novelraw Chapter 676: Black Star Stone
Chapter 676: Black Star Stone
The sea of clouds stretched endlessly, and a golden sword light sped towards the nearest Heavenly Gate with a speed comparable to that of a rogue immortal.
According to the bald man’s words, it would take half a month for Ning Fan to reach the Heavenly Gate at his Void Fragmentation speed.
But if he transformed to the speed of a rogue immortal, it would take only seven days to reach that Heavenly Gate.
It had been three days since the slaying of the bald man and his companions.
Along the way, whenever members of the Burial Immortal Clan noticed Ning Fan’s presence, they immediately signaled and launched an attack on him without hesitation.
In the three days, Ning Fan had already killed thousands of masters from the Burial Immortal Clan, all of whom were above the Divine Transformation Realm.
He also slew three Void Fragmentation cultivators, whose cultivations were not high, only around the First or Second Heavenly Layer.
"Cookie Brother, there are still many treasures in the First Celestial Realm. Aren’t we going to look for them..." Bright Sparrow complained.
"We’ll take the ones along the way, and abandon those that aren’t." Ning Fan shook his head.
He learned from the memories of the slain Burial Immortal Clan members that not only the First Celestial Realm, but all members of the Burial Immortal Clan from the first twenty-seven heavens had been dispatched.
These members received orders to kill any foreign cultivators they encountered.
The Nine Ancestors and Eighteen Kings seemed unable to make a move and did not personally pursue Ning Fan.
Even so, the Burial Immortal Clan should not be underestimated...
It was said that within the Burial Immortal Clan were some Corpse Demons with rogue immortal cultivation, transformed from the corpses of ancient immortals...
Under such circumstances, Ning Fan had no interest in treasure hunting and only wished to reach the Thirty-Three Heavens as soon as possible.
The more members of the Burial Immortal Clan he killed, the stronger the corpses’ Qi in his body became.
This corpse energy fused into his body, slowly advancing his physique towards the third corpse transformation...
Suddenly, the escape light of the ancient sword was struck back by a spirit light, coming to a stop in mid-air.
Ahead of the ancient sword, a red-robed man with a wicked smile, followed by dozens of Burial Immortal Clan members in the Divinity Transformation and Void Refinement realms, blocked Ning Fan’s path.
"Heh heh, I must be lucky to encounter two foreign cultivators, one at Fragmentation One, and another at Fragmentation Six. Hmm? That one at Fragmentation Six seems to be from the Rain Realm."
This red-robed man, unlike the Burial Immortal Clan members, had a faint flow of fire power within his body.
He was called Yan Zhenzi and was a Fire Realm cultivator from sixty thousand years ago.
That year, he entered the Heavenly Court seeking opportunity with a Fragmentation One cultivation, but was unfortunately captured by the Burial Immortal Clan and enslaved.
Although a slave, the opportunities in the Heavenly Court were numerous, which allowed his cultivation to rise over the sixty thousand years, reaching the status of a Fragmentation Seven cultivator.
In an attempt to woo Yan Zhenzi, the Nine Ancestors and Eighteen Kings removed the restrictive spell from him, restoring his freedom and making him a guest elder, continuing to serve the Burial Immortal Clan.
There were many others, like Yan Zhenzi, who became slaves to the Burial Immortal Clan, among the Nine Worlds’ elders.
Yan Zhenzi looked at Ning Fan with a cold sneer.
In his perception, the Rain Realm had always been the weakest among the Nine Worlds. Although Ning Fan reached Fragmentation Six, it seemed he had recently broken through, and Yan Zhenzi doubted his combat prowess could be very high.
As for Bright Sparrow with Fragmentation One cultivation, Yan Zhenzi didn’t even bother to acknowledge her.
"Heh heh, this little girl is not bad, full of Yin energy, can be made into a cauldron furnace. Boy, hand this girl over, and I will grant you a whole corpse!"
Yan Zhenzi’s sneer froze suddenly, revealing horror in his eyes.
He saw that Ning Fan had no intention of wasting words with him, directly using the Incarnation Soul Extraction Technique to instantaneously boost his cultivation to the peak of Fragmentation Seven.
With one finger pointed, an enormous golden vortex appeared under Yan Zhenzi and all the others.
Dozens of Burial Immortal Clan experts were instantly sucked into the Swirling Void Realm, letting out miserable screams as they turned to blood.
Yan Zhenzi found himself trapped in the golden vortex, unable to escape the Swirling Void Technique!
Thinking he was careless, but actually about to be instantly killed by Ning Fan!
Facing the immense murderous aura in Ning Fan’s eyes, Yan Zhenzi felt his knees go weak...
Ning Fan’s murderous aura was incredibly intense. How many Void Fragmentation cultivators must he have killed to possess such a strong aura!
"Is he... really from the Rain Realm? I never thought the Rain Realm would produce such a formidable demon!"
"Damn! I’ve worked so hard to reach the Fragmentation Seven realm, how can I die here? I’m not willing!"
At the brink of life and death, Yan Zhenzi’s face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth, crying out, "Daoist friend, if you’re willing to spare me, I’m willing to let you plant a restrictive spell and serve you as master!"
"Oh? You want to serve me?" Ning Fan’s eyes flickered slightly.
One day, he would ascend, and if he did, the Rain Realm’s strength would be significantly reduced.
If he could subdue some powerful members of the Burial Immortal Clan and bring them back to the Rain Realm, it would enhance the Rain Realm’s power...
With this thought, Ning Fan slowed the gesture of his fingers, sending his spirit sense rushing into Yan Zhenzi’s divine sense.
He was naturally going to plant a restrictive spell on Yan Zhenzi.
Yan Zhenzi dared not resist at all, as he was only thinking of saving his life at this moment, accepting slavery as his fate.
If he had had even a shred of integrity, he wouldn’t have submitted as a slave to the Burial Immortal Clan in the first place.
After planting the restrictive spell, Ning Fan retracted the Swirling Void Technique, stood on the tip of his sword, and coldly said to Yan Zhenzi, "Get up here, stand at the back, and don’t get in my way!"
"Yes."
Yan Zhenzi sighed deeply, leaped onto the sword tip, and stood at the hilt, not daring to look at Ning Fan even once.
As for the idea of making Bright Sparrow a Cauldron Furnace... he dared not think about it anymore.
Ning Fan threw out a handful of immortal jade, reactivated the ancient sword to speed forward, and coldly asked Yan Zhenzi, "Were you originally a Master from the Flame World?"
"Yes."
"How many servants of the Burial Immortal Clan are there among the Nine Worlds cultivators like you?"
"There are 29 more, all with Void Fragmentation cultivations. Of those, 22 are below Fragmentation Five, with their Restrictive Spell not removed. Only those above Fragmentation Five are considered superior and have their Restrictive Spell abolished."
"I see..."
Ning Fan’s eyes flickered; those whose Restrictive Spell was not removed were beyond his control.
Aside from Yan Zhenzi, there were six other Nine Worlds cultivators above Fragmentation Five who could be subdued.
Ning Fan thought again; it might not only be cultivators from the Nine Worlds that could be subdued. If he encountered any from the Burial Immortal Clan above Fragmentation Five, he could subdue them as well!
Those who refuse surrender, shall be killed!
"Is the master intending to enter the Second Celestial Realm through the Number 2 Heavenly Gate?" Yan Zhenzi asked respectfully, gritting his teeth.
"Yes."
From the bald man’s memory, Ning Fan had already learned that the Heavenly Gate of each Celestial Realm was numbered by the Burial Immortal Clan.
"It’s inadvisable. I suggest the master take the Number 1 Heavenly Gate. Although it’s farther, it’s somewhat safer. The Number 2 Heavenly Gate is guarded by an old monster of the Burial Immortal Clan at the peak of the Seventh Realm of Fracture, who is proficient in Five Elements Techniques and very formidable," Yan Zhenzi suggested.
Now that Yan Zhenzi had been planted with the Restrictive Spell by Ning Fan, if Ning Fan died, he would die with him. He was tied to Ning Fan’s fate, sharing both honor and disgrace.
In his view, although Ning Fan was powerful, he might not be able to defeat that peak Seventh Realm old monster.
Even if he won, he would likely suffer severe injuries, making it quite unworthy.
Now that the entire Burial Immortal Clan was pursuing foreign cultivators, if Ning Fan got injured, he would naturally be even more at risk.
"No need to take the long route, just head to the Number 2 Heavenly Gate! You needn’t say more, if you face a strong enemy, what would you do?"
"The subordinate shall slay strong enemies for the master..." Yan Zhenzi sighed.
"Good that you understand!"
Ning Fan coldly glanced at Yan Zhenzi, saying no more, urging the Ancient Golden Sword to speed ahead.
Four days later, a gigantic heavenly gate as towering as the skies appeared remotely over the ocean of clouds!
The heavenly gate was black, very ancient, yet exceptionally sturdy. If the Burial Immortal Clan didn’t open it, not even Fate Immortals could shatter it.
Outside that heavenly gate, hundreds of strong members of the Burial Immortal Clan were stationed, all with cultivations above the Divine Transformation Realm.
Among the Void Fragmentation cultivators present, there were five: two of Fragmentation Three, one of Fragmentation Four, one of Fragmentation Five.
The last had cultivation at the peak of the Seventh Realm of Fracture, although his body was thin, Five Elements Light flickered all around him.
This person was named Lux Xiu, considered a notable figure among the Burial Immortal Clan.
He sat cross-legged on the ground, a Five-Colored Short Halberd placed by his side.
As Ning Fan’s golden light approached, all the Burial Immortal Clan members here roared skyward, "Foreign cultivators, kill!"
Lux Xiu then abruptly grabbed the short halberd, leaped up, and coldly sneered while raising the Five-Colored Short Halberd.
"Foreign cultivators, die!"
The Five-Colored Short Halberd swung down from the sky, splitting into five differently colored sword lights, chopping directly at Ning Fan’s head.
Ning Fan ceased the escape light of the ancient sword, yet before he moved, Yan Zhenzi had already soared into the air to meet the Five-Colored Sword Lights.
Since he was now a slave to Ning Fan, he naturally needed to show his loyalty well.
Ning Fan’s somewhat threatening question still echoed in his mind, if faced with a strong enemy, he must fight with all might for Ning Fan...
"Void Technique, Ten Vermilion Birds!"
Yan Zhenzi stood in the air, forming seals with ten fingers. Countless sparks flew from his body, transforming into gigantic Vermilion Bird phantoms.
These Vermilion Bird phantoms were made entirely of flames. Once formed, they immediately charged at the Five-Colored Sword Lights, trying to burn them out.
Lux Xiu’s eyes burned with anger; at this moment, he clearly saw that Yan Zhenzi had rebelled against the Burial Immortal Clan and become Ning Fan’s slave.
Enveloping Five Elements Light in his fingers, he swiftly cast his technique, making the Five-Colored Sword Lights transform into giant sizes, sweeping across to easily destroy the Vermilion Bird phantoms.
Lux Xiu pointed again, directing the Five-Colored Sword Lights to cut towards Yan Zhenzi.
Yan Zhenzi gritted his teeth, his stomach slightly bulging, spitting out a sky full of primordial spirit fire.
His face turned rapidly pale, indicating that this Divine Skill consumed a lot.
Under the burning of primordial spirit fire, the Gold sword light among the Five-Colored Sword Lights got forcefully incinerated.
But the remaining four sword lights feared not Yan Zhenzi’s primordial spirit fire, bypassing layers of fire walls, instantly cut towards Yan Zhenzi’s chest.
Yan Zhenzi’s eyes showed great fear; about to be killed by the sword lights, at this moment, a golden whirlpool suddenly formed below, saving him.
In the next instant, a golden whirlpool appeared out of nowhere on the ancient sword, and Yan Zhenzi stumbled onto the ancient sword, narrowly escaping calamity.
"Thank you, master, for saving me..." Yan Zhenzi showed a complex expression.
"Fire Techniques are not executed like that."
Without using the Incarnation Soul Extraction Technique, Ning Fan relied solely on his Fragmentation Sixth Rank, ascended to the skies, each step he treads upon life and death, each step life and death followed!
"Life and death follow! Master’s Dao Enlightenment of Life and Death is indeed high!" Yan Zhenzi exclaimed in shock.
"Oh? Life and death together, huh? If I kill you and refine you into a pill to swallow, I wonder if it will enhance this old man’s comprehension of the Dao of Life and Death."
Lux Xiu snorted disdainfully, changing the spirit sense, and the golden sword light that had been burned reappeared in the sky.
He raised his hand and pointed towards Ning Fan, the five-colored sword lights simultaneously slashing at Ning Fan.
"Master, don’t underestimate them; these sword lights are very powerful!" Yan Zhenzi was a bit worried. He knew that when Ning Fan unleashed his full power, it could rise to the peak of the Shattered Seventh Realm.
But at this moment, Ning Fan did not fully unleash his strength, only resisting the five-colored sword lights with the Shattered Sixth Rank. This seemed to be a very reckless act.
"Underestimate them...?"
Looking at the oncoming golden sword light, Ning Fan raised his hand and grabbed, with just one grab, he crushed the golden sword light!
Another grab, crushed the fire sword light. Another grab, crushed the water sword light.
The remaining wood and earth sword light were also easily crushed by Ning Fan.
With the five paths of sword lights broken, the short halberd magical treasure revealed its true form and was easily caught in Ning Fan’s hand.
With just a swipe of his palm, all the power of the five elements within the short halberd was destroyed, rendering this treasure completely powerless!
"How is this possible! He’s not a Body Cultivation at Nirvana Seventh Heaven; how dare he grab the Five Elements Sword Lights with his bare hands!" Lux Xiu’s eyes were filled with shock.
Why?
Because Ning Fan possesses the Minor Five Elements Constitution, and the Minor Five Elements Constitution has already reached completion!
Below a Fate Immortal, who could harm Ning Fan with the techniques of the Five Elements!
"If the cultivators here become my slaves, they can be spared from death!"
Ning Fan raised a finger, and a power of the Five Elements emanated from his body, immediately forming a massive Minor Five Elements barrier around the Heavenly Gate.
This was an extra divine skill after the completion of the Minor Five Elements.
In this Minor Five Elements barrier, no one could perform any divine skills related to the Five Elements unless their strength surpassed Ning Fan’s by several realms!
Lux Xiu had dedicated his life to the techniques of the Five Elements; most of his divine skills were based on them.
Within the Minor Five Elements barrier, nearly all of Lux Xiu’s divine skills were sealed, unable to be used.
The Five Elements Spiritual Attire, Five Elements Treasures, Five Elements Secret Techniques... all couldn’t be executed!
He cultivated a total of five primordial spirits, with each occupying one element, uniting to grant his peak Shattered Seventh Realm cultivation.
But within this Minor Five Elements barrier, his cultivation continued to be sealed, dropping continuously.
From Shattered Sixth, Shattered Fifth, Shattered Fourth... until it fell to the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm!
"Minor Five Elements Constitution! Complete Minor Five Elements Constitution!" At this moment, Lux Xiu was terrified.
With a First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm cultivation, relying on ordinary divine skills he’s not adept at, there was simply no possibility of defeating Ning Fan—only death awaited!
Though he excelled in the Five Elements, allowing him to easily defeat those specializing in a single element at his level, against someone like Ning Fan who counteracts the Five Elements, he had no chance of winning!
To be enslaved or to die...
Lux Xiu was hesitating, but Ning Fan did not give him much time to consider and simply pointed down.
Countless golden vortices suddenly appeared above the ocean of clouds; any member of the Burial Immortal Clan absorbed by the vortex would perish instantaneously!
Those who survived were deliberately spared by Ning Fan, temporarily trapped using the Swirling Void Technique, in an attempt to break Lux Xiu’s psychological defenses.
"Elder Lux, how can we, members of the Burial Immortal Clan, be enslaved by mere outsiders? Even in death, we cannot submit!" A Fragmented Three old monster roared in fury.
As soon as he finished speaking, he was already absorbed by the golden vortex, perishing instantaneously.
Lux Xiu’s body trembled, revealing a look of terror. If he did not surrender, was this to be his fate as well?
"Elder Lux, Seven Kings have given us a mountain of grace. Even if we die, we won’t betray the Burial Immortal Clan, right?" A Fragmented Four old monster laughed up at the heavens.
The next instant, he too was absorbed into the golden vortex, falling...
Lux Xiu’s face turned pale, his psychological defenses giving way bit by bit.
The screams of the Burial Immortal Clan members did not ignite his bloodthirst but rather intensified his fear.
He was afraid...
"I surrender! Please, Master, place a Restrictive Spell on me. From this day forth, I, Lux Xiu, will no longer be a member of the Burial Immortal Clan, merely a slave to the Master!" Lux Xiu gritted his teeth and said.
"Very well."
Ning Fan released his spirit sense, planting a Restrictive Spell within Lux Xiu’s divine sense, taking control of his life and death.
Then he coldly said to Lux Xiu, "Kill every enemy cultivator here yourself."
Lux Xiu’s face turned white, gritting his teeth, he said, "Yes!"
Ning Fan withdrew the Minor Five Elements barrier, and Lux Xiu’s cultivation soared back to the peak of the Shattered Seventh Realm.
His eyes revealed viciousness, his heart steeled, shooting out five-colored lights from his eyes, wiping out every cultivator present to ashes.
The storage pouch and Dao Fruits were all collected and handed over to Ning Fan.
Within Ning Fan’s Swirling Void Realm, numerous storage pouches and Dao Fruits were yet to be collected.
"The second one."
Ning Fan murmured to himself, flicked his sleeve, refining the remaining corpses and blood into blood beads, sending them to the Cauldron Ring, delivering them to Nieli.
After collecting the Ancient Golden Sword, Ning Fan and Bright Sparrow walked side by side to the Heavenly Gate, with Yan Zhenzi and Lux Xiu following behind them.
Yan Zhenzi and Lux Xiu exchanged glances; just a moment ago, they were locked in a life-and-death battle, but now, they both serve as Ning Fan’s subordinates...
Life’s encounters truly leave one sighing endlessly...
Ning Fan’s gaze fell upon the Black Heavenly Gate, feeling that this gate gave him a peculiar sensation, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
He placed his palm on the Heavenly Gate, pushed, and found that with his strength alone, he could not open the gate.
However, with the Void Sky Token in hand, passing through this gate seemed effortless...
"The array plate to open Number 2 Heavenly Gate is with me, I shall open the gate for my master now."
Lux Xiu took out an array plate from his sleeve, ready to activate it, but was stopped by Bright Sparrow.
"Wait a moment! There’s a treasure in this Heavenly Gate! Cookie Brother, take a good look; there’s truly a treasure in there!"
Bright Sparrow tapped her tender fists against the Heavenly Gate, attempting punches, but naturally, she couldn’t shatter it.
She showed a regretful expression, sighing, "I can’t take this treasure, and it seems useless to me... well, I’ll leave it be."
"Uh... what treasure could possibly be in the Heavenly Gate?" Lux Xiu and Yan Zhenzi both displayed a blank look.
Ning Fan, however, furrowed his brows, pressed his palm against the Heavenly Gate again, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed.
Earlier, he felt a peculiar sensation from the Heavenly Gate; reminded by Bright Sparrow now, he had to investigate thoroughly.
Time ticked by second by second, Ning Fan remained with closed eyes, his expression growing more serious.
Finally, he suddenly opened his eyes, raised his hand, grasped Emperor Xia’s Sword, and unleashed the Myriad Sword Style, striking once on the Heavenly Gate.
This strike was incredibly powerful, enough to instantly kill a Shattered Fifth Realm cultivator, and severely injure a Shattered Sixth.
Yet, it only created a barely noticeable crack on the Heavenly Gate.
A black star glint suddenly flashed across the crack.
The next moment, the crack vanished...
"Master wanted to shatter the Heavenly Gate? It should be known that not even a Fate Immortal can shatter this gate..."
Yan Zhenzi and Lux Xiu shook their heads indifferently, but the next instant, both were utterly astonished!
Ning Fan’s palm suddenly glowed with black star power, and he grasped towards the Heavenly Gate.
With that grasp, innumerable star patterns appeared on the Heavenly Gate.
Soon after, a Black Star Stone actually flew out from within the Heavenly Gate!
The next moment, the Heavenly Gate, which not even a Fate Immortal could shatter, crumbled with a boom!
"It’s... it’s broken! The master actually shattered the Heavenly Gate, this, this..." Yan Zhenzi and Lux Xiu were shocked beyond compare.
Even the Nine Ancestors and Eighteen Kings couldn’t shatter a Heavenly Gate.
Could Ning Fan’s strength alone surpass the Nine Ancestors and Eighteen Kings!
"Wow! Cookie Brother, you’re amazing!"
Bright Sparrow looked at the Black Star Stone in Ning Fan’s hand, her eyes sparkling like stars.
She could see that the Black Star Stone was a treasure, though seemingly useless to her, how unfortunate...
"Who would’ve thought that within the Heavenly Gate, there remained the Heavenly Emperor’s Black Star Power..."
Feeling the vast star power within the Star Stone in his hand, Ning Fan’s eyes trembled.
If he refined one Black Star Stone, his natal stars could increase by at least fifteen!
This Black Star Stone was condensed from the Heavenly Emperor’s star power.
When the Heavenly Court still existed, the Heavenly Emperor transformed the Heavenly Gates with star power. Even if the gates were attacked, they could heal themselves.
After the destruction of the Heavenly Court, this gate remained, yet no one could extract the star power within.
Even if the gate were shattered, it couldn’t be extracted. Only those who mastered the Black Star Technique could obtain the star power within.
In the current era, under the heavens, Ning Fan is the only one who has mastered the Black Star Technique!
Ning Fan calculated roughly: within the first level of the Celestial Realm, there are two Heavenly Gates, three in the second level, and four in the third.
Estimating from this, from the First Heaven to the Thirty-Second Heaven, there are a total of 560 Heavenly Gates.
If each Heavenly Gate contained a Black Star Stone...
Black Star Stones could produce 8,400 natal stars!
Ning Fan currently cultivated 212 natal black stars. If he could obtain all the Star Stones here and refine them all...
With a hundred natal black stars as protection, he could survive a Void Glimpse siege unscathed.
A thousand natal black stars as protection, he could withstand a fragmentation siege.
Ten thousand natal black stars as protection, he could survive an ordinary Fate Immortal’s siege.
8,612 natal black stars, almost enough to withstand a rogue immortal’s siege and remain unharmed!
"Cookie Brother, shall we proceed to the second level of the Celestial Realm now?"
"No, we should head to Number 1 Heavenly Gate of the First Celestial Realm! Although it might take more time, obtaining enough Black Star Stones will significantly decrease the difficulty of advancing to the Thirty-Third Heaven!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)