Grasping Evil

Ning Fan no longer paid attention to Mo Xiu and began concocting his own pills.

His mind was as calm as a millpond. He placed ninety percent of his focus on his pill cauldron while keeping a portion of it to keep an eye on Mo Xiu's actions.

Ning Fan fished out tufts of ten thousand years old spiritual herbs which contained strong devil power and tossed them all into the pill cauldron one after another. His movements were very fluid like flowing water.

A few breaths later, there were already tens of types of ten thousand years old spiritual herbs within the pill cauldron, all of them being heated at the same time.

Different kinds of spiritual herbs required different temperatures to heat up. It was already difficult for ordinary Fifth Revolution Pill Masters to heat up and melt a tuft of ten thousand years old spiritual herb. Ning Fan, however, was actually melting tens of types of that kind of spiritual herbs at the same time.

With pill refinement techniques which were as graceful as celestial maids scattering flowers, the eyes of the cultivators on the audience seats were filled with amazement.

A few moments ago, there were still a small group of people who were doubtful of Ning Fan's pill refinement techniques. Now, however, there was no longer anyone who dares to underestimate Ning Fan.

Many Third and Fourth Revolution Pill Masters looked up to Ning Fan with eyes filled with respect and admiration. It was similar to looking at a famous senior in reverence.

Fifth Revolution Pill Masters including Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi also cast admiring glances at Ning Fan.

"This young man's techniques are so outstanding that he makes this old man perspire from shame. The younger generation is indeed capable. He truly deserves to be the person whom the Pill Sovereign recognized as his half disciple!"

Huang Tingzi laughed bitterly. Inwardly, he was already aware that his pill refinement mastery was far more inferior compared to Ning Fan's. Today, he did not have the intention of competing against him for victory. All he wanted was to avoid losing to Yi Yunzi and Mo Xiu.

The pill that he was concocting was a type of High Grade Fifth Revolution Pill called Fierce Soul Pill. Its medicinal effect is to increase the physical strength of a Jade Life Body Refining Realm cultivator by thirty percent for a short period of time but inflicts some damage on them. Once the effect of the medicine passes, it would leave a severe side-effect on the one that consumes it. At the very least, it would paralyze the user's body for tens of years, rendering them immobile.

Although the side effect of this pill was serious, if it were to be used in a desperate battle, it would practically guarantee a miraculous reversal for the user by making him win a fight he was bound to lose. Hence, it was considered as one of those precious life-saving pills.

When countless body cultivators and old monsters noticed that Huang Tingzi was concocting the Fierce Soul Pill, their eyes blazed with passion. All of them were ready to buy that pill from him at a high price once it was completed.

The pill that Yi Yunzi was concocting was also a High Grade Fifth Revolution Pill. It was called Purple Firmament Pill. A single pellet of Purple Firmament Pill could raise a Mid Divine Transformation Realm cultivator's magic power by 200 units. The difficulty of concocting this pill was slightly greater than that of the Fierce Soul Pill.

With Yi Yunzi's usual performance, if he makes a Fierce Soul Pill instead without any flaws, his results would clearly be better than Huang Tingzi.

Huang Tingzi shook his head and made a bitter smile. He knew that Yi Yunzi's pill refinement mastery was slightly better than his but he did not mind it at all. He would rather make the comparison only after he finishes the current pill he was concocting.

Mo Xiu, on the other hand, seemed to be departing from his normal behavior as he was unusually quiet. It was not known what he was scheming inside his mind.

He tossed several tufts of ten thousand years old spiritual herbs into his pill cauldron at the same time. Even though the amount of spiritual herbs was not as many as Ning Fan's, it was enough to draw some eyes.

When some cultivators with keen eyesight saw the medicinal ingredients Mo Xiu used to concoct his pill, all of their eyes flickered with surprise.

If they were not mistaken, the pill Mo Xiu was concocting was actually a High Grade Fifth Revolution Pill called Liancheng Pill!

It was an extremely rare and expensive pill. The reason why it was so precious was because it could greatly enhance the quality of a Fifth Revolution Pill Master's medicine soul.

However, the medicinal ingredients used for making this pill were always in short supply. Besides, the difficulty of concocting this pill was nearly similar to making a Peak Grade Fifth Revolution pill.

Everyone was naturally flabbergasted when they saw Mo Xiu actually chose to make a Liancheng Pill. Once Mo Xiu successfully concocts it, even if it's just of common quality, it would be enough to guarantee a win against both Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi.

Moreover, Mo Xiu's proud expression seemed to be telling everyone that victory was within his grasp. Clearly, he had high assurance of successfully making this pill.

Then, multiple pairs of eyes began to lock on to Ning Fan. Everyone knew that he was the only person present who could compete with Mo Xiu.

However, when some devil cultivators recognized the pill Ning Fan was about to concoct, all of them wore disappointed looks.

The pill Ning Fan was concocting was not a Peak Grade Fifth Revolution Pill but a High Grade Fifth Revolution Pill called Revered Devil Pill instead.

A Revered Devil Pill was indeed a good item to increase one's Golden Body Refining Realm. However, in terms of their grades, it was slightly inferior to the Liancheng Pill. After all, it was a devil pill. Its medicinal effect might be strong but the side-effects were also very serious.

Unless the Revered Devil Pill Ning Fan concocts is perfect and flawless, his chances of winning against Mo Xiu this round was quite slim.

Sound of discussion began to spread.

"It's plain obvious that the person with the highest chance of winning today is Palace Lord Mo Xiu…"

"Revered Ming's pill refinement mastery isn't weak. However, his precise level should still be slightly lower than that of Mo Xiu. At the end of the day, Mo Xiu is an old monster who has already been famous for so many years."

Mo Xiu snorted coldly upon hearing the arguments that supported him from the discussions, as if he did not accept what they said as correct. His eyes, however, flashed with a hint of arrogance.

He never thought that he would lose to Ning Fan in pill refinement mastery. Even though Ning Fan's pill cauldron and flame was far greater than his, he still could not imagine that he would lose.

"It seems like victory is already mine even if I don't use any tricks. But… Humph! If I don't use some tricks, how could I take revenge on him for seizing my flames that day?! Little Zhou Ming, you just wait and watch. When you, Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi complete your pills, I will give the three of you a 'surprise'! Hehe..."

Meanwhile, Ning Fan saw through each and every one of Mo Xiu's expressions.

Ning Fan did not plan to expose him. From some of the pill refinement techniques Mo Xiu used, he could roughly tell what his scheme was about.

Well, Ning Fan also had a plan in mind.

The Liancheng Pill that Mo Xiu was concocting was not as simple as one imagined it to be. As for Ning Fan's Revered Devil Pill, it also was not as common as it looked.

Half a month passed. Above the sky of the vast island of ice, a strange phenomenon occurred for the first time. That was a sign of the completion of a Fourth Revolution pill.

A grey-haired Fourth Revolution Pill Master held a scalding Low Grade Fourth Revolution pill with both of his hands and excitedly announced.

"The pill is done! I've completed the pill!"

In an ordinary cultivation country, the news of a Fourth Revolution Pill Master successfully concocting a Fourth Revolution pill would definitely be a great matter that could shake the entire country.

However, in this Pill Ceremony where pill refinement masters were as many as ants, the Fourth Revolution pill of that elderly man failed to attract the attention of a lot of people.

Eventually, he submitted his pill to the appraiser to assess its grade. Of course, the pill would be returned to the elderly pill master after its assessment.

After him, there were participants who successively completed their Fourth Revolution pills and the abnormal phenomenon which served as a sign of the completion of a pill happened in the sky one after another.

Of course, there were also many pill masters whose pill cauldrons exploded which completely destroyed their pills. They then withdrew themselves from the competition in low spirits.

On the twentieth day, nearly all of the Fourth Revolution Pill Masters finished concocting their pills. On the vast island of ice, only 21 Fifth Revolution Pill Masters including Ning Fan were still concocting their pills with full focus.

Ning Fan was carefully controlling his black flame. After he had obtained the three types of Earth Vein Demonic Flames, the grade of his black flame had increased once again. Even though it had yet to reach the level of a High Level Seventh Grade Spiritual Flame, it was unrivalled among all other Mid Level Seventh Grade Flames.

Ning Fan's pill refinement speed was several times faster than Mo Xiu's and the other grandmasters. On this vast ice island which enhanced their pill refinement speed by almost seven times, Ning Fan would have only needed 10 days to finish his pill if he concocts the Revered Devil Pill based on his normal speed.

The reason why he had yet to finish concocting his pill after twenty days was because he had another plan in mind.

*Bang*

Above the bright clear sky, rays of silver light began to form all of a sudden. Doubtlessly, it was a lightning tribulation caused by a Fifth Revolution Pill Master who had successfully completed his pill.

At this moment, the cultivators outside the area were filled with excitement.

Every Fifth Revolution pill was an expensive item.

The lightning tribulation that happens every time a Fifth Revolution Pill was completed was not something that could be disregarded. In fact, even a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator would not be able to withstand it easily.

Many cultivators started thinking about how they could purchase that Fifth Revolution pill from that pill master once the Pill Ceremony ends.

That Fifth Revolution Pill Master requested for help from the members on the host seats. He was trying to signal to them that he was not capable of blocking the lightning tribulation on his own.

On the hosting seat, Ju Qing and Dong Xu exchanged glances with each other. At the next moment, they soared into the sky and clawed towards the heavens. The clouds of tribulation that had covered the sky got broken into pieces by their powerful claws. Heaven and earth shook shortly after that.

"Is that the strength of the members of the seven venerated beings of the internal sea?!"

Countless cultivators were deeply shocked. Such frightening lightning tribulation was actually destroyed by the two of them. That is to say, the strength of their single claw would be enough to kill any Divine Transformation Realm cultivator with ease!

That Fifth Revolution Pill Master placed his pill into the Flame Light Goblet to test its grade. Then, a ten thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) tall shadow of a green sun appeared in the sky. That was his result.

In the following days, participants completed their Fifth Revolution pills one after the other. Every time the lightning tribulation arrives, Ju Qing and Dong Xu would block it.

On the twenty-fourth day, Yang Gu and Yun Niansu had completed their pills as well. The pills they concocted were both Low Grade Fifth Revolution pills.

Looking at Ning Fan who was still casually refining his pill, Yang Gu's look was filled with admiration. He indeed did not choose the wrong master. Ning Fan's pill refinement mastery was too broad and profound.

Yun Niansu touched his pill which still contained some warmth and heaved a sigh. After all, he was just a Low Grade Fifth Revolution Pill Master. There was no way he could be as good as Ning Fan.

The both of them headed to the Flame Light Goblet to assess the grades of their pills. The goblet projected a green shadow which was around thirteen thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) tall for both of their pills.

This result was enough to let the two of them enter the top twenty rankings in this round.

Two Mid Grade Fifth Revolution Pill Masters successfully produced Mid Grade Fifth Revolution pills and the goblet projected a twenty thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) green shadow during the assessment of their pills.

There was only Ning Fan, Huang Tingzi, Yi Yunzi and Mo Xiu left on the island.

On the twenty-seventh day, Huang Tingzi's pill cauldron released a whiff of a refreshing pill fragrance. Then, countless silver lightning appeared in the sky. It was a sign that his pill was on the verge of completion.

One hour later, Yi Yunzi's pill cauldron also emitted a whiff of pill fragrance. Lightning filled the entire sky. His pill was also not far from completion.

Mo Xiu's eyes suddenly sparkled with light. He secretly glanced at Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi. Then, he shifted his gaze to Ning Fan.

He was waiting for the moment when Ning Fan's pill was about to complete. It would be the time for him to use some tricks!

After sensing Mo Xiu peeking at him, a corner of Ning Fan's lips curved upwards, forming into a cold smirk.

Trying to do me dirty, huh? Let me help you with that by showing you a weakness… Condense!"

He clawed with his five fingers. The medicinal power inside his cauldron immediately condensed and formed into a pill. The vast sky was now densely covered with silver lightning.

The massive spiritual qi of heaven and earth was absorbed into the pill cauldron. The pill's aura force was rising continuously.

Once the aura force of his pill reaches its maximum level, the heavenly tribulation would befall and the pill would form!

Countless cultivators felt their hearts leap so fast as if they were at their throats. Well, how could they not feel excited when they were about to witness the completion of three High Grade Fifth Revolution pills?!

Even the expressions of Ju Qing and Dongxu became solemn. In the face of the lightning tribulations caused by three pill refinement grandmasters, even the two of them could not withstand them with ease.

Everyone's eyes turned towards the three lightning tribulations that were about to fall from the sky.

No one noticed that Mo Xiu's lips formed into an evil grin at this moment.

"Pill, condense!"

He suddenly slapped the body of his cauldron. Then, a massive vortex of magic power appeared inside his pill cauldron, sucking in the spiritual qi of heaven and earth from all directions.

The fourth lightning tribulation emerged in the vast sky right after that. It shocked countless people.

No one had expected for Mo Xiu to also complete his pill at this time.

Ju Qing and Dong Xu's expressions became even more stern. It was very difficult for them to withstand four lightning tribulations at the same time.

Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi turned towards Mo Xiu. Both of them felt that the method Mo Xiu used to keep his flame and complete his pill at this very instant was somewhat strange.

They then saw that Mo Xiu was pressing his pill cauldron with one hand while using the other to form a series of hand seals. The patterns of the hand seals were extremely archaic and abstruse.

As for the vortex of magic power within his pill cauldron, its suction force became greater and greater. In fact, the force turned so unusually strong that it seemed as if it would completely devour all the spiritual qi of heaven and earth on that island of ice!

The spiritual qi in the surroundings drastically decreased. It all gathered towards Mo Xiu's location.

After losing a huge amount of spiritual qi, the quality of the pills within the pill cauldrons of Ning Fan, Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi were dropping quickly. Aside from that, the medicinal power of their pills were slowly being drained away and absorbed by Mo Xiu's pill…

All of a sudden, the expressions of Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi changed greatly.

"This is… 'Grade Raising', the secret art of ancient pill masters! This is the 'Grade Seizing Technique'! In ancient times, there were pill masters who would ask others to concoct pills while they were concocting pills themselves. Then, when their pills were on the verge of completion, they absorbed the medicinal power of the completed pills the others produced to increase the potency of their own pills. By performing this, one could enhance the grade of their pills… This secret art had been lost for a long time. How do you know the way to use it?!"

"Hehe. Well said! The technique that I've used is one of the techniques of Grade Raising – Grade Seizing Technique! I've seized the grade of your pills. Therefore, the grade of your pills will drop for sure. Besides, the pill I created can also absorb the medicinal power in your pills to increase its grade. The Liancheng Pill that I have concocted is already a High Grade Fifth Revolution pill. By using this technique to increase its grade, the pill will be able to directly attain the Peak Fifth Revolution. Needless to say, I am the winner of this round!"

Mo Xiu's face wore a satisfied and pleasant smile. Today, he made the pills of the three other pill refinement grandmasters his stepping stone and produced a Peak Fifth Revolution pill of his own.

The Grade Seizing Technique was a secret technique of the ancient pill cultivators. Unless there was a pill cultivator who was also skilled in the same technique, no one would be able to stop Mo Xiu from seizing the medicinal power of the pills of his opponents.

Mo Xiu learnt this secret art by chance. Moreover, he just got the incomplete version of the secret art. However, he did not think anyone would be able to learn this secret art.

Wrath filled Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi's faces. It would still be reasonable if the Grade Seizing Technique was used in a private occasion where the pill masters were willing to allow the power of their pills to be stolen.

However, in such a significant event, seizing the medicinal power of others' pills so that one's own pill could have a higher grade was literally unfair!

"The reputable palace lord of the Scarlet Heaven Palace is actually so despicable and mean!" The two of them said in anger.

"Humph! In this world, the strong survives while the weak dies. It isn't a matter of fairness. If the both of you also know the Grade Seizing Technique, I certainly won't be able to seize the medicinal power of your pills. The reason you lost to me is because you guys are just too weak!"

Mo Xiu said without the slightest sense of guilt. He increased the use of his magic power and the suction force of the vortex within his pill cauldron became even stronger. It was ferociously absorbing the medicinal power of the pills of Huang Tingzi and Yi Yunzi.

As their pills continued to lose their medicinal power, they could not form into a complete pill at all. In addition, they even began to show cracks.

The eyes of the two pill refinement grandmasters flashed with anger but there was nothing they could do to stop Mo Xiu.

The spectators fell into utter silence. Even though Mo Xiu's technique was quite mean, the idea of 'the strong survives while the weak dies' was true as well. At that moment, they do not know whether to cheer for Mo Xiu's action or despise him for his shameful actions.

At this moment, some cultivators began to realize that Ning Fan did not seem to be angry at Mo Xiu.

He was still as calm as usual. In fact, he had already seen through Mo Xiu's technique.

Mo Xiu turned towards Ning Fan with a cold laughter that was filled with hostility.

"Revered Ming, it seems like you are going to lose this round. Hehe. Since you agreed to our bet, you must naturally pay when you lose. Once this round ends, I will take away your black flame. Even if you complain about this matter to the Rain Sovereign or the Pill Sovereign, you still won't be able to take back your black flame."

"Complain? Why do I need to complain?"

Ning Fan's lips arched upwards, forming into a teasing smile. In the next instant, he changed his hand seals and muttered the same chants Mo Xiu had used earlier.

"Grade Seizing Technique!"

Inside Ning Fan's pill cauldron, a vortex of magic power that was much greater than Mo Xiu's was formed. The massive suction force was violently draining away the medicinal power of Mo Xiu's pill.

The suction force he created from the technique was a few times stronger than the one Mo Xiu made!

Mo Xiu's expression changed and he shouted in anger.

"This cannot be possible! How come you know the Grade Seizing Technique too?! This is definitely impossible!"

<strong> </strong>

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