Grasping Evil

Wu Laoba, holding the newly obtained information, expressed his loyalty to Ning Fan angrily. Ning Fan, however, remained silent, swept his gaze over the intel, set it aside, and continued to sit cross-legged, eyes closed for meditation.

Sha Bailou, Emperor Lou Tuo’s first disciple, the person who obstructed him rescuing people at the slave market that day...

If it were before encountering Emperor Butcher, Ning Fan, limited by his cultivation seal, might have been somewhat wary of Sha Bailou. But now, with Emperor Butcher’s additional reward, he no longer bothers with Sha Bailou.

If this person truly troubles him during the second round of the Tomb Siege, he certainly wouldn’t be lenient.

Rather than worrying about this matter, it’s better to focus on recovering the spirit exhausted in the Blood Martial Arena. His time is genuinely scarce, lacking the margin to allocate to such trivial issues.

Even some significant matters have been delayed because they conflict with participating in the Blood Martial Arena.

Ning Fan dismissed the incessantly nagging Wu Laoba. Alone, he took out a name card with a fading spirit glow and smiled wryly.

The invitation to the Ancient Buddha Assembly...

This is an invitation from Great Emperor Tiandu. The venue, seemingly within a certain space in Liuli City, happens to coincide with the second round’s first three days, conflicting with the Blood Martial Arena’s timing.

Initially, Ning Fan had some interest in the Ancient Buddha Assembly, but for the sake of the Innate Soul-Nourishing Spiritual Medicine matter, he made a choice and gave up attending the Assembly...

"Forget it, a gathering of Buddha cultivators, missing this Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor, won’t matter much. It’s just a pity not to seize the opportunity to discern Great Emperor Tiandu’s deeper intentions..."

Ning Fan sighed softly, put away the card, continued to meditate with eyes closed.

This was the last night before the Tomb Siege began; his spirit required more for recovery, necessitating urgent meditation.

The night gradually deepened, the wind outside the door rustled. After some time, laughter suddenly echoed.

The laughter was too abrupt, causing Ning Fan to open his eyes in alertness.

An Immortal Emperor! Outside his door came an Immortal Emperor! Not the ones he knew—Lou Tuo, Spirit Bones, or Baihua—but which Emperor was it?

"Old me, Tiandu, arrives uninvited, rather being an unwelcome guest. Won’t you invite me in, young friend?" The voice echoed through the nine heavens, thunderous, yet eerily, only Ning Fan could hear it, not alarming any nearby sleeping person.

Ning Fan’s heart immediately tensed, realizing that since he hadn’t gone to meet Great Emperor Tiandu at the Ancient Buddha Assembly, Tiandu came looking.

With thoughts fleeting, he halted his meditation, stood, and walked outside to greet.

"Emporer, please come in!"

"In that case, I shall intrude!"

Great Emperor Tiandu’s face looked stern, but his manner towards Ning Fan was quite polite. With a laugh, he strode into the room.

Ning Fan, having risen, greeted him at the door, inviting Great Emperor Tiandu into the outer room, then both host and guest seated themselves.

Great Emperor Tiandu’s face carried a smile, showing no anger, but Ning Fan thought, still asked, "Emporer, was it to blame this junior for missing the Ancient Buddha Assembly appointment that you came so late?"

"Blame? Of course not. Old me, though invited you for the Assembly, whether to attend is your choice; no way I’d force it. It’s just unfortunate; your absence missed the chance to sample the Assembly’s Dao Fruit, unfortunate, unfortunate..."

Though he said unfortunate, no trace of regret was in Tiandu Emperor’s eyes; instead, there was a flash of brilliance.

This was their first meeting! Before seeing him, he knew Ning Fan’s Dao Enlightenment was high, yet only limited to seeing completeness. Now, it was astonishing!

The Ning Fan before him wasn’t merely seeing completeness; within him, he’d drawn the first stroke of reincarnation, already having his unique reincarnation aura!

Initially, he held three points of interest for Ning Fan; now, it was ten points!

"If you aren’t here to blame, may I ask why you visit late? Is there something to discuss..." Ning Fan inquired.

Seeing Ning Fan had guessed his intent, Great Emperor Tiandu didn’t hide it, candidly said, "Correct, I invited you to the Assembly for a request. Since you didn’t go, I came uninvited."

"May I ask what the Emperor requests? This junior is of little help, likely incapable of aiding you, Senior."

"Haha, if one who drew the first stroke of reincarnation isn’t able to help, then in this Era of Decline, few others might assist me! Though my aptitude is beyond yours, always unable to achieve this, I’m confident not mistaken! When did you draw the first stroke, how was the process, could you explain to me?"

Great Emperor Tiandu appeared seeking advice, but Ning Fan’s heart tensed.

What does the first stroke of reincarnation mean! Could it refer to his initial comprehension of reincarnation? Could this Emperor’s inquiry relate to this...

"Would like to first seek your advice, Senior. What is the first stroke of reincarnation? I don’t quite understand your words, Senior."

"Seems you don’t wish to tell old me the process of comprehending reincarnation, forget it, likely involving your secrets. I won’t ask..." Great Emperor Tiandu merely thought Ning Fan was making excuses, subconsciously somewhat displeased, yet realizing he sought a favor, his brows relaxed, appearing indifferent.

There had been a trend of amiable discussion, but now the atmosphere grew awkward.

Ning Fan’s face didn’t show it, but inside he was a bit speechless. The magnanimity of the Great Emperor Tiandu didn’t seem as large as he portrayed.

Originally, he wanted to casually explain that he wasn’t trying to hide anything, but genuinely didn’t understand what the Great Emperor Tiandu meant. But now he couldn’t be bothered to explain.

"Senior, why don’t you just tell me what you wish to ask of me?"

"Hehe, I nearly forgot the main matter. In my early years, while gathering herbs on the Sanyan Continent, I mistakenly entered a hidden place and acquired a treasure. I’d like to invite you to appraise it..."

The Great Emperor Tiandu set up numerous barriers around them before carefully taking something out.

It was an old sword sheath placed in a jade box, stained with blood—a very ancient bloodstain.

A relic of the distant past, yet the sword intent on the sheath remained unextinguished through the ages, emanating an awe-inspiring fear, and the more profound one’s cultivation, the more daunting it felt!

"This sword sheath, my young friend, what do you think..." The Great Emperor Tiandu handed the sheath to Ning Fan.

Ning Fan’s expression didn’t change, but internally, there was an indescribable feeling.

This sword sheath looks familiar... No, it’s not the sheath that looks familiar, it’s the sword intent on it...

It is identical to the sword intent on the sheath he used to heavily injure the Moksha Emperor when he first cultivated!

It was the sword intent left by the woman known as the sword ancestor...

Ning Fan suddenly felt a sense of temporal displacement, as if he returned to his youthful days, back to when he stood before the giant Moksha Emperor, so small and insignificant.

Even though insignificant, he still blocked with a sword against the Moksha Emperor, with his tiny self!

"Back then, I could only see the surface of this sheath, unable to see within. The Sword Qi of this sheath is enough to unleash a Void Fragmentation Realm Strike, and its sword intent... unexpected, it’s so terrifying!"

The Ning Fan of the past couldn’t see how terrifying this sword intent was.

But now, he could feel it firsthand.

The sword ancestor’s sword intent never perished through time, enduring perfection, and then returning to simplicity, containing the genuine third-step sword rule!

The former him couldn’t see this, but now, he could discern the traces of its simplicity!

With a flick of his finger, a wisp of golden purple smoke lightly drifted toward the sheath, only to be easily severed by the sheath’s sword rule!

"Ah! My young friend not only drew the first stroke of reincarnation but can also externalize a trace of the Power of Reincarnation!" The Great Emperor Tiandu’s eyes widened, looking at Ning Fan in disbelief.

He further confirmed something from the fragmentation of Ning Fan’s golden purple smoke...

Indeed, indeed! This sword sheath conceals the third-step complete Sword Dao!

Unfortunately, he couldn’t decipher the mystery of that sword intent; he could only speculate, unable to replicate, learn, or comprehend it...

But Ning Fan could! Haha, this foreign cultivator is indeed useful, hahahaha!

Inwardly, the Great Emperor Tiandu wanted to laugh wildly, but outwardly, he appeared calm and composed, retrieving the sheath from Ning Fan like it was a treasure and then discussed with him,

"How is it! The Sword Dao contained within this sheath, how is it!"

"Incredibly powerful, unparalleled throughout history!" Ning Fan sincerely praised. He could see that the sword ancestor’s Sword Dao was the third-step complete Sword Dao but couldn’t discern the specific changes in the sword rule within it—the changes were too complex.

"Would my young friend like to learn this peerless Sword Dao? If you succeed, you may well tread into the legendary... Saint Realm with this Sword Dao!" The Great Emperor Tiandu tempted him.

"This matter is too difficult. The senior who left such sword intent had ever-changing sword rules. A mere sword sheath, weathered through infinite years, cannot fully demonstrate all changes of the traces. Learning it in a lifetime from just one sheath is impossible." Ning Fan shook his head.

"What if there are thousands upon thousands of such sheaths? What if I can even find the remains of the senior who left this sword intent for you! Would you be interested in coming with me to learn this Supreme Sword Dao! I have only one condition: if you gain some insight, you must not hide it; you need to inscribe a share of the sword enlightenment and give it to me!"

Engrave! Haha, I don’t need any engraving! Once you’ve comprehended the Sword Dao, I can just kill you and Soul Search; wouldn’t that be easier!

After all, he’s just a foreign cultivator; killing him doesn’t matter!

Within his heart, the Great Emperor Tiandu had already plotted, but his face wore an appearance of honest trading, negotiating with Ning Fan.

Ning Fan wasn’t aware of the Great Emperor Tiandu’s malicious plan, but he was wary of him, naturally not foolish enough to go with him to learn some Supreme Sword Dao.

However, he couldn’t refuse too overtly; otherwise, if the Great Emperor Tiandu turned hostile, it would be quite troublesome.

"Where did senior discover the place with thousands of sword sheaths, and where are the remains of the senior who left this Supreme Sword Dao buried?"

"This..." The Great Emperor Tiandu was temporarily at a loss, not wanting to hide anything from Ning Fan, but fearing that revealing the location of those thousands of sword sheaths would scare Ning Fan away.

"It seems senior is not sincere in this transaction. Forget it. I won’t study this Supreme Sword Dao; let senior ponder it alone." Ning Fan casually lifted the tea bowl in front of him, as if to see him off.

The Tiandu Emperor, seeing the transaction about to fall apart, became anxious at once. If Ning Fan does not learn this Supreme Sword Dao, he won’t find a second person who has some understanding of reincarnation and is easy to handle, to learn this Sword Dao!

This is the Third Step Sword Dao; only those who have some understanding of the third step are qualified to learn it.

What is the third step? It is perfection; it is reincarnation.

There is a saying that the lower one’s cultivation in seeing perfection, the more immeasurable their future achievements!

The Tiandu Emperor asked himself if he could also see perfection, but that was after he became an emperor, and it was also with guidance from Holy Mountain’s Bright Buddha that he barely managed to do so...

His aptitude is far inferior to Ning Fan’s! He couldn’t even determine if the Sword Dao in this scabbard was the Third Step Sword Dao. It was Ning Fan who solved this puzzle for him and helped him confirm it!

What’s more terrifying is that Ning Fan, merely with an Immortal Venerable cultivation level, had already drawn the first stroke of reincarnation! He can even project the Power of Reincarnation outward!

In his knowledge, there are only two people who could do this: one is the strongest of Holy Mountain—the Bright Buddha; the other is the strongest in Sanyan—the Death Emperor!

Both the Bright Buddha and the Death Emperor saw perfection before becoming Immortal Emperors! If Ning Fan survives to the end, he would at least be such a powerful figure!

If Ning Fan truly grows to that step, the Tiandu Emperor would not dare to plot against Ning Fan anymore. What he has set his sights on is Ning Fan’s lack of growth, because only by not growing, he is easier to handle, to be strangled!

With Ning Fan’s unparalleled aptitude, the chances of mastering the Third Step Sword Dao are not small. The day this child succeeds in learning will be when Tiandu reaps the benefits!

Kill Ning Fan and reap the insights into Sword Dao he understood!

If not for such huge profits, how could he violate ancestral laws to invite an outsider to the Ancient Buddha Assembly!

And unexpectedly, Ning Fan was bold enough to ignore his invitation, breaking the promise to attend the Ancient Buddha Assembly!

Because of this, many old monsters at the Ancient Buddha Assembly, who regard the assembly as sacred, were enraged by Ning Fan’s refusal to attend.

People are strange like this; inviting outsiders makes them blame you for violating ancestral customs, and they find the outsiders annoying. When the outsider doesn’t come, they blame them for disregarding Buddhist law, desecrating the grace of Buddhism.

Unlike those ancient Buddhas, the Tiandu Emperor would not blame Ning Fan for disregarding the Ancient Buddha Assembly. As long as he achieves his purpose, he would even put aside his arrogance, slightly compromise to visit Ning Fan, if necessary!

Seeing Ning Fan about to send him off with tea, the Tiandu Emperor couldn’t care less and hastily explained,

"Little friend, don’t misunderstand. This old man did not intentionally hide it; I was just afraid that by revealing this place, it would make you fearful and unwilling to go."

"Senior, there is no harm in speaking. This junior has always been bold; there’s no place I wouldn’t dare to go." Ning Fan put down the teacup and said with a slight smile.

"It was my mistake for underestimating your courage. To be honest, the place where the ten thousand sword scabbards and the clan ancestor’s remains were found is the most perilous spot in Sanyan Continent... the Vacant Flame Continent!"

At the mention of Vacant Flame, even the Tiandu Emperor himself felt a bit of dread. The terror of the Vacant Flame Dead Emperor had deeply penetrated his bones, leaving him with a shadow...

"What! It’s actually on the Vacant Flame Continent! Isn’t that one of the three Tenth-grade Fierce Domains? If we rashly enter there, wouldn’t we be following in the footsteps of the Baihua Great Emperor!" Ning Fan feigned a surprised expression while his heart suddenly felt stirred.

The Tenth-grade Fierce Domain is not just dangerous; even Immortal Emperors cannot enter without a passage token due to the Sage’s prohibition isolating it.

One of his purposes in coming to the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain is to help Burying Moon get a physical body. It’s rumored that the Herb-gathering Sage has a habit of carefully storing the corpses of medicine slaves poisoned to death. Among these corpses are those of the Immortal Emperors, both male and female, which is exactly what he seeks...

He doesn’t know where these corpses are stored, nor the whereabouts of the Jiuli Ritual Vessel... Searching for these things might require going to Sanyan. If so... perhaps the Tiandu Emperor is the helper sent to make it easy for him to enter Sanyan...

"Did you not say there’s no place you wouldn’t dare to go? So why, when I mention Vacant Flame, do you become afraid? Hmph, are all Eastern Celestial Outsiders such cowards? Fear not, the Baihua Great Emperor’s severe injury in Sanyan was actually an exception; look at me, I have also been in and out of Sanyan and found that secret place, and I am perfectly fine! How many of those spreading rumors about Sanyan being dangerous have actually been there in person? Follow me, and I guarantee you’ll be safe all the way!" the Tiandu Emperor confidently assured.

"With senior’s protection, going to Sanyan is truly not something dangerous. Moreover, for such an opportunity as the Third Step Sword Dao, what harm is there in taking a little risk! Once successful, both senior and I might become figures that shake the heavens and the earth. Such benefits are enough for us to enter that fierce region!" Ning Fan appeared to hesitate for a long time before gritting his teeth and giving a definite answer.

The Tiandu Emperor was overjoyed, "Little friend’s words are exactly what I hoped for! Indeed, coming to discuss this matter with you was the right choice. You are currently still participating in the Tomb Conquest; I won’t insist on accompanying you this time, but after all three rounds of the conquest are over, I will seek you out and we can enter Sanyan together, how about it?"

Ning Fan pretended to ponder for a while before replying, "This is feasible! I’ll go along with senior’s suggestion!"

"Haha, little friend truly is a straightforward person. Since that’s the case, this matter is settled. One thing though, keep in mind, the matter of the Third Step Sword Dao is of great importance; you must not divulge it to others. Enjoying its profits exclusively by you and me, isn’t that better? If we succeed, we might eventually become the third and fourth Quasi-Saints of the Dabei Clan after the Bright Buddha and the Death Emperor! Uh, forget I said that; I was mistaken. You aren’t a Dabei person, my slip of the tongue... haha!"

The Tiandu Emperor laughed it off with Ning Fan, but Ning Fan felt a strange curiosity within.

Becoming the third and fourth Quasi-Saints...

In the recognition of the Tiandu Emperor, are there only these two Quasi-Saints in the Dabei Clan?

"I wonder which rank of Quasi-Saints are the Bright Buddha and the Death Emperor?"

"Oh? Little friend seems quite knowledgeable about the Quasi-Saint level. To be honest, both the Bright Buddha and the Death Emperor are First Order Quasi-Saints, mighty and incomparable to ordinary Immortal Emperors."

Just First Order Quasi-Saints?

If the Dabei Clan only has these two Quasi-Saints, then what about that Second Rank Quasi-Saint with the surname Niu...

Could it be that the existence of Niu Xing Zhun Sheng is a major secret of the Dabei Clan, something not to be shared with outsiders? Is that why the Tiandu Emperor mentioned this person?

Or perhaps, the Tiandu Emperor doesn’t even know that there exists a Niu Xing Zhun Sheng in the Dabei Clan...

"Senior, have you heard of a Quasi-Saint with the surname Niu?"

"Oh, a Quasi-Saint with the surname Niu, could it be a Quasi-Saint from your Eastern Heaven?" Even the Great Emperor Tiandu, who looked down on foreign cultivators, showed some interest at the mention of a Quasi-Saint.

The ignorance in the Tiandu Emperor’s eyes was not feigned; he truly was unaware of the existence of Niu Xing Zhun Sheng.

This is intriguing. How could such a living Second-Grade Quasi-Saint have lived for many years in the Middle State without the Dabei Clan’s Immortal Emperor knowing?

"Since you’ve never heard of them, let’s leave it at that. It’s getting late, and I have not yet restored my mental energy, so I won’t keep you."

"Haha, that’s my fault, I didn’t mean to delay your recovery, my young friend. In that case, take this bottle of elixir with you. This is the Nine-turn Golden Elixir personally refined by the Bright Buddha of the Holy Mountain. Although it’s just a Golden Core, its effects are far superior to ordinary Golden Cores, and it should greatly help in restoring your mental energy! For tomorrow’s Duo Ling Battle, I will also assist you. I’ve heard some of the grievances between you and Fellow Lou Tuo; should any issues arise, rest assured that I will support you. There’s no need to fear Sha Bailou! Now, I won’t disturb your recovery any further; I’ll take my leave!"

After cheerfully gifting a bottle of Nine-turn Golden Elixir to Ning Fan, the Tiandu Emperor took his leave.

Ning Fan toyed with the bottle of elixir in his hand, watching the Tiandu Emperor depart, a slight cold smile playing on his lips.

The Tiandu Emperor truly treats him like a fool of the Dabei Clan, assuming that such small schemes could easily draw him in?

No matter, for now, he might as well make use of the Great Emperor Tiandu. This person intends to use him, and until then, he would certainly ensure his safety. This way, he could leverage the Tiandu Emperor’s influence to resolve numerous issues easily...

It was entirely unexpected to encounter the sword scabbard handed down from the Sword Ancestor once more in this foreign land.

Ning Fan spread his palm; it seemed to still retain the cold trace of the sword scabbard, a feeling hard to articulate lingering in his heart.

In his youth, holding this scabbard didn’t bring him such insights, but now it did.

"There is reluctance in the Sword Ancestor’s Sword Intent, a very deep reluctance. In my youth, I couldn’t grasp that point, not because my cultivation level was insufficient, but because I didn’t understand emotions... Back then, I didn’t know what it felt like to miss someone, but now, having been away from home for long, I understand... This Sword Ancestor Sword Intent is laden with deep, deep longing... Is that senior already departed, and when leaving this Sword Intent, who were they missing?"

"Without the sword scabbard from that year, perhaps both my master and I would have perished in Seven Apricot City, fallen to the Moksha Emperor. Even though that sword scabbard was deliberately handed to me by Aci, if I trace the threads of fate, I should also be grateful to that Sword Ancestor senior, who I’ve only met in passing. According to the Tiandu Emperor, the Sword Ancestor’s remains, along with thousands of sword scabbards, are in one place. If I go there, I could pay my respects to the Sword Ancestor senior..."

That Sword Ancestor had a profile extremely similar to Dugu...

Ning Fan couldn’t help but recall the scene from the Sword World years ago, remembering the moment he saw the Sword Ancestor’s portrait and mistook Dugu for the Sword Ancestor, as if they were one and the same.

No, they shouldn’t be... Now he had a deep understanding of aura, and while Dugu and the Sword Ancestor’s auras were similar, they were more distinct.

An Immortal’s death scatters like dissipating thoughts; reincarnation is impossible. Even if it were possible, it would never be with two different auras... They couldn’t be the same person. That misconception from back then was indeed just a misconception.

"I’m very curious about what Dugu saw back then in the Heart Inquiry Sword Lake, which reflects past and present lives..." Ning Fan fell into recollection, warmth appearing in his eyes.

’Little demon Ning, in your past life, were you a butterfly...’

’What exactly did you see?’

’Don’t ask, never seek to know...’

A thread of faint white light crept through the window, and Ning Fan speechlessly realized it was already morning.

The Duo Ling Battle was about to begin, and he had no time left to slowly restore his mental energy. No matter, he’d just use the Tiandu Emperor’s elixir to recover!

Ning Fan took out a golden elixir from the bottle, and the fragrance of the elixir immediately filled the entire room.

Not seduced by this fragrance, Ning Fan silently released several beams of Grand Momentum Golden Light, scanning the elixir multiple times.

Only after making some modifications to the hidden restrictions within the elixir did he feel safe enough to consume it.

Heh, even the delay of an entire night, preventing his chance to recover, was all part of the Tiandu Emperor’s premeditated script. Was the intent to manipulate him using the elixir to restore mental energy? Unfortunately, this ploy was rather clumsy...

Nevertheless, the elixir was indeed excellent! The immense medicinal power was far beyond that of a typical Nine-turn Golden Elixir, clearly highlighting the profound alchemical expertise of the Bright Buddha who refined it!

Could it be, perhaps, that they are the Nine Revolutions Imperial Elixir Alchemist!

Ning Fan’s eyes reflected admiration. Such alchemical prowess was beyond his reach, and he had no intention of pursuing it.

No, for there wasn’t enough time for him to be master of many arts!

This was the last night before the Duo Ling Battle. By dawn, the sky above Liuli City was adorned with a thousand miles of morning glow, and by midday, amidst that glow, celestial music and bells echoed, with all kinds of birds fluttering in harmony.

Thus, countless residents of Liuli City began to walk out of their homes, utilizing the Teleportation Formation from various stations to gather towards the Great Brightness Temple in the north of the city.

The Great Brightness Temple is the largest temple in Liuli, and its ten-thousand-zhang square is the venue for the second round of today’s Duo Ling Battle...