Grasping Evil

Two elderly men, Fang Sheng and Fang Si, appeared. They both stepped above the ocean of void with aura force like that of a deity.

King Jin, who only had a breath of life left in him, raised his head and looked at the two old men. His face was filled with the excitement that one would feel after having survived a calamity.

"Two palace lords, quickly save me! I am still of great use to the Sixth Prince. The two of you must not watch me die without doing anything!"

"Shut up!"

The vice palace lord, Fang Si, made a cold snort. A wave of magic power which was as black as ink rushed toward King Jin. It formed into strands of black fishing lines which pierced into King Jin's limbs and bones. They created multiple fine blood spots on his body.

No one knew what functions the black fishing lines had. They managed to extract traces of abnormal black qi from King Jin's body and suppress his life-threatening injuries.

The palace lord, Fang Sheng, clawed at King Jin's direction with a neutral expression. Strands of white magic power were immediately interwoven into a large and strange fishing net.

Fang Sheng cast the net at King Jin's direction and retrieved it by pulling it back to him. Despite being ten thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) away, he dragged King Jin from his original spot toward him.

In the next instant, King Jin had already appeared in the large net and was quickly brought to Fang Sheng's side. Then, he tossed the net as well as King Jin to the masses of immortal clouds behind him.

"White-Robed Marquis! If you wish to take King Jin's life, you have to fight us first!"

The two of them coldly stared at Ning Fan. The atmosphere heightened as a fight loomed.

Ning Fan's eyes turned solemn. Fang Si's fishing lines were extremely strange. He could not see through his true abilities.

As for Fang Sheng, his actions were extremely quick and the fishing net he summoned was also very mysterious. If it was not for his incredible eyesight, he would have been unable to see how he summoned the fishing net and brought King Jin away.

Within a matter of seconds, Ning Fan was convinced that the palace lord and the vice palace lord of the Serene Heaven Palace were extremely strong.

At the same time, Ning Fan was rather skeptical about the intentions of their arrival…

These two individuals didn't seem to have come just to save King Jin. In fact, they seem to have some kind of plot in mind.

On the surface, they wanted to protect King Jin and fight against Ning Fan. However, their actions were rather self-contradictory.

They had clearly saved King Jin but they just casted him aside randomly afterward… It was unreasonable!

If what they said about King Jin's importance to the Sixth Prince was true and they needed to save him no matter what due to his importance, what they should be doing first would be to bring King Jin away right after saving him. They should see King Jin's life and safety as their first priority instead of staying behind to fight against Ning Fan which might put King Jin in danger.

The two's words were also quite questionable. What did they mean by telling Ning Fan that he had to fight them first before taking King Jin's life?!

It seemed to be implying that if he wins against the two of them, he could kill King Jin however he likes… Hence, if he wants to kill King Jin, he must fight them!

Apparently, the two of them want to use King Jin as bait to tempt me into fighting them…

The reason why they revealed themselves, was it because of me?

Ning Fan slightly narrowed his eyes and began surmising the reason behind their decision.

He did not engage the two old experts at once. Instead, he moved a few steps back, observing them coldly from the sidelines.

"Since this man is useful to the Sixth Prince, I'll give face to the Sixth Prince and spare his life. You can bring him away." Ning Fan said while deliberately pointing at King Jin.

"Erm…"

Both Fang Sheng and Fang Si were stunned for a second. They clearly did not expect that Ning Fan would actually give up the thought of killing King Jin. It was completely different from the information they got about Ning Fan's personality.

Logically speaking, after they threatened Ning Fan several times, he should be charging at them right now at all costs. Why would he choose to compromise?

If Ning Fan does not fight with them, wouldn't their plan be ruined?

Just as Ning Fan had expected, the reason why the two of them revealed themselves here was not because they wanted to rescue King Jin but because they had received an order from the Sixth Prince, You Yumu, to probe Ning Fan in order to find out something…

Indeed, the reason why the Serene Heaven Palace supported Great Jin and brought up King Jin was because he was useful to the Sixth Prince.

However, his importance was negligible. He was far less important than Ning Fan whom the Sixth Prince wanted to test!

The Sixth Prince had ordered Fang Sheng and Fang Si to battle Ning Fan and find out something during their battle. He would not mind even if he has to give up on King Jin just to execute this plan.

Fang Sheng and Fang Si had no idea that Ning Fan had already suspected them of having impure motives.

As Ning Fan had decided to spare King Jin's life, the two of them no longer had a reason to fight him. Fang Sheng let out a cold harrumph and took a step forward directly, blocking Ning Fan's escape path. His aura force turned into a gigantic black mountain which fell down toward Ning Fan from right above his head.

"White-Robed Marquis, what's the rush? I'm the vice palace lord of the Serene Heaven Palace, Fang Si. I've heard that White-Robed Marquis possesses great powers and remarkable abilities. Thus, I deliberately came forward today to seek your advice. However, Fellow Daoist refused to battle us. Instead, you chose to back off. Are you afraid of me?!"

Fang Si had clearly rescued King Jin. However, he still insisted on having a fight against Ning Fan. Without a doubt, he harbored an ulterior motive!

Ning Fan narrowed his eyes. He was just testing the two palace lords by pretending to say that he decided to let King Jin off.

At this moment, he was a hundred percent sure that Fang Sheng and Fang Si appeared here for him!

Saving King Jin was nothing more than an excuse!

Since Fang Si wanted to battle, Ning Fan might as well fulfill his wish. He wanted to see what plots Fang Si had up his sleeve!

"Since you want to fight, then come at me!"

Ning Fan's eyes glinted. His aura force pierced through the clouds, just like an ancient sword that was hanging in midair. It cut the black mountain that Fang Si had summoned using his aura force into countless fragments!

Fang Si was indeed very strong. However, it did not mean that Ning Fan could not defeat him with his current strength.

Fang Si's old eyes flickered with surprise. He did not expect for Ning Fan to break his aura force so easily.

His original ignorance of Ning Fan's capabilities completely disappeared. It was at this moment that he realized that Ning Fan was a strong opponent. Thus, he no longer reserved his strength. He soared into the sky and pulled out a treasure.

"Taiyi Five Elements Scroll!"

Fang Si did not plan to hold back any of his strength. Without hesitation, he took out five ancient scroll paintings. They were the magic treasures of an ancient cultivator that he chanced upon in a secret area.

Each of the five paintings had different diagrams and each represented one of the five elements.

When the five scroll paintings were unfolded, a massive elemental force of the five elements rushed out from the diagrams, turning into five mountains of different colors. They were golden, green, blue, scarlet and yellow respectively and all of them were falling down toward Ning Fan.

Each of the mountain was at least ten thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) tall. The intensity of their magic power was capable of suppressing any Void Inquiry Stage cultivator.

When the five mountains fused into one, it could even deal with a Void Pierce Stage expert!

All the cultivators in Lin Shui City were scared of the terrifying magic treasure that Fang Si used.

If the five mountains crash into the ground, the entire city covering an area of one hundred thousand li* (500m per li) would be flattened, leaving nothing behind!

Zhi He, Lan Mei and Bai Lu who were sitting on the Yue Country's seats were looking at Ning Fan with concern on their faces.

Ning Fan looked at the groups of cultivators around him and sighed gently.

Many of them were his old friends. Furthermore, his beloved women were here too. Thus, it was impossible for him to evade Fang Si's attack no matter what. The only option he had was to confront Fang Si directly. He must never let the five mountains fall and harm the people he cared and loved!

"Yellow Dragon Seven Tokens!"

Ning Fan flew into the sky and used the seven yellow dragon tokens, summoning seven layers of yellow skies. He carried the seven layers of yellow skies using a large amount of magic power, making them rise against the heavens and collide with the five falling mountains!

The mountains broke apart one after another while five layers of the seven layers of yellow skies were destroyed. The collisions of their attacks emitted an earth-shattering bang and produced a powerful blast which destroyed the walls surrounding the city. A big part of the mountains in Song Country had also collapsed due to the force from the collision.

Ning Fan did not relax after seeing his Yellow Dragon Seven Tokens successfully withstood the five mountains. All of a sudden, his eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

The five broken mountains shot out black fishing lines that were as thick as raindrops, piercing the remaining two layers of yellow skies with ease!

Under the attacks of the black fishing lines, the Yellow Dragon Seven Tokens seemed to be decaying. As soon as they broke apart, they were immediately reduced to ashes!

"What exactly is the ability of those black fishing lines? They are so mysterious like they could erode a magic treasure!"

Ning Fan did not mind losing the Yellow Dragon Seven Tokens. After all, he had lots of magic treasures like that.

However, the ability of Fang Si's black fishing lines instilled some fear in him.

Even though his physical body was strong, his body would probably also decay if he was struck by the black fishing lines.

Even if he uses a two-star divine weapon, it might not even be able to withstand the decaying power of the fishing lines.

The surprise in Ning Fan's eyes did not slip past Fang Si's eyes.

"Humph! Is this all the great and famous White-Robed Marquis amounts to?!" Fang Si might be spitting harsh words on the surface but he was feeling disappointed inside.

Clearly, this kid doesn't recognize the ability of my fishing lines. The surprised look on his face doesn't seem to be fake… Is it possible that it's just a coincidence that he knows the Mutual Death Technique of the Shedding Orchid Sect? Could it be that he didn't actually inherit the teachings of the Shedding Orchid Sect and has no idea about the location of the 'Immemorial Fisherman's Raincoat Painting'?"

Fang Si gently shook his head. He still needed to continue testing Ning Fan anyway.

He pointed at the Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls once again and activated the second phase of its transformation.

The Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls were magic treasures that belonged to an ancient cultivator. Their current power was only equivalent to that of a High Grade Mortal Void Treasure because they were seriously worn out. Even so, their abilities were not something that one could underestimate.

The transformations of these scrolls were divided into three phases which were five mountains, five oceans and five dragons.

Just now, Fang Si unleashed five mountains using these treasures to attack Ning Fan. They were the Five Mountains Attack.

Now, what he planned to use was the Five Oceans Attack.

"Unleash!"

When Fang Si directed his finger at the five scrolls, each of them released the power of the five elements, transforming into a five-colored sea. The sea waves covered the sky, quickly submerging Ning Fan.

While having his body submerged in the sea waves, Ning Fan endured five types of attacks from the five-colored sea.

Coldness from icy water, heat from scorching flames, corrosion from wood, pressure from earth and slashes from gold…

In just an instant, Ning Fan's body was covered with wounds with blood flowing out from them ceaselessly.

Ning Fan hurriedly summoned his Primordial Lightning Armor and used the Black Star Technique to heal himself. In the end, he managed to withstand the five oceans attack.

He stepped on the sea waves, ignoring the attacks coming from the ocean. He gathered his essence qi on his arms which gave him the strength to flip mountains and overturn seas. When he suddenly clawed at the air, he directly ripped the ocean waves apart from the inside!

"Hmm? His Primordial Lightning Armor isn't half bad. It actually blocked the second phase of attacks from the Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean anything. With the current power of his lightning armor, it won't be able to withstand the decaying effect of my Immemorial Fishing Lines. Even if the Immemorial Fishing Lines that I had learned is just an incomplete version, even an Absolute Void Stage expert might not necessarily be able to withstand it!"

Fang Si's magic power was rapidly being drained. He suddenly made hand seals and countless black fishing lines shot out from the shattered five-colored ocean, rushing toward Ning Fan en masse.

Ning Fan summoned his Eight Black Burning Wings immediately. While retreating as fast as he could, he took out a few Mortal Void Magic Treasures and tossed them at the incoming fishing lines to lessen the power of the fishing lines.

When the Mortal Void Magic Treasures came into contact with the fishing lines, all of them were pierced through by the lines and decayed completely.

Even though Ning Fan retreated at his top speed, the black fishing lines still managed to create some holes on his Primordial Lightning Armor.

Ning Fan gained a clearer understanding about the power of the black fishing lines.

Unless his cultivation base breaks through to the Absolute Void Stage, it would be extremely difficult for him to face the attacks from the fishing lines head-on…

"He really does not recognize the Immemorial Fishing Lines Technique… Fine. I shall use the third wave of attacks to test him one last time."

Fang Si activated his Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls one last time. The power of the five elements from the five scroll paintings transformed into five massive dragons which hovered in the sky above them!

Fire Dragon. Ice Dragon. Earth Dragon. Wood Dragon. Lightning Dragon!

Each of the dragons was six thousand zhang* (3.33m per zhang) long. Just a single dragon alone had strength that could overpower all Void Inquiry Stage cultivators!

When the five dragons attack at once, even a Void Pierce Stage expert would have trouble withstanding their joint attacks!

More importantly, Fang Si would include the terrifying black fishing lines in the dragons' attacks to sneak attack Ning Fan.

From Fang Si's perspective, Ning Fan definitely did not have a way to resist this attack!

Fang Si did not have the intention to kill Ning Fan. After all, he was still useful to the Rain Sovereign. Without the Rain Sovereign's order, no one would dare to take his life.

His attack would at most inflict some injuries on Ning Fan. His initial objective was just to test Ning Fan and he harbored no enmity toward him.

"There is no point in continuing this any longer. This kid is certainly not my opponent. Once this wave of attacks ends, we'll bring King Jin back to the Serene Heaven Palace and report to the Sixth Prince about our findings."

Fang Si passed a message to Fang Sheng via telepathy. The way he talked sounded like victory was already in his hands.

When he directed his finger at Ning Fan, the five massive dragons emitted ear-splitting roars and opened their jaws. Each of their mouths was gathering a five-colored energy ball. If they blast out that energy blast, Ning Fan would suffer grievous injuries!

Ning Fan did not try to escape or hide from the attacks. Faced with the five massive dragons, he merely closed his eyes as countless thoughts ran across his mind.

It was not difficult to neutralize the joint attacks of the five dragons. In fact, it was just as simple as breaking the five mountains and five seas.

The only problem was how he should deal with the black fishing lines that were hidden within the attacks.

"I found those black fishing lines rather familiar. They look like the white Dao Line that I saw that day when I sent Ning Gu to his new reincarnation… That white line was the Dao Line of Life. These black lines are rather similar to the Dao Line of Life but their power is the complete opposite. Could they be… the Dao Lines of Death?!"

"No. They aren't the true Dao Lines of Death. Even though the black fishing lines from Fang Si resemble the Dao Lines of Death, they aren't really genuine. There is no Dao Force in his fishing lines. They seem to be intentional imitations… It can't be wrong. The black fishing lines must be imitations of the Dao Lines of Death!"

"In that case, the white fishing net that Fang Sheng used should be an ability that was invented from imitating the Dao Lines of Life… Little You Er said before that the Dao Lines of Life and Death are something that only Life Immortal Realm beings would be able to master. These two individuals could imitate Life Immortal Realm abilities. That's why the black fishing lines are so difficult to deal with…"

Ning Fan opened his eyes and raised his palm. He was deep in thought while looking at the traces of white Dao Lines on his palm.

"Fang Si is only able to imitate the Dao Line of Death. I, on the other hand, could see the Dao Line of Life. I might be able to neutralize the power of the black fishing lines by restraining death with life…"

Ning Fan shifted his gaze toward the five howling dragons. Then, he abruptly activated his Fu Li Demon Blood and made a series of hand seals to display a magic technique.

Five enormous black tombstones appeared in the sky above successively. There was a black dragon's shadow revolving around each of the tombstones.

It was the Five Graves of The Dragon Burial Technique!

The five massive dragons represented the five elements while the Five Graves of The Dragon Burial Technique specialized in breaking the five elements!

When the five dragons die, the black dragon shall rise! When the five elements vanish, the five graves shall emerge!

As Ning Fan's hand seals changed, the five tombstones suddenly rushed toward the five massive dragons and struck them down, causing each of them to fall down from the sky while spurting out blood!

What was especially frightening about the five tombstones was that they suddenly produced the black dragon's sealing power which sealed off all the elemental powers of the five dragons within the tombstones.

Afterward, the five tombstones produced countless shadows of them which bombarded the Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls.

The five scroll paintings that were floating in midair were all destroyed by the tombstones!

"My Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls!" Fang Si's expression was filled with shock. He had never expected that Ning Fan could break his precious treasures.

Before his first wave of shock disappeared, the second wave assailed him in a more violent manner!

After the five dragons were sealed off, the countless black fishing lines broke out from them and went for Ning Fan in an unstoppable manner like pouring rain.

This time, Ning Fan no longer tried to run away from the attacks of the black fishing lines. He raised his palm to imitate Fang Si's black fishing lines and extracted countless white fishing lines. He then scattered them across the air, letting them collide against the incoming black fishing lines.

*Zi* *Zi* *Zi*

No earth-shattering bang appeared upon their collisions except for some strange sizzling noises.

Fishing lines of two different colors were mysteriously offsetting each other!

Fang Si's black fishing lines technique was directly neutralized!

"How is this possible?!"

Fang Si stared at the occurrence in front of him in disbelief!

He was extremely certain that the white fishing lines that Ning Fan summoned had no relation to the Immemorial Fisherman's Raincoat Painting. It was a magic technique that he used right after he just learned it right at this moment!

What he found difficult to believe was that the white fishing lines that Ning Fan extracted contained an extremely terrifying Dao Force. He completely had no idea what formed the white fishing lines!

Well, how could Fang Si figure out at his current level that the white fishing lines that Ning Fan produced were the Dao Lines of Life?!

The moment Fang Si was distracted, Ning Fan flapped his Eight Black Burning Wings and charged at him!

Ning Fan gathered all of his magic power and essence qi to his palm and delivered one hundred and eight palm imprints toward Fang Si's directions.

The way Ning Fan used the Execution Devil Palm became more and more skilled. When he displayed that palm attack with his current cultivation base, it actually made Fang Si feel that it was difficult to withstand!

"This is bad! This palm attack is not easy to take on!"

Staring at the huge palm imprint produced by the Execution Devil Palm, Fang Si's eyes widened with shock.

His best technique was no doubt the immemorial fishing line technique. However, Ning Fan had cancelled it out completely using his Dao Lines of Life, rendering Fang Si unable to condense his fishing line within a short period of time.

As for his best magic treasure, the Taiyi Five Elements Scrolls, they were also destroyed by Ning Fan's Five Graves of The Dragon Burial Technique…

The other techniques and weapons that Fang Si had were not powerful enough to withstand the Execution Devil Palm!

Panic-stricken, Fang Si immediately took out a small green shield and placed it in front of him. Right after that, he retreated in a ray of travelling light, trying to avoid the incoming devil palm imprint.

The small green shield was a Mid Grade Mortal Void Defensive Treasure. Upon impact, it was instantly shattered by the Execution Devil Palm!

Fang Si's speed was not slow but the speed of the palm imprint was even faster!

At this moment, Fang Si no longer had the calmness he had when he was controlling the fishing lines earlier. All he could think of at this moment was to evade the devil palm attack and run for his life. However, no matter how hard he tried, he still could not outrun the palm attack.

"Ahh!"

A miserable shriek echoed across the sky. With eyes filled with immense shock, Fang Si spurted out blood and fell down from the sky with grievous injuries!

He, who was a Void Pierce Stage expert as well as the dignified vice palace lord of the Serene Heaven Palace, had actually lost to Ning Fan!

Looking at Fang Si who was falling down from the sky like a kite with a broken string, Ning Fan did not continue to pursue him. He immediately took a pill to recover his magic power and coldly shifted his gaze to the direction in the sky above him.

"You've been spying on me for quite some time. Are you still not going to reveal yourself?"

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

Sounds of clapping hands suddenly resounded from an empty space in the sky above.

This young man's long hair was tied to one side. His face had a scar so deep that his bone was visible to the naked eyes. His eyes remained partially closed and he was wearing an ambiguous smile.

Even though he was merely smiling at Ning Fan, he gave Ning Fan the chills from the depths of his bones.

This man is dangerous!

"Hehe. White-Robed Marquis has great techniques. Even though you are only at the Void Glimpse Stage, you've managed to defeat Fang Si who is at the Void Pierce Stage by relying on your ancient devil ability. It really impressed me…" The young man with a scarred face was still smiling faintly.

"Beware! This man is a cultivator at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm. Besides, his body contains both the Life Qi and Death Qi. It's a sign that he has comprehended the Dao Lines of Life and Death… You must not underestimate him!" Within the Profound Yin World, Luo You warned.

Ning Fan, of course, knew that this young man was someone significant. After all, he could feel an extremely immense sense of danger from him.

Ning Fan could already guess the man's identity judging from the reason for his appearance in this place.

"Scarlet Heaven Palace Lord Ning Fan, greets 'Poison Cloud Prince'!"

Poison Cloud Prince's name was Yun Youmu. He was ranked sixth among the seven princes of the Rain Palace and was the prince who ruled the Serene Heaven Palace.

Ning Fan's mind was full of thoughts as he secretly thought about the reason that had brought Yun Youmu here.

From Fang Si's actions, Ning Fan could tell that Fang Si must have followed Yun Youmu's orders to test him.

As for what they were trying to find out from him, Ning Fan completely had no idea. However, seeing that Yun Youmu did not seem to harbor any hostility, Ning Fan guessed that they failed to get the thing that they wanted from him.

Just as Ning Fan was contemplating, Yun Youmu suddenly opened his eyes. His dark green eyes flashed with a cold light, just like the eyes of a venomous snake. Then, he took out an ancient portrait and laid it out in front of Ning Fan.

"Have you seen this painting before?!" His tone sounded firm, not allowing anyone to lie!

Ning Fan did not expect that Yun Youmu would do such strange actions. Even so, Ning Fan did not look surprised. He just scanned past the painting indifferently.

Without a doubt, it was a painting produced not long ago as the ink on the portrait still has yet to turn dry.

The painting was a depiction of a fisherman wearing a black raincoat holding a black fishing rod. Beside him, there was a white fishing net. He was sitting on a river boat, fishing all alone by the cold river under the snowy sky…

"Never." There was no reason for Ning Fan to lie. His expression was natural and free from any deception.

"Is that so? So it turns out to be a mere misunderstanding. Let me apologize for that." Yun Youmu narrowed his eyes once again and revealed a faint innocent smile.

However, he suddenly drew a dark green sword from his waist and made a slash at Fang Si and King Jin. His actions were lightning fast.

The slash that King Jin took had literally shredded him into pieces. It was a fatal strike as even his primordial spirit escaped death.

As for the slash that Fang Si took, it severed one of his arms.

"Sixth Prince, what is this all about?" Ning Fan asked with a neutral expression.

"White-Robed Marquis is the Scarlet Heaven Palace Lord. Fang Si, however, is just the vice palace lord of the Serene Heaven Palace. Today, Fang Si attacked White-Robed Marquis. What he did is considered to be disrespecting his superior. Thus, I gave him a punishment and compensated White-Robed Marquis for his misbehavior. Hopefully, White-Robed Marquis won't hold a grudge against me because of Fang Si' minor mistakes…" Yun Youmu seemed like he would only keep his eyes partially open forever.

"Of course, I can give White-Robed Marquis some other kinds of compensation. As long as White-Robed Marquis names it and I am able to do it, I will certainly not refuse!"

Ning Fan stared at Yun Youmu in silence, as if he wanted to see through the latter's true intentions.

The way this man did things was out of the ordinary and it made people unable to catch up to what he was really thinking.

While Ning Fan was pondering Yun Youmu's objective of coming to this assembly, Luo You who was inside the Profound Yin World was deeply surprised after looking at the painting!

"It's the Immemorial Fisherman's Raincoat Painting! It can't be wrong. The portrait that Yun Youmu drew is an imitation of the Immemorial Fisherman's Raincoat Painting! The Immemorial Fisherman's Raincoat… That is one of the four ancient paintings that is said to contain the 'Dao Path of Life and Death'!"

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