Grasping Evil

"Oppose? Hehe, the will of the Saint Ancestor is not something you and I can defy. I am quite curious, if the Sacred Ancestor’s reward does indeed appear, what the threefold rewards would be."

Emperor Foqi did not conceal the look of expectation on his face.

Not just Emperor Foqi, but all the other Great Emperors, except Emperor Lou Tuo, were very concerned about the reward Ning Fan was about to receive from the Saint Ancestor.

Unaware of the external discussions, Ning Fan’s mind was fully focused on his duel with Shen Ershisan. His body and mind were immersed in an extremely peculiar state, as if his feet were clearly on flat ground, yet he had the feeling of standing atop Lin Jue Ding.

It was as if he was not standing on flat ground, but at an unreachable pinnacle, overlooking the millions of demonesses under the sky.

Standing at the peak of countless demons!

This was the feeling brought to Ning Fan by the Slaughter Technique after achieving the Unity of Technique and Path, further enhancing the indescribable noble aura on him.

This aura, initially elusive, gradually became clearer as Ning Fan repeatedly clashed with Shen Ershisan’s broken sword.

Determined and domineering, a demon undefeated in the world! This was the aura of a Demon Lord, which only the former Lord of the Demon-Sealing Peak could possess!

Since Ning Fan’s understanding of the Slaughter Technique in the Unity of Technique and Path was still recent, this Demon Lord aura was not yet prominent, but some old monsters from the Dabei Clan noticed it keenly, secretly alarmed.

They were naturally shocked because the moment Ning Fan’s Demon Lord aura flickered, they felt an insurmountable sense of arrogance—even these Buddha cultivators felt like they were nothing more than dirt and dust compared to the heavenly moon and the starry seas that Ning Fan, as an ancient demon, represented.

Facing Ning Fan, they experienced an indescribable feeling of inferiority for a moment!

Having a buddha feel inferior facing a demon! These proud Buddha cultivators were inwardly ashamed, attributing it to a lack of firm Buddhist practice, without any other speculation. Of course, they wouldn’t vocalize this sense of inferiority to avoid being mocked by other Buddha cultivators, keeping their composure and silence.

swords, 1148 swords, 1149 swords...

Ning Fan’s trial score continued to rise! This outcome exceeded everyone’s expectations, especially since Ning Fan used to struggle even reaching a hundred swords, but now, he seemed to become more adept, never showing signs of exhaustion, as if his inner strength was inexhaustible.

Conversely, the breath of Shen Ershisan, the puppet master of the trial, weakened, and as the situation shifted, Ning Fan gradually gained the upper hand in the duels.

The wind and rain roared!

Amid the winds and rains, the repeated giant clashes of demon claws and broken swords resounded continuously!

Two thousand swords!

Three thousand swords!

Four thousand swords!

swords was the highest record left in a certain trial of the Second Round of Tomb Robbing countless years ago, which Ning Fan had long surpassed.

Without an accident, Ning Fan could have continued dueling Shen Ershisan indefinitely, as the Slaughter Technique nullified any chance of exhaustion; achieving a score of ten thousand or even a hundred thousand swords was easily conceivable as long as the conditions allowed.

However, what Ning Fan sought after was not such ethereal and useless scores. On the 4714th sword, he finally destroyed the last half of Shen Ershisan’s giant sword with the sharp claws of the Nightmare Dragon!

Instantly, exclamations echoed across the four sides of the high platform!

"It’s unfathomable how far this boy’s score can go; I would love to know his score limit when pitted against this Shen-named corpse demon, but unfortunately, that creature’s sword is destroyed, so it seems this boy’s score must stop here. After all, the score of the Trial of Strength is determined by the count of the slashes endured if the sword is broken..."

Before Emperor Foqi’s words were finished, his eyes suddenly widened.

Ning Fan had completely destroyed Shen Ershisan’s giant sword, hesitated not, and attacked Shen Ershisan once again!

What does this boy want to do!

With his body emanating an imposing killing intent, does he intend to obliterate that trial corpse demon?

As if to validate Foqi’s speculation, in the next moment, Ning Fan had already approached Shen Ershisan, leaped into the air, and pierced Shen Ershisan’s brow with his left hand’s razor-sharp claw with a puchi sound!

The golden hoop binding Shen Ershisan’s brow also broke in the middle, utterly unable to withstand the sharpness of the Nightmare Dragon Claw!

Shen Ershisan offered no expected defensive resistance, and its limited intelligence was utterly clueless about what to do once its giant sword was destroyed, just standing there stupidly accepting Ning Fan’s deadly strike.

Nor was its physical body as hard as anticipated, being too decayed. If the strong ones in the Dabei Clan had properly restored Shen Ershisan’s physical body, its defense could have reached an exceedingly terrifying level. Nonetheless, even in its rotten state, it could withstand the majority of attacks, though regrettably, the piercing strike of the Nightmare Dragon Claw was not among them.

Shen Ershisan could not feel the pain in its brow, only staring blankly at the nearby Ning Fan, seemingly feeling a sense of relief.

A heat seemed to rise from the decrepit body, causing the stilled heart to suddenly tremble with just a touch of emotion.

"Thank... you!" This body, dead for countless years, unexpectedly expressed gratitude toward Ning Fan. Shen Ershisan didn’t understand where this gratitude came from, merely feeling that its extremely weary eyes could finally close.

"Farewell on your journey!"

Ning Fan appeared to murmur to himself as his left hand suddenly surged with essence, transforming into a slash that exploded in Shen Ershisan’s brow. Five slashing strikes of demon claws rampaged in Shen Ershisan’s body, ravaging it from within until the body, filled with countless wounds and eroded by time, was utterly destroyed in an instant!

With a thunderous boom, Shen Ershisan’s body exploded into a sky full of blood mist, then the rain washed the blood mist down, turning it into a ground of bloody water tinged with the decay of ages.

The entire place fell into deathly silence! No one anticipated Ning Fan would suddenly strike during the trial, outright killing the evaluation corpse demon!

Too brutal, far too brutal! Although that corpse demon was lowly and bullied, the Dabei people never intended to take his life. But Ning Fan, even with the audacity to kill an examiner, carried an exceptionally heavy killing intent!

From ancient times to the present, daring to kill a trial evaluation corpse demon in the Trial of Strength, Ning Fan was undoubtedly the first!

In just an instant, Ning Fan was deemed a demon by the Buddha Law practitioners present, regardless of his strength, undoubtedly a demon who kills without blinking!

"Is it over..."

Ning Fan had no interest in the hostile gazes surrounding him, he simply closed his eyes and silently felt.

Using the Slaughter Technique, he could hear the lamentations that others could not hear. After he destroyed Shen Ershisan’s corpse, the Ancient Demon cries that pervaded the Dabei Clan lessened by one...

Was this the Demonic Burial that Shen Ershisan desired? No tombstone, no coffin, no incense, no mourning music, no worshippers or mourners, no relatives, no old friends, no future, no past... nothing but mere strangers.

Perhaps this was the most simple burial in the world.

But compared to the life as a Corpse, this kind of Demonic Burial might be considered a luxury.

Shen Ershisan has achieved true peace, and that’s good. Farewell on your journey.

Hmm? What’s this...

Ning Fan’s eyes suddenly sharpened as countless bloodlines flew out of the filthy blood on the ground and flowed into his body.

At first, he wanted to defend himself, but realizing these bloodlines brought benefits, he let them enter his body.

This seems to be the boon for burying Shen Ershisan?

The bloodlines shooting into Ning Fan’s body were all the essence of demon blood hidden deep within Shen Ershisan’s flesh. At this moment, they entered Ning Fan’s body without any hindrance, and merged directly with his blood, greatly enhancing his demon bloodline level. Previously, he had fused four drops of ancestral demon blood into the Symbol of Devil Raising, but now, due to the event of killing Shen Ershisan, he saw the sign of forming the fifth drop of Ancient Demon Ancestral Blood!

The fifth drop of Ancient Demon Ancestral Blood only partially formed, not completely, yet it greatly enhanced Ning Fan’s demonic power!

His cultivation in the Ancient Demon realms also had a massive improvement, progressing more than halfway towards the Demonic Tenth Nirvana. Others would regard this as gaining the fruits of millions of years of arduous cultivation!

"Could it be that the holder of the Slaughter Technique can obtain such huge benefits from burying each Ancient Demon?"

Ning Fan paused, then gave a slight laugh. He buried Shen Ershisan out of admiration for the Zidou Martyrs. Of course, if he could gain some benefits from it, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.

As he felt the sudden surge in cultivation and bloodline level, Ning Fan didn’t know whether to be saddened by Shen Ershisan’s departure or to be pleased for himself.

However, the changes in the scene quickly interrupted his thoughts.

After the bloodlines entered his body, suddenly the plaza was filled with Buddha light, and three golden treasure chests appeared in mid-air. Along with it came a massive and unimaginable pressure sweeping across the area, seemingly like the heavens were falling!

Internally, Ning Fan was shocked. He had cultivated for many years and was by no means a weakling, yet under this pressure, he felt as powerless as an ant!

This was indeed the pressure of a Saint!

Fortunately, although the pressure was massive, it carried no oppressive intent, rather it was gentle like water, otherwise Ning Fan wouldn’t know how to resist it.

The residents watching the assessment were filled with exclamations, all kneeling in awe, clearly not expecting the presence of such Saint pressure.

The Immortal Buddhas on the high platform all stood up. Although they didn’t kneel, they didn’t dare to sit under this vast Buddha light, standing respectfully.

Rewards could be obtained beyond the thousand swords. This was naturally known to the Immortal Buddhas present, but most Dabei residents were of short bone age and hadn’t seen rewards from the thousand swords years ago, hence were very curious.

Ning Fan himself didn’t know why the three treasure chests appeared, but he was adept at gathering information. With a subtle use of the Mind Reading Technique, he learned the reason from the thoughts of some Second Step Female Cultivators present.

It turns out that achieving the thousand swords in the Trial of Strength can also earn a Saint’s reward! That was truly an unexpected bonus.

"...All beings imprisoned within the Circle have no set definitions within or without. Like dreams, like wakefulness, like dust, like origin. The great Dao is dim, and greatness lies in humility. Wild grass grows thick, bowing low and resilient..."

At the moment this ancient voice rang out, all the Dabei people began to shout in unison, filled with fervor.

"Welcome the arrival of the Saint Ancestor’s will!"

The Saint Ancestor’s Will! Within the Dabei Clan, only the Herb-gathering Sage known as Saint Nan Yao could be considered a Saint Ancestor!

The Saint had died, but his will had transformed into the laws of heaven and earth, residing in the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain. This voice was issued by the Saint’s will in the heavens!

The Saint’s will does not think, naturally it doesn’t converse with people, it simply operates mechanically to convey rewards to Ning Fan.

The three treasure chests in the air suddenly fell in front of Ning Fan, then the first chest began to open with a click.

"According to the rules of the Dabei Clan, achieving beyond a thousand swords in the Trial of Strength can invoke the Saint Ancestor’s will, which bestows gifts upon you. Do not miss your fortune, choose one from the Saint Ancestor’s threefold rewards, and be cautious!"

The four of the Central Continent Five Emperors spoke up, giving an explanation to Ning Fan. Naturally, the one who didn’t speak was Emperor Lou Tuo, who wasn’t on friendly terms with Ning Fan.

After the reminder from the four emperors, the ancient voice spoke again.

"My legacy is only handed down to those who possess capability. Anyone who successfully tests the thousand swords may receive my legacy, choose one out of three. This is the first item!"

In an instant, everyone’s gaze was fixed on the first treasure chest. Anyone aware of the thousand sword rewards was secretly guessing what Ning Fan would receive. Those who were previously unaware were now familiar with the Saint Ancestor’s reward due to the voices of the four Great Emperors and the Saint Ancestor’s Will.

The chest opened, and the first thing people saw was a golden lotus platform, though it wasn’t particularly precious, what caused many Immortal Buddhas to gasp was the fragment of Golden Lotus Root hovering on top of the platform.

All four emperors showed slight changes in expression, while Emperor Lou Tuo’s face fell, unexpected that Ning Fan’s first reward choice turned out to be such a supreme treasure.

The Creation Golden Lotus Root!

This item only existed in the legends of the Dabei Clan, not meant for eating but for reshaping the body and bones! Ancient texts of the Dabei record that once an Immortal Venerable or Ancient Buddha dismantled their physical form and used the Creation Lotus Root to reconstruct their bones and flesh, obtaining a Lotus Root body exceedingly powerful. Despite remaining at the Immortal Venerable Cultivation Level, merely with the Lotus Root body, they swept through the Immortal King Realm and even stood their ground in battle against a Quasi-Emperor!

Of course, this item has its drawbacks. Although the Lotus Root body is incredibly powerful, it means one’s cultivation will eternally cease. Once a Lotus Root body is formed, it signifies the end of one’s cultivation path in this lifetime.

Yet these drawbacks are minor issues.

Most cultivators never reach the Quasi-Emperor Realm in their lives. Possessing a body comparable to a Quasi-Emperor’s already satisfies them, without yearning for further advancement to true Immortal Emperor level.

Even those aiming for the Immortal Emperor levels wouldn’t dismiss this item. Why must one’s own flesh be shaped into a Lotus Root body? It’s entirely possible to create a second Primordial Spirit to have a powerful body, thus gaining a loyal Quasi-Emperor fighter, without impacting one’s future achievements.

Even if not creating a physical defense for the second Primordial Spirit, one can entirely make a lotus root puppet body; a Quasi-Emperor Lotus Root Puppet is also very powerful.

Ning Fan’s gaze fell upon the Golden Lotus Root, feeling extremely tempted.

This item is not only recorded in the Dabei ancient texts but also in the Four Heavens’ ancient literature, and is even mentioned in the Ancient Chaos memory inheritance.

If choosing this item to make a lotus root puppet comparable to a Quasi-Emperor, it’s indeed a good choice...

However, it’s not time to make a decision yet, as there are still two boxes unopened.

"This is the second item!"

As the Saint’s voice fell, the second box opened.

The golden light faded, revealing an artifact surrounded by eerie violet flames inside the box. The innate inferior-grade treasure aura shook everyone’s heart, even the Immortal Emperors were no exception.

"It’s actually an Innate Treasure! Impossible, in the past rewards from Saints, no one has ever obtained an Innate Treasure! What merit does this boy have to have such good fortune!"

This time, Emperor Lou Tuo couldn’t contain his inner frustration and voiced his jealousy.

The jealousy was reasonable. For Immortal Emperors, the number of Innate Treasures almost equates to combat power. Most Immortal Emperors possess only one Innate Treasure; think if you possess two Innate Treasures while the opposing Immortal Emperor has only one, who has the advantage is self-evident. Unfortunately, Innate Treasures are attainable but never achievable; very few Immortal Emperors have two.

Emperor Lou Tuo sought bitterly for years and now barely owns two Innate Treasures, one of which is defective...but Ning Fan, with shallow spirit bones and low cultivation, has a chance to obtain an Innate Treasure, making him somewhat envious.

Not only Emperor Lou Tuo but also the other four emperors had stiff expressions, clearly not expecting Ning Fan to have such fortune, if they weren’t envious, it’s absolutely impossible.

Upon seeing the Creation Golden Lotus Root in the first treasure chest, the emperors just brightened their gaze but weren’t overly tempted. After all, Quasi-Emperor puppets aren’t much use in an Immortal Emperor’s battle.

But Innate Treasures are different...this item is too precious! Even as an Innate Inferior Grade, it’s absolutely valuable and unattainable!

In contrast, Ning Fan didn’t look at the second treasure chest with the same fervor as the first.

He doesn’t lack Innate Treasures; what he lacks is the cultivation to use them. This Innate Artifact Wand seems to be a powerful offensive treasure, but unfortunately, it’s just an Innate Inferior Grade, compared to his Water-Flooding Realm Bottle, there’s no comparison. Even if choosing this Innate Treasure, with his cultivation, it’s hard to unleash its power, whereas the Golden Lotus Root is more practical.

Hmm, having a Quasi-Emperor fighter is more convenient, at least he won’t need to take action himself in the future, enough to sweep across strong opponents of the Immortal King realm...

As Ning Fan’s thoughts raced, the third treasure chest opened.

Unlike the first two chests, when the third chest opened, there was no dazzling golden light. The box was empty except for a worn-out, dull wooden plaque.

The wooden plaque wasn’t inscribed, nor did it emit any treasure aura; on the surface, it appeared to be an ordinary wooden plaque.

But, could an ordinary wooden plaque be presented as a Saint’s reward?

Even if Ning Fan was foolish, he knew the wooden plaque had some special use, although what it specifically was remained unknown.

On the high platform, the Immortal Buddhas all wore bewildered expressions, rarely knowing its purpose.

On the platform, only the Central Continent Five Emperors knew the item’s origin! Below the platform, only the deeply hidden Emperor Butcher raised eyebrows with some seriousness.

At this moment, the gazes of the Central Continent Five Emperors were all fervent, looking at the worn wooden plaque in the third treasure chest.

They all knew what this object was!

Yet none of them among the Five Emperors stepped forward to explain its value to Ning Fan!

None of the Five Emperors wanted Ning Fan to choose this item; it was too precious, precious enough to make them jealous, precious enough to allow Ning Fan to break through to the Immortal Emperor realm in a few years!

How could this boy obtain such a treasured item!

Ning Fan read such a layer of meaning from the straightforward expressions of the Five Emperors, frowning involuntarily.

What exactly was this wooden plaque? Judging from the emperors’ expressions, it was definitely more valuable than the Innate Inferior Grade treasure...

"In the Holy Mountain, this wooden plaque is called the Blood-Exchange Command. Holding this item and going to the Holy Mountain, you can obtain the Saint’s Blood Legacy, truly dilute the Saint’s blood and exchange your own blood. Once the legacy is successful, you can acquire cultivation comparable to an Immortal Emperor within a few years, and your future cultivation will progress rapidly!"

Emperor Butcher’s voice suddenly echoed in Ning Fan’s mind.

Ning Fan’s expression remained unchanged, but internally, he was greatly shaken. Saint’s Blood Legacy, truly diluted Saint’s blood, breaking through to Immortal Emperor in a few years...this little wooden plaque had such uses!

No wonder the Central Continent Five Emperors on the platform were deathly silent about explaining this item! They must think it’s too precious to let him choose!

Even diluted, Saint’s blood is still a legendary item and indeed exists! Breaking through to Immortal Emperor within a few years is too tempting, and few in the world can resist this temptation! However, Ning Fan wasn’t too moved; in cultivation matters, fairness is usually observed, every gain comes with a loss. Such enormous benefits certainly hide greater drawbacks. He firmly believes this.

"I presume this item has its drawbacks." Ning Fan’s expression remained calm, but he secretly communicated with Emperor Butcher.

"Hehe, the drawbacks are indeed significant. Back then, the Bright Buddha obtained the Blood-Exchange Command reward by chance like you. Given his qualifications, he wasn’t qualified to become the strongest in the Holy Mountain; now he’s the strongest in the Holy Mountain with a great title! Alas, alas, is his cultivation truly his..." Emperor Butcher’s transmission paused, seemingly due to involving secrets, unwilling to say more.

But this was enough for Ning Fan to imagine.

The strongest in the Holy Mountain, Bright Buddha, rose because he chose the Blood-Exchange Command? What does it mean that his cultivation doesn’t belong to him?

Involuntarily, Ning Fan recalled the schemes of Yin Mo Ancestor in the wild. His heart turned cold.

Could it be the esteemed strongest of the Holy Mountain, Bright Buddha, was also schemed against? Is the Blood-Exchange Command a great trap?

Ning Fan slightly glanced at Emperor Butcher, meeting the faintly smiling eyes of Emperor Butcher disguised as Qingling.

Qingling’s nominal scarred husband suddenly scolded Qingling a few times with displeasure and glared at Ning Fan with pretended sternness, convinced his wife had an affair with the devil lord Ning.

In the speechless moment, Ning Fan withdrew his gaze, uninterested in watching the little theater of the couple, inwardly pondering Emperor Butcher’s warning.

Is it possible that Emperor Butcher is lying, and this broken wooden plaque is not meant for the purpose she mentioned?

Or perhaps, she speaks three parts truth, seven parts falsehood; the purpose is true, the flaws are false...

Or perhaps, what she says is true, yet she still conceals something...

Ning Fan doesn’t know whether he should trust Emperor Butcher. As of now, this woman has not harmed him; instead, she gifted him an Illusory Night Pearl, which can temporarily suppress the Punishing Ring and restore his cultivation...

But, is a temporary show of goodwill truly genuine, or perhaps her schemes are deeper than others...

Looking at the three treasure chests, Ning Fan hesitated for the first time. His hesitation was between the first and third chests, while he completely ignored the second chest.

The impression the Dabei Clan left on Ning Fan was one of illusions and deception, of superficial calm hiding deep and dreadful truths.

After careful consideration, Ning Fan couldn’t fully trust Emperor Butcher, so he decided to partially believe and not to choose the Blood-Exchange Command. Even if the benefits of the Blood-Exchange Command were tremendous, it must have its drawbacks. Compared to the forced enhancement of cultivation through the Blood-Exchange Command, Ning Fan trusted more in his steady cultivation step by step.

"Have you made your choice?" The ancient voice echoed across the heavens and asked.

"I choose the first treasure chest!" Ning Fan replied indifferently.

Suddenly, discussions erupted!

On the high platform, all the Immortals and Buddhas showed colorful expressions, including the Central Continent Five Emperors.

The Central Continent Five Emperors firmly believed Ning Fan was unaware of the wooden plaque’s worth, thus did not choose it. This wasn’t surprising. An ordinary foreign cultivator wouldn’t understand the highest secrets of the Dabei Clan; it wasn’t strange not to know about the Blood-Exchange Command’s existence.

But even if he didn’t choose the third chest, he should have chosen the second chest. In most people’s minds, the second chest is far more valuable than the first.

An Innate Treasure is something even an Immortal Emperor cherishes as life itself, whereas the Creation Golden Lotus Root is only pursued by those below the Immortal Emperor; the difference in value is clear, so why hesitate?

Yet Ning Fan chose not the Innate Treasure but the Creation Golden Lotus Root... His intelligence is unparalleled.

A large group of relatively dull-headed Great Humble Ones silently mocked Ning Fan’s foolishness.

Emperor Lou Tuo openly displayed contempt, laughing heartily; this laughter was naturally mocking. Inwardly, due to Ning Fan’s choice, he felt much more balanced.

Regardless of whether Ning Fan chose the Blood-Exchange Command or the Innate Treasure, it would make Emperor Lou Tuo envious to death, but if Ning Fan chose the Creation Golden Lotus Root, it made him feel better.

Ha, this boy made a wrong choice!

Ning Fan couldn’t be bothered with the ridicule of others. If those people knew he possessed the Innate Mid-grade Water-Flooding Realm Bottle and even owned Heaven-Opening Artifact, they would not mock him.

The height he stood at was different; naturally, the scene he saw was different. He didn’t need to explain anything to laymen. To him, the Creation Golden Lotus Root was the most practical thing, at least at this stage. As for in the future, when his cultivation grows, would he worry about not having Innate Treasures to use?

His cultivation path has never lacked magical treasures. If he lacks them, he will seize them!

He acquired the Creation Golden Lotus Root, and the other two chests disappeared along with the ancient voice, as if they never existed.

And with the end of the Saint Ancestor’s rewards, the Trial of Strength officially ended.

Looking at the scoreboard’s high score of over forty thousand, Ning Fan smiled slightly. From the Trial of Strength alone, he achieved such a high score. As long as he performed decently in the Trial of Illusion, he should secure a place within the top three, winning the South Sea Spring Water with ease.

Then, he could use the South Sea Spring Water to obtain information from the Baihua Great Emperor...

After Ning Fan descended the arena, the storm subsided, only then did some of the Dabei powerhouses remember, didn’t Ning Fan kill the examiner for the Trial of Strength? This matter seems to have not been investigated yet. Just because the Saint Ancestor rewards followed, everyone’s attention was drawn to the Saint Ancestor’s rewards, neglecting the punishment matter.

Though the rules of the second round of the Grave-Seizing Competition naturally did not specify that one could not kill the examiner.

But this rule seems like common knowledge, right? No one would deliberately kill an examiner, right?

Several disciples of Emperor Lou Tuo whispered a few words to him, as if reminding him. Emperor Lou Tuo nodded, intending to find an excuse to give Ning Fan trouble, but Heaven Capital Emperor spoke first.

"The Trial of Strength is over now, small matters need not be mentioned!"

With these words, Emperor Lou Tuo’s face sank, unable to trouble Ning Fan further. Internally, he was more convinced of a close relationship between Heaven Capital Emperor and Ning Fan.

Fortunately, Emperor Lou Tuo had great confidence in his apprentice Sha Bailou, firmly believing Sha Bailou could kill Ning Fan in the Illusion Trial. With such thoughts, his expression improved.

Judging from the scores, Ning Fan’s score in the Trial of Strength was extremely exceptional, but in the eyes of perceptive people, Ning Fan merely engaged a secret technique to restore physical strength, making his endurance superior to others during physical combat.

Endurance does not equate to combat strength; many confrontations are decided in extremely short times, and those truly testing endurance usually occur when both sides are equally matched and victory is hard to determine!

Emperor Lou Tuo deeply understood that once his apprentice fought desperately, even the Second Calamity Immortal Lord would fall; let alone Ning Fan who isn’t at his peak. Even if his cultivation wasn’t sealed, Emperor Lou Tuo didn’t believe Ning Fan could survive a fight with Sha Bailou using some small tricks.

Thinking of Ning Fan’s inevitable death, Emperor Lou Tuo’s anger over the destruction of the Fire Spirit finally subsided somewhat.

But before his mood improved much, the indifferent voice of Emperor Foqi made his expression cloudy once more.

"Don’t forget our bet. That half a Green Fierce spirit was lost to me, after the matters here conclude, hand it over to me, alright? Don’t go back on your word." Emperor Foqi said with evident delight.

"Hmph! Rest assured, I will honor the bet, and once things here are resolved, I’ll fulfill it!" Emperor Lou Tuo said through gritted teeth.

Internally, he had accounted for losing half the Green Fierce Fire Spirit on Ning Fan. If not for this boy’s excellent performance, how could he have lost!

Hateful brat, you won’t be jumping around for long!

"The examining Corpse is dead; thus, I will supervise the Illusion Trial myself. The Illusion Trial requires a team of three tribes formed within one incense stick’s time; those failing to team up will be disqualified from continuing in the Illusion Trial after the incense stick burns out. Once the incense burns, I will open the Two-Realm Sealing Door to the Illusion Trial!"

The voice of Heaven Capital Emperor timely spread across the area.