Grasping Evil

By just saying 'get lost', Yun Tianjue sent countless Nascent Soul Realm and Divine Transformation Realm cultivators flying backwards and even injured three Void Refinement Realm experts.

Ning Fan was rendered speechless with amazement. Yun Tianjue was even fiercer and tougher than he expected.

With regards as to how Yun Tianjue dealt with them, Ning Fan did not feel it was wrong at all. In fact, he felt that he would have done the same if he were the one facing them.

Since they had already blatantly mentioned the Rain Sovereign's orders, it was impossible for them to allow Yun Tianjue to enter Snow Country no matter how he appealed.

Thus, he might as well directly intrude the country unreasonably. No one would dare to stop him anyway.

Yun Tianjue's expression remained cold and detached the entire time. It seemed like injuring nearly ten thousand cultivators with a single utterance was an extremely common thing to him.

Sword light encircled the both of them as they travelled in the snowy sky. Half a day later, they had traversed more than one billion li* (500m per li).

In between two enormous mountains at the end of the vast snowy field, a valley covered with snow gradually appeared before their eyes. The landscape coincidentally resembled the shape of a dragon.

Outside the valley, Yun Tianjue kept his sword light and descended on the snowy ground with Ning Fan. His eyes were filled with a hint of seriousness for the first time.

This place was the Dragon Determining Valley!

"After entering this valley, you must follow me closely and don't ever be half a step away from me. Don't ask more questions and don't talk too much. The lord of this valley does not have a good temper."

Yun Tianjue took a step forward and went into the valley with a lonesome figure. Ning Fan immediately followed after him closely while doubting his words inwardly.

Who is the lord of this Dragon Determining Valley and what is that person's identity? Could that person's temper be worse than Yun Tianjue's?

The atmosphere within the valley was peaceful. Its path was long and winding. Only the howls of the wind could be heard.

However, even though the snow-covered valley was tranquil, the entire place looked strange. Along the mountain walls of the valley, innumerable deep and quiet caves could be seen everywhere.

When Ning Fan and Yun Tianjue passed by one of the caves, they suddenly heard a shrill of a beast from within. At the next second, hundreds of beast shadows leapt out from the snow caves, lunging at the both of them while roaring.

Each and every one of the beasts had Divine Transformation Realm cultivation bases and above. Moreover, there were more than ten Void Refinement Realm beasts among them!

"Don't act rashly. If you hurt any of these blood beasts, you won't be able to walk out of this Dragon Determining Valley alive. That person's temper is really very bad."

Yun Tianjue uttered coldly. However, it sounded like he was giving a warning to Ning Fan.

Then, he made a step forward. An icy cold sword intent suddenly spread out from his body, covering the vicinity of ten thousand li* (500m per li).

*Shua*

The moment he unleashed his sword intent, the group which consisted of nearly one thousand beasts in total were stricken with fear. Their beast pupils widened with shock and they all emitted painful wails one after another. A sword cut was left on their necks!

Each of the cuts was only half an inch deep. After making a shallow slice on the beasts' necks, every one of them lost quite a bit of demon blood. Yun Tianjue then took out his Bloody Gourd. By shaking it, it drew all of the demon blood outside within it.

If the sword cuts were to be slightly deeper, this group of blood beasts would have been in grave conditions even if they would still live in the end…

Ning Fan criticized internally.

A moment ago, Yun Tianjue warned him not to act recklessly and hurt the blood beasts. Now, however, he straightforwardly bullied the entire group of blood beasts.

"Get lost!"

Yun Tianjue's eyes darkened. As he released a boundless and formidable aura force, the group of beasts were filled with surprise and began to scatter, running away for their lives.

This scene gave Ning Fan a deeper understanding of Yun Tianjue.

Yun Tainjue's aura force is completely overwhelming to Void Refinement Realm beasts.

"We shall enter the valley now!"

Yun Tianjue commanded with an imposing tone and travelled amidst the snow and wind at his own pace.

Ning Fan took a glance at the surroundings and noticed that countless ferocious beasts were deeply frightened. However, there were still a small number of beasts hiding in dark places. Their beast pupils were staring at Ning Fan while their mouths were drooling, as if they were looking at a tasty meal.

He knitted his brows, forming a worried frown and hurriedly caught up with Yun Tianjue. He could certainly imagine himself being assaulted by this group of ferocious beasts if he were to be apart from Yun Tianjue. With his current strength and capabilities, he might not necessarily survive.

"Hmph!"

A cold and displeased snort echoed from a remote part of the valley. The voice seemed to belong to an elderly.

This voice carried an aggressive aura which rivalled a Void Fragmentation Realm attack. As it rushed towards them, it turned into layers of dark clouds and fell towards them from the sky. They were strong enough to crush every expert below the Void Fragmentation Realm.

The aura force might be hostile and vigorous, but it seemed to be released with a sense of decency because the dark clouds did not fall upon Ning Fan. Instead, they only attacked Yun Tianjue.

Obviously, this elderly person was aware that Ning Fan did not injure the blood beasts.

This elderly person only attacks those who have wounded the beasts. Judging from this person's actions, he is a person who clearly distinguishes between kindness and hatred.

"Your aura force isn't half bad. But you aren't my match."

Yun Tianjue's face was cold and collected. He did not seem to be affected by the previous attack. With a single finger, he shot out a ray of sword light. The elderly man's aura force shattered at once.

*Rumble*

The whole snowy valley nearly collapsed because of a single confrontation between the two individuals. A deafening bang reverberated across the air and the land within the vicinity of one million li* (500m per li) experienced a heavy tremor.

Ning Fan was inwardly amazed. The sword light that Yun Tianjue casually gave off with a single finger was not any weaker than the full-powered strike of his Stele of Sun and Moon.

He thought to himself.

I'm afraid both Yun Tianjue and this elderly person are not ordinary Void Fragmentation Realm experts. They are definitely the strongest even among all the Void Fragmentation Realm experts.

However, compared to Emperor Moksha, I wonder which of them is stronger.

"Hmph! White-Robed Sword God. You truly deserve your esteemed reputation… Come, enter the valley!"

The voice of that elderly person slowly faded in the howling wind.

Yun Tianjue still remained as cold and indifferent as usual. He showed no rejection to the elderly man's offer. Without even darting a glance at Ning Fan, he began walking into the deeper part of the valley.

After passing through layers upon layers of misty fog, they arrived at a quiet and secluded sea of snow which was ten thousand li* (500m per li) large.

There was nothing above the sea of snow except for a dilapidated thatched cottage. Vague white smoke was slowly rising into the sky from its chimney. The scene looked extremely out of place to this area which was covered with snow.

On the other hand, this place gave Ning Fan a rather uncomfortable feeling. If this feeling was not wrong, the current snowy domain they had reached after passing through the misty fog was actually another heavenly dwelling space.

"A heavenly dwelling space created with a wave of hand…"

Ning Fan did not find it strange when he recalled the means that a Void Fragmentation Realm old monster could possess. However, he just could not understand why Yun Tianjue would bring him to such a place. How was he going to collect blood and whose blood would he be collecting…?

It's certainly not possible for it to be the blood of the blood beasts outside. Then, am I going to take that Void Fragmentation Realm old monster's blood?

When he thought of that, his gaze which was filled with curiosity shifted to Yun Tianjue.

All of the Void Fragmentation Realm experts of the Rain World works for the Rain Palace. As such, the Void Fragmentation Realm elderly man can be considered as Yun Tianjue's associate. I suppose he isn't so cold-blooded as to deliberately come here to kill the elderly man and take his blood.

"Elder Chu, I have come to collect blood."

"It's still less than ten years. I haven't prepared your dragon blood!" An impatient voice echoed from within the thatched cottage. Afterwards, the figures of six people walked out from the cottage.

The ones who led the group of six were an elderly man and a middle-aged man. Behind them were four Divine Transformation Realm cultivators.

The elderly man was none other than the person who replied to Yun Tianue. He had hair as red as fire and wore a set of robes made of hemp. His body gave off a fierce heat and did not seem to be concerned about the coldness of the cold weather.

His cultivation base was at the Void Fragmentation Realm!

The middle-aged man beside him was dressed in a set of green robes. His body emanated a thick and cold qi like that of a cloud. When Ning Fan's eyes met his bright piercing eyes, he felt a sharp pain on his primordial spirit. Inwardly, Ning Fan could not help but feel surprised.

This middle-aged man in green robes is also a Void Fragmentation Realm expert!

Today, three Void Fragmentation Realm experts had come to the Dragon Determining Valley of Snow Country at the same time!

"Yun Tianjue, long time no see. You are still not dead yet? How do you feel having the Sinful Mark in you which seals your cultivation base at the First Heavenly Layer? It's awful, isn't it?"

The eyes of the green-robed man were grim and wicked when he looked at Yun Tianjue.

Yun Tianjue did not even dart a glance at him and his eyes were only staring at the red-haired elderly man. Then, he repeated the words he uttered just now.

"Elder Chu, I have come to collect blood."

"Yun Tianjue! This old man has already told you that it's not ten years yet. There is no dragon blood for you!"

"Even if I don't have my share, he should have his. He is the newly promoted revered elder of the Great Heaven Palace. His name is Zhou Ming. According to the usual practice of the Rain Palace, newly promoted revered elders can get at least a bottle of dragon blood."

"He is Zhou Ming?"

Elder Chu suddenly wore an eccentric appearance.

Meanwhile, the face of the green-robed man beside him immediately darkened and he straightforwardly questioned with rage.

"You are Zhou Ming! Are you the one who killed Revered Flame?!"

Unquestionably, Revered Flame shared a rather close relationship with this green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert. Perhaps the former was this man's descendant.

Allowing no explanation, the green-robed man sent a wave of forceful aura force towards Ning Fan. However, it dispersed into nothingness when Yun Tianjue flicked his sleeve.

When Yun Tianjue withdrew his sleeve, his face remained cold and arrogant. He still did not look at the green-robed man even once.

"Go and collect your dragon blood!" Yun Tianjue ordered Ning Fan with an indifferent tone.

Countless thoughts ran across Ning Fan's mind at the same time. He scanned through the surroundings and secretly made a judgement.

Yun Tianjue must be on bad terms with the green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert.

Moreover, judging from their positions, the four Divine Transformation Realm cultivators who are standing behind the green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert seem to be on his side.

As for the red-haired elderly man, he just shows his wrathful expression to everyone without bias. He does not seem to have a friendly relationship with the green-robed expert or Yun Tianjue.

After thinking carefully, Ning Fan chose not to look at the green-robed expert as well. Moreover, he did not even bother to answer the latter's question.

Ning Fan was now a revered elder of the Rain Palace. A dignified Void Fragmentation Realm like him actually acted against him in public. Ning Fan did not have anything to talk to people like him.

As for whether he would offend this man or not… Well, he had already offended him ever since they met, right? Since he had Yun Tianjue's protection, he did not need to fear him. He only cupped his fists to the red-haired elderly man and said.

"Greetings to Elder Chu. This junior is Zhou Ming…"

Before Ning Fan could finish his words, his expression suddenly changed.

The red-haired elderly man was grinning, baring his oddly white teeth as his eyes shone with radiance. He lifted one of his fingers and pointed at Ning Fan.

All of a sudden, a column of blazing flames blasted out towards him. It emanated the aura of a Mortal Void Realm spiritual flame.

"If you can withstand this column of flames, this old man will grant you three bottles of dragon blood." Elder Chu spoke with interest. As soon as he spoke, his words immediately caused the faces of all of the cultivators there to change including the green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert.

"Three bottles?!"

Unquestionably, this quantity of dragon blood meant a great deal to Ning Fan who was just a Divine Transformation Realm revered elder.

Ning Fan's eyes flashed with zeal. Even though the incoming flames looked vigorous and deadly, it was not at its full strength. Even if Ning Fan was unable to withstand it, he would not suffer a single injury. However, it would be extremely difficult for him to obtain some dragon blood from the elderly man afterwards.

Yun Tianjue had told Ning Fan that the reason why he brought him to this Dragon Determining Valley was to give him a test. But in reality, they came here to ask for some dragon blood for Ning Fan.

If Ning Fan backs off from this column of flames, not only would he lose the dragon blood which was a precious treasure to him but it would also make Yun Tianjue, Elder Chu and the others look down on him.

Without a second thought, Ning Fan stepped forward and extended his five fingers into the shape of a claw, facing the incoming fire wave. A vortex of the Yin Yang Fish emerged in the center of his palm. It was actually the Fire Plucking Technique.

After casting that technique, the blazing fire wave instantly vanished without a single trace. It had been completely absorbed by Ning Fan into his Stele of Sun and Moon.

*Hiss*

Elder Chu took a light breath. Then, his face was filled with great delight.

"Very well! Very well! You truly possess the 'Indestructible Fire Body'. Despite having just a Divine Transformation Realm cultivation base, you can even block an attack using a Mortal Void Realm spiritual flame. You aren't half bad!"

Elder Chu slowly approached him. He then patted his storage pouch and took out three emerald bottles which were made of jade. Each of these bottles contained a small amount of dragon blood.

Even though Ning Fan had no exact idea of what level this so-called dragon blood was, he was certain that this blood was not really that inferior to the blood of the Divine Sovereign which he drank earlier.

"Thank you Elder Chu for your generous reward!" Ning Fan cupped his fists to express his gratitude.

"There's no need to thank me! You deserve it. Now, since you have already obtained the dragon blood, Yun Tianjue, take this man and leave. The Dragon Determining Valley does not welcome you!"

Elder Chu impatiently waved his hand. Just as he wanted to walk into the cottage, a ray of sword light cut through the air and stopped at his neck. Yun Tianjue was the one holding the sword with his single remaining arm, seemingly wanting to kill this Void Fragmentation Realm elderly man.

"What does this mean?!" Elder Chu's expression was filled with shock. He did not manage to notice how and when Yun Tianjue drew his sword. He was just too fast!

One has to know Elder Chu was an expert who had attained the Second Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm. It was truly unreasonable that he could not see Yun Tianjue's sword light coming.

According to the rumors in the outside world, Yun Tianjue was only at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm. But in reality, it did not seem to be the case…

After pondering for a while, Elder Chu's face darkened. As one of the reputable Void Fragmentation Realm beings of the Rain World, no one had ever placed a sword on his neck.

"Let him enter the Blood Dragon Pool." Yun Tianjue demanded coldly.

"Impossible! He's just a Peak Divine Transformation Realm cultivator. If he enters the Blood Dragon Pool, he will certainly die!"

"I don't like nonsense."

Yun Tianjue did not give Elder Chu any chance to reject at all. He did not like bullshit. If Elder Chu really rejects his request, he would cut straight through the latter's neck with his sword.

He did not like to reason with anyone.

Ning Fan's face changed but he did not interrupt them. Currently, he was still in bewilderment. He did not have a single clue of what Yun Tianjue was exactly thinking.

He said that he was going to give me a test. Then, he brought me here to obtain dragon blood. Now, he used his sword to compel a Void Fragmentation Realm expert to obey his request…

"You're brutal… Fine. I will let him enter the Blood Dragon Pool. But if he dies, you better not put the blame on me!"

Elder Chu was furious but also curious at the same time. He had heard rumors that described Yun Tianjue as an arrogant and domineering man. It was his first time seeing this man bring his descendant here to obtain some dragon blood… Inwardly, he thought to himself.

Could it be that this Peak Divine Transformation Realm junior has a close relationship with Yun Tianjue?

"He won't die. He even survived after drinking three mouthfuls in a row. How will he die in the Blood Dragon Pool?" Yun Tianjue's tone was flat but his words immediately surprised Elder Chu.

"Drinking three mouthfuls in a row? Who, below the Void Refinement Realm, is able to try three mouthfuls of your blood wine in one go?!"

Elder Chu began to study Ning Fan from head to toe. His eyes seemed to be probing the latter's background. However, he gradually realized that he could not clearly see through this Peak Divine Transformation Realm junior.

Countless thoughts ran across his mind but he eventually nodded his head, showing approval to Yun Tianjue's request.

"Very well! I will make preparations at once and try to open the Blood Dragon Pool tomorrow for him to enter. Today, you can get some rest in the Dragon Determining Valley. As for you all…"

Elder Chu's gaze shifted to the green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert. With hesitation, he said.

"Yun Jinghong, since I have decided to open the Blood Dragon Pool, you might as well let these four newly-promoted revered elders who you have brought enter the Blood Dragon Pool tomorrow along with that Peak Transformation Realm junior."

After listening to Elder Chu's words, only then did Ning Fan realize that the green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert was actually the seventh prince of the 'Seven Princes of the Rain Palace', Yun Jinghong!

When they heard of the possibility of entering the Blood Dragon Pool, the four Divine Transformation Realm experts showed fear. Only the green-robed Void Fragmentation Realm expert nodded his head with contentment.

"Oh? They can also enter the Blood Dragon Pool? If that's the case, I want to thank Elder Chu for your generosity on behalf of my four juniors. After all, it is certainly a rare chance for them to gain new comprehensions if they can enter the Blood Dragon Pool once even if they might die inside… Hehe. Since we are only entering the Blood Dragon Pool tomorrow, can Elder Chu allow me to settle some 'old scores' with Yun Tianjue today?"

When Yun Jinghong uttered 'old scores', he sounded especially hateful.

He made a step forward and his green robes fluttered in the wind. A massive cloud qi rose around his body. All of a sudden, the hollow space began to crumble. His aura force was just that terrifying.

"White-Robed Sword God, Yun Tianjue… Hehe. How can a mere First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm cultivator like you be regarded as a god of swords?! You're just the son of a simple divine messenger. If it wasn't for the Sword Devil Inheritance that you obtained by luck, how would you have gradually become a son of god? You were highly regarded and given preferential treatment by our father but you didn't even think about repaying his kindness. Instead, you murdered my fourth elder brother for a woman. Today, I shall deal with you!"

"…"

Yun Tianjue still remained silent but his eyes slowly became cold.

"You and I are both Void Fragmentation Realm experts. Today, I have already found the bottleneck of the Second Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm. In the near future, I will definitely break through to the Second Heavenly Layer. You aren't my match! You are just a man who has lost his memories. You gave up your emotions and devoted yourself in cultivating the Dao of Swords. Now, you can't even remember your own woman. What qualifications do you have to become the head of the seven princes of the Rain Palace?!" Yun Jinghong teased.

"My woman…" Yun Tianjue felt a mild pain on his chest but he did not know the reason behind it. His eyes became even colder.

"Based on what reason can a man like you be also qualified to obtain the Xuan Wei Bloody Gourd, the supreme treasure of the Rain Palace? Hand over the gourd! Otherwise, on the day I break through to the Second Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm, I will admonish Father to strip off your status as the head of the seven sons of god and sever your other arm!" Yun Jinghong threatened aggressively.

"Just you?!"

Yun Tianjue's eyes were piercing cold like a glacier that had never melted in ten thousand years.

He was never a weakling who would tolerate being bullied and threatened by others. As for Yun Jinghong's words, every single one of them displeased him.

For the past one thousand years, the world knew that he was a Void Fragmentation Realm expert who was stuck at the First Heavenly Layer.

It was because he had committed a serious crime. As punishment for his crime, a sinful mark was branded on him, his cultivation base was sealed and one of his arms was severed. He could be said to be a shame to the Rain Palace.

But is he really just at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm?

Ning Fan shook his head. At the very least, he felt that Yun Tianjue was certainly stronger than Elder Chu and Yun Jinghong. Even if he was compared to Emperor Moksha, he was not any weaker.

Yun Tianjue lifted a foot and made a stomp on the ground. Mountains and rivers shook and the wind howled eerily. Sword qi then chaotically flew in every direction.

Under this sword qi, Yun Jinghong, a dignified expert at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm, felt his body tremble uncontrollably. His physical body was on the verge of crumbling. Meanwhile, his primordial spirit experienced a sharp pain. It was nearly crushed. When faced with Yun Tianjue, he was as lowly as an ant!

When his eyes met Yun Tianjue's, it felt like they were being pierced through by swords. Blood instantly dyed the whites of his eyes.

When he tried to withstand Yun Tianjue's aura force, he felt a massive pressure crash into his chest as if a heavy blow had just struck his body. After retreating for tens of steps, only then did he regain his balance. But in the next second, he puked a mouthful of fresh blood. His face was filled with disbelief.

"T-The strength of the Fourth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm! This is not possible! You should be at the First Heavenly Layer! It should have been impossible for you to continue advancing into the next cultivation realm when you have been branded with the 'Devil Subduing Sinful Seal' by Father after you murdered my fourth brother… Don't tell me you have broken the sinful seal yourself! But how is that even possible?!"

Terror filled Yun Jinghong's face. The Fourth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm was a terrifying cultivation realm!

He always thought that Yun Tianjue was just at the First Heavenly Layer but he had never expected that the latter would grow so strong to such an extent.

If it wasn't because Yun Tianjue did not have the intention to kill, Yun Jinghong would have certainly died just now!

It was just too unbelievable!

A dignified expert at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm could not even stand a single blow of Yun Tianjue!

"This time, I pulled my punches. If there is a next time, your life will be gone! I don't like talking nonsense but let me give you a reminder, killing you is as simple as slaughtering a dog!"

Yun Tianjue looked sideways at Yun Jinghong. His face was arrogant and cold. A ray of sword light swirled around him and Ning Fan and then travelled straight to the remote part of the Dragon Determining Valley.

Ning Fan found it difficult to calm his amazement.

An old monster at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm was someone that Ning Fan had to look up to.

However, this kind of expert was actually powerless against Yun Tianjue.

Yun Tianjue's strength was a little too overwhelming.

"If I have this man's strength and capabilities, do I even need to be afraid of Emperor Moksha?!" Ning Fan's eyes were filled with zeal for the first time when looking at Yun Tianjue.

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

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