Grasping the Evil

Chapter 606: True Flame Star Chu Clan

After sensing Wei Xuan’s presence, Ning Fan felt half relieved.

Wei Xuan would definitely help him. With Wei Xuan’s mediation, killing the Vine Emperor was unlikely to cause trouble in the Four Heavens.

"Since Brother Lu is not confident in dealing with the Four Heavens Executor... Let’s do it this way, you leave the Vine King Hall first, and I’ll handle this!" Liu Haoyue said chivalrously.

Ning Fan smiled slightly. Liu Haoyue was indeed someone he could befriend.

"No need, I now have a good grasp on dealing with these Four Heavens Executors. Please lead the way, Brother Liu, and take me to the Vine King Hall!"

"Well... all right."

Liu Haoyue didn’t ask much more and transformed into an escape light with Ning Fan, flying into the Vine King Hall in the city.

Inside the grand hall, Bamboo Sovereign sat in the main seat, with two Masters seated in guest seats, both of whom were Four Heavens Executors.

One of them was an elder in a black robe, with the cultivation of the Second Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm.

This person, pretending to be asleep with closed eyes, was indeed Wei Xuan, who had offered Ning Fan a chance back in the Star Palace.

Upon sensing Ning Fan’s arrival, Wei Xuan slowly opened his eyes, examining Ning Fan with a slight look of surprise before giving Ning Fan a friendly smile.

The other was a young man in a fiery red robe, with his hair styled in a top knot, handsome in appearance and possessing the cultivation of the Sixth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm!

This young man had a faint smile on his lips, playing with the teacup in his hand, ignoring others.

Upon detecting Ning Fan’s arrival, the young man suddenly looked up, his brow lighting up with four fiery red star points, his gaze sweeping towards Ning Fan like a blaze!

"Are you Lu Bei, who killed the Vine Emperor?" The young man’s words revealed no hint of anger.

"Indeed!" Ning Fan took half a step back, slightly startled, and replied loudly.

Swept by the young man’s gaze, which seemed substantial, Ning Fan’s internal Yin and Yang fire was slightly out of control!

Fortunately, Ning Fan immediately operated the Minor Five Elements Constitution to suppress the chaotic flames, and his gaze towards the young man in the robe carried a hint of caution.

"Indestructible Fire Body!" Ning Fan’s expression remained unchanged, but he was secretly startled, recognizing the young man’s constitution.

"Minor Five Elements Body!" The young man in the robe was also quite surprised that his Divine Skill couldn’t cause Ning Fan’s flames to lose control.

"Hehehe, no need to be nervous. Let me introduce you. This executor is the Young Sect Leader of the True Flame Star Chu Family of the Northern Heaven Immortal Realm—Chu Youran. He also has another identity... He is one of the Four Top Geniuses of the Northern Heaven of this generation, known as the South Emperor!"

Wei Xuan stood up very courteously and introduced Ning Fan to the identity of the young man in the robe.

His friendly expression towards Ning Fan had no trace of pretense, as if he had a profound friendship with Ning Fan.

Liu Haoyue and Bamboo Sovereign were both stunned, not understanding why the lofty Four Heavens Executors would be so courteous to a lower realm Master.

It must be known that even Masters like them in the lower realms of the Divine Emperor level rarely receive such courteous treatment from the Four Heavens Executors.

Upper World Immortal Officials, after all, have a certain sense of superiority, generally looking down on lower realm Masters.

Thus, Wei Xuan’s courtesy towards Ning Fan made Liu Haoyue and Bamboo Sovereign feel inconceivable.

Chu Youran’s eyes flickered slightly, evidently not expecting Wei Xuan to show such courtesy to Ning Fan either.

Then his gaze swept back and forth between Wei Xuan and Ning Fan, showing a meaningful smile, "May I dare ask, Uncle Wei, is Lu Bei your junior..."

"Indeed!"

"Could it be that he is..."

"Correct!"

The conversation between the two held hidden meanings, understood only by those involved.

However, Ning Fan was able to deduce some information from their conversation.

Chu Youran was very courteous to Wei Xuan, even addressing him as Uncle Wei, which made it evident that the True Flame Star Chu Family and the He Luo Wei Family were family friends.

There was a high possibility that Chu Youran was a friend and not an enemy.

And Chu Youran’s last sentence seemed to have guessed Ning Fan’s identity.

Ning Fan, however, was unsure of what Chu Youran had specifically guessed about him.

As he was pondering, Wei Xuan transmitted a message: "The previous patriarch of the Chu family was a close friend of your master, but unfortunately, he fell before your master’s mishap, or else he would never have allowed your master to be bullied by the White Demon Sect and betrayed by Moksha Emperor Han. There are still a few old Void Fragmentation Realm figures in the Chu family who remember their friendship with your master. The helpers I’ve called for you include people from the Chu family. On the day when the Heavenly Court opens, these people will find an excuse to enter the ancient Heavenly Court through the Land of Demons in the Four Heavens to help you kill Moksha Emperor Han!"

"So that’s how it is."

Ning Fan nodded. It seemed Chu Youran was indeed a friend rather than an enemy.

And his previous speculation was likely that they were guessing he was the disciple of the old monster.

Upon learning Ning Fan’s identity, Chu Youran’s eyes carried a friendly intention as he stood up and smiled,

"So Brother Lu is a prized student of Senior Han, my apologies. No wonder you could tame the fierce beast Nieli and slay the Vine Emperor with such remarkable military achievement points, truly living up to your master’s reputation!" It seemed Chu Youran held great respect for the old monster, admiring him deeply.

However, what he said seemed not to be entirely in accordance with the rules.

He was a Four Heavens Executor, here to investigate the Vine Emperor’s fall.

He didn’t speak out for the fallen Vine Emperor, nor did he blame Ning Fan for killing the Vine Emperor, nor did he investigate whether Ning Fan was an otherworldly Master. Instead, he stood on Ning Fan’s side, praising Ning Fan’s military achievements for killing the Vine Emperor, which was quite contrary to his executor’s role.

Liu Haoyue felt speechless, initially worrying that these two Four Heavens Executors might cause trouble for Ning Fan. Now it seemed both executors had quite a close relationship with Ning Fan.

Bamboo Sovereign found it even more unbelievable. He couldn’t comprehend how Ning Fan, merely a lower realm Master, had gotten involved with the Four Heavens Executors from the upper worlds.

Judging by the pace of things, these two Four Heavens Executors seemed ready to indulge Ning Fan.

Indeed, Chu Youran’s next few questions directly made Bamboo and Liu Emperors feel at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

"Lu Bei, did you kill the Vine Emperor?"

"Yes!"

"Why did you kill him?"

"He first sent people to hunt me down, I was merely retaliating."

"Oh, so it was the Vine Emperor who started it by provoking you. Then it’s only his own fault that he’s dead. A respectable Tree World Divine Sovereign chasing a Void Fragmentation junior, failing to kill him and getting killed instead. Serves him right... Hehe, alright, the investigation is over. My opinion is: Vine Emperor’s death by Lu Bei’s hand is purely self-inflicted. Lu Bei bears no responsibility whatsoever. Hmm? I wonder what Uncle Wei’s opinion is?" Chu Youran asked with a smile.

"I agree with Chu Youran’s opinion," Wei Xuan also chuckled.

"If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave first and return to the Four Heavens to report the results of this investigation to the Four Oceans Sect... Alas, we and Uncle Wei worked so hard to investigate in the lower realms, but those people from the Four Oceans Sect wouldn’t even glance at our findings. To them, the fall of a Void Fragmentation Divine Sovereign in the lower realm is nothing but a trivial matter; they won’t care. They’re already overwhelmed managing the Four Heavens True Immortals’ affairs, so how would they care about minor matters in the lower realms..."

Chu Youran glanced meaningfully at Liu Haoyue and the Bamboo Sovereign, his last words were meant as a reminder to the Bamboo and Willow Two Emperors.

Though Chu Youran was clearly partial to Ning Fan, even if reported to the Four Oceans Sect, it would be of no use.

Regarding today’s favoritism, the Bamboo and Willow Two Emperors would do best to pretend they hadn’t seen anything and not meddle.

After his reminder, he nodded respectfully towards Wei Xuan and Ning Fan, took out a Star Compass, summoned a Star Gate, and stepped into it, returning to the Four Heavens.

Chu Youran didn’t know that the Bamboo Sovereign owed Ning Fan a debt of gratitude for saving his life, and the Willow Sovereign considered Ning Fan as a close friend, eagerly wishing for Ning Fan to be acquitted, so they had no objections to Chu Youran’s favoritism.

Today, the two Four Heavens Executors and two Tree Sovereigns in the Vine King Hall were all Ning Fan’s people.

Today, Ning Fan was undoubtedly free of any charges.

"Heh, the Four Heavens Executors have completed their investigation, Brother Lu holds no responsibility, we can finally rest easy and take our leave." Liu Haoyue and the Bamboo Sovereign knew Ning Fan was out of trouble and bid farewell.

In the Vine King Hall, only Ning Fan and Wei Xuan remained.

Ning Fan looked at Wei Xuan, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness, "Senior Wei, did you come to the lower realms specifically to clear my name?"

"Exactly! When I saw the file on the Vine Emperor’s death, and noticed you were the one who killed him, I immediately brought Chu Youran down to help you."

"Thank you!" Ning Fan solemnly bowed to Wei Xuan.

This experience of favoritism felt strange to Ning Fan. As a demoness, he wouldn’t deny the fact of killing the Vine Emperor, nor would he compromise and curry favor with the Four Heavens Executors to clear his name.

But Wei Xuan traveled a thousand miles to the lower realms specifically to help Ning Fan, and Ning Fan appreciated this sentiment.

"Hehe, there’s no need to thank, you’re Old Han’s disciple, which makes you my disciple too. If I help you, why should it require thanks?" Wei Xuan waved his hand, indicating Ning Fan shouldn’t give thanks, then continued,

"Next time, act a bit more discreetly, don’t let people see..."

The implication was to keep a low profile when killing lower realm Divine Sovereigns; as long as no one sees, nobody would intervene.

"Yes, I’ll heed your advice closely, Senior."

"Very well then..."

Wei Xuan stroked his beard, looking at Ning Fan with satisfaction.

It’s only been a few years since they last met, and Ning Fan had already advanced from a mere Divinity Transformation to the Void Fragmentation Realm.

Moreover, Ning Fan wasn’t just a typical Void Fragmentation cultivator; in a fit of anger, he even eradicated the Vine Emperor...

According to Wei Xuan, the Vine Emperor and Moksha Emperor were both Fifth Heavenly Layer cultivators of the Void Fragmentation Realm, not much weaker than Moksha Emperor.

Ning Fan being able to fight against the Vine Emperor qualified him to challenge Moksha Emperor...

"This incident has caused quite a stir, and I’ve informed Old Han of your achievements, the fact that you could slay the Vine Emperor might make him proud of you..."

"Ah-choo!" In the Sword World, Old Monster Han was leisurely sitting in an Ice Sword City, suddenly sneezed.

"Who’s speaking ill of me behind my back, making me sneeze!" Old Monster Han cursed first.

"Such disrespect! Little Brat Ning’s behavior is simply defying elder respect! He actually single-handedly took down the Tree World’s Vine Hall... Such a lively affair, yet he didn’t invite his mentor to join in! How disrespectful!" Old Monster Han looked at the jade slips from Wei Xuan and started his second curse.

"Little Brat Ning reached the Void Fragmentation Realm so quickly, much faster than I ever did back in my days... Hmph, but wait! As a man, what’s the benefit of being quick? It’s the endurance that matters! Endurance is the true strength! I’m prouder of my endurance than Little Brat Ning’s speed!" Old Monster Han cursed for the third time.

"Wei Xuan mentioned that in forty years, Little Brat Ning would head to the Heavenly Court to battle that rebel..." Old Monster’s expression suddenly turned silent, showing signs of worry.

"Little Brat Ning, whether you kill that rebel or not, I don’t care anymore; it’s just that you mustn’t die, be extra cautious... You’re my only disciple now..."

...

After Wei Xuan and Ning Fan privately discussed for several hours, leaving a bulging storage pouch for Ning Fan, he then departed, returning to the Four Heavens.

What they discussed was the matter of heading to assist the Heavenly Court in forty years.

Inside the storage pouch given to Ning Fan, were nearly a hundred bottles of Six Revolution Peak pills, all for enhancing Void Fragmentation cultivations...

These pills were painstakingly gathered by Wei Xuan just to gift Ning Fan, aiding him in his cultivation.

Moreover, Wei Xuan somehow managed to collect more than forty Void Refinement Realm Dao Fruits, and three Void Fragmentation Realm Dao Fruits, all handed to Ning Fan.

Considering his current Second Heavenly Layer status in the Void Fragmentation Realm, acquiring so many pills and Dao Fruits was certainly not easy.

Ning Fan cherished this favor deeply, assuring himself that he’d repay Wei Xuan’s kindness someday.

After Wei Xuan departed, Ning Fan, accompanied by Liu Haoyue, proceeded to the Treasure Cave Heaven within the Vine King Hall.

Upon entering, when Ning Fan’s gaze fell upon the centuries of accumulation within the Vine Hall, his eyes were deeply shaken!

With the Nie Fruit, the pills gifted by Wei Xuan, and the accumulations of the Vine Hall over the ages, Ning Fan’s breakthrough to Return to Origin Grand Void Realm would not be difficult!

In fact, the majority of his obstacles on the path to Void Fragmentation could be swept away with the countless heavenly treasures from the Vine Hall!

"Brother Ning! You’ve killed the Vine Emperor, the treasures stored in this Vine Hall rightfully all belong to you. Take a look at these things, are you satisfied?" Liu Haoyue asked with a smile.

As the Emperor of Liu Hall, he lacked neither pills nor heavenly treasures required for cultivation.

But for Ning Fan, the accumulations of the Vine Hall were an unimaginable fortune...

That represented a quarter of the Tree World’s wealth! (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)