinary Divine Transformation Realm not dare to approach him.

"Great! Great! Great!"

"He truly deserves to be the talent whom Xiao Shanzi1 has taken a fancy on. He is also worthy to be the successor of the Evil Luo Inheritance... The Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea, huh…? What a courageous young man with a strong temper. I like him!"

In the Sword Tomb on the Sword Island.

In the main hall, Venerated Sword listened to the report from his subordinates while standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Zhou Ming? This man is definitely powerful. He actually killed twenty Divine Transformation Realm experts and a million cultivators on his own… His sword intent is also really domineering. Is it the Immortal Entrapping Sword Intent? It seems like the remnant piece of the Immortal Entrapping Sword that Old Man Dong Xu has exchanged with me in the past has fallen into this man's hands. Sword sense, sword intent and threads transformation sword technique… This young man truly deserves to be treated with respect!"

Venerated Sword slowly turned around and looked at one of his subordinates. His eyes suddenly turned serious.

"Guan Xiong! You have once met Zhou Ming during the auction in the Pleasure Devil Sea. What impression do you have of him? Is it possible for us to establish a friendly relationship with him?"

"Replying to Venerated Sword, this man is fierce and brutal. However, he rarely takes the initiative to stir up trouble. In my opinion, our Sword Island shouldn't mess with this man at any time. After all, no one can assure that he won't go missing again and return twenty years later with a Void Refinement Realm cultivation base to seek revenge and eliminate his old foes. This man must not be provoked!"

"Is that so…?" Venerated Sword nodded without saying much.

In the Demon Sealing Sect on the Demon Island.

Lu Jiefen suppressed his injuries and forcibly entered into a secluded meditation. He gave an order to the entire sect that no one should find trouble with Ning Fan anymore.

At the same time, Lu Jiefen activated all the protective formations of the island for defense, maximizing the security of the Demon Island.

"I hope that this Zhou Ming won't suddenly go crazy again and attack the Demon Island. Otherwise, the only choice I would be left with is to escape again…"

Lu Jiefen closed his eyes helplessly. After arranging everything, he sent his subordinates to the External Endless Sea to send Ning Fan a generous gift. After that, he isolated himself from the outside world again to heal his injuries.

In the Pill Cloud Palace on the Pill Island.

In the past six months, Yang Gu returned to the Internal Endless Sea and had gathered many of his former friends. He planned to set out to the External Endless Sea to aid his master, Ning Fan, and help him overthrow the Alliance of Ming Assassins.

After making countless trips and spending a large sum, he was only able to invite five Early Divine Transformation Realm experts and one Mid Divine Transformation Realm expert to help him in his mission.

Although these experts claimed to come to help, their determination wavered after hearing how powerful the Alliance of Ming Assassins was. As such, they kept delaying the matter of reinforcing Ning Fan in the External Endless Sea.

However, before they could even set off to support Ning Fan, they had already received shocking news from the External Endless Sea.

Ning Fan alone had dissolved Ying State Immortal Island in its entirety and killed a million cultivators as well as twenty Divine Transformation Realm experts!

"My master is so amazing! He eliminated twenty Divine Transformation Realm experts with his power alone!"

Yang Gu said with an excited tone but his words made each of the Divine Transformation Realm experts who had previously agreed to help feel deeply astonished and regret for their actions.

What an unwise move!

If they had known that Yang Gu's master was so powerful, they would have certainly left for the External Endless Sea without having much worries.

Because of their delay, the opportunity to help Ning Fan and win his favor went up in smoke.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, if your master needs help next time, do call me! After this battle, I am really impressed by Venerated Ming. He really deserves the title of the Venerated Eighth of the Internal Endless Sea…"

These experts started to behave in an ingratiating manner but their actions only received an unhappy reply from Yang Gu.

"Hmph! I hope that all of you will move faster next time and don't keep waiting until the end of the battle!"

"Hehe… Of course…"

On Penglai Immortal Island in the External Endless Sea.

In the Lost World Tower, a red-robed young lady was stabilizing her Early Divine Transformation Realm cultivation base with her eyebrows knitted together.

Right at this moment, a message transmitting flying sword flew into the tower. It was cast using a secret technique. Surprisingly, it was information on Ning Fan.

Listening to Ning Fan's splendid accomplishments from the battle, the cold eyes of the red-robed young lady suddenly flashed with surprise.

"Hmph! Stinky bad guy, you've finally returned after going missing for twenty years."

"Just like what I've told them. Zhou Ming, you big bad guy, is really stronger than Ning Fan and Lu Bei. But my elder sister and mother won't believe it! Hmph! Are the geniuses that they are paying attention to stronger than you?! Can they kill twenty Divine Transformation Realm experts alone?!"

The young lady revealed a pleased expression as if the splendid battle achievement was hers instead of Ning Fan's.

"Heehee… You must have obtained many benefits after slaughtering those from the Ying State Immortal Island. Maybe you will come to the Lost World Palace for secluded meditation… This time, I won't easily lose to you again! I will certainly snatch back Grandpa Stone Warrior from your hands fair and square! Last time, I was having my period… This time, I'll be very serious!"

Bei Xiaoman's eyes flashed with an unusual light. She did not know whether it was her battle intent or some other thought. Her face blushed without reason.

In the Zhou Residence on Gusu Island.

All reconstruction work was carried out progressively. Under Xu Qiuling's care, Bai Su and her son got better by the day.

Ning Fan was sitting in the room in a meditative posture. His mind kept recalling the scenes during this time's bloody battle. Hints of new insights slowly rose within him.

There were many cards and gifts being displayed in front of him. Doubtlessly, those were given by the forces who wanted to establish a friendly relation with him. With his current strong status, there were definitely a lot of cultivators who wanted to visit him.

Ning Fan accepted all the gifts sent by whatever forces. To him, no gifts should be refused.

As for seeing the visitors, it was being handled by Yu Long.

Among the countless cards he received, only one of them had attracted Ning Fan's attention.

"Yun Niansu… His surname is Yun. Could he be someone from the Rain Palace…?"

"This man claims that he has entered the Pill Island. If there is an opportunity, he hopes to meet me in the Internal Endless Sea and introduce me to the experts of the Rain Palace…"

Ning Fan shook his head and put down the card. To be honest, he had no interest in making friends with the geniuses of the Rain Palace.

The Divine Space Island, Giant Devil Island and Pill Island in the Internal Endless Sea were the three islands he must go to.

Before entering the Internal Endless Sea, he must first properly settle down those who were close to him.

Besides, his magic power needed to be improved too. His demon power and devil qi were already at the Mid Divine Transformation Realm, but his magic power was still at the Half-Step Divine Transformation Realm. It had already become his weakness.

Aside from that, Ning Fan still has to ask Old Ancestor Dong Xu about the secrets of the Internal Endless Sea.

If there was really a Void Fragmentation Realm expert overseeing the Internal Endless Sea, then he must be more cautious when entering that area.

"After all of this, I can then go home… Zhihe…"

Smiling faces of the women he had made contact with appeared before his eyes.

After all these years, I wonder how they have been.

When he was lost in thought, soft and gentle footsteps were heard from outside the room.

"Big Brother, it's bad!" Xu Qiuling shouted with an anxious tone.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Ning Fan frowned with sternness and his eyes were filled with a hint of worry.

"M-My master has reached the bottleneck of the Void Refinement Realm and he suddenly announced that he wants to meditate in seclusion to achieve a breakthrough!"

It turned out that this young lady's panic was caused by surprise.

"Void Refinement Realm?!" Ning Fan's eyes glinted with astonishment. It was indeed a good thing to Dong Xu.

If Dong Xu successfully breaks through to that cultivation base, it would perhaps cause a greater stir in the Endless Sea.

Is the first Void Refinement Realm expert about to be born among the Venerated Seven of the Internal Endless Sea?

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

<strong>Note: </strong>

1. Xiao Shanzi (小山子 xiǎo shān zi)

Xiao means small in this case. It is referring to Xu Rushan of the Pleasure Devil Sect.