Grasping the Evil

Chapter 741: Seventh Generation Slaughter Emperor, Immortal King Puppets

Lu Xiner stared blankly at Ning Fan, only snapping back to reality after a long time.

She found herself embraced by the one she secretly admired, and he was going to stand up for her!

"I, I..." Ning Fan’s masculine presence overwhelmed her, causing Lu Xiner’s face to flush hotly. She stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

"I already know about your situation. How would you like to vent your grievance?"

Ning Fan, possessing the Mind Reading Technique, had already glimpsed Lu Xiner’s innermost thoughts the moment he embraced her waist and understood the entire story of her deception.

Lu Xiner had been deceived by Sunx Nian and others who took her Flowing Sand Pearl, and she had been unsuccessful in retrieving it.

Sunx Nian and others were allies of Lu Xiner, and they had sworn a Restrictive Spell, forbidding mutual slaughter.

Therefore, Sunx Nian resorted to elaborate schemes to deceive Lu Xiner instead of murdering to seize treasure.

Similarly, Ning Fan was brought in by Lu Xiner for help. If Ning Fan killed Sunx Nian and the others, it would damage Lu Xiner’s spirit sense.

Considering Lu Xiner’s situation, Ning Fan would at most chastise Sunx Nian and his group, avoiding lethal action.

Helping Lu Xiner vent her anger would depend on her wishes.

"I, I just want my Flowing Sand Pearl back..." Lu Xiner timidly murmured.

"Understood."

A flash of azure Rain Intent flickered in Ning Fan’s eyes, and suddenly rain began to fall across the entire Blood Sea Star.

Amidst the gentle rain, Ning Fan fixed his gaze in one direction, swiftly flying from Slaughter City towards a seemingly ordinary barren mountain.

Through the Heaven Prying Rain Technique, Ning Fan easily pinpointed the location of Sunx Nian and his companions.

Lu Xiner was astonished, her mouth agape. She hadn’t told Ning Fan about her grievances or Sunx Nian’s whereabouts, yet Ning Fan was already aware of her plight and knew where Sunx Nian and his group were.

"He really knows everything..." Lu Xiner thought foolishly.

This barren mountain appeared unremarkable but was in fact veiled with a hidden formation, concealing a cave-dwelling, one of Sunx Nian’s abode.

More than a dozen disciples of the Slaughter Pavilion, led by Sunx Nian, had sworn the Restrictive Spell and allied without mutual killing, frequently gathering at Sunx Nian’s abode.

Lu Xiner was also among Sunx Nian’s allies.

At this moment, within the cave abode on the barren mountain, Sunx Nian was hosting a Spiritual Wine banquet for his allies.

He had been in high spirits lately, the reason being the successful deception of Lu Xiner out of her Flowing Sand Pearl.

Sunx Nian, a Mid-Phase Gui Xuan Cultivator, considered 2 billion Dao Crystals as a windfall.

The Flowing Sand Pearl was worth 2 billion Dao Crystals and was itself a rare and powerful magical treasure.

The peak Immortal Treasure, Flowing Sand Pearl, upon acquisition, surprised Sunx Nian as it contained even a trace of the power of time.

Should the pearl’s divine abilities be fully unleashed, its power would likely rival some Low-Nirvana Acquired Immortal Treasures.

Sunx Nian proudly brought out the Flowing Sand Pearl to show everyone. The pearl emitted a brilliant purple glow, and its formidable power elicited exclamations from many Fate Immortals.

"Congratulations, Brother Sun, on obtaining such an exotic treasure!" Jin Guang, Gao Yuan, and other rogue immortals looked eagerly at the Flowing Sand Pearl, clicking their tongues in admiration and frequently raising their glasses to Sunx Nian.

Occasional words of flattery further delighted Sunx Nian.

Sunx Nian, with wine-induced drowsiness, glanced around the room with great satisfaction.

For this gathering, he had invited all his sworn comrades, excluding Lu Xiner.

After all, he was hosting the feast to celebrate acquiring the Flowing Sand Pearl, so how could he invite the unfortunate owner?

"Haha! Before obtaining this pearl, Sunx Nian intended to sell it for some Dao Crystals to splurge on. Little did he know the pearl was so mysterious. If Sun advances a step further and reaches Ghost Profound Late Stage, with the pearl’s power, he might even contend with the Ghost Profound Peak-Stage! Joining the ranks of the Ghost Eye Clan in this life is highly possible!"

Sunx Nian, with a red face, stood and raised his wine bottle, full of exuberant spirit.

The Human Profound present, seeing Sunx Nian’s high spirits, naturally did not want to dampen his mood, all voicing words of flattery.

Suddenly, the formation light on the barren mountain flickered, and a blue-clad silhouette entered the cave abode.

The people present, upon seeing who it was, displayed strange expressions.

Sunx Nian squinted his eyes and chuckled, "Sister Lu, why are you here?"

"I’ve come to retrieve my Flowing Sand Pearl!" Lu Xiner asserted firmly.

It was the first time she spoke so assertively to the Ghost Profound cultivators.

The strong ones present were startled, while Sunx Nian’s face darkened, becoming slightly displeased.

Lu Xiner was only at the Human Profound Middle Stage and dared use such a tone with him; it was truly courting death.

If not for their Restrictive Spell forbidding mutual killing, Sunx Nian would certainly teach Lu Xiner a lesson.

"What is the Flowing Sand Pearl? Why come to me for a lost pearl?" Sunx Nian sneered, feigning ignorance.

"The one you have in your hand is the Flowing Sand Pearl! We made a bet that if I lost, I’d give you the Flowing Sand Pearl; if you lost, you, along with Brother Jin and Brother Gao, would each give me 500 million Dao Crystals. Clearly, you lost, so how could you take my Flowing Sand Pearl?"

Lu Xiner said angrily.

"Oh? Brother Jin and Brother Gao? Is this true? Did we ever make a bet with Junior Sister Lu? Why don’t I recall it?"

Sunxian feigned surprise and looked at Jinx and Gaoyuan.

Both Jin and Gao also expressed bewilderment and said, "What bet? We know nothing about it."

"Hehe, this bead is something I bought at a high price, with astonishing powers. Even if Junior Sister Lu is jealous of this bead, she shouldn’t lie with her eyes open, trying to deceive me. If Junior Sister Lu really wants this bead, considering our friendship, it’s not impossible to part with it. How about this, if you’re willing to offer 5 billion Dao Crystals, I’ll give you this bead. How about that?"

Sunxian chuckled softly, watching the angry Lux Xiner calmly.

He naturally knew that Lux Xiner couldn’t come up with 5 billion Dao Crystals. For a Mid-Phase Gui Xuan Cultivator, being able to gather 1 billion Dao Crystals would be considered wealthy. Even Sunxian himself couldn’t produce 5 billion.

Lux Xiner pointed her slender finger at Sunxian, rendered speechless with anger by Sunxian’s tongue twisting truths into lies.

It was clearly Sunxian who had tricked her into losing the Flowing Sand Pearl, and now it’s made to seem as though she was after Sunxian’s bead.

She had always known that in the cultivation world, there is no use in speaking reason.

She only thought Sunxian and others, who had made great vows with her, were friends, different from others, and could be trusted.

Now it seems, Sunxian and the others are equally untrustworthy, as they had never taken her as a friend.

Seeing through this, Lux Xiner gradually calmed her heart.

After all, she was just a Mid-Phase Gui Xuan Cultivator and couldn’t fight against the Mid-Phase Ghost Profound like Sunxian. Without Ning Fan’s assistance, she could only swallow this bitterness.

Fortunately, she didn’t come alone.

While Sunxian was still sneering nonstop, the formation light outside the cave residence flashed again, and in walked a white-robed youth.

It was Ning Fan!

Ning Fan hadn’t entered together with Lux Xiner but concealed himself outside the cave residence.

He wanted Lux Xiner to see clearly that Sunxian and others couldn’t be trusted, so she’d learn a lesson.

Lux Xiner was quite talented, yet still inexperienced in the world.

This time she was tricked, Ning Fan could help her vent her anger.

Who would kindly help her if she got deceived again next time?

"Ning, Ning Fan! What is he doing here!" At the moment Ning Fan stepped into the cave residence, the 14 Spell Immortals of Human Profound all changed their expressions dramatically.

Sunxian, who was in a tipsy blur due to drunkenness, suddenly sobered up at this moment in shock!

"He... Is he the helper you invited..." Sunxian looked at Lux Xiner, trembling, and asked, no longer with the least bit of composure from before.

Without waiting for Lux Xiner to answer, Ning Fan already replied casually, "Yes, I do share some relations with Junior Sister Lu. Upon hearing her bead was swindled away, I came today to ask for an explanation. I wonder, Brother Sun, can you provide me with a satisfactory explanation!"

After speaking, Ning Fan’s eyes flashed with a bloody glint, and an evil aura exuding an overwhelming menace swept towards Sunxian and the others immediately!

With just one eye contact, the blood-red eyes shook Jin Guang, Gaoyuan, and the 14 human profound immortals, making them cough blood as their aura turned chaotic.

Sunxian’s eyes gradually reddened, and his aura also started to become erratic!

His heart trembled fiercely, unable to remain calm under this overwhelming dark aura!

He looked at Ning Fan with fear, knowing Ning Fan’s terrifying power!

Based on the Tower of Heaven’s performance, Ning Fan’s strength itself was out of reach for Sunxian. Coupled with the Blast God Technique, Ning Fan might need only a few moments to slay everyone in this cave residence!

Inside the Slaughter Hall, there’s no prohibition on killing fellow disciples!

If Ning Fan wanted to kill, no one could stop him! Additionally, he held a Death-Exemption Token, meaning others couldn’t kill him!

Sunxian knew that Ning Fan hadn’t attacked yet, not out of concern for Sunxian’s power, but out of consideration for Lux Xiner.

They had all made a Restrictive Spell with Lux Xiner; if Lux Xiner’s invited Ning Fan killed them, it might cause Lux Xiner’s vow to backfire...

Though Lux Xiner didn’t directly act by herself, even if a backlash occurs, it wouldn’t be too severe.

If Ning Fan truly got furious, blood would surely run like a river within this cave residence!

"Junior Sister Lu, it was Senior Brother who made the mistake! The Flowing Sand Pearl is returned to you, and this 5 billion Dao Crystals, it’s what the Senior Brother lost to you, consider it repaid!"

Sunxian gritted his teeth and flicked the Flowing Sand Pearl and a storage pouch back to Lux Xiner while casting a vicious glare at Jin Guang and Gaoyuan.

Inside that storage pouch were 5 billion Dao Crystals, the money he lost to Lux Xiner.

Jin Guang and Gaoyuan also lost the bet and thus need to return 5 billion Dao Crystals each to Lux Xiner!

Glaring daggers from Sunxian, Jin Guang, Gaoyuan instantly cursed him a hundred times in their hearts.

However, stealing a glance at Ning Fan’s icy expression, they shivered again, each reluctantly producing 5 billion Dao Crystals, handing them to Lux Xiner.

Carefully putting away the Flowing Sand Pearl, Lux Xiner felt sweetness blossoming in her heart.

This was the Flowing Sand Pearl Ning Fan helped reclaim for her. She was determined to protect it well.

Looking at the three storage pouches in hand, Lux Xiner thought for a moment. Her face flushed as she passed the pouches to Ning Fan.

"Thank you for helping me get back the Flowing Sand Pearl. Without your help, I would have never gotten it back. These 15 billion Dao Crystals are for you."

"No need, it’s the money you won yourself; you should keep it."

Ning Fan shook his head and pushed the storage pouch back.

To Lux Xiner, fifteen billion Dao Crystals was an unimaginable fortune.

To Ning Fan, fifteen billion Dao Crystals were neither here nor there.

"I wonder if the explanation Sunx Nian provided is satisfactory to Brother Ning..." Sunx Nian asked with a fawning smile.

"If I’m not around in the future and Lux Xiner is bullied again, what should be done?" Ning Fan didn’t answer but asked in return.

"Rest assured, Brother Ning! I, Sunx Nian, guarantee you today that from now on, none of the 15 of us will bully Sister Lux! If outsiders attempt to harm her, we will spare no effort to protect her!" Sunx Nian declared firmly.

"Empty words, I don’t believe."

Sunx Nian was stunned for a moment, then he laughed awkwardly and said, "If that’s the case, I am willing to swear a Restrictive Spell that from today onwards, I won’t bully Sister Lux, and if she is in trouble, I’ll do everything to ensure her safety!"

As Sunx Nian made his statement, many Human Profound masters gritted their teeth and made the oath.

A few Human Profound female cultivators smiled and took out small gifts, presenting them to Lux Xiner in a flattering manner.

Faced with everyone’s vows and flattery, Lux Xiner remained silent.

She understood that these people only showed her favor because they feared Ning Fan’s power.

Such kindness was false, like ephemeral camellia petals, not to be trusted deeply.

"Thank you, Brother Ning..." Lux Xiner blushed, thanking Ning Fan.

She only thanked Ning Fan, trusting that his kindness was genuine.

Ning Fan not only helped her retrieve what belonged to her but also brought her fifteen free bodyguards.

Sunx Nian and the others vowed a Restrictive Spell today, meaning they must fully take care of her and rescue her if she’s in trouble in the future.

From now on, her life in the Slaughter Hall would become much easier and safer.

She only gave Ning Fan a jade scroll, but he helped her to such an extent, she truly didn’t know how to repay him.

"To you, I’m just a stranger; I can help you for a moment but not for a lifetime. I can only help so much. Any further assistance won’t benefit you."

Ning Fan was currently watched by Fei He and held a grudge against Yao Qingyun; getting too close to Lux Xiner would only harm her.

"I’m already very grateful for your help; how can I burden you with a lifetime of aid... Next time, I will be wiser and not be deceived again!" Lux Xiner whispered.

"Mm, that’s good. I have matters to attend to; I’ll leave now."

Ning Fan gave Sunx Nian and the others a sharp look, and his figure flickered, drifting away.

Lux Xiner gazed at the escape light of Ning Fan, lost in thought for a long time.

Sunx Nian and the others, like being granted amnesty, breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at Lux Xiner again, their expressions were filled with envy.

Especially the other few Human Profound female cultivators, almost jealous of Lux Xiner’s fortune.

The female cultivators asked themselves; their physiques and appearances were several times better than Lux Xiner.

Why can Lux Xiner receive Ning Fan’s care and protection, while they only get Ning Fan’s coldness?

Fortunately, having sworn the Restrictive Spell and feared Ning Fan’s strength, they didn’t dare to do anything against Lux Xiner despite their jealousy.

On the contrary, if Lux Xiner is in trouble, even unwilling, they must protect her as per their oath.

"Could it be that Ning Fan, accustomed to delicacies, prefers simple dishes like Lux Xiner?"

The few women seriously scrutinized Lux Xiner’s petite figure, guessing randomly.

...

After all, Sunx Nian and the others were Lux Xiner’s allies. If all were killed or too severely threatened, Lux Xiner’s situation in the Slaughter Hall would only become more difficult.

Such handling was already the best result.

Ning Fan returned to the disciple quarters all the way and rested for a day.

On the third day, at dusk, Fei He’s sinister silhouette suddenly appeared in front of Ning Fan without warning.

With a flick of his sleeve, he directly took Ning Fan out of the disciple quarters, soaring into the sky.

As Fei He deployed a silver small boat, a suddenly appearing oval-shaped blood-red light gate stood beside him. Inside the light gate was an endlessly stretching blood-red long river.

Beside the blood river stood a gigantic stele, with two ancient inscriptions carved:

"Water can carry a boat; it can also capsize it."

Looking at the stele, Fei He explained to Ning Fan with a gloomy and serious expression.

"This light gate is the entrance to the Slaughter Blood Realm. Once the Seven-Star Boat is taken out within the Blood Sea Star’s range, the entrance will appear. In my Slaughter Hall, any master above Shedding Void Stage or with great merits can be granted the Seven-Star Boat, enter the Blood Realm anytime, and have the qualification to see the Slaughter Emperor."

"This river is named the Blood River, formed by the First-Generation Slaughter Emperor’s Divine Skills. Even an ordinary Immortal Emperor can’t cross the river relying solely on high cultivation. Forcing a flight will lead to sinking into the Blood River and inevitable death."

"With Old Man’s Initiate Realm of Shekong cultivation, crossing the river using the Seven-Star Boat takes a month. During this month, you may refine the heavenly materials and earthly treasures you purchased from the Slaughter Pavilion’s main pavilion in the Boat’s cabin. Old Man will steer the boat personally to cross the river; there must not be any distractions. You must not disturb Old Man, or the boat will capsize into the Blood River, and neither of us will survive!"

Seeing that Fei He spoke solemnly, Ning Fan naturally agreed wholeheartedly, assuring not to disturb Fei He while piloting the boat.

He had no intention of dying alongside Fei He on the Blood River.

The two figures flickered and boarded the Seven-Star Boat, Ning Fan followed Fei He’s instructions, entered the cabin, and found a room to cultivate in seclusion.

First entering the Yuan Yao World, then entering the Xuan Yin Treasure, thus, even Fei He only assumed that Ning Fan entered the small chiliocosm for cultivation, unaware that Ning Fan had entered the medium dichiliocosm.

"It’s good that this child enters the small chiliocosm, saving this old man the trouble of guarding against his sneak attacks. On the Blood River, there’s no room for the slightest carelessness. Should any accident occur, it would be certain death on the Blood River..."

Fei He stood at the bow of the Seven-Star Boat, continuously weaving spirit sense, piloting the Star Boat, traversing the Blood River.

Crossing the river takes a month, this month is just enough for Ning Fan to refine the Blood Lotus and consume the one-million-year-old spiritual herbs.

After consuming 1700 one-million-year-old spiritual herbs, celestial mist intertwined around Ning Fan, his natal Lead Lotus bloomed the sixth and seventh petal of lead flowers.

With seven petals bloomed, the defense of the million lotus shadows is enough to withstand all attacks below the Ghost Profound!

The Blood Lotus Spiritual Outfit was refined into the body.

Ning Fan also initially practiced the Flame Dragon’s Breath Technique.

This technique ranks as a high-grade Immortal Technique, much more difficult to practice than the Swirling Void Technique.

Ning Fan had only initially grasped this technique, and had no idea how long it would take to fully unleash its power.

To a diligent cultivator, a month is too short.

A month later, Ning Fan walked out of the Star Boat cabin, in the distance, the Key to the Main Gate of the Slaughter Blood Realm was faintly visible.

Fei He saw Ning Fan come out, did not say much, changed his spirit sense, the Star Boat transformed into a silver light, flew up from within the Blood River, and rushed into the Main Gate.

What greeted the eyes was a medium dichiliocosm eternally shrouded in darkness!

Beneath was a boundless continent, countless mortals and cultivators lived there.

In the night sky, seven stars of the Northern Dipper were connected.

To mortals, they were seven stars.

To Ning Fan, they were seven gigantic Star Palaces floating in the night sky.

Fei He put away the Seven-Star Boat, stood with Ning Fan in the starry sky, pointed to the first of the seven stars, Tianshu, and said.

"This Tianshu Star Position, houses the Greedy Wolf Star Palace, is the palace of the First-Generation Slaughter Emperor, since the first generation’s fall, this palace was abandoned."

After speaking, Fei He pointed to the second star of the Northern Dipper,

"This Tianxuan Star Position, houses the Jumen Star Palace, where the second-generation Slaughter Emperor Jumen resided. Since the second generation’s fall, this palace was abandoned."

"The Slaughter Hall lineage to date, there have been seven generations of Slaughter Emperors, all titled with the names of the Northern Dipper. The third-generation Slaughter Emperor was named Lucun. The fourth-generation was named Wenqu. The fifth generation was named Lian Zhen. The sixth generation was named Wuxxx Qu. This era’s Slaughter Emperor is the seventh-generation Slaughter Emperor of the Slaughter Hall, the Slaughter Emperor Pojun, residing in the Pojun Star Palace on the seventh star of the Northern Dipper."

After a brief introduction, Fei He stepped into the starry sky, a white lotus blossomed underfoot, carrying Ning Fan, heading straight for the seventh Star Palace.

Ning Fan was silent, gazing at the Big Dipper in the sky, for some reason recalling a phrase seen on the stele of the Tower of Heaven.

Beidou Dust Calamity Extinguisher...

Beidou, Beidou... the Slaughter Hall seems extremely fixated on these two words...

The phenomenon of the Heaven Seizing Seal also appears to connect the seven stars of the Big Dipper.

The blood-red sword in the Seventh Layer of the Blood Prison also seems embedded with seven crystals connected by the Beidou positions.

The past Slaughter Emperors also took the names of the seven stars of the Big Dipper as their imperial titles.

What is the true meaning behind all this...

The white lotus sped forward rapidly, gradually nearing the Pojun Star Palace.

Suddenly, two cold, vast auras descended from the sky, locking onto Fei He and Ning Fan!

These auras had clearly reached the fourth realm of the ancient times, the Immortal King realm!

"Who... goes there..."

As the cold voice just dropped, a black and a white figure blocked the front of the white lotus.

In an instant, Fei He’s expression was extremely tense, with a hint of fear, hurriedly bowing to the two figures, "I am Fei He, elder of the Slaughter Palace, here to request an audience with the Slaughter Emperor, I humbly ask the two of you to announce my presence!"

How could he not be terrified!

Because these two Immortal Kings in black and white, were not living beings at all!

Their spirit awareness was not high, if he misspoke by even a word, he would be instantly annihilated by the two!

"Corpse puppets of the Immortal King realm!" Ning Fan was greatly shocked within!

What kind of expert could refine dignified Immortal Kings into puppets!

Could it be... the Slaughter Emperor!

(1/2) (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote with your recommendations and monthly tickets on Starting Point (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)