novelraw Chapter 672: Destiny’s First Battle!
Chapter 672: Destiny’s First Battle!
Within the Immortal Gate lies an endless broken continent, floating amidst an ocean of clouds.
On the continent, remnants of walls and ruins are everywhere, as well as shattered magical treasures devoid of spiritual energy, and bones that turn to ashes at a touch.
This is the ruin of the ancient Heavenly Court, the lower fragmented domain.
From the fragmented domain, fly upward through hundreds of layers, and you reach the end of the fragmented domain.
There lies a sealed gate, leading to the First Celestial Realm of the Thirty-Three Heavens.
In the lower fragmented domain, many low-level cultivators have begun searching for relics. Occasionally, they find an abode still brimming with spiritual energy, prompting fierce battles over the abode.
The moment Ning Fan entered the fragmented domain via the Rain Immortal World’s passage, some perceptive cultivators nearby scattered in shock.
They could tell that Ning Fan was an enigmatic old monster, and although they didn’t know Ning Fan’s exact cultivation level, they dared not provoke him.
A few low-level cultivators from the Rain Immortal World recognized Ning Fan as the Rain World’s Heavenly King and saluted him with clasped fists.
Ning Fan simply nodded and dispersed these low-level cultivators.
Bright Sparrow displayed a look of eager anticipation, sniffing the lower fragmented domain with a disappointed expression.
"What a broken Heavenly Court, not a single good thing here..."
Her nose was sharp; just by sniffing, she could tell whether there were hidden treasures in the area.
"This is the lower fragmented domain, where cultivators with Soul-Melding Golden Elixirs seek opportunities. Naturally, there’s nothing here that would catch your eye."
"Then let’s hurry to the upper layer. I’ll search for treasures, and you handle the monsters. We’ll split the treasures we find equally, okay?" Bright Sparrow said, brimming with eagerness.
"Sure. But wait, I have an appointment to meet someone at the ancient Heavenly Court."
"Who’s that?"
"You wouldn’t know them..."
Ning Fan was waiting for Wuxie and Wei Xuan.
Wuxie was a partner in seeking the Undying Tree, while Wei Xuan was here to deal with the Moksha Emperor.
After waiting for a long time, neither of them arrived.
However, two cross-boundary message-transmitting flying swords arrived before Ning Fan.
Only those in the Divinity Transformation or Void Refinement realms can perform the message transmission on a flying sword, but these swords can only transmit within a realm, not across realms.
Cross-boundary message-transmitting swords are a divine skill unique to Fate Immortals, capable of transmitting messages across realms.
These two message-transmitting swords were sent by Wuxie and Wei Xuan.
Wuxie: "I am waiting for you in the Thirty-Three Heavens. I have found the Undying Tree, but it has been sealed and requires three years to break. Within these three years, you must reach the Thirty-Three Heavens at any cost."
Wei Xuan: "I brought two rogue immortal friends to assist, there was a slight delay on the road, I will be arriving later."
Hearing these two messages, Ning Fan paused for a moment, then swiftly took Bright Sparrow by the waist and flew towards the upper fragmented domain.
"Hmm? Cookie Brother isn’t waiting any longer? Are we going to start treasure hunting together?" Bright Sparrow’s little face was full of excitement.
"...Yes, let’s go to the upper fragmented domain."
Perhaps in the upper fragmented domain, the Moksha Emperor has already set the stage and is waiting for my arrival...
Ning Fan’s eyes turned cold, determined to settle the century-old grudge today!
...
In the upper fragmented domain, a broken continent floats atop the ocean of clouds.
On this continent stands a dilapidated jade platform, upon which a large, sealed light gate towers.
This light gate leads directly to the First Celestial Realm! But the seal remains unbroken, preventing passage.
This seal can only be broken on its own, and three days remain until its release.
At this moment, outside the light gate, many old monsters of the Void Fragmentation realm have gathered, some meditating with closed eyes, others chatting in groups, and some staring coldly with an unapproachable demeanor.
From the Rain Immortal World, only Ning Fan and Bright Sparrow, two from the Void Fragmentation realm, have arrived, while many others have come from the other eight realms.
The number of arrivals somewhat reflects the overall strength of each realm.
From the Tree World, three people have arrived, all from Liu Hall, including Emperor Liu Liu Haoyue. The Vine Palace did not send anyone due to internal strife, which significantly weakened the Bamboo Hall, and the Bamboo Sovereign is still healing.
From the Sword World, three old monsters have arrived, none of them emperors, but all elders from the three halls of the Sword World, chatting amicably.
From the Mountain World, 11 old monsters from the Void Fragmentation realm have arrived, including the Fragmented Seven Ancestor of Xishan Temple.
From the Earth Immortal World, 15 old monsters from the Void Fragmentation realm have arrived, two of whom possess the Fracture Level Seven Cultivation.
From the Flame World, 12 old monsters from the Void Fragmentation realm have arrived, one of whom is at the Fracture Level Seven.
From the Demon World, 44 old monsters have arrived, neither the Old Yuan Emperor nor the Old Fox Emperor and the Old Red Emperor have come. Among the ten Emperors of the Demon World, the Fox Emperor, Ape Emperor, Serpent Emperor, and Qing Emperor have arrived, but the others have not.
From the Four Heaven’s Immortal Worlds, a total of 49 old monsters from the Void Fragmentation realm have arrived, including one rogue Immortal. The Tri-Realm Sect has dispatched all its cultivators from the Void Fragmentation realm, totaling 11, led by the newly appointed Sect Master, Gu Dao.
Gu Dao’s gaze is icy as he waits for Ning Fan’s arrival.
He has received news that Ning Fan will come to the ancient Heavenly Court with only one companion from the Broken First Layer Cultivator.
This is the perfect opportunity to ambush Ning Fan!
From the Demon World, a total of 55 old monsters from the Void Fragmentation realm have arrived, four of whom are rogue devils, and four from the Demon Emperor have come.
The Moksha Emperor, with his dual bodies, watches coldly.
He, too, awaits Ning Fan’s arrival!
He has issued a battle challenge, inviting Ning Fan to a fair duel without external aid!
However... in the cultivation world, where is there fairness or unfairness.
No one knows that the Moksha Emperor has invited two rogue devils from the Ancient Demon Abyss to assist him. With the strength of two rogue devils, killing Ning Fan should be a sure thing.
He initially wanted to seek help from the White Demon Sect, but to his indignation, the White Demon Sect was not interested in aiding him at all.
Even a junior from the White Demon Sect mocked him with extreme disdain...
This left the Moksha Emperor feeling humiliated!
Back then, the White Demon Sect lured him to oppose the old monster, using him like a puppet, and once done, kicked him aside, ignoring him.
"White Demon Sect! Hmph! Just as detestable as the Black Demon Sect! If one day I breakthrough to True Immortal, become a Heavenly Demon, and bloodbath the White Demon Sect, it will wash away today’s disgrace!"
The young Moksha Emperor and the old Moksha Emperor stood side by side, their eyes full of blatant murderous intent.
Both gazed intently in the direction of the lower fragmented domain, seemingly waiting for someone, seemingly wanting to kill someone.
This aroused the interest of many old monsters.
Some well-informed old monsters knew that the Moksha Emperor had a Trinity of bodies, yet only two were present...
Rumor had it that the Moksha Emperor’s third body was slain by someone, which seemed to be true.
Whom does the Moksha Emperor want to kill?
Could it be the one who obliterated his third body?
Sadly, it’s unfortunate, really. Rumor had it if the Moksha Emperor’s three bodies united, he could momentarily reach the Eighth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm, ranking among the top ten in the Demon World.
Now, with one body lost, combining two bodies, his cultivation can at most be temporarily boosted to the peak of the Fracture Sixth.
Many old monsters of the Fracture Seventh and Eighth openly cast schadenfreude glances at the Moksha Emperor. They do not fear him at all.
Under the searing gaze of the crowd, the Moksha Emperor’s inner fury grew, and his hatred for Ning Fan intensified.
"Ning Fan! Ning Fan! Ning Fan!!! Who would have thought that a Harmonious Spirit brat from a century ago could cut down my physical body! Letting an enemy grow invites endless trouble; this time, I must eliminate him, or the consequences will be dire!"
Suddenly, the young Moksha Emperor’s eyes turned fierce!
He felt a profoundly familiar aura, soaring forth from the lower fragmented domain!
It was Ning Fan! And Ning Fan was accompanied only by a Broken First Layer Cultivator.
"Hmm, finally arrived, have you!" the Moksha Emperor sneered coldly.
Many old monsters simultaneously directed their gaze towards the lower fragmented domain.
Most of these were from the Middle Three Worlds and the Three Lower Worlds’ void fragmentation realm, placing significant attention on the new Rain Emperor.
They vaguely guessed that this person was the renowned Nieyun Rain Emperor from the hidden Rain Intent.
The rogue immortals, rogue devils, and rogue devils’ old ancestors did not regard Ning Fan with any respect.
Few in the Fracture Seventh and Eighth paid Ning Fan much attention, even if the Rain Immortal World now had one Fracture Eighth and one Fracture Seventh.
Ning Fan himself was just at the Second Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm; even if he possessed the power to kill those at the Fracture Fifth, he was not worth the attention of those above the Fracture Seventh.
Of course, the Tri-Realm Sect’s Gu Dao Sect Master and Xishan Ancestor are exceptions.
As Ning Fan arrived, the two of them simultaneously narrowed their eyes.
Liu Haoyue’s eyes sparkled upon sensing Ning Fan’s aura, "Brother Ning has finally arrived!"
In the next instant, a black escape light pierced through the ocean of clouds and landed on the jade platform outside the light gate, transforming into two figures.
It was a young man in white robes, and a girl wearing a crown.
Indeed, it was Ning Fan and Bright Sparrow!
No one noticed that at the moment of Ning Fan’s arrival, an elder wearing a grey cloak in an inconspicuous corner had his eyes flicker.
His eyes resembled an abyss, unfathomable.
"So he is the Rain World’s Heavenly King Ning Fan..." Some old monsters scrutinized Ning Fan but couldn’t see through his depths, thinking Ning Fan was wearing a magical treasure to conceal his cultivation.
Several old monsters of the Seventh and Eighth Heavenly Layers of the Void Fragmentation Realm also couldn’t discern Ning Fan’s exact cultivation, feeling surprised.
Four rogue devils, two rogue demons, and one rogue immortal simultaneously gazed at Ning Fan with sparkling eyes.
They, too, couldn’t see Ning Fan’s exact cultivation!
But they knew Ning Fan’s concealment relied not on external items, but on his Lifedeath Dao Pattern!
In an instant, seven rogue immortals began to take Ning Fan seriously, as his Dao Enlightenment in life and death surpassed all of them!
Perhaps only the legendary Old Yuan Emperor, who is about to become immortal, could surpass Ning Fan in Dao Enlightenment of life and death.
"This young man is not simple... But why do I feel an inexplicable familiarity from him..." Old Red Emperor muttered to himself.
"Oh? I feel the same, as if I’ve seen him somewhere before..." Old Fox Emperor also expressed confusion.
Ning Fan’s gaze swept across the hundred or so old monsters present, finally settling on the Moksha Emperor!
Though the youthful and elderly Moksha Emperor differed from Ning Fan’s memory of the Moksha Emperor, the aura was exactly the same, Ning Fan wouldn’t mistake it!
"Ning Fan, have you come to fulfill our battle appointment? Do you dare a life and death duel with me!" The two Moksha Emperors sneered simultaneously.
"Why wouldn’t I dare! Han Moksha, do you know how long I’ve waited for this day!"
Ning Fan closed his eyes as scenes from the past flowed through his mind.
Upon reopening his eyes, the coldness in them resembled eternal ice!
Upon seeing Ning Fan confronting the Moksha Emperor as soon as he arrived, recalling the murderous intent in the Moksha Emperor’s eyes, the old monsters present realized.
Before the seal of the thirty-three heavens is lifted, these two are bound for a death match.
Good, let us see whether the infamous Moksha Emperor of the Demon World is stronger, or the rising Nieyun Rain Emperor.
This duel could serve as entertainment while everyone waits for the seal to unravel.
"Brother Ning, need assistance?" Liu Haoyue suddenly stepped forward and smiled at Ning Fan.
If Ning Fan needed it, though he might not rival the Moksha Emperor, he would fight to the death.
"No need, Brother Liu, just watch over Bright Sparrow for me, don’t let the duel’s fluctuations harm her!"
Ning Fan let Bright Sparrow stay with the Tree World’s masters temporarily to avoid isolation.
The two Moksha Emperors coldly laughed, soaring into the sky. With a wave of a magic finger, the ocean of clouds immediately filled with dark clouds and demonic fury.
This was their battleground with Ning Fan!
The youthful and elderly Moksha Emperors each stepped forward, merged into one, transforming into the young Moksha Emperor.
After merging, the Moksha Emperor’s cultivation sharply ascended to the peak realm of the Sixth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm!
The Moksha Emperor raised his palm, employing the Soul Extraction Technique to extract the soul of the ground.
Instantly, his cultivation barely elevated to the realm of the Seventh Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm!
"Perhaps the Moksha Emperor has the higher odds..." Seeing Moksha Emperor enhance his cultivation to the Seventh Heavenly Layer using secret techniques, some old monsters couldn’t help but speculate.
Between the peak of Sixth Layer and Seventh Layer, though only a thread apart, the difference is significant.
Breaking through to the Seventh Layer, the Moksha Emperor’s battle prowess wouldn’t be taken lightly by the Tri-Realm Sect’s Gu Dao or Xishan Ancestor from the Mountain World.
In contrast, as rumors say Ning Fan was only at the Second Heavenly Layer, even with secret techniques and divine skills to kill at the Fifth Layer, it’s daunting against the Seventh Layer.
"Cookie Brother, go for it! Beat this Han fellow to the ground!" Bright Sparrow cheered waving her pink fists.
She even mispronounced the Moksha Emperor’s name, and her cheering drew snickers from many old monsters, yet it ignited Moksha Emperor’s anger!
If Ning Fan is defeated, Bright Sparrow must be killed!
Soliciting help from the Ancient Demon Abyss’s powerhouses originally feared Ning Fan had backup.
Now that Ning Fan didn’t ask for assistance and fought alone, the Moksha Emperor naturally wouldn’t fear Ning Fan!
"Ning Fan, come up the ocean of clouds and die!" Moksha Emperor shouted coldly, his voice carrying the power of the Seventh Layer, like thunder, echoing in the divine senses of masters below the Third Layer, stunning them pale with fright.
Ning Fan said no more, for words were unnecessary.
His heart was tranquil, his eyes frigid.
He waited a hundred years, trained painstakingly for a hundred years, all just for this day.
To kill the Moksha Emperor, the traitor to his master, and avenge old monster!
One step, two steps, three steps...
Ning Fan walked slowly towards the top of the ocean of clouds.
Each step, as if strolling leisurely.
Yet each step transmitted the sound of his heartbeat to everyone present!
The heartbeat rhythm of the old monsters began to sync with Ning Fan’s.
Their breathing grew uncontrollable.
The low-level Void Fragmentation masters looked on in shock, Ning Fan’s divine skills surpassed the Moksha Emperor’s thunderous sound!
Those of the Seventh, Eighth layers, even rogue immortals, their eyes trembled, witnessing an unbelievable scene!
Life and death intertwined!
Only they could see, with each step, Ning Fan tread upon life and death!
Though imperfect, reaching this state is near overcoming life and death!
"This young man, this young man!" Old Red Emperor and Old Fox Emperor were speechless in shock!
Among the lower realm masters they’ve seen, only the Old Yuan Emperor could tread upon life and death besides Ning Fan...
"Treading upon life and death! Impossible!" Moksha Emperor’s gaze was intensely gloomy.
He never merged his spirit with the Dao, yet Ning Fan was treading upon life and death... Could his talent differ so vastly from Ning Fan’s!
Comprehending life and death... This cannot be helped by old monster, only Ning Fan’s exceptional insight can achieve this!
"Even if you reach this, you are only at the Second Heavenly Layer, ultimately no match for me..." Moksha Emperor snorted.
He had just finished speaking, suddenly revealing a look of disbelief.
"Who told you I was only at the Second Heavenly Layer!"
Ning Fan stepped onto the ocean of clouds, suddenly unleashing the aura of the Sixth Heavenly Layer!
In the next step, black and white interchanged, he donned black robes, his cultivation reaching the Seventh Heavenly Layer!
He raised his palm to extract the soul of the ground and void realm, swallowing souls as if feasting, ascending to the peak of the Seventh Heavenly Layer!
One step, vanished without a trace.
The next step, instantly appearing before Moksha Emperor, thrusting a punch that made Moksha Emperor spit blood and fly backward!
Moksha Emperor showed an expression of disbelief!
The countless old monsters present were stunned!
The punch had no flamboyance, effortlessly sent Moksha Emperor flying simply due to overwhelming prowess!
Ning Fan’s realm at that moment surpassed Moksha Emperor!
Once, Ning Fan’s Harmonious Spirit cultivation was completely suppressed by Moksha Emperor.
Later, Ning Fan used rogue devils’ power to exterminate one of Moksha Emperor’s three forms.
Today, for the first time, Ning Fan utterly suppressed Moksha Emperor by his own power!
A hundred years later, he has trampled the Moksha Emperor underfoot! (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com for reading.)