Grasping the Evil-Chapter 1001: Holy Mountain Tomb Guardians

Certainly!

"Is there anyone among you with the Five-Color Medicine Soul?"

Lou Tuo’s inquiry prompted many from the Tami tribe to look at Ouyang Nuan.

If memory serves them right, this woman’s Medicine Soul... was indeed the Five-Color! Blame it on the Tami tribe’s excessive enthusiasm and sincerity; Ouyang Nuan, upon arrival, didn’t bother to disguise her Five-Color Medicine Soul, seen by some...

Ning Fan was more cautious and had never shown his Medicine Soul here... But ultimately, Ouyang Nuan’s Medicine Soul was exposed here, it was a slip on his part for not warning her. It’s his fault.

Fortunately, this exposure didn’t seem to lead to any misfortune, but rather made the two Great Da Bi Immortal Emperors who had just arrived deeply apprehensive... Ning Fan noticed this keenly. Upon learning that they had a Five-Color Medicine Soul possessor, Lou Tuo, who initially had a sarcastic tone, noticeably softened his attitude, even showing a hint of fear...

A dignified Immortal Emperor would actually fear the Five-Color Medicine Soul? Ning Fan wasn’t sure if he was seeing things. If this were indeed the case, it would be quite intriguing...

"You are the possessor of the Five-Color Medicine Soul!" Lou Tuo Emperor followed the tribe’s gaze and noticed Ouyang Nuan, with a flash of gray light in his eyes, suddenly surprised,

"It’s true!"

Clearly, he used some secret technique to confirm Ouyang Nuan’s identity as a Five-Color Medicine Soul possessor! Another Emperor Bone Spirit similarly used a secret technique, revealing a satisfied smile.

Feeling somewhat tense, Ouyang Nuan pondered if her exposed Five-Color Medicine Soul might cause trouble for Ning Fan. It was her first time facing Immortal Emperor experts at such close quarters, and facing two at once felt like a looming crisis. The little Maoqiu in her arms trembled, like a frightened small beast, exceedingly terrified.

"Don’t be afraid, dear sister... From what I know, the Eternal Old Monstrosities of the Great Da Bi tribe treat rare Medicine Soul possessors with great honor; it’s their custom. Learning you have the Five-Color Medicine Soul is surely not a bad thing but might make our journey easier..." Burying Moon timely transmitted her thoughts.

The exposure of the Five-Color Medicine Soul isn’t a bad thing, but might bring convenience? If that were true, it’d be excellent... Ouyang Nuan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Lou Tuo Emperor pondered, his face changed unpredictably, eventually revealing a complex expression, addressing Ning Fan in a peculiar tone, "Alright then, since you possess the Five-Color Medicine Soul, consider yourselves distinguished guests of our Great Da Bi tribe. The matter of Punishing Ring can be lenient, reduced from seventy-two penalties to eighteen."

Possessors of rare Medicine Souls are considered honored guests of the Great Da Bi tribe; joining them naturally exempts them from Punishing Ring. If Ning Fan isn’t targeted, Ouyang Nuan, Jiuli, and Maoqiu can be exempted, requiring only Ning Fan, Wu Laoba, and Burying Moon to undergo punishment. Each person six penalties, totaling eighteen Punishments. It could be shared among three or solely all borne by one person.

Given Lou Tuo Emperor’s animosity towards foreign cultivators, a fair approach like this was already a concession.

Burying Moon slightly eased; merely facing eighteen penalties was bearable, avoiding confrontation with the Great Da Bi tribe.

"Little pervert, seems these Da Bi Immortal Emperors won’t make things difficult for us; let’s obediently undergo Punishing Ring, allowing us to move conveniently within the tribe..." Burying Moon transmitted her advice to Ning Fan, sharing the Da Bi tribe’s treatment of rare Medicine Souls.

Ning Fan nodded, seeing the tribe wasn’t actively troubling him, was willing to comply with the laws; eighteen penalties seemed a manageable trial worth attempting.

Not further troubling everyone, Lou Tuo Emperor started official procedures, flipping a jade-like horse bone, sacrificing it to Heavenly One, causing the bone to transform into a ray of light, shooting up into the sky, then manifesting a vision of galloping horses across the steppe, smoke and dust billowing, accompanied by countless fierce horse screams echoing through the Immortal Clouds.

The vision of galloping horses dissipated, followed by the entire steppe violently shaking, opening a chasm from which gray mist emerged, solidifying on the ground, finally forming an extremely ancient altar, enormous with three thousand golden pillars standing, many with golden rings possessing great sealing power.

"This is the Punishing Platform! You should already know, outsiders entering Great Da Bi tribe must undergo Punishing Ring to limit cultivation, carrying it into the Inner Sanctum, thus becoming guests of our tribe. When departing, the ring will dissipate naturally. Destroying the ring privately will be seen as defying our tribe’s prestige and lead to extermination by our Five Emperors. Remember this!"

Lou Tuo Emperor explained, urging, "Those wishing to undergo punishment step onto the platform and touch the golden pillars to undergo punishment!"

Though Lou Tuo Emperor, concerned with the Five-Color Medicine Soul, reduced hostility towards Ning Fan’s group, his inherent disdain for outsiders prevented amiability in speech.

During those days, Ning Fan’s group learned from Tageli about Punishing Ring’s procedures, mentally preparing for punishment.

According to the group’s plan, the two beasts needn’t undergo punishment. Ouyang Nuan and Burying Moon were spared; since punishment could be shared, Ning Fan and Wu Laoba would bear it.

"Who undergoes punishment first?" Lou Tuo Emperor asked expressionless.

"I’ll do it! Just me, Wu Xiaoba is enough! This Punishing Platform’s dangers are unknown, how could I let my master go first!"

Wu Laoba emerged with an air of righteous indignation, taking steps onto the platform, with a solemn demeanor, feeling the wind’s chill. On the surface, it seemed voluntary to relieve his master’s burden. Inside, Wu Laoba had his own calculations...

Total eighteen Penalties, splitting between him and Ning Fan. If Ning Fan went first, bearing mere four or five Punishments and descending, Wu Laoba faced remaining thirteen or fourteen—truly unfavorable! Going first grants control, determining how many Penalties to endure! Wu Laoba secretly calculated, knowing the newly ascended Immortal Venerable could endure only twelve penalties, even as the First Calamity Immortal Sovereign could bear more. Wu Laoba, keen with self-interest, refused to partake in any extra Penalty beyond what was necessary!

"Eighteen penalties, nine each seems equitable. If I endure less than nine, star of misfortune surely has objections, might grow furious... Alas, I, Wu Xiaoba must prove utmost loyalty, enduring at least nine penalties, giving star of misfortune an advantage without being overly disadvantaged... Hmm, let’s endure ten Penalties then! Hehe, star of misfortune, I endure ten and you eight, claiming I exerted my utmost, reaching my limit, letting you benefit without complaint..."

Tami tribe was unaware of Wu Laoba’s inner schemes.

Being sincere by nature, they saw only the surface, admiring the outsider’s loyalty, daring to risk for the master, a man.

Even Tami Sect Leader Tageli was secretly astonished, unable to believe Wu Laoba, who often hoodwinked them, was so loyal...

Wu Laoba reached the platform, cautiously approached the first pillar among three thousand, reaching out to touch, immediately withdrawing, wary, on high alert.

Upon touching, a golden ring abruptly emerged from the pillar, transforming into golden light, entering Wu Laoba’s body. Instantly, his cultivation dropped, nearly falling below Eternity’s First Tribulation!

Wu Laoba initially showed slight alarm, post introspection, he relaxed lightly, contemplating before attempting the second pillar.

Progressively touching pillar by pillar, his cultivation fell; at the eighth pillar, his cultivation dipped to Peak of Shekong; ninth, Late Stage of Shekong; tenth, Mid Stage of Shekong...

"I endured ten Punishing Rings, cultivation restricted to Mid Stage of Shekong; if I forced, could endure three more rings... but I’m no fool, remaining rings must be left for star of misfortune!"

Wu Laoba refused any loss, externally appearing breathless, biting teeth, feigning intent to approach the eleventh pillar, yet collapsed, visibly spent and failing before reaching.

"Not good! This outsider with surname Wu faces grave punishment struggling even at eleventh ring!"

"Pitiful, lamentable! Look at his condition, clearly drained, yet still struggling to reach the eleventh Punishing Ring—how admirable!"

"Such loyalty!"

"What a display of loyalty and courage!"

Some Tamu Tribe members were worried, having quite favorable feelings towards Wu Laoba and his loyalty, naturally caring more about him.

There were also members of the Tamu Tribe who were moved to tears by Wu Laoba’s struggle to rise, and secretly vowed to use him as a model to become faithful and devoted individuals.

Watching Wu Laoba crawling arduously on the Punishment Stage, Ning Fan’s lips twitched slightly, secretly transmitting, "Enough acting, come back! I won’t let you endure the remaining eight penalties!"

Wu Laoba was startled internally, thinking his small schemes might have been seen through by Ning Fan! He immediately sprang up from the ground, scampered down the Punishment Stage, nodding and bowing to Ning Fan, baffling the Tamu Tribe members, who couldn’t understand how Wu Laoba suddenly regained his vigor and vitality.

"Still eight more penalties..."

Ning Fan ignored Wu Laoba and slowly stepped onto the Punishment Stage, just like Wu Laoba, raising his hand to touch the first golden pillar.

Upon contact, the golden pillar began to tremble slightly, a motion akin to life, and a golden ring fell from the pillar, turned into golden light, and entered his body.

Ning Fan’s expression shifted slightly, searching within himself only to find that at present, a faintly elusive golden ring was clearly binding his Spirit!

This golden ring has the ability to seal a cultivator’s power. Among his powers, the Calamity Blood Cultivation was the highest, and with this ring’s restriction, the Calamity Blood Cultivation was significantly limited, almost dropping to the category of Zero Tribulation Celestial Venerate!

"This golden ring seems to be a type of sealing skill used by the Great Humble Ones..." Ning Fan tried to break free from the golden ring but found it extremely difficult to do so, regardless of how the Spirit changed, growing larger or smaller, the golden ring would adapt accordingly. Ordinary True Immortal methods couldn’t break the golden ring. Of course, if he used his trump card techniques, he could forcibly break free, instantly restoring his cultivation, so there was no need to worry too much.

No wonder Burying Moon said not to overly worry when trapped by Punishing Ring; clearly, one can break free from this ring restriction whenever needed...

However, according to the Bei Clan’s rules, anyone trapped in a Punishing Ring who forcibly breaks free will be seen as challenging the Bei Clan’s prestige, triggering pursuit by the Five Emperors of the Great Da Bi. Unless necessary, after entering the Bei Clan, neither Ning Fan nor the others were to destroy the ring and restore their cultivation. The Bei Clan intended for this group of foreign cultivators to remain restricted.

"If complications arise, break the ring and restore cultivation; if not, remain docile, prioritizing the purpose of this trip at all times..."

Ning Fan made his decision, after enduring one Punishing Ring, he then accepted the remaining seven rings, thus completely limiting his Calamity Blood Cultivation, and could only display the power of Divine, Demon, and Devil Cultivation.

Physically, an immediate sense of exhaustion invaded, as Ning Fan had gradually grown accustomed to the power of Calamity Blood. Suddenly being reverted to his original cultivation naturally required a period of adjustment.

Three powers, six penalties, twelve prohibitions... Six penalties were completed, now only needing to establish three achievements to gain complete freedom within the Bei Clan.

After imposing the Punishing Rings, Emperor Lou Tuo chanted spells, transformed the altar back into horse bones, and left without bothering to chatter. Just before departing, he unwillingly clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Ouyang Nuan, very courteous, which surprised many Southern Frontier cultivators secretly observing, as Emperor Lou Tuo, known for his hostility towards foreign cultivators, showed such courtesy!

Emperor Bone Spirit saw Lou Tuo’s inconsistency and slightly sneered, seeming to disdain Lou Tuo’s conduct. As Lou Tuo left, he arrogantly walked past Ning Fan and others without looking sideways, full of Immortal Emperor pride, yet when passing Ouyang Nuan, he showed an exceptionally courteous smile, saying,

"Now that the penalties are completed, this old man shall take his leave now. Since the young friend has arrived at the Great Humble Ones, you are our honored guest. In the future, if in difficulty, you can seek help from me in the Middle State. Naturally, if this old man requires assistance later, I hope the young friend can lend some support..."

This courtesy was directed solely at Ouyang Nuan! In Emperor Bone Spirit’s eyes, among these foreign cultivators, only Ouyang Nuan was worthy of his attention, the others were insignificant!

Ouyang Nuan felt uneasy; she had never been treated with such courtesy by an Immortal Emperor. Until Emperor Bone Spirit bid farewell and left, she still couldn’t quite recover.

Ning Fan, however, looked a bit serious. The reason why these Bei Celestial Emperors were courteous to Ouyang Nuan seemed not solely due to the Bei Clan’s respectful treatment of rare Medicine Souls...

Emperor Bone Spirit mentioned that if he needed help, he would seek Ouyang Nuan’s strength... Could it be that these Bei Celestial Emperors require Five-Color Medicine Soul for something and need Ouyang Nuan’s assistance?

Emperor Bone Spirit was merely courteous, whereas Emperor Lou Tuo seemed fearful... It didn’t seem as simple as seeking Five-Color Medicine Soul...

"If I also reveal Five-Color Medicine Soul, perhaps I could win the attention of these Celestial Emperors, only..."

Ning Fan frowned, unable to grasp the true intentions of these Celestial Emperors. Under caution, he refrained from revealing this matter proactively.

Thus, the two Great Emperors left calmly, without Emperor Lou Tuo troubling foreign cultivators, it surprised many Southern Frontier cultivators, disappointing others who lost the opportunity to weaken the Tamu Clan.

"In this upcoming tribal competition, the Tamu Clan has Shekong Level foreign cultivators assisting, we mustn’t be careless..." Some tribes that had long opposed the Tamu Clan grew wary.

"The Tamu Clan now has Shekong, they certainly won’t rank last this time, which means for those tribes without Shekong, it’s highly likely they’ll rank last..." Some weaker Southern Frontier tribes sighed, without Tamu at the bottom, these tribes had great chances of being last, truly unfortunate.

Xianyu Chun’s eyes blazed with excitement; he hadn’t expected the master he admired could stand so boldly before an Immortal Emperor and withstand Emperor Lou Tuo’s power... Truly worthy of being his chosen master!

Thus, as soon as the penalty ordeal was over for Ning Fan and others, Xianyu Chun eagerly hurried to the Tamu Clan to serve Ning Fan with tea and hospitality.

His father did not intervene this time; Emperor Lou Tuo’s attitude towards foreign cultivators left the Shepherd Evil Tribe’s Chief uncertain. Seeing Emperor Lou Tuo’s courtesy towards these foreign cultivators, letting his son associate with them might not be a bad thing after all. So he let him go, perhaps it was his fortune yet to come.

Regarding Xianyu Chun’s eagerness to please, Ning Fan remained indifferent, having no intention to accept a disciple, he soon dismissed Xianyu Chun and went into seclusion for three days to gradually adapt to the sealed cultivation.

With the penalties completed, his and Wu Laoba’s cultivations were sealed, now he could only display the powers of Divine, Demon, and Devil Cultivation.

The Ancient God and Ancient Demon Cultivations were both at the peak of the Initiate Realm of Shekong, with the Ancient Demon Cultivation being the strongest, just shy of advancing to the Ninth Nirvana of Heavenly Demon. Such cultivation was enough to aid the Tamu Clan in achieving good results in the Southern Frontier Clan’s small competition, though whether they could claim first place in the Southern Frontier was uncertain...

There was still roughly a month before the small competition began, during which time, Ning Fan had no intention of wasting it. After completing the six penalties, he still needed to establish three achievements to exchange for true freedom within the Bei Clan.

To establish achievements, one must go to the borders of the Bei Clan’s various continents’ Fierce Realms, where tribal tasks could be taken.

Before the South Borderlands Small Competition begins, Ning Fan decided to journey alone to the fringes of the Southern Frontier’s Fierce Realm to complete the entry tasks for everyone. According to Tageli, a foreign cultivator has to achieve three instances of human-grade military achievement points, totaling twelve for four people.

On this journey, Ning Fan brought no one else: Wu Laoba’s cultivation was just sealed, needing time to adapt, unlike Ning Fan, who naturally adapted quicker being at the Shedding Void Level; Ouyang Nuan stayed in the Tamu Clan to refine the expensive pills from the ancient cultivator’s cave to enhance her Medicine Soul’s power; and Burying Moon also remained behind, preparing for her rebirth through Corpse Seizing.

Burying Moon’s remnants were too fragmented. She planned to find a suitable body for Corpse Seizing but needed to repair her damaged spirit first. She had a unique secret technique to nurture herself during moonlit nights, leveraging the rich medicinal aura here, which Ning Fan didn’t need to worry about.

Leaving the Tamu Clan, Ning Fan first visited the Saint Stone Stele. With the Tamu Clan guards withdrawn, he clandestinely attempted to collect the Saint’s script, but as expected, he was unsuccessful. Given his current sealed cultivation, even if it weren’t sealed, the outcome would be the same. He merely observed the Saint’s script up close before departing.

Afterward, Ning Fan diverted his path towards the Fierce Realm border of the Southern Frontier Steppe.

The Inner Sanctum is composed of fragmented continents, with the outermost part of Southern Frontier Steppe adjacent to several Fierce Realm continents. These Fierce Realms are deficient in spiritual energy and overrun with fierce creatures, making them uninhabitable. Yet, because of their many opportunities, numerous Southern Frontier cultivators enjoy venturing into the Fierce Realm for training.

The Xieyang (Evil Sheep) Sect is the clan closest to the Fierce Realm continent on the Southern Frontier Steppe. Southern Frontier clan cultivators often pass through it when entering the Fierce Realm to train.

Inside the Fierce Realm are abundant Spiritual Medicines and numerous fierce creatures. Cultivators who train there generally gain something. Items they can’t use themselves are mostly sold in the Xieyang Sect’s market.

The Xieyang Sect also has a designated area for posting tasks that cultivators can choose to accept. Tasks include guard duties, patrols, gathering, hunting, and even some special missions.

Task levels are divided into Human, Earth, Sky, and Asura Fourth Rank. Some are issued by Southern Frontier local clans, while others are posted by clans from other continents.

Tuolong is the task guard for the Xieyang Sect. Today, as usual, he yawned and lazily guarded his post. It’s no wonder he was leisurely; though many cultivators venture into the Fierce Realm to train, few dare to accept tasks since even the lowest human-level tasks involve significant risks, prohibitive even for Enlightenment Old Demons...

Earth-level tasks are all assignments that can influence the Southern Frontier’s clan dynamics. Their peril makes Shekong Cultivators dare not accept them lightly, though the rewards are substantial...

As for Sky-level tasks, apologies, but such high-level tasks don’t exist in the Southern Frontier; one might have to go to Middle State to take on such assignments.

As for Asura-level tasks, even the might of an Immortal Emperor alone can’t accomplish them, certainly not in the Southern Frontier!

As Tuolong yawned, the tent flap suddenly lifted, and a man and a woman stepped inside. Upon seeing who it was, Tuolong immediately straightened up and greeted them with an ingratiating smile,

"The two of you are here again? The wind on the steppe is strong; please sit down and have a warm cup of mare’s milk tea."

"No need! We didn’t come here for tea. Hmm? Is no one accepting our task yet?" The man glanced at the task scrolls hanging and frowned instantly. This man’s attire was entirely different from the Dabei Clan, resembling the Four Heavens cultivators, distinguished only by the extremely broad Black Iron Greatsword on his back. Though not handsome, his face was well-defined, exuding a domineering aura from his brow, surrounded by the powerful presence of a Peak of Shekong.

Tuolong murmured the identity of this Greatsword man: Pi Xiong, a Tomb Guardian of the Holy Mountain! It’s said he ranks in the top hundred among Tomb Guardians—a significant figure that a mere task guard in the small Xieyang Sect cannot afford to offend!

Seeing the Greatsword man’s question, Tuolong dared not be slow and reluctantly replied, "The task you two issued is too difficult: finding ten pieces of Six-Star Nie Mother Stones... You must know, sir, how precious Nie Mother Stones are to Body Cultivation, and even for most of the fierce creatures in the Fierce Realm, they’re supreme supplements, often guarded by beasts, and hard to acquire unless entered above Fourth-level Fierce Realm..."

"So until now, no one has accepted my task! Although there aren’t many Late Stage of Shekong in the Southern Frontier, a few exist. The reward I offer is quite substantial, yet no one dared to join the task, claiming it’s too risky... Could it be your Southern Frontier’s Shekong cultivators fear getting injured before the clan competition and dare not tread on dangerous grounds? Haha, proving once again, the Southern Frontier cultivators are indeed cowards," the Greatsword man sneered.

"If there’s truly no one, then let it be. With just the two of us, it may be dangerous, but not necessarily impossible to achieve our goal!" The woman, in a short red leather skirt, with long hair touched with a faint red hue tied loosely with a Flood Dragon’s Tendon, had unnaturally pale skin. There was a crimson vermilion spot on her brow, and her beautiful eyes carried a fierce air, making her seem less like a gentle woman and more like a she-wolf of the steppe.

"Fine, another ten days. If still no one takes the task, then it’s dismissed!" The man snorted coldly and led the woman away, just as they were about to exit the tent, a white-robed youth pulled open the tent flap and stepped inside.

"His attire..." The red-haired woman’s beautiful eyes narrowed.

The Greatsword man similarly became solemn. Such attire, different from the Dabei, could it be...

"Are you also a Tomb Guardian of the Holy Mountain?" the Greatsword man asked Ning Fan.

Based on his knowledge, within the Dabei group, the only ones wearing foreign attire besides the Tomb Guardians of the Holy Mountain were foreign cultivators...

"Tomb Guardian of the Holy Mountain? What’s that?" Ning Fan was puzzled; he’d just arrived at the Xieyang Sect task location, and someone was already asking odd questions.

Being attentive, he naturally remembered this novel term, thinking it must be a title from a certain clan or sect of the Dabei group, intending to inquire, but the Greatsword man showed arrogance upon receiving his answer.

"So you are a foreign cultivator, hmm!"

Upon learning Ning Fan was a foreign cultivator, the Greatsword man left without any intent to probe Ning Fan’s cultivation and opened the tent flap to leave.

The red-haired woman, however, took a deep look at Ning Fan, but with just one glance, she too left disappointedly.

The Greatsword man harbored animosity toward Ning Fan’s race, while the red-haired woman was more open-minded yet equally disappointed in Ning Fan’s cultivation.

"His aura is rather discreet, but it appears to be at the peak of the Initiate Realm of Shekong..." The red-haired woman didn’t pinpoint Ning Fan’s exact cultivation and regrettably left.

If Ning Fan’s cultivation were higher, she wouldn’t mind Ning Fan’s race and would have considered inviting Ning Fan to venture into the Fourth-level Fierce Realm to seek Nie Mother Stones, especially since the Southern Frontier Small Competition was approaching and having a Shekong cultivator present was rare. Unfortunately, as the other party didn’t even have Mid Stage of Shekong cultivation, bringing him would be a burden, better not to include...

Come to think of it, this person, as a foreign cultivator, is likely one of the entrants when the Holy Domain opened. The Shekong cultivation he exhibits—is it from before or after the provisions were imposed... If it’s the latter, his original cultivation must have been exceedingly high.

Yet even if he was an external Immortal Venerable, he wouldn’t count for much more than a local Shekong in the eyes of the locals, so upon exiting the tent, the red-haired woman forgot Ning Fan entirely.

"I wonder, what does that Tomb Guardian of the Holy Mountain refer to..."

Ning Fan also put the two people behind him as he stepped into the tent and approached the task guard, saying, "I’m here to take on a task."

"You’re a foreign cultivator?" Tuolong lazily dug in his ear with an indifferent attitude.

A foreign cultivator, are they really so impressive? In the eyes of the Great Humble Ones, they are no different from cows and sheep, of course, if foreign cultivators are strong enough, they would certainly merit a warm reception from Tuolong.

Unfortunately, Tuolong’s cultivation is too weak to see through Ning Fan’s realm at this moment.

"Yes, I’m here today to complete the three tasks mission."

"Three tasks mission? The tasks here are at the human level, just pick any three to do." Tuolong had no interest in Ning Fan, thinking how come there’s another foreign cultivator entering the Southern Frontier Steppe. The Holy Domain that opens once every ten thousand years never has too many slots for outside cultivators, and those daring to enter its inner sanctum are even fewer... This person, I wonder which tribe he has joined. Speaking of this, it wasn’t long ago that two Eternal Immortal Venerables joined the Tamu clan, sigh, the Tamu clan’s luck is indeed extraordinary, to have Immortal Venerable outsiders joining. This time in the Southern Frontier competition, they won’t be at the bottom. I heard the Young Sect Leader even holds one of the Immortal Venerables in great esteem and wishes to take him as a master...

Wait! Could this person be one of the four outsiders of the Tamu clan?

Tuolong had been guarding the task area for years, not knowing much about the information on outsiders, only aware of the two men and two women. Both male Immortal Venerables are men...

Could this person be the Tamu Immortal Venerable!

Tuolong shivered, then shook his head in self-mockery, thinking no, no, if this person was indeed an outsider Immortal Venerable, he would surely have an Immortal Venerable’s pride. Just now, the two Holy Mountain Tomb Guardians treated Ning Fan with some disregard, yet Ning Fan wasn’t angry. If he were truly an Immortal Venerable, even as an outsider, he should have a stronger character, there would be some dissatisfaction!

"This person mustn’t be the Tamu clan’s Immortal Venerable. I, Tuolong, have seen countless people, and never seen such fair-skinned Immortal Venerables." Tuolong touched his own exposed, black and thick chest muscles, glanced at Ning Fan, clicking his tongue regretfully, feeling pity for Ning Fan’s lack of manliness.

Ning Fan was filled with black lines, first two inexplicable men and women, followed by a chest-touching guard... Are all Dabei clan cultivators so inexplicable?

It was rumored that the minds of Great Humble Ones were mostly problematic, uncertain about the previous pair, but this chest-touching guard was probably not a normal person...

His gaze swept over the hanging tasks, Ning Fan nodded frequently. There were a total of 77 human-level tasks here, some involved finding Spirit Medicine over five million years old, others involved hunting Fate Immortals and Enlightenment fierce beasts, and some were patrol, guard tasks, like guarding Spirit Ore veins in level one fierce realms or patrolling Fire Valley in level two fierce realms... These guarding tasks mostly have a century duration, extremely time-consuming, Ning Fan naturally wouldn’t undertake them.

Excluding these guard tasks, there were still 51 human-level tasks available to take. For Ning Fan possessing the Treasure-searching Compass, even with strong interference in the Holy Domain’s inner sanctum, he could use the Treasure-searching Compass to find heavenly treasures in small areas, making the medicine-seeking tasks very easy, and hunting tasks posed no difficulty, he could complete them with a wave of his hand.

Compared to these simple tasks, the task rewards were very generous!

The rewards for human-level tasks were basically Medicine Soul Stones! And any random human-level task had rewards over ten thousand pieces!

Originally, Ning Fan only needed to complete 12 human-level tasks to achieve the three tasks mission, but now, wanting all the Medicine Soul Stone rewards, he didn’t mind completing all the simple tasks that he could easily handle...

Hmm? Earth-level tasks aren’t difficult either? Hunting beasts at the Initiate Realm of Shekong, finding Corpse Master’s corpse pills at the Mid Stage of Shekong, finding ten pieces of Six-Star Nie Mother Stone...

"If the task undertaken can’t be completed, is there a penalty?" Ning Fan asked.

"No!" Tuolong shook his head and sighed. This person certainly can’t be an Immortal Venerable, if he were, would completing human-level tasks still fear inability to avoid punishment?

"Since there is no penalty... aside from the guard-type tasks, make a copy of all remaining human-level and earth-level tasks for me."

"Wha... what!"

Tuolong was astounded.

This person was either joking or... had extremely terrifying cultivation, able to complete all tasks here at once!

"May I ask which clan you are from? This needs to be registered." Tuolong swallowed, asked after making copies of all tasks.

"Tamu clan."

Ning Fan responded, took the task copies, and walked out of the tent, flying into the sky, toward the nearest Fiendish Domain Continent.

Tuolong sucked in cold air, still able to guess the person’s identity. Reflecting on the previous cold treatment, he grew anxious, if this person was indeed the Tamu clan Immortal Venerable, not just his cultivation deserved reverence, his other identity demanded even greater respect!

Could this person be the one the Young Sect Leader wishes to take as a master!

If the Young Sect Leader were to know I slighted his master, would he flay me alive!

"Hiss! Forgot to give this person a positioning compass! The fierce realm’s magnetic forces are unusual enough to limit spirit sense, without a compass, even with profound cultivation, it’s dangerous. If accidentally entering a high-level fierce realm... it might be a one-way trip..."

Tuolong gritted his teeth, eventually deciding to report this matter to the Young Sect Leader.

Ning Fan certainly wouldn’t care about a mere Tuolong. Upon entering the Fiendish Domain Continent, he discovered the bizarre magnetic interference, limiting the spread of his spirit sense.

But it didn’t matter, his Heaven Prying Rain Technique was strong enough, the Treasure-searching Compass was mysterious, even under restrictions, he wouldn’t be heavily limited, still able to move freely here without losing his way.

And unexpectedly, as soon as he entered this Fiendish Domain Continent, he found something that sparked a slight interest.

It was an hidden vein localized by the Treasure-searching Compass!

"Is this a... Nie Mother Stone? The quality isn’t high, should be a defective piece among the one-star series... but this quantity is excessively substantial."

Ning Fan stood outside a Nie Mother Stone vein, his gaze slightly focused. If his perception was correct, in this unique Great Humble Ones ore, there was an exceptionally pure Body Refinement power, enough to enhance the realm of body cultivation...

His Ancient Demon Cultivation had reached the peak of the Eighth Nirvana of the Heavenly Demon, merely a step away from the Ninth Nirvana. If absorbing the Nie Mother Stone here, could it perhaps break through to the Ninth Nirvana of Heavenly Demon...

Roar!

Yet it was a series of strange roars carried by a yin wind, suddenly emanating from the mine tunnel...