Grasping the Evil

Chapter 712: Ghost-Faced Pavilion Master

The water in the Ziwei Pool emanates a faint purple mist.

This mist has the power to delay aging, which is why Ouyang Nuan remains here.

She has only twenty years left to live; the purple mist cannot extend her life, but can only slow her aging process.

Ning Fan decides to leave the Hundred Medicine Sect, leave Youhai Star, and go to Immortal Soul Star to find Immortal Soul Grass.

He still needs to find a Slaughter Pavilion, and deliver the bounty heads of those he killed seven years ago, while purchasing intelligence on the Slaughter Hall from the Slaughter Pavilion.

The Slaughter Pavilion not only accepts and issues bounty tasks, but also sells various types of information.

As long as you can afford it, even finding the whereabouts of the Immortal Emperor is not impossible.

Ning Fan needs to inquire about the intelligence on the Eternal Jade, and the best way is to seek out the Slaughter Pavilion.

He must leave Youhai Star, but he does not wish to leave Ouyang Nuan alone on Youhai Star to await death.

Thus, the entire Ziwei Pool is destroyed by Ning Fan.

He condenses the pool water into a small purple gemstone the size of a fingernail, strings it up, and places it around Ouyang Nuan’s neck.

This way, even when they leave Youhai Star, the purple gemstone can provide purple mist to constantly slow Ouyang Nuan’s aging.

With the destruction of Ziwei Pool, the Hundred Medicine Sect’s Sect Protection Array is also destroyed, leaving the sect members to weep helplessly.

Ouyang Nuan looks at Ning Fan speechlessly.

Ning Fan does not know the cost of the Ziwei Pool, but she does.

It was a spiritual pool that her master built at great expense, using hundreds of billions of Dao Crystals...

Qian Kaiyan’s identity is extremely special; he stayed on Youhai Star intending to create an elixir of eternal youth using the unique purple mist of the area, to protect Ouyang Nuan.

Otherwise, being a dignified True Immortal, why would he hide his identity and stay in this insignificant Hundred Medicine Sect claiming to be an elder...

"Master... If Senior Qian returns and sees you destroyed the Ziwei Pool he built with hundreds of billions of Dao Crystals and countless efforts, he will likely confront you desperately..."

Ouyang Nuan, holding Maoqiu, wears a veil of green gauze, her white hair tied high, adorned with a warm jade hairpin.

The hairpin was previously gifted to Ning Fan, meant as a token to seek help from Qian Kaiyan, but is now no longer needed.

With the purple gemstone worn, Ouyang Nuan’s skin is no longer so withered and regains some vitality.

Upon hearing Ning Fan’s intention to take her along, her dim eyes flash a glimpse of vitality with a smile.

"Uh... the cost of this Ziwei Pool is unexpectedly high? Forget it, the pool is already destroyed, there’s no use in saying more."

Ning Fan shakes his head helplessly.

After slaying the Green Scarf Bandits, he seized more than three billion Dao Crystals, with countless spoils.

Among them was an Array Plate of a Lower-Level Immortal Formation, using this Array Plate, Ning Fan laid down an Immortal Array surrounding the Hundred Medicine Sect, handing it to the Sect Master Baiyao.

Qian Kaiyan was, at any rate, an elder by title of the Hundred Medicine Sect, having entrusted the sect to Ning Fan’s protection, Ning Fan now needs to leave, even having destroyed the Ziwei Pool, and the sect’s Immortal Void Sect Protection Array.

Compensating with an Immortal Array to protect the Hundred Medicine Sect can be considered a slight gesture of goodwill.

If Ouyang Nuan were beyond cure, Ning Fan might remain at the Hundred Medicine Sect out of gratitude, guarding the sect for twenty years and accompanying Ouyang Nuan through her final twenty-year life journey.

Now knowing that Ouyang Nuan has a way to live, Ning Fan certainly would not leave her here to die.

The Eternal Jade may be difficult to obtain, but one never knows until they try!

"Cough cough... Maoqiu’s father, where are we going?"

"Immortal Soul Star."

Ouyang Nuan sits on the Ancient Golden Sword, holding little Maoqiu, appearing somewhat weak and occasionally coughing a few times.

Ning Fan rides the ancient sword, holding the Inlaid Star Compass of the Ancient Chen Star Domain, swiftly heading towards Immortal Soul Star.

A formation light set by Ning Fan surrounds the ancient sword, preventing the wind from the void from harming Ouyang Nuan.

This moment, Ouyang Nuan is weaker than ever, unable to travel in the void under her own power.

"Immortal Soul Star? This star was once the main star of the Ancient Chen Star Domain, an Upper-Level Cultivation Star; the Soul Clan on the star was once the dominator of the Ancient Chen Star Domain. However, for certain reasons, the Slaughter Hall annihilated the Soul Clan overnight, and all True Immortals of Ancient Chen Star Domain perished in that battle... cough cough cough... Nowadays, Immortal Soul Star serves as a temporary haven for countless bandits... Be careful if you go to Immortal Soul Star..."

Ouyang Nuan furrows her brows and begins to cough lightly again.

She makes an effort to lower her voice, fearing her coughing sound would annoy Ning Fan.

She doesn’t care about becoming ugly and sick, but worries that this unbearable appearance would be loathed by Ning Fan.

"Don’t talk too much, save your strength. On our way to Immortal Soul Star, I will endeavor to find out information about the Eternal Jade and will surely help you extend your life." Ning Fan smiles, holding Ouyang Nuan’s dry and slender hand, channeling trace amounts of Mana into her body, helping her feel better.

He looked at Ouyang Nuan without any strange colors in his eyes, not out of sympathy, but simply because he does not care about the beauty or ugliness of women.

To him, worldly beauty is no more than being red skeletal remains, transient as smoke.

"How do you know the Eternal Jade can save me! Who told you! Could it be... that old bastard surnamed Qian!" Ouyang Nuan exclaims.

She’s really had enough; she doesn’t want to continually place her survival as a burden for those who care about her, to risk their lives seeking the jade.

Her master, to let her live beyond ten thousand years, repeatedly ventured into the True Immortal Forbidden Land for the jade, having narrowly escaped death several times.

Now, Ning Fan also plans to seek the jade for her... What merits or virtue does Ouyang Nuan have, to excuse others risking so much for her.

It’s not worth it, absolutely not worth it!

"Why are you going to such lengths for me... Did I ask you to do this! All I want is to die peacefully, without owing anyone! You don’t understand anything at all!" Ouyang Nuan’s emotions were somewhat agitated.

"How about making a bet?" Ning Fan suddenly grinned.

"A bet? What kind of bet?" Ouyang Nuan was taken aback.

"Bet on whether I can help extend your life, how about that? Truth be told, I don’t dare guarantee I’ll be able to find the Eternal Jade to extend your life, but if I don’t try, I’ll always be unwilling. So, how about this, if I’m successful in finding the Eternal Jade to extend your life, you lose the bet and you have to agree to one thing for me. If ultimately I cannot find the Eternal Jade, then I lose, and I’ll also agree to one thing for you, help you fulfill a dying wish... Will you bet?"

Ning Fan looked at Ouyang Nuan with a half-smiling and half-serious expression, waiting for her response.

"If... if you win, what do you want me to agree to..." Ouyang Nuan asked nervously.

"If I win, you must share a spring breeze with me..." Ning Fan deliberately showed a lascivious expression, although he was only pretending.

"Shameless!" Ouyang Nuan angrily kicked, but before she could reach Ning Fan, Ning Fan captured her ankle.

She initially thought Ning Fan would propose a legitimate reason, who would’ve known Ning Fan had his mind filled with nonsense...

A moment of spring breeze, did he go through all this trouble saving her just for a moment of spring breeze...

Shameless, dirty, disgraceful! How did she miss that Ning Fan was so unreliable before.

Seeing that Ouyang Nuan’s sadness was slightly alleviated, Ning Fan nodded contently.

He finally understood the motive behind the old monster’s shameless words then.

Back then, the old monster claimed saving his beloved wife was to share a spring breeze, which had caused Ning Fan to despise him.

Looking at it now, the old monster was merely using his roguishness to ease the atmosphere, dispelling Ning Fan’s worries.

"Fine, I’ll bet! I don’t believe you can find the Eternal Jade, don’t believe you can save me, but if you truly can... Then I, Ouyang Nuan, will share a spring breeze with you! After all, I just don’t believe it!"

This moment, Ouyang Nuan once again regained her former heroic spirit, daring to accept even such a bet.

Unlike her previous state of resigned waiting for death, at this moment, Ouyang Nuan once again harbors the eager desire to live.

Even though the hope of continuing to live is very slim, she no longer despairs, at this moment, she wants to live.

Ning Fan nodded again in satisfaction, being able to let Ouyang Nuan rekindle the hope of living, this bet thus has meaningful existence.

He didn’t mention what would happen if he lost, and Ouyang Nuan tacitly didn’t ask.

If Ning Fan lost the bet, Ouyang Nuan would die... Neither wanted to see this result.

The sword light flickered for ten days, and after ten days, a blood mist-ridden Cultivation Star appeared in the distance.

Immortal Soul Star!

Immortal Soul Star was once an Upper-Level Cultivation Star, but it was massacred by the Slaughter Hall, with its blood mist of evil qi lingering, and its spiritual energy severely thinned by the battle.

This star is no longer suitable for cultivators to train, but due to its unique location, it has become a temporary refuge for many Ancient Chen Star Domain bandits.

In the Ancient Chen Star Domain, bandits run rampant, and the act of robbing and killing is almost commonplace.

Ning Fan arrived at Immortal Soul Star, encountering bandit attacks thirty-seven times in ten days!

These bandits were either Void Refinement or ordinary Void Fragmentation, none were a match for Ning Fan.

Occasionally, several rogue immortal bandits blocked the way, only to be swiftly exterminated by Ning Fan.

Although there are many bandits in the Ancient Chen Star Domain, none are True Immortals, and the strongest are the ten Fate Immortal bandits.

The ten Fate Immortal bandits each lead a powerful gang, occupying a Middle-Level Cultivation Star with intact spiritual energy.

These ten Fate Immortals are known as the ’Guchen Ten Heavenly Lords.’

Adding the Green Scarf Bandits to the ten heavenly lords’ ten gangs, the total number amounts to seventy-two gangs.

The seventy-two gangs have frequent conflicts with each other, being enemies rather than allies.

Therefore, Ning Fan killing the Green Scarf Bandits would not offend anyone.

If other gangs attacked Ning Fan, their intent would not be revenge for the Green Scarf Bandits, but simply to rob and kill, for the purest motives...

Shuzz!

The ancient sword’s light penetrated the blood mist layer of the Immortal Soul Star, descending towards the only large cultivation city on the star.

This city, named Eastern Soul City, was once the capital of Immortal Soul Star and was occupied by the Soul Clan.

After the Soul Clan’s extinction, a Slaughter Pavilion was established in Eastern Soul City, controlling the entire city.

Besides Eastern Soul City, there is no other cultivation city on Immortal Soul Star; the vast lands before one’s eyes are nothing but blood-red desolation.

Occasionally, some bandits enter Eastern Soul City to submit bounties, issue rewards, and gather information. Gradually, Eastern Soul City has seen the rise of numerous cultivation shops, naturally run by bandits.

Occasionally, passing cultivators unaware of Immortal Soul Star’s nature, buy precious magical treasures or spiritual medicines in these shops. As they step out, they are quickly killed, and their treasures stolen by the bandits.

Due to the fearsome reputation of the Slaughter Pavilion, even the Ancient Chen Star Domain’s Ten Heavenly Lords dare not engage in large-scale slaughter in Eastern Soul City.

Occasional deaths or injuries in the city are merely small-scale skirmishes, without significant consequence.

As they reached outside Eastern Soul City, Ning Fan sheathed the Ancient Golden Sword and walked side by side with Ouyang Nuan into the city.

No one guards the city gate, and the long street is filled with strange and bizarre bandits coming and going.

Four burly men, with black snakes tattooed on their left arms, were squatting by the street, drinking strong wine amidst the city’s sandstorm.

All four were Fragmentation Eight Cultivators!

Seeing Ning Fan and Ouyang Nuan approaching, the four sneered and, without any reason, immediately aimed lethal attacks at Ning Fan and Ouyang Nuan!

"Their black snake tattoos signify they’re from the Black Snake Bandits — part of the seventy-two gangs but not among the Ten Heavenly Lords’ forces. They love raiding passersby. My weak constitution cannot fool the perceptive; your displayed cultivation seems only Crumbled Void Seventh Layer. They surely think we’re easy targets to rob and kill..." Ouyang Nuan quietly conveyed.

"Do I really look so weak and easy to bully?"

Ning Fan chuckled softly, his eyes suddenly brimming with evil qi. He flicked his fingers, and black magic fire shot out, splitting into four.

The magic fire flashed briefly, enveloping the four burly men in black flames.

In an instant, the four men screamed and were turned into four piles of ashes by the magic fire...

Ning Fan casually took their storage pouches, with a proficiency that made countless observing bandits sweat.

Speak of robbery and murder — Ning Fan was a professional.

Gasp!

In the shadows, numerous bandits inhaled sharply, their eyes filled with either dread or awe as they watched Ning Fan’s group leave composedly.

In this bandit-riddled Ancient Chen Star Domain, strength is supreme.

Ning Fan’s swift annihilation of four Fragmentation Eight Cultivators, showcasing power comparable to an Immortal, commanded respect.

"Is this person none other than the Thousand Autumns Old Demon with a bounty of thirty million! Tsk tsk, thirty million Dao Crystals is indeed tempting, but his power is too great for us to claim..." Several bandits lamented as they glanced at their bounty orders.

They were just low-level Fragmentation players, no match for Ning Fan.

"Oh? Thirty million? It may not be within our grasp, but it might be possible for others..." Someone glanced towards the shadowy corners.

There, many rogue immortal bandits had already taken interest in Ning Fan’s bounty.

"The youngster killed four head men from the Black Snake Bandits, and the Old Demon Heishe certainly won’t let it go! Currently, Old Demon Heishe is in the Slaughter Pavilion, completing bounty tasks. It seems like the Thousand Autumns Old Demon is headed there too. Heh, heh, there’ll be a show at the Slaughter Pavilion. That Old Demon Heishe is notoriously protective and won’t allow anyone to slaughter his bandits..."

Some idle bandits sneered incessantly, trailing Ning Fan from a distance, eager to see the spectacle at the Slaughter Pavilion.

Ning Fan frowned but did not attack the idle jostling bandits following him.

The Slaughter Pavilion was already within reach; it was not suitable to kill near the pavilion.

After walking some distance, Ouyang Nuan’s face paled again, seemingly preparing to tell Ning Fan something. But she coughed lightly, unable to speak.

Ning Fan’s gaze softened. He gently held Ouyang Nuan’s hand and gave her mana.

Ouyang Nuan’s complexion eased slightly as she subtly retracted her hand, conveying through sound transmission,

"In the Four Heaven’s immortal worlds, each main star of a Middle-Level Star Domain and above has a Slaughter Pavilion. The Pavilion Master of a Middle-Level Cultivation Star possesses at least rogue immortal cultivation, occasionally with Fate Immortal sitting at the pavilion. For an Upper-Level Cultivation Star, the Pavilion Keeper has at least Ghost Profound Peak cultivation, with some Crossing Truth Realm True Immortal sometimes overseeing the Upper-Level Pavilion... This pavilion is established here on Immortal Soul Star, the Pavilion Master is surely Ghost Profound Peak cultivation... Cough, cough, cough..."

Ning Fan transferred more mana to Ouyang Nuan, chuckling, "You want to advise me not to cause trouble near the Slaughter Pavilion, avoiding the wrath of its Pavilion Master, am I right?"

"Mm..." Ouyang Nuan softly replied.

"Rest assured, I’m aware of my boundaries and won’t act recklessly here."

Ning Fan’s gaze hardened, and he entered the Slaughter Pavilion with Ouyang Nuan.

Upon stepping into the pavilion, a surge of sinister spirit sense immediately scanned Ning Fan and Ouyang Nuan.

Soon, a soft "Hmm?" echoed from the Slaughter Pavilion.

The interior was not spacious, the walls displayed countless bounty orders.

Facing them was a counter, where an elder with a black snake tattoo on his left arm and his group was completing their task, looking extremely respectful.

Seven heads were placed on the counter — the heads of those from bounty orders.

The Slaughter Pavilion Master’s focus, however, was not on these heads nor the black snake elder. He briefly glanced at Ouyang Nuan, eventually resting his gaze on Ning Fan with an enigmatic look.

The earlier "Hmm?" had been uttered by him.

This robust man, nearly at True Immortal cultivation, had a majestic build, his black hair flowing like a waterfall, and his face concealed by a blood-red ghost mask.

The mask was spirit equipment, hiding the man’s face and aura.

The burly man’s gaze lingered on Ning Fan, suddenly an odd smile appeared in his eyes.

He smiled!

When the Black Snake elder and his group saw the Ghost-Faced Pavilion Master’s smile, they broke out in cold sweat!

They looked at Ning Fan with sympathy, knowing that once the Ghost-Faced Pavilion Master smiled, it meant he intended to kill!

Ning Fan was doomed!

(3/3) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) and support with recommendation votes or monthly tickets, which is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)