Grasping the Evil

Chapter 573: Tree Ancestor Fruit

Tang Xiong transformed into an escape rainbow, flying towards the underground.

Ning Fan had a thoughtful look in his eyes. After a moment, he waved his robe and disappeared from the palace with Qingdai.

In the next moment, the two appeared outside the treasure vault a million feet underground.

The underground was very spacious, with a gigantic treasure vault opened up.

The defensive formation’s light of the vault was not activated, perhaps because the Fusang Old Demon was present, so there was no need to activate it.

At this moment, the Pill Sovereign, Tang Xiong, stood respectfully behind the Fusang Old Demon, completely in the posture of a junior, without a trace of the sovereign’s arrogance.

The Fusang Old Demon wore a black robe, stood with hands behind his back, white hair reaching the ground, and white eyebrows without a mustache.

His eyes squinted slightly, meeting Ning Fan’s gaze, silently releasing his aura, covering the entire underground space.

That was the aura of a Void Fragmentation expert! Beneath Void Fragmentation, all are ants!

Ning Fan did not shy away from the Fusang Old Demon’s gaze, meeting it sternly.

An invisible force field spread between the two.

Tang Xiong, a dignified Void Refinement Realm expert, felt his breathing was stifled under the aura of the two, retreating several steps before he could breathe easier.

Qingdai, only at the Void Glimpse Stage, how could she withstand the aura of a Void Fragmentation cultivator.

Her delicate hands trembled slightly, this was her first time feeling the aura of an old monster of the Void Fragmentation realm up close...

So strong, terrifyingly strong... In front of a Void Fragmentation cultivator, she was simply an ant, unable even to breathe...

In her Dantian, the Medicine Soul was trembling!

In the Tian Ling, her divine sense trembled as if about to collapse!

She only felt it become harder and harder to breathe, almost about to be blasted away by the aura of the Fusang Old Demon.

Yet she was always stubborn, not willing to yield in front of the Void Fragmentation old monster, not wanting to retreat like Tang Xiong and lessen the pressure.

"I cannot fear... My Ming Luo Clan still has a great enemy with Void Fragmentation realm strength, named Wan Changkong, the strongest puppet master of the Tree World... One day, I will represent the Ming Luo Clan and take revenge on Wan Changkong. If I fear the Void Fragmentation pressure now, how will I have the qualifications to stand before Wan Changkong in the future... I cannot fear..."

Qingdai bit her lip, forcibly suppressing the panic in her heart, her face growing paler, seemingly injured by the aura’s impact.

Even so, she was unwilling to retreat, unwilling to escape...

Being weak is not frightening, what is frightening is the lack of determination to overcome the strong.

When her Demon Soul was almost injured by the Void Fragmentation aura, a gentle voice reached her ears, and then the overwhelming Void Fragmentation aura that oppressed her gradually dissipated.

"Do not be afraid."

Ning Fan turned back with a smile, lightly waved his sleeve, and with a grasp of his five fingers, pressed down the aura oppressing Qingdai.

Under Ning Fan’s protection, the discomfort on Qingdai gradually disappeared. She told Ning Fan with half gratitude and half apology, "I’m sorry... it’s all because of me..."

She knew, Ning Fan was secretly competing with the Fusang Old Demon in aura.

She knew, because she refused to retreat, Ning Fan had to protect her.

And because Ning Fan took action first, this aura contest was considered a disadvantage for Ning Fan.

Qingdai felt very guilty, thinking that if she had obediently retreated a bit, Ning Fan would not have lost to save her.

"It’s just a small matter, don’t worry about it."

Ning Fan smiled nonchalantly, turned around, and looked back at the Fusang Old Demon.

To him, a trivial victory or defeat was not worth worrying about.

"Little girl, not bad, although your talent may not be the best, this spirit sense that is not afraid of power is very commendable. I didn’t expect such a junior to still appear in the Ming Luo Clan now, it’s rare. Over one hundred thousand years ago, I was only at the Void Pierce Stage, and I was quite friendly with the High Priest of the Ming Luo Clan, so you can count as my junior. This jade scroll was something I acquired back then. Now I give it to you, as it should return to its rightful owner."

The Fusang Old Demon chuckled, showing a satisfied smile to Qingdai.

He reached into his sleeve, took out a damaged jade scroll, flicked his fingers, and tossed it to Qingdai.

Ning Fan intercepted with a wave of his hand, blocked the jade scroll for Qingdai, scanned the jade scroll’s content with his spirit sense, showing a peculiar expression, and handed the jade scroll to Qingdai, "It’s from Senior Fusang, you should accept it."

"Oh."

Qingdai nodded obediently, took the jade scroll, and scanned it with her spirit sense.

At first, there was no unusual expression, but the more she looked at the jade scroll’s content, the more delighted she became. In the end, she was so filled with gratitude that she bowed gracefully to the Fusang Old Demon.

"Thank you, Senior, for the jade scroll!"

The jade scroll recorded dozens of lost secret techniques of the Ming Luo Clan, which the Fusang Old Demon had acquired from the Ming Luo Clan when he was young.

At that time, he was the Clan Leader of the Fusang Clan and was on good terms with the Ming Luo Clan. The two clans shared many secret techniques with each other.

A thousand years ago, a catastrophe not only wiped out the experts of the Ming Luo Clan but also destroyed many of the clan’s secret technique jade scrolls, causing many techniques to be lost.

The Fusang Old Demon’s gift of this jade scroll to Qingdai was of great significance to the Ming Luo Clan, and Qingdai was naturally very grateful.

"Haha, no need to be polite. The Fusang Clan and the Ming Luo Clan have always been on good terms. Returning the secret techniques is only natural."

His words were merely pleasantries.

Perhaps when the Ming Luo Clan was strong, the two clans were indeed on good terms.

But as the Ming Luo Clan declined, the Fusang Clan no longer maintained a close relationship with them.

Otherwise, why would Tang Xiong use ten Ming Luo puppets as task rewards? Why not just return the puppets to the Ming Luo Clan?

Otherwise, why did the Fusang Old Demon not return the jade scroll earlier but only now after Ning Fan appeared?

Ning Fan was not fooled by these pleasantries, he could see that the reason Fusang Old Demon was kind to Qingdai and the Ming Luo Clan was that he was taking into account his reputation.

"The Fusang Old Demon has something to request from me..." Ning Fan thought to himself.

Elevating the high and stepping on the low is human nature. The decline of the Ming Luo Clan and the Fusang Clan not continuing to be friendly with them was not a fault.

In the cultivation world, the relationship between two families, in the end, is merely about interests.

If the powers are not equal, naturally there will be no interaction.

Ning Fan bore no grudge against the Fusang Old Demon, he was just very curious about what kind of help the Fusang Old Demon needed from him.

If it’s really the kind of help he guessed, he absolutely couldn’t provide it...

"Fellow Daoist Lu, with the power of one person, managed to defeat two Return to Origin Tree Kings. Such strength truly surprises this old man... I heard from Tang Xiong that your evil energy is incredibly terrifying. Even Tang Xiong believes you have killed Void Fragmentation cultivators... Hehe, I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to witness Daoist’s evil energy?" Fusang Old Demon spoke very politely.

Ning Fan thought to himself, as expected, an old monster of the Void Fragmentation realm would not show goodwill towards a Void Refinement cultivator for no reason.

The reason Fusang Old Demon was polite to him was probably that he had heard from Tang Xiong about Ning Fan’s overwhelming evil energy.

And seeing him actually return after slaying two Tree Kings made him see Ning Fan in a new light, considering him as a peer and even had something to request.

Ning Fan couldn’t quite grasp Fusang Old Demon’s intentions, so he avoided the topic of evil energy and smiled, "Senior, you don’t seem to be in good health..."

Upon hearing Ning Fan’s words, Fusang Old Demon’s expression changed suddenly, then he showed a bitter smile, "Daoist has keen eyes. You must have noticed that this old man doesn’t have long to live, which is why I wish to request something from you."

"This matter, I cannot help with. Life and death are determined by fate, and cannot be forced!" Ning Fan shook his head and said.

"What I’m asking for is not this..." Fusang Old Demon originally did not plan to ask Ning Fan for help with this, but hearing Ning Fan mention ’life and death are determined by fate’ still gave him a sense of desolation and sorrow.

Qingdai looked confused, not knowing what kind of riddle the two were speaking in.

Tang Xiong, however, knew what they were discussing, but did not interject.

"Oh? I wonder what Senior Fusang is asking for from me, if it’s within my power, I’d be willing to help out a bit."

Ning Fan was quite surprised.

He could see that Fusang Old Demon was someone already at death’s door, dying simply because his lifespan had run out and his end was approaching.

Fusang Old Demon’s bone age exceeded 110,000 years, far beyond the upper limit for Void Fragmentation cultivators.

Ten thousand years ago, Fusang Old Demon was already a Void Pierce Stage expert.

Ten thousand years later, his end had come, and he was still only at the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm, without any hope of becoming immortal in this lifetime.

Ning Fan originally thought Fusang Old Demon’s request would be related to extending his lifespan, hence he claimed he could not assist.

It was evident that all the heavenly materials and earthly treasures capable of extending life had been consumed by Fusang Old Demon, and his lifespan could be prolonged no further.

According to Ning Fan’s estimation, in another ten years, Fusang Old Demon would surely die of old age.

Since Fusang Old Demon wasn’t seeking to extend his lifespan, what could he be asking for?

"Alas, what I seek is not difficult for Daoist, and there are quite a few benefits for you... Tang Xiong, could you go to the treasury and retrieve Fellow Daoist Lu’s task rewards?"

Fusang Old Demon only partly finished his sentence, and then sent Tang Xiong to retrieve something. It was quite apparent he wanted to have him leave, not wanting Tang Xiong to hear the following conversation.

Ning Fan understood the implication and smiled at Qingdai, "Please go back to the palace first, I have some matters to discuss here with Senior Fusang."

Qingdai wasn’t foolish, she knew the topic they were discussing must be of great importance, so she nodded obediently and returned to the palace alone.

Before leaving, she whispered a secret transmission to Ning Fan, advising, "Be careful not to anger Senior Fusang..."

Qingdai worried that Ning Fan might be too arrogant and provoke Fusang Old Demon, which would result in him being harmed by Fusang Old Demon.

After all, when Ning Fan previously competed for the task, he had the tone of a Heavenly Healer, not allowing anyone to take his task, which left a bad impression on Qingdai.

In Qingdai’s impression, Ning Fan sometimes liked to invite trouble...

Ning Fan chuckled and shook his head. He didn’t expect Qingdai to care about him, fearing he’d be harmed by Fusang Old Demon.

To be honest, from the first glance at Fusang Old Demon, Ning Fan was not afraid in the slightest, even though this person was a Void Fragmentation cultivator.

Fusang Old Demon only had ten years of lifespan remaining. If he dared to make a move against Ning Fan, Ning Fan could merely use the Mutual Death Technique, sacrificing a century or so of his own lifespan to deprive Fusang Old Demon of all remaining years, causing him to die here on the spot...

There was no issue of safety; he was more interested in what Fusang Old Demon intended to say next.

"I have a request and hope Daoist will agree!" Once the unrelated individuals had left, Fusang Old Demon suddenly clasped his fists and earnestly pleaded with Ning Fan.

Throughout his life, he acted as he pleased and killed without count, never having to ask for anything.

If it weren’t a matter concerning the survival of the Fusang Clan, he would never stoop before a junior...

"Why don’t you first explain what you’re requesting?" Ning Fan wouldn’t make an arbitrary promise without understanding the situation.

Fusang Old Demon sighed deeply, with a bitter smile, "Daoist, how many more years do you think this old man can live?"

"At most ten years."

"Indeed, my lifespan is only ten years left. After ten years, I will surely die; it is Heaven’s decree and cannot be forced... I am not afraid of death, just afraid that after my demise, the Fusang Clan will gradually decline..."

"Senior, you jest. Even if you were to pass away, the Fusang Clan would still be a major clan in the Tree World. Fellow Daoist Tang Xiong is the current Clan Leader of the Fusang Clan and a respected expert in the Great Void Sect. How can a clan with a Great Void sect member in charge possibly decline?"

Ning Fan shook his head, unconvinced. The decline of the Ming Luo Clan was due to the disaster ten thousand years ago where all their Void Refinement practitioners perished.

The Fusang Clan with an expert from the Great Void sect, even if the Void Fragmentation elder passed, would still be a major clan in the Tree World. How could it decline?

"Daoist probably doesn’t know... Do you know what my position is in the Bamboo Hall of the Eastern Tree Ocean?"

"I heard that Senior is one of the Eight Elders of the Bamboo Forest in the Eastern Tree Ocean, an Eighth Elder of the Bamboo Hall." Ning Fan replied.

"Correct, I am the Eighth Elder of the Bamboo Hall, a subordinate of the Bamboo Sovereign. The sub-hall I oversee is named the Evil Bamboo Hall. As my life grows short, before I die, I wish to recommend Daoist to the Bamboo Sovereign, to let you take the position of the Eighth Elder of the Bamboo Hall. What do you think?"

"Senior is joking, all the elders of the Bamboo Hall are Void Fragmentation cultivators. What virtues or abilities do I have to become one of the Eight Elders of the Bamboo Forest..."

Ning Fan was about to decline, but his words were interrupted by Fusang Old Demon.

"I heard you are acquiring Tree Spirit Fruits, presumably to enhance your intent cultivation?" Fusang Old Demon suddenly changed the topic.

"Oh? Senior’s information is quite well informed." Ning Fan was momentarily taken aback, then understood. Whatever he bought in Yu Yi City couldn’t be hidden from Fusang Old Demon.

"Might I inquire, Fellow Daoist Lu, what grade of intent you are aiming to enhance your cultivation to? If reaching grade seven or lower is your aim, then I have nothing more to say. But if Daoist is pursuing grade two, or even grade one intent, then you must consider my proposal!"

"I intend to recommend you as one of the Eight Elders of the Bamboo Hall. If you manage to pass the Bamboo Sovereign’s test and become an Eighth Elder, then at that time, you will gain enormous benefits... As an Eighth Elder, you can receive numerous rewards, including ten ’Tree Ancestor Fruits’!"

"Our Eastern Tree Ocean is abundant with Tree Spirit Fruits, which are effective for enhancing intent cultivation, but can only raise it up to grade three at most. Beyond grade three intent, consuming Tree Spirit Fruits becomes useless, and only by consuming Tree Ancestor Fruits can intent cultivation be further enhanced!"

"If your intent cultivation reaches grade three, then after consuming ten Tree Ancestor Fruits, you could directly advance your intent to reach grade two!"

Ning Fan’s expression remained calm and collected, but his heart was somewhat moved.

Tree Ancestor Fruits... If he wished to break through to first grade Rain Intent, this was absolutely necessary...

But, does he really need to become an Eighth Elder of the Bamboo Hall to obtain the Tree Ancestor Fruits?

(Third Chapter) (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)