Grasping the Evil

"Miss Zixin?"

Ning Fan’s eyes slightly flickered, without saying much, he followed behind the Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master towards the inner hall.

For generations, the Yuan Emperors of the Earth Yuan Palace bore the surname Tan, the old Yuan Emperor was named Tan Tianyan, and this Miss Zixin should be called Tan Zixin.

Unexpectedly, the person behind the Supreme Ninth Pavilion is an important figure in the Earth Yuan Palace...

The Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master collected all the immortal jade outside the hall, still somewhat shaken in his heart.

He led Ning Fan through hall upon hall, subtly informing Ning Fan about Yuan Tong’s identity along the way.

Ning Fan is now considered a distinguished guest of the Supreme Ninth Pavilion, and he naturally would be well-treated, with some information being shared.

Upon hearing that Yuan Tong is the disciple of the Ape Emperor, Ning Fan merely nodded, without showing much emotional fluctuation.

The Ape Emperor’s physical defense could battle the Seven Apricot, yet he still wasn’t a match for the rogue devil. Even though the rogue devil could only strike once more, Ning Fan felt no fear of the Ape Emperor.

Seeing Ning Fan unafraid of Yuan Tong’s background, the Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master was quite surprised but asked nothing further, continuing to lead the way.

Behind the inner hall lies an entire section of an artifact refining workshop, equipped with countless metal casting cauldrons and artifact forging platforms.

Hundreds of artifact refiners were busy there; upon seeing the arrival of the Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master and Ning Fan, they all stopped their tasks and respectfully greeted them.

At the back of the workshop, there is a refinement room working independently.

Inside the refinement room, a young girl in a light purple strapless long dress stood gracefully in front of the forging platform, swinging a golden mace that was larger than her own body, repeatedly and heavily pounding down.

The girl had a tied thin ponytail with a purple and white headscarf wrapped around her head. The bangs on her forehead were damp with fragrant sweat, sticking to her brow. Her ink-black eyebrows were long and slender, her bare face without makeup, subtle as the soothing moon.

This female cultivator’s level had already reached the peak of Divine Transformation, not far from Void Refinement.

Her plain face was full of light dust, yet her beauty remained hard to conceal.

She focused intensely, always staring at the flying sword being forged. At this moment, to her, it seemed as if the entire world had come to a standstill, with only herself and the flying sword before her.

She appeared to be in a state of self-forgetfulness.

The Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master gestured to Ning Fan to be silent, respectfully standing aside, waiting for the girl’s artifact refining to conclude.

Ning Fan also stayed quiet, watching the purple-clad girl intently.

Such concentrated eyes, he had seen them for the first time, possessing a kind of captivating charm.

The girl was crafting a high-grade Mortal Void flying sword, suitable for a Void Pierce Stage expert to use.

The girl’s artifact refining technique was extremely exceptional, crafting the flying sword with great skill.

The treasure was forged to the final stage when the girl suddenly got distracted, seemingly recalling the unresolved feelings in her heart.

This momentary distraction caused the golden mace that was meant to hit down to pause in mid-air, descending half a beat slower.

Crack...

Only this moment of distraction led to the originally perfect flying sword having a thread-like hairline crack.

The girl froze, put down the golden mace, caressed the scorching-hot sword, remaining silent.

This crack could be repaired, but even if repaired, it would never be perfect again.

"What a pity."

The girl casually tossed the half-finished flying sword into an iron frame nearby.

Within that iron frame rested quite a few magical treasures of not weak quality, all deemed failed products by the girl due to dissatisfaction.

In the past, she would not get distracted during artifact refining, but now...

"Grandpa... It’s all my fault, or grandpa wouldn’t have injured his Demon Soul at such a critical moment..."

At this moment, the girl’s eyes held a look of irreconcilable regret.

This remorse bore a strong resemblance to the Dao essence within the Supreme Ninth Pavilion’s plaque.

Ning Fan couldn’t help but recall the pavilion’s name, where the character "Upper Nine" bore certain significance.

The Book of Changes spoke, Upper Nine, Arrogant Dragon Experiences Regret...

"This girl might have regrets in her heart..." Ning Fan speculated.

The girl paused briefly, pulled out a purple cloth, and wiped the dust and fine sweat off her face.

She turned her head and suddenly noticed the presence of the Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master and Ning Fan, surprised.

"Ajiu? Why are you here? Who is this?" The girl curiously examined Ning Fan, indicating a lack of familiarity.

"He’s here to order a purple-grade fishing rod from Miss, named Bai Mou."

"Oh? Came for the purple-grade fishing rod?" The girl’s eyes suddenly became serious, gazing at Ning Fan.

Though her cultivation hadn’t reached Void Refinement, her spirit sense was quite strong, reaching the stage of Void Inquiry.

She sensed Ning Fan’s Void Inquiry aura, an aura that, though not overwhelming, was exceedingly concentrated.

Ning Fan seemed somewhat extraordinary, not a typical Void Inquiry cultivator.

Having notable strength, the hope of obtaining success at the dragon fishing competition was significant.

Participating in the competition while having a fishing rod crafted by her meant hope to catch the Yin Dragon and Yang Dragon...

"Bai Mou, is it? Since you’re here, you should have agreed to my condition, right? If you catch the Yin Dragon and Yang Dragon, you should lend me the two Dragon Balls, of course. The Yin Dragon and Yang Dragon have remained uncaught for millions of years; you’ll probably not catch them, I’m just saying..."

The girl’s voice was quite pleasant, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate, unforgettable upon hearing.

"Dare I ask Miss Zixin, why do you wish to borrow the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl?" Ning Fan suddenly asked.

This question left the girl somewhat perplexed.

Why does Ning Fan care about that? Does he have confidence in catching the Yin Dragon and Yang Dragon, hence his curiosity about her intention for borrowing the Dragon Pearl?

"I have my purposes, which I cannot reveal for now. Rest assured, even if you manage to catch the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl, I’ll only borrow it, not seize your item, nor borrow for long. On this matter, I can vouch using my identity as Yuandian Young Master!"

"Is that so."

Ning Fan secretly employed the Mind Reading Technique, and during the exchange with the girl, peered into her heart.

This girl is the daughter of the current Yuan Emperor—Tan Zixin, with the old Yuan Emperor, Tan Tianyan, being her grandfather.

Her wish to acquire the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl is aimed at healing someone.

As for whom she intends to heal, and why the Dragon Pearl is necessary for that person’s treatment, remains entirely unclear...

Upon reaching this understanding, Ning Fan suddenly could no longer perceive anything more.

He relied entirely on the Yin Yang Locket’s Yin Yang power to probe the girl’s heart.

Unexpectedly, a surge of Yin Yang power emerged within her body, blocking all of Ning Fan’s perception...

Yin Yang counteracts Yin Yang!

The girl’s cultivation technique was not Yin Yang Transformation; this surge of Yin Yang power was incidentally acquired externally, beyond her control, yet crucially served to guard her secrets.

Unaware of her heart being peered into by Ning Fan, the girl remained oblivious.

Although Ning Fan’s perception didn’t reveal all secrets, it confirmed that the girl’s interest in the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl was indeed for the purpose of saving someone, not for acquisition, with genuine intentions.

This realization reassured Ning Fan as the girl had no malevolence.

"I agree to craft the purple-grade fishing rod for you, but the rods I craft resemble one’s magical treasure, requiring different techniques for different cultivators... Leave me a few drops of Demon Blood; I’ll analyze it and fabricate the purple-grade fishing rod best suited for your use. You need not worry; I promise not to misuse your Demon Blood, as I’m willing to make a Restrictive Spell vow on this matter."

The girl’s expression was extremely serious.

Requesting someone’s Demon Blood stands as a taboo.

Many secret techniques and Divine Skills that harm others require blood as a medium.

Ning Fan frowned, his Demon Blood being Fu Li Bloodline, recognizable to none, yet he was hesitant to reveal it.

However, without leaving a few droplets of blood, crafting the rod becomes exceedingly troublesome.

Seeing Ning Fan’s hesitation, the young girl knew that Ning Fan did not trust her and was unwilling to hand over the Demon Bloodline.

With a slight sigh, she did not insist but instead suggested, "Never mind, there is a compromise—leave one of your personal magical treasures with me, and I will craft you a convenient fishing rod based on it. How about that? You would then use your own blood to bind with the rod without me interfering in that step."

"Alright."

Without hesitation, Ning Fan pointed to his forehead and retrieved a sword that shone like silver starlight, handing it to the young girl.

This Separation Slayer was one of the few personal treasures he had and could be of some use.

"Such a good sword... such a poor sword... a pitiful sword unloved by its master..."

The young girl accepted the Separation Slayer, lightly stroking its icy blade, and gave Ning Fan a teasing look.

As she examined the sword closely, she discovered that not only was it a two-star divine weapon, but the crafting techniques were exceptionally mysterious, making even her feel inferior.

However, the owner of this sword undeniably did not cherish it; despite being a distinguished two-star divine weapon, it was neglected and had not undergone proper cultivation.

A noble gem, alas, fallen from grace... this was the young girl’s sentiment at the moment.

Such a well-made Separation Slayer, following Ning Fan, was truly a waste.

"Uh..." After being teased, Ning Fan felt tongue-tied.

Indeed, these past years he had neglected treasure refinement, as his cultivation progress was too rapid and refining treasures consumed significant time.

Therefore, he did not devote himself to refining the Separation Slayer, nor did he seriously cultivate several spells.

He invariably used whatever magical treasures he stumbled upon, discarding them after use.

He practiced spells a few times, but if they lacked efficacy, he abandoned them.

For a typical Void Inquiry Stage expert, millennia of cultivation naturally included ample time for refining treasures and practicing techniques.

Ning Fan’s time was too limited, hence he made the best of everything and progressed to this point.

"Alright, alright, I’ve received the sword. You should go prepare for the grand competition in five days and strive to secure a spot in the Fishing Dragon Tournament. Failing to enter the top 500 in the competition makes it all meaningless. After the competition, come and collect the fishing rod."

The young girl cherished the Separation Slayer as she exited the refinement room, disappearing from sight.

Ning Fan was left staring at the Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master.

"Cough, cough... My family is obsessed with the Artifact Refining Technique, I apologize for any rudeness," the Supreme Ninth Pavilion Master said apologetically.

"No problem, Miss Zixin has a genuine character; how could I ever mind such things?"

Ning Fan exchanged pleasantries with the Pavilion Master, then did not rush back to his palace but instead purchased vast quantities of items in Tianyuan City.

He had not forgotten the need to gather celestial materials for restoring spiritual power, to help Luo You recover her Spirit.

These items generally have the effect of restoring spiritual power.

Ning Fan also managed to acquire five Superior Cave Heaven Treasures at the cost of tens of billions of immortal jade, yet found it increasingly difficult to buy a sixth one.

Superior Cave Heaven Treasures were too scarce, and training the Swirling Void Technique to the Golden Vortex Realm was no easy feat.

Returning to his palace, Ning Fan briefly discussed the situation regarding the fishing rod with the little demoness, then flickeringly vanished into the Xuan Yin Treasure.

He handed large amounts of celestial materials to Luo You for her to consume and refine.

Meanwhile, he sat cross-legged atop the Immortal Clouds, patting his storage pouch to retrieve the Ancient Golden Sword.

With five days until the competition, Ning Fan decided to utilize Ganglv Gold and Xuanhuang Crystal to repair and enhance the Ancient Golden Sword, absorbing the Cave Heaven power from the five Superior Cave Heaven Treasures.

Five days later, thousands of Void Refinement experts and dozens of Void Fragmentation cultivators would jointly participate in the grand competition at the ’Ascension Tower’ within Tianyuan City.

The Ascension Tower was a towering structure in the northern part of Tianyuan City, consisting of five hundred floors.

Each floor of the Ascension Tower housed a top-grade Cave Mansion.

On the day of the competition, all cultivators above Void Refinement could enter the tower.

After the competition, only the five hundred cultivators occupying each floor’s Cave Mansion could secure spots in the Fishing Dragon Tournament.

Depending on the occupied floor level, the five hundred qualifying cultivators would receive different rewards.

The reward for the fifth hundredth loft being the least desirable, while the first loft carried the most coveted reward.

The specific rewards would be announced on the day of the competition.

There were dozens of participants from the Void Fragmentation realm this time, and Ning Fan did not expect to claim the first spot, but penetrating the top ten should not prove difficult.

He didn’t require aid from Nieli or rogue devils, as he had already defeated the self-proclaimed exceptional Yun Xiaoxiang.

If leveraging Thunderquake Artifact’s notorious reputation, it could shock away the old monsters at the fifth heavenly layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm.

But for higher realm old monsters, it is difficult to intimidate.

"First, using Ganglv Gold to repair the ancient sword. Once restored, its cultivation speed could surpass the Rain World and Moksha Emperor!" Ning Fan’s eyes shone with anticipation as he summoned a plume of black demonic fire, commencing the tempering of Ganglv Gold...

...

Tan Zixin returned to her pavilion, holding the starry beautiful Separation Slayer all night, repeatedly polishing it.

That night, she did not begin crafting the Purple-grade Fishing Rod but contemplated the Sword Intent of the Separation Slayer, investigating Ning Fan’s character.

Only by doing so could she craft the Purple-grade Fishing Rod best suited for Ning Fan.

Holding the Separation Slayer, through its icy blade, she seemed to understand the hardships Ning Fan had faced.

This sword accompanied Ning Fan from his Vein Opening days, following him through Harmonious Spirit, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Void Refinement, and Void Fragmentation...

Along its journey, this sword slew countless foes and silently absorbed Ning Fan’s endless sorrows and joys.

"He is a solitary person, hence the Sword Intent remaining in this sword is exceedingly pure... once its edge is exposed, there is no turning back..."

"Hmm, how could it be, how could it be?!"

Suddenly, Tan Zixin’s eyes were filled with shock, as she had never seen a flying sword with such harmonious Yin and Yang!

The Separation Slayer had stayed by Ning Fan’s side daily, altered by the Yin Yang Locket’s power, naturally exhibiting such change gradually.

At this moment, Tan Zixin’s surprise wasn’t towards the sword but towards Ning Fan himself.

Ning Fan, possesses a power, a force that recalibrates chaotic Yin and Yang!

Perhaps, with him, the Yin Yang Dragon Pearl isn’t necessary to save Agong!

"Agong! Maybe this person can save you! But, I’m not sure yet."

"Let Uncle Zhou probe this person during the competition day, to see if he can recalibrate the chaotic Yin and Yang... if so, Agong can be saved!"

"Agong was injured for my sake; if Bai Mou truly has a way to save Agong, I will do whatever it takes and meet all conditions..."

Tan Zixin’s relentless mention of Agong refers not to the Old Yuan Emperor but precisely to him!

Four hundred years ago, she was accidentally bitten by a poisonous beast.

Though the poison beast was killed, it contained powerful Yin Yang poison that nearly killed Tan Zixin.

The Old Yuan Emperor poured all his Mana into transferring Tan Zixin’s Yin Yang poison into himself.

Because of this, the Old Yuan Emperor, on the verge of succeeding in becoming an immortal, suffered a severe backlash from the Yin Yang poison, fracturing his Demon Soul into two, separating Yin and Yang.

Unless Yin and Yang reunite, the Old Yuan Emperor will never achieve immortality in this life.

With his Demon Soul divided and his cultivations heavily damaged, no one knows that the Old Yuan Emperor’s life is at risk and far from his former glory.

Currently, Tan Tianyan is but an old man awaiting death...

Not yet confirming Ning Fan’s ability to heal the Old Yuan Emperor, Tan Zixin will not recklessly reveal this matter to Ning Fan.

She must wait, wait until the grand competition after five days, wait for results.

During the waiting period, it is imperative to wholeheartedly craft the perfect fishing rod for Ning Fan.

For the first time, the uninvolved Tan Zixin wanted to build good relations with someone, and that person is a man.

Solely to save Agong, she could sacrifice everything, just to ensure Ning Fan’s satisfaction.

"He is my, last hope... Bai Mou..." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) and vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)