Grasping the Evil-Chapter 800: Spiritual Platform Star Lord, Ning Fan!
"Daoist Ning, I have a request. Could we speak privately for a moment? This matter will certainly be very beneficial to you!"
Luo Xiao spoke earnestly, clasping his fists and bowing, his attitude extremely courteous.
Ning Fan halted his steps, thoughtfully watching Luo Xiao, and after a moment, nodded and said, "Very well, let’s find a different place to talk."
With that, Ning Fan flickered away, flying towards a nearby low mountain, quietly standing atop its peak.
This mountain was originally a thousand-zhang tall, but due to the aftermath from the earlier duel, only a hundred-zhang remained.
Seeing this, Luo Xiao also ascended into the air, flying to the top of that low mountain, leaving Liu Zhou, Ke Long, and the black-skirted lady behind, glancing at each other.
The cultivators here have lived tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of years, and Luo Xiao’s change in attitude towards Ning Fan, as well as the implication of alliance in his words, couldn’t be hidden from any of the cultivators present.
"Brother Ke, is our fate considered preserved?" asked several demon cultivators from the Void Fragmentation Realm.
"Preserved, I suppose..." Ke Long carefully shielded two small infants, his face complex.
"The envoy from the Godly Void Pavilion previously said, that if he were defeated by Senior Ning, he would bring our Spirit Platform Demon Clan under the protection of the War King Luo Family’s wings. Seeing his courteous attitude towards Senior Ning at this moment, this matter probably isn’t false... Which means, in the future, not only will our Spirit Platform Demon Clan have support from Senior Ning in secret, but also protection from the Luo Family openly! And those Spirit Platform cultivators, who were already no match for our demon clan, will be even less of a threat in the future!" A burly demon cultivator showed a hopeful expression.
Ke Long heard this and merely smiled bitterly, inwardly thinking, when did Senior Ning ever support the Spirit Platform Demon Clan?
He was clearly just supporting his own two granddaughters, and didn’t even care too much about Ke Long’s life and death...
As for the envoy Luo Xiao, it seemed he only promised to protect Spiritual Platform Star and take care of those two small infants...
From beginning to end, Luo Xiao never even mentioned looking after the Spirit Platform Demon Clan. The protection of Spiritual Platform Star and protection of the Spirit Platform Demon Clan are likely two completely different matters. That demon cultivator’s full-hearted wish is probably just wishful thinking.
Liu Zhou and the five Spirit Platform Void Fragmentation cultivators looked anxious, worried about the future of Spiritual Platform Star.
Especially Liu Zhou, whose eyes were filled with deep worry, as he had painstakingly invited the envoy to help eradicate the demonic tide, never expecting that the demon clan would have Ning Fan, such a powerful cultivator, backing them.
And the envoy Luo Xiao, to foster a relationship with Ning Fan, has completely abandoned the matter of eradication...
"Daoist Liu, how should we handle ourselves in the future?" sighed several Spirit Platform Void Fragmentation cultivators.
The cultivator power on Spiritual Platform Star was already weaker than the Demon Beast side, and now Ning Fan presides over the Demon Beast side, while their supporter Luo Xiao has sided with Ning Fan...
No matter how they thought about it, they all felt the future for Spirit Platform cultivators was bleak...
Perhaps, Spiritual Platform Star will be entirely controlled by the Demon Beast side, becoming a devil star where cultivators can barely live...
"The envoy has decided not to eradicate demons; it’s settled. With our cultivation levels, it’s impossible to turn the tide. If the matter is hopeless, our only option is to abandon Spiritual Platform Star and let our Spirit Platform cultivators relocate our sect and family to live on other cultivation stars..." Liu Zhou sighed reluctantly.
"You mean relocate stars!? How can that be done? No, it absolutely cannot be! Spiritual Platform Star is Zhu Mou’s homeland, the place where my master and friends are buried. If I can’t guard my homeland, Zhu Mou would rather die, sacrificing myself before the demons, rather than living ignobly!" a Void Fragmentation cultivator with the surname Zhu spoke resolutely.
"Relocating stars is too costly, and not all Spirit Platform cultivators can relocate. Out of ten people, perhaps five or six will have to remain on Spiritual Platform... Leaving, not everyone can go; staying means facing the demons’ autumn revenge, extermination... Moreover, even if we move to other cultivation stars, the unfamiliarity of the new location will make it hard to establish ourselves..." Another Spirit Platform Void Fragmentation cultivator sighed.
Liu Zhou said no more, only sighed deeply in silence.
As the recently appointed Star Lord, his tenure might already be at an end...
The black-skirted lady watched the retreating figure of Luo Xiao, her eyebrows furrowed, pondering silently.
She glanced at the shattered landscape and the pile of ashes left by the Elder Sui Ba, whom Ning Fan had raised a finger to kill, still feeling a chill in her heart.
"Is Luo Xiao determined to make an alliance with this person? Is this amicability from his personal intention, or does it represent the Luo Family..."
"In recent years, the Luo Family has been recruiting second-step cultivators who excel in surpassing battle levels. This is known among all forces above level six in Eastern Heaven. From the Human Profound Initial Stage to the True Immortal of the Eons, the Luo Family accepts almost everyone... What exactly is the Luo Family intending to do?"
The black-skirted lady was named Chen Lingfeng, from a branch of the Dongming Chen Family.
The Chen Family didn’t match the Luo Family in power, being only a seventh-level force in the Dongming Star Domain, with only one Shedding Void Initiate Realm ancestor presiding.
Moreover, the Chen Family is entirely different from the Luo Family.
The Chen Family is a force within the Divine Space Camp, whereas the Luo Family belongs to the Void Camp...
"The ancestor instructed us Chen Family cultivators to keep an eye on the Luo Family’s movements and report any matter, regardless of size, to the ancestor’s knowledge. I wonder if Luo Xiao purposely befriending the Ning cultivator has any value worth reporting..."
While Chen Lingfeng contemplated, a Punishment Pavilion Void Fragmentation cultivator behind her discreetly asked,
"If I may ask, Divine General, how do we handle Gong Chao’s death... How do we deal with the murderer..."
Gong Chao was the unfortunate Void Fragmentation cultivator that Ning Fan had slaughtered with a mere finger.
"What do you want to do with the murderer?" Chen Lingfeng coldly asked.
"Gong Chao, despite everything, was a Godly Void Pavilion cultivator; how can he be so casually killed by an outsider? In my humble opinion, this matter should be reported to the Pavilion Master of the Punishment Pavilion, who will decide and send a True Immortal senior to arrest the perpetrator! Though the perpetrator isn’t weak, they hardly matter before our Godly Void Pavilion! Evil must be eradicated, the wicked must be beheaded! This Ning-surnamed Fate Immortal cannot be spared!" The Punishment Pavilion Void Fragmentation cultivator arrogantly remarked.
"If you wish to report this matter to the Pavilion Master, then do so," Chen Lingfeng responded indifferently. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Due to the recent chaos in Eastern Heaven, countless strong cultivators have fallen in the Godly Void Pavilion, and it’s currently a time for reconstruction. The Pavilion Master of the Punishment Pavilion is busy with important matters; where would there be time to address the downfall of Void Fragmentation juniors...
In Chen Lingfeng’s eyes, even if this matter was reported, it would likely receive little response.
Ning Fan, this individual, clearly isn’t someone easy to deal with, and Chen Lingfeng wouldn’t wish to become an enemy over an unrelated Void Fragmentation junior.
Moreover, observing Luo Xiao’s current demeanor, he was likely trying to befriend Ning Fan. Behind Luo Xiao was the War King Luo Family...
...
Luo Xiao flew to the low mountain, immediately taking out an Array Plate to set up an isolating formation seal at the peak, making it apparent that he didn’t want anyone overhearing their conversation.
After finishing the arrangement, Luo Xiao again clasped his fists to Ning Fan, smiling as he said,
"Previously, Luo Mou insisted on sparring with the Daoist; I actually had probing intentions, which the Daoist has likely noticed. Luo Mou guarantees these probes harbor absolutely no malice, so the Daoist may rest assured."
"Just state your purpose directly," Ning Fan replied calmly.
"Hehe, Luo Mou’s purpose is simple, there’s only one. I hope the Daoist can join our Luo Family as a Guest Elder," Luo Xiao said with a smile.
"Join the Luo Family? As a Guest Elder?" Ning Fan’s eyes flickered, and after a brief silence, he shook his head and said, "Not interested."
Upon hearing this, Luo Xiao immediately clapped his hands and laughed, "As expected, the Daoist isn’t a person of commonality. Ordinary people yearn to be Guest Elders of the Luo Family but cannot attain it; the Daoist could have it effortlessly but scorns the idea."
Ning Fan didn’t reply, quietly watching Luo Xiao, waiting for his further words.
He didn’t believe Luo Xiao had gone to such lengths just to invite him to be a Guest Elder of the Luo Family.
Seeing Ning Fan not respond, Luo Xiao also stopped smiling, adopting a serious tone, "Daoist, what do you think of our Luo Family’s ’Warsoul Spell’? Would you consider practicing this technique?"
Ning Fan’s eyes sharpened, still remaining silent.
Luo Xiao’s eyes narrowed, suddenly taking out a cluster of scarlet flame and forming it into a jade scroll, handing it to Ning Fan, solemnly saying,
"This jade scroll contains a portion of the technique from the first transformation of the Warsoul Spell. If the Daoist can gain insight from this jade scroll, come find me at Tianhai Star of the Luo Family, and we can discuss the matter of becoming a Guest Elder of the Luo Family."
Ning Fan received the jade scroll, and upon entering the scroll with his spirit sense, he was immediately struck by scorching heat.
The heat emanates from battle intent!
This jade scroll was formed from the Battle Intent Flame!
Without a strong and stable spirit, it’s impossible to resist the scroll’s battle intent and read its text.
One by one, the Divine Seal Script imprints formed in Ning Fan’s spirit sense, each revealing the cultivation method of the Warsoul Spell.
However, the sequence of these cultivation methods was chaotic and disordered, lacking a single coherent phrase, making them utterly unusable for practice...
Luo Xiao looked at Ning Fan with great meaning, presenting this jade scroll to him with two intentions.
If Ning Fan is not destined to cultivate the War God Art, he will be unable to understand the key to this jade scroll, nor comprehend its disordered script.
If Ning Fan can grasp the essence of this jade scroll, then it would serve as Luo Xiao’s gesture of goodwill in befriending him.
"Every cultivator of the Luo Family, when tested for their potential to cultivate the War God Art, receives a Battle Intent Jade Slip. My aptitude for cultivating the War God Art ranks among the top ten in the family. However, when I underwent the test and received the jade slip, it took me an entire year to grasp its profound mystery. I wonder how long it will take this cultivator surnamed Ning to comprehend its intricacies."
As Luo Xiao was pondering this, a look of shock suddenly appeared on his face.
He saw Ning Fan holding the jade scroll, suddenly smiling knowingly, with his eyes alight with the flames of battle intent.
The next instant, Ning Fan crushed the jade scroll violently!
The shattered jade scroll transformed back into star-like red flames, which were also flames of battle intent!
Each speck of flame turned into fiery words, faintly resembling all the characters within the jade scroll.
Ning Fan opened his mouth and swallowed these fiery specks, immediately regaining a clear look in his eyes.
At this moment, within his divine sense, he successfully received part of the spell of the first transformation of the War God Art.
As he read through the contents in detail, Ning Fan’s eyes flashed with brilliance, with each word and sentence deepening his comprehension of the path of Body Refinement!
"Daoist, you saw through the mystery of this Battle Intent Jade Slip at a glance, Luo Mou is impressed!"
Luo Xiao looked at Ning Fan with excitement.
If he previously had any doubts about Ning Fan’s potential in cultivating the War God Art, at this moment, he could confirm that Ning Fan’s aptitude is at least on par with the current Luo Family Patriarch!
Since the time of War King Luo Hou, only the current family head Luo Shix from the Luo Family managed to uncover the mystery of this jade scroll upon first receiving it.
Currently, only Luo Shix in the Luo Family has cultivated the War God Art to the realm of the Third Transformation!
"The test is passed. Can Luo Daoist now speak plainly? What benefits can you offer Ning Mou, and what must Ning Mou do for the Luo Family?"
Ning Fan’s eyes narrowed, speaking with gravity.
From the moment he received the jade scroll, he understood it was a test.
By directly unveiling its mystery, he demonstrated his value to Luo Xiao, gaining more bargaining power.
Ning Fan suspected that Luo Xiao’s request most likely had something to do with cultivating the War God Art, otherwise he wouldn’t have used such a secret technique jade slip to test him.
Based on Ning Fan’s guess, should he fulfill the Luo Family’s request, he could likely obtain the profound War God Art.
Having witnessed its profoundness, it would be a treasure for physique refinement cultivators.
If given the opportunity to learn this art, he would naturally be inclined to fulfill the Luo Family’s request, provided their request was neither malicious nor too perilous, otherwise, Ning Fan wouldn’t risk his life for a mere art.
"Since Daoist can complete the first test, it proves you are the person Luo Mou is looking for. To be frank, our family is currently facing a difficult matter, one that only a cultivator who has reached the fourth transformation of the War God Art can accomplish. Luo Mou cannot disclose specifics, but I can assure you there’s no danger involved for you, rest assured."
"What you need to do is become a Guest Elder of my Luo Family and wholeheartedly cultivate the War God Art, aiming to reach the Fourth Transformation. Before that, the Luo Family will make no requests of you. Currently, on Tianhai Star, we have 122 Guest Elders who stayed solely to cultivate the War God Art..."
"Should Daoist fail to cultivate the Fourth Transformation, our family will not hold you accountable. Daoist will remain a Guest Elder and still be a friend of the Luo Family."
"Once Daoist has achieved the Fourth Transformation, we will request a single task from you... After accomplishing it, Daoist will become an esteemed guest of our Luo Family. Anything Daoist demands, as long as it’s within our power, we will fulfill without question!"
Luo Xiao spoke while observing Ning Fan’s expression.
Unfortunately, Ning Fan’s face remained calm and serene, giving no hint of his thoughts.
Ning Fan listened silently to Luo Xiao’s words while contemplating.
Though Luo Xiao’s words seemed elaborate, they were indeed watertight, revealing nothing about the request of the Luo Family.
This also indicated that the matter for which the Luo Family sought him was intricate, and they were unwilling to easily disclose internal secrets.
Ning Fan was yet to decide if the Luo Family harbored any ill intentions toward him.
However, even if the Luo Family bore malice, Ning Fan would not be afraid.
If the Luo Family harbored sinister motives, Ning Fan had life-preserving techniques to ensure they regretted it for eternity.
Of course, if the Luo Family bore no ill will, Ning Fan wouldn’t mind using this opportunity to learn their exclusive secret art—the War God Art!
"The War God Art, the Luo Family..." Ning Fan’s eyes flickered as if weighing the pros and cons.
The War God Art is indeed an exceedingly mysterious physique refinement technique, with its profoundness lying in the phrase ’fighting with one’s back to the river, defeating the strong with the weak.’
It is only the Second Step cultivators who can practice the War God Art, but its cultivation progress is unrelated to the practitioner’s level of cultivations.
As long as one possesses enough talent, even a Human Profound Initial Stage cultivator could potentially achieve the Fourth Transformation of the art; conversely, without sufficient talent, even an Immortal Emperor may fail to achieve even the first or second transformations.
The War God Art emphasizes talent in understanding and controlling battle intent, whether one’s battle intent is strong enough.
In the view of the cultivator who conceived the War God Art, the strongest battle intent in the world isn’t achieved by winning every battle and being eager to fight, but by not retreating in the face of death, never faltering, and fighting to the death!
The more one refuses to retreat when on the verge of doom, the stronger their battle intent, using it to unleash power several times their own in desperate straits.
Whether for survival, for an indestructible belief, for an irreconcilable grievance, or for a reason that cannot be retreated from.
All these could transform into the fiercest battle intent, fearless of death, indifferent to life, and unafraid of powerful enemies!
Practitioners of this art can use the Fourth Transformation of the Battle Art to unleash physique refinement power several times their own through a fierce battle intent blaze.
Luo Xiao himself was at the Fourth Slash of Immortal Physique in Body Refinement but unleashed the pinnacle power of the Seventh Slash of Immortal Physique after using the Second Transformation of the War God.
If Luo Xiao could master the Third and Fourth Transformations, perhaps even with the Fourth Slash Physique, he could fight against Enlightenment Realm, who knows...
"I’ve said so much, would Daoist be willing to become a Guest Elder of our Luo Family, and practice the War God Art?" Luo Xiao asked expectantly.
He had spoken extensively, and if Ning Fan still did not agree, then he would be greatly disappointed.
After a moment’s silence, Ning Fan finally gave Luo Xiao his answer.
Through the isolating formation light, one could vaguely see what Ning Fan said, after which Luo Xiao revealed a satisfied smile.
The two continued talking for a long time, seemingly discussing many things.
An hour later, Luo Xiao withdrew the isolating formation light, traveling back to the Demon Marsh with Ning Fan, both wearing expressions of friendly conversation.
As soon as they landed, Luo Xiao announced explosive news to everyone.
"From today on, Daoist Ning Fan is the new Star Lord of Lingtai Star!"
Liux Zhou’s position as Star Lord was thus simply erased!
In an instant, Liux Zhou and the Void Fragmentation Masters from Spirit Platform were all ashen-faced, looking at Ning Fan, then at the Demon Clan...
"Could it be that we can only migrate stars now..." Liux Zhou’s face was bleak, yet helpless.
Chen Lingfeng, though, furrowed her brows.
"What is Luo Xiao’s deeper meaning in this command..."
(1/2) (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
