Grasping the Evil

Chapter 648: Dragon Suppression Treasure, Taigong Fishing Rod

"I heard that Miss Zixin has completed refining the Purple-grade Fishing Rod."

Ning Fan put down the mutton-fat jade cup holding the Spiritual Tea and asked Tan Zixin with a smile.

Seeing Ning Fan’s usual smile, Tan Zixin breathed a slight sigh of relief, knowing that Ning Fan didn’t mind her nonsensical words.

She returned the Separation Slayer to Ning Fan, who gently stroked the sword, discovering that its quality had significantly improved.

It seemed Tan Zixin cherished this sword very much, deliberately refining it for some time, which greatly enhanced its power.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Zixin..." Ning Fan sighed.

He had always been negligent in refining his life-bound magical treasures; now, even outsiders couldn’t bear it and wanted to help refine them...

As the owner of the magical treasure, he indeed felt somewhat guilty towards the Separation Slayer...

"It’s just a trivial matter; Senior Bai need not mind it..." The voice called out Senior Bai from Tan Zixin’s mouth, her clear voice quite pleasant.

"The Purple-grade Fishing Rod is indeed completed, but it’s currently placed in the ’Yunling Pool’ for nurturing the artifact spirit, requiring about another incense stick’s time. Before the nurturing ends, Zixin has a request to seek Senior Bai’s help... If Senior agrees to this request, Zixin will agree to any conditions proposed..."

Tan Zixin’s eyes suddenly reddened; she tilted her delicate body, intending to kneel on the ground.

Ning Fan’s gaze shifted slightly; he immediately waved a sleeve wind, not allowing Tan Zixin to kneel.

He already knew what Tan Zixin wanted to ask of him, no more than to help heal the Old Yuan Emperor.

Without the Yuan Emperor Jade given by the Old Yuan Emperor, Ning Fan would have never had the chance to glimpse life and death inside the Ascension Tower.

Just for the sentiment of the Yuan Emperor Jade alone, Ning Fan would help the Old Yuan Emperor, so Tan Zixin need not kneel to plead.

Moreover, Ning Fan could see that Tan Zixin was a proud woman, yet she was willing to kneel to save her grandfather, which made Ning Fan see her differently.

"Miss Zixin, you don’t need to perform such a grand gesture. What request do you have? Feel free to speak. If it’s not too difficult, Bai Mou certainly won’t refuse."

The sleeve wind was as light as cotton, but when it reached in front of Zixin, it forcibly prevented her from kneeling further.

Her gaze shifted slightly, evidently stunned by Ning Fan’s strength.

Though her cultivation was not high, due to past events, a trace of Yin Yang power had already gestated within her body.

With this Yin Yang power as protection, even old monsters of the Second and Third Heavens of Fragmented Void couldn’t stop her from kneeling.

"Senior Bai’s strength is indeed as powerful as rumored..."

Zixin saw that Ning Fan was determined not to let her kneel and could only dismiss the idea, softly lowering her chin and letting out a gentle sigh,

"Before mentioning the request, may I tell Senior a story? This story is related to Zixin’s request..."

"You may." Ning Fan nodded.

Tan Zixin’s bright eyes hidden beneath her bangs carried a slight regret as she gently opened her lips,

"It was four hundred years ago... That year, a young lady from a significant clan in the Demon World had just broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm. She was deeply obsessed with artifact refining techniques and did not love cultivation..."

"One day, she heard that an ancient relic of cultivators emerged in the Northern Abyss, containing many lost ancient artifact refining secret techniques... Her father and grandfather warned her that the place was dangerous and she should not go. But she was young and reckless; she didn’t listen, didn’t believe, and insisted on seeking opportunity and pursuing ancient artifact refining techniques..."

"When the girl arrived at the relic, countless cultivators had already begun their treasure hunts there. But soon after, within the relic, a slumbering poisonous beast suddenly broke out of its demon cocoon... awakened! The poisonous beast’s cultivation was not high, and it was slain by others, but after it died, it released an utterly terrifying poisonous fog, killing all the cultivators in the relic... The girl was also poisoned and had already died... But her grandfather arrived in time, saving her corpse."

"Her grandfather had failed countless times to become immortal, forcing him to shift to rogue devil cultivation. With great difficulty, he had another chance to become immortal, almost reaching the final step. But to save his granddaughter, he didn’t hesitate to destroy the Lifedeath Dao Pattern on his Demon Soul, reviving the girl who had just died and then transferred all the poison from the girl’s body into his own using Great Divine Power... Four hundred years have passed, and the girl’s grandfather lost the chance to become immortal and is on the verge of death from the torment of poison..."

"The one who should have died was clearly the girl, not her grandfather!"

"Senior Bai, do you think if this girl discovers someone can save her grandfather’s life, shouldn’t she give everything she has to beg for this person’s help? What should she do to get the Senior to save him?"

Tan Zixin raised her chin and looked sorrowfully at Ning Fan.

She knew that Ning Fan could understand this story.

But she didn’t know if Ning Fan would agree to her request to save her grandfather.

She regretted her ignorance in her youth, not heeding the elders’ advice.

If Ning Fan doesn’t agree to help her, then her grandfather will surely die, and she will regret it for the rest of her life...

"Miss Zixin wishes for me to take action and save your grandfather, is that right?" Ning Fan said noncommittally, looking at Tan Zixin.

"Yes! As long as the Senior agrees to this request, Zixin is willing to give everything... any request... will not be refused!" She bit her lip, resolved, like a heroine going to the execution ground.

She had decided that as long as Ning Fan was willing to save her grandfather, she would agree to any condition he proposed.

No matter if it was demanding expensive pills, Cultivation Techniques, magical materials, or even her body...

"No matter what request I propose, you’ll agree?" Ning Fan’s gaze, substantial as it was, swept across Tan Zixin’s delicate body.

Tan Zixin’s cheeks flushed, biting her teeth, bowing her head, and softly responded, "Yes..."

"Then I shall boldly propose a request to Miss Zixin... I dislike seeing women with mournful faces, could you favor Bai Mou with a smile?" Retracting his gaze, Ning Fan smiled slightly.

The scorching gaze was teasing Tan Zixin.

"Ah..." Tan Zixin was stunned, looking exceedingly adorable.

She had been prepared to agree to any condition, but Ning Fan proposed a condition she hadn’t thought of.

"What did the Senior say, it seems Zixin didn’t hear clearly..."

"I said, would you smile at me? Am I that frightening? Why does everyone who sees me have that expression?"

Ning Fan felt speechless; he began to regret borrowing Baimu’s identity.

Huayu considered him an unparalleled demon, ready to jump into the fire pit to save her sisters.

Tan Zixin also thought very poorly of him, prepared at any moment to offer herself.

Though Ning Fan was not exactly a virtuous type, he had never bullied a woman with whom he had no enmity, right?

Did he really appear like a villain who preys on men and women alike?

"Smile... what smile..." Tan Zixin blinked, still not quite comprehending.

"Forget it, pretend I didn’t say anything... I agree, I’ll help to save the Old Yuan Emperor, but whether I can save him from his predicament is not guaranteed. I’ll have to see his internal condition firsthand to know exactly."

Ning Fan didn’t continue teasing Tan Zixin nor did he make any exorbitant demands or inappropriate requests.

He doesn’t lack Divinity Transformation cauldrons, and there’s no need for Tan Zixin to offer herself.

Though he lacks the Yuan Cleansing Pill, he wouldn’t use this matter to demand it. Saving Tan Tianyan is a favor returned, and Ning Fan doesn’t expect anything in return.

Of course, Ning Fan will purchase the Yuan Cleansing Pill from the Earth Yuan Palace using an equivalent exchange, so as not to owe anyone a favor there.

Favors are easily owed but hard to repay.

"Is Senior truly willing to save Grandpa? Thank you, Senior! Senior is the kindest person Purple Cuckoo has ever met. Despite our brief acquaintance, you’re willing to help me, assist me; you are truly a good person!"

Smack! A big "good person" card was thrown onto Ning Fan’s face.

Just a second ago, he was called a thief, and now he’s a good person.

Tan Zixin broke into a smile through her tears, happily rushing to Ning Fan, like a jubilant Purple Cuckoo.

Beneath the purple and white headscarf, her exquisite face, with a single smile, was breathtakingly beautiful.

Truly, women look best when they smile.

When a woman cries or acts up, she is truly like a Primordial Era fierce beast, feared by gods and men...

"Am I a good person?" Ning Fan touched his chin, unable to see what part of him resembled a good person.

He slowly stood up and said to Tan Zixin, "Let’s first look at the fishing rod. After examining it, I’ll accompany you to see the Old Yuan Emperor for his treatment, shall we?"

"Yes, of course! Purple Cuckoo will now take Senior to the Yunling Pool to retrieve the fishing rod, please follow me."

Ning Fan followed Tan Zixin out of the grand hall, heading towards the Artifact Refining Workshop, and then passed through to reach Tan Zixin’s exclusive refinement room.

The ground beneath the refinement room had been hollowed out to construct a massive Yunling Pool, allowing ordinary magical treasures to potentially develop artifact spirits here.

She unexpectedly cultivated an artifact spirit for a mere fishing rod, showing how meticulous she was in refining it.

Along the way, Tan Zixin explained the unique features of this fishing rod to Ning Fan.

This fishing rod differs from ordinary ones and wasn’t casually refined.

Common purple-grade fishing rods can only be used dozens of times, as they are rushed in creation and lack durability.

Anyway, common old monsters at the Dragon Fishing Tournament only have one or two opportunities to fish dragons and wouldn’t wear out such a rod.

But Ning Fan’s fishing rod is different from ordinary ones.

This is a semi-finished fishing rod refined painstakingly by Tan Zixin over four hundred years, during which she used an unknown amount of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Its cost amounts to at least tens of billions of immortal jade!

This rod has no durability limit and is a middle-ranked Immortal Void magical treasure named ’Taigong Fishing Rod’!

During these few days, Tan Zixin completed the final step to refine it.

This treasure not only can fish dragons but can also be used as a magical treasure in battles, especially effective against those with Dragon Bloodline in the evil cultivations, capturing almost any Dragon Race cultivator below Fate Immortal with a single strike!

On this treasure, a piece of immortal-grade spirit iron has been spirit augmented, its Divine Skill called ’Dragon Subduing’!

That piece of spirit iron is the only one in the Demon World, extremely valuable, yet it was found by Tan Zixin.

The spirit iron’s value is hard to assess with immortal jade, hence not included in the cost; otherwise, the cost of this Taigong Fishing Rod would be incredibly frightening.

According to rumors, above the Four Heavens, a piece of immortal-grade ’Dragon Subduing’ spirit iron is priced at around 2 million Dao Crystals, equivalent to ten trillion immortal jade in the lower realms...

The price is indeed exorbitant, but once a ’Dragon Subduing’ spirit iron appears, it would certainly be contested by Fate Immortals and ancient True Immortals. Those fighting for it are mostly preparing for ’realm wars’.

Ning Fan’s gaze trembled repeatedly, though he had some expectations for the fishing rod refined by Tan Zixin, he never imagined that this woman would lavishly imbue the rod with ’Dragon Subduing’ Divine Skills.

With this rod, during the Dragon Fishing Tournament, Ning Fan could fish any fierce dragon effortlessly.

If encountering Yin Yang Evil Vein cultivators with Dragon Bloodline in the future, Ning Fan would only need to throw the rod at them, and their cultivation would be suppressed and captured alive. Even if the opponent is a rogue devil, it’s all in vain!

Tan Zixin crafted such a powerful fishing rod for Ning Fan primarily to fish the legendary Yin Dragon and Yang Dragon.

"We’re at the Yunling Pool..." Tan Zixin led Ning Fan and unlocked the subterranean restricted area, descending further down.

Within a million feet beneath the ground, there was a stone chamber, whose walls were embedded with a kind of Spirit Ores called Dao Spirit Stones, exuding an intense spiritual energy.

In the center of the stone chamber, a huge stone pool was built, filled with pure golden water, with a seal outside the pool.

In the pool’s water lay submerged a purple-gold fishing rod, two zhang and four chi long, engraved with the patterns of the twenty-four constellations.

Within this rod, there was a burgeoning spirituality, steadily rising.

The rod flickered with a faint glow, faint yet enough to subdue any Dragon Race cultivator below Fate Immortal!

"Is this treasure called Taigong Fishing Rod... what powerful Dragon Subduing aura!" Ning Fan praised.

Seeing this rod, he was almost eager to try fishing a demon dragon with it.

"It seems the artifact spirit of this Taigong Fishing Rod has been successfully formed... Senior, please wait a moment while I open the Yunling Pool seal to fetch the rod."

Tan Zixin patted the brocade sack at her waist, magically pulling out a golden mace larger than her body, and fiercely smashed it against the Yunling Pool’s seal.

The mace’s rank wasn’t high, but it had Immortal Void-grade Spirit Iron, its Divine Skill named ’Breaking Seal’, specializing in breaking various seals.

Though the seal was of Immortal Void Realm Formation rank, it shattered under the golden mace’s blow.

Tan Zixin put away the mace, exhaling lightly, and smiled at Ning Fan, "Purple Cuckoo is embarrassed to have shown Senior such poor skills..."

"Not at all..." Ning Fan couldn’t laugh.

Such a delicate girl wielding a giant hammer to smash an Immortal Void seal could only be overwhelming, not laughable.

Tan Zixin approached the Yunling Pool, intending to retrieve the rod.

Suddenly, an unexpected turn of events occurred!

An extremely cold and fierce pressure suddenly emanated from the rod, its murderous intent unreservedly locking onto Tan Zixin.

"What a ferocious magical treasure!"

Ning Fan’s gaze shifted. Before Tan Zixin could react, he stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and retreated briskly.

From within the Yunling Pool, the purple-grade fishing rod transformed into a gigantic purple-gold Giant Fowl with Primeval Wings, glaring malevolently and lunging at Tan Zixin...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)