novelraw Chapter 625: The Place Where the Rain Ancestors Passed Away
Chapter 625: The Place Where the Rain Ancestors Passed Away
Upon hearing that Ning Fan intended to enter the second level, the Rain Emperor naturally had no objections.
He hoped even more for Ning Fan to proceed to the third level after entering the second.
Within the forbidden land’s third level resided the altar’s divine beast, and the Rain Emperor had made up his mind that, no matter the cost, he would have the divine beast strike and eliminate Ning Fan within the forbidden land.
"No one can obstruct this emperor on the path to immortality!"
A flash of domineering intent appeared in the Rain Emperor’s eyes, exuding a sense of doing whatever it takes to achieve his goal.
Unfortunately, he was unaware that, after offending Ning Fan, what awaited him was not the path to becoming an immortal, but certain death.
The entrance to the second level from the first was a bottomless pit filled with silver clouds.
The Rain Emperor was the first to leap down from the clouds, with Ning Fan following, riding on Nieli, descending towards the second level.
As he descended, he executed the Heaven Prying Rain Technique, and before he even reached the second level, a fine rain began to fall within it.
The second level of the forbidden land was not as vast as the first, spanning merely fifty million miles, and this time, Ning Fan used just one rain technique, which was enough to extend his spirit sense across the entire forbidden land.
One must admit, the Heaven Prying Rain Technique is an extremely convenient divination skill, allowing a cultivator’s spirit sense to extend into previously uncharted territories.
The Rain Emperor descended to the second level, and upon seeing the pervasive fine rain, his face darkened once more.
"Is it the Heaven Prying Rain Technique again..."
This time, the jealousy in his eyes quickly vanished, not lingering for long.
Ning Fan soon descended to the second level, dispelling the Heaven Prying Rain Technique, a hint of surprise on his face.
The first level of the forbidden land was filled with corpse beasts, ten thousand great mountains, and three thousand toxic marshes, presenting a desolate and perilous landscape.
The second level, however, was picturesque, resembling a paradise of immortals.
Though the scenery was pleasant, the deathly aura here was several times more intense than in the first level.
Amidst the clear mountains and waters stood a bamboo-covered city, not far from the second level’s entrance.
Ning Fan was surprised because he had seen this city before!
He had seen it twice!
In the mirage of the first test of Heaven Controlling City, he and the Rain Ancestor drank together in this city!
Before opening his Divine Aperture, he and the Rain Ancestor reunited in this city!
This city, appearing twice in his visions, was the place where he met the Rain Ancestor!
Unexpectedly, this city actually existed in the world!
However, unlike the illusions, the city was now empty, with not a single soul in sight anywhere in the second level.
Vast and desolate, yet laden with a mountain-like, heavy deathly aura!
"Such dense deathly aura..." Ning Fan squinted his eyes, sensing something.
"Haha, this place is where the Rain Ancestor passed away, naturally filled with intense deathly aura," the Rain Emperor explained with a few dry laughs.
"Passed away, you say."
Ning Fan sighed with emotion, for the Rain Ancestor was a dignified Immortal Emperor, yet he too would pass away.
People believed that achieving immortality means never dying, and thus they pursued the path of cultivation.
However, the reality was harsh, even an Immortal Emperor would one day succumb to fate.
Even the Immortal Emperor...
"Who in the world can escape death? Mortals die of old age, immortals fall into reincarnation. Immortality is but an illusion," Ning Fan seemed to mutter to himself, or perhaps speak to the Rain Emperor.
The Rain Emperor wore a submissive smile, but in his eyes flickered an almost imperceptible scorn. He sneered at Ning Fan’s lament.
The Rain Emperor did not believe the Rain Ancestor passed away here; he was convinced immortals were eternal, which was why he pursued immortality at all costs, recklessly seeking to become immortal.
Although the Rain Emperor had heard that immortals face great and minor Heavenly Tribulations, and failing to pass could mean dying to them.
But in the Rain Emperor’s view, as long as one could withstand tribulation, they could ultimately achieve immortality.
Eternal life is real, not an illusion!
For eternal life, he would give anything!
To Ning Fan, who obstructed his pursuit of eternal life, he would stop at nothing to kill!
Ning Fan glanced around, detecting a slight disdain in the Rain Emperor’s eyes, and subtly shook his head.
He proclaimed immortality an illusion as a warning to the Rain Emperor, to not be led astray by desires.
Becoming an immortal is precious, but living in the present holds greater importance.
If one commits irreparable errors in pursuit of immortality, regret will surely follow.
In Heaven Controlling Realm, the Rain Emperor harbored ill intentions, trying a sneak attack on Ning Fan with lethal intentions, but Ning Fan forgave him the first time.
In the first level of the forbidden land, the Rain Emperor, ever hopeful, tried to let Ning Fan perish at the formation’s entrance, yet Ning Fan forgave him a second time.
The second layer of the forbidden land, the Rain Emperor still harbors murderous intent, still plotting something, Ning Fan speaks out to remind him, forgiving him for the third time.
Three times forgiven, the gratitude to the rain ancestors is repaid.
If the Rain Emperor remains oblivious, Ning Fan will show no mercy!
There is no trace of Ning Qian on the second layer of the forbidden land, but Ning Fan does not feel disappointed, because he senses Ning Qian’s unmistakable aura right outside the entrance to the third layer.
Ning Qian is in the third layer! She is Ning Fan’s mother!
Ning Fan decides to enter the third layer to rescue his mother.
If the Rain Emperor harbors murderous intent in the third layer, then it will be his burial ground.
"It’s a nice place... Let’s go to the third layer!"
Ning Fan slightly regrettably glanced at the city of emerald bamboo, mounted Nieli, and hurried toward the direction of the third layer.
This place is where the rain ancestors were settled, one Immortal Emperor had once fallen here, with a tremendous amount of dead aura.
If Ning Fan had enough time to absorb all the dead aura here, the cultivation of the Corpse Devil Record would surely advance by leaps and bounds, and the Corpse Decay would certainly grow stronger.
But absorbing all the dead aura here cannot be done overnight.
Ning Fan is presently focused on finding his mother, and temporarily sets aside the matter of absorbing the dead aura.
Upon hearing that Ning Fan wants to enter the third layer, the Rain Emperor is overjoyed.
If Ning Fan enters the third layer, he must make sure Ning Fan dies in the third layer!
"Hehe, take it slow, my friend. There are a few Corpse Beasts causing trouble in the third layer. This emperor will go ahead to clear the path for you!"
The Rain Emperor genuinely relaxed and smiled, took out a silver talisman, felt a slight pang of reluctance, and then slapped the talisman onto his chest.
In an instant, silver clouds rose beneath the Rain Emperor’s feet, enveloping him, moving toward the entrance of the third layer at speeds multiple times faster than Nieli!
At this moment, the Rain Emperor’s cultivation speed is comparable to that of an Immortal!
This silver talisman is called the ’Cloud Duel Talisman,’ an immortal-level talisman passed down from the upper realms.
The Rain Emperor has only two of these talismans, and one can only be used once, it is a supreme treasure for life preservation.
Once the Cloud Duel Talisman is applied, within two hours, the Rain Emperor’s cultivation speed can be elevated to the level of an Immortal.
The Rain Emperor has always regarded this talisman as a life-preserving treasure, reluctant to bestow it to anyone, even refraining from using it several times during peril.
But this time, he must use it!
He must get there ahead of Ning Fan, enter the third layer, awaken the Divine Beast, and eliminate Ning Fan!
This is very important, as his own cultivation speed is far slower than Nieli’s, and if he enters the third layer later than Ning Fan, he won’t have time to awaken the Divine Beast, missing the best opportunity to slay Ning Fan.
Therefore, despite the reluctance, the Rain Emperor resolutely used one Cloud Duel Talisman.
In the Rain Emperor’s view, as long as he enters the third layer ahead of time, awakens the Divine Beast, it would be easy to eliminate Ning Fan.
After all, the Divine Beast in the altar has cultivation of the Shattered Seventh Realm, and is only a breath away from entering Fragmentation Realm Eight.
Precisely because the Divine Beast has such powerful strength, it has the ability to plot against the Thunder Emperor in Red of the Shattered Sixth Rank.
After using the Cloud Duel Talisman, the Rain Emperor transformed into a silver streak of light, disappearing swiftly, far ahead of Ning Fan.
Nieli’s purple eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised that the Rain Emperor could move faster than her.
Looking again at the talisman on the Rain Emperor’s chest, she showed a hint of disdain, murmuring lowly, as if saying that relying on a talisman for speed doesn’t count as true skill.
Ning Fan’s gaze trembled, "That is... an immortal-level escape talisman! Unexpectedly, the Rain Emperor’s strength is not strong, yet he has such a powerful life-preserving talisman. If this talisman is used for life preservation, even an Immortal may not be able to eliminate him..."
"The Rain Emperor is so eager to enter the third layer, even at the cost of using such a precious immortal talisman, he must be planning something significant. His purpose, is it to kill me in the third layer of the forbidden land? I am very curious, what cards does he have, giving him such confidence to kill me in the third layer."
Ning Fan was already on guard, his hand touching the Demon-Sealing Pouch at his waist.
No matter what ambush or dangers lie in the third layer of the forbidden land, he must enter the third layer to rescue his mother!
...
The Rain Emperor took the lead, escaping into the third layer of the forbidden land.
The third layer of the forbidden land is smaller than the second layer, only spanning tens of thousands of miles.
Throughout the tens of thousands of miles, all there is to see is endless blood-colored desert.
On the desert, every few miles stands a stone statue, varying in size.
These stone statues, some are human-shaped, some are beast-shaped, bizarre and varied.
There are nine million strange stone statues in this place, if viewed from above, it would be discovered that all the stone statues form a large circular formation.
Each stone statue is equivalent to a formation’s eye, with formation patterns connected like stars.
The formation is not an ancient array, nor are the stone statues ancient objects, they are all products of the past hundred thousand years.
At the center of the circle is a huge ancient altar.
On the altar stands a gigantic lion statue, as enormous as tens of thousands of yards.
This statue resembles a cloud lion but differs slightly in appearance, with sixteen pairs of massive wings and a sharp horn on its head.
Even though the statue is clearly an inanimate object, its tightly shut eyes occasionally twitch, creating an eerie effect.
In the Rain Palace, two methods are commonly known for creating cloud lion puppets.
The first kind of cloud lion puppet is low in cultivation but can move around.
The second kind of cloud lion can even reach the Void Fragmentation level but must be connected to the terrain and cannot move.
The statue on the altar represents a third type of cloud lion.
It not only possesses great cultivation power but is also mobile!
The Rain Ancestor, who mastered the method of creating the third type of cloud lion, never passed it down to future generations of the Rain Palace.
This is because creating the third type of cloud lion is extremely cruel, requiring the cloud lion to devour countless live sacrifices before it can be made.
When the Rain Ancestor created this third type of cloud lion back in the day, it only elevated the cloud lion’s cultivation to the Shattered Seventh Realm, then captured billions of masters to use their lives as a blood sacrifice for the cloud lion.
To raise the cloud lion’s cultivation even higher, more lives would need to be sacrificed.
The sacrifices Rain Ancestor captured were enemy masters; even massive slaughter would not affect his spirit sense.
But at a certain point, even Rain Ancestor, with his cold personality, hesitated to continue the slaughter.
To create a Life Immortal level cloud lion, one would need to massacre at least several hundred cultivation kingdoms.
To create a True Immortal level cloud lion, it would require breaking through several hundred cultivation stars.
To create an Immortal Emperor level cloud lion, who knows how much slaughter would be enough? Perhaps an Immortal Emperor level cloud lion can never be created...
And so, Rain Ancestor hesitated and halted the creation of the third type of cloud lion, also choosing not to pass on this method to future generations.
Rain Ancestor worried that if a greedy descendant emerged, they might commit large-scale, innocent slaughter to create this type of cloud lion...
The cloud lion is merely a side path, not the righteous way. If descendants acted so ignobly, the Rain Ancestor passing down this technique would bear an undeniable guilt.
Ultimately, Rain Ancestor did not pass on the cloud lion creation technique.
But the cloud lion he casually created back then was preserved.
The cloud lion is referred to by the Rain Emperor as a Divine Beast, but it is actually just a puppet.
Ordinary puppets will not perish as long as their endurance is not exhausted.
This unique cloud lion, upon deteriorating, only needs to be drenched in the blood of living beings to extend its endurance.
This cloud lion originally lacked any spirit awareness, but after eons, it finally gained consciousness ten millennia ago!
The cloud lion began to make deals with several generations of Rain Emperors.
It served the Rain Emperor by killing on their behalf, and in return, the Rain Emperor had to offer living beings for it to consume.
Generations before Yun Zongxuan, although they occasionally relied on the cloud lion’s power to resist enemies during crises, generally avoided dealing with it.
After all, each transaction with the cloud lion necessitated the sacrifice of many living beings, conflicting with the Rain Palace’s principles.
In Yun Zongxuan’s generation, unrestrained in means to achieve goals, there was naturally extensive utilization of the cloud lion.
Whenever needing the cloud lion’s strength, Yun Zongxuan covertly abducted countless mortals and masters for the cloud lion to devour.
Over the years, the cloud lion voraciously consumed living beings, and its cultivation gradually improved. Already at the peak of the Fracture Seventh Realm, it now was but a hair’s breadth from breaching the Fragmentation Realm Eight.
Thus, the cloud lion decided to embark on a century-long seclusion, prioritizing its breakthrough to Fragmentation Realm Eight.
When Rain Emperor suggested the task of killing Ning Fan, the cloud lion refused the request for the first time.
"Hmph, this generation’s Rain Emperor is too weak! A mere Fracture Fifth ant dares to command me? Truly ignorant of his own limitations."
"Once I break through to the Fragmentation Realm Eight, I shall break out of this forbidden land, exterminating the Rain Palace and washing the Rain Immortal World with blood. The souls of an entire world...I wonder to what level my cultivation could ascend, perhaps breaching the Life Immortal realm in one fell swoop!"
"A century...I need only wait a century more!"
As the cloud lion mused over this, suddenly, Rain Emperor’s escape light passed through the second level entrance into the third level forbidden land, landing before the altar.
"Yun Zongxuan, why are you here again? Don’t you know I’m in seclusion!" the cloud lion said with displeasure.
"Mighty Divine Beast, please calm your anger. I have a nemesis that must be killed and need your power! This person is in the forbidden land, approaching the third level! If you assist in defeating him, I promise to offer you more than enough sacrifices for your savor!" Rain Emperor’s tone was surprisingly humble.
In front of a puppet nearing the Fragmentation Realm Eight in cultivation, even the prestigious Rain Emperor dared not show any arrogance.
Hearing the Rain Emperor’s intent to have it kill, the cloud lion’s stone eyes immediately lit with rage.
Though it had been in seclusion for several years now, if it came out to kill this time, the years of hard work would be wasted.
"My seclusion is of utmost importance and must not be jeopardized! Within this century, I will not assist you in any killings!" the cloud lion coldly refused.
"Five million sacrifices!" Rain Emperor gritted his teeth, offering a condition.
Hearing this, the cloud lion’s eyes betrayed a trace of greed, showing some temptation.
But soon after, it shook its head, discontented, "Not enough! This time, I require one hundred million sacrifices, and all must be masters, not mortals!"
Being a lion, the so-called ’lion’s share’ is nothing unusual for it.
The Rain Emperor’s expression sank, dark with rage.
In the Rain Immortal World, there are only eight hundred cultivation kingdoms. To gather one hundred million cultivators for the sacrificial rite, each kingdom must abduct at least one million cultivators as sacrifices.
Previously, when he asked the Cloud Lions to kill the Thunder Emperor, he only paid the price of two million sacrifices, most of whom were common people.
The life and death of common people naturally did not concern cultivators.
At that time, when the Rain Emperor sent out people to abduct hundreds of thousands of low-level cultivators from dozens of cultivation kingdoms, it caused considerable panic in the Rain Immortal World.
Many discovered this was the Rain Emperor’s doing but were intimidated by the strength of the Rain Palace, so they dared not voice their concerns.
But this time, if the Rain Emperor were to abduct one hundred million cultivators for the Cloud Lions to feast upon, the overall strength of the Rain Immortal World would be halved, and this matter would definitely not escape public scrutiny...
"One hundred million, far too many..."
Just as the Rain Emperor wanted to haggle, the Cloud Lion sneered coldly, "If you don’t give, then get lost!"
Its tone was filled with utmost humiliation.
The Rain Emperor’s face turned deathly pale, deeply insulted, and he almost wanted to fight to the death with the Cloud Lion, but he knew he was no match for it.
Recalling the divination, the Rain Emperor suppressed his urge to leave in a huff, gritting his teeth,
"As long as you help me kill this person, I will give you one hundred million sacrifices!"
To become immortal, the Rain Emperor was willing to pay any price!
Even if it meant sacrificing the entire Rain Immortal World, he would not hesitate!
"Oh? You agreed? Then it’s not impossible for me to make another move for you. Hmm? The person you want to kill, what is their cultivation?"
The Cloud Lion lifted its stone head and gazed into the sky.
In that direction, there was the entrance to the third-level forbidden zone. From the direction of the entrance, the Cloud Lion could sense two formidable presences approaching.
One was Return to Origin Grand Void Realm, the other was Void Fragmentation Realm.
One of these two auras should be the person the Rain Emperor wished to kill.
In the eyes of the Cloud Lion, whether it was Crushed Five Nieli or Ning Fan, they were insignificant and mere ants.
Among the cultivators it had slain on behalf of the past generations of Rain Emperors, the strongest was the Thunder Emperor, who had Fracture Sixth rank but was able to battle a Shattered Seventh Cultivator.
At that time, the Cloud Lion used a simple trick to lure the Thunder Emperor’s spirit beast, a demon ape, to betray him and ambushed the Thunder Emperor, eventually killing him...
Other than that battle, which was considered a hard fight, the Cloud Lion had never encountered a tough battle.
Today, there would be no hard battle either!
"Kill the one from the Return to Origin, leave the one from Void Fragmentation, with the Divine Beast’s secret techniques to subdue them, gift them to me as a demon pet!"
The Rain Emperor’s intention was to have the Cloud Lion kill Ning Fan and capture Nieli, gifting him as a demon pet.
If he had a Void Fragmentation demon pet, the Rain Emperor’s path to immortality would be one step closer.
"Alright! If I take action, this child will be exterminated instantly! Roar!"
The Cloud Lion roared mightily, and layers of silver-white mist immediately surged forth like waves in the sky.
In that direction, Ning Fan, riding on Nieli, was entering the third-level forbidden zone!
Before entering the forbidden zone, Ning Fan had already spread his spirit sense, not only locating his mother within the third level but also overhearing the Rain Emperor’s bargain with the Cloud Lion.
At this moment, seeing the ocean-like silver clouds surging towards him, his eyes glinted with murderous intent.
If the rain does not fail me, I shall not fail the rain. He had given the Rain Emperor too many chances, but the Rain Emperor still decided to make such a foolish decision and persistently sought his life.
In such a case, he would no longer show mercy to the Rain Emperor!
"Strike, hold nothing back!"
Ning Fan quickly opened the Demon-Sealing Pouch, and a black mist immediately swept out from it.
Just as the black light flashed in the sky, countless clouds began to collapse!
"How is this possible! The full force strike of my might, how could it be shattered by a single blow from a Return to Origin ant! Wait, this is!"
The Cloud Lion’s gaze fell upon a gigantic black silhouette in the sky, immediately revealing a look of terror.
The Rain Emperor, who had been waiting to see Ning Fan meet his death, was also full of fear at this moment.
"Dispelling... Dispelling Demons! How is this possible, this is impossible!"
All the scheming and plotting pale in comparison to the overwhelming power of absolute strength.
All of the Rain Emperor’s schemes seemed laughable before the Dispelling Demons level power.
"How could such a mere Return to Origin ant have a Dispelling Demons ally!"
"Is it the Black Evil Sect... No, impossible! Even the head of the Black Demon Sect, Han, struggles to protect himself, let alone have Dispelling Demons as a guardian for his disciple!"
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Where on earth did this child find Dispelling Demons level support! Is this Dispelling Demons Old Monster a Demon World cultivator or an Immortal Clouds cultivator?!!!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to visit qidian.com for recommendations, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)